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  Focused dosimetry device and methods associated therewithUSPTO Application #: 20070093746Title: Focused dosimetry device and methods associated therewith Abstract: A device 560, for administering multiple single doses of a medicated cream, includes a cartridge 562 having a barrel 564 for containing the cream, a plunger 608 for moving the cream from within the cartridge, and a stem 610 for moving the plunger within the cartridge. A carrier 612 is formed with a cartridge-receiving nest 712 for receiving the barrel 564. A plurality of spaced, transaxial grooves 726, 728, 730 and 732 are formed in the carrier 612 for receiving a flange 572 of the cartridge 562 during the dispensing of multiple, successive, single doses of the cream. The carrier 612 is formed with a pair of resilient ears 750 and 752 and a passage 738 for removably retaining the stem 610 with the carrier while allowing axial movement of the stem. (end of abstract)
Agent: J. Bruce Hoofnagle - Lisbon, MD, US Inventors: Irwin R. Berman, Richard D. Gillespie, Gervasio Salgado USPTO Applicaton #: 20070093746 - Class: 604060000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Means For Introducing Or Removing Material From Body For Therapeutic Purposes (e.g., Medicating, Irrigating, Aspirating, Etc.), Treating Material Introduced Into Or Removed From Body Orifice, Or Inserted Or Removed Subcutaneously Other Than By Diffusing Through Skin, Means For Placing Solid Treating Material In Body, Means For Ejecting Solid From Holder, Solid Ejected From Body Inserted Conduit The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070093746. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/160,166, filed Jun. 4, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a focused dosimetry device and methods associated therewith, and particularly relates to devices for dispensing multiple doses of a substance such as, for example, medicinal cream, compound, or the like, to and through applicators, and to methods of dispensing the substance from the devices. [0003] Various medical conditions, which are located within the vaginal and/or anal openings of the human anatomy, can be treated with medicinal creams and other substances of similar consistency. Frequently, such creams are prescribed by physicians, and are to be applied in measured dosages over a period of time. Because of the necessity for frequent applications of the cream to the affected locations, it is beneficial and economical for the patient to self-administer the measured dosage applications. [0004] However, the act of administering the medicinal cream in such areas, frequently places the patient in awkward physical positions, which require a level of dexterity not inherent in some patients. Under these conditions, imprecise amounts of the cream could be administered undesirably. [0005] In the past, several devices have been developed for storing multiple doses of the medicinal substances within a barrel of a syringe or a cartridge, to facilitate the successive application of time-spaced doses over a period of time. Such devices also include a plunger within the barrel, and a stem for engaging the plunger and urging the cream in successive doses from within the barrel, and through a dispensing means such as an applicator. [0006] Cleanliness of such devices is unpredictable, during dispensing and during storage and transporting thereof. Thus, there is a need for a multiple-dose delivery device which can be easily cleaned while retaining the cream within the barrel, and also during storage and transporting of the device between the time-spaced administering of successive doses of the cream. Also, there is a need for a multiple-dose delivery device which can be dismantled easily for effective cleaning, and for storage and portability. [0007] Devices developed in the past facilitate the dispensing of the cream generally within the vaginal and/or anal openings, but tend not provide structure which focuses the cream directly onto the critical areas for a most effective treatment. [0008] Thus, there is a need for a multiple-dose delivery device, and an applicator thereof, which focuses the cream directly onto the critical areas to be treated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a focused dosimetry device, which can be easily cleaned while retaining the cream in the cartridge barrel. [0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a focused dosimetry device which can be easily dismantled for effective cleaning, storage and portability. [0011] An additional object of this invention is to provide a focused dosimetry device with an applicator, and an applicator independently of the device, which focuses the dispensed cream directly onto the critical areas to be treated. [0012] With these and other objects in mind, this invention contemplates a focused dosimetry device which includes a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage formed through the barrel along an axis thereof between a proximal end of the barrel and an axially spaced distal end of the barrel. A plunger is locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel, and is formed with a proximal surface. A stem has an integrally formed distal surface mounted for movement independently of the plunger through the proximal end of, and into the passage of, the barrel for interfacing engagement with the proximal surface of the plunger to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel. [0013] This invention also contemplates a carrier and stem assembly for a focused dosimetry device, which includes a stem having a distal end and a proximal end spaced from the distal end thereof. The stem is formed with an intermediate section along an axis of the stem between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. The intermediate section of the stem is formed with a prescribed cross section. The device also includes a carrier. Means are formed on the carrier for removably retaining the intermediate section of the stem with the carrier, and means are formed on the carrier for allowing the intermediate section of the stem to be moved along the axis of the stem relative to the means for removably retaining the intermediate section. [0014] In addition, this invention contemplates a focused dosimetry device which includes a cartridge formed with a barrel having a passage through the barrel between a proximal end of the barrel and an axially spaced distal end of the barrel. The barrel has an exterior shape of a prescribed configuration, with a plunger locatable and movable within the passage of the barrel. A stem has a distal end positionable through the proximal end of, and to a position within the passage of, the barrel to facilitate movement of the plunger within the barrel. The stem is formed with a proximal end spaced from the distal end thereof, and is formed with an intermediate section along an axis of the stem between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. The intermediate section of the stem is formed with a prescribed cross section. A carrier of the device is formed with a barrel-receiving nest. Means are provided for retaining the barrel within the barrel-receiving nest. Means are also provided for removably retaining the intermediate section of the stem with the carrier. Further, means are provided for allowing the intermediate section of the stem to be moved along the axis of the stem relative to the means for removably retaining the intermediate section. [0015] Further, this invention contemplates a focused dosimetry device, which includes an applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which includes a body formed with an axial entry passage extending from a proximal end of the body toward a distal end of the body and to a distal end of the passage. The axial entry passage is formed with a prescribed diameter, and the body is formed with an axial delivery passage having a proximal end in communication with the distal end of the axial entry passage. The axial delivery passage of the applicator extends from the proximal end of the axial delivery passage body toward the distal end of the body and to a closed distal end of the axial delivery passage, and is formed with a diameter which is less than the prescribed diameter. At least one elongated slot is formed through the body in communication with the axial delivery passage and an exterior of the body, and is formed with interfacing side walls which extend from a proximal end to a distal end of the slot. [0016] Still further, this invention contemplates an applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which includes a body formed with a prescribed external diameter, and with an axial delivery passage extending from a proximal end of the body toward a distal end of the body and to a distal end of the passage. The axial delivery passage is formed with a diameter which is less than the prescribed diameter. [0017] Also, this invention contemplates an applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which includes a body formed with an axis and an external surface between a proximal end and a distal end thereof. A flange extends radially outward from the external surface of the body to an outer edge surface of the flange, and has a proximal surface facing in a direction toward the proximal end of the body and a distal surface facing in a direction toward the distal end of the body. The distal surface of the flange is formed by a flat portion, which extends from the outer edge of the flange, radially inward toward the axis of the body and toward the distal end of the body, to an inboard edge of the flat portion spaced radially outward from the external surface of the body. The distal surface of the flange is formed with a concave portion which extends from the inboard edge of the flat surface toward the distal end, and to the external surface, of the body. [0018] Additionally, this invention contemplates a cartridge and applicator assembly for a focused dosimetry device, which includes a cartridge formed with a barrel having a distal end, and an axial passage having a prescribed diameter. An applicator is formed with a body having a proximal end, and an axial delivery passage having a uniform diameter which is less than the prescribed diameter between a proximal end and a distal end thereof. Means are provided for attaching the proximal end of the applicator to the distal end of the barrel such that the axial passage of the barrel is in communication with the axial delivery passage of the applicator. [0019] Also, this invention contemplates a method of dispensing successively two doses of a substance from a distal end of a barrel containing the substance, which includes the steps of placing the barrel at a first prescribed location, placing a distal end of a stem through a proximal end of the barrel and into engagement with a plunger within the barrel, moving the stem toward the distal end of the barrel to dispense the substance from the distal end of the barrel, moving a surface of the stem into engagement with a stop surface after the stem has travelled through a prescribed stem-travel distance whereby a given amount of the substance has been dispensed from the distal end of the barrel; moving the barrel and the stem to a second prescribed location in a direction away from the stop surface whereby the surface of the stem is spaced from the stop surface by a distance equal to the prescribed stem-travel distance; moving the stem toward the distal end of the barrel to dispense the substance from the distal end of the barrel; and moving the surface of the stem into engagement with the stop surface after the stem has travelled through the prescribed stem-travel distance whereby an amount of the substance equal to the given amount has been dispensed from the distal end of the barrel. [0020] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] In the accompanying drawings: Continue reading... Full patent description for Focused dosimetry device and methods associated therewith Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Focused dosimetry device and methods associated therewith patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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