Method and apparatus for dispensing a composition

• US 8,425,474 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2008
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fougera Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Novartis Ag)
• Original Assignee: Fougera Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Novartis Ag)
• Inventors: Glassman, Bradley P., Goldstein, Alan S., Glassman, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): SU, SUSAN SHAN
• Application Number:
  US12/187,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20090048579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,720 Days
• Field of Search: 604/296, 604/241, 604/192, 604/212, 604/257, 604/285, 604/310, 222/92, 206/438, 206/570, 206/828
• US Class Current: 604/275
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1067 Anus
• 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 35/003 Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/00 Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system

Abstract

A pharmaceutical dispenser including a tube having an open end and a space filled with a composition, and an applicator including a first end removably coupled to the open end of the tube and a longitudinal portion with at least one aperture is described. The dispenser can also include a removable cover extending longitudinally and having a bore surrounding the longitudinal portion of the applicator. The composition may be an anal medication. A single dosage unit of the composition is usually contained in the tube, and the tube, applicator, and cover are disposable after use. Methods of using the dispenser include squeezing the tube, allowing the composition to exit the aperture of the applicator, and applying the composition to a target area.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical dispenser comprising:

a tube including a threaded open end and defining a space filled with a single dosage unit of a composition that consists of lidocaine and hydrocortisone acetate in a vehicle;

a threaded cap configured to be screwed onto the open end of the tube;

an applicator including a first end removably coupled to the open end of the tube and a longitudinal portion defining a plurality of apertures, wherein one of the plurality of apertures is located at a second end of the longitudinal portion and the applicator is configured to be removable from the tube;

a removable cover extending longitudinally and defining a bore surrounding the longitudinal portion of the applicator;

wherein the tube is configured to be squeezable so that the composition is dispensed through the plurality of apertures when the tube is squeezed.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the tube and applicator are disposable after use.

3. A kit for application of anal medication, the kit comprising:

a tube including a threaded open end and defining a space filled with a single dosage unit of a composition that consists of lidocaine and hydrocortisone acetate in a vehicle;

a threaded cap configured to be screwed onto the open end of the tube;

an applicator including a first end configured to mate with the open end of the tube and a longitudinal portion defining a plurality of apertures, wherein one of the plurality of apertures is located at a second end of the longitudinal portion and the applicator is configured to be removable from the tube;

wherein the tube is configured to be squeezable so that the composition is dispensed through the plurality of apertures when the tube is squeezed; and

a sealed package defining an interior sized to accommodate the tube, the cap and the applicator.

4. The kit of claim 3, wherein the package is a blister pack.

5. The kit of claim 4, wherein the blister pack is a child resistant seal.

6. The kit of claim 3, wherein the package, tube, and applicator are disposable after use.

7. A method for dispensing a pharmaceutical, comprising:

providing a tube including a threaded open end and defining a space filled with a composition that consist of lidocaine and hydrocortisone acetate in a vehicle;

removing a threaded cap from the open end of the tube;

mating a first end of an applicator with the threaded open end of the tube, wherein the applicator includes a first end configured to mate with the open end of the tube and a longitudinal portion defining a plurality of apertures, wherein one of the plurality of apertures is located at a second end of the longitudinal portion; and

dispensing the composition through the plurality of apertures in the longitudinal portion of the applicator onto a target area.