Focused dosimetry device and methods associated therewith

• US 20030225358A1
• Filed: 06/04/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syringe, LLC
• Original Assignee: Syringe, LLC
• Inventors: Salgado, Gervasio, Gillespie, Richard D., Berman, Irwin R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,141,036 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31555 by purely axial movement of dose setting member, e.g. during setting or filling of a syringe
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3156 using volume steps only adjustable in discrete intervals, i.e. individually distinct intervals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31563 interacting with a displaceable stop member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3158 performed by axially moving actuator operated by user, e.g. an injection button
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31595 Pre-defined multi-dose administration by repeated overcoming of means blocking the free advancing movement of piston rod, e.g. by tearing or de-blocking

Abstract

A device 60, for administering medicated cream, includes a cartridge 62 for containing the cream, a plunger head 100 for moving the cream from within the cartridge, and a stem 106 for moving the plunger head within the cartridge. The plunger head 100 includes a tapered receptor opening 148 for reception of a tapered stem structure 114. A rib 156 is formed on the cartridge 62, and a plurality of ribs 164 are formed on the stem 106, cooperate to provide tactile notification to a patient-user that measured doses of the cream have been administered.

Claims

1. A cartridge for use with a focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

a plunger head locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

the plunger head having a compliant section facing the distal end of the barrel and a receptor section facing the proximal end of the barrel, with the receptor section being comparatively more rigid than the compliant section;

a receptor opening formed in a proximal end of the receptor section of the plunger head and having a prescribed configuration;

a stem having a stem structure at a distal end thereof which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of, and insertable into, the receptor opening; and

the prescribed configuration being structured to create a piloted engagement of the stem structure within the receptor opening and to preclude a taper-lock interference fit therebetween.

2. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

a plunger head locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

the plunger head having a compliant section facing the distal end of the barrel and a receptor section facing the proximal end of the barrel, with the receptor section being comparatively more rigid than the compliant section;

a receptor opening formed in a proximal end of the receptor section of the plunger head and having a prescribed configuration;

a stem having a stem structure at a distal end thereof which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of, and insertable into, the receptor opening;

the prescribed configuration being structured to create a piloted engagement of the stem structure within the receptor opening and to preclude a taper-lock interference fit therebetween; and

means located at the distal end of the barrel for directing a substance from within the barrel to a location outside of the barrel upon movement of the stem toward the distal end of the barrel.

3. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises:

the barrel formed with a passage at the distal end thereof through which the substance within the barrel passes when the stem is moved toward the distal end of the barrel; and

a cap attachable to the distal end of the barrel to cover the passage at the distal end and preclude passing of the substance from the barrel.

4. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises:

the receptor opening of the receptor section being formed with a prescribed depth between the proximal end of the receptor section and a distal floor of the receptor opening; and

the stem structure being formed at a length less than the prescribed depth of the receptor opening whereby the stem is precluded from engaging the distal floor of the receptor opening upon complete insertion of the stem structure into the receptor opening.

5. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

a first tactile structure located on the cartridge adjacent the proximal end of thereof;

a compliant plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel;

a plurality of second tactile structures located spatially on the stem in a position to engage the first tactile structure on the cartridge as the stem is moved into the barrel to provide tactile notification of delivery of measured amounts of a substance from within the barrel; and

means located at the distal end of the barrel for facilitating flow of the substance from within the barrel to a location outside of the barrel upon movement of the stem toward the distal end of the barrel.

6. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 5, which further comprises:

the barrel formed with an opening at the distal end thereof through which the substance within the barrel passes when the stem is moved toward the distal end of the barrel; and

a cap attachable to the distal end of the barrel to cover the opening at the distal end and to preclude passing of the substance from the barrel.

7. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

a plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel;

an applicator having a body attached to the distal end of the cartridge;

the body formed with an axial passage which is in communication with the barrel;

the axial passage of the applicator extending from a proximal end of the body toward a closed distal end thereof; and

a plurality of openings formed spatially and radially through the body in communication with the axial passage and an exterior of the body.

8. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 7, which further comprises:

a plunger head;

the plunger forming a compliant section of the plunger head with the compliant section facing the distal end of the barrel;

a receptor section of the plunger head facing the proximal end of the barrel, with the receptor section being comparatively more rigid than the compliant section;

a proximal end of the compliant section being coupled to a distal end of the receptor section;

a receptor opening formed in a proximal end of the receptor section of the plunger and having a prescribed configuration;

the stem having a stem structure at a distal end thereof which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of, and insertable into, the receptor opening; and

the prescribed configuration being structured to create a piloted engagement of the stem structure within the receptor opening and to preclude a taper-lock interference fit therebetween.

9. An applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which comprises:

a body formed with an axial passage having an entry opening at a proximal end of the body for receiving the substance to be dispensed;

the axial passage of the applicator extending from the proximal end of the body toward a closed distal end thereof;

a plurality of elongated slots formed spatially with respect to each other and radially through the body in communication with the axial passage and an exterior of the body; and

each of the elongated slots formed with a corresponding elongated outlet, for passing the substance from the entry opening, through the axial passage, the plurality of elongated slots, and the respective elongated outlets to the exterior of the body.

10. The applicator a set forth in claim 9, which further comprises:

a wiper extending outward from the exterior surface of the body.

11. An applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which comprises:

a body formed with an axial passage having an entry opening at a proximal end of the body for receiving the substance to be dispensed and an exterior surface;

the axial passage of the applicator extending from the proximal end of the body toward a closed distal end thereof;

a plurality of openings formed spatially with respect to each other and radially through the body in communication with the axial passage and the exterior surface of the body; and

a wiper extending outward from the exterior surface of the body.

12. The applicator as set forth in claim 11, which further comprises:

the wiper being elongated and extending in an axial direction.

13. The applicator as set forth in claim 11, which further comprises:

the wiper being formed with an outboard wiper surface which is spaced outward from the exterior surface of the body;

a first ramp surface extending in an axial direction between the first end of the wiper and the exterior surface of the body; and

a second ramp surface extending in an axial direction between the second end of the wiper and the exterior surface of the body.

14. The applicator as set forth in claim 11, which further comprises:

the wiper being formed with an outboard wiper surface which is spaced outward from the exterior surface of the body; and

at least one ramp surface extending between the outboard wiper surface and the exterior surface of the body.

15. The applicator as set forth in claim 11, which further comprises:

the wiper being formed integrally with the body.

16. The applicator as set forth in claim 11, which further comprises:

the wiper and the body being formed as one piece from the same material.

17. An applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which comprises:

a body formed with an axial passage having an entry opening at a proximal end of the body for receiving the substance to be dispensed and an exterior surface;

the axial passage of the applicator extending from the proximal end of the body toward a closed distal end thereof;

a plurality of openings formed spatially with respect to each other and radially through the body in communication with the axial passage and the exterior surface of the body; and

a flange extending from the exterior surface of the body laterally of the axial passage and having a surface of concave frustoconical shape facing toward the closed distal end of the body.

18. The applicator as set forth in claim 17, which further comprises:

a wiper extending outward from the exterior surface of the body.

19. The applicator as set forth in claim 17, which further comprises:

the plurality of openings being formed by a plurality of elongated slots formed spatially with respect to each other and radially through the body in communication with the axial passage and the exterior of the body; and

each of the elongated slots formed with a corresponding elongated outlet, for passing the substance from the entry opening, through the axial passage, the plurality of elongated slots, and the respective elongated outlets to the exterior of the body.

20. The applicator as set forth in claim 17, which further comprises:

a wiper extending outward from the exterior surface of the body.

the plurality of openings being formed by a plurality of elongated slots formed spatially with respect to each other and radially through the body in communication with the axial passage and the exterior of the body; and

each of the elongated slots formed with a corresponding elongated outlet, for passing the substance from the entry opening, through the axial passage, the plurality of elongated slots, and the respective elongated outlets to the exterior of the body.

21. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

the cartridge having an exterior shape of a prescribed configuration;

a plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel;

a carrier formed with a cartridge-receiving nest having a shell-like opening which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of the exterior shape of the cartridge;

means for retaining the cartridge within the cartridge-receiving nest;

a guide extending from a proximal end of the carrier formed with a passage for receiving at least an intermediate portion of the stem for sliding movement of the intermediate portion therein; and

means for precluding removal of the distal end of the stem from within the carrier.

22. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 21, which further comprises:

a plunger head;

the plunger forming a compliant section of the plunger head with the compliant section facing the distal end of the barrel;

a receptor section of the plunger head facing the proximal end of the barrel, with the receptor section being comparatively more rigid than the compliant section;

a proximal end of the compliant section being coupled to a distal end of the receptor section;

a receptor opening formed in a proximal end of the receptor section of the plunger and having a prescribed configuration;

the stem having a stem structure at a distal end thereof which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of, and insertable into, the receptor opening; and

the prescribed configuration being structured to create a piloted engagement of the stem structure within the receptor opening and to preclude a taper-lock interference fit therebetween.

23. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 21, which further comprises:

means located at the distal end of the barrel for directing a substance from within the barrel to a location outside of the barrel upon movement of the stem toward the distal end of the barrel.

24. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 21, which further comprises:

the barrel formed with an outlet at the distal end thereof through which the substance within the barrel passes when the stem is moved toward the distal end of the barrel; and

a cap attachable to the distal end of the barrel to cover the outlet at the distal end and preclude discharge of the substance from within the barrel.

25. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 21, which further comprises:

a first tactile structure located on the guide within the passage;

a plurality of second tactile structures located spatially on the stem in a position to engage the first tactile structure on the guide as the stem is moved into the barrel to provide tactile notification of delivery of measured amounts of a substance from within the barrel.

26. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

a plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel;

a plurality of tactile structures located on the stem and spaced apart in an axial direction;

a first guide located in, and extending from, the proximal end of the cartridge;

a second guide located in a proximal end of the first guide;

the first guide and the second guide forming a passage for receiving at least an intermediate portion of the stem for sliding movement of the intermediate portion therein; and

means captured between the first guide and the second guide and extending into the passage in a position to engage the plurality of tactile structures on the stem as the stem is moved through the passage to provide indication of the delivery of measured amounts of a substance from within the barrel.

27. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 26, which further comprises:

a plunger head;

the plunger forming a compliant section of the plunger head with the compliant section facing the distal end of the barrel;

a receptor section of the plunger head facing the proximal end of the barrel, with the receptor section being comparatively more rigid than the compliant section;

a proximal end of the compliant section being coupled to a distal end of the receptor section;

a receptor opening formed in a proximal end of the receptor section of the plunger and having a prescribed configuration;

the stem having a stem structure at a distal end thereof which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of, and insertable into, the receptor opening; and

the prescribed configuration being structured to create a piloted engagement of the stem structure within the receptor opening and to preclude a taper-lock interference fit therebetween.

28. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 26, which further comprises:

means located at the distal end of the barrel for directing a substance from within the barrel to a location outside of the barrel upon movement of the stem toward the distal end of the barrel.

29. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 26, which further comprises:

the barrel formed with a passage at the distal end thereof through which the substance within the barrel passes when the stem is moved toward the distal end of the barrel; and

a cap attachable to the distal end of the barrel to cover the opening at the distal end and preclude passing of the substance from the barrel.

30. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 26, which further comprises:

means for precluding removal of the distal end of the stem from within the cartridge.

31. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 26, which further comprises:

the means captured between the first guide and the second guide being an “

O”

ring.

32. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 26, which further comprises:

the means captured between the first guide and the second guide being a split “

O”

ring.

33. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

the cartridge having an exterior shape of a prescribed configuration;

a plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel;

a carrier formed with a cartridge-receiving nest having a shell-like opening which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of the exterior shape of the cartridge;

means for retaining the cartridge within the cartridge-receiving nest;

a guide assembly located in, and extending from, the proximal end of the carrier;

the guide assembly forming a passage for receiving at least an intermediate portion of the stem for sliding movement of the intermediate portion therein; and

means for precluding removal of the distal end of the stem from within the carrier.

34. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 33, which further comprises:

a plunger head;

the plunger forming a compliant section of the plunger head with the compliant section facing the distal end of the barrel;

a receptor section of the plunger head facing the proximal end of the barrel, with the receptor section being comparatively more rigid than the compliant section;

a proximal end of the compliant section being coupled to a distal end of the receptor section;

a receptor opening formed in a proximal end of the receptor section of the plunger and having a prescribed configuration;

the stem having a stem structure at a distal end thereof which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of, and insertable into, the receptor opening; and

the prescribed configuration being structured to create a piloted engagement of the stem structure within the receptor opening and to preclude a taper-lock interference fit therebetween.

35. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 33, which further comprises:

means located at the distal end of the barrel for directing a substance from within the barrel to a location outside of the barrel upon movement of the stem toward the distal end of the barrel.

36. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 33, which further comprises:

the barrel formed with a passage at the distal end thereof through which the substance within the barrel passes when the stem is moved toward the distal end of the barrel; and

a cap attachable to the distal end of the barrel to cover the opening at the distal end and preclude passing of the substance from the barrel.

37. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 33, which further comprises:

a plurality of tactile structures located on the stem and spaced apart in an axial direction;

means captured by the guide assembly and extending into the passage in a position to engage the plurality of tactile structures on the stem as the stem is moved through the passage to provide tactile notification of the delivery of measured amounts of a substance from within the barrel.

38. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 33, which further comprises:

exterior portions of the proximal end of the carrier, the first guide and the second guide forming a flush surface; and

a finger rest positioned over the flush surface.

39. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 38, which further comprises:

the finger rest formed with an exterior surface having an undulating shape.

40. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a passage therein between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced closed distal end thereof;

the cartridge formed with a wall between the passage and an exterior surface thereof;

a plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the cartridge;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the passage to facilitate movement of the plunger within the cartridge; and

a plurality of holes formed in the wall of the cartridge in communication with the passage adjacent the closed distal end thereof to facilitate generally lateral dispensing of a substance contained within the passage upon movement of the stem.

41. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 40, which further comprises:

a plunger head;

the plunger forming a compliant section of the plunger head with the compliant section facing the distal end of the barrel;

a receptor section of the plunger head facing the proximal end of the barrel, with the receptor section being comparatively more rigid than the compliant section;

a proximal end of the compliant section being coupled to a distal end of the receptor section;

a receptor opening formed in a proximal end of the receptor section of the plunger and having a prescribed configuration;

the stem having a stem structure at a distal end thereof which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of, and insertable into, the receptor opening; and

the prescribed configuration being structured to create a piloted engagement of the stem structure within the receptor opening and to preclude a taper-lock interference fit therebetween.

42. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 40, which further comprises:

a flange extending from the exterior surface of the cartridge at a prescribed distance from the closed distal end of the cartridge, with the plurality of holes being located between the flange and the closed distal end.

43. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 40, which further comprises:

a guide inserted into, and extending from a proximal end of, the cartridge and formed with a passage for receiving at least an intermediate portion of the stem for sliding movement of the intermediate portion therein;

a first tactile structure located on the guide within the passage; and

a plurality of second tactile structures located spatially on the stem in a position to engage the first tactile structure on the guide as the stem is moved into the barrel to provide tactile notification of delivery of measured amounts of a substance from within the barrel.

44. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 40, which further comprises:

a cap positionable over the distal end, and the holes formed through the wall, of the cartridge to preclude any substance within the cartridge from being urged outside thereof.

45. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

a first plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the first plunger within the barrel; and

a second plunger having a proximal end being attached to the distal end of the stem for engagement by the distal end of the second plunger with a proximal end of the first plunger when the stem is moved into the passage of the barrel at the proximal end thereof, and toward the distal end of the barrel.

46. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 45, which further comprises:

a hole formed through a wall of the barrel adjacent a location where a distal end of the second plunger initially engages a proximal end of the first plunger to allow any air therebetween to escape from within the barrel passage

47. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

the axial length of the cartridge being sufficient to contain a substance which is to be dispensed from the barrel in a plurality of individual doses;

a first plunger being mounted within the passage of the barrel for successive separate movements to each of a plurality of positions spaced along the barrel and corresponding in number to each of the plurality of individual doses with a first of the plurality of positions being the position closest to the proximal end of the barrel and the last of the plurality of positions being the closest to the distal end of the barrel;

a plurality of spaced holes formed through a wall of the barrel with the position of each respective hole being adjacent a location at which a proximal end of the first plunger is located when the first plunger is in the position corresponding to the respective hole;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the first plunger within the barrel;

a second plunger having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the stem for engagement by the distal end of the second plunger with a proximal end of the first plunger when the stem is moved into the passage of the barrel at the proximal end thereof, and toward the distal end of the barrel; and

each of the plurality of holes allowing any air between the distal end of the second plunger and the proximal end of the first plunger as the second plunger approaches the first plunger at each position of the plurality of positions.

48. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 47, which further comprises:

at least one plug being insertable into a respective one of the plurality of holes to preclude the outflow of substance from within the passage of the barrel and through the respective one of the plurality of holes, the plug being removable from within the respective hole to permit the outflow of air as the second plunger approaches the first plunger.

49. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

the cartridge having an exterior shape of a prescribed configuration;

the cartridge formed with a flange at the distal end thereof;

a plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel;

a carrier formed with a cartridge-receiving nest having a shell-like opening which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of the exterior shape of the cartridge;

means for retaining the cartridge within the cartridge-receiving nest;

a shelf formed on the carrier extending axially from a proximal end of the cartridge-receiving nest; and

a plurality of spaced flange-receiving slots formed transaxially in the shelf.

50. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 49, which further comprises:

a plunger head;

the plunger forming a compliant section of the plunger head with the compliant section facing the distal end of the barrel;

a receptor section of the plunger head facing the proximal end of the barrel, with the receptor section being comparatively more rigid than the compliant section;

a proximal end of the compliant section being coupled to a distal end of the receptor section;

a receptor opening formed in a proximal end of the receptor section of the plunger and having a prescribed configuration;

the stem having a stem structure at a distal end thereof which is generally complementary to the prescribed configuration of, and insertable into, the receptor opening; and

the prescribed configuration being structured to create a piloted engagement of the stem structure within the receptor opening and to preclude a taper-lock interference fit therebetween.

51. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 49, which further comprises:

a stop surface formed at the proximal end of the shelf for limiting movement of the stem toward the distal end of the cartridge.

52. A focused dosimetry device, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

the cartridge having an exterior shape of a prescribed configuration;

a plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel;

a first stem formed with a prescribed axial length and having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel; and

a second stem formed with an axial length which is greater than the prescribed axial length and having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel.

53. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 52, which further comprises:

a guide mounted within the proximal end of the passage of the barrel having an opening for receiving and guiding the first and second stems into the opening.

54. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 52, which further comprises:

means located at the distal end of the barrel for directing a substance from within the barrel to a location outside of the barrel upon movement of the stems toward the distal end of the barrel.

55. The focused dosimetry device as set forth in claim 52, which further comprises:

the barrel formed with an outlet at the distal end thereof through which the substance within the barrel passes when the stem is moved toward the distal end of the barrel; and

a cap attachable to the distal end of the barrel to cover the outlet at the distal end and preclude discharge of the substance from within the barrel.

56. A focused dosimetry device and case, which comprises:

a cartridge formed with a barrel having an passage therethrough between a proximal end thereof and an axially spaced distal end thereof;

a cap assembled over the distal end of the cartridge to preclude discharge of any substance from within the passage of the barrel;

a cartridge-cap assembly formed by the assembly of the cartridge and the cap;

an exterior of the cartridge-cap assembly formed in a prescribed cartridge-cap profile;

a plunger located within the passage of the barrel; and

the case comprising;

a first compartment having a base surface;

a second compartment;

the first and second compartments having structure to facilitate attachment of the first compartment to the second compartment to enclose the base surface of the first compartment; and

the base surface of the first compartment being formed with a nest in the configuration of the prescribed cartridge-cap profile.

57. The focused dosimetry device and case as set forth in claim 56, which further comprises:

the first and second compartments being coupled by hinges along adjacent edges thereof.

58. The focused dosimetry device and case as set forth in claim 56, which further comprises:

a latch arrangement located on opposing edges of the first and second compartments for coupling engagement when the first and second compartments are closed on each other.

59. The focused dosimetry device and case as set forth in claim 56, which further comprises:

a cap assembled over the distal end of the cartridge to form a cartridge-cap assembly to preclude discharge of any substance from within the passage of the barrel;

an exterior of the cartridge-cap assembly formed in a prescribed cartridge-cap profile;

a stem having a distal end positionable within the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel;

an exterior of the stem formed in a prescribed stem profile;

the base surface of the first compartment being formed with a plurality of nests in the configurations of the prescribed cartridge-cap profile and the prescribed stem profile.

60. The focused dosimetry device and case as set forth in claim 56, which further comprises:

the second compartment having a base surface;

the base surface of the second compartment being formed with a plurality of nests in the configurations of any one or more of the prescribed cartridge-cap profile, the prescribed stem profile and the prescribed applicator profile.

61. The focused dosimetry device and case as set forth in claim 56, which further comprises:

an applicator attachable to the distal end of the cartridge;

an exterior of the applicator formed in a prescribed applicator profile; and

the base surface of the first compartment being formed with a nest in the configuration of the prescribed applicator profile.

62. A method of dispensing a substance from within a cartridge with a plunger located within an axial passage of the cartridge at a prescribed distance from a distal end of the cartridge, and with an initial volume of the substance located in a portion of the passage between a distal end of the plunger and a distal end of the cartridge;

providing a first stem having a first prescribed length which is insertable into the cartridge and which is less than the prescribed distance;

placing a distal end of the first stem into the passage from a proximal end of the cartridge and into engagement with a proximal end of the plunger;

moving the first stem toward the distal end of the cartridge for a distance less than the prescribed distance, whereby the plunger is moved within the passage toward the distal end of the cartridge to facilitate dispensing from the distal end of the cartridge less than all of the initial volume of the substance;

removing the first stem completely from within the passage of the cartridge;

providing a second stem having a second prescribed length greater than the first prescribed length, which is insertable into the cartridge;

placing a distal end of the second stem into the passage from the proximal end of the cartridge and into engagement with the proximal end of the plunger; and

moving the second stem toward the distal end of the cartridge, whereby the plunger is moved within the passage toward the distal end of the cartridge to facilitate dispensing from the distal end of the cartridge an additional amount of the initial volume of the substance.

63. The method as set forth in claim 62, which further comprises the steps of:

initially providing the cartridge having the axial passage;

inserting the plunger into the passage from the proximal end of the cartridge;

locating the plunger within then axial passage of the cartridge at the prescribed distance from the distal end of the cartridge; and

depositing the initial volume of the substance into the portion of the passage between the distal end of the plunger and the distal end of the cartridge.

64. The method as set forth in claim 62, which further comprises the steps of:

initially providing the cartridge having the axial passage;

inserting the plunger into the passage from a proximal end of the cartridge;

locating the plunger at the distal end of the cartridge within the passage;

depositing the initial volume of the substance into the passage through the distal end of the cartridge; and

moving the plunger toward the proximal end of the cartridge by a force of the initial volume of the substance being deposited into the passage.

65. A method for loading an initial volume of a substance into a cartridge, which comprises the steps of:

initially providing the cartridge having an axial passage;

inserting a plunger into the passage from a proximal end of the cartridge;

locating the plunger at a distal end of the cartridge within the passage;

depositing the initial volume of the substance into the passage through an opening at the distal end of the cartridge; and

moving the plunger toward the proximal end of the cartridge by a force of the initial volume of the substance being deposited into the passage.

66. The method as set forth in claim 65, which further comprises the step of:

placing a cap over the opening at the distal end of the cartridge.

67. The method as set forth in claim 65, which further comprises the steps of:

coupling an applicator over the opening at the distal end of the cartridge;

inserting a distal end of a stem into the passage at the proximal end and into engagement with a proximal end of the plunger; and

moving the stem, and thereby the plunger, toward the distal end of the cartridge to urge at least some of the substance from the passage, through and from the applicator.

68. The method as set forth in claim 65, which, after the step of locating the plunger at the distal end of the cartridge, further comprises the step of:

providing a stop surface within the passage of the cartridge at a location at which the plunger is to be located when the initial volume of the substance has been deposited in the passage, where, upon depositing the substance into the passage, the force of the initial volume of the substance moves a proximal end of the plunger into engagement with the stop surface to preclude further depositing of the substance into the passage.