Applicator and methods of applying a substance
First Claim
1. An applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which comprises:
- a body formed about a longitudinal axis and with an axial passage having an entry opening at a first end of the axial passage for receiving therein a substance to be dispensed;
the axial passage of the body extending from the first end thereof toward a closed distal end of the body, and to a closed second end of the axial passage, which is opposite the first end thereof;
at least one slot having a prescribed slot length formed through the body;
the at least one slot extending from a first end thereof, in an axial direction, to a second end thereof spaced from the first end by the prescribed slot length;
the at least one slot being in communication with an intermediate section of the axial passage and with an exterior of the body at a location on the longitudinal axis of body where the first end of the axial passage is spaced by a prescribed proximal distance from the first end of the at least one slot; and
the prescribed proximal distance being less than the prescribed slot length;
whereby the substance to be dispensed can be passed through the entry opening, the axial passage, and the at least one slot to the exterior of the body.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An applicator 80b is attachable to a cream-containing cartridge 62 of a device 60 for administering the cream onto an area to be treated within a body cavity of a patient. An axial passage 82 is formed in a body 81 of the applicator 80b. A plurality of slots 204 are formed laterally and radially through the body 81, which are in communication with an intermediate portion 205 of the axial passage 82 and are contiguous with an outside surface of the body. A flange 226 extends radially from the outside surface of the body 81, and is formed with a contoured surface, which provides tactile notification when the applicator 80b has been inserted within the body cavity to a desired depth.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which comprises:
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a body formed about a longitudinal axis and with an axial passage having an entry opening at a first end of the axial passage for receiving therein a substance to be dispensed;
the axial passage of the body extending from the first end thereof toward a closed distal end of the body, and to a closed second end of the axial passage, which is opposite the first end thereof;
at least one slot having a prescribed slot length formed through the body;
the at least one slot extending from a first end thereof, in an axial direction, to a second end thereof spaced from the first end by the prescribed slot length;
the at least one slot being in communication with an intermediate section of the axial passage and with an exterior of the body at a location on the longitudinal axis of body where the first end of the axial passage is spaced by a prescribed proximal distance from the first end of the at least one slot; and
the prescribed proximal distance being less than the prescribed slot length;
whereby the substance to be dispensed can be passed through the entry opening, the axial passage, and the at least one slot to the exterior of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which comprises:
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a body formed about an axis and with an axial passage;
the axial passage formed with an entry opening at a first axial end thereof and a closed end at a second axial end of the axial passage opposite the first axial end;
at least one slot having a prescribed slot length formed through the body and extending in an axial direction in communication with at least a portion of the axial passage;
the at least one slot being spaced from the entry opening by a prescribed proximal distance; and
the body formed with an outer surface which is contiguous with the at least one slot. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which comprises:
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a body having an outer surface and formed with a closed distal end and an axial passage having an entry opening at a first end of the axial passage for receiving the substance to be dispensed;
the axial passage extending from the first end thereof to a closed second end thereof;
at least one elongated slot formed through the body and extending in an axial direction in communication with an intermediate section of the axial passage and contiguous with the outer surface of the body; and
a flange extending from the outer surface of the body laterally of the axial passage and having a surface facing toward the closed distal end of the body. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An applicator for applying a substance to an area to be treated within a body cavity of a patient, which comprises:
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a container for confining a mass of the substance therein and insertable into the body cavity through an external opening thereof;
an opening formed in at least a portion of the container to facilitate selective movement of at least portions of the substance from the container onto an area to be treated when the opening is located adjacent the area to be treated; and
means, responsive to locating the opening of the container adjacent the area to be treated by a self-administering patient, for notifying the patient that the opening of the container is located adjacent the area to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method of applying a substance to an area to be treated within a body cavity of a patient, which comprises the steps of:
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establishing a defined space adjacent the area to be treated within the body cavity at a location spaced from an external opening of the body cavity at least by a predetermined proximal distance;
forming a mass of the substance externally of the body cavity;
moving the mass of the substance into the defined space adjacent the area to be treated; and
moving at least a portion of the mass of the substance from the defined space onto the area to be treated within the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of applying a substance to an area to be treated within a body cavity of a patient, where the area to be treated is spaced from an exterior opening of the body cavity by a prescribed proximal distance:
- which comprises the steps of;
providing a container having a defined space with a defined internal volume, an entry opening and an exit opening;
moving at least a portion of the container through the external opening of the body cavity to locate the exit opening of the container at least adjacent the area to be treated;
determining when the exit opening of the container is located adjacent the area to be treated;
locating a mass of the substance within the defined space of the container; and
urging at least portions of the mass of the substance from the container, through the exit opening thereof and onto the area to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
- which comprises the steps of;
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38. A method of applying a substance to an area to be treated within a body cavity of a patient, where the area to be treated is spaced from an exterior opening of the body cavity by a prescribed proximal distance:
- which comprises the steps of;
moving apart interfacing portions of the body cavity adjacent the area to be treated to form a defined space adjacent the area to be treated;
moving a mass of the substance into the defined space; and
moving at least portions of the mass of the substance from the defined space onto the area to be treated.
- which comprises the steps of;
Specification