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  Individual dose packagingUSPTO Application #: 20080108929Title: Individual dose packaging Abstract: A method for packaging an agent for delivery within a body cavity. A reservoir within a package contains a specified quantity of the agent and is either contiguous with, or coupled to, a dispensing node such as a swab. Depth of insertion of the dispensing node into the body cavity is restricted to a specified depth by a penetration-restricting feature that forms part of the package. (end of abstract) Agent: Michelle Saquet Temple - Manchester, NH, US Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Matthew C. Harris, Richard J. Lanigan, Craig R. Steinfels, Brian D. Tracey USPTO Applicaton #: 20080108929 - Class: 604001000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Swab Including Handle (e.g., Stick, Etc.) With Absorbent Material At End Thereof The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080108929. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/891,799 filed on Jul. 15, 2004, herein incorporated by reference, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/487,441, filed Jul. 15, 2003, and from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/488,306, filed Jul. 18, 2003 incorporated herein, in their entireties, by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to the field of delivery of agents into cavities of the human body, and, more particularly, to nasal delivery of pharmaceutical, therapeutic, nutritional, cosmetic or homeopathic agents. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The rich vasculature of the nasal mucosa provides a desirable avenue for the introduction of various agents. In particular, the highly vascularized lateral wall of the bulbous portion of the nasal cavity provides a particularly efficient route for absorption or adsorption of such agents. [0004] It is known that absorption or adsorption of a material increases with residence time between the material and epithelial tissue in the nose, or other body cavity. On the other hand, the activity of cilia acts to clear the mucous tissue of dust or other particles trapped in mucous tissue. [0005] Methods for delivery of agents to the nasal membranes include delivery in the form of drops, sprays, powders, or gels. It is also known that increasing the viscosity of a solution of therapeutic agent may have the effect of retaining the agent in the face of cilial action, thereby prolonging the therapeutic effect of the agent, and, thus, gels have come to be used for delivering such agents. Examples of gel-borne agents for nasal delivery are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,080,783 and 6,365,624, to Davidson et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. [0006] One problem that presents itself, however, is that of optimizing the residence time in a region of particular efficacy, and, at the same time, providing a convenient application modality for the user that is neither messy nor difficult to use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for packaging an agent, such as but not limited to a therapeutic, pharmaceutical, nutritional, cosmetic or homeopathic agent, for delivery within a body cavity. The method has steps of: [0008] a. coupling a reservoir, disposed within a package and containing a specified quantity of the agent, to a dispensing node, the package having a penetration-restricting feature; and [0009] b. coupling the dispensing node to the package in such a manner as to limit a depth of insertion of the dispensing node into the body cavity to a specified depth. [0010] In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, the package limits the depth of insertion by providing the user with a tactile guide indicating optimal insertion depth. In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, the dispensing node may be a swab, and, moreover, the reservoir and the swab may be identical. The swab may be covered with a sheath impermeable to the agent that is capable of retraction so as to expose the dispensing node for insertion into the body cavity while allowing handling of the package without touching the therapeutic agent. [0011] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a pair of reservoirs containing the agent may be provided, with each of the pair of reservoirs coupled to a separate dispensing node, where the two dispensing nodes are separated in such a manner that the dispensing nodes may be inserted simultaneously, one into each nostril of the nose of the subject. [0012] In accordance with yet further embodiments of the invention, an agent delivery product is provided for delivering the agent within a body cavity. The product has a swab coated with the agent and coupled to a shaft having a length and packaging impermeable to the agent for encasing the swab, the packaging characterized by a penetration-restricting feature disposed in such a manner as to restrict a depth of insertion of the swab into the body cavity to a depth determined by the penetration-restricting feature and the length of the shaft. [0013] In accordance with yet further embodiments of the invention, a method is provided for manufacture of an agent delivery product. The method of manufacture includes steps of: [0014] a. forming depressions in a base sheet; [0015] b. dispensing a gel containing the agent in the depressions in the base sheet; [0016] c. sealing a cover sheet to the base sheet to form a sealed package; and [0017] d. cutting the sealed package into a specified shape. [0018] In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, a dispensing node is placed on the base sheet, the dispensing node being coated with an agent either before or after placement on the base sheet. Alternatively, the dispensing node may be placed in one depression on the base sheet and the agent may be placed in another depression on the base sheet for later application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0020] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate components of a package for an applicator swab in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, as sealed and as opened, respectively; [0021] FIG. 1C illustrates the penetration-restricting feature of the packaging to restrict the depth of insertion of the dispensing node into the body cavity; Continue reading... Full patent description for Individual dose packaging Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Individual dose packaging 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. 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