DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE

DISPOSITIF D'ADMINISTRATION DE MEDICAMENTS

English Abstract

A drug delivery device includes an insert tube and an elongate plunger. The insert tube has a tubular wall that confines a passage and that has drug entrance and release ends. The drug release end has first and second radial parts, and is provided with a flexible grating that includes sets of first and second flexible strips. The first and second flexible strips extend from the first and second radial parts of the drug release end, respectively. The elongate plunger has a drug pushing end and an operating end, is slidably movable in the passage, and has a length sufficient to enable the drug pushing end to push a drug in the passage to move out of the passage and spread apart the first and second flexible strips for delivering the drug into a body cavity.

French Abstract

L'invention porte sur un dispositif d'administration de médicaments comprenant un tube d'administration et un piston allongé. Le tube d'administration possède une paroi tubulaire créant un passage et il est pourvu d'une extrémité où le médicament est admis dans le tube et d'une extrémité où le médicament est administré au patient. L'extrémité d'administration du médicament possède deux éléments radiaux et est pourvu d'un grillage souple composé de deux ensembles de bandes souples. Les première et deuxième bandes souples se prolongent respectivement à partir des premier et deuxième éléments radiaux de l'extrémité du tube où l'administration du médicament se fait. Le piston allongé possède une extrémité servant à pousser le médicament et une extrémité destinée à être manipulée par l'utilisateur, il est conçu pour glisser dans le passage et il possède une longueur suffisante pour permettre à son extrémité destinée à pousser le médicament de pousser le médicament dans le passage pour l'en faire sortir et le faire passer dans les deux jeux de bandes souples en vue de son administration dans une cavité corporelle.

Claims

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I CLAIM:
1. A drug delivery device, comprising:
an insert tube having a tubular wall that confines a
passage extending in an axial direction for receiving a
drug in solid form, said tubular wall having a drug
entrance end adapted for admitting a drug into said
passage, and a drug release end opposite to said drug
entrance end in the axial direction and adapted to be
inserted into a body cavity, said drug release end having
opposite first and second radial parts, said insert tube
being provided with a flexible grating at said drug
release end to hinder unforced removal of the drug from
said passage via said drug release end, said flexible
grating including a set of first flexible strips that
extend from said first radial part toward said second
radial part, and a set of second flexible strips that
extend from said second radial part toward said first
radial part, said first and second flexible strips being
in one of the form of: i) flexible thin rods and
ii) flexible wires, and having ends overlapping each
other; and
an elongate plunger having a drug pushing end and an
operating end opposite to said drug pushing end in the
axial direction, said plunger being slidably extended into
said passage via said drug entrance end of said tubular
wall such that said drug pushing end is disposed proximate
to said drug release end of said tubular wall, and such
that said operating end is disposed outwardly of said
passage and is adjacent to said drug entrance end of said
tubular wall, said plunger being movable in said passage
and having a length sufficient to enable said drug pushing

end to push the drug to move out of said passage at said
drug release end and spread apart said first and second
flexible strips of said flexible grating for delivering
the drug into the body cavity;
wherein said drug entrance end of said tubular wall
is formed with a first radial outward flange; and
wherein said operating end of said plunger is formed
with a second radial outward flange that abuts against
said first radial outward flange to prevent said operating
end of said plunger from extending into said passage.
2. A drug delivery device, comprising:
an insert tube having a tubular wall that confines a
passage extending in an axial direction for receiving a
drug in solid form, said tubular wall having a drug
entrance end adapted for admitting a drug into said
passage, and a drug release end opposite to said drug
entrance end in the axial direction and adapted to be
inserted into a body cavity, said drug release end having
opposite first and second radial parts, said insert tube
being provided with a flexible grating at said drug
release end to hinder unforced removal of the drug from
said passage via said drug release end, said flexible
grating including a set of first flexible strips that
extend from said first radial part toward said second
radial part, and a set of second flexible strips that
extend from said second radial part toward said first
radial part, said first and second flexible strips being
in one of the form of: i) flexible thin rods and
ii) flexible wires, and having ends overlapping each
other; and

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an elongate plunger having a drug pushing end and an
operating end opposite to said drug pushing end in the
axial direction, said plunger being slidably extended into
said passage via said drug entrance end of said tubular
wall such that said drug pushing end is disposed proximate
to said drug release end of said tubular wall, and such
that said operating end is disposed outwardly of said
passage and is adjacent to said drug entrance end of said
tubular wall, said plunger being movable in said passage
and having a length sufficient to enable said drug pushing
end to push the drug to move out of said passage at said
drug release end and spread apart said first and second
flexible strips of said flexible grating for delivering
the drug into the body cavity;
wherein said plunger further has an intermediate
plunger part between said drug pushing end and said
operating end, said intermediate plunger part including a
plurality of axially extending and angularly spaced apart
radial wing plates that are in sliding contact with said
tubular wall.
3. The drug delivery device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said intermediate plunger part is formed with a
radial friction rib adjacent to said operating end to
increase friction between said plunger and said insert
tube when said plunger is disposed at a preparation
position relative to said drug release end of said tubular
wall in preparation for delivering the drug into the body
cavity.
4. The drug delivery device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said drug pushing end of said plunger is formed

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with a plurality of vent holes that extend in the axial
direction.
5. A drug delivery device, comprising:
an insert tube having a tubular wall that confines a
passage extending in an axial direction for receiving a
drug in solid form, said tubular wall having a drug
entrance end adapted for admitting a drug into said
passage, and a drug release end opposite to said drug
entrance end in the axial direction and adapted to be
inserted into a body cavity, said drug release end having
opposite first and second radial parts, said insert tube
being provided with a flexible grating at said drug
release end to hinder unforced removal of the drug from
said passage via said drug release end, said flexible
grating including a set of first flexible strips that
extend from said first radial part toward said second
radial part, and a set of second flexible strips that
extend from said second radial part toward said first
radial part, said first and second flexible strips being
in one of the form of: i) flexible thin rods and
ii) flexible wires, and having ends overlapping each
other; and
an elongate plunger having a drug pushing end and an
operating end opposite to said drug pushing end in the
axial direction, said plunger being slidably extended into
said passage via said drug entrance end of said tubular
wall such that said drug pushing end is disposed proximate
to said drug release end of said tubular wall, and such
that said operating end is disposed outwardly of said
passage and is adjacent to said drug entrance end of said
tubular wall, said plunger being movable in said passage

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and having a length sufficient to enable said drug pushing
end to push the drug to move out of said passage at said
drug release end and spread apart said first and second
flexible strips of said flexible grating for delivering
the drug into the body cavity;
wherein said drug pushing end of said plunger has a
convex pushing surface, and said first and second flexible
strips are curved strips that complement said pushing
surface of said drug pushing end.
6. ~The drug delivery device as claimed in claim 5,
wherein said tubular wall of said insert tube is shaped as
a circular cylinder.
7. ~The drug deliver device as claimed in claim 5,
wherein said tubular wall of said insert tube is shaped as
an oval cylinder.
8. ~The drug delivery device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said tubular wall of said insert tube is shaped as
a circular cylinder.
9. ~The drug deliver device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said tubular wall of said insert tube is shaped as
an oval cylinder.
10. ~The drug delivery device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said tubular wall of said insert tube is shaped as
a circular cylinder.

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11. ~The drug delivery device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said tubular wall of said insert tube is shaped as
an oval cylinder

Description

CA 02427963 2003-05-06
~
DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a drug delivery device, more
particularly to a drug delivery device that dispenses
with the need to insert a finger into a body cavity during
the delivery process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiment of the
invention,
Figure 1 illustrates a conventional way of delivering
a drug into a body cavity;
Figure 2 is an exploded schematic view of the
preferred embodiment of a drug delivery device according
to the present invention;
Figure 3 is an assembled schematic view of the
preferred embodiment;
Figure 4 illustrates the preferred embodi_ment in a
state of delivering a drug into a body cavity;
Figure 5 illustrates how the drug is hindered by a
flexible grating at a drug release end of an insert tube
of the preferred embodiment;
Figure 6 is a schematic end vieut-of the insert tube
to illustrate the flexible grating;
Figure 7 illustrates how the drug is pushed out of
the insert tube by a plunger of the pref_erred embodiment;
and
Figure 8 illustrates how a radial. outward flange of

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the plunger is prevented from extending into the insert
tube.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Suppositories are usually used for treating vaginal
infections or diseases in the anus. Mainly, the
suppository is inserted into the vagina or anus.
Referring to Figure 1, a conventional way of delivering
a drug 10 into a body cavity is done by aiming one end
11 of the drug 10 at the opening of the vagina or anus,
after which a finger is used to push the drug 1.0 deep
into the vagina or anus. However, this conventional way
of delivering the drug 10 into the body cavity has the
following disadvantages:
1. It is necessary to wash the hands thoroughly or to
use sterilized hand gloves during the drug delivery
process.
2. The inner wall of the vagina or anus is easily
scratched and injured by the fingernail on the
inserted finger, thereby resulting in pain.
3. The drug delivery process may induce emotional
trauma.
4. Because the drug cannot be delivered to a proper depth
and position due to the limited finger length, the
effect of the drug is reduced, thereby prolonging
the course of treatment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the main object of the present invention

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is to provide a drug delivery device that dispenses with
the need to insert a finger into a body cavity during
the delivery process and that is simple to use.
Accordingly, a drug delivery device of this invention
comprises an insert tube and an elongate plunger. The
insert tube has a tubular wall that confines a passage
extending in an axial direction for receiving a drug
in solid form. The tubular wall has a drug entrance end
adapted for admitting the drug into the passage, and
a drug release end opposite to the drug entrance end
in the axial direction and adapted to be inserted into
a body cavity. The drug release end has opposite first
and second radial parts. The insert tube is provided
with a flexible grating at the drug release end so as
to hinder unforced removal of the drug from the passage
via the drug release end. The flexible grating includes
a set of first flexible strips that extend from the first
radial part toward the second radial part, and a set
of second flexible strips that extend from the second
radial part toward the first radial part. The elongate
plunger has a drug pushing end and an operating end
opposite to the drug pushing end in the axial direction.
The plunger is slidably extended into the passage via
the drug entrance end of the tubular wall such that the
drug pushing end is disposed proximate to the drug
release end of the tubular wall, and such that the
operating end is disposed outwardly of the passage and

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is adjacent to the drug entrance end of the tubular wall.
The plunger is movable in the passage, and has a length
sufficient to enable the drug pushing end to push the
drug to move out of the passage at the drug release end
and spread apart the first and second flexible strips
of the flexible grating for delivering the drug into
the body cavity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figures 2 to 8, the preferred embodiment
of a drug delivery device according to the present
invention is shown to comprise an insert tube 20 and
an elongate plunger 30. The insert tube 20 has a tubular
wall 22 that confines a passage 21 extending in an axial
direction (X) for receiving a drug 40 in solid form.
The tubular wall 22 can be shaped as a circular or oval
cylinder, and has a drug entrance end 221 and a drug
release end 222. The drug entrance end 221 is adapted
for admitting the drug 40 into the passage 21, and is
formed with a first radial outward flange 223. The drug
release end 222 is opposite to the drug entrance end
221 at a distance (L) in the axial direction (X), and
is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity. The drug
release end 222 has opposite first and second radial
parts 24, 25, and is provided with a flexible grating
26 so as to hinder unforced removal of the drug 40 from
the passage 21 via the drug release end 222, as best
shown in Figure 3. The flexible grating 26 is made of

CA 02427963 2003-05-06
a flexible material, and includes a set of first flexible
curved strips 241 and a set of second flexible curved
strips 251 (see Figures 2 and 3) . The first flexible
curved strips 241 extend from the first radial part 24
5 toward the second radial part 25. The second flexible
curved strips 251 extend from the second radial part
25 toward the first radial part 24.
The elongate plunger 30 has a drug pushing end 31
and an operating end 32 opposite to the drug pushing
end 31 in the axial direction (X) , and an intermediate
plunger part 33 between the drug pushing end 31 and the
operating end 32. The drug pushing end 31 is formed with
a plurality of vent holes 311. that extend in the axial
direction (X), and has a convex pushing surface. The
curved strips 241, 251 complement the pushing surface
of the drug pushing end 3l . The drug pushing end 31 further
has a diameter smaller than that of the passage 21 in
the insert tube 20. The operating end 32 is formed with
a second radial outward flange 321 that abuts against
the first radial outward flange 223 to prevent the
operating end 32 of the plunger 30 from extending into
the passage 21, as best shown in Figure 8. The
intermediate plunger part 33 includes four axially
extending and angularly spaced apart radial wing plates
332 that are in sliding contact with the tubular wall
22. Each of two opposite wing plates 332 is formed with
a radial friction rib 331 adjacent to the operating end

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32 to increase friction between the plunger 30 and the
insert tube 20 when the plunger 30 is disposed at a
preparation position (P1) relative to the drug release end
222 of the tubular wall 22 in preparation for delivering
the drug 40 into the body cavity (see Figure 3) . The drug
40 is confined in the passage 21 at a space bounded by the
preparation position (Pl) and a release position (P2) of
the plunger 30.
The plunger 30 is slidably extended into the passage
21 via the drug entrance end 221 of the tubular wall 22
such that the drug pushing end 31 is disposed proximate to
the drug release end 222 of the tubular wall 22, and such
that the operating end 32 is disposed outwardly of the
passage 21 and is adjacent to the drug entrance end 221 of
the tubular wall 22. The plunger 30 is movable in the
passage 21 in the axial direction (X), and has a length
sufficient to enable the drug pushing end 31 to push the
drug 40 to move out of the passage 21 at the drug release
end 222 and spread apart the first and second flexible
strips 241, 251 of the flexible grating 26 for delivering
the drug 40 into the body cavity.
During use, after the drug 40 is disposed in the
passage 21 via the drug entrance end 221 of the insert
tube 20, the plunger 30 is inserted into the insert tube
20 such that the wing plates 332 are in sliding contact
with the tubular wall 22. The drug 40 is pushed by the
plunger 30 to the space between the preparation position

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(Pi) and the release position (P2), and is confined
therebetween. At this time, the friction ribs 331 of
the wing plates 332 abut against the drug entrance end
221 of the tubular wall 22.
Referring back to Figure 4, the insert tube 20 is
then inserted into a proper depth of the vagina or anus.
The friction ribs 331 come into contact with the tubular
wall 22 as the operating end 32 of the plunger 30 is
pushed. The plunger 30 is pushed continuously until the
second radial outward flange 321 abuts against the first
radial outward flange 223, and the drug pushing end 31
of the plunger 30 reaches the drug release end 222 of
the insert tube 20, thereby pushing the drug 40 to move
out of the flexible grating 26 at the drug release end
222 and into the body cavity. Thus, the drug is
conveniently delivered into a proper depth and position
of the body cavity.
It should be noted that, when the drug delivery device
of the present invention is in use, the hands need not
come into contact with the drug 40 during the actual
delivery process so that sanitation can be maintained.
Furthermore, the drug delivery device of the present
inventionis simple and easy to operate. Moreover,'inj ury
to the body cavity can be minimized due to the cylindrical
shape of the insert tube 20 and the flexibility of the
flexible grating 26, thereby enhancing comfort during
use.

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While the present invention has been described in
connection with what is considered the most practical
and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment
but is intended to cover various arrangements included
within the spirit and scope of the br_oadest
interpretationso asto encompass all such modifications
and equivalent arrangements.

Representative Drawing