Prefilled suppository applicator

• US 5,330,427 A
• Filed: 03/05/1993
• Issued: 07/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Weissenburger, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, MARYBETH O
• Application Number:
  US08/026,882
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 604/14-16, 604/18, 604/54, 604/59, 604/93, 604/271, 604/275, 604/279, 604/285-288, 604/214, 604/229, 604/904, 222/386.5
• US Class Current: 604/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/26 Means for inserting tampons , i.e. applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/007 Injectors for solid bodies, e.g. suppositories

Abstract

This invention relates to a suppository applicator adapted for administering medicament in a suppository form to a body cavity. More particularly, it relates to a one-piece injection molded article having a main body portion and a flexible chamber whereby the flexible chamber is inverted in use to expel the medicament from the applicator into a body cavity.

Claims

1. A method of depositing medicament in suppository form in the body cavity of a patient comprising the steps of:

providing a one piece suppository applicator comprising a cylindrical main body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the main body portion is composed of a barrel stem at the distal end and a barrel grip at the proximal end thereof, said main body portion further comprising;

an integral flexible chamber means at the distal end;

a flexible plunger means adjacent, integral to and at least partially defining said flexible chamber means;

said flexible plunger means and flexible chamber means are integrally joined and housed within said barrel stem, wherein said flexible plunger means is capable of inverting without rupturing when said plunger means is moved toward the distal end of said barrel stem;

filling the flexible chamber of said suppository applicator with a medicament and capping the distal end of said applicator with a cap portion;

removing the cap portion of the applicator from the distal end and inserting the cap portion in the proximal end of the main body portion of the applicator; and

engaging and compressing the plunger means of the applicator to pres into and invert the flexible chamber toward the distal end of the applicator to eject the medicament suppository therefrom and apply it into the body cavity.