Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M31/00—Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body
  • A61M31/007—Injectors for solid bodies, e.g. suppositories
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
  • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
  • A61D7/00—Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F6/00—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor
  • A61F6/06—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor for use by females
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F6/00—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor
  • A61F6/06—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor for use by females
  • A61F6/14—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor for use by females intra-uterine type
  • A61F6/18—Inserters or removers
• • 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
  • A61M31/00—Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a dispensing mechanism for a delivery applicator of pharmaceutical forms into body holes, namely via vaginal, anal and nasal routes, and particularly for intravaginal delivery.
• the invention further relates to an applicator comprising the novel pharmaceutical form dispensing mechanism.
• women represent more than half of world's population and they may suffer from diseases specific to their gender that despite not normally being life- threatening can result in a sharp decrease in quality of life.
• Several companies are developing new therapies in order to solve these problems and improve the quality of life of women.
• vaginal route has been traditionally used for local delivery of drugs, but is now much more relevant as a plausible route for systemic delivery.
• the delivery of drugs by vaginal route is usually useful for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and for contraceptives, but new developments in the field of bio-adhesives and liposomes indicate that this might be a useful route to other therapies.
• vaginal route delivery The advantages of delivering drugs through vaginal route are the ease of delivery, the possibility of self-delivery, low systemic exposure to the drag and good permeability to some drugs when compared with other routes of delivery.
• the low enzyme activity and the possibility for absorbed drug being transferred into the uterus may also benefit the delivery of the drug.
• intra- vaginal delivery of drugs is necessary to use suitable devices.
• the design of devices for vaginal route delivery should take into account the anatomical and physiological aspects of the vagina.
• pharmaceutical forms comprise liquids (solutions, emulsions or suspensions), vaginal suppositories or ovula, as well as tablets, capsules or even creams and gels.
• Such devices for vaginal route delivery should allow the correct and properly located application of the drug to be used in the vagina. Delivery through vaginal route requires that applicators are inserted into the vagina, adequately deposit the drug, and then being removed. Since they can produce changes in the mucosa, it is essential that devices assure a level of security that should be evaluated as integral part of vaginal products.
• Applicators can be divided into two major groups: disposable (single use) and reusable ones. Generally, single-use applicators are already filled with the drug and properly packaged into blisters while the reusable ones are filled with drug by the user prior to use.
• Prior art applicators are very rigid and their insertion end may damage the vaginal mucosa. Also, the uneven end of usual applicators collides painfully with vaginal walls while pushing them away against the intra-abdominal forces. Usual applicators have no insertion depth control, being easily inserted excessively, causing pain and potentially damaging the ostium, which will become especially dangerous during pregnancy.
• the plunger of the applicator when the latter is filled and ready for insertion, is located away from the anatomical extent of the user's hand. This cause the user to adopt anatomically incorrect body positions in order to operate the device, as well as requiring the use of both hands.
• the use of applicators of the prior art requires that the patient must rest in a lying position with legs bent, not allowing, for example, its use in the sitting position.
• Patent Application U.S. 2003233077 Al entitled “Applicator Device for Suppositories and the Like” discloses an applicator for dispensing pharmaceutical products, having a fusiform shape and comprising a body and a plunger for release of ovula.
• European Patent EP 1518574 Bl entitled “Cannula for Dispensing Fluid Products for Vaginal and Anal Applications” discloses a cannula for dispensing fluids, for vaginal application, comprising a tubular body and a plunger allowing a controlled release of the drug.
• Patent Application U.S. 2003158511 Al entitled “Vaginal Suppository Delivery Device” discloses a device for dispensing suppositories through vaginal route including a forceps shaped body having upper and lower attachment members cooperating together to confine a passage, a sleeve member and a plunger.
• Patent Application U.S. 4312347 A entitled “Positive Pressure Drug Releasing Device” discloses a device for extended delivery of drug for intra- vaginal or ntra-uterine drug release.
• the device has a body including a plunger driven by a compression spring which generates a pressure for expelling the drug in liquid form out of the body defining chamber.
• At one end of the body there is a membrane restricting the drug delivery flow rate, to provide the patient with the prescribed dosage.
• a delivery device or applicator
• pharmaceutical forms dispensing mechanism thereof providing for: ⁇ manufacture simplicity, for example, due to a dispensing mechanism made of a single part; simplicity of operation and ergonomics for easy handling and use with only one hand, while providing a comfortable operation;
• the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical form dispensing mechanism (2) comprising a rod (2A) having a first end and a second end, characterized in that it further comprises:
• a flexible member (2B) connected to the first end of the rod (2a), which flexible member (2B) is able to be deformed and is provided with shape memory, and has a rounded or angular shape, and
• the flexible member (2B) has a shape selected from the group consisting in a rim, semi-circular, oval, semi-oval, spherical calotte and V shape.
• the rod (2A) and the flexible member (2B) form a single part.
• the pharmaceutical forms are selected from the group comprising ovula, tablets, capsules, pills, gels, suspensions, suppositories and the like.
• the present invention also relates to an applicator (1) for delivery of pharmaceutical forms (4) into body holes, comprising a body (3), characterized in that it further comprises a dispensing mechanism (2) of the invention.
• the dispensing mechanism (2) of the applicator (1) is arranged within the body (3), wherein
• the flexible member (2B) of the mechanism (2) is a rim
• the body (3) comprises diametrically opposed slots through which two separate and substantially opposite parts of said rim pass.
• the body (3) comprises at least one elastic membrane surrounding the dispensing mechanism (2).
• the body (3) has a tubular shape or a wavy shape.
• the applicator (1) is disposable.
• the applicator (1) of the invention is reusable.
• a disposable kit for delivery of pharmaceutical forms into body holes, comprising an applicator (1) of the present invention and a pharmaceutical form is disclosed.
• a reusable kit for delivery of pharmaceutical forms into body holes comprising an applicator (1) of the present invention, a pharmaceutical form and refills is also disclosed.
• kits as any of the preceding kits, further comprising a pair of disposable gloves is further disclosed.
• the pharmaceutical forms used in any of the preceding kits are selected from the group comprising ovula, tablets, pills, capsules, gels, suspensions, suppositories and the like.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the applicator of the present invention with a part of the body cut out in order to show the arrangement of the dispensing mechanism within the body of the applicator.
• Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the applicator of Fig. 1, showing a pharmaceutical form, the body of the applicator, and the dispensing mechanism.
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the applicator of Figs. 1 and 2 loaded with a pharmaceutical form.
• Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of the preferred dispensing mechanism of the present invention.
• the present invention relates to a dispensing mechanism (2) and a delivery applicator (1) of pharmaceutical forms into body holes.
• a dispensing mechanism (2) and applicator (1) for intra-vaginal delivery relates to a dispensing mechanism (2) and applicator (1) for intra-vaginal delivery.
• Known applicators are not appropriate to introduce pharmaceutical forms such as, for example, ovula, tablets, capsules, pills, gels and suppositories, as they all work based on a cannula with a syringe-type plunger which requires manipulation and application with both hands, which, in adverse situations, can accidentally actuate the plunger before the cannula is properly positioned into the body hole and, in particular, into the vagina, resulting in an ineffective treatment.
• the present invention aims to improve and simplify dispensing of pharmaceutical forms into body holes, making it possible to realize the operation with one hand only, by means of a novel dispensing mechanism (2) arranged within an ergonomic applicator body (3).
• This applicator (1) is intended for dispensing pharmaceutical forms selected from the group comprising ovula, tablets, capsules, pills, gels, suspensions, suppositories and the like.
• the applicator (1) of the present invention provides the following advantages compared to prior art devices:
• the applicator (1) of the invention comprises a body (3) into which a pharmaceutical form dispensing mechanism (2) s (4) is arranged, such as illustrated in Fig. 1.
• Said applicator body (3) has any type of suitable gripping means such as, for example, flexible forceps, to hold any of the solid pharmaceutical forms (4) and thereby avoiding a possible accidental release of same (4) before and/or during application.
• Components (2, 3) of the applicator (1) of the present invention can be manufactured, for example, in plastic, metallic, ceramic, composite material or combinations thereof. Plastic is the preferred material to be used. Several arrangements of the applicator are provided taking into account the ergonomics associated with the intended use.
• the pharmaceutical form dispensing mechanism (2) is one of the components of the applicator (1) of the present invention, and its design is important from the operative point of view, as it enables using the applicator (1) with only one hand in a comfortable and safe way .
• the dispensing mechanism (2) of the present invention is designed as a component of the applicator (1) that overcomes these limitations.
• the pharmaceutical form dispensing mechanism (2) of the invention comprises a rod (2A) connected to a flexible member (2B).
• the rod (2A) has a first and a second end, the first end being cooperatively connected to said flexible member (2B), and the second end being free from constraints in order to move axially.
• Said flexible member (2B) has a rounded or angular shape, and is a deformable member having shape memory. Flexible member (2B) extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of a compression force applied to it and recovers its original shape when said compression force is withdrawn.
• the expression "deformable member provided with shape memory” relates to a part having a shape as defined herein below, which part is able to be deformed by applying a manual force, namely a force applied by the fingers of a hand of a patient or person with some limitations or physical disabilities, which deformation ceases at the moment in which said force is stopped, and the part recovers its original shape once the user removes the force that has been applied to it.
• the flexible member (2B) has a shape selected from the group comprising ring, semi-circular, oval, semi-oval, spherical calotte, V shape, and the like.
• the rod (2A) and the flexible member (2B) are integral into a single part, which allows simplifying the production process of the dispensing mechanism (2) and thus reducing its production cost.
• the design of the present dispensing mechanism (2) allows avoiding the known positional difficulties experienced by users when operating prior art applicators, as it is namely the situation of users of intra-vaginal applicators.
• the applicator (1) of the present invention due to the actuation is done in a direction substantially perpendicular to the displacement direction of the rod (2A), allows a totally distinct handling from that practiced in prior art applicators in which the actuation direction occurs in the same direction of the displacement of the respective plungers.
• this solution in addition to facilitate the introduction of the applicator (1) and its operation, further allows reducing the dimensions of the applicator (1) to those that are really indispensable from a functional point of view. As can be seen in Figs.
• the dispensing mechanism (2) should be arranged within the body (3) of the applicator (1) such that the flexible member (2b) or a part thereof remains accessible to the user for the purpose of actuating the same, and the flexible member part (2C) of the mechanism (2) is immobilized in and/or in relation to the body (3) of the applicator.
• the body (3) of applicator may be of any ergonomically shape suitable to the intended application, in particular it can be, for example, tubular or it can have a wavy shape.
• the body (3) of applicator may be designed so as to provide access to the dispensing mechanism (2), for actuation, in particular, by means of slots through which parts of the dispensing mechanism (2) pass or by means of elastic membranes surrounding the dispensing mechanism (2) and simultaneously allowing the actuation of the latter by a user.
• the applicator body (3) should comprise an outlet nozzle from which the pharmaceutical form exits and whose configuration conforms to the type and/or shape of the pharmaceutical form to be delivered.
• said outlet nozzle of the applicator body (3) has, for example, flexible forceps adapted to hold any of the solid pharmaceutical forms (4), and thereby avoid a possible accidental release of the same (4) before and/or during application.
• the applicator (1) of the present invention may be disposable or reusable, according to market needs and type of application intended.
• the present invention also relates to a kit comprising the applicator of the invention, having a single pharmaceutical form for a single application.
• the present invention also relates to an applicator kit having refills of the pharmaceutical form for multiple applications.
• the present invention further relates to any of the previous kits further comprising at least one pair of disposable gloves.
• Figs. 1 to 3 which takes into account production requirements of the present applicator (1), this is intended to intra-vaginal application and essentially consists of three parts, two of which form, by coupling or fitting, the applicator body (3) having a wavy shape, and the third part consists of said pharmaceutical form dispensing mechanism (2).
• the dispensing mechanism (2) is arranged in a first part of the body (3), then the second part of body (3) being assembled by fitting or coupling in said first part so as to provide the finalized shape to the body (3) of applicator (1).
• the dispensing mechanism (2) is of ring shape and the body (3) of applicator comprises 2 diametrically opposite slots, through which two substantially opposite separate parts of the ring of the mechanism (2) pass, thus allowing to arrange the dispensing mechanism (2) within the body (3) while providing access to mechanism (2) from the outside of said body (3), so as to allow the actuation thereof to the user.
• the user can apply it, for example in a sitting position, using the fingers of one hand to open vaginal labia. Then, with the other hand, she inserts the applicator into the vagina. Then, she releases the vaginal labia, which constrict themselves, allowing suitable positioning and fixation of the applicator for subsequent dispensing of the pharmaceutical form, for instance, a ovulum.
• the user presses the dispensing mechanism (2), which protrudes from the body (3), with the same hand which had inserted the applicator into the vagina, so as to actuate said mechanism (2) and thereby complete the intra-vaginal insertion process of said ovulum.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Anesthesiology (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Reproductive Health (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
• Coating Apparatus (AREA)
• Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)

Priority Applications (8)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=49551727

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (7)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (16)

• 2012
  • 2012-10-26 PT PT106603A patent/PT106603A/pt unknown
• 2013
  • 2013-10-23 CN CN201380068109.2A patent/CN105209103A/zh active Pending
  • 2013-10-23 HK HK16105184.7A patent/HK1217184A1/zh unknown
  • 2013-10-23 JP JP2015539547A patent/JP2015532873A/ja active Pending
  • 2013-10-23 RU RU2015119685A patent/RU2015119685A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2013-10-23 WO PCT/PT2013/000061 patent/WO2014065685A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2013-10-23 BR BR112015009264A patent/BR112015009264A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2013-10-23 US US14/438,728 patent/US10226609B2/en active Active
  • 2013-10-23 EP EP13786766.9A patent/EP2911734A1/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2015
  • 2015-05-26 ZA ZA2015/03754A patent/ZA201503754B/en unknown

Patent Citations (3)

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