Mixing system for an active agent delivery device

• US 6,024,721 A
• Filed: 10/15/1997
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Encinal Pharmaceutical Investments, LLC
• Original Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Wong, Patrick S.-L., Hwang, Stephen S., Ferrari, Vincent J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coggins, Wynn Wood
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blyveis, Deborah
• Application Number:
  US08/950,424
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 604/48, 604/57, 604/77-79, 604/82-85, 604/89, 424/473, 424/451, 424/438, 424/464
• US Class Current: 604/85
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2093 Containers having several compartments for products to be mixed
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0038 Straws

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a mixing system for an active agent delivery device. The device comprises an elongate tubular member having first and second ends and a mixing system. The mixing system enables the entire dose of active agent to be entrained in a liquid. In use, liquid is drawn into the first end of the device, the mixing system mixes the liquid and active agent within the device and the active agent entrained in the liquid is drawn out of the second end of the member and into the patient'"'"'s mouth.

Claims

1. A device for administering an active agent to a patient, comprising:

a tubular member that defines a lumen for containing the active agent, said tubular member having a first end suitable for placement in a liquid and a second end suitable for placement in the mouth of the patient;

a mixing chamber spaced apart from the first end of said tubular member;

a fluid passing active agent retainer, wherein said fluid passing active agent retainer prevents release of the active agent from the first end of said tubular member while permitting the liquid to enter said tubular member, said fluid passing active agent retainer being transportable toward said mixing chamber upon application of suction by the patient so that liquid and active agent are drawn into said mixing chamber; and

means for providing turbulence, wherein said means for providing turbulence increases turbulence of the liquid drawn into said mixing chamber, wherein said means for providing turbulence is configured to prevent said fluid passing active agent retainer from being drawn into said mixing chamber.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said mixing chamber is integral with said tubular member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said mixing chamber comprises a second tubular member disposed on said tubular member that defines the lumen.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said mixing chamber comprises a portion of said tubular member, said portion having a diameter greater than a remainder of said tubular member.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein an inner diameter of said mixing chamber is between 10 and 100% greater than a maximum inner diameter of said remainder of said tubular member.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the maximum inner diameter of said remainder of said tubular member is between 4 and 14 mm.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein an inner diameter of said mixing chamber is between 20 and 60% greater than a maximum inner diameter of said remainder of said tubular member.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for providing turbulence comprises detents.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said mixing chamber has a liquid-in end and a liquid-out end and said means for providing turbulence comprises a restriction in said lumen of said tubular member at said liquid-in end of said mixing chamber.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said restriction comprises an annular ring disposed in said tubular member.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for providing turbulence comprises baffles disposed in said mixing chamber.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid passing active agent retainer comprises a plug.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said fluid passing active agent retainer further comprises a restriction.

14. A device for administering an active agent to a patient, comprising:

a tubular member that defines a lumen for containing the active agent, said tubular member having a first end suitable for placement in a liquid and a second end suitable for placement in the mouth of the patient;

a mixing chamber spaced apart from the first end of said tubular member;

a fluid passing active agent retainer, wherein said fluid passing active agent retainer prevents release of the active agent from the first end of said tubular member while permitting the liquid to enter said tubular member, said fluid passing active agent retainer being transportable toward said mixing chamber upon application of suction by the patient so that liquid and active agent are drawn into said mixing chamber; and

an annular ring attached to an inner surface of said tubular member, wherein said annular ring increases turbulence of the liquid drawn into said mixing chamber, and wherein said annular ring is configured to prevent said fluid passing active agent retainer from being drawn into said mixing chamber.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said mixing chamber is integral with said tubular member.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein said mixing chamber comprises a second tubular member disposed on said tubular member that defines the lumen.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein said mixing chamber comprises a portion of said tubular member, said portion having a diameter greater than a remainder of said tubular member.

18. A device for administering an active agent to a patient, comprising:

a tubular member that defines a lumen for containing the active agent, said tubular member having a first end suitable for placement in a liquid and a second end suitable for placement in the mouth of the patient;

a mixing chamber spaced apart from the first end of said tubular member;

a fluid passing active agent retainer, wherein said fluid passing active agent retainer prevents release of the active agent from the first end of said tubular member while permitting the liquid to enter said tubular member, said fluid passing active agent retainer being transportable toward said mixing chamber upon application of suction by the patient so that liquid and active agent are drawn into said mixing chamber; and

wherein the lumen comprises detents that increase turbulence of the liquid drawn into said mixing chamber, and wherein said detents are configured to prevent said fluid passing active agent retainer from being drawn into said mixing chamber.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said mixing chamber is integral with said tubular member.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein said mixing chamber comprises a second tubular member disposed on said tubular member that defines the lumen.

21. The device of claim 18, wherein said mixing chamber comprises a portion of said tubular member, said portion having a diameter greater than a remainder of said tubular member.

22. A mixing system for use with an active agent delivery device, the device comprising a tubular member that defines a lumen for containing the active agent, the tubular member having a first end suitable for placement in a liquid and a second end suitable for placement in the mouth of a patient, said mixing system comprising:

a mixing chamber spaced apart from the first end of the tubular member;

a fluid passing active agent retainer, wherein said fluid passing active agent retainer prevents release of the active agent from the first end of the tubular member while permitting the liquid to enter the tubular member, said fluid passing active agent retainer being transportable toward said mixing chamber upon application of suction by the patient so that liquid and active agent are drawn into said mixing chamber; and

a turbulence providing member, wherein said turbulence providing member increases turbulence of the liquid drawn into said mixing chamber, wherein said turbulence providing member is configured to prevent said fluid passing active agent retainer from being drawn into said mixing chamber.

23. The mixing system of claim 22, wherein said turbulence providing member comprises detents.

24. The mixing system of claim 22, wherein said turbulence providing member comprises an annular ring.

25. The mixing system of claim 22, wherein an inner diameter of said mixing chamber is greater than a diameter of the tubular member.