Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPLICATOR FOR FACILITATING DELIVERY OF A SOLUTION
TO A SURFACE
The present invention relates to an applicator for facilitating the delivery
of a solution to a
surface. In particular, the invention relates to an applicator which
facilitates the delivery of
a therapeutic solution, such as for example a drug containing solution, to the
skin of a
person or animal.
Although the applicator according to the invention may have a number of
different
applications, for convenience reference herein will be substantially limited
to the primary
area of application, delivery of a therapeutic solution.
A number of systems for the delivery of drugs and vaccines are known, the most
common
of which include delivery via injection and oral administration. Other systems
are also
known including delivery through the skin via patches and ointments.
The invention advantageously provides an applicator and delivery system which
facilitate
delivery of a therapeutic solution or drug through the skin. More
particularly, the
invention advantageously provides an applicator which may be used in
conjunction with a
laser ablative device for the delivery of a therapeutic solution or drug
through the skin.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an applicator for
facilitating
delivery of a solution to a surface, the applicator including:
a receptacle for storage of the solution prior to delivery to the surface, the
receptacle being operable between a closed orientation and an open
orientation;
an abutting face which in use sealingly abuts the surface, the abutting face
including an aperture which facilitates delivery of the solution to the
surface and which is
in fluid communication with the receptacle when the receptacle is in the open
orientation;
wherein as the receptacle is translated from the closed orientation to the
open
orientation the solution is released from the receptacle to the aperture of
the abutting face
while the abutting face is maintained in sealing abutment with the surface.
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The receptacle for storage of the solution prior to delivery may take any
suitable form
provided that it may be translated from the closed orientation to the open
orientation to
facilitate delivery of the solution from the receptacle to the aperture
enabling the contact of
the solution with the surface, which will be the skin of a patient in the
primary field of
application, delivery of a therapeutic solution and, drug delivery.
In one embodiment, the receptacle includes a housing having at least one open
partition
and a threaded cap which threadably engages the housing, the cap including a
complimentary partition which engages the partition of the housing when the
receptacle is
in the closed orientation such that the solution is stored between the
partitions, and wherein
the cap is rotatable to disengage the partitions of the housing and the cap
translating the
receptacle to the open orientation, thereby allowing egress of the solution to
the aperture of
the abutting face.
The housing may include any number of partitions, each of which constitutes a
subspace of
the receptacle when engaged with the complementary partition of the cap. In a
preferred
embodiment, however, the housing includes four open partitions which are
engaged by
four complimentary partitions of the cap when the receptacle is in the closed
orientation.
In another embodiment, the receptacle includes a housing having at least one
open
partition and a cap which engages the housing, the cap including a
complimentary partition
which engages the partition of the housing when the receptacle is in the
closed orientation
such that the solution is stored within the receptacle, and wherein the cap
includes
actuating means to disengage the partitions of the housing and the cap
translating the
receptacle to the open orientation, thereby releasing the solution to the
aperture of the
abutting face.
In this embodiment, it is preferred that the at least one open partition of
the housing
includes a pair of opposing tabs which extend from opposing sides of the
housing towards
the centre of the housing and the partition of the cap includes a central tab
which engages
the tabs of the housing and constitutes a gate between the tabs of the
housing.
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Preferably, the central tab of the cap is engaged by the actuating means such
that on
actuation of the actuating means the central tab is disengaged from the tabs
of the housing
to allow egress of the solution to the aperture of the housing.
The cap and the housing may cooperate with each other in any suitable fashion.
In one
embodiment, the cap is an integral unit which is fitted, preferably snap-
fitted, on the
housing. In another embodiment, the cap includes a body portion which is
hingedly
attached to the housing of the receptacle, and an insert portion which
includes the central
tab and which is sandwiched by the upper portion of the cap and the housing of
the
receptacle, the insert portion including a press button which engages the
central tab and
which constitutes the actuating means.
As previously mentioned, it is envisaged that the primary field of application
of the
applicator will be delivery of therapeutic and drug containing solutions,
particularly
delivery of such solutions in conjunction with the use of a laser ablative
device.
The laser ablation of skin so as to facilitate the delivery of a drug
therethrough is known.
This involves the application of a laser beam to the surface of the skin so as
to ablate the
surface of the stratum corneum to render the surface more permeable to a
solution
containing the drug to be delivered. This technology is considered in depth in
a number of
patent documents and will not be dealt with in detail here apart from noting
that laser
ablative devices generally including a firing end which constitutes a tip of
the device and
through which the laser is fired.
In view of the above, and considering the primary area of application of the
applicator in
conjunction with a laser ablative device, the applicator is preferably adapted
to engage the
tip of a laser ablative device and includes a window through which the laser
of the ablative
device can be fired.
The window of the applicator, or an additional window provided in the
applicator may
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facilitate viewing of the skin of the patient at the site of ablation. In one
embodiment, as
will be dealt with hereafter, the applicator is affixed to the skin surface
prior to
engagement with the laser ablative device. In this case, the window of the
applicator
facilitates viewing of the skin through the applicator so as to ensure that
the applicator is
affixed to a desired position on the skin surface. In this case, it will be of
no concern
whether the slcin may be viewed through the applicator after application of
the laser
ablative device given that the area of skin to be treated is automatically
targeted due to the
positioning of the applicator.
Notwithstanding the above, in a preferred embodiment the window is located in
the cap at
a position which is commensurate with the aperture of the housing of the
receptacle such
that the laser, when fired, passes through the window of the cap and aperture
of the
housing to the skin of the patient.
The applicator, no matter what field of application, includes an abutting face
which in use
sealing abuts the surface to which the solution is to be delivered.
Preferably, the abutting
face is located on the under side of the housing of the receptacle and is
preferably provided
with an adhesive layer which, on the removal of a protective paper overlaid on
the
adhesive layer, can be affixed to the surface.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with
reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the applicator;
Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the applicator; and
Figure 3 illustrates the above first embodiment of the applicator attached to
an
LAD.
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the applicator (10) which is to be used
in conjunction
with a laser ablative device. In this regard, the applicator (10) acts as an
attachable tip for
a laser ablative device.
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The applicator (10) includes a housing (11) and a cap (12). The cap (12) is
threadably
mounted on the housing (11) by means of a thread (13) on the housing (11). The
housing
(11) and cap (12) constitute a receptacle for storage of the solution prior to
delivery to a
desired surface.
The housing (11) includes four partitions (14) spaced about its circumference.
The
partitions 14 define an enclosed space (15) with the outer wall (16) of the
housing (11).
The inner wall (17) of each partition (14) is circumferentially positioned on
an aperture
(18) of the housing (11).
The cap (12) includes four complementary partitions (not shown) each of which
engages
an inner wall (17) of a respective partition (14) of the housing (11). When
the
complementary partitions of the cap (12) engage the partitions (14) of the
housing (11), the
space (15) defined by the partitions (14) is closed. It is this closed space
which stores
solution prior to the delivery of the solution to the desired surface.
The cap (12) may be turned from the closed position, in accordance with the
arrow shown
on the cap (12), to an open position whereby the complementary partitions of
the cap (12)
disengage the inner walls (I7) of respective partitions (14) of the housing
(11). This
facilitates the egress of solution held in the spaces (15) through gaps (19)
between the
inner walls (17) of the partitions (14) to the aperture (18).
In use, the applicator (10) is attached to the surface, particularly the skin
of a person to
which a drug is to be administered, by removing a protective paper (20) from
the
applicator (10) to uncover an adhesive strip (21) located on the underside of
the housing
(11). Once the applicator (10) is secured to the surface of the skin, a laser
ablative device
is engaged with the cap (12) of the applicator (10), engagement being
confirmed by an
engagement pin (22) which interacts with the laser ablative device.
Having engaged the applicator (10), the laser ablative device is fired through
an apeuture
(23) in the cap (12), the aperture (23) housing a lens (24). The laser which
is fired through
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the aperture (23) of the cap (12) then proceeds through the lens (24) and the
aperture (18)
of the housing (11) to the skin. Thus, the ablation of the skin under the
applicator (10),
particularly in the area of the aperture (18) is facilitated.
Once a desired amount of ablation has been achieved, firing of the laser of
the laser
ablative device is halted. The cap (12) is then turned to release solution
containing a
desired drug from the spaces (15) of the housing (11). The solution egresses
to the
aperture (18) at which time it comes in contact with the ablated skin surface.
The applicator (10) can be held in place by the adhesive strip (21) as desired
and for a time
period sufficient to allow permeation of the solution through the ablated skin
surface.
Referring to Figure 2, an applicator (30) is provided which again includes a
housing (31)
and a cap (32). The cap (32) in this instance is hingedly attached to the
housing (31) by
means of a hinge (33).
The housing (31) includes partitions (34) which define an enclosed space (35)
with the
outer wall (36) of the housing (31). The space (35) houses the solution to be
delivered to
the suxface of the skin prior to use of the applicator (30).
In this embodiment, the applicator (30) is provided with an insert (37) which
is sandwiched
by the housing (31) and the cap (32). The insert (37) may alternatively be
integrally
formed in the cap (32). The insert (37) includes a tab (38) which engages the
partitions
(34) of the housing (31) by sliding into slots (39) of the partitions (34).
The tab (38) is
engaged by a press button (40) of the insert (37), the press button (40)
projecting through
an aperture (41) of the cap (32) when the cap (32) is engaged with the housing
(31).
In use, according to this embodiment, a piece of protective paper (42) is
removed to
uncover an adhesive layer (43) located on the underside of the housing (31).
The
applicator (30) is then positioned on the area of slcin and fixed by the
adhesive (43). At
that time, the cap 32 is engaged with the housing (31), the press button (40)
protruding
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through the aperture (41) of the cap (32) and the tab (38) of the insert (37)
engaging the
partitions (34) of the housing (31).
Once the applicator (30) is secured in place on the skin, a laser ablative
device is engaged
with the cap (32) and the laser of the device fired. The laser proceeds
through an aperture
(44) of the cap (32), the aperture 44 housing a lens (45). The aperture (44)
and lens (45)
are positioned directly above an aperture (46) of the housing (31). As such,
the laser of the
laser ablative device can be fired through both the aperture (44) of the cap
(32) and the
aperture (46) of the housing (31 ) to ablate the skin beneath the aperture
(46).
Once a desired degree of ablation has been achieved, the firing of the laser
of the laser
ablative device is halted. After this, a solution held within the space (35)
of the housing
(31) is released to the aperture (46) by pressing the press button (40) which
causes
disengagement of the tab (38) with the partitions (34) of the housing (31).
The applicator (30) is maintained in position over the slcin for a desired
time period to
allow permeation of the solution into the skin. The time frame may be measured
by a
colour change compound which may be included as a tablet (47) located in the
housing
(31 ).
Referring to Figure 3, the applicator (10) may be easily attached to a laser
ablative device
(50) for use. Attachment may be achieved by any suitable means as described
above.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context
requires
otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and
"comprising",
will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group
of integers
or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of
integers or steps.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be
taken as, an
aclcnowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of
the common
general knowledge in Australia.
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Those slcilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein
is susceptible to
variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to
be understood
that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall
within its spirit
and scope. The invention also includes all the steps, features, compositions
and
compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or
collectively, and
any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.
