Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M35/00—Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body
  • A61M35/003—Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
  • A61B18/18—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
  • A61B18/20—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
  • A61B18/203—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
  • A61B2017/00743—Type of operation; Specification of treatment sites
  • A61B2017/00747—Dermatology
  • A61B2017/00765—Decreasing the barrier function of skin tissue by radiated energy, e.g. using ultrasound, using laser for skin perforation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
  • A61B2018/00315—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body for treatment of particular body parts
  • A61B2018/00452—Skin
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M37/00—Other apparatus for introducing media into the body; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin
  • A61M2037/0007—Other apparatus for introducing media into the body; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an applicator for facilitating the delivery of a solution to a surface.
• the invention relates to an applicator which facilitates the delivery of a therapeutic solution, such as for example a drug containing solution, to the skin of a person or animal.
• the applicator according to the invention may have a number of different applications, for convenience reference herein will be substantially limited to the primary area of application, delivery of a therapeutic solution.
• a number of systems for the delivery of drugs and vaccines are known, the most common of which include delivery via injection and oral administration. Other systems are also known including delivery through the skin via patches and ointments.
• the invention advantageously provides an applicator and delivery system which facilitate delivery of a therapeutic solution or drug through the skin. More particularly, the invention advantageously provides an applicator which may be used in conjunction with a laser ablative device for the delivery of a therapeutic solution or drug through the skin.
• an applicator for facilitating delivery of a solution to a surface
• the applicator including: a receptacle for storage of the solution prior to delivery to the surface, the receptacle being operable between a closed orientation and an open orientation; an abutting face which in use sealingly abuts the surface, the abutting face including an aperture which facilitates delivery of the solution to the surface and which is in fluid communication with the receptacle when the receptacle is in the open orientation; wherein as the receptacle is translated from the closed orientation to the open orientation the solution is released from the receptacle to the aperture of the abutting face while the abutting face is maintained in sealing abutment with the surface.
• the receptacle for storage of the solution prior to delivery may take any suitable form provided that it may be translated from the closed orientation to the open orientation to facilitate delivery of the solution from the receptacle to the aperture enabling the contact of the solution with the surface, which will be the skin of a patient in the primary field of application, delivery of a therapeutic solution and, drug delivery.
• the receptacle includes a housing having at least one open partition and a threaded cap which threadably engages the housing, the cap including a complimentary partition which engages the partition of the housing when the receptacle is in the closed orientation such that the solution is stored between the partitions, and wherein the cap is rotatable to disengage the partitions of the housing and the cap translating the receptacle to the open orientation, thereby allowing egress of the solution to the aperture of the abutting face.
• the housing may include any number of partitions, each of which constitutes a subspace of the receptacle when engaged with the complementary partition of the cap. In a preferred embodiment, however, the housing includes four open partitions which are engaged by four complimentary partitions of the cap when the receptacle is in the closed orientation.
• the receptacle in another embodiment, includes a housing having at least one open partition and a cap which engages the housing, the cap including a complimentary partition which engages the partition of the housing when the receptacle is in the closed orientation such that the solution is stored within the receptacle, and wherein the cap includes actuating means to disengage the partitions of the housing and the cap translating the receptacle to the open orientation, thereby releasing the solution to the aperture of the abutting face.
• the at least one open partition of the housing includes a pair of opposing tabs which extend from opposing sides of the housing towards the centre of the housing and the partition of the cap includes a central tab which engages the tabs of the housing and constitutes a gate between the tabs of the housing.
• the central tab of the cap is engaged by the actuating means such that on actuation of the actuating means the central tab is disengaged from the tabs of the housing to allow egress of the solution to the aperture of the housing.
• the cap and the housing may cooperate with each other in any suitable fashion.
• the cap is an integral unit which is fitted, preferably snap-fitted, on the housing.
• the cap includes a body portion which is hingedly attached to the housing of the receptacle, and an insert portion which includes the central tab and which is sandwiched by the upper portion of the cap and the housing of the receptacle, the insert portion including a press button which engages the central tab and which constitutes the actuating means.
• the primary field of application of the applicator will be delivery of therapeutic and drug containing solutions, particularly delivery of such solutions in conjunction with the use of a laser ablative device.
• the laser ablation of skin so as to facilitate the delivery of a drug therethrough is known. This involves the application of a laser beam to the surface of the skin so as to ablate the surface of the stratum corneum to render the surface more permeable to a solution containing the drug to be delivered.
• This technology is considered in depth in a number of patent documents and will not be dealt with in detail here apart from noting that laser ablative devices generally including a firing end which constitutes a tip of the device and through which the laser is fired.
• the applicator is preferably adapted to engage the tip of a laser ablative device and includes a window through which the laser of the ablative device can be fired.
• the window of the applicator may facilitate viewing of the skin of the patient at the site of ablation.
• the applicator is affixed to the skin surface prior to engagement with the laser ablative device.
• the window of the applicator facilitates viewing of the skin through the applicator so as to ensure that the applicator is affixed to a desired position on the skin surface. In this case, it will be of no concern whether the skin may be viewed through the applicator after application of the laser ablative device given that the area of skin to be treated is automatically targeted due to the positioning of the applicator.
• the window is located in the cap at a position which is commensurate with the aperture of the housing of the receptacle such that the laser, when fired, passes through the window of the cap and aperture of the housing to the skin of the patient.
• the applicator no matter what field of application, includes an abutting face wliich in use sealing abuts the surface to which the solution is to be delivered.
• the abutting face is located on the under side of the housing of the receptacle and is preferably provided with an adhesive layer which, on the removal of a protective paper overlaid on the adhesive layer, can be affixed to the surface.
• Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the applicator
• Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the applicator
• Figure 3 illustrates the above first embodiment of the applicator attached to an LAD.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the applicator (10) which is to be used in conjunction with a laser ablative device.
• the applicator (10) acts as an attachable tip for a laser ablative device.
• the applicator (10) includes a housing (11) and a cap (12).
• the cap (12) is threadably mounted on the housing (11) by means of a thread (13) on the housing (11).
• the housing (11) and cap (12) constitute a receptacle for storage of the solution prior to delivery to a desired surface.
• the housing (11) includes four partitions (14) spaced about its circumference.
• the partitions 14 define an enclosed space (15) with the outer wall (16) of the housing (11).
• the inner wall (17) of each partition (14) is circumferentially positioned on an aperture (18) of the housing (11).
• the cap (12) includes four complementary partitions (not shown) each of which engages an inner wall (17) of a respective partition (14) of the housing (11).
• the complementary partitions of the cap (12) engage the partitions (14) of the housing (11)
• the space (15) defined by the partitions (14) is closed. It is this closed space which stores solution prior to the delivery of the solution to the desired surface.
• the cap (12) may be turned from the closed position, in accordance with the arrow shown on the cap (12), to an open position whereby the complementary partitions of the cap (12) disengage the inner walls (17) of respective partitions (14) of the housing (11). This facilitates the egress of solution held in the spaces (15) through gaps (19) between the inner walls (17) of the partitions (14) to the aperture (18).
• the applicator (10) is attached to the surface, particularly the skin of a person to which a drug is to be administered, by removing a protective paper (20) from the applicator (10) to uncover an adhesive strip (21) located on the underside of the housing (11).
• a laser ablative device is engaged with the cap (12) of the applicator (10), engagement being confirmed by an engagement pin (22) which interacts with the laser ablative device.
• the laser ablative device is fired through an aperture (23) in the cap (12), the aperture (23) housing a lens (24).
• the laser which is fired through the aperture (23) of the cap (12) then proceeds through the lens (24) and the aperture (18) of the housing (11) to the skin.
• the ablation of the skin under the applicator (10), particularly in the area of the aperture (18) is facilitated.
• the applicator (10) can be held in place by the adhesive strip (21) as desired and for a time period sufficient to allow permeation of the solution through the ablated skin surface.
• an applicator (30) which again includes a housing (31) and a cap (32).
• the cap (32) in this instance is hingedly attached to the housing (31) by means of a hinge (33).
• the housing (31) includes partitions (34) which define an enclosed space (35) with the outer wall (36) of the housing (31).
• the space (35) houses the solution to be delivered to the surface of the skin prior to use of the applicator (30).
• the applicator (30) is provided with an insert (37) which is sandwiched by the housing (31) and the cap (32).
• the insert (37) may alternatively be integrally formed in the cap (32).
• the insert (37) includes a tab (38) which engages the partitions (34) of the housing (31) by sliding into slots (39) of the partitions (34).
• the tab (38) is engaged by a press button (40) of the insert (37), the press button (40) projecting through an aperture (41) of the cap (32) when the cap (32) is engaged with the housing (31).
• a piece of protective paper (42) is removed to uncover an adhesive layer (43) located on the underside of the housing (31).
• the applicator (30) is then positioned on the area of skin and fixed by the adhesive (43).
• the cap 32 is engaged with the housing (31), the press button (40) protruding through the aperture (41) of the cap (32) and the tab (38) of the insert (37) engaging the partitions (34) of the housing (31).
• a laser ablative device is engaged with the cap (32) and the laser of the device fired.
• the laser proceeds through an aperture (44) of the cap (32), the aperture 44 housing a lens (45).
• the aperture (44) and lens (45) are positioned directly above an aperture (46) of the housing (31).
• the laser of the laser ablative device can be fired through both the aperture (44) of the cap (32) and the aperture (46) of the housing (31) to ablate the skin beneath the aperture (46).
• the firing of the laser of the laser ablative device is halted. After this, a solution held within the space (35) of the housing (31) is released to the aperture (46) by pressing the press button (40) which causes disengagement of the tab (38) with the partitions (34) of the housing (31).
• the applicator (30) is maintained in position over the skin for a desired time period to allow permeation of the solution into the skin.
• the time frame may be measured by a colour change compound which may be included as a tablet (47) located in the housing (31).
• the applicator (10) may be easily attached to a laser ablative device (50) for use. Attachment may be achieved by any suitable means as described above.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Anesthesiology (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=3833054

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2002
  • 2002-12-05 WO PCT/AU2002/001643 patent/WO2003047680A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-12-05 CN CNA028271343A patent/CN1615165A/zh active Pending
  • 2002-12-05 EP EP02804127A patent/EP1461114A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-12-05 CA CA002473206A patent/CA2473206A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (1)

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