Oral dosage dispenser

• US 6,503,222 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pfizer Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pfizer Inc.
• Inventors: Lo, Julian B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUECHNER, PATRICK M
• Application Number:
  US09/960,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20020036217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 222/145.5, 222/180, 222/630, 222/205, 222/464.1, 222/424.5, 239/24, 239/33, 239/310, 220/703, 220/705, 220/710, 229/103.1, 215/387, 215/388, 215/389, 215/DIG.3, 215/DIG.8, 215/DIG.7, 604/93.01, 604/264, 604/77, 604/80-85
• US Class Current: 604/77
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/183 with means for changing the flavour of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0038 Straws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/03 Medical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/07 with drinking cup
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/08 Mixing

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for facilitating the oral delivery of an active agent to a patient in need of treatment therewith, which apparatus comprises an active agent mixing chamber, a mixture delivery tube, and at least one liquid delivery tube. A mixture formed in the mixing chamber which comprises a combination of an active agent, or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof, and a liquid diluent may be delivered into the oral cavity of the patient from the mixing chamber by suction on the mixture delivery tube.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(i) a sealable, active agent mixing chamber comprising outer and inner walls, said inner wall defining a compartment for containing and admixing an active agent, or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof, with a liquid diluent to form a solution or suspension;

(ii) a hollow mixture delivery tube comprising first and second open end portions; and

(iii) at least one hollow liquid delivery tube comprising first and second open end portions; and

(iv) sealing means for removably sealing said active agent mixing chamber;

wherein;

said first open end portion of said hollow mixture delivery tube is inserted into said outer wall of said active agent mixing chamber and through said inner wall of said mixing chamber, said first open end portion forming a passage thereinto;

and said first open end portion of said hollow liquid delivery tube is inserted into said outer wall of said active agent mixing chamber and through said inner wall of said mixing chamber above, and offset from, said first open end portion of said mixture delivery tube, said first open end portion also forming an opening into said mixing chamber, such that upon charging said mixing chamber with an active agent or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof, sealing said mixing chamber with said sealing means, placing said second open end portion of said liquid delivery tube into a liquid reservoir, and imparting negative pressure on said second open end portion of said mixture delivery tube, liquid is drawn through said liquid delivery tube into said mixing chamber thereby admixing said active agent with said liquid diluent to form a solution or suspension, and said solution or suspension thus formed is drawn into said first end portion, and out through said second open end portion, of said mixture delivery tube.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first open end portion of said mixture delivery tube is inserted into said outer wall of said mixing chamber at an angle tangential to said outer wall of said active agent mixing chamber.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first open end portion of said liquid delivery tube is inserted along said inner wall of active agent mixing chamber.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising mounting means disposed thereon.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said mounting means is disposed on said outer wall of said active agent mixing chamber.