FR2939023A1 - Liquid product e.g. therapeutic treatment liquid product, delivering and administering device for e.g. dog, has control unit to control entry of air, at atmospheric pressure, within dosage chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a liquid product inlet end provided with a fixation unit (5) i.e. clip, fixed on a container (2) i.e. flask, containing a liquid product. A liquid product dosing chamber (8) is provided between the inlet end and a liquid product outlet end (6). The outlet end is defined by an application nozzle (7). The dosing chamber doses the liquid product collected from the container. A discharging unit discharges dosage of the liquid product through the nozzle. A control unit controls entry of air, at atmospheric pressure, within the chamber.

Description

The present invention is in the medical, pharmaceutical and veterinary field, more particularly in the cleaning, care and treatment of ear infections.

The invention will find a specific but not limiting application in the care, cleaning and treatment of ear canal infections in animals. In known manner, the auditory canal is located within the outer ear leading from the pavilion to the tympanum. If it is right in the human ear, allowing its easy cleaning and easy application of drug, its shape varies enormously in animals, especially in canine and feline species. Indeed, dogs and cats have a two-part auditory canal connected by a bend, namely a first narrow portion vertical or inclined opening at the flag and a second substantially horizontal portion to the tympanum. A major disadvantage of such anatomy is that this elbow prevents natural drainage and aeration of the ear canal, resulting in inflammation of the ear and ear infections. This phenomenon is accentuated in certain breeds like the Poodle or the Bichon by an abundant presence of hair in the ears. Falling-eared breeds such as Cocker or Spaniel are also susceptible to ear infections.

These are usually very painful and generate intense scratching on the part of the animal, or mutilating in the cat. In prevention or treatment of otitis, inflammation or infection of the ear, it is necessary to administer a product accordingly. Such products are generally in liquid form and are suitable for the cleaning or care envisaged. Depending on the treatment, it may be mostly antifungal, an antibacterial or cortisone-based product. It is necessary to introduce the product inside the auditory canal of the animal, in particular up to the level of the second part of said duct, seat of the otitis. To do this, most existing treatment or cleaning products are in the form of a container or bottle enclosing the liquid. This bottle is provided with a nozzle instillation of the liquid inside the conduit. The end of this tip is in the form of a cannula so as to be inserted inside the first part of the duct, at its opening on the roof. One or more instillations can inject the product into the ear canal. It will be noted that the instillation is effected by compression of the walls of the container provided flexible and elastic in the manner of a pipette, or through an instillator manually operated by simple pressure.

These principles instillation pose many disadvantages. In the first place, it is difficult for the user to determine the exact amount of product that has been introduced, the pressure applied at the time of instillation modifying the amount of product that leaves the bottle. Moreover, it is difficult to know if this random quantity has reached the second part of the auditory canal, after the elbow. In the case of instillation by pressure and deformation of the bottle, another disadvantage is generated by the suction that follows. Indeed, the depression thus created sucks the bacteria inside the container. By using it from one ear to the other of the same animal, it is then possible to contaminate it further. Worse, the same bottle being for repeated uses over a period of several days, the contamination of the product it contains seriously harms the treatment itself. In addition, after opening, the product is in contact with the air and can deteriorate rapidly, greatly limiting its shelf life.

Another major disadvantage stems from the fact that instillation by pressure directly into the ear canal causes stress for the animal, or even a painful sensation, generally resulting in agitation behavior and unpredictable reactions due to the inconvenience thus caused and to the fear of further instillation. Instillation by pressure remains traumatic for the animal. Anyway, the use of such products requires a certain technicality, acquired for a veterinarian, but this manipulation is complicated for any other user, accentuated by the behavior of the animal. Finally, the tips and bottles available are shaped to instill the product only within the ear canal of the animal that is difficult to reach for a user who does not have the medical knowledge and veterinary experience in the field. In addition, the master is often afraid to hurt or hurt his pet, limiting the effectiveness of the gesture to achieve. The invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art by providing a device for delivering and administering to an animal a liquid therapeutic treatment product, sanitary or otherwise. Such a device comprises, on the one hand, an inlet end of the liquid product provided with fixing means on a container containing said liquid product and, on the other hand, an outlet end of said liquid product defined by an applicator tip. . It is characterized in that between the inlet and outlet ends, said device comprises at least one dosing chamber of the liquid product taken from said container and means for dispensing the dose of liquid product through the liquid. outlet nozzle in the form of air inlet control means at atmospheric pressure within said chamber. The device according to the invention has the advantage of allowing the liquid product to flow without pressure instillation, traumatizing for an animal. The product is then administered without stress or pain.

In addition, the separation between the product contained in the bottle and the dose of product to be administered ensures perfect preservation, without risk of contamination. The invention also makes it possible to quantify and visualize the dose of product to be administered. The ergonomics and simplicity of the device according to the invention offer an ease of use, in particular facilitated by the absence of agitated behavior of the animal because the product is delivered without pressure and indirectly in the ear canal. Indeed, the product is deposited outside the ear canal and flows in the latter under the effect of gravity. The invention also relates to a method for delivering and administering to an animal a liquid therapeutic, sanitary or other treatment product. It also relates to the use of such a device for the treatment of atrial affection or the cleaning of the auditory canal in animals, especially canine and feline species. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures in which: FIG. 1 represents a schematic view in longitudinal section; the device according to the preferred embodiment in the closed position; - Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 in the open position; FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention; and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of a particular embodiment. The present invention relates to a device 1 for delivering and administering to an animal a product. In the context of the present invention, said product is in the form of a fluid, preferably liquid so that its viscosity index allows its flow. Such a liquid product is intended for therapeutic treatment for the care of an infection and / or inflammation, such as otitis media, for the cleaning of the auditory canal, with or without prior therapeutic treatment, or any other form of treatment. The device 1 according to the invention is intended to cooperate with a container 2 containing the liquid product. To do this, it comprises an inlet end 3 of the liquid product located at the outlet 4 of said container 2, this end 3 being provided with means 5 for attachment to said container 2. This attachment can be made anyway , more particularly by interlocking. Therefore the fastening means 5 have a shape complementary to the portion of the container 2 located at the outlet 4. The attachment can be made permanently, by interlocking force, in particular by means of a clip. Such a fastener is particularly suitable for a container 2 of the type containing pressure under pressure said product for instillation. Said fastening may also be provided removably, in particular by screwing on a complementary screw thread formed on said container 2. This fastening by screwing is particularly suitable in the case of a container 2 of flexible bottle type operating as a pipette, as previously mentioned . Thus, the device 1 according to the invention adapts to any type of container 2 according to the fastening means 5 that it comprises. Note that these can be provided removable. On the other hand, said device 1 also comprises an outlet end 6 of said liquid product. Preferably, this outlet 6 is defined by an applicator tip 7, in particular at a hole formed in the latter. Advantageously, the outlet hole 6 has dimensions, in particular its diameter, such that it allows the flow of the liquid product. This diameter may vary depending on the viscosity of the product. In addition, such a tip 7 has an ergonomic shape, in particular frustoconical or rounded so that the section of the outlet end 6 is complementary to the size of the auditory canal at the level of the flag of an animal ear. Similarly, the taper is changed according to the desired use of the device 1 according to the invention, in particular depending on the shape of the flag of the ear within which the user wishes to administer the product. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, said tip 7 can be provided removably through suitable connecting means. The tip 7 can then be replaced according to its use or to be cleaned. Advantageously, said device 1 comprises between the inlet ends 3 and outlet 6 at least one chamber 8 for dosing the liquid product taken from said container 2. Said chamber 8 can be defined at least in part by said nozzle 7. It can also be made of several distinct elements, including said tip 7. In this case, the latter comprises means 9 of removable connection with said chamber 8. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the device 1 comprises three elements assembled together that is, the inlet end 3, the chamber 8 and the tip 7. However, the interior volume of the chamber 8 is defined by the cumulative volumes of these three elements. In addition, said fixing means 5 may comprise means for actuating the delivery of said liquid product to said chamber 8. These actuating means allow to pass a quantity of product through the inlet end 3 towards the chamber 8. This passage can be carried out by simple flow, including gravity, from a bottle-type container 2 or pipette. In the case of a container 2 in the form of a pressure vessel, said actuating means comprise means for opening the valve 200 of such a container 2. The actuation consists, in the manner of a conventional cap bottle, to trigger the instillation of a dose of product.

In other words, the sampling of said dose of liquid product is carried out by at least one instillation inside said chamber 8. In one case as in the other, the actuation is carried out manually by the user of the device 1. It will be noted that the delivery of the product within the chamber 8 can be performed in several times, in particular by several successive instillations inside the chamber 8. As such, said device 1 can comprise means 10 for dosing said product. These metering means 10 may be at the level of said tip 7 in the form of at least one marker, such as a bead, or in the form of graduations. In addition, said tip 7 or said chamber 8 may be translucent or provide a window for viewing the level of liquid contained inside the device 1.

Thus, the user can see the amount of product extracted from the container 2 before administration but also the amount of liquid remaining after administration. At this stage, it should be noted that the principle of the invention lies in the fact of taking a dose of said liquid product in the chamber 8, the latter only communicating with the outside through an orifice, at the level of the outlet end 6, then to release the flow of said dose of liquid product by placing the volume of said chamber 8 at atmospheric pressure.

In other words, during the filling of the chamber 8, the orifice at the outlet end 6 allows the air to escape while the liquid product enters said chamber 8. During the administration, after reversal of the device 1, the liquid product then comes in the lower part of the nozzle 7 at said outlet end 6 but can not flow due to the depression which is created in the upper part of the chamber 8. The invention allows the flow through the outlet end 6 through the setting at atmospheric pressure of the volume of the chamber 8, especially in the upper part of the latter. The flow then takes place simply by gravity, avoiding any instillation by pressure. To do this, the device 1 comprises means for dispensing the dose of liquid product through the outlet nozzle 7 in the form of air inlet control means at atmospheric pressure within said chamber 8. .

These control means make it possible to precisely control the air inlet within the chamber 8. Indeed, the dosing means make it possible to follow the flow of the liquid product. Therefore, it is possible for the user to limit, stop or accelerate the flow of the product through the outlet end 6. Thus, said control means comprise at least one orifice 11 of communication of the internal volume of said room 8 with the atmosphere. This orifice 11 thus constitutes an opening allowing the flow of air between the outside and the inside of the device 1. Advantageously, said control means comprise means 12 for sealing said orifice 11. Such sealing means are mounted in displacement from an opening position of said orifice 11 to a closed position of the latter, and vice versa. It will be noted that it is possible to pass in all intermediate configurations between the open position and the closed position, and vice versa. Advantageously, the device 1 comprises means 13 for moving said closure means 12 from the closed position to the opening position of said orifice 11. These means 13 allow, under the action of the user, to move the variable way the closure means 12, as mentioned above.

Such moving means may comprise a support surface 14 or gripping adapted ergonomically to facilitate the passage from one position to another. According to another characteristic, said displacement means 13 may comprise means 15 for elastic return from the open position to the closed position. These return means 15 may be in the form of an elastic piece, in particular a torsion spring or compression. Although provided with return means 15 which automatically return the means 12 in the closed position of said orifice 11, the displacement means 13 allow the user to apply a force opposite to the restoring force, so as to control the return means 12 in the closed position. As such, according to a first embodiment, visible in FIG. 4, said closure means 12 are in the form of a ring 16 pivotally mounted relative to said chamber 8. More particularly, said ring 16 constitutes the moving means 13 articulated in rotation at the outer wall of the chamber 8.

In addition, said ring 16 is provided with a hole 17 shaped so as to come opposite said orifice 11 by rotation of the ring 16. Once the hole 17 and the orifice 11 have been aligned, the air can circulating between the outside and the inside of the chamber 8, allowing the flow of the liquid product.

Conversely, Figure 4 shows the ring 16 in the closed position, the outer wall of the chamber 8 plugging the hole 17 while the inner wall of the ring 16 closes the orifice 11. In this configuration means of 12, said return means 15 may be in the form of a torsion spring located between said ring 16 and the outer wall of the chamber 8. According to the preferred embodiment, visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, said closure means 12 are in the form of a sleeve 18, forming a sliding sheath of said displacement means 13. Said sleeve 18 is blind provided, receiving at this closed end the elastic return means 15. These latter are then in the form of a compression spring, providing resistance to sliding of said displacement means 13 inside the sheath 18. The latter communicates with the interior of the chamber 8 through said orifice 11. The latter may be provided at any location of said sleeve 18, passing through the wall of the latter. Furthermore, the sleeve 18 opens onto an outer opening 19. The latter is connected to said orifice 11 through the inner channel of the sleeve 18. In addition, said sleeve 18 constitutes means for guiding in translation of a rod 20 of complementary section . The latter comprises a groove 21 opening at said outer opening 19, whether in the closed position or in the open position. Furthermore, in the open position, the groove 21 opens at said orifice 11, in particular the end opposite the outer opening 19 is opposite the orifice 11, allowing the air to circulating between the inside and the outside of the chamber 8. The rod 20 may also include means for limiting its stroke inside said sleeve 18. These limiting means prevent said rod 20 from coming out of the sleeve 18 under the effect of the return means 15. The limiting means may be in the form of a stop 22 against at least one wall of said sheath 18. Said abutment 22 is then shaped as a redent to come into support at a lug protruding from the inner wall of the sleeve 18 or a housing formed inside the latter.

The abutment 22 may be provided in the form of an elastic element allowing it to deform when the rod 20 is put in place. As a result, the latter is trapped inside the sleeve 18, while remaining mobile in translation to the inside of it.

According to the embodiment shown, said rod 20 comprises a projecting end outside the sleeve 18 said bearing surface 14. The closure means 12 then form a push button, actuated by a single finger by the user. The device 1, in place on a container 2, is then easily taken in hand, like a pen, and makes easy handling and use. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device 1 in the closed position while FIG. 2 shows it in the open position of the orifice 11. In this FIG. 2, the circulation of the air is highlighted. as well as the flow of the dose of liquid product through the outlet end 6. The invention will find a very particular application, but in no way limiting, in the use of the device 1 for the treatment of atrial affection or the cleaning of the auditory canal in animals, especially canine and feline species. The device 1 according to the invention avoids any uncomfortable instillation inside the ear canal, by simple flow under the effect of the gravity of a dose of product, upstream of the ear canal of the animal. This dose is also easily quantifiable by the user, both before and after administration. In addition, the administration outside the ear canal and its flow by gravity contribute to the simplification of the action reducing the risk of traumatizing the animal. Indeed, the tip of the device no longer enters the ear canal, so that the animal feels no inconvenience, moreover in the case of inflammation where an intrusion of an element within said channel causes a painful sensation for the animal. The invention considerably improves the therapeutic and sanitary treatment, especially of the ear and in particular in animals, such as cats and dogs. Indeed, it adapts to the behavior of the latter and to the particular configuration of their external atrial anatomy.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and described above which may have variants and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (1) for delivering and administering to an animal a liquid therapeutic, sanitary or other therapeutic product, comprising, on the one hand, an inlet end (3) of the liquid product provided with fixing means (5) on a container (2) enclosing said liquid product and, on the other hand, an outlet end (6) of said liquid product defined by an applicator tip (7), characterized in that between the inlet ends (3 ) and outlet (6), said device (1) comprises at least one chamber (8) for dosing the liquid product taken from said container (2) and means for dispensing the dose of liquid product through the outlet nozzle (7) in the form of means for controlling the entry of air at atmospheric pressure into said chamber (8). 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said chamber (8) is defined at least in part by said tip (7). 3. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said tip (7) comprises removable connection means (9) with said chamber (8). 4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fixing means (5) comprise means for actuating the delivery of said liquid product to said chamber (8). 5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said actuating means comprise means for opening the valve (200) of said container (2). 6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means comprise at least one orifice (11) for communicating the internal volume of said chamber (8) with the atmosphere. 7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said control means comprise closing means (12) of said orifice (11) mounted in displacement from an opening position of said orifice (11) to a shutter position, and vice versa. 8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means for displacing (13) said closing means (12) from the closed position to the open position of said orifice (11). ). 9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said moving means (13) comprise elastic return means (15) from the open position to the closed position. 10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said closure means (12) are in the form of a ring (16) pivotally mounted relative to said chamber ( 8) and provided with a hole (17) shaped so as to come opposite said orifice (11) by rotation of said ring (16). 11. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said closure means (12) are in the form of a blind sleeve (18) communicating with the interior of said chamber (8) through said orifice (11) and opening on an outer opening (19), said sleeve (18) constituting guide means in translation of a rod (20) of complementary section comprising a groove (21) opening at said outer opening (19) and in the open position at said orifice (11). 12. Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said rod (20) comprises means for limiting its stroke inside said sleeve (18), in particular in the form of a stop (22) against at least one wall of said sheath (18). 13. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tip (7) has a frustoconical shape so that the section of the outlet end (6) is complementary to the ear canal groove at the level of the flag of an animal ear. 14. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, in particular at said tip (7), dosing means (10) of said product, in particular in the form of at least a mark or graduations.