WO2020048918A1 - A device for dispensing medication - Google Patents

A device for dispensing medication Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020048918A1
WO2020048918A1 PCT/EP2019/073342 EP2019073342W WO2020048918A1 WO 2020048918 A1 WO2020048918 A1 WO 2020048918A1 EP 2019073342 W EP2019073342 W EP 2019073342W WO 2020048918 A1 WO2020048918 A1 WO 2020048918A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
accordance
volume
fixation member
medication
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2019/073342
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Inge Steen PEDERSEN
Martin GRØNTVED
Henrik Jeppesen
Original Assignee
Rigshospitalet
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rigshospitalet filed Critical Rigshospitalet
Publication of WO2020048918A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020048918A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/24—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices
    • B65D35/28—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices for expelling contents
    • 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
    • A61M3/00—Medical syringes, e.g. enemata; Irrigators
    • A61M3/02—Enemata; Irrigators
    • A61M3/0233—Enemata; Irrigators characterised by liquid supply means, e.g. from pressurised reservoirs
    • A61M3/0254—Enemata; Irrigators characterised by liquid supply means, e.g. from pressurised reservoirs the liquid being pumped
    • A61M3/0262—Enemata; Irrigators characterised by liquid supply means, e.g. from pressurised reservoirs the liquid being pumped manually, e.g. by squeezing 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
    • A61M31/00—Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body
    • 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
    • A61M2210/10—Trunk
    • A61M2210/1042—Alimentary tract
    • A61M2210/1064—Large intestine
    • 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
    • A61M2210/10—Trunk
    • A61M2210/1042—Alimentary tract
    • A61M2210/1067—Anus

Definitions

  • a device for dispensing medication comprising a body having a longitudinal axis where the body further comprises a first end and a second end, where a proximal side of the body comprises a receiving part for a medication container.
  • a device for dispensing medication comprising a body having a longitudinal axis where the body further comprises a first end and a second end, where a proximal side of the body comprises a receiving part for a medication container where the receiving part comprises at least a first fixation member defining a container volume configured to enclose at least a part of the medication container and to affix the medication container relative to the body, where an opposite distal side of the body comprises a coupling part, where the coupling part is configured to mount the body to the hand of a user, where the receiving part further comprises an exposure area allowing access to the container volume and is configured to expose a part of the container volume so that a force may be applied to the container in a direction towards the body when the container occupies the container volume.
  • the device for dispensing medication may be utilized by persons having a reduced motoric activity, as the body may be coupled to the hand of the user, so that the user does not have to use fine movement of the fingers to hold the device when the medication is to be dispensed.
  • the provision of the receiving member on the opposite side of the body allows the user to apply a force to the medication container in a movement of the hand that allows force to be applied in an opposite direction of the movement of the hand/fingers, such as using the thumb of the hand to provide the opposing force.
  • the container for the medicament may be a flexible tube, having a predefined volume, and having a closable opening, where a force applied to the body of the container, reduces the volume of the container, and the medicament is forced out of the opening of the container.
  • the flexible tube is often of a size that can be held in the hand, and a relatively light force is required to press the medicament out of the container.
  • the flexible tube may comprise an elongated insertion member, where the insertion member may have a length where the insertion member may be introduced into an opening of the body, so that the opening is inside an orifice of the body while the container part is outside of the body.
  • Such insertion member may e.g.
  • a container is often called a mini-enema or a micro-enema, where the amount of medicine is about 3-25 millilitres, and where a common amount of medicine lies in the vicinity of between 5 and 10 millilitres, and exemplary flexible tubes are in substantially around 7,5 millilitres. Examples of this kind of tube may be seen as 7,5 ml containers of Glyoktyl Klysma, from Medic Team or MEDA, 5 ml containers of Microlax, from Johnson and Johnson, or similar containers.
  • the device can also be utilized to assist in any kind of dispensing of medication, additive or into the rectum of the user, such as a colonic cleanse, colon therapy, colon hydrotherapy, colonic irrigation, or other types of treatments of the colon or via the rectum.
  • the orientation of the device may be that the first end is intended to face the user, while the second end faces away from the user, when the device is being used to introduce the medication.
  • the second end may face the palm of the hand, while the first end faces in a direction away from the palm of the hand.
  • the proximal side of the body may be provided with a receiving part for the container, where the fixation member may be configured in such a way that the it gives the user access to compress the container, where the container is positioned in the container volume of the receiving part.
  • the access to the container may be gotten from an exposure area, where the exposure area is a part of the receiving part, and can be formed as an open area that gives direct access to the container volume, and thereby the container when mounted, or alternatively it may be accessed via an exposure part, e.g. an activation member, which may be a membrane, plate, hinged part, or any kind of moveable part, that can be moved relative to the container volume, and thereby reduce the volume of the container volume.
  • This exposure area or the exposure part may allow the user to apply a force to the container, while the container is maintained in its position by the receiving part, the body and the coupling part, and where the force is utilized to reduce the volume of the container area, and the reduction in volume forces the medication out of the opening of the container.
  • the fixation member may have multiple functions, where the fixation member may be used to restrict the movement of the container when the container is attached to the body.
  • the restriction of movement may mean that the fixation member may provide a frictional fixation of the container, or the restriction of movement may mean that the fixation member defines a part of the container volume and prevents the container from exiting the container volume in at least one direction and/or fixes the position of the container in relation to the body.
  • the fixation member may have a second function where the second function may be to reduce the volume of the container volume, as well as fixing the container in the container volume and/or fixing the position of the container in relation to the body.
  • the exposure part and/or the activation member may be integral with the fixation member or may be a separate element. This means that the fixation member may also function as an activation member and/or an exposure part that may be utilized to apply a force to the container and/or reduce the size of the container volume.
  • the exposure area may be obtained in an alternative manner, e.g. if an automated mechanical force may be utilized to reduce the volume of the container volume, such as if a mechanical plunger, a wind up strap, or other types of automated members would be utilized to reduce the volume, and the user would depress a button to activate the automated members, or alternatively that an activity monitor/member registering the use of the device would automatically activate the device, should the user not be capable of activating the device on their own.
  • an automated mechanical force may be utilized to reduce the volume of the container volume, such as if a mechanical plunger, a wind up strap, or other types of automated members would be utilized to reduce the volume, and the user would depress a button to activate the automated members, or alternatively that an activity monitor/member registering the use of the device would automatically activate the device, should the user not be capable of activating the device on their own.
  • the device By providing the device in this form, and attaching it to a hand it is possible to utilize the device to assist a user to use basic functions of the hand to apply force to a medical container, where the opposing forces of the hand, i.e. using the fingers of the hand as the base, and using the force of the thumb as the opposing force to apply an external force to the container.
  • proximal and distal in relation to the device is used to define the difference of the at least two sides of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the claim in any way.
  • the terms may be interchanged, where the proximal may be replaced by distal and vice versa.
  • the device could further comprise an activation member, which may be a moveable part having a first position where the container volume has its first predefined volume, and a second position where the container volume has a second predefined volume, where the second predefined volume is smaller than the first predefined volume.
  • the activation member may be of the kind where a mechanical force prevents the activation member from moving from its second position towards its first position, so that it maintains the container volume in its reduced size after activation. This might be useful where a user might need to apply the medication in more than one iteration, due to reduced mobility, and the activation member would ensure that the force applied in each iteration is not reversed during use. When the medication has been applied, and the user has retracted the container away from the body, the activation may be forcibly reversed, and the container removed from the container volume.
  • the device may in some embodiments be utilized to carry medication or compositions that could be utilized for a number of applications, that are in some embodiments not limited to medication or compositions to be introduced rectally.
  • Such applications could conceivably be oral application, application of the contents to a secondary device, such as toothpaste to a toothbrush, application of compositions that could be applied to the skin.
  • the device within the scope of the invention, can be utilized as a dispensing device for any kind of compositions, and assisting a user having a reduced mobility.
  • the device is adapted to be used as a device for dispensing medication into the rectum of the user, where the act of dispensing the medication is performed by the user.
  • the first fixation member may have a proximal side and a distal side, where the proximal side faces the distal side of the body. This may mean that the first fixation member may define at least part of the container volume, i.e. the volume holding the container, between the proximal side of the first fixation member and the distal side of the body.
  • a first end of the first fixation member may be pivotally connected to the body.
  • the pivotal connection provides an axis where the first fixation member may be pivotally moved along a pivotal axis relative to the body.
  • the pivot point of the pivotal connection may mean that the first fixation member may be turned relative to the body, and where the angle of the first fixation member relative to the body may be selectively changed.
  • the pivotal connection may e.g. be a hinge connection, a jointed connection and/or a flexible piece which allows the movement of the first fixation member relative to the body.
  • the first fixation member may have a second end, where the second end is position opposite the first end, and where the second end may be a free end. Thus, the second end may be manoeuvred relative to the body, i.e. where the distance between the second end and the body may be changed, while the first end remains connected to the body.
  • the first fixation member and/or the activation member may comprise a locking member, where the locking member prevents the fixation member and/or the activation member from moving from a second position to a first position and/or may secure the fixation member in a second position.
  • the first and/or the second position of the fixation member and/or the activation member may be positions that are defined in relation to the body of the device.
  • the first position may e.g. be a position where the container volume has a first size
  • the second position may e.g. be a position where the container volume has a second size, where the first position and/or the second size is different from the second position and/or the second size.
  • the locking member may be utilized to fix the size of the container volume, so that the container volume may be reduced in size iteratively. This might be useful where a user might need to apply the medication in more than one iteration, due to reduced mobility, and the locking member of the fixation member and/or activation member would ensure that the force applied in each iteration is not reversed during use.
  • the activation may be forcibly reversed, by releasing the locking member and the fixation member and/or the activation member so that the container may be removed from the container volume.
  • the locking member may be positioned on a second end of the fixation member, where the locking member may fix the position of the second end of the fixation member relative to the body (where the second position may be different from the first position).
  • the device may be a hand mounted device or a finger mounted device.
  • the device may be specifically designed to be mounted on the hand or one or more fingers of the hand, so that the device is securely attached to the user, and the user is capable of holding the device without the use of motoric control, but where the device is mechanically fixed to the user.
  • the device may be attached and detaches at will to the limb of the user, so that the user can manoeuvre the device, and hence the container, into position on their own, without having to perform any motoric actions to maintain the position of the device relative to the finger and the hand during use.
  • the first fixation member may comprise a first primary lateral fixation member and/or a first secondary lateral fixation member extending from the body and in a radial direction outwards.
  • the first and second lateral fixation members may be utilized e.g. to fix the container relative to the device.
  • the first and/or the second lateral fixation members may further be formed so that the members may delimit the container volume in a radial direction in order to ensure that the container cannot move in a radial direction away from the body when it has been introduced into the container volume.
  • the fixation member may be adapted to restrict the container from at least one first lateral side and/or an opposite lateral side.
  • the fixation member may e.g. be an elastic membrane or member that encircles the side wall of the container and holds it in place in relation to the body.
  • the elastic membrane or member may have a first cross sectional diameter prior to insertion of the container and second cross sectional diameter when the container has been fixed to the body, where material memory of the elastic member is substantially its first cross sectional diameter, and that it may be forced tensioned into its second cross sectional diameter to hold the container.
  • the fixation member may be configured to restrict the container in a radial direction.
  • the restriction of the container in a radial direction will ensure that the container cannot be manoeuvred after introduction in a direction away from the body.
  • the radial restriction may be used to define the radial boundary of the container volume.
  • the fixation members in accordance with the above may be flexible, so that the fixation member can be adapted to different sizes of containers.
  • the flexibility may be utilized in such a way that the fixation member may have a first position that defines the minimum size of container which may be held by the fixation member or fixation members, and a second position where the fixation member may be flexed into a position which can be adapted to a maximum size of container which can be held by the device.
  • the resistance of the fixation members may be low, so that the movement of the fixation member from its first position to the second position does not apply a significant pressure to the container, which thereby reduces the risk that the medication is applied via force applied by the fixation member.
  • the resistance force of the fixation members may be configured to be less than the resistance force of the container. This means that the fixation members can be adjusted to the size of the container, and the user can force the container into the fixation member without accidentally dispensing the medication.
  • the fixation member may be configured to restrict the movement of the container in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, or alternatively opposite to the direction of dispensation of the medication. This means that the fixation member may be used to provide an opposing force to the container, when the opening or the elongated introduction member of the container is introduced into a bodily cavity.
  • the fixation member is configured to prevent the container from moving in the opposite direction in view of the direction of insertion and keep its position relative to the body of the device. Thus, there is a reduced risk that the container will slip out of the receiving member during the insertion of the container.
  • the coupling part may be configured to mount the body to a finger of a user.
  • the coupling part may be shaped to fit the outer surface of the finger, so that the coupling part grips the finger from the outside, and where it fixes the body relative to the finger of the hand.
  • the coupling part can be of the kind which at least in part fixes the coupling part to the finger using friction, adhesion, or any other suitable method to reduce the risk that the coupling part will slip off the finger.
  • the device may be a finger mounted device.
  • the coupling part may comprise a first coupling member and a second coupling member extending in a radial direction from the body.
  • the first coupling member and the second coupling member may be adapted in such a way that they enclose at least part of the part the device is to be coupled to.
  • the first coupling member may be positioned on one side of the part, while the second coupling member may be positioned on the opposite side of the same part.
  • the first coupling member may enclose one part of the hand, while the other coupling member may be configured to enclose another part of the hand, and where the two coupling members in cooperation are utilized to grip the hand and reduce the risk that the coupling member accidentally disengages from the part.
  • first and the second coupling members may be flexible, allowing the first coupling member to move relative to the second coupling member, in order to adapt to the size of the part it is to be attached to.
  • the flexibility may e.g. be that the distance between the coupling members may be increased up to approximately 50-100% of the initial distance between the members.
  • the coupling part may comprise an engagement member for a finger of a user, where the engagement member has an opening configured to enclose at least a part of a finger in an engagement volume, where the engagement member has a central axis that is optionally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.
  • the engagement member may be specifically sized to one of the fingers of the hand of a user.
  • the finger of the user may be introduced into the engagement volume so that the longitudinal axis of the finger is substantially coaxial with the central axis of the engagement volume.
  • the finger when the finger is introduced into the volume, the longitudinal axis of the body is substantially parallel to the central axis, and when the container is positioned in the receiving part, the finger can be used to manoeuvre the device into position for introduction into e.g. a body cavity.
  • the engagement volume has a first cross sectional diameter in a first position and a second cross sectional diameter in a second position, where the first cross sectional diameter is larger than the second cross sectional diameter, and optionally where the transition from the first cross sectional diameter to the second cross sectional diameter is gradual.
  • the first cross sectional diameter may be in a first position along the central axis, while the second cross sectional diameter may be second position along the second axis, where the first and the second positions are at a distance from each other along the central axis.
  • the provision of two diameters means that the engagement volume may e.g.
  • the a finger may be inserted into the engagement volume and the further into the engagement volume the finger is inserted, the cross sectional diameter of the second volume decreases, until it restricts the finger of the user, and fixes the body relative to the finger using e.g. the surface friction between an inner wall of the engagement volume and the outer surface of the finger.
  • the coupling part may comprise a gripping member.
  • the gripping member may be utilized to provide a gripping force to a second entity, such as the hands or the finger of a user.
  • the gripping member may be pre-loaded with a resilient force that can be transferred to the second entity, and thereby affix the device to the second entity.
  • the gripping member may be a pivoting clamp having a resilient member, such as a spring to provide the gripping force.
  • the gripping member may be two opposing gripping members that are resiliently forced towards each other due to material memory, so that an inner tension forces the members towards each other.
  • the receiving part may comprise an application area which is configured to provide access to the container volume.
  • the application area may be seen as an open area, which may e.g. be configured to expose a side wall of the container, so that the fingers of the hand can be utilized to penetrate the container volume via the application area.
  • the application area can be part of the receiving part, where the at least a part of the receiving part may be forced into the container volume to apply a force to an outer surface of the container.
  • the application area and the exposure area may be the same area.
  • the exposure area may be positioned on the proximal side of the body.
  • the opposing side of the body i.e. the distal side
  • the opposing force may be applied via the base of the first metacarpal bone of the thumb, the thenar region or the medial palmar region, i.e. the area of the palm which is moveable with the thumb.
  • the exposure area may be positioned on the outermost radial part of the proximal side of the body.
  • the positioning of the exposure area is made the area of the body which the user will first come into contact with.
  • the exposure area may be between two or more fixation members, so that the user can either see or feel the area before the device is moved out of sight. This also assists the user in manoeuvring the fingers into its correct position, as the fixation member may have a different feel than the container, i.e.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for dispensing medication having a container in a first embodiment
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a device for dispensing medication in a second embodiment
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a device for dispensing medication having a container in a third embodiment
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a device for dispensing medication in a fourth embodiment
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a device for dispensing medication in a fifth embodiment
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the same having a container
  • Fig. 7a and 7b show a side view of the same prior to application and after application of medication.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION The same reference numerals shown in the specification will be used for the same or comparable parts of one or more embodiments.
  • Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a device 1 for dispensing medication, where the medication is held in a container 2, where the container comprises a flexible tube 3, as wells an elongated insertion part 4, where the terminal end 5 of the insertion part 4 comprises an opening for the medication which is held in the container 2.
  • the device 1 comprises a body 6, having a first end 7 and a second end 8, a proximal side 9 and a distal side 10.
  • the proximal side 9 of the body comprises a receiving part 1 1 for the container 2, where the receiving part 1 1 is configured to enclose at least part of the container 2 in order to fix it to the body 6.
  • the receiving part comprises a first lateral fixation member 12 and a second lateral fixation member 13, which are positioned on opposite sides of a container volume 14, which is configured to hold the container 2, and ensure that the container is fixed to the body 6 during use.
  • the lateral fixation members 12 and 13 are positioned on a periphery of the body 6, in order to ensure that the container 2 cannot move in a lateral direction A when it is positioned inside the container volume 14.
  • the first lateral fixation member 12 and the second lateral fixation member 13 may comprise a free end 15, 16 respectively, where the free ends extend inwards toward each other, in order to ensure that the container 2 cannot move in a radial direction B and fall out of the container volume 14.
  • the second end 8 of the body 6 further comprises a third fixation member 17 which provides a support to the container volume in a longitudinal direction C, and to provide an opposing force when a force is applied to the insertion member 4 and/or the terminal end 5, and to ensure that the body 6 does not slide relative to the container 2 in a longitudinal direction C from the first end 7 to the second end in the direction of insertion of the insertion member.
  • the receiving part 1 1 comprises an exposure area 18, where access is provided into the container volume 14, allowing in order to allow an external element, such as a finger of a hand, to be introduced into the container volume 14, in order to allow a force to be applied to the container 2 and/or the flexible tube 3, in order to reduce the volume of the container volume 14, as well as to reduce the volume of the container 2, in order to force the contents of the container 2 towards an opening of the container, which in this case is positioned in the terminal end 5 of the insertion part 4.
  • an external element such as a finger of a hand
  • the distal side 10 of the body 6 comprises a coupling part 19, comprising a first lateral coupling member 20 and a second lateral coupling member 21 (not shown) which is positioned opposite the first lateral coupling part 20 which extends in a radial direction B away from the body 6, and where the coupling part 19 is configured to mount the body 6 to a finger of a user, in order to affix the body relative to the finger of the user.
  • the first lateral coupling member 20 and the second lateral coupling member 21 may be flexible, in order adjust to the size of the finger of the user, where a force in a lateral direction can deflect the coupling members 20, 21 inwards or outwards.
  • the first 12 and the second lateral receiving parts 13 may be spaced apart a longer direction at the second end 8 of the body 6 than in an area that is closer to the first end 7 of the body 6, in order to allow for a container 2 that has a larger width in the area distal to the introducer part 4 while having a smaller width in the area proximal to the introducer part 4.
  • Fig. 2 shows the device 1 for dispensing medication in a side sectional view, where the proximal side of the body comprises a first lateral receiving part 12 which extends in a radial direction B away from the proximal side 9 of the body 6.
  • the first lateral receiving part 12 defines at least a part of the container volume 14 which is adapted to receive a container (not shown).
  • the free end 15 of the first lateral receiving part 12 defines a radial boundary for the container volume 2 (shown in Fig. 1 ), in order to ensure that the container does not move away from the body in a radial direction B.
  • the third receiving part 17 ensures that the container cannot slip in a longitudinal direction C in a direction towards the second end 8, and provides a stop for the container, when it is being introduced into the container volume 14 in the direction of arrow D. Furthermore, the third receiving part 17 prevents the container from moving in the direction D, direction of insertion of the medicament, when the distal end of the container abuts the third receiving part 17 and provides an opposing force to the container during insertion.
  • the body 6 may be attached to a finger of a hand, by introducing the finger into the coupling part 19 in the direction of arrow E, where the second lateral coupling part 21 grips the finger from one side, and where the first lateral coupling part 20 (seen in Fig. 1 ) grips the finger from the opposite side.
  • the second lateral coupling part 21 may comprise a free end 22, that extends inwards towards its opposing part, in order to grip the finger in a radial direction B.
  • the device is adapted to the attached to the palmar region of the hand, where the coupling part 19 faces the surface of the hand, and the receiving part faces away from the palmar part of the hand, providing access to the opposing force, which may be applied by the thumb of the hand.
  • the body 6 comprises a coupling part 19 that is adapted to be coupled to more than one fingers of the hand.
  • the coupling part may be in the form of an elastic part 23, provided with a first 24 and a second peripheral fastening part 25, that extend outwards in a lateral direction.
  • the distal side 10 of the body 6 is provided with an elastic part 23, that may be adapted to stretch and contract to provide a coupling force to the hand.
  • the elastic part 23 may be attached to the body at its lateral periphery. Such an elastic part 23 could also replace the coupling part 19 shown in Fig. 1 or 2, to be utilized for the coupling of the body 6 to one finger of the hand.
  • Fig. 3 also shows an alternative receiving part 26, which comprises a first attachment part, which may be a resilient harness, which is adapted to enclose the body 3 of the container 2, in order to affix the container 2 to the proximal side 9 of the body 6.
  • the harness 26 may have an internal surface (facing the body) which provides a frictional contact with the container 2, to provide an opposing force to the insertion force of the introduction part 4 of the container 2.
  • the exposure area of the container may be through the harness 26, as the harness is flexible, and the container may be depressed through the harness, or alternatively directly to the side wall of the container 2.
  • Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 1 , where the body 6 is provided with a receiving part 11 on its proximal side, and a coupling part 19 on its distal side.
  • the receiving part may be in the form of two resilient flaps 27, 28, that are adapted to be pivoted outwards in a lateral direction, to adapt container volume 14 for the container (not shown) to be used.
  • the exposure area 18 may be in the area between the resilient flaps 27, 28, where the force may be applied to the container (not shown).
  • Fig. 4 also shows an alternative coupling part 19, which may be in the form of an annular part 29, that may be in the form of a ring attached to the distal part of the body, where the ring may be used to couple the body 6 to the finger of a hand.
  • a third receiving part (not shown) can be applied to the second end 8 of the body 6, shown in Fig. 3 or 4, to provide an opposing force, similar to the third attachment part 17 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a device 100 for dispensing medication, seen in a perspective view, where the device comprises a body 106 having a first end 107 and a second end 108, a proximal side 109 and a distal side 1 10.
  • the proximal side 109 of the body comprises a receiving part 1 1 1 (receiving region) for a container 2, where the receiving part 1 1 1 is adapted to support at least a part of the container 2, when a container 2 is applied to the device 100 (as seen in Fig. 6).
  • the exemplary device may comprise an activation member 130, which may have a first end 133 and a second end 134, where the second end 134 of the activation member 130 may be connected to a second end 108 of the body 106 via a pivotal and/or a hinged connection 131 , where the activation member 130 may be seen as functioning as a fixation member for the container 2, and may optionally define a boundary for the container volume 1 14 of the device 100.
  • the exposure area 1 18 of the device may be seen as the region of the device that provides the activation member 130 with access to the container volume 1 14 and/or the container 2.
  • the activation member 130 may have more than one purpose in the device, where it may define a part of the container volume 1 14, may operate as a fixation member 132 for the container and/or may define the exposure area 1 18 which allows the activation member 130 access to the container volume 1 14.
  • the first end 133 of the activation member 130 and/or the first end 107 of the body 106 may comprise a first locking member 135 and/or a second locking member 136, where the first locking member and/or the second locking member may comprise a first locking part 137, 138 which interacts with a second locking part 138, allowing the position of the activation member 130 to be fixed relative to the body 106, and vice versa.
  • the first locking part 137 may be an arm that extends from the body 106 or the activation member, and where the arm is adapted to contact the second locking part 138.
  • a first surface 139 of the arm 137 may comprise grooves 140, that are adapted to come into contact with a mating protrusion 141 of the second locking part 138 where the arm is biased in such a manner that the when the protrusion 141 is engaged with a groove 140, the biasing force of the arm maintains the protrusion 141 in the groove.
  • the protrusion 141 may release from the groove 140 and may engage a subsequent groove 140 (which may be closed to the body 106 or the activation member 130) to fix the position of the activation member 130 relative to the body 106.
  • the locking part will maintain the position of the activation member, so that a subsequent application of force will move the activation member 130 from its second position to reduce the volume of the container volume 1 14 further to a third position, where the locking member 136 will fix the activation member 130 relative to the body 106.
  • the device has a first locking member 135 and a second locking member 136, where the arms 137 extend from the first end of the body 106 and the first end of the activation member 130, respectively, and the protrusion 141 is positioned on the opposed part, i.e. the activation member or the body 106 respectively.
  • the locking members 135 and 136 may be positioned on lateral parts of the body 106 and/or the activation member, allowing a distance between the first locking member 135 and the second locking member 136 in a lateral direction, where the opening 5 of the container 2 or the insertion part 4 of the container may extend between the two locking members 135, 136 so that the first locking member 135 and the second locking member 136 prevent the movement of the opening 5 and/or the insertion member 4 in a lateral direction, when the container is inserted inside the container volume 1 14.
  • the distal side 1 10 of the body 106 may define a coupling part 1 19, which may comprise a first coupling member 120 and a second coupling member 121 , where the coupling part 1 19 may be arranged on an area of the body 106 that is between the first end 107 and the second end 108 of the body 106.
  • Fig. 7a shows a side view of the device in an open position prior to dispensing of the content of the container 2, where Fig. 7b shows a side view of the device in a closed position after dispensing of the content of the container 2.
  • the body 106 and the activation member 130 fixes the container inside the container volume 1 14, while the locking members 135, 136 fixes the container in a lateral direction, so that the container 2 is maintained in its position prior and post dispensing of the content.
  • FIG. 7b shows the device, after the activation member 130 and/or the body 106 have been maneuvered in a direction towards each other, where the force of the maneuvering provides a force on the container body 2, so that the container volume is reduced during the application of the force, and forcing the content of the container out of the opening 5.
  • the positioning of the body 106 relative to the activation member may be maintained using the locking arm 137, where a groove 140 on the locking arm 137 engages a protrusion 141 on the body 106 (or for the opposing arm 137 on the activation member 130).
  • the grooves may be angled so that the grooves have teeth where the teeth allow the protrusion to move into its closed position, but prevent the device from moving into its open position when the grooves are engaged with the protrusions.
  • the arm 137 may be arranged where a biasing force forces the grooves and the protrusion into engagement, where the biasing force may be reversed by applying a force on a free end 142 of the arm in an opposing direction, and thereby release the biasing force, so that the groove is released from the protrusion, allowing the device to be maneuvered from its closed position to its open position as seen in Fig. 7a.
  • a device for dispensing medication comprising
  • a body having a longitudinal axis where the body further comprises a first end and a second end,
  • a proximal side of the body comprises a receiving part for a medication container where the receiving part comprises at least a first fixation member defining a container volume configured to enclose at least a part of the medication container and to affix the medication container relative to the body,
  • an opposite distal side of the body comprises a coupling part, where the coupling part is configured to mount the body to the hand of a user
  • the receiving part further comprises an exposure area allowing access to the container volume and is configured to expose a part of the container volume so that a force may be applied to the container in a direction towards the body when the container occupies the container volume.
  • a device in accordance with item 1 where the device is a hand mounted device or a finger mounted device.
  • first fixation member comprises a first primary lateral fixation member and a first secondary lateral fixation member extending from the body and in a radial direction outwards.
  • fixation member is adapted to restrict the container from a first lateral side and an opposite lateral side. 5. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the fixation member is configured to restrict the container in a radial direction.
  • fixation member is configured to restrict the movement of the container in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, or alternatively opposite to the direction of dispensation of the medication.
  • the coupling part comprises a first coupling member and a second coupling member extending in a radial direction from the body.
  • the coupling part comprises an engagement member for a finger of a user, where the engagement member has an opening configured to enclose at least a part of a finger in an engagement volume, where the engagement member has a central axis that is optionally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.
  • a device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items where the engagement volume has a first cross sectional diameter in a first position and a second cross sectional diameter in a second position, where the first cross sectional diameter is larger than the second cross sectional diameter, and optionally where the transition from the first cross sectional diameter to the second cross sectional diameter is gradual.

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Abstract

A device (100, 1) for dispensing medication, the device (100, 1) comprising a body (106, 3, 6) having a longitudinal axis where the body (106, 3, 6) further comprises a first end (107, 108, 133, 134, 7, 8) and a second end (107, 108, 133, 134, 7, 8), where a proximal side (109, 9) of the body (106, 3, 6) comprises a receiving part for a medication container (2) where the receiving part comprises at least a first fixation member (132, 17) defining a container volume (114, 14, 2) configured to enclose at least a part of the medication container (2) and to affix the medication container (2) relative to the body (106, 3, 6), where an opposite distal side (10, 110) of the body (106, 3, 6) comprises a coupling part, where the coupling part is configured to mount the body (106, 3, 6) to the hand of a user, where the receiving part further comprises an exposure area (118, 18) allowing access to the container volume (114, 14, 2) and is configured to expose a part of the container volume (114, 14, 2) so that a force may be applied to the container (2) in a direction towards the body (106, 3, 6) when the container (2) occupies the container (2) volume.

Description

TITLE
A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING MEDICATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
A device for dispensing medication, the device comprising a body having a longitudinal axis where the body further comprises a first end and a second end, where a proximal side of the body comprises a receiving part for a medication container.
BACKGROUND
Persons with movement disabilities due to spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, elderly persons or people with other impairments that may affect the motoric system may be greatly affected in everyday life, as their lack of motoric skills may reduce their abilities of performing daily tasks, such as bathing, eating, using the toilet, etc.
Furthermore, persons with movement disabilities are often afflicted by reduced activity in the digestive system, and especially when it comes to bowel movements and issues that may result in constipation. Thus, there is often a need for these persons to use assistance in bowel movement or it may be necessary to introduce medication into the bowels. The reduction in mobility may make this type of action difficult or impossible, due to the complex movements of the hands and the arms necessary to complete this task, in addition to the complexity where persons are maneuvering in areas where there is no line of sight, such as in the vicinity of the rectum. Thus, a common result is that persons need an assistant to perform such operations, where this kind of assistance can be embarrassing to the person and may also cause stress to the user.
Thus, there is a need to assist persons with reduced mobility to perform sensitive and acts of personal hygiene on their own, such as introducing a medicine into the bowel via the rectum. GENERAL DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present description, there is provided a device for dispensing medication, the device comprising a body having a longitudinal axis where the body further comprises a first end and a second end, where a proximal side of the body comprises a receiving part for a medication container where the receiving part comprises at least a first fixation member defining a container volume configured to enclose at least a part of the medication container and to affix the medication container relative to the body, where an opposite distal side of the body comprises a coupling part, where the coupling part is configured to mount the body to the hand of a user, where the receiving part further comprises an exposure area allowing access to the container volume and is configured to expose a part of the container volume so that a force may be applied to the container in a direction towards the body when the container occupies the container volume.
This means that the device for dispensing medication may be utilized by persons having a reduced motoric activity, as the body may be coupled to the hand of the user, so that the user does not have to use fine movement of the fingers to hold the device when the medication is to be dispensed. The provision of the receiving member on the opposite side of the body, allows the user to apply a force to the medication container in a movement of the hand that allows force to be applied in an opposite direction of the movement of the hand/fingers, such as using the thumb of the hand to provide the opposing force.
The container for the medicament may be a flexible tube, having a predefined volume, and having a closable opening, where a force applied to the body of the container, reduces the volume of the container, and the medicament is forced out of the opening of the container. The flexible tube is often of a size that can be held in the hand, and a relatively light force is required to press the medicament out of the container. The flexible tube may comprise an elongated insertion member, where the insertion member may have a length where the insertion member may be introduced into an opening of the body, so that the opening is inside an orifice of the body while the container part is outside of the body. Such insertion member may e.g. of the kind where the insertion member is configured to be inserted into the rectum of the user and has a length that is significantly larger than the diameter of the member, allowing the insertion member to easily enter the rectum past the sphincter, and the medicament may be injected into the rectum or the colon of the user. Such a container is often called a mini-enema or a micro-enema, where the amount of medicine is about 3-25 millilitres, and where a common amount of medicine lies in the vicinity of between 5 and 10 millilitres, and exemplary flexible tubes are in substantially around 7,5 millilitres. Examples of this kind of tube may be seen as 7,5 ml containers of Glyoktyl Klysma, from Medic Team or MEDA, 5 ml containers of Microlax, from Johnson and Johnson, or similar containers.
The device can also be utilized to assist in any kind of dispensing of medication, additive or into the rectum of the user, such as a colonic cleanse, colon therapy, colon hydrotherapy, colonic irrigation, or other types of treatments of the colon or via the rectum.
The orientation of the device may be that the first end is intended to face the user, while the second end faces away from the user, when the device is being used to introduce the medication. Thus, when the device is mounted on the hand of the user, the second end may face the palm of the hand, while the first end faces in a direction away from the palm of the hand.
The proximal side of the body may be provided with a receiving part for the container, where the fixation member may be configured in such a way that the it gives the user access to compress the container, where the container is positioned in the container volume of the receiving part. The access to the container may be gotten from an exposure area, where the exposure area is a part of the receiving part, and can be formed as an open area that gives direct access to the container volume, and thereby the container when mounted, or alternatively it may be accessed via an exposure part, e.g. an activation member, which may be a membrane, plate, hinged part, or any kind of moveable part, that can be moved relative to the container volume, and thereby reduce the volume of the container volume. This exposure area or the exposure part may allow the user to apply a force to the container, while the container is maintained in its position by the receiving part, the body and the coupling part, and where the force is utilized to reduce the volume of the container area, and the reduction in volume forces the medication out of the opening of the container.
Within the understanding of the present invention, the fixation member may have multiple functions, where the fixation member may be used to restrict the movement of the container when the container is attached to the body. Thus, the restriction of movement may mean that the fixation member may provide a frictional fixation of the container, or the restriction of movement may mean that the fixation member defines a part of the container volume and prevents the container from exiting the container volume in at least one direction and/or fixes the position of the container in relation to the body. Furthermore, the fixation member may have a second function where the second function may be to reduce the volume of the container volume, as well as fixing the container in the container volume and/or fixing the position of the container in relation to the body.
The exposure part and/or the activation member may be integral with the fixation member or may be a separate element. This means that the fixation member may also function as an activation member and/or an exposure part that may be utilized to apply a force to the container and/or reduce the size of the container volume.
The exposure area may be obtained in an alternative manner, e.g. if an automated mechanical force may be utilized to reduce the volume of the container volume, such as if a mechanical plunger, a wind up strap, or other types of automated members would be utilized to reduce the volume, and the user would depress a button to activate the automated members, or alternatively that an activity monitor/member registering the use of the device would automatically activate the device, should the user not be capable of activating the device on their own.
By providing the device in this form, and attaching it to a hand it is possible to utilize the device to assist a user to use basic functions of the hand to apply force to a medical container, where the opposing forces of the hand, i.e. using the fingers of the hand as the base, and using the force of the thumb as the opposing force to apply an external force to the container.
The use of the term proximal and distal in relation to the device is used to define the difference of the at least two sides of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the claim in any way. In an alternative the terms may be interchanged, where the proximal may be replaced by distal and vice versa.
The device could further comprise an activation member, which may be a moveable part having a first position where the container volume has its first predefined volume, and a second position where the container volume has a second predefined volume, where the second predefined volume is smaller than the first predefined volume. The activation member may be of the kind where a mechanical force prevents the activation member from moving from its second position towards its first position, so that it maintains the container volume in its reduced size after activation. This might be useful where a user might need to apply the medication in more than one iteration, due to reduced mobility, and the activation member would ensure that the force applied in each iteration is not reversed during use. When the medication has been applied, and the user has retracted the container away from the body, the activation may be forcibly reversed, and the container removed from the container volume.
Within the scope of the disclosure, the device may in some embodiments be utilized to carry medication or compositions that could be utilized for a number of applications, that are in some embodiments not limited to medication or compositions to be introduced rectally. Such applications could conceivably be oral application, application of the contents to a secondary device, such as toothpaste to a toothbrush, application of compositions that could be applied to the skin. I.e. the device, within the scope of the invention, can be utilized as a dispensing device for any kind of compositions, and assisting a user having a reduced mobility. In some embodiments the device is adapted to be used as a device for dispensing medication into the rectum of the user, where the act of dispensing the medication is performed by the user.
In one or more exemplary embodiments the first fixation member may have a proximal side and a distal side, where the proximal side faces the distal side of the body. This may mean that the first fixation member may define at least part of the container volume, i.e. the volume holding the container, between the proximal side of the first fixation member and the distal side of the body.
In one or more exemplary embodiments a first end of the first fixation member may be pivotally connected to the body. The pivotal connection provides an axis where the first fixation member may be pivotally moved along a pivotal axis relative to the body. The pivot point of the pivotal connection may mean that the first fixation member may be turned relative to the body, and where the angle of the first fixation member relative to the body may be selectively changed. The pivotal connection may e.g. be a hinge connection, a jointed connection and/or a flexible piece which allows the movement of the first fixation member relative to the body. In one embodiment the first fixation member may have a second end, where the second end is position opposite the first end, and where the second end may be a free end. Thus, the second end may be manoeuvred relative to the body, i.e. where the distance between the second end and the body may be changed, while the first end remains connected to the body.
In one or more exemplary embodiments the first fixation member and/or the activation member may comprise a locking member, where the locking member prevents the fixation member and/or the activation member from moving from a second position to a first position and/or may secure the fixation member in a second position. The first and/or the second position of the fixation member and/or the activation member may be positions that are defined in relation to the body of the device. The first position may e.g. be a position where the container volume has a first size, and the second position may e.g. be a position where the container volume has a second size, where the first position and/or the second size is different from the second position and/or the second size. This means that the locking member may be utilized to fix the size of the container volume, so that the container volume may be reduced in size iteratively. This might be useful where a user might need to apply the medication in more than one iteration, due to reduced mobility, and the locking member of the fixation member and/or activation member would ensure that the force applied in each iteration is not reversed during use. When the medication has been applied, and the user has retracted the container away from the body, the activation may be forcibly reversed, by releasing the locking member and the fixation member and/or the activation member so that the container may be removed from the container volume. In one embodiment the locking member may be positioned on a second end of the fixation member, where the locking member may fix the position of the second end of the fixation member relative to the body (where the second position may be different from the first position).
In one or more embodiments the device may be a hand mounted device or a finger mounted device. The device may be specifically designed to be mounted on the hand or one or more fingers of the hand, so that the device is securely attached to the user, and the user is capable of holding the device without the use of motoric control, but where the device is mechanically fixed to the user. The device may be attached and detaches at will to the limb of the user, so that the user can manoeuvre the device, and hence the container, into position on their own, without having to perform any motoric actions to maintain the position of the device relative to the finger and the hand during use. In one or more embodiments the first fixation member may comprise a first primary lateral fixation member and/or a first secondary lateral fixation member extending from the body and in a radial direction outwards. The first and second lateral fixation members may be utilized e.g. to fix the container relative to the device. The first where the first and/or the second fixation member can be designed to delimit the container volume on the lateral sides of the container volume, and thereby fix the lateral sides of the container relative to the device. The first and/or the second lateral fixation members may further be formed so that the members may delimit the container volume in a radial direction in order to ensure that the container cannot move in a radial direction away from the body when it has been introduced into the container volume.
In one or more embodiments the fixation member may be adapted to restrict the container from at least one first lateral side and/or an opposite lateral side. The fixation member may e.g. be an elastic membrane or member that encircles the side wall of the container and holds it in place in relation to the body. The elastic membrane or member may have a first cross sectional diameter prior to insertion of the container and second cross sectional diameter when the container has been fixed to the body, where material memory of the elastic member is substantially its first cross sectional diameter, and that it may be forced tensioned into its second cross sectional diameter to hold the container.
In one or more embodiments the fixation member may be configured to restrict the container in a radial direction. The restriction of the container in a radial direction will ensure that the container cannot be manoeuvred after introduction in a direction away from the body. The radial restriction may be used to define the radial boundary of the container volume.
The fixation members in accordance with the above, may be flexible, so that the fixation member can be adapted to different sizes of containers. The flexibility may be utilized in such a way that the fixation member may have a first position that defines the minimum size of container which may be held by the fixation member or fixation members, and a second position where the fixation member may be flexed into a position which can be adapted to a maximum size of container which can be held by the device. The resistance of the fixation members may be low, so that the movement of the fixation member from its first position to the second position does not apply a significant pressure to the container, which thereby reduces the risk that the medication is applied via force applied by the fixation member. Thus, the resistance force of the fixation members may be configured to be less than the resistance force of the container. This means that the fixation members can be adjusted to the size of the container, and the user can force the container into the fixation member without accidentally dispensing the medication.
In one or more embodiments the fixation member may be configured to restrict the movement of the container in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, or alternatively opposite to the direction of dispensation of the medication. This means that the fixation member may be used to provide an opposing force to the container, when the opening or the elongated introduction member of the container is introduced into a bodily cavity. Thus, the fixation member is configured to prevent the container from moving in the opposite direction in view of the direction of insertion and keep its position relative to the body of the device. Thus, there is a reduced risk that the container will slip out of the receiving member during the insertion of the container.
In one or more embodiments where the coupling part may be configured to mount the body to a finger of a user. The coupling part may be shaped to fit the outer surface of the finger, so that the coupling part grips the finger from the outside, and where it fixes the body relative to the finger of the hand. The coupling part can be of the kind which at least in part fixes the coupling part to the finger using friction, adhesion, or any other suitable method to reduce the risk that the coupling part will slip off the finger. Thus, the device may be a finger mounted device.
In one or more embodiments the coupling part may comprise a first coupling member and a second coupling member extending in a radial direction from the body. The first coupling member and the second coupling member may be adapted in such a way that they enclose at least part of the part the device is to be coupled to. The first coupling member may be positioned on one side of the part, while the second coupling member may be positioned on the opposite side of the same part. In case the part is the hand of a user, the first coupling member may enclose one part of the hand, while the other coupling member may be configured to enclose another part of the hand, and where the two coupling members in cooperation are utilized to grip the hand and reduce the risk that the coupling member accidentally disengages from the part. It may be similar with the finger of the hand, where the first coupling member grips one side of a finger and the second coupling member grips an opposite side of a finger, and the coupling members apply a force to the fingers to prevent the coupling member to slide off the finger. The first and the second coupling members may be flexible, allowing the first coupling member to move relative to the second coupling member, in order to adapt to the size of the part it is to be attached to. The flexibility may e.g. be that the distance between the coupling members may be increased up to approximately 50-100% of the initial distance between the members.
In one or more embodiments the coupling part may comprise an engagement member for a finger of a user, where the engagement member has an opening configured to enclose at least a part of a finger in an engagement volume, where the engagement member has a central axis that is optionally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. This means that the engagement member may be specifically sized to one of the fingers of the hand of a user. The finger of the user may be introduced into the engagement volume so that the longitudinal axis of the finger is substantially coaxial with the central axis of the engagement volume. This means that when the finger is introduced into the volume, the longitudinal axis of the body is substantially parallel to the central axis, and when the container is positioned in the receiving part, the finger can be used to manoeuvre the device into position for introduction into e.g. a body cavity.
In one or more embodiments the engagement volume has a first cross sectional diameter in a first position and a second cross sectional diameter in a second position, where the first cross sectional diameter is larger than the second cross sectional diameter, and optionally where the transition from the first cross sectional diameter to the second cross sectional diameter is gradual. The first cross sectional diameter may be in a first position along the central axis, while the second cross sectional diameter may be second position along the second axis, where the first and the second positions are at a distance from each other along the central axis. The provision of two diameters means that the engagement volume may e.g. be seen as conical, so that the a finger may be inserted into the engagement volume and the further into the engagement volume the finger is inserted, the cross sectional diameter of the second volume decreases, until it restricts the finger of the user, and fixes the body relative to the finger using e.g. the surface friction between an inner wall of the engagement volume and the outer surface of the finger.
In one or more embodiments the coupling part may comprise a gripping member. The gripping member may be utilized to provide a gripping force to a second entity, such as the hands or the finger of a user. The gripping member may be pre-loaded with a resilient force that can be transferred to the second entity, and thereby affix the device to the second entity. The gripping member may be a pivoting clamp having a resilient member, such as a spring to provide the gripping force. The gripping member may be two opposing gripping members that are resiliently forced towards each other due to material memory, so that an inner tension forces the members towards each other.
In one or more embodiments the receiving part may comprise an application area which is configured to provide access to the container volume. The application area may be seen as an open area, which may e.g. be configured to expose a side wall of the container, so that the fingers of the hand can be utilized to penetrate the container volume via the application area. Alternatively, the application area can be part of the receiving part, where the at least a part of the receiving part may be forced into the container volume to apply a force to an outer surface of the container. The application area and the exposure area may be the same area.
In one or more embodiments the exposure area may be positioned on the proximal side of the body. By positioning the application area on the proximal side of the body, the opposing side of the body, i.e. the distal side, may be used to provide a counterforce when a force is applied to the container. This may e.g. be seen when the distal area of the body is coupled to e.g. the third finger of the hand, and the opposing force is applied to the container using the thumb of the hand. Alternatively, the opposing force may be applied via the base of the first metacarpal bone of the thumb, the thenar region or the medial palmar region, i.e. the area of the palm which is moveable with the thumb.
In one or more embodiments the exposure area may be positioned on the outermost radial part of the proximal side of the body. By arranging the exposure area as the outermost radial part of the proximal side of the body, the positioning of the exposure area is made the area of the body which the user will first come into contact with. Thus, the user does not have to manoeuvre past any structure of the body before coming into contact with the exposure area. The exposure area may be between two or more fixation members, so that the user can either see or feel the area before the device is moved out of sight. This also assists the user in manoeuvring the fingers into its correct position, as the fixation member may have a different feel than the container, i.e. be more rigid, have a surface treatment, or have other sensual difference to the container so that the user can identify that he is in the correct position. Various exemplary embodiments and details are described hereinafter, with reference to the figures when relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following is an explanation of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device for dispensing medication having a container in a first embodiment
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a device for dispensing medication in a second embodiment
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a device for dispensing medication having a container in a third embodiment, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a device for dispensing medication in a fourth embodiment, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a device for dispensing medication in a fifth embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the same having a container, and
Fig. 7a and 7b show a side view of the same prior to application and after application of medication. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The same reference numerals shown in the specification will be used for the same or comparable parts of one or more embodiments.
Fig 1 . shows a perspective view of a device 1 for dispensing medication, where the medication is held in a container 2, where the container comprises a flexible tube 3, as wells an elongated insertion part 4, where the terminal end 5 of the insertion part 4 comprises an opening for the medication which is held in the container 2. The device 1 comprises a body 6, having a first end 7 and a second end 8, a proximal side 9 and a distal side 10.
The proximal side 9 of the body comprises a receiving part 1 1 for the container 2, where the receiving part 1 1 is configured to enclose at least part of the container 2 in order to fix it to the body 6. The receiving part comprises a first lateral fixation member 12 and a second lateral fixation member 13, which are positioned on opposite sides of a container volume 14, which is configured to hold the container 2, and ensure that the container is fixed to the body 6 during use. The lateral fixation members 12 and 13 are positioned on a periphery of the body 6, in order to ensure that the container 2 cannot move in a lateral direction A when it is positioned inside the container volume 14. The first lateral fixation member 12 and the second lateral fixation member 13 may comprise a free end 15, 16 respectively, where the free ends extend inwards toward each other, in order to ensure that the container 2 cannot move in a radial direction B and fall out of the container volume 14. The second end 8 of the body 6 further comprises a third fixation member 17 which provides a support to the container volume in a longitudinal direction C, and to provide an opposing force when a force is applied to the insertion member 4 and/or the terminal end 5, and to ensure that the body 6 does not slide relative to the container 2 in a longitudinal direction C from the first end 7 to the second end in the direction of insertion of the insertion member.
The receiving part 1 1 comprises an exposure area 18, where access is provided into the container volume 14, allowing in order to allow an external element, such as a finger of a hand, to be introduced into the container volume 14, in order to allow a force to be applied to the container 2 and/or the flexible tube 3, in order to reduce the volume of the container volume 14, as well as to reduce the volume of the container 2, in order to force the contents of the container 2 towards an opening of the container, which in this case is positioned in the terminal end 5 of the insertion part 4. The distal side 10 of the body 6 comprises a coupling part 19, comprising a first lateral coupling member 20 and a second lateral coupling member 21 (not shown) which is positioned opposite the first lateral coupling part 20 which extends in a radial direction B away from the body 6, and where the coupling part 19 is configured to mount the body 6 to a finger of a user, in order to affix the body relative to the finger of the user. The first lateral coupling member 20 and the second lateral coupling member 21 may be flexible, in order adjust to the size of the finger of the user, where a force in a lateral direction can deflect the coupling members 20, 21 inwards or outwards. The first 12 and the second lateral receiving parts 13 may be spaced apart a longer direction at the second end 8 of the body 6 than in an area that is closer to the first end 7 of the body 6, in order to allow for a container 2 that has a larger width in the area distal to the introducer part 4 while having a smaller width in the area proximal to the introducer part 4.
Fig. 2 shows the device 1 for dispensing medication in a side sectional view, where the proximal side of the body comprises a first lateral receiving part 12 which extends in a radial direction B away from the proximal side 9 of the body 6. The first lateral receiving part 12 defines at least a part of the container volume 14 which is adapted to receive a container (not shown). The free end 15 of the first lateral receiving part 12 defines a radial boundary for the container volume 2 (shown in Fig. 1 ), in order to ensure that the container does not move away from the body in a radial direction B. The third receiving part 17 ensures that the container cannot slip in a longitudinal direction C in a direction towards the second end 8, and provides a stop for the container, when it is being introduced into the container volume 14 in the direction of arrow D. Furthermore, the third receiving part 17 prevents the container from moving in the direction D, direction of insertion of the medicament, when the distal end of the container abuts the third receiving part 17 and provides an opposing force to the container during insertion.
The body 6 may be attached to a finger of a hand, by introducing the finger into the coupling part 19 in the direction of arrow E, where the second lateral coupling part 21 grips the finger from one side, and where the first lateral coupling part 20 (seen in Fig. 1 ) grips the finger from the opposite side. The second lateral coupling part 21 may comprise a free end 22, that extends inwards towards its opposing part, in order to grip the finger in a radial direction B. The device is adapted to the attached to the palmar region of the hand, where the coupling part 19 faces the surface of the hand, and the receiving part faces away from the palmar part of the hand, providing access to the opposing force, which may be applied by the thumb of the hand. Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 1 , where the body 6 comprises a coupling part 19 that is adapted to be coupled to more than one fingers of the hand. The coupling part may be in the form of an elastic part 23, provided with a first 24 and a second peripheral fastening part 25, that extend outwards in a lateral direction. The distal side 10 of the body 6 is provided with an elastic part 23, that may be adapted to stretch and contract to provide a coupling force to the hand. The elastic part 23 may be attached to the body at its lateral periphery. Such an elastic part 23 could also replace the coupling part 19 shown in Fig. 1 or 2, to be utilized for the coupling of the body 6 to one finger of the hand.
Fig. 3 also shows an alternative receiving part 26, which comprises a first attachment part, which may be a resilient harness, which is adapted to enclose the body 3 of the container 2, in order to affix the container 2 to the proximal side 9 of the body 6. The harness 26 may have an internal surface (facing the body) which provides a frictional contact with the container 2, to provide an opposing force to the insertion force of the introduction part 4 of the container 2. The exposure area of the container may be through the harness 26, as the harness is flexible, and the container may be depressed through the harness, or alternatively directly to the side wall of the container 2.
Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 1 , where the body 6 is provided with a receiving part 11 on its proximal side, and a coupling part 19 on its distal side. The receiving part may be in the form of two resilient flaps 27, 28, that are adapted to be pivoted outwards in a lateral direction, to adapt container volume 14 for the container (not shown) to be used. The exposure area 18 may be in the area between the resilient flaps 27, 28, where the force may be applied to the container (not shown).
Fig. 4 also shows an alternative coupling part 19, which may be in the form of an annular part 29, that may be in the form of a ring attached to the distal part of the body, where the ring may be used to couple the body 6 to the finger of a hand. Alternatively, a third receiving part (not shown) can be applied to the second end 8 of the body 6, shown in Fig. 3 or 4, to provide an opposing force, similar to the third attachment part 17 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a device 100 for dispensing medication, seen in a perspective view, where the device comprises a body 106 having a first end 107 and a second end 108, a proximal side 109 and a distal side 1 10. The proximal side 109 of the body comprises a receiving part 1 1 1 (receiving region) for a container 2, where the receiving part 1 1 1 is adapted to support at least a part of the container 2, when a container 2 is applied to the device 100 (as seen in Fig. 6).
The exemplary device may comprise an activation member 130, which may have a first end 133 and a second end 134, where the second end 134 of the activation member 130 may be connected to a second end 108 of the body 106 via a pivotal and/or a hinged connection 131 , where the activation member 130 may be seen as functioning as a fixation member for the container 2, and may optionally define a boundary for the container volume 1 14 of the device 100. The exposure area 1 18 of the device may be seen as the region of the device that provides the activation member 130 with access to the container volume 1 14 and/or the container 2. Thus, the activation member 130 may have more than one purpose in the device, where it may define a part of the container volume 1 14, may operate as a fixation member 132 for the container and/or may define the exposure area 1 18 which allows the activation member 130 access to the container volume 1 14.
The first end 133 of the activation member 130 and/or the first end 107 of the body 106 may comprise a first locking member 135 and/or a second locking member 136, where the first locking member and/or the second locking member may comprise a first locking part 137, 138 which interacts with a second locking part 138, allowing the position of the activation member 130 to be fixed relative to the body 106, and vice versa. The first locking part 137 may be an arm that extends from the body 106 or the activation member, and where the arm is adapted to contact the second locking part 138. A first surface 139 of the arm 137 may comprise grooves 140, that are adapted to come into contact with a mating protrusion 141 of the second locking part 138 where the arm is biased in such a manner that the when the protrusion 141 is engaged with a groove 140, the biasing force of the arm maintains the protrusion 141 in the groove. When a force is applied to the device to push the activation member 130 in a direction towards the body 106, the protrusion 141 may release from the groove 140 and may engage a subsequent groove 140 (which may be closed to the body 106 or the activation member 130) to fix the position of the activation member 130 relative to the body 106. Thus, if a force has been applied to the activation member from a first position to reduce the container volume by e.g. 50% to a second position to press the medication out of the container 2, the locking part will maintain the position of the activation member, so that a subsequent application of force will move the activation member 130 from its second position to reduce the volume of the container volume 1 14 further to a third position, where the locking member 136 will fix the activation member 130 relative to the body 106.
In the embodiments shown in Fig. 5 and 6, the device has a first locking member 135 and a second locking member 136, where the arms 137 extend from the first end of the body 106 and the first end of the activation member 130, respectively, and the protrusion 141 is positioned on the opposed part, i.e. the activation member or the body 106 respectively.
The locking members 135 and 136 may be positioned on lateral parts of the body 106 and/or the activation member, allowing a distance between the first locking member 135 and the second locking member 136 in a lateral direction, where the opening 5 of the container 2 or the insertion part 4 of the container may extend between the two locking members 135, 136 so that the first locking member 135 and the second locking member 136 prevent the movement of the opening 5 and/or the insertion member 4 in a lateral direction, when the container is inserted inside the container volume 1 14.
The distal side 1 10 of the body 106 may define a coupling part 1 19, which may comprise a first coupling member 120 and a second coupling member 121 , where the coupling part 1 19 may be arranged on an area of the body 106 that is between the first end 107 and the second end 108 of the body 106.
Fig. 7a shows a side view of the device in an open position prior to dispensing of the content of the container 2, where Fig. 7b shows a side view of the device in a closed position after dispensing of the content of the container 2. The body 106 and the activation member 130 fixes the container inside the container volume 1 14, while the locking members 135, 136 fixes the container in a lateral direction, so that the container 2 is maintained in its position prior and post dispensing of the content. Fig. 7b shows the device, after the activation member 130 and/or the body 106 have been maneuvered in a direction towards each other, where the force of the maneuvering provides a force on the container body 2, so that the container volume is reduced during the application of the force, and forcing the content of the container out of the opening 5. The positioning of the body 106 relative to the activation member may be maintained using the locking arm 137, where a groove 140 on the locking arm 137 engages a protrusion 141 on the body 106 (or for the opposing arm 137 on the activation member 130). The grooves may be angled so that the grooves have teeth where the teeth allow the protrusion to move into its closed position, but prevent the device from moving into its open position when the grooves are engaged with the protrusions. The arm 137 may be arranged where a biasing force forces the grooves and the protrusion into engagement, where the biasing force may be reversed by applying a force on a free end 142 of the arm in an opposing direction, and thereby release the biasing force, so that the groove is released from the protrusion, allowing the device to be maneuvered from its closed position to its open position as seen in Fig. 7a.
The use of the terms“first”,“second”,“third” and“fourth”,“primary”,“secondary”,“tertiary” etc. does not imply any particular order, but are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms“first”,“second”,“third” and“fourth”,“primary”,“secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms“first”,“second”, “third” and“fourth”,“primary”,“secondary”,“tertiary” etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the words “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”,“tertiary” etc. are used here and elsewhere for labelling purposes only and are not intended to denote any specific spatial or temporal ordering.
Furthermore, the labelling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element and vice versa.
It is to be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.
It is to be noted that the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be
represented by the same item of hardware. Although features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
ITEMS
1. A device for dispensing medication, the device comprising
- a body having a longitudinal axis where the body further comprises a first end and a second end,
o where a proximal side of the body comprises a receiving part for a medication container where the receiving part comprises at least a first fixation member defining a container volume configured to enclose at least a part of the medication container and to affix the medication container relative to the body,
o where an opposite distal side of the body comprises a coupling part, where the coupling part is configured to mount the body to the hand of a user,
- where the receiving part further comprises an exposure area allowing access to the container volume and is configured to expose a part of the container volume so that a force may be applied to the container in a direction towards the body when the container occupies the container volume.
2. A device in accordance with item 1 , where the device is a hand mounted device or a finger mounted device.
3. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the first fixation member comprises a first primary lateral fixation member and a first secondary lateral fixation member extending from the body and in a radial direction outwards.
4. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the fixation member is adapted to restrict the container from a first lateral side and an opposite lateral side. 5. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the fixation member is configured to restrict the container in a radial direction.
6. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the fixation member is configured to restrict the movement of the container in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, or alternatively opposite to the direction of dispensation of the medication.
7. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the coupling part is configured to mount the body to a finger of a user.
8. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the coupling part comprises a first coupling member and a second coupling member extending in a radial direction from the body.
9. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the coupling part comprises an engagement member for a finger of a user, where the engagement member has an opening configured to enclose at least a part of a finger in an engagement volume, where the engagement member has a central axis that is optionally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.
10. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the engagement volume has a first cross sectional diameter in a first position and a second cross sectional diameter in a second position, where the first cross sectional diameter is larger than the second cross sectional diameter, and optionally where the transition from the first cross sectional diameter to the second cross sectional diameter is gradual.
11. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the coupling part comprises a gripping member.
12. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the receiving part comprises an application area which is configured to provide access to the container volume.
13. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the access area is positioned on the proximal side of the body. 14. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding items, where the exposure area is positioned on the outermost radial part of the proximal side of the body.

Claims

1 . A device for dispensing medication, the device comprising
- a body having a longitudinal axis where the body further comprises a first end and a second end,
o where a proximal side of the body comprises a receiving part for a medication container where the receiving part comprises at least a first fixation member defining a container volume configured to enclose at least a part of the medication container and to affix the medication container relative to the body,
o where an opposite distal side of the body comprises a coupling part, where the coupling part is configured to mount the body to the hand of a user,
- where the receiving part further comprises an exposure area allowing access to the container volume and is configured to expose a part of the container volume so that a force may be applied to the container in a direction towards the body when the container occupies the container volume.
2. A device in accordance with claim 1 , where the device is a hand mounted device or a finger mounted device.
3. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first fixation member has a proximal side and a distal side, where the proximal side faces the distal side of the body.
4. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a first end the first fixation member is pivotally connected to the body.
5. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first fixation member comprises a locking member, where the locking member prevents the fixation member from moving from a second position to a first position and/or may secure the fixation member in a second position.
6. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the fixation member is adapted to restrict the container from a first lateral side and an opposite lateral side.
7. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the fixation member is configured to restrict the container in a radial direction.
8. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the fixation member is configured to restrict the movement of the container in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, or alternatively opposite to the direction of dispensation of the medication.
9. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the coupling part is configured to mount the body to a finger of a user.
10. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the coupling part comprises a first coupling member and a second coupling member extending in a radial direction from the body.
1 1 . A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the coupling part comprises an engagement member for a finger of a user, where the engagement member has an opening configured to enclose at least a part of a finger in an engagement volume, where the engagement member has a central axis that is optionally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.
12. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the engagement volume has a first cross sectional diameter in a first position and a second cross sectional diameter in a second position, where the first cross sectional diameter is larger than the second cross sectional diameter, and optionally where the transition from the first cross sectional diameter to the second cross sectional diameter is gradual.
13. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where coupling part comprises a gripping member.
14. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the receiving part comprises an application area which is configured to provide access to the container volume.
15. A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, where the exposure area is positioned on the outermost radial part of the proximal side of the body.
PCT/EP2019/073342 2018-09-03 2019-09-02 A device for dispensing medication WO2020048918A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201800533 2018-09-03
DKPA201800533 2018-09-03

Publications (1)

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA370438A (en) * 1937-12-07 M. Gitzen Cora Sewing thimble
US3938514A (en) * 1974-07-18 1976-02-17 Boucher Lionel J Bladder wash method and apparatus
EP0066016A1 (en) * 1981-05-26 1982-12-08 Roman Jan Chudzikowski Dispensing and evacuating devices
US5678731A (en) * 1994-08-24 1997-10-21 Taoka Chemical Company, Limited Discharge container with nozzle
US20120279995A1 (en) * 2011-05-06 2012-11-08 Specialty Lubricants Corporation Accordion bottle
US20150112263A1 (en) * 2012-04-27 2015-04-23 Covidien Lp Fluid Delivery Device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA370438A (en) * 1937-12-07 M. Gitzen Cora Sewing thimble
US3938514A (en) * 1974-07-18 1976-02-17 Boucher Lionel J Bladder wash method and apparatus
EP0066016A1 (en) * 1981-05-26 1982-12-08 Roman Jan Chudzikowski Dispensing and evacuating devices
US5678731A (en) * 1994-08-24 1997-10-21 Taoka Chemical Company, Limited Discharge container with nozzle
US20120279995A1 (en) * 2011-05-06 2012-11-08 Specialty Lubricants Corporation Accordion bottle
US20150112263A1 (en) * 2012-04-27 2015-04-23 Covidien Lp Fluid Delivery Device

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