US20210252235A1 - Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent - Google Patents
Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent Download PDFInfo
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- US20210252235A1 US20210252235A1 US17/190,243 US202117190243A US2021252235A1 US 20210252235 A1 US20210252235 A1 US 20210252235A1 US 202117190243 A US202117190243 A US 202117190243A US 2021252235 A1 US2021252235 A1 US 2021252235A1
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- nozzle
- cap
- substance
- bottle
- delivery element
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-
- 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
- A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
- A61M11/006—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by applying mechanical pressure to the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
- A61M11/007—Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/05—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids ; Infusion or perfusion containers
- A61J1/06—Ampoules or carpules
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/05—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids ; Infusion or perfusion containers
- A61J1/06—Ampoules or carpules
- A61J1/062—Carpules
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
- A61J1/1412—Containers with closing means, e.g. caps
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
- A61J1/1412—Containers with closing means, e.g. caps
- A61J1/1425—Snap-fit type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
- A61J1/1475—Inlet or outlet ports
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/0015—Devices specially adapted for taking medicines
- A61J7/0053—Syringes, pipettes or oral dispensers
-
- 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
- A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
- A61M11/006—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by applying mechanical pressure to the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
- A61M11/008—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by applying mechanical pressure to the liquid to be sprayed or atomised by squeezing, e.g. using a flexible bottle or a bulb
-
- 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
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0001—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
- A61M15/0003—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof with means for dispensing more than one drug
-
- 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
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0001—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
- A61M15/0021—Mouthpieces therefor
- A61M15/0023—Mouthpieces therefor retractable
-
- 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
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0028—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
- A61M15/003—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up using capsules, e.g. to be perforated or broken-up
- A61M15/0033—Details of the piercing or cutting means
- A61M15/0035—Piercing means
- A61M15/0036—Piercing means hollow piercing means
-
- 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
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0028—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
- A61M15/003—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up using capsules, e.g. to be perforated or broken-up
- A61M15/0033—Details of the piercing or cutting means
- A61M15/004—Details of the piercing or cutting means with fixed piercing or cutting means
-
- 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
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/08—Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
-
- 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
- A61M2210/00—Anatomical parts of the body
- A61M2210/06—Head
- A61M2210/0618—Nose
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to prescription bottles and, more specifically, to caps for prescription bottles. More specifically, this disclosure relates to devices that are capable of being used with prescription bottle caps to contain and deliver therapeutic agents, including emergency opioid overdose reversal agents, to an individual in connection with a drug that has been prescribed to the individual. Such a device may include features that enable nasal delivery of therapeutic agents. Methods for providing an individual with a prescription are also disclosed.
- opioids used to their patients. While the benefits of opioids have led to their widespread use, they are also highly addictive, and can be dangerous. Oftentimes, a healthcare professional may prescribe an opioid to a patient without realizing the patient suffers from an opioid addiction. A pharmacist may then fill the prescription without any suspicion that the patient suffers from an addition.
- opioid overdoses can be effectively treated with opioid overdose reversal agents, such as naloxone, access to effective treatments is limited primarily to emergency medical personnel. Because opioid overdoses are often unexpected, and because of the limited availability of countermeasures, unnecessary deaths from opioid overdoses are frequent.
- Apparatuses, systems, and methods for administering therapeutic agents or others Apparatuses, systems, and methods for administering therapeutic agents or other substances that correspond to prescribed drugs are disclosed. These include apparatuses, systems, and methods for treating, or reversing the effects of, opioid overdoses.
- An apparatus that enables reversal of the effects of an opioid overdose may have a configuration that enables it to be secured to a cap for a prescription bottle, or the apparatus may comprise a cap for a prescription bottle. Accordingly, such an apparatus is referred to herein as a “cap.”
- the cap includes a delivery element capable of storing and selectively administering a substance (e.g., a therapeutic agent, such as an opioid overdose reversal agent, etc.) to an individual.
- the delivery element of a cap may be capable of delivering a substance for nasal administration to an individual.
- a delivery element may include a reservoir, a pump, and a nozzle.
- the reservoir may store the substance.
- the pump may be capable of forcing the substance from the reservoir, through the nozzle, and out of the nozzle.
- the pump may include an actuator that enables an individual to operate the delivery element (e.g., the actuator may be depressible, such as by a finger or thumb of an individual, etc.).
- the nozzle may be capable of delivering the substance to an individual in a desired manner (e.g., by creating a fine mist from a liquid substance for nasal administration, by creating a puff of a solid substance for nasal administration, etc.).
- the nozzle of such a delivery element may be movable between a stored orientation and a deployed orientation. While in the stored orientation, the nozzle may be compactly assembled with a remainder of the delivery element.
- the stored orientation of the nozzle may prevent or preclude use (e.g., depression, etc.) of the actuator of the pump. In its deployed orientation, the nozzle may protrude from the remainder of the delivery element in a manner that facilitates its use in administering the substance to an individual.
- a drug delivery system may include a cap according to this disclosure, as well as a prescription bottle.
- the prescription bottle may contain a quantity of a first substance
- the cap may contain a quantity of a second substance.
- the second substance may correspond to the first substance.
- the second substance may complement the first substance.
- the second substance may counteract a negative effect (e.g., an adverse condition, etc.) caused by the first substance.
- the first substance is an opioid (e.g., a prescribed opioid, etc.) and the second substance is an opioid overdose reversal agent
- a drug delivery system according to this disclosure may facilitate a prompt, effective response to an overdose of the opioid.
- Such a method includes filling a prescription bottle with the prescribed drug and enclosing the prescribed drug within an interior of the prescription bottle with a cap that contains and that is capable of delivering, or administering, a substance that corresponds to the prescribed drug.
- a method for administering a substance to an individual to supplement or counteract another substance consumed by the individual includes delivering the substance from a cap of a prescription bottle that contained the consumed substance.
- FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a prescription bottle cap, showing a nozzle of a delivery element in a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle protrudes or extends from a remainder of the prescription bottle cap, rendering an actuator of a pump of the delivery element accessible for operation of the delivery element;
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a left side view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a rear view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a right side view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 8 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1 , with the nozzle of the delivery element in a stored orientation over the actuator of the pump of the delivery element, restricting access to and use of the actuator;
- FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 9A-9C provide enlarged views of various elements of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10 - 10 of FIG. 8 through a centerline of the prescription bottle cap of FIG. 1 , including the nozzle of the delivery element of the prescription bottle cap;
- FIG. 11 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a prescription bottle cap, showing a nozzle of a delivery element in a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle protrudes or extends from a remainder of the prescription bottle cap, rendering an actuator of a pump of the delivery element accessible for operation of the delivery element;
- FIG. 12 is a front view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 13 is a left side view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 14 is a top view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 15 is a rear view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 16 is a right side view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 18 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 , with the nozzle of the delivery element in a stored orientation over the actuator of the pump of the delivery element, restricting access to and use of the actuator;
- FIG. 19 is an exploded view of prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 ;
- FIGS. 1-10 illustrate an embodiment of a prescription bottle cap 10 that can dispense a precise dosage of a substance, and that may be used with a conventional prescription pill dispensing bottle.
- the prescription bottle cap may also be referred to herein as a “cap 10 ” and the conventional prescription pill dispensing bottle may also be referred to herein as a “prescription bottle 80 .”
- the cap 10 includes a base 20 and a delivery element 30 atop the base 20 .
- the base 20 of the cap 10 may have a configuration that enables the base 20 to be secured directly to a prescription bottle 80 .
- the base 20 may include a top 22 with an outer wall 24 protruding downward from an outer periphery of the top 22 .
- an inner surface 26 of the outer wall 24 of the base 20 defines the lateral extent of a receptacle 28 capable of receiving an upper portion (not shown) of an outer wall (not shown) of the prescription bottle 80 , and bottle coupling features (not shown) on the inner surface 26 of the outer wall 24 of the base 20 .
- the bottle coupling features are complementary to and capable of engaging corresponding cap coupling features (not shown) at the upper portion of the prescription bottle 80 to enable the cap 10 to be secured to the prescription bottle 80 .
- the bottle coupling features of the cap 10 and the cap coupling features of the prescription bottle 80 may have any suitable configurations known in the art.
- the cap 10 may comprise a conventional child-resistant prescription bottle cap.
- the base 20 of the cap 10 may have a configuration that enables it to be attached to a conventional cap for a prescription bottle 80 .
- the outer wall 24 of the base 20 may define a receptacle 28 that is capable of receiving and engaging a conventional cap (not shown) for a prescription bottle 80 (e.g., mechanically (e.g., by way of a snap fit, a press fit, a threaded engagement, etc.), adhesively, etc.).
- the delivery element 30 is capable of delivering, or administering, a substance to an individual.
- the delivery element 30 of the cap 10 may be capable of nasal delivery, or administration, of a substance to an individual.
- the delivery element 30 of the cap 10 may include a delivery element housing 31 that is secured to the top 22 of the base 20 of the cap 10 .
- the delivery element housing 31 may include a top 31 T with an outer wall 31 w protruding downward from an outer periphery of the top 31 T.
- apertures or other receptacles 31 R in an interior surface (not shown) of the outer wall 31 w of the delivery element housing 31 may receive complementary engagement elements 25 that include features that protrude radially outward above the top 22 of the base 20 to enable the delivery element housing 31 to mechanically engage the base 20 .
- the delivery element housing 31 may carry a remainder of the delivery element 30 .
- a trigger receptacle 32 may open to the top 31 T of the delivery element housing 31 and to a rear portion of the outer wall 31 w of the delivery element housing 31
- a nozzle receptacle 33 may comprise an opening in a front portion of the outer wall 31 w of the delivery element housing 31 , and extend into the top 31 T of the delivery element housing 31 .
- the remainder of the delivery element 30 includes a trigger 34 , a spring housing 40 , a compression spring 44 , a piston 45 , a piston housing 50 , an ampoule 58 , a needle 65 , a needle housing 69 , and a nozzle 74 .
- the trigger 34 has a configuration that enables it to be positioned over and to receive an upper portion of the spring housing 40 .
- the trigger 34 may include a pair of side walls 35 that are spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance that the trigger 34 can receive upper portions of the spring housing 40 and the piston housing 50 .
- a pivot pin receptacle 36 is recessed in a bottom edge 35 E of each side wall 35 of the trigger 34 .
- Each pivot pin receptacle 36 has a configuration that enables it to receive and engage a pivot pin 42 of the spring housing 40 in a manner that secures the trigger 34 atop the spring housing 40 and that enables the trigger 34 to pivot relative to the spring housing 40 .
- a catch 37 is recessed in the bottom edge 35 E of each side wall 35 of the trigger 34 , near a front edge 35 F of that side wall 35 .
- the catches 37 may be aligned with one another.
- the catches 37 may hold the piston 45 of the delivery element 30 in a cocked position, as will become apparent from the description that follows.
- Bottom portions of the front edges 35 F of the side walls 35 may taper from the front of the trigger 34 toward the rear of the trigger 34 , or inwardly, to enable the piston 45 of the delivery element 30 to be reset, or re-cocked, while the trigger 34 is depressed, as will become apparent from the description that follows.
- the trigger 34 When the trigger 34 is assembled with the spring housing 40 , the trigger 34 may protrude through the trigger receptacle 32 of the delivery element housing 31 .
- a nozzle receptacle 38 in a top surface 34 T of the trigger 34 may have a configuration that enables the nozzle receptacle 38 to receive the nozzle 74 of the delivery element 30 , when folded over the trigger 34 , as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 , to pivot the trigger 34 forward (i.e., the orientation of the trigger 34 that enables the piston 45 of the delivery element 30 to be cocked) and to prevent depression of the trigger 34 .
- a bore 43 extends into a front end 41 F of the body 41 of the spring housing 40 . While a front end 43 F of the bore 43 is open, a rear end (not shown) of the bore 43 is partially closed (e.g., has a smaller diameter than the front end 43 F, is partially blocked, etc.) or completely closed.
- the bore 43 has a shape and dimensions that enable it to receive the compression spring 44 , with a rear end 44 R of the compression spring 44 abutting the rear end of the bore 43 .
- the compression spring 44 may have a length that enables it to reside completely within the bore 43 when compressed and protrude from the open end of the bore 43 when relaxed.
- the compression spring 44 may have a configuration that enables it to exert a desired amount of force when a compressive force on the compression spring 44 is released.
- the piston 45 of the delivery element 30 is positioned in front of the spring housing 40 and in front of the compression spring 44 .
- the piston 45 includes a body 46 with a rear end 47 that abuts a front end 44 F of the compression spring 44 .
- a pair of guides 48 protrude from opposite sides of the body 46 , and are capable of being engaged by the catches 37 in the bottom edges 35 E of the side walls 35 of the trigger 34 .
- a front end 49 of the body 46 of the piston 45 has a configuration that enables it to abut and apply force to a rear portion of the ampoule 58 , which may also be referred to as a “reservoir.”
- the piston housing 50 may have a configuration that enables it to guide movement of the piston 45 as the compression spring 44 forces the piston 45 forward.
- the piston housing 50 may be positioned within the delivery element housing 31 , with a front portion of the piston housing 50 being exposed by the nozzle receptacle 32 of the delivery element housing 31 .
- a rear portion of the piston housing 50 may be exposed to the trigger receptacle 32 .
- a body 51 of the piston housing 50 may be coupled to an interior of the delivery element housing 31 in a manner that fixes the piston housing 50 securely in place within the delivery element housing 31 .
- a channel 50 c extends through an entire length of the body 51 of the piston housing 50 .
- the channel 50 c has dimensions that enable it to receive the front end 49 of the body 46 of the piston 45 .
- a horizontally oriented slot 52 extends from a rear end 53 of the body 51 to a location near, but short of, the front end 54 of the body 51 .
- the horizontally oriented slot 52 intersects the channel 50 c , enabling the horizontally oriented slot 52 to accommodate the guides 48 that protrude from opposite sides of the piston 45 as the body 46 of the piston 45 is inserted into the channel 50 c through the rear end 53 of the body 51 .
- the horizontally oriented slot 52 and the guides 48 limit forward travel of the piston 45 , which may prevent damage to the needle 65 .
- the partial positioning of the rear portion of the piston housing 50 below a front portion of the trigger receptacle 32 enables the catches 37 in the bottom edges 35 E of the side walls 35 of the trigger 34 to engage portions of the guides 48 that protrude from sizes of the body 51 of the piston housing 50 when the rear end 47 of the piston 45 is pulled against the front end 41 F of the spring housing 40 and, thus, while the compression spring 44 is compressed within the channel bore 43 of the spring housing 40 and the guides 48 are located near a rear end of the horizontally oriented slot 52 .
- the front portion of the piston housing 50 includes arms 56 .
- the arms 56 which located on opposite sides of the body 51 of the piston housing 50 , are spaced apart from one another, may comprise extensions of the side walls 51 w of the body 51 . More specifically, each arm 56 may comprise a vertically oriented structure that extends forward beyond the surface 55 at the front end 54 of the body 51 , to which the channel 50 c opens, and upward beyond a top surface 51 T of the body 51 .
- An upper portion 56 u of each arm 56 may include a pivot point 57 , such as an aperture that may receive a pivot pin.
- a front portion of the piston housing 50 including the front end 54 and front surface 55 of the body 51 of the piston housing 50 , as well as the arms 56 of the piston housing 50 , is exposed through the nozzle receptacle 33 that opens to the front of the delivery element housing 31 .
- the channel 50 c of the piston housing 50 is exposed through the nozzle receptacle 33 .
- Outer surfaces of the arms 56 may abut side edges of the nozzle receptacle 33 , while the upper portion 56 u of each arm 56 may extend beyond a top 31 T of the delivery element housing 31 , which may position the pivot point 57 of each arm 56 above the top 31 T of the delivery element housing 31 .
- a rear end 60 of a body 59 of the ampoule 58 can be removably received within the channel 50 c of the piston housing 50 .
- a lip 59 L may be provided at the front end 61 of the body 59 to limit a distance the ampoule 58 may be inserted into the channel 50 c of the piston 45 .
- the body 59 of the ampoule 58 defines a reservoir 62 , which opens to a front end 61 of the body 59 .
- the reservoir 62 is capable of receiving and containing a single of a drug or another substance.
- the drug or other substance may be in liquid form (e.g., naloxone, etc.)
- a stopper 64 may be positioned within a front end 62 F of the reservoir 62 holds that substance within the reservoir 62 .
- the stopper 64 may have a configuration that enables it to provide access to the contents of the reservoir 62 when the stopper 64 is subjected to a sufficient force (e.g., that provided by the compression spring 44 and the piston 45 , etc.).
- the stopper 64 of the ampoule 58 may have a configuration (e.g., a shape, dimensions, a material, etc.) that enables it to be pierced by a needle 65 , such as that shown in FIG. 9B , when the compression spring 44 and the piston 45 force the stopper 64 against a piercing end 65 F of the needle 65 .
- a configuration of the stopper 64 may enable it to be forced rearwardly into the reservoir 62 to enable a precise dose of the contents of the reservoir 62 to be forced into a lumen 66 of the needle 65 (and, thus, to be administered to an individual).
- stopper 64 may cause all of the contents of the reservoir 62 to be ejected through the lumen 66 of the needle 65 .
- the stopper 64 may be formed from an elastomer that may be pierced by the needle 65 and forced rearwardly through the reservoir 62 by a portion of the needle housing 69 while providing a seal against the interior surfaces of the reservoir 62 .
- the substance within the reservoir 62 of the body 59 of the ampoule 58 may correspond to a drug within the prescription bottle 80 with which the cap 10 is to be used.
- the substance may counteract a potentially negative effect (e.g., an overdose, a side effect, etc.) of that drug.
- the substance within the reservoir 62 of the body 59 of the ampoule 58 may counteract an overdose of the opioid.
- the substance may comprise the narcotic counteragent naloxone.
- the substance within the reservoir 62 of the body 59 of the ampoule 58 may complement or act synergistically with the drug contained by the prescription bottle 80 with which the cap 10 is to be used.
- the cap 10 may be provided with a plurality of ampoules 58 .
- the cap 10 When the cap 10 is used with a prescription bottle 80 that contains a prescription for an opioid, it may be provide with two ampoules 58 , each containing an emergency dose of naloxone.
- a front end 65 F and a portion of the length of the needle 65 may be retained by the needle housing 69 , an embodiment of which is depicted by FIGS. 9 and 9C , with the piercing end 65 p of the needle 65 protruding beyond a rear end 71 of a body 70 of the needle housing 69 . More specifically, a lumen 73 through the body 70 may receive a front portion of the needle 65 . An orifice 73 o at a front end of the lumen 73 , which opens to a front end 72 of the body 70 , may be constricted to limit forward movement of the needle 65 relative to the needle housing 69 .
- the orifice 73 o may be configured to atomize a substance (e.g., the contents of the reservoir 62 of the ampoule 58 , etc.) as the substance is forced out of the lumen 66 ( FIG. 9B ) of the needle 65 and through the orifice 73 o.
- a substance e.g., the contents of the reservoir 62 of the ampoule 58 , etc.
- the body 70 of the needle housing 69 may have a configuration that enables it to be received by a receptacle (not shown) that opens to a rear end 76 of a body 75 of the nozzle 74 .
- the receptacle in the rear end 76 of the body 75 of the nozzle 74 may also have a configuration that enables it to receive the front end 61 of the body 59 of the ampoule 58 as the piston 45 forces the ampoule 58 forward onto the needle 65 .
- the body 75 of the nozzle 74 may be tapered to facilitate is insertion into a nostril of an individual to whom a dose of the contents of the ampoule 58 are to be administered.
- An orifice 79 in a tip 78 of the body 75 communicates with the orifice 73 o of the needle housing 69 ; thus, a substance that is ejected through the orifice 73 o of the needle housing 69 may pass through the orifice 79 in the tip 78 of the body 75 of the nozzle 74 .
- the body 75 of the nozzle 74 may include a hinge element 75 H, which may extend somewhat upwardly and/or rearwardly from the rear end 76 of the body 75 .
- a configuration of the hinge element 75 H may enable it to be positioned between the arms 56 of the piston housing 50 .
- a pivot point 77 of the hinge element 75 H may align with the pivot points 57 of the arms 56 in a manner that enables the nozzle 74 to be pivotally coupled to the piston housing 50 (e.g., with a pivot pin that extends through the aligned pivot points 57 and 77 , etc.).
- the pivotal relationship between the nozzle 74 and the piston housing 50 and, thus, between the nozzle 74 and the remainder of the cap 10 enables movement of the nozzle 74 between a stored orientation, in which the nozzle 74 is positioned over the trigger 34 (as depicted by FIGS. 8 and 10 ) and a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle 74 may protrude from a remainder of the cap 10 (as depicted by FIGS. 1-7 ) and can communicate with an ampoule 58 that has been inserted into the channel 50 c of the piston housing 50 .
- the nozzle 74 pivots about 180° between its stored orientation and its deployed orientation.
- the nozzle 74 When the nozzle 74 is in its stored orientation, it may partially rest within the nozzle receptacle 33 of the trigger and may preclude access to and/or prevent depression of the trigger 34 .
- the rear end 76 of its body 75 , the rear end 71 of the body 70 of the needle housing 69 , and the piercing end 65 p of the needle 65 may be positioned adjacent to or against the front end 54 of the body 51 of the piston housing 50 and against the front end 61 of the body 59 of an ampoule 58 (if any) disposed within the channel 50 c through the piston housing 50 .
- the nozzle 74 when the nozzle 74 is in its deployed orientation, the nozzle 74 may protrude from the remainder of the cap 10 in a manner that facilitates its intended use.
- the tip 78 of the illustrated embodiment of nozzle 74 may be inserted into an individual's nostril to enable a substance within the reservoir 62 in the body 59 of the ampoule 58 to be forced directly into the individual's nasal cavity.
- the nozzle 74 may be provided in one or more sizes (e.g., infant, child, adult, etc.), depending upon the age of the intended recipient and/or the size of the intended recipient's nostrils.
- the base 20 , the delivery element housing 31 , the spring housing 40 , the piston 45 , the piston housing 50 , and the nozzle 74 may be formed from any suitable material.
- polyethylene terephthalate PET(E) a recyclable and durable material, may be used to form any or all of these components.
- Each of these elements may be formed from any technique suitable for use with the desired material (e.g., by injection molding processes, etc.).
- an individual who will be administering those contents place the nozzle 74 of a delivery element 30 of a cap 10 in a stored orientation over the trigger 34 of the delivery element 30 , hold the trigger 34 down, ensure that the ampoule 58 is properly oriented, and push the properly oriented ampoule 58 into the channel 50 c of the piston housing 50 .
- the ampoule 58 As the ampoule 58 is pushed into the channel 50 c , it forces the piston 45 back, compressing the compression spring 44 and enabling the guides 48 that protrude from the body 46 of the piston 45 to be engaged by the catches 37 in the bottom edges 35 E of the side walls 35 of the trigger 34 ; thus cocking, or loading, the delivery element 30 .
- the contents of the ampoule 58 may be administered by pivoting the nozzle 74 to its deployed orientation, as depicted by FIGS. 8 and 10 .
- the trigger 34 With the nozzle 74 in its deployed orientation, the trigger 34 is accessible.
- the trigger 34 may be pushed, or depressed.
- the catches 37 release the guides 48 of the piston 45 , enabling the compression spring 44 to force the piston 45 forward through the piston housing 50 .
- the piston 45 moves forward through the piston housing 50 , it forces the ampoule 58 forward onto the piercing end 65 p of the needle 65 .
- the needle 65 and, optionally, a protruding feature of the needle housing 69 hold the stopper 64 in place, causing it to travel further into the reservoir 62 in the body 59 of the ampoule 58 as the ampoule 58 is forced forward.
- the stopper 64 is forced further into the reservoir 62 , its contents are expelled through the lumen 66 of the needle 65 , the orifice 73 o of the needle housing 69 , and out of the orifice 79 in the tip 78 of the nozzle 74 .
- the depleted, or spent, ampoule 58 may be removed from the delivery element 30 , another ampoule 58 may be assembled with the delivery element 30 , and the delivery element 30 may be reset, or re-cocked.
- the nozzle 74 may be placed in its stored orientation over the trigger 34 to enable a depleted ampoule 58 to be removed from the channel 50 c of the piston housing 50 and to enable an ampoule 58 that contains a dose of the substance to be placed into the channel 50 c .
- the delivery element 30 may then be reset in the manner described above. Once the delivery element 30 has been reset, the second dosage of the substance may be delivered to the subject (e.g., into the individual's other nostril when administering a substance in an attempt to counteract the effects of an opioid, etc.).
- the cap 10 and its contents are used to counteract an opioid overdose by an individual
- a person administering the contents of the cap 10 should call emergency services (e.g., 911 in the United States of America, etc.) before administering the contents of the cap 10 .
- emergency services e.g. 911 in the United States of America, etc.
- the number of doses of counteragent that have been administered to the affected individual should be reported to the emergency responder.
- FIGS. 11-20 Another embodiment of a prescription bottle cap 110 , which may deliver less precise amounts of a substance than the above-described cap 10 , is illustrated by FIGS. 11-20 .
- a prescription bottle cap 110 may be useful in situations where precise dosages are not critical.
- the prescription bottle cap 110 may also be referred to as a “cap” 110 for the sake of simplicity.
- the cap 110 may be capable of attachment to a conventional prescription pill dispensing bottle 80 , which is also referred to as a “prescription bottle” 80 for the sake of simplicity.
- the cap 110 includes a base 120 and a delivery element 130 atop the base 120 .
- the base 120 of the cap 110 may have a configuration that enables it to be secured directly to a prescription bottle 80 .
- the base 120 may include a top 122 with an outer wall 124 protruding downward from an outer periphery of the top 122 .
- an inner surface 126 of the outer wall 124 of the base 120 defines the lateral extent of a receptacle 128 capable of receiving an upper portion 82 of an outer wall 84 of the prescription bottle 80 , and bottle coupling features 127 on the inner surface 126 of the outer wall 124 of the base 120 .
- the bottle coupling features 127 are complementary to and capable of engaging corresponding cap coupling features 87 at the upper portion 82 of the prescription bottle 80 to enable the cap 110 to be secured to the prescription bottle 80 .
- the bottle coupling features 127 of the cap 110 and the cap coupling features 87 of the prescription bottle 80 may have any suitable configurations known in the art.
- the cap 110 may comprise a conventional child-resistant prescription bottle cap.
- the base 120 of the cap 110 may have a configuration that enables it to be attached to a conventional cap for a prescription bottle.
- the outer wall 124 of the base 120 may define a receptacle 128 that is capable of receiving and engaging a conventional cap 90 for a prescription bottle 80 (e.g., mechanically (e.g., by way of a snap fit, a press fit, a threaded engagement, etc.), adhesively, etc.).
- the delivery element 130 of the cap 110 is capable of delivering, or administering, a substance to an individual.
- the delivery element 130 of the cap 110 may be capable of nasal delivery, or administration, of a substance to an individual.
- the delivery element 130 of the embodiment of cap 110 depicted by FIGS. 11-20 includes an annular member 132 that protrudes upwardly from the top 122 of the base 120 of the cap 110 .
- inner surfaces 134 of the annular member 132 and an upper surface of the top 122 of the base 120 may define a receptacle 136 for an atomizer bulb 150 of the delivery element 130 .
- the atomizer bulb 150 may be configured in a manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
- the atomizer bulb 150 may include a body 152 that comprises a compressible, resilient structure (e.g., it may be formed from a medical grade rubber, etc.).
- an interior of the body of the atomizer bulb 150 may comprise a reservoir (not shown) capable of receiving and holding a substance (not shown) for potential administration to an individual.
- the atomizer bulb 150 includes an outlet 158 that may communicate with the reservoir, enabling introduction of the substance into the reservoir defined within the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 and enabling ejection of the substance from the reservoir.
- the outlet 158 may protrude from a body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 .
- a top of the atomizer bulb 150 may serve as an actuator 156 that is capable of causing a substance within the reservoir of the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 to be forced from the reservoir and out of the outlet 158 . More specifically, as the actuator 156 of the atomizer bulb 150 is depressed, a volume within the reservoir may decrease, increasing an air pressure within the reservoir and mixing a substance within the reservoir with air and forcing the mixture out of the reservoir through the outlet 158 . The atomizer bulb 150 may deliver an approximate dose of the substance when the actuator 156 is depressed.
- a base 154 of the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 may have a configuration that enables it to seat properly within the receptacle 136 within the annular member 132 of the delivery element 130 of the cap 110 (e.g. the base 154 of the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 may be substantially flat, flat, shaped complementarily to a shape of the top 122 of the base 120 of the cap 110 , etc.).
- the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 may resiliently engage the inner surfaces 134 of the annular member 132 to removably secure the atomizer bulb 150 within the receptacle 136 .
- the base 154 of the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 may be affixed within the receptacle 136 with an adhesive material.
- a removable, pressure sensitive adhesive material may facilitate removal of the atomizer bulb 150 from the receptacle 136 to enable replenishment of the substance within the reservoir of the atomizer bulb 150 after it has been used or once it has reached its expiration date.
- the annular member 132 and/or a shape of the atomizer bulb 150 may be capable of ensuring that the atomizer bulb 150 is properly aligned within the receptacle 136 defined by the annular member 132 .
- the annular member 132 may receive the atomizer bulb 150 in such a way that an outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150 extends into a slot 138 defined through a portion of the annular member 132 .
- the open top of the annular member 132 of the delivery element 130 of the cap 110 enables the atomizer bulb 150 to be assembled with the cap 110 , and provides access to the actuator 156 of the atomizer bulb 150 .
- the annular member 132 may taper downward from front to back to further facilitate operation of the actuator 156 with an individual's finger or thumb. While the annular member 132 provides access to the actuator 156 , its configuration—it may substantially surround the atomizer bulb 150 —and height may prevent inadvertent depression of the actuator 156 and, thus, inadvertent dispensing of substance within the reservoir of the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 .
- the slot 138 in the annular member 132 of the delivery element 130 may be capable of orienting a nozzle 160 of the delivery element 130 in such a way that the nozzle 160 can receive and convey a substance ejected by the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150 .
- the slot 138 may have a configuration that enables it to receive and engage a portion of the nozzle 160 . More specifically, the slot 138 may include a pair of opposed end walls 140 . Each end wall 140 may include a pivot element 145 .
- each pivot element 145 comprises a cylindrical protrusion, with pair of pivot elements 145 being opposed to and protruding toward one another.
- at least one end wall 140 may include a retention feature 146 that may hold the nozzle 160 in one or more orientations.
- each retention feature 146 may comprise an elongated protrusion.
- the pivot elements 145 of the end walls 140 of the slot 138 in the annular member 132 of the delivery element 130 of the cap 110 may engage or be engaged by complementary pivot elements 165 of the nozzle 160 .
- the nozzle 160 may include a pair of attachment arms 164 that protrude from opposite sides of a rear end 161 of the nozzle 160 .
- the attachment arms 164 may be spaced apart a sufficient distance to receive the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150 .
- Each attachment arm 164 may include a pivot element 165 .
- each pivot element 165 comprises a circular aperture that extends through its corresponding attachment arm 164 to receive a cylindrical pivot element 145 that protrudes from a corresponding end wall 140 of the slot 138 .
- the pivot elements 145 of the annular member 132 and the pivot elements 165 of the attachment arms 164 of the nozzle 160 function together to enable the nozzle 160 to pivot relative to the annular member 132 of the cap 110 and relative to any atomizer bulb 150 within the receptacle 136 defined by the annular member 132 .
- At least one attachment arm 164 may include a retention feature 166 at its outer surface.
- the retention feature 166 may be configured complementarily to and be able to engage a corresponding retention feature 146 of an end wall 140 of the annular member 132 that defines a side of the slot 138 through the annular member 132 .
- each retention feature 166 comprises an elongated recess in the outer surface of its attachment arm 164 ; the elongated recess is capable of receiving the elongated protrusion that forms the corresponding retention feature 146 on the corresponding end wall 140 . Such engagement may hold, or retain, the nozzle 160 in one or more orientations.
- the pivotal relationship between the nozzle 160 and the remainder of the cap 110 enables movement of the nozzle 160 between a stored orientation, in which the nozzle 160 is positioned over the actuator 156 of the atomizer bulb 150 (as depicted by FIGS. 18 and 20 ) and a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle 160 can communicate with the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150 and may protrude from a remainder of the cap 110 (as depicted by FIGS. 11-17 ).
- the nozzle 160 pivots about 180° between its stored orientation and its deployed orientation.
- the relative arrangements of the retention feature(s) 146 on the end wall(s) 140 of the annular member 132 and the retention feature(s) 166 of the corresponding attachment arm(s) 164 of the nozzle 160 may engage each other to hold the nozzle 160 into place into one or both of the stored orientation and the deployed orientation.
- the corresponding retention feature(s) 146 and retention feature(s) 166 may be disengaged, and the nozzle 160 pivoted, upon application of a sufficient pivoting force to the nozzle 160 to disengage the corresponding retention feature(s) 146 and retention feature(s) 166 .
- the nozzle 160 When the nozzle 160 is in its stored orientation, it may preclude access to and/or prevent depression of the actuator 156 of the atomizer bulb 150 .
- its rear end 161 When the nozzle 160 is in its deployed orientation, its rear end 161 may be positioned adjacent to or against an end of the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150 , and a channel 163 through the nozzle 160 may be aligned with an aperture 159 of the outlet 158 .
- the rear end 161 of the nozzle 160 may be recessed, enabling it to receive an end of the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150 in a manner that ensures alignment of the channel 163 of the nozzle 160 with the aperture 159 of the outlet 158 .
- the rear end 161 of the nozzle 160 and/or the end of the outlet 158 may be formed from a compressible resilient material or provided with a sealing element (e.g., an O-ring, etc.) to seal the joint between the aperture 159 of the outlet 158 and the channel 163 of the nozzle 160 .
- a sealing element e.g., an O-ring, etc.
- the nozzle 160 may protrude from the remainder of the cap 110 in a manner that facilitates its intended use.
- a tip 162 of the illustrated embodiment of nozzle 160 may be inserted into an individuals' nostril to enable a substance within the reservoir in the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 to be forced directly into the individual's nasal cavity.
- the nozzle 160 may be provided in one or more sizes (e.g., infant, child, adult, etc.), depending upon the age of the intended recipient and/or the size of the intended recipient's nostrils.
- a safety cap 170 may be provided with the cap 110 to limit access to the delivery element 130 until the delivery element 130 is needed.
- the safety cap 170 may comprise a conventional snap-on cap that engages features on an outer surface of the annular member 132 .
- a bottom edge of the safety cap 170 may rest on or adjacent to a portion of the top 122 of the base 120 that is exposed beyond an outer periphery of the annular member 132 .
- the safety cap 170 may provide a protective covering for the delivery element 130 of the cap 110 and the substance that within the reservoir within the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 of the delivery element 130 .
- a removable seal may secure the safety cap 170 to the remainder of the cap 110 .
- the base 120 , the annular member 132 , the nozzle 160 , and the safety cap 170 may be formed from any suitable material.
- polyethylene terephthalate PET(E) a recyclable and durable material, may be used to form any or all of these components.
- Each of these elements may be formed from any technique suitable for use with the desired material (e.g., by injection molding processes, etc.).
- the cap 110 may be provided in a sealed wrapper.
- the cap 110 may be removed from its prescription bottle 80 (if the cap 110 has not already been removed), a safety cap 170 may be removed from the cap 110 (if the safety cap 170 is assembled with the cap 110 ), and the nozzle 160 may be pivoted to its deployed orientation. With the nozzle 160 in its deployed orientation, it may be inserted into one of an individual's nostrils. The actuator 156 may then be pressed firmly to force the substance within the reservoir of the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 through the nozzle 160 and into the individual's nasal cavity. Once the counteragent has been administered, the nozzle 160 may be removed from the affected individual's nostril.
- a second dose of the substance may be administered to the individual by replacing the depleted, or spent, atomizer bulb 150 with a fresh atomizer bulb 150 , reinserting the nozzle 160 into the individual's other nostril and firmly pressing the actuator 156 of the fresh atomizer bulb 150 .
Abstract
An apparatus for delivering a therapeutic agent may be associated with a cap for a bottle that contains a prescription for a drug to which the therapeutic agent corresponds. When the prescription bottle contains an opioid, the therapeutic agent may comprise a substance that counteracts the effects of the opioid. The apparatus may include a nozzle that facilitates nasal administration of the therapeutic agent. The apparatus may be capable of attaching to a cap for a prescription bottle, or the apparatus may have a configuration that enables it to serve as the cap for the prescription bottle.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/993,449, filed on Mar. 12, 2019, and titled PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE CAP CAPABLE OF ADMINISTERING OPIOID OVERDOSE REVERSAL AGENT (“the '449 application”), now U.S. Pat. No. 10,933,204, issued Mar. 2, 2021 which claims priority to the Jun. 1, 2017 filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/513,768, titled NASAL SPRAY DISPENSER CAP (“the '768 Provisional Application”). The entire disclosures of the '449 application and the '768 Provisional Application are hereby incorporated herein.
- This disclosure relates generally to prescription bottles and, more specifically, to caps for prescription bottles. More specifically, this disclosure relates to devices that are capable of being used with prescription bottle caps to contain and deliver therapeutic agents, including emergency opioid overdose reversal agents, to an individual in connection with a drug that has been prescribed to the individual. Such a device may include features that enable nasal delivery of therapeutic agents. Methods for providing an individual with a prescription are also disclosed.
- Due to their effectiveness in treating pain, physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals have commonly prescribed opioids used to their patients. While the benefits of opioids have led to their widespread use, they are also highly addictive, and can be dangerous. Oftentimes, a healthcare professional may prescribe an opioid to a patient without realizing the patient suffers from an opioid addiction. A pharmacist may then fill the prescription without any suspicion that the patient suffers from an addition.
- While the risks that an individual who suffers from an opioid addition will overdose on opioids are greater than the risks associated with patients who benefit from but are not dependent on opioids, there is always a risk that a recipient of opioids will overdose. That risk has become so significant in recent years that fatalities from opioid overdoses have recently reached epidemic proportions.
- Although opioid overdoses can be effectively treated with opioid overdose reversal agents, such as naloxone, access to effective treatments is limited primarily to emergency medical personnel. Because opioid overdoses are often unexpected, and because of the limited availability of countermeasures, unnecessary deaths from opioid overdoses are frequent.
- Apparatuses, systems, and methods for administering therapeutic agents or others Apparatuses, systems, and methods for administering therapeutic agents or other substances that correspond to prescribed drugs are disclosed. These include apparatuses, systems, and methods for treating, or reversing the effects of, opioid overdoses.
- An apparatus that enables reversal of the effects of an opioid overdose may have a configuration that enables it to be secured to a cap for a prescription bottle, or the apparatus may comprise a cap for a prescription bottle. Accordingly, such an apparatus is referred to herein as a “cap.” In addition to including features that enable the cap to contain the contents of the prescription bottle (e.g., an opioid, etc.) within the interior of the prescription bottle, the cap includes a delivery element capable of storing and selectively administering a substance (e.g., a therapeutic agent, such as an opioid overdose reversal agent, etc.) to an individual.
- The delivery element of a cap according to this disclosure may be capable of delivering a substance for nasal administration to an individual. Such a delivery element may include a reservoir, a pump, and a nozzle. The reservoir may store the substance. The pump may be capable of forcing the substance from the reservoir, through the nozzle, and out of the nozzle. In some embodiments, the pump may include an actuator that enables an individual to operate the delivery element (e.g., the actuator may be depressible, such as by a finger or thumb of an individual, etc.). The nozzle may be capable of delivering the substance to an individual in a desired manner (e.g., by creating a fine mist from a liquid substance for nasal administration, by creating a puff of a solid substance for nasal administration, etc.). The nozzle of such a delivery element may be movable between a stored orientation and a deployed orientation. While in the stored orientation, the nozzle may be compactly assembled with a remainder of the delivery element. The stored orientation of the nozzle may prevent or preclude use (e.g., depression, etc.) of the actuator of the pump. In its deployed orientation, the nozzle may protrude from the remainder of the delivery element in a manner that facilitates its use in administering the substance to an individual.
- In another aspect, drug delivery systems are disclosed. A drug delivery system may include a cap according to this disclosure, as well as a prescription bottle. The prescription bottle may contain a quantity of a first substance, while the cap may contain a quantity of a second substance. The second substance may correspond to the first substance. As an example, the second substance may complement the first substance. As another example, the second substance may counteract a negative effect (e.g., an adverse condition, etc.) caused by the first substance. In embodiments where the first substance is an opioid (e.g., a prescribed opioid, etc.) and the second substance is an opioid overdose reversal agent, a drug delivery system according to this disclosure may facilitate a prompt, effective response to an overdose of the opioid.
- According to another aspect, methods for providing prescription drugs, including, but not limited to opioids, to an individual are disclosed. Such a method includes filling a prescription bottle with the prescribed drug and enclosing the prescribed drug within an interior of the prescription bottle with a cap that contains and that is capable of delivering, or administering, a substance that corresponds to the prescribed drug.
- A method for administering a substance to an individual to supplement or counteract another substance consumed by the individual includes delivering the substance from a cap of a prescription bottle that contained the consumed substance.
- Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a prescription bottle cap, showing a nozzle of a delivery element in a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle protrudes or extends from a remainder of the prescription bottle cap, rendering an actuator of a pump of the delivery element accessible for operation of the delivery element; -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a left side view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a top view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a right side view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 1 , with the nozzle of the delivery element in a stored orientation over the actuator of the pump of the delivery element, restricting access to and use of the actuator; -
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 9A-9C provide enlarged views of various elements of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 ofFIG. 8 through a centerline of the prescription bottle cap ofFIG. 1 , including the nozzle of the delivery element of the prescription bottle cap; -
FIG. 11 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a prescription bottle cap, showing a nozzle of a delivery element in a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle protrudes or extends from a remainder of the prescription bottle cap, rendering an actuator of a pump of the delivery element accessible for operation of the delivery element; -
FIG. 12 is a front view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 13 is a left side view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 14 is a top view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 15 is a rear view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 16 is a right side view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 18 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 11 , with the nozzle of the delivery element in a stored orientation over the actuator of the pump of the delivery element, restricting access to and use of the actuator; -
FIG. 19 is an exploded view of prescription bottle cap shown inFIG. 11 ; and -
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 ofFIG. 18 through a centerline of the prescription bottle cap ofFIG. 1 , including the nozzle of the delivery element of the prescription bottle cap. -
FIGS. 1-10 illustrate an embodiment of aprescription bottle cap 10 that can dispense a precise dosage of a substance, and that may be used with a conventional prescription pill dispensing bottle. For the sake of simplicity, the prescription bottle cap may also be referred to herein as a “cap 10” and the conventional prescription pill dispensing bottle may also be referred to herein as a “prescription bottle 80.” - The
cap 10 includes abase 20 and adelivery element 30 atop thebase 20. As depicted byFIGS. 1-10 , thebase 20 of thecap 10 may have a configuration that enables the base 20 to be secured directly to aprescription bottle 80. In such an embodiment, thebase 20 may include a top 22 with anouter wall 24 protruding downward from an outer periphery of the top 22. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 10 , aninner surface 26 of theouter wall 24 of thebase 20 defines the lateral extent of areceptacle 28 capable of receiving an upper portion (not shown) of an outer wall (not shown) of theprescription bottle 80, and bottle coupling features (not shown) on theinner surface 26 of theouter wall 24 of thebase 20. The bottle coupling features are complementary to and capable of engaging corresponding cap coupling features (not shown) at the upper portion of theprescription bottle 80 to enable thecap 10 to be secured to theprescription bottle 80. The bottle coupling features of thecap 10 and the cap coupling features of theprescription bottle 80 may have any suitable configurations known in the art. In a specific embodiment, thecap 10 may comprise a conventional child-resistant prescription bottle cap. - Alternatively, the
base 20 of thecap 10 may have a configuration that enables it to be attached to a conventional cap for aprescription bottle 80. As an example, theouter wall 24 of the base 20 may define areceptacle 28 that is capable of receiving and engaging a conventional cap (not shown) for a prescription bottle 80 (e.g., mechanically (e.g., by way of a snap fit, a press fit, a threaded engagement, etc.), adhesively, etc.). - The
delivery element 30 is capable of delivering, or administering, a substance to an individual. In some embodiments, such as that depicted byFIGS. 1-10 , thedelivery element 30 of thecap 10 may be capable of nasal delivery, or administration, of a substance to an individual. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 1-10 , thedelivery element 30 of thecap 10 may include adelivery element housing 31 that is secured to the top 22 of thebase 20 of thecap 10. Thedelivery element housing 31 may include a top 31T with anouter wall 31 w protruding downward from an outer periphery of the top 31T. As depicted byFIGS. 1-6, 8 , and 9, apertures orother receptacles 31R in an interior surface (not shown) of theouter wall 31 w of thedelivery element housing 31 may receivecomplementary engagement elements 25 that include features that protrude radially outward above the top 22 of the base 20 to enable thedelivery element housing 31 to mechanically engage thebase 20. - As best illustrated by
FIGS. 9 and 10 , thedelivery element housing 31 may carry a remainder of thedelivery element 30. Atrigger receptacle 32 may open to the top 31T of thedelivery element housing 31 and to a rear portion of theouter wall 31 w of thedelivery element housing 31, while anozzle receptacle 33 may comprise an opening in a front portion of theouter wall 31 w of thedelivery element housing 31, and extend into the top 31T of thedelivery element housing 31. - With reference to
FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, 9C, and 10 , the remainder of thedelivery element 30 includes atrigger 34, aspring housing 40, acompression spring 44, apiston 45, apiston housing 50, anampoule 58, aneedle 65, aneedle housing 69, and anozzle 74. - The
spring housing 40 is positioned within thedelivery element housing 31, just below thetrigger receptacle 32. An upper portion of thespring housing 40 is exposed to and is accessible from thetrigger receptacle 32. Abody 41 of thespring housing 40 may be coupled to an interior portion of theouter wall 31 w of thedelivery element housing 31 in a manner that fixes thespring housing 40 securely in place within thedelivery element housing 31, below thetrigger receptacle 32. Pivot pins 42 that protrude from opposite sides of thebody 41 of thespring housing 40 are aligned with each other and may also be accessible through thetrigger receptacle 32. - The
trigger 34 has a configuration that enables it to be positioned over and to receive an upper portion of thespring housing 40. As illustrated, thetrigger 34 may include a pair ofside walls 35 that are spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance that thetrigger 34 can receive upper portions of thespring housing 40 and thepiston housing 50. Apivot pin receptacle 36 is recessed in abottom edge 35E of eachside wall 35 of thetrigger 34. Eachpivot pin receptacle 36 has a configuration that enables it to receive and engage apivot pin 42 of thespring housing 40 in a manner that secures thetrigger 34 atop thespring housing 40 and that enables thetrigger 34 to pivot relative to thespring housing 40. - In addition, a
catch 37 is recessed in thebottom edge 35E of eachside wall 35 of thetrigger 34, near afront edge 35F of thatside wall 35. Thecatches 37 may be aligned with one another. Thecatches 37 may hold thepiston 45 of thedelivery element 30 in a cocked position, as will become apparent from the description that follows. Bottom portions of thefront edges 35F of theside walls 35 may taper from the front of thetrigger 34 toward the rear of thetrigger 34, or inwardly, to enable thepiston 45 of thedelivery element 30 to be reset, or re-cocked, while thetrigger 34 is depressed, as will become apparent from the description that follows. - When the
trigger 34 is assembled with thespring housing 40, thetrigger 34 may protrude through thetrigger receptacle 32 of thedelivery element housing 31. Anozzle receptacle 38 in atop surface 34T of thetrigger 34 may have a configuration that enables thenozzle receptacle 38 to receive thenozzle 74 of thedelivery element 30, when folded over thetrigger 34, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10 , to pivot thetrigger 34 forward (i.e., the orientation of thetrigger 34 that enables thepiston 45 of thedelivery element 30 to be cocked) and to prevent depression of thetrigger 34. - Returning reference to the
spring housing 40, abore 43 extends into afront end 41F of thebody 41 of thespring housing 40. While afront end 43F of thebore 43 is open, a rear end (not shown) of thebore 43 is partially closed (e.g., has a smaller diameter than thefront end 43F, is partially blocked, etc.) or completely closed. Thebore 43 has a shape and dimensions that enable it to receive thecompression spring 44, with arear end 44R of thecompression spring 44 abutting the rear end of thebore 43. Thecompression spring 44 may have a length that enables it to reside completely within thebore 43 when compressed and protrude from the open end of thebore 43 when relaxed. Thecompression spring 44 may have a configuration that enables it to exert a desired amount of force when a compressive force on thecompression spring 44 is released. - The
piston 45 of thedelivery element 30 is positioned in front of thespring housing 40 and in front of thecompression spring 44. Thepiston 45 includes abody 46 with arear end 47 that abuts afront end 44F of thecompression spring 44. A pair ofguides 48 protrude from opposite sides of thebody 46, and are capable of being engaged by thecatches 37 in thebottom edges 35E of theside walls 35 of thetrigger 34. - A
front end 49 of thebody 46 of thepiston 45 has a configuration that enables it to abut and apply force to a rear portion of theampoule 58, which may also be referred to as a “reservoir.” - The
piston housing 50 may have a configuration that enables it to guide movement of thepiston 45 as thecompression spring 44 forces thepiston 45 forward. Thepiston housing 50 may be positioned within thedelivery element housing 31, with a front portion of thepiston housing 50 being exposed by thenozzle receptacle 32 of thedelivery element housing 31. A rear portion of thepiston housing 50 may be exposed to thetrigger receptacle 32. Abody 51 of thepiston housing 50 may be coupled to an interior of thedelivery element housing 31 in a manner that fixes thepiston housing 50 securely in place within thedelivery element housing 31. - In the embodiment illustrated by
FIG. 9 , achannel 50 c extends through an entire length of thebody 51 of thepiston housing 50. Thechannel 50 c has dimensions that enable it to receive thefront end 49 of thebody 46 of thepiston 45. In addition, a horizontally orientedslot 52 extends from arear end 53 of thebody 51 to a location near, but short of, thefront end 54 of thebody 51. The horizontally orientedslot 52 intersects thechannel 50 c, enabling the horizontally orientedslot 52 to accommodate theguides 48 that protrude from opposite sides of thepiston 45 as thebody 46 of thepiston 45 is inserted into thechannel 50 c through therear end 53 of thebody 51. Together, the horizontally orientedslot 52 and theguides 48 limit forward travel of thepiston 45, which may prevent damage to theneedle 65. - The partial positioning of the rear portion of the
piston housing 50 below a front portion of thetrigger receptacle 32 enables thecatches 37 in thebottom edges 35E of theside walls 35 of thetrigger 34 to engage portions of theguides 48 that protrude from sizes of thebody 51 of thepiston housing 50 when therear end 47 of thepiston 45 is pulled against thefront end 41F of thespring housing 40 and, thus, while thecompression spring 44 is compressed within the channel bore 43 of thespring housing 40 and theguides 48 are located near a rear end of the horizontally orientedslot 52. - The front portion of the
piston housing 50 includesarms 56. Thearms 56, which located on opposite sides of thebody 51 of thepiston housing 50, are spaced apart from one another, may comprise extensions of the side walls 51 w of thebody 51. More specifically, eacharm 56 may comprise a vertically oriented structure that extends forward beyond thesurface 55 at thefront end 54 of thebody 51, to which thechannel 50 c opens, and upward beyond atop surface 51T of thebody 51. An upper portion 56 u of eacharm 56 may include apivot point 57, such as an aperture that may receive a pivot pin. - As indicated previously herein, a front portion of the
piston housing 50, including thefront end 54 andfront surface 55 of thebody 51 of thepiston housing 50, as well as thearms 56 of thepiston housing 50, is exposed through thenozzle receptacle 33 that opens to the front of thedelivery element housing 31. Thus, when thepiston housing 50 is assembled with thedelivery element housing 31, thechannel 50 c of thepiston housing 50 is exposed through thenozzle receptacle 33. Outer surfaces of thearms 56 may abut side edges of thenozzle receptacle 33, while the upper portion 56 u of eacharm 56 may extend beyond a top 31T of thedelivery element housing 31, which may position thepivot point 57 of eacharm 56 above the top 31T of thedelivery element housing 31. - Referring again to the
ampoule 58, which is also illustrated byFIG. 9A , arear end 60 of abody 59 of theampoule 58 can be removably received within thechannel 50 c of thepiston housing 50. Alip 59L may be provided at thefront end 61 of thebody 59 to limit a distance theampoule 58 may be inserted into thechannel 50 c of thepiston 45. - The
body 59 of theampoule 58 defines areservoir 62, which opens to afront end 61 of thebody 59. Thereservoir 62 is capable of receiving and containing a single of a drug or another substance. The drug or other substance may be in liquid form (e.g., naloxone, etc.) Astopper 64 may be positioned within afront end 62F of thereservoir 62 holds that substance within thereservoir 62. Thestopper 64 may have a configuration that enables it to provide access to the contents of thereservoir 62 when thestopper 64 is subjected to a sufficient force (e.g., that provided by thecompression spring 44 and thepiston 45, etc.). As an example, thestopper 64 of theampoule 58 may have a configuration (e.g., a shape, dimensions, a material, etc.) that enables it to be pierced by aneedle 65, such as that shown inFIG. 9B , when thecompression spring 44 and thepiston 45 force thestopper 64 against a piercingend 65F of theneedle 65. In addition, a configuration of thestopper 64 may enable it to be forced rearwardly into thereservoir 62 to enable a precise dose of the contents of thereservoir 62 to be forced into alumen 66 of the needle 65 (and, thus, to be administered to an individual). Such rearward movement of thestopper 64 through thereservoir 62 may cause all of the contents of thereservoir 62 to be ejected through thelumen 66 of theneedle 65. By way of example only, thestopper 64 may be formed from an elastomer that may be pierced by theneedle 65 and forced rearwardly through thereservoir 62 by a portion of theneedle housing 69 while providing a seal against the interior surfaces of thereservoir 62. - The substance within the
reservoir 62 of thebody 59 of theampoule 58 may correspond to a drug within theprescription bottle 80 with which thecap 10 is to be used. In some embodiments, the substance may counteract a potentially negative effect (e.g., an overdose, a side effect, etc.) of that drug. As a non-limiting example, when theprescription bottle 80 contains an opioid, the substance within thereservoir 62 of thebody 59 of theampoule 58 may counteract an overdose of the opioid. More specifically, the substance may comprise the narcotic counteragent naloxone. In other embodiments, the substance within thereservoir 62 of thebody 59 of theampoule 58 may complement or act synergistically with the drug contained by theprescription bottle 80 with which thecap 10 is to be used. - The
cap 10 may be provided with a plurality ofampoules 58. When thecap 10 is used with aprescription bottle 80 that contains a prescription for an opioid, it may be provide with twoampoules 58, each containing an emergency dose of naloxone. - A
front end 65F and a portion of the length of theneedle 65 may be retained by theneedle housing 69, an embodiment of which is depicted byFIGS. 9 and 9C , with the piercingend 65 p of theneedle 65 protruding beyond arear end 71 of abody 70 of theneedle housing 69. More specifically, alumen 73 through thebody 70 may receive a front portion of theneedle 65. An orifice 73 o at a front end of thelumen 73, which opens to afront end 72 of thebody 70, may be constricted to limit forward movement of theneedle 65 relative to theneedle housing 69. The orifice 73 o may be configured to atomize a substance (e.g., the contents of thereservoir 62 of theampoule 58, etc.) as the substance is forced out of the lumen 66 (FIG. 9B ) of theneedle 65 and through the orifice 73 o. - The
body 70 of theneedle housing 69 may have a configuration that enables it to be received by a receptacle (not shown) that opens to arear end 76 of abody 75 of thenozzle 74. The receptacle in therear end 76 of thebody 75 of thenozzle 74 may also have a configuration that enables it to receive thefront end 61 of thebody 59 of theampoule 58 as thepiston 45 forces theampoule 58 forward onto theneedle 65. - The
body 75 of thenozzle 74 may be tapered to facilitate is insertion into a nostril of an individual to whom a dose of the contents of theampoule 58 are to be administered. Anorifice 79 in atip 78 of thebody 75 communicates with the orifice 73 o of theneedle housing 69; thus, a substance that is ejected through the orifice 73 o of theneedle housing 69 may pass through theorifice 79 in thetip 78 of thebody 75 of thenozzle 74. - At its
rear end 76, thebody 75 of thenozzle 74 may include ahinge element 75H, which may extend somewhat upwardly and/or rearwardly from therear end 76 of thebody 75. A configuration of thehinge element 75H may enable it to be positioned between thearms 56 of thepiston housing 50. Apivot point 77 of thehinge element 75H may align with the pivot points 57 of thearms 56 in a manner that enables thenozzle 74 to be pivotally coupled to the piston housing 50 (e.g., with a pivot pin that extends through the aligned pivot points 57 and 77, etc.). - The pivotal relationship between the
nozzle 74 and thepiston housing 50 and, thus, between thenozzle 74 and the remainder of thecap 10 enables movement of thenozzle 74 between a stored orientation, in which thenozzle 74 is positioned over the trigger 34 (as depicted byFIGS. 8 and 10 ) and a deployed orientation, in which thenozzle 74 may protrude from a remainder of the cap 10 (as depicted byFIGS. 1-7 ) and can communicate with anampoule 58 that has been inserted into thechannel 50 c of thepiston housing 50. In the depicted embodiment, thenozzle 74 pivots about 180° between its stored orientation and its deployed orientation. - When the
nozzle 74 is in its stored orientation, it may partially rest within thenozzle receptacle 33 of the trigger and may preclude access to and/or prevent depression of thetrigger 34. When thenozzle 74 is in its deployed orientation, therear end 76 of itsbody 75, therear end 71 of thebody 70 of theneedle housing 69, and the piercingend 65 p of theneedle 65 may be positioned adjacent to or against thefront end 54 of thebody 51 of thepiston housing 50 and against thefront end 61 of thebody 59 of an ampoule 58 (if any) disposed within thechannel 50 c through thepiston housing 50. In addition, when thenozzle 74 is in its deployed orientation, thenozzle 74 may protrude from the remainder of thecap 10 in a manner that facilitates its intended use. For example, thetip 78 of the illustrated embodiment ofnozzle 74 may be inserted into an individual's nostril to enable a substance within thereservoir 62 in thebody 59 of theampoule 58 to be forced directly into the individual's nasal cavity. As will be appreciated, thenozzle 74 may be provided in one or more sizes (e.g., infant, child, adult, etc.), depending upon the age of the intended recipient and/or the size of the intended recipient's nostrils. - The
base 20, thedelivery element housing 31, thespring housing 40, thepiston 45, thepiston housing 50, and thenozzle 74 may be formed from any suitable material. As an example, polyethylene terephthalate PET(E), a recyclable and durable material, may be used to form any or all of these components. Each of these elements may be formed from any technique suitable for use with the desired material (e.g., by injection molding processes, etc.). - When the contents of an
ampoule 58 are needed, an individual who will be administering those contents place thenozzle 74 of adelivery element 30 of acap 10 in a stored orientation over thetrigger 34 of thedelivery element 30, hold thetrigger 34 down, ensure that theampoule 58 is properly oriented, and push the properly orientedampoule 58 into thechannel 50 c of thepiston housing 50. As theampoule 58 is pushed into thechannel 50 c, it forces thepiston 45 back, compressing thecompression spring 44 and enabling theguides 48 that protrude from thebody 46 of thepiston 45 to be engaged by thecatches 37 in thebottom edges 35E of theside walls 35 of thetrigger 34; thus cocking, or loading, thedelivery element 30. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 9 and 10 , the contents of theampoule 58 may be administered by pivoting thenozzle 74 to its deployed orientation, as depicted byFIGS. 8 and 10 . With thenozzle 74 in its deployed orientation, thetrigger 34 is accessible. Once thenozzle 74 has been positioned to deliver the contents of the ampoule 58 (e.g., in a nostril of an individual, etc.), thetrigger 34 may be pushed, or depressed. As thetrigger 34 is depressed, thecatches 37 release theguides 48 of thepiston 45, enabling thecompression spring 44 to force thepiston 45 forward through thepiston housing 50. As thepiston 45 moves forward through thepiston housing 50, it forces theampoule 58 forward onto the piercingend 65 p of theneedle 65. Theneedle 65 and, optionally, a protruding feature of theneedle housing 69 hold thestopper 64 in place, causing it to travel further into thereservoir 62 in thebody 59 of theampoule 58 as theampoule 58 is forced forward. As thestopper 64 is forced further into thereservoir 62, its contents are expelled through thelumen 66 of theneedle 65, the orifice 73 o of theneedle housing 69, and out of theorifice 79 in thetip 78 of thenozzle 74. - Once a dose of the contents of the
ampoule 58 have been administered, the depleted, or spent,ampoule 58 may be removed from thedelivery element 30, anotherampoule 58 may be assembled with thedelivery element 30, and thedelivery element 30 may be reset, or re-cocked. Thenozzle 74 may be placed in its stored orientation over thetrigger 34 to enable a depletedampoule 58 to be removed from thechannel 50 c of thepiston housing 50 and to enable anampoule 58 that contains a dose of the substance to be placed into thechannel 50 c. Thedelivery element 30 may then be reset in the manner described above. Once thedelivery element 30 has been reset, the second dosage of the substance may be delivered to the subject (e.g., into the individual's other nostril when administering a substance in an attempt to counteract the effects of an opioid, etc.). - When the
cap 10 and its contents (or, more specifically, the contents of anampoule 58 that has been assembled with the cap 10) are used to counteract an opioid overdose by an individual, a person administering the contents of thecap 10 should call emergency services (e.g., 911 in the United States of America, etc.) before administering the contents of thecap 10. The number of doses of counteragent that have been administered to the affected individual should be reported to the emergency responder. - Another embodiment of a
prescription bottle cap 110, which may deliver less precise amounts of a substance than the above-describedcap 10, is illustrated byFIGS. 11-20 . Such aprescription bottle cap 110 may be useful in situations where precise dosages are not critical. Theprescription bottle cap 110 may also be referred to as a “cap” 110 for the sake of simplicity. Like the above-describedcap 10, thecap 110 may be capable of attachment to a conventional prescriptionpill dispensing bottle 80, which is also referred to as a “prescription bottle” 80 for the sake of simplicity. - The
cap 110 includes abase 120 and adelivery element 130 atop thebase 120. In some embodiments, thebase 120 of thecap 110 may have a configuration that enables it to be secured directly to aprescription bottle 80. In such an embodiment, thebase 120 may include a top 122 with anouter wall 124 protruding downward from an outer periphery of the top 122. As shown inFIGS. 17 and 20 , aninner surface 126 of theouter wall 124 of thebase 120 defines the lateral extent of areceptacle 128 capable of receiving anupper portion 82 of anouter wall 84 of theprescription bottle 80, and bottle coupling features 127 on theinner surface 126 of theouter wall 124 of thebase 120. The bottle coupling features 127 are complementary to and capable of engaging corresponding cap coupling features 87 at theupper portion 82 of theprescription bottle 80 to enable thecap 110 to be secured to theprescription bottle 80. The bottle coupling features 127 of thecap 110 and the cap coupling features 87 of theprescription bottle 80 may have any suitable configurations known in the art. In a specific embodiment, thecap 110 may comprise a conventional child-resistant prescription bottle cap. - Alternatively, the
base 120 of thecap 110 may have a configuration that enables it to be attached to a conventional cap for a prescription bottle. As an example, theouter wall 124 of the base 120 may define areceptacle 128 that is capable of receiving and engaging aconventional cap 90 for a prescription bottle 80 (e.g., mechanically (e.g., by way of a snap fit, a press fit, a threaded engagement, etc.), adhesively, etc.). - With continued reference to
FIGS. 11-20 , thedelivery element 130 of thecap 110 is capable of delivering, or administering, a substance to an individual. In some embodiments, such as that depicted byFIGS. 11-20 , thedelivery element 130 of thecap 110 may be capable of nasal delivery, or administration, of a substance to an individual. - The
delivery element 130 of the embodiment ofcap 110 depicted byFIGS. 11-20 includes anannular member 132 that protrudes upwardly from the top 122 of thebase 120 of thecap 110. As best illustrated byFIGS. 19 and 20 ,inner surfaces 134 of theannular member 132 and an upper surface of the top 122 of the base 120 may define areceptacle 136 for anatomizer bulb 150 of thedelivery element 130. - The
atomizer bulb 150 may be configured in a manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theatomizer bulb 150 may include abody 152 that comprises a compressible, resilient structure (e.g., it may be formed from a medical grade rubber, etc.). In general, an interior of the body of theatomizer bulb 150 may comprise a reservoir (not shown) capable of receiving and holding a substance (not shown) for potential administration to an individual. As shown inFIG. 19 , theatomizer bulb 150 includes anoutlet 158 that may communicate with the reservoir, enabling introduction of the substance into the reservoir defined within thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 and enabling ejection of the substance from the reservoir. Theoutlet 158 may protrude from abody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150. - A top of the
atomizer bulb 150 may serve as anactuator 156 that is capable of causing a substance within the reservoir of thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 to be forced from the reservoir and out of theoutlet 158. More specifically, as theactuator 156 of theatomizer bulb 150 is depressed, a volume within the reservoir may decrease, increasing an air pressure within the reservoir and mixing a substance within the reservoir with air and forcing the mixture out of the reservoir through theoutlet 158. Theatomizer bulb 150 may deliver an approximate dose of the substance when theactuator 156 is depressed. - A
base 154 of thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 may have a configuration that enables it to seat properly within thereceptacle 136 within theannular member 132 of thedelivery element 130 of the cap 110 (e.g. thebase 154 of thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 may be substantially flat, flat, shaped complementarily to a shape of the top 122 of thebase 120 of thecap 110, etc.). Thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 may resiliently engage theinner surfaces 134 of theannular member 132 to removably secure theatomizer bulb 150 within thereceptacle 136. Alternatively, or in addition, thebase 154 of thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 may be affixed within thereceptacle 136 with an adhesive material. Without limitation, a removable, pressure sensitive adhesive material may facilitate removal of theatomizer bulb 150 from thereceptacle 136 to enable replenishment of the substance within the reservoir of theatomizer bulb 150 after it has been used or once it has reached its expiration date. - The
annular member 132 and/or a shape of theatomizer bulb 150 may be capable of ensuring that theatomizer bulb 150 is properly aligned within thereceptacle 136 defined by theannular member 132. In the depicted embodiment, theannular member 132 may receive theatomizer bulb 150 in such a way that anoutlet 158 of theatomizer bulb 150 extends into aslot 138 defined through a portion of theannular member 132. - The open top of the
annular member 132 of thedelivery element 130 of thecap 110 enables theatomizer bulb 150 to be assembled with thecap 110, and provides access to theactuator 156 of theatomizer bulb 150. Theannular member 132 may taper downward from front to back to further facilitate operation of theactuator 156 with an individual's finger or thumb. While theannular member 132 provides access to theactuator 156, its configuration—it may substantially surround theatomizer bulb 150—and height may prevent inadvertent depression of theactuator 156 and, thus, inadvertent dispensing of substance within the reservoir of thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150. - In addition to being able to receive the
outlet 158 of theatomizer bulb 150 of thedelivery element 130 of thecap 110, theslot 138 in theannular member 132 of thedelivery element 130 may be capable of orienting anozzle 160 of thedelivery element 130 in such a way that thenozzle 160 can receive and convey a substance ejected by theoutlet 158 of theatomizer bulb 150. In addition, theslot 138 may have a configuration that enables it to receive and engage a portion of thenozzle 160. More specifically, theslot 138 may include a pair ofopposed end walls 140. Eachend wall 140 may include apivot element 145. In the depicted embodiment, eachpivot element 145 comprises a cylindrical protrusion, with pair ofpivot elements 145 being opposed to and protruding toward one another. In addition, at least oneend wall 140 may include aretention feature 146 that may hold thenozzle 160 in one or more orientations. As depicted, eachretention feature 146 may comprise an elongated protrusion. - The
pivot elements 145 of theend walls 140 of theslot 138 in theannular member 132 of thedelivery element 130 of thecap 110 may engage or be engaged bycomplementary pivot elements 165 of thenozzle 160. More specifically, thenozzle 160 may include a pair ofattachment arms 164 that protrude from opposite sides of arear end 161 of thenozzle 160. Theattachment arms 164 may be spaced apart a sufficient distance to receive theoutlet 158 of theatomizer bulb 150. Eachattachment arm 164 may include apivot element 165. In the depicted embodiment, eachpivot element 165 comprises a circular aperture that extends through itscorresponding attachment arm 164 to receive acylindrical pivot element 145 that protrudes from acorresponding end wall 140 of theslot 138. When assembled, thepivot elements 145 of theannular member 132 and thepivot elements 165 of theattachment arms 164 of thenozzle 160 function together to enable thenozzle 160 to pivot relative to theannular member 132 of thecap 110 and relative to anyatomizer bulb 150 within thereceptacle 136 defined by theannular member 132. - In addition to including a
pivot element 165, at least oneattachment arm 164 may include aretention feature 166 at its outer surface. Theretention feature 166 may be configured complementarily to and be able to engage acorresponding retention feature 146 of anend wall 140 of theannular member 132 that defines a side of theslot 138 through theannular member 132. In the depicted embodiment, eachretention feature 166 comprises an elongated recess in the outer surface of itsattachment arm 164; the elongated recess is capable of receiving the elongated protrusion that forms thecorresponding retention feature 146 on thecorresponding end wall 140. Such engagement may hold, or retain, thenozzle 160 in one or more orientations. - The pivotal relationship between the
nozzle 160 and the remainder of thecap 110 enables movement of thenozzle 160 between a stored orientation, in which thenozzle 160 is positioned over theactuator 156 of the atomizer bulb 150 (as depicted byFIGS. 18 and 20 ) and a deployed orientation, in which thenozzle 160 can communicate with theoutlet 158 of theatomizer bulb 150 and may protrude from a remainder of the cap 110 (as depicted byFIGS. 11-17 ). In the depicted embodiment, thenozzle 160 pivots about 180° between its stored orientation and its deployed orientation. - The relative arrangements of the retention feature(s) 146 on the end wall(s) 140 of the
annular member 132 and the retention feature(s) 166 of the corresponding attachment arm(s) 164 of thenozzle 160 may engage each other to hold thenozzle 160 into place into one or both of the stored orientation and the deployed orientation. The corresponding retention feature(s) 146 and retention feature(s) 166 may be disengaged, and thenozzle 160 pivoted, upon application of a sufficient pivoting force to thenozzle 160 to disengage the corresponding retention feature(s) 146 and retention feature(s) 166. - When the
nozzle 160 is in its stored orientation, it may preclude access to and/or prevent depression of theactuator 156 of theatomizer bulb 150. When thenozzle 160 is in its deployed orientation, itsrear end 161 may be positioned adjacent to or against an end of theoutlet 158 of theatomizer bulb 150, and achannel 163 through thenozzle 160 may be aligned with anaperture 159 of theoutlet 158. As can be best seen inFIG. 18 , therear end 161 of thenozzle 160 may be recessed, enabling it to receive an end of theoutlet 158 of theatomizer bulb 150 in a manner that ensures alignment of thechannel 163 of thenozzle 160 with theaperture 159 of theoutlet 158. In some embodiments, therear end 161 of thenozzle 160 and/or the end of theoutlet 158 may be formed from a compressible resilient material or provided with a sealing element (e.g., an O-ring, etc.) to seal the joint between theaperture 159 of theoutlet 158 and thechannel 163 of thenozzle 160. In addition, when thenozzle 160 is in its deployed orientation, thenozzle 160 may protrude from the remainder of thecap 110 in a manner that facilitates its intended use. For example, atip 162 of the illustrated embodiment ofnozzle 160 may be inserted into an individuals' nostril to enable a substance within the reservoir in thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 to be forced directly into the individual's nasal cavity. As will be appreciated, thenozzle 160 may be provided in one or more sizes (e.g., infant, child, adult, etc.), depending upon the age of the intended recipient and/or the size of the intended recipient's nostrils. - As shown in
FIG. 19 , asafety cap 170 may be provided with thecap 110 to limit access to thedelivery element 130 until thedelivery element 130 is needed. Thesafety cap 170 may comprise a conventional snap-on cap that engages features on an outer surface of theannular member 132. A bottom edge of thesafety cap 170 may rest on or adjacent to a portion of the top 122 of the base 120 that is exposed beyond an outer periphery of theannular member 132. Thesafety cap 170 may provide a protective covering for thedelivery element 130 of thecap 110 and the substance that within the reservoir within thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 of thedelivery element 130. A removable seal may secure thesafety cap 170 to the remainder of thecap 110. - The
base 120, theannular member 132, thenozzle 160, and thesafety cap 170 may be formed from any suitable material. As an example, polyethylene terephthalate PET(E), a recyclable and durable material, may be used to form any or all of these components. Each of these elements may be formed from any technique suitable for use with the desired material (e.g., by injection molding processes, etc.). - In some embodiments, the
cap 110 may be provided in a sealed wrapper. - In use, the
cap 110 may be removed from its prescription bottle 80 (if thecap 110 has not already been removed), asafety cap 170 may be removed from the cap 110 (if thesafety cap 170 is assembled with the cap 110), and thenozzle 160 may be pivoted to its deployed orientation. With thenozzle 160 in its deployed orientation, it may be inserted into one of an individual's nostrils. Theactuator 156 may then be pressed firmly to force the substance within the reservoir of thebody 152 of theatomizer bulb 150 through thenozzle 160 and into the individual's nasal cavity. Once the counteragent has been administered, thenozzle 160 may be removed from the affected individual's nostril. A second dose of the substance may be administered to the individual by replacing the depleted, or spent,atomizer bulb 150 with afresh atomizer bulb 150, reinserting thenozzle 160 into the individual's other nostril and firmly pressing theactuator 156 of thefresh atomizer bulb 150. - Although the foregoing description sets forth many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments and variations of elements or features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.
Claims (20)
1. A cap for a prescription bottle, comprising:
a base securable to a top of a prescription bottle to confine contents of the prescription bottle within an interior of the prescription bottle; and
a delivery element carried by the base and including:
a reservoir that contains a substance;
a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir, the nozzle moveable between:
a stored orientation; and
a deployed orientation; and
an actuator that forces the substance from the reservoir, through the nozzle, and out of the nozzle, the actuator including a receptacle for the nozzle that receives the nozzle in the stored orientation to prevent actuation of the actuator, the actuator accessible with the nozzle in the deployed orientation.
2. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the delivery element is assembled with the base.
3. The cap of claim 2 , wherein the delivery element is removable from the base.
4. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the delivery element is integral with the base.
5. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises an opioid overdose reversal agent.
6. The cap of claim 5 , wherein the opioid overdose reversal agent comprises naloxone.
7. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the substance comprises a nasally deliverable drug.
8. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle, while in the stored orientation, prevents depression of the actuator.
9. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle, while in the deployed orientation, protrudes from the delivery element.
10. The cap of claim 9 , wherein the nozzle, while in the deployed orientation, protrudes beyond an outer peripheral edge of the delivery element.
11. A drug delivery system, comprising:
a prescription bottle; and
a cap, including:
a base that couples to the prescription bottle over an opening of the prescription bottle; and
a delivery element carried by the base and including:
a reservoir that receives a substance;
a nozzle movable between a stored orientation and a deployed orientation; and
a trigger that forces the substance from the reservoir through the nozzle, the trigger including a recess that receives the nozzle in the stored orientation to prevent depression of the trigger, the trigger exposed and depressible with the nozzle in the deployed orientation.
12. The drug delivery system of claim 11 , wherein the nozzle is compactly associated with a remainder of the delivery element in the stored orientation and protrudes from a remainder of the delivery element in the deployed orientation.
13. The drug delivery system of claim 11 , wherein the delivery element of the cap further includes:
a spring;
a piston having a loaded position in which the trigger prevents a force of the spring from acting on the piston and a released position in which force of the spring has moved the piston; and
a piston housing including a channel with a rear end that receives the piston and a front end that receives an ampoule comprising the reservoir,
the nozzle positioning a tip of a needle adjacent to a front end of the ampoule to enable the tip of the needle to puncture a stopper of the ampoule and to hold the stopper in place as the piston is driven forward by the force of the spring and drives a body of the ampoule forward, the needle receiving and conveying the substance to an orifice of the nozzle.
14. The drug delivery system of claim 13 , wherein the ampoule contains a premeasured dose of a drug.
15. The drug delivery system of claim 14 , wherein the orifice of the nozzle comprises an atomizer.
16. The drug delivery system of claim 11 , wherein the prescription bottle contains an opioid and the reservoir receives an opioid overdose reversal agent.
17. A method for providing a substance to an individual, comprising:
filling a bottle with the substance; and
securing a cap to the bottle to secure the substance within the bottle, the cap containing an another substance and being capable of readily administering the another substance to the individual, the cap including an actuator and a nozzle, the nozzle movable between a stored orientation and a deployed orientation, the actuator including a receptacle that receives the nozzle in the stored orientation to prevent actuation of the actuator, the actuator exposed and depressible with the nozzle in the deployed orientation.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein securing the cap to the bottle comprises securing a cap with a nozzle and a pump for nasally administering the another substance to the individual to the bottle.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein filling the bottle with the substance comprises filling the bottle with a prescription drug, as prescribed by a licensed medical professional.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein:
filling the bottle with the substance comprises filling the bottle with an opioid; and
securing the cap to the bottle comprises securing the cap with the another substance comprising an opioid reversal agent to the bottle.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/190,243 US20210252235A1 (en) | 2017-06-01 | 2021-03-02 | Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent |
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US201762513768P | 2017-06-01 | 2017-06-01 | |
US15/993,449 US10933204B2 (en) | 2017-06-01 | 2018-05-30 | Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent |
US17/190,243 US20210252235A1 (en) | 2017-06-01 | 2021-03-02 | Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent |
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US15/993,449 Continuation US10933204B2 (en) | 2017-06-01 | 2018-05-30 | Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent |
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US20210252235A1 true US20210252235A1 (en) | 2021-08-19 |
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US15/993,449 Active 2039-02-18 US10933204B2 (en) | 2017-06-01 | 2018-05-30 | Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent |
US17/190,243 Abandoned US20210252235A1 (en) | 2017-06-01 | 2021-03-02 | Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/993,449 Active 2039-02-18 US10933204B2 (en) | 2017-06-01 | 2018-05-30 | Prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US10933204B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3629781A4 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3065307C (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018222769A1 (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170266396A1 (en) * | 2016-03-21 | 2017-09-21 | Joseph Feldman | Nasal spray apparatus |
Family Cites Families (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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IT1185850B (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1987-11-18 | Zambon Spa | DROP TANK CAP FOR BOTTLES |
US5011032A (en) | 1990-02-28 | 1991-04-30 | Rollman Bruce L | Patient dosage regimen compliance bottle cap |
JP2552690Y2 (en) * | 1991-10-23 | 1997-10-29 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Liquid dispensing container for oral drug solution administration |
GB9125699D0 (en) * | 1991-12-03 | 1992-01-29 | Glaxo Group Ltd | Device |
US5484089A (en) | 1994-11-23 | 1996-01-16 | Picerno; Virginia L. | Pill bottle and dispensing cap combination |
US5901703A (en) * | 1995-02-06 | 1999-05-11 | Unisia Jecs Corporation | Medicine administering device for nasal cavities |
GB9516984D0 (en) * | 1995-08-18 | 1995-10-18 | Pharmasol Ltd | Spray applicator |
US5771657A (en) * | 1996-05-07 | 1998-06-30 | Merck Medco Managed Care, Inc. | Automatic prescription filling, sorting and packaging system |
AUPN976496A0 (en) * | 1996-05-10 | 1996-05-30 | Glaxo Wellcome Australia Ltd | Unit dose dispensing device |
EP1237610B1 (en) * | 1999-11-08 | 2006-05-10 | Capnia Incorporated | Apparatus for co-application of gases and drugs |
US6302295B1 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2001-10-16 | Billy L. Weisman | Prescription cap with transparent daily dosage compartment |
IT1315351B1 (en) * | 2000-05-26 | 2003-02-10 | Taplast Spa | BELLOW PUMP FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF LIQUIDS |
DE20018518U1 (en) * | 2000-10-28 | 2001-02-01 | Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma | Atomizer for nasal spray |
JP2002355307A (en) * | 2001-06-01 | 2002-12-10 | Toko Yakuhin Kogyo Kk | Sprayer for throat |
US20100100237A1 (en) * | 2004-12-11 | 2010-04-22 | Novation Science Holding, Llc | Smart Medicine Container |
US20060207596A1 (en) * | 2005-03-18 | 2006-09-21 | Fairfield Clinical Trials, Llc | Device and method for delivery of combination nasal medication |
US7874467B2 (en) * | 2005-11-03 | 2011-01-25 | Reseal International Limited Partnership | Metered drop push button dispenser system |
US20110147404A1 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2011-06-23 | Dobie Iii Dudley R | Lids for bottles such as vials, and kits with lids |
DE102013226253B4 (en) * | 2013-12-17 | 2016-03-24 | Aptar Radolfzell Gmbh | Protective cap for a dispenser and dispenser for dispensing pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic liquids |
WO2016007729A1 (en) | 2014-07-09 | 2016-01-14 | Lightlake Therapeutics Inc. | Co-packaged drug products |
-
2018
- 2018-05-30 WO PCT/US2018/035208 patent/WO2018222769A1/en active Application Filing
- 2018-05-30 US US15/993,449 patent/US10933204B2/en active Active
- 2018-05-30 CA CA3065307A patent/CA3065307C/en active Active
- 2018-05-30 EP EP18809257.1A patent/EP3629781A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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2021
- 2021-03-02 US US17/190,243 patent/US20210252235A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170266396A1 (en) * | 2016-03-21 | 2017-09-21 | Joseph Feldman | Nasal spray apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20190134319A1 (en) | 2019-05-09 |
CA3065307A1 (en) | 2018-12-06 |
US10933204B2 (en) | 2021-03-02 |
EP3629781A1 (en) | 2020-04-08 |
EP3629781A4 (en) | 2021-03-10 |
WO2018222769A1 (en) | 2018-12-06 |
CA3065307C (en) | 2022-06-07 |
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