U.S. patent application number 17/190243 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-19 for prescription bottle cap capable of administering opioid overdose reversal agent.
The applicant listed for this patent is CounterAct, LLC. Invention is credited to Donald Roy Mealing, Todd David Pizitz.
Application Number | 20210252235 17/190243 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005568413 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210252235 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mealing; Donald Roy ; et
al. |
August 19, 2021 |
PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE CAP CAPABLE OF ADMINISTERING OPIOID OVERDOSE
REVERSAL AGENT
Abstract
An apparatus for delivering a therapeutic agent may be
associated with a cap for a bottle that contains a prescription for
a drug to which the therapeutic agent corresponds. When the
prescription bottle contains an opioid, the therapeutic agent may
comprise a substance that counteracts the effects of the opioid.
The apparatus may include a nozzle that facilitates nasal
administration of the therapeutic agent. The apparatus may be
capable of attaching to a cap for a prescription bottle, or the
apparatus may have a configuration that enables it to serve as the
cap for the prescription bottle.
Inventors: |
Mealing; Donald Roy; (Heber
City, UT) ; Pizitz; Todd David; (Vista, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CounterAct, LLC |
Heber City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005568413 |
Appl. No.: |
17/190243 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15993449 |
May 30, 2018 |
10933204 |
|
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17190243 |
|
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|
62513768 |
Jun 1, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/06 20130101; A61J
1/1412 20130101; A61M 15/0036 20140204; A61M 15/0023 20140204; A61M
15/004 20140204; A61J 7/0053 20130101; A61M 2210/0618 20130101;
A61J 1/1475 20130101; A61M 11/008 20140204; A61M 15/0003 20140204;
A61J 1/062 20130101; A61J 1/1425 20150501; A61M 11/007 20140204;
A61M 15/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 11/00 20060101
A61M011/00; A61M 15/08 20060101 A61M015/08; A61J 7/00 20060101
A61J007/00; A61M 15/00 20060101 A61M015/00; A61J 1/14 20060101
A61J001/14; A61J 1/06 20060101 A61J001/06 |
Claims
1. A cap for a prescription bottle, comprising: a base securable to
a top of a prescription bottle to confine contents of the
prescription bottle within an interior of the prescription bottle;
and a delivery element carried by the base and including: a
reservoir that contains a substance; a nozzle in fluid
communication with the reservoir, the nozzle moveable between: a
stored orientation; and a deployed orientation; and an actuator
that forces the substance from the reservoir, through the nozzle,
and out of the nozzle, the actuator including a receptacle for the
nozzle that receives the nozzle in the stored orientation to
prevent actuation of the actuator, the actuator accessible with the
nozzle in the deployed orientation.
2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the delivery element is assembled
with the base.
3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the delivery element is removable
from the base.
4. The cap of claim 1, wherein the delivery element is integral
with the base.
5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the substance comprises an opioid
overdose reversal agent.
6. The cap of claim 5, wherein the opioid overdose reversal agent
comprises naloxone.
7. The cap of claim 1, wherein the substance comprises a nasally
deliverable drug.
8. The cap of claim 1, wherein the nozzle, while in the stored
orientation, prevents depression of the actuator.
9. The cap of claim 1, wherein the nozzle, while in the deployed
orientation, protrudes from the delivery element.
10. The cap of claim 9, wherein the nozzle, while in the deployed
orientation, protrudes beyond an outer peripheral edge of the
delivery element.
11. A drug delivery system, comprising: a prescription bottle; and
a cap, including: a base that couples to the prescription bottle
over an opening of the prescription bottle; and a delivery element
carried by the base and including: a reservoir that receives a
substance; a nozzle movable between a stored orientation and a
deployed orientation; and a trigger that forces the substance from
the reservoir through the nozzle, the trigger including a recess
that receives the nozzle in the stored orientation to prevent
depression of the trigger, the trigger exposed and depressible with
the nozzle in the deployed orientation.
12. The drug delivery system of claim 11, wherein the nozzle is
compactly associated with a remainder of the delivery element in
the stored orientation and protrudes from a remainder of the
delivery element in the deployed orientation.
13. The drug delivery system of claim 11, wherein the delivery
element of the cap further includes: a spring; a piston having a
loaded position in which the trigger prevents a force of the spring
from acting on the piston and a released position in which force of
the spring has moved the piston; and a piston housing including a
channel with a rear end that receives the piston and a front end
that receives an ampoule comprising the reservoir, the nozzle
positioning a tip of a needle adjacent to a front end of the
ampoule to enable the tip of the needle to puncture a stopper of
the ampoule and to hold the stopper in place as the piston is
driven forward by the force of the spring and drives a body of the
ampoule forward, the needle receiving and conveying the substance
to an orifice of the nozzle.
14. The drug delivery system of claim 13, wherein the ampoule
contains a premeasured dose of a drug.
15. The drug delivery system of claim 14, wherein the orifice of
the nozzle comprises an atomizer.
16. The drug delivery system of claim 11, wherein the prescription
bottle contains an opioid and the reservoir receives an opioid
overdose reversal agent.
17. A method for providing a substance to an individual,
comprising: filling a bottle with the substance; and securing a cap
to the bottle to secure the substance within the bottle, the cap
containing an another substance and being capable of readily
administering the another substance to the individual, the cap
including an actuator and a nozzle, the nozzle movable between a
stored orientation and a deployed orientation, the actuator
including a receptacle that receives the nozzle in the stored
orientation to prevent actuation of the actuator, the actuator
exposed and depressible with the nozzle in the deployed
orientation.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein securing the cap to the bottle
comprises securing a cap with a nozzle and a pump for nasally
administering the another substance to the individual to the
bottle.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein filling the bottle with the
substance comprises filling the bottle with a prescription drug, as
prescribed by a licensed medical professional.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein: filling the bottle with the
substance comprises filling the bottle with an opioid; and securing
the cap to the bottle comprises securing the cap with the another
substance comprising an opioid reversal agent to the bottle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/993,449, filed on Mar. 12, 2019, and titled
PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE CAP CAPABLE OF ADMINISTERING OPIOID OVERDOSE
REVERSAL AGENT ("the '449 application"), now U.S. Pat. No.
10,933,204, issued Mar. 2, 2021 which claims priority to the Jun.
1, 2017 filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/513,768, titled NASAL SPRAY DISPENSER CAP ("the '768 Provisional
Application"). The entire disclosures of the '449 application and
the '768 Provisional Application are hereby incorporated
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to prescription bottles
and, more specifically, to caps for prescription bottles. More
specifically, this disclosure relates to devices that are capable
of being used with prescription bottle caps to contain and deliver
therapeutic agents, including emergency opioid overdose reversal
agents, to an individual in connection with a drug that has been
prescribed to the individual. Such a device may include features
that enable nasal delivery of therapeutic agents. Methods for
providing an individual with a prescription are also disclosed.
RELATED ART
[0003] Due to their effectiveness in treating pain, physicians and
other licensed healthcare professionals have commonly prescribed
opioids used to their patients. While the benefits of opioids have
led to their widespread use, they are also highly addictive, and
can be dangerous. Oftentimes, a healthcare professional may
prescribe an opioid to a patient without realizing the patient
suffers from an opioid addiction. A pharmacist may then fill the
prescription without any suspicion that the patient suffers from an
addition.
[0004] While the risks that an individual who suffers from an
opioid addition will overdose on opioids are greater than the risks
associated with patients who benefit from but are not dependent on
opioids, there is always a risk that a recipient of opioids will
overdose. That risk has become so significant in recent years that
fatalities from opioid overdoses have recently reached epidemic
proportions.
[0005] Although opioid overdoses can be effectively treated with
opioid overdose reversal agents, such as naloxone, access to
effective treatments is limited primarily to emergency medical
personnel. Because opioid overdoses are often unexpected, and
because of the limited availability of countermeasures, unnecessary
deaths from opioid overdoses are frequent.
SUMMARY
[0006] Apparatuses, systems, and methods for administering
therapeutic agents or others Apparatuses, systems, and methods for
administering therapeutic agents or other substances that
correspond to prescribed drugs are disclosed. These include
apparatuses, systems, and methods for treating, or reversing the
effects of, opioid overdoses.
[0007] An apparatus that enables reversal of the effects of an
opioid overdose may have a configuration that enables it to be
secured to a cap for a prescription bottle, or the apparatus may
comprise a cap for a prescription bottle. Accordingly, such an
apparatus is referred to herein as a "cap." In addition to
including features that enable the cap to contain the contents of
the prescription bottle (e.g., an opioid, etc.) within the interior
of the prescription bottle, the cap includes a delivery element
capable of storing and selectively administering a substance (e.g.,
a therapeutic agent, such as an opioid overdose reversal agent,
etc.) to an individual.
[0008] The delivery element of a cap according to this disclosure
may be capable of delivering a substance for nasal administration
to an individual. Such a delivery element may include a reservoir,
a pump, and a nozzle. The reservoir may store the substance. The
pump may be capable of forcing the substance from the reservoir,
through the nozzle, and out of the nozzle. In some embodiments, the
pump may include an actuator that enables an individual to operate
the delivery element (e.g., the actuator may be depressible, such
as by a finger or thumb of an individual, etc.). The nozzle may be
capable of delivering the substance to an individual in a desired
manner (e.g., by creating a fine mist from a liquid substance for
nasal administration, by creating a puff of a solid substance for
nasal administration, etc.). The nozzle of such a delivery element
may be movable between a stored orientation and a deployed
orientation. While in the stored orientation, the nozzle may be
compactly assembled with a remainder of the delivery element. The
stored orientation of the nozzle may prevent or preclude use (e.g.,
depression, etc.) of the actuator of the pump. In its deployed
orientation, the nozzle may protrude from the remainder of the
delivery element in a manner that facilitates its use in
administering the substance to an individual.
[0009] In another aspect, drug delivery systems are disclosed. A
drug delivery system may include a cap according to this
disclosure, as well as a prescription bottle. The prescription
bottle may contain a quantity of a first substance, while the cap
may contain a quantity of a second substance. The second substance
may correspond to the first substance. As an example, the second
substance may complement the first substance. As another example,
the second substance may counteract a negative effect (e.g., an
adverse condition, etc.) caused by the first substance. In
embodiments where the first substance is an opioid (e.g., a
prescribed opioid, etc.) and the second substance is an opioid
overdose reversal agent, a drug delivery system according to this
disclosure may facilitate a prompt, effective response to an
overdose of the opioid.
[0010] According to another aspect, methods for providing
prescription drugs, including, but not limited to opioids, to an
individual are disclosed. Such a method includes filling a
prescription bottle with the prescribed drug and enclosing the
prescribed drug within an interior of the prescription bottle with
a cap that contains and that is capable of delivering, or
administering, a substance that corresponds to the prescribed
drug.
[0011] A method for administering a substance to an individual to
supplement or counteract another substance consumed by the
individual includes delivering the substance from a cap of a
prescription bottle that contained the consumed substance.
[0012] Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as
features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject
matter, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying
drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a
prescription bottle cap, showing a nozzle of a delivery element in
a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle protrudes or extends
from a remainder of the prescription bottle cap, rendering an
actuator of a pump of the delivery element accessible for operation
of the delivery element;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the prescription bottle cap shown
in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the prescription bottle cap
shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top view of the prescription bottle cap shown in
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the prescription bottle cap shown
in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the prescription bottle cap
shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the prescription bottle cap shown
in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of
prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 1, with the nozzle of the
delivery element in a stored orientation over the actuator of the
pump of the delivery element, restricting access to and use of the
actuator;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the prescription bottle cap
shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIGS. 9A-9C provide enlarged views of various elements of
the prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 9;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 8 through a centerline of the prescription bottle cap of FIG.
1, including the nozzle of the delivery element of the prescription
bottle cap;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a
prescription bottle cap, showing a nozzle of a delivery element in
a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle protrudes or extends
from a remainder of the prescription bottle cap, rendering an
actuator of a pump of the delivery element accessible for operation
of the delivery element;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a front view of the prescription bottle cap shown
in FIG. 11;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a left side view of the prescription bottle cap
shown in FIG. 11;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a top view of the prescription bottle cap shown
in FIG. 11;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a rear view of the prescription bottle cap shown
in FIG. 11;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a right side view of the prescription bottle cap
shown in FIG. 11;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the prescription bottle cap
shown in FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of
prescription bottle cap shown in FIG. 11, with the nozzle of the
delivery element in a stored orientation over the actuator of the
pump of the delivery element, restricting access to and use of the
actuator;
[0033] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of prescription bottle cap shown
in FIG. 11; and
[0034] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 18 through a centerline of the prescription bottle cap of FIG.
1, including the nozzle of the delivery element of the prescription
bottle cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIGS. 1-10 illustrate an embodiment of a prescription bottle
cap 10 that can dispense a precise dosage of a substance, and that
may be used with a conventional prescription pill dispensing
bottle. For the sake of simplicity, the prescription bottle cap may
also be referred to herein as a "cap 10" and the conventional
prescription pill dispensing bottle may also be referred to herein
as a "prescription bottle 80."
[0036] The cap 10 includes a base 20 and a delivery element 30 atop
the base 20. As depicted by FIGS. 1-10, the base 20 of the cap 10
may have a configuration that enables the base 20 to be secured
directly to a prescription bottle 80. In such an embodiment, the
base 20 may include a top 22 with an outer wall 24 protruding
downward from an outer periphery of the top 22. As shown in FIGS. 7
and 10, an inner surface 26 of the outer wall 24 of the base 20
defines the lateral extent of a receptacle 28 capable of receiving
an upper portion (not shown) of an outer wall (not shown) of the
prescription bottle 80, and bottle coupling features (not shown) on
the inner surface 26 of the outer wall 24 of the base 20. The
bottle coupling features are complementary to and capable of
engaging corresponding cap coupling features (not shown) at the
upper portion of the prescription bottle 80 to enable the cap 10 to
be secured to the prescription bottle 80. The bottle coupling
features of the cap 10 and the cap coupling features of the
prescription bottle 80 may have any suitable configurations known
in the art. In a specific embodiment, the cap 10 may comprise a
conventional child-resistant prescription bottle cap.
[0037] Alternatively, the base 20 of the cap 10 may have a
configuration that enables it to be attached to a conventional cap
for a prescription bottle 80. As an example, the outer wall 24 of
the base 20 may define a receptacle 28 that is capable of receiving
and engaging a conventional cap (not shown) for a prescription
bottle 80 (e.g., mechanically (e.g., by way of a snap fit, a press
fit, a threaded engagement, etc.), adhesively, etc.).
[0038] The delivery element 30 is capable of delivering, or
administering, a substance to an individual. In some embodiments,
such as that depicted by FIGS. 1-10, the delivery element 30 of the
cap 10 may be capable of nasal delivery, or administration, of a
substance to an individual.
[0039] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-10, the delivery element
30 of the cap 10 may include a delivery element housing 31 that is
secured to the top 22 of the base 20 of the cap 10. The delivery
element housing 31 may include a top 31T with an outer wall 31w
protruding downward from an outer periphery of the top 31T. As
depicted by FIGS. 1-6, 8, and 9, apertures or other receptacles 31R
in an interior surface (not shown) of the outer wall 31w of the
delivery element housing 31 may receive complementary engagement
elements 25 that include features that protrude radially outward
above the top 22 of the base 20 to enable the delivery element
housing 31 to mechanically engage the base 20.
[0040] As best illustrated by FIGS. 9 and 10, the delivery element
housing 31 may carry a remainder of the delivery element 30. A
trigger receptacle 32 may open to the top 31T of the delivery
element housing 31 and to a rear portion of the outer wall 31w of
the delivery element housing 31, while a nozzle receptacle 33 may
comprise an opening in a front portion of the outer wall 31w of the
delivery element housing 31, and extend into the top 31T of the
delivery element housing 31.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, 9C, and 10, the remainder
of the delivery element 30 includes a trigger 34, a spring housing
40, a compression spring 44, a piston 45, a piston housing 50, an
ampoule 58, a needle 65, a needle housing 69, and a nozzle 74.
[0042] The spring housing 40 is positioned within the delivery
element housing 31, just below the trigger receptacle 32. An upper
portion of the spring housing 40 is exposed to and is accessible
from the trigger receptacle 32. A body 41 of the spring housing 40
may be coupled to an interior portion of the outer wall 31w of the
delivery element housing 31 in a manner that fixes the spring
housing 40 securely in place within the delivery element housing
31, below the trigger receptacle 32. Pivot pins 42 that protrude
from opposite sides of the body 41 of the spring housing 40 are
aligned with each other and may also be accessible through the
trigger receptacle 32.
[0043] The trigger 34 has a configuration that enables it to be
positioned over and to receive an upper portion of the spring
housing 40. As illustrated, the trigger 34 may include a pair of
side walls 35 that are spaced apart from one another a sufficient
distance that the trigger 34 can receive upper portions of the
spring housing 40 and the piston housing 50. A pivot pin receptacle
36 is recessed in a bottom edge 35E of each side wall 35 of the
trigger 34. Each pivot pin receptacle 36 has a configuration that
enables it to receive and engage a pivot pin 42 of the spring
housing 40 in a manner that secures the trigger 34 atop the spring
housing 40 and that enables the trigger 34 to pivot relative to the
spring housing 40.
[0044] In addition, a catch 37 is recessed in the bottom edge 35E
of each side wall 35 of the trigger 34, near a front edge 35F of
that side wall 35. The catches 37 may be aligned with one another.
The catches 37 may hold the piston 45 of the delivery element 30 in
a cocked position, as will become apparent from the description
that follows. Bottom portions of the front edges 35F of the side
walls 35 may taper from the front of the trigger 34 toward the rear
of the trigger 34, or inwardly, to enable the piston 45 of the
delivery element 30 to be reset, or re-cocked, while the trigger 34
is depressed, as will become apparent from the description that
follows.
[0045] When the trigger 34 is assembled with the spring housing 40,
the trigger 34 may protrude through the trigger receptacle 32 of
the delivery element housing 31. A nozzle receptacle 38 in a top
surface 34T of the trigger 34 may have a configuration that enables
the nozzle receptacle 38 to receive the nozzle 74 of the delivery
element 30, when folded over the trigger 34, as shown in FIGS. 8
and 10, to pivot the trigger 34 forward (i.e., the orientation of
the trigger 34 that enables the piston 45 of the delivery element
30 to be cocked) and to prevent depression of the trigger 34.
[0046] Returning reference to the spring housing 40, a bore 43
extends into a front end 41F of the body 41 of the spring housing
40. While a front end 43F of the bore 43 is open, a rear end (not
shown) of the bore 43 is partially closed (e.g., has a smaller
diameter than the front end 43F, is partially blocked, etc.) or
completely closed. The bore 43 has a shape and dimensions that
enable it to receive the compression spring 44, with a rear end 44R
of the compression spring 44 abutting the rear end of the bore 43.
The compression spring 44 may have a length that enables it to
reside completely within the bore 43 when compressed and protrude
from the open end of the bore 43 when relaxed. The compression
spring 44 may have a configuration that enables it to exert a
desired amount of force when a compressive force on the compression
spring 44 is released.
[0047] The piston 45 of the delivery element 30 is positioned in
front of the spring housing 40 and in front of the compression
spring 44. The piston 45 includes a body 46 with a rear end 47 that
abuts a front end 44F of the compression spring 44. A pair of
guides 48 protrude from opposite sides of the body 46, and are
capable of being engaged by the catches 37 in the bottom edges 35E
of the side walls 35 of the trigger 34.
[0048] A front end 49 of the body 46 of the piston 45 has a
configuration that enables it to abut and apply force to a rear
portion of the ampoule 58, which may also be referred to as a
"reservoir."
[0049] The piston housing 50 may have a configuration that enables
it to guide movement of the piston 45 as the compression spring 44
forces the piston 45 forward. The piston housing 50 may be
positioned within the delivery element housing 31, with a front
portion of the piston housing 50 being exposed by the nozzle
receptacle 32 of the delivery element housing 31. A rear portion of
the piston housing 50 may be exposed to the trigger receptacle 32.
A body 51 of the piston housing 50 may be coupled to an interior of
the delivery element housing 31 in a manner that fixes the piston
housing 50 securely in place within the delivery element housing
31.
[0050] In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 9, a channel 50c
extends through an entire length of the body 51 of the piston
housing 50. The channel 50c has dimensions that enable it to
receive the front end 49 of the body 46 of the piston 45. In
addition, a horizontally oriented slot 52 extends from a rear end
53 of the body 51 to a location near, but short of, the front end
54 of the body 51. The horizontally oriented slot 52 intersects the
channel 50c, enabling the horizontally oriented slot 52 to
accommodate the guides 48 that protrude from opposite sides of the
piston 45 as the body 46 of the piston 45 is inserted into the
channel 50c through the rear end 53 of the body 51. Together, the
horizontally oriented slot 52 and the guides 48 limit forward
travel of the piston 45, which may prevent damage to the needle
65.
[0051] The partial positioning of the rear portion of the piston
housing 50 below a front portion of the trigger receptacle 32
enables the catches 37 in the bottom edges 35E of the side walls 35
of the trigger 34 to engage portions of the guides 48 that protrude
from sizes of the body 51 of the piston housing 50 when the rear
end 47 of the piston 45 is pulled against the front end 41F of the
spring housing 40 and, thus, while the compression spring 44 is
compressed within the channel bore 43 of the spring housing 40 and
the guides 48 are located near a rear end of the horizontally
oriented slot 52.
[0052] The front portion of the piston housing 50 includes arms 56.
The arms 56, which located on opposite sides of the body 51 of the
piston housing 50, are spaced apart from one another, may comprise
extensions of the side walls 51w of the body 51. More specifically,
each arm 56 may comprise a vertically oriented structure that
extends forward beyond the surface 55 at the front end 54 of the
body 51, to which the channel 50c opens, and upward beyond a top
surface 51T of the body 51. An upper portion 56u of each arm 56 may
include a pivot point 57, such as an aperture that may receive a
pivot pin.
[0053] As indicated previously herein, a front portion of the
piston housing 50, including the front end 54 and front surface 55
of the body 51 of the piston housing 50, as well as the arms 56 of
the piston housing 50, is exposed through the nozzle receptacle 33
that opens to the front of the delivery element housing 31. Thus,
when the piston housing 50 is assembled with the delivery element
housing 31, the channel 50c of the piston housing 50 is exposed
through the nozzle receptacle 33. Outer surfaces of the arms 56 may
abut side edges of the nozzle receptacle 33, while the upper
portion 56u of each arm 56 may extend beyond a top 31T of the
delivery element housing 31, which may position the pivot point 57
of each arm 56 above the top 31T of the delivery element housing
31.
[0054] Referring again to the ampoule 58, which is also illustrated
by FIG. 9A, a rear end 60 of a body 59 of the ampoule 58 can be
removably received within the channel 50c of the piston housing 50.
A lip 59L may be provided at the front end 61 of the body 59 to
limit a distance the ampoule 58 may be inserted into the channel
50c of the piston 45.
[0055] The body 59 of the ampoule 58 defines a reservoir 62, which
opens to a front end 61 of the body 59. The reservoir 62 is capable
of receiving and containing a single of a drug or another
substance. The drug or other substance may be in liquid form (e.g.,
naloxone, etc.) A stopper 64 may be positioned within a front end
62F of the reservoir 62 holds that substance within the reservoir
62. The stopper 64 may have a configuration that enables it to
provide access to the contents of the reservoir 62 when the stopper
64 is subjected to a sufficient force (e.g., that provided by the
compression spring 44 and the piston 45, etc.). As an example, the
stopper 64 of the ampoule 58 may have a configuration (e.g., a
shape, dimensions, a material, etc.) that enables it to be pierced
by a needle 65, such as that shown in FIG. 9B, when the compression
spring 44 and the piston 45 force the stopper 64 against a piercing
end 65F of the needle 65. In addition, a configuration of the
stopper 64 may enable it to be forced rearwardly into the reservoir
62 to enable a precise dose of the contents of the reservoir 62 to
be forced into a lumen 66 of the needle 65 (and, thus, to be
administered to an individual). Such rearward movement of the
stopper 64 through the reservoir 62 may cause all of the contents
of the reservoir 62 to be ejected through the lumen 66 of the
needle 65. By way of example only, the stopper 64 may be formed
from an elastomer that may be pierced by the needle 65 and forced
rearwardly through the reservoir 62 by a portion of the needle
housing 69 while providing a seal against the interior surfaces of
the reservoir 62.
[0056] The substance within the reservoir 62 of the body 59 of the
ampoule 58 may correspond to a drug within the prescription bottle
80 with which the cap 10 is to be used. In some embodiments, the
substance may counteract a potentially negative effect (e.g., an
overdose, a side effect, etc.) of that drug. As a non-limiting
example, when the prescription bottle 80 contains an opioid, the
substance within the reservoir 62 of the body 59 of the ampoule 58
may counteract an overdose of the opioid. More specifically, the
substance may comprise the narcotic counteragent naloxone. In other
embodiments, the substance within the reservoir 62 of the body 59
of the ampoule 58 may complement or act synergistically with the
drug contained by the prescription bottle 80 with which the cap 10
is to be used.
[0057] The cap 10 may be provided with a plurality of ampoules 58.
When the cap 10 is used with a prescription bottle 80 that contains
a prescription for an opioid, it may be provide with two ampoules
58, each containing an emergency dose of naloxone.
[0058] A front end 65F and a portion of the length of the needle 65
may be retained by the needle housing 69, an embodiment of which is
depicted by FIGS. 9 and 9C, with the piercing end 65p of the needle
65 protruding beyond a rear end 71 of a body 70 of the needle
housing 69. More specifically, a lumen 73 through the body 70 may
receive a front portion of the needle 65. An orifice 73o at a front
end of the lumen 73, which opens to a front end 72 of the body 70,
may be constricted to limit forward movement of the needle 65
relative to the needle housing 69. The orifice 73o may be
configured to atomize a substance (e.g., the contents of the
reservoir 62 of the ampoule 58, etc.) as the substance is forced
out of the lumen 66 (FIG. 9B) of the needle 65 and through the
orifice 73o.
[0059] The body 70 of the needle housing 69 may have a
configuration that enables it to be received by a receptacle (not
shown) that opens to a rear end 76 of a body 75 of the nozzle 74.
The receptacle in the rear end 76 of the body 75 of the nozzle 74
may also have a configuration that enables it to receive the front
end 61 of the body 59 of the ampoule 58 as the piston 45 forces the
ampoule 58 forward onto the needle 65.
[0060] The body 75 of the nozzle 74 may be tapered to facilitate is
insertion into a nostril of an individual to whom a dose of the
contents of the ampoule 58 are to be administered. An orifice 79 in
a tip 78 of the body 75 communicates with the orifice 73o of the
needle housing 69; thus, a substance that is ejected through the
orifice 73o of the needle housing 69 may pass through the orifice
79 in the tip 78 of the body 75 of the nozzle 74.
[0061] At its rear end 76, the body 75 of the nozzle 74 may include
a hinge element 75H, which may extend somewhat upwardly and/or
rearwardly from the rear end 76 of the body 75. A configuration of
the hinge element 75H may enable it to be positioned between the
arms 56 of the piston housing 50. A pivot point 77 of the hinge
element 75H may align with the pivot points 57 of the arms 56 in a
manner that enables the nozzle 74 to be pivotally coupled to the
piston housing 50 (e.g., with a pivot pin that extends through the
aligned pivot points 57 and 77, etc.).
[0062] The pivotal relationship between the nozzle 74 and the
piston housing 50 and, thus, between the nozzle 74 and the
remainder of the cap 10 enables movement of the nozzle 74 between a
stored orientation, in which the nozzle 74 is positioned over the
trigger 34 (as depicted by FIGS. 8 and 10) and a deployed
orientation, in which the nozzle 74 may protrude from a remainder
of the cap 10 (as depicted by FIGS. 1-7) and can communicate with
an ampoule 58 that has been inserted into the channel 50c of the
piston housing 50. In the depicted embodiment, the nozzle 74 pivots
about 180.degree. between its stored orientation and its deployed
orientation.
[0063] When the nozzle 74 is in its stored orientation, it may
partially rest within the nozzle receptacle 33 of the trigger and
may preclude access to and/or prevent depression of the trigger 34.
When the nozzle 74 is in its deployed orientation, the rear end 76
of its body 75, the rear end 71 of the body 70 of the needle
housing 69, and the piercing end 65p of the needle 65 may be
positioned adjacent to or against the front end 54 of the body 51
of the piston housing 50 and against the front end 61 of the body
59 of an ampoule 58 (if any) disposed within the channel 50c
through the piston housing 50. In addition, when the nozzle 74 is
in its deployed orientation, the nozzle 74 may protrude from the
remainder of the cap 10 in a manner that facilitates its intended
use. For example, the tip 78 of the illustrated embodiment of
nozzle 74 may be inserted into an individual's nostril to enable a
substance within the reservoir 62 in the body 59 of the ampoule 58
to be forced directly into the individual's nasal cavity. As will
be appreciated, the nozzle 74 may be provided in one or more sizes
(e.g., infant, child, adult, etc.), depending upon the age of the
intended recipient and/or the size of the intended recipient's
nostrils.
[0064] The base 20, the delivery element housing 31, the spring
housing 40, the piston 45, the piston housing 50, and the nozzle 74
may be formed from any suitable material. As an example,
polyethylene terephthalate PET(E), a recyclable and durable
material, may be used to form any or all of these components. Each
of these elements may be formed from any technique suitable for use
with the desired material (e.g., by injection molding processes,
etc.).
[0065] When the contents of an ampoule 58 are needed, an individual
who will be administering those contents place the nozzle 74 of a
delivery element 30 of a cap 10 in a stored orientation over the
trigger 34 of the delivery element 30, hold the trigger 34 down,
ensure that the ampoule 58 is properly oriented, and push the
properly oriented ampoule 58 into the channel 50c of the piston
housing 50. As the ampoule 58 is pushed into the channel 50c, it
forces the piston 45 back, compressing the compression spring 44
and enabling the guides 48 that protrude from the body 46 of the
piston 45 to be engaged by the catches 37 in the bottom edges 35E
of the side walls 35 of the trigger 34; thus cocking, or loading,
the delivery element 30.
[0066] With continued reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the contents of
the ampoule 58 may be administered by pivoting the nozzle 74 to its
deployed orientation, as depicted by FIGS. 8 and 10. With the
nozzle 74 in its deployed orientation, the trigger 34 is
accessible. Once the nozzle 74 has been positioned to deliver the
contents of the ampoule 58 (e.g., in a nostril of an individual,
etc.), the trigger 34 may be pushed, or depressed. As the trigger
34 is depressed, the catches 37 release the guides 48 of the piston
45, enabling the compression spring 44 to force the piston 45
forward through the piston housing 50. As the piston 45 moves
forward through the piston housing 50, it forces the ampoule 58
forward onto the piercing end 65p of the needle 65. The needle 65
and, optionally, a protruding feature of the needle housing 69 hold
the stopper 64 in place, causing it to travel further into the
reservoir 62 in the body 59 of the ampoule 58 as the ampoule 58 is
forced forward. As the stopper 64 is forced further into the
reservoir 62, its contents are expelled through the lumen 66 of the
needle 65, the orifice 73o of the needle housing 69, and out of the
orifice 79 in the tip 78 of the nozzle 74.
[0067] Once a dose of the contents of the ampoule 58 have been
administered, the depleted, or spent, ampoule 58 may be removed
from the delivery element 30, another ampoule 58 may be assembled
with the delivery element 30, and the delivery element 30 may be
reset, or re-cocked. The nozzle 74 may be placed in its stored
orientation over the trigger 34 to enable a depleted ampoule 58 to
be removed from the channel 50c of the piston housing 50 and to
enable an ampoule 58 that contains a dose of the substance to be
placed into the channel 50c. The delivery element 30 may then be
reset in the manner described above. Once the delivery element 30
has been reset, the second dosage of the substance may be delivered
to the subject (e.g., into the individual's other nostril when
administering a substance in an attempt to counteract the effects
of an opioid, etc.).
[0068] When the cap 10 and its contents (or, more specifically, the
contents of an ampoule 58 that has been assembled with the cap 10)
are used to counteract an opioid overdose by an individual, a
person administering the contents of the cap 10 should call
emergency services (e.g., 911 in the United States of America,
etc.) before administering the contents of the cap 10. The number
of doses of counteragent that have been administered to the
affected individual should be reported to the emergency
responder.
[0069] Another embodiment of a prescription bottle cap 110, which
may deliver less precise amounts of a substance than the
above-described cap 10, is illustrated by FIGS. 11-20. Such a
prescription bottle cap 110 may be useful in situations where
precise dosages are not critical. The prescription bottle cap 110
may also be referred to as a "cap" 110 for the sake of simplicity.
Like the above-described cap 10, the cap 110 may be capable of
attachment to a conventional prescription pill dispensing bottle
80, which is also referred to as a "prescription bottle" 80 for the
sake of simplicity.
[0070] The cap 110 includes a base 120 and a delivery element 130
atop the base 120. In some embodiments, the base 120 of the cap 110
may have a configuration that enables it to be secured directly to
a prescription bottle 80. In such an embodiment, the base 120 may
include a top 122 with an outer wall 124 protruding downward from
an outer periphery of the top 122. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, an
inner surface 126 of the outer wall 124 of the base 120 defines the
lateral extent of a receptacle 128 capable of receiving an upper
portion 82 of an outer wall 84 of the prescription bottle 80, and
bottle coupling features 127 on the inner surface 126 of the outer
wall 124 of the base 120. The bottle coupling features 127 are
complementary to and capable of engaging corresponding cap coupling
features 87 at the upper portion 82 of the prescription bottle 80
to enable the cap 110 to be secured to the prescription bottle 80.
The bottle coupling features 127 of the cap 110 and the cap
coupling features 87 of the prescription bottle 80 may have any
suitable configurations known in the art. In a specific embodiment,
the cap 110 may comprise a conventional child-resistant
prescription bottle cap.
[0071] Alternatively, the base 120 of the cap 110 may have a
configuration that enables it to be attached to a conventional cap
for a prescription bottle. As an example, the outer wall 124 of the
base 120 may define a receptacle 128 that is capable of receiving
and engaging a conventional cap 90 for a prescription bottle 80
(e.g., mechanically (e.g., by way of a snap fit, a press fit, a
threaded engagement, etc.), adhesively, etc.).
[0072] With continued reference to FIGS. 11-20, the delivery
element 130 of the cap 110 is capable of delivering, or
administering, a substance to an individual. In some embodiments,
such as that depicted by FIGS. 11-20, the delivery element 130 of
the cap 110 may be capable of nasal delivery, or administration, of
a substance to an individual.
[0073] The delivery element 130 of the embodiment of cap 110
depicted by FIGS. 11-20 includes an annular member 132 that
protrudes upwardly from the top 122 of the base 120 of the cap 110.
As best illustrated by FIGS. 19 and 20, inner surfaces 134 of the
annular member 132 and an upper surface of the top 122 of the base
120 may define a receptacle 136 for an atomizer bulb 150 of the
delivery element 130.
[0074] The atomizer bulb 150 may be configured in a manner known to
those of ordinary skill in the art. The atomizer bulb 150 may
include a body 152 that comprises a compressible, resilient
structure (e.g., it may be formed from a medical grade rubber,
etc.). In general, an interior of the body of the atomizer bulb 150
may comprise a reservoir (not shown) capable of receiving and
holding a substance (not shown) for potential administration to an
individual. As shown in FIG. 19, the atomizer bulb 150 includes an
outlet 158 that may communicate with the reservoir, enabling
introduction of the substance into the reservoir defined within the
body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 and enabling ejection of the
substance from the reservoir. The outlet 158 may protrude from a
body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150.
[0075] A top of the atomizer bulb 150 may serve as an actuator 156
that is capable of causing a substance within the reservoir of the
body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 to be forced from the reservoir
and out of the outlet 158. More specifically, as the actuator 156
of the atomizer bulb 150 is depressed, a volume within the
reservoir may decrease, increasing an air pressure within the
reservoir and mixing a substance within the reservoir with air and
forcing the mixture out of the reservoir through the outlet 158.
The atomizer bulb 150 may deliver an approximate dose of the
substance when the actuator 156 is depressed.
[0076] A base 154 of the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 may have
a configuration that enables it to seat properly within the
receptacle 136 within the annular member 132 of the delivery
element 130 of the cap 110 (e.g. the base 154 of the body 152 of
the atomizer bulb 150 may be substantially flat, flat, shaped
complementarily to a shape of the top 122 of the base 120 of the
cap 110, etc.). The body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 may
resiliently engage the inner surfaces 134 of the annular member 132
to removably secure the atomizer bulb 150 within the receptacle
136. Alternatively, or in addition, the base 154 of the body 152 of
the atomizer bulb 150 may be affixed within the receptacle 136 with
an adhesive material. Without limitation, a removable, pressure
sensitive adhesive material may facilitate removal of the atomizer
bulb 150 from the receptacle 136 to enable replenishment of the
substance within the reservoir of the atomizer bulb 150 after it
has been used or once it has reached its expiration date.
[0077] The annular member 132 and/or a shape of the atomizer bulb
150 may be capable of ensuring that the atomizer bulb 150 is
properly aligned within the receptacle 136 defined by the annular
member 132. In the depicted embodiment, the annular member 132 may
receive the atomizer bulb 150 in such a way that an outlet 158 of
the atomizer bulb 150 extends into a slot 138 defined through a
portion of the annular member 132.
[0078] The open top of the annular member 132 of the delivery
element 130 of the cap 110 enables the atomizer bulb 150 to be
assembled with the cap 110, and provides access to the actuator 156
of the atomizer bulb 150. The annular member 132 may taper downward
from front to back to further facilitate operation of the actuator
156 with an individual's finger or thumb. While the annular member
132 provides access to the actuator 156, its configuration--it may
substantially surround the atomizer bulb 150--and height may
prevent inadvertent depression of the actuator 156 and, thus,
inadvertent dispensing of substance within the reservoir of the
body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150.
[0079] In addition to being able to receive the outlet 158 of the
atomizer bulb 150 of the delivery element 130 of the cap 110, the
slot 138 in the annular member 132 of the delivery element 130 may
be capable of orienting a nozzle 160 of the delivery element 130 in
such a way that the nozzle 160 can receive and convey a substance
ejected by the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150. In addition,
the slot 138 may have a configuration that enables it to receive
and engage a portion of the nozzle 160. More specifically, the slot
138 may include a pair of opposed end walls 140. Each end wall 140
may include a pivot element 145. In the depicted embodiment, each
pivot element 145 comprises a cylindrical protrusion, with pair of
pivot elements 145 being opposed to and protruding toward one
another. In addition, at least one end wall 140 may include a
retention feature 146 that may hold the nozzle 160 in one or more
orientations. As depicted, each retention feature 146 may comprise
an elongated protrusion.
[0080] The pivot elements 145 of the end walls 140 of the slot 138
in the annular member 132 of the delivery element 130 of the cap
110 may engage or be engaged by complementary pivot elements 165 of
the nozzle 160. More specifically, the nozzle 160 may include a
pair of attachment arms 164 that protrude from opposite sides of a
rear end 161 of the nozzle 160. The attachment arms 164 may be
spaced apart a sufficient distance to receive the outlet 158 of the
atomizer bulb 150. Each attachment arm 164 may include a pivot
element 165. In the depicted embodiment, each pivot element 165
comprises a circular aperture that extends through its
corresponding attachment arm 164 to receive a cylindrical pivot
element 145 that protrudes from a corresponding end wall 140 of the
slot 138. When assembled, the pivot elements 145 of the annular
member 132 and the pivot elements 165 of the attachment arms 164 of
the nozzle 160 function together to enable the nozzle 160 to pivot
relative to the annular member 132 of the cap 110 and relative to
any atomizer bulb 150 within the receptacle 136 defined by the
annular member 132.
[0081] In addition to including a pivot element 165, at least one
attachment arm 164 may include a retention feature 166 at its outer
surface. The retention feature 166 may be configured
complementarily to and be able to engage a corresponding retention
feature 146 of an end wall 140 of the annular member 132 that
defines a side of the slot 138 through the annular member 132. In
the depicted embodiment, each retention feature 166 comprises an
elongated recess in the outer surface of its attachment arm 164;
the elongated recess is capable of receiving the elongated
protrusion that forms the corresponding retention feature 146 on
the corresponding end wall 140. Such engagement may hold, or
retain, the nozzle 160 in one or more orientations.
[0082] The pivotal relationship between the nozzle 160 and the
remainder of the cap 110 enables movement of the nozzle 160 between
a stored orientation, in which the nozzle 160 is positioned over
the actuator 156 of the atomizer bulb 150 (as depicted by FIGS. 18
and 20) and a deployed orientation, in which the nozzle 160 can
communicate with the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150 and may
protrude from a remainder of the cap 110 (as depicted by FIGS.
11-17). In the depicted embodiment, the nozzle 160 pivots about
180.degree. between its stored orientation and its deployed
orientation.
[0083] The relative arrangements of the retention feature(s) 146 on
the end wall(s) 140 of the annular member 132 and the retention
feature(s) 166 of the corresponding attachment arm(s) 164 of the
nozzle 160 may engage each other to hold the nozzle 160 into place
into one or both of the stored orientation and the deployed
orientation. The corresponding retention feature(s) 146 and
retention feature(s) 166 may be disengaged, and the nozzle 160
pivoted, upon application of a sufficient pivoting force to the
nozzle 160 to disengage the corresponding retention feature(s) 146
and retention feature(s) 166.
[0084] When the nozzle 160 is in its stored orientation, it may
preclude access to and/or prevent depression of the actuator 156 of
the atomizer bulb 150. When the nozzle 160 is in its deployed
orientation, its rear end 161 may be positioned adjacent to or
against an end of the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150, and a
channel 163 through the nozzle 160 may be aligned with an aperture
159 of the outlet 158. As can be best seen in FIG. 18, the rear end
161 of the nozzle 160 may be recessed, enabling it to receive an
end of the outlet 158 of the atomizer bulb 150 in a manner that
ensures alignment of the channel 163 of the nozzle 160 with the
aperture 159 of the outlet 158. In some embodiments, the rear end
161 of the nozzle 160 and/or the end of the outlet 158 may be
formed from a compressible resilient material or provided with a
sealing element (e.g., an O-ring, etc.) to seal the joint between
the aperture 159 of the outlet 158 and the channel 163 of the
nozzle 160. In addition, when the nozzle 160 is in its deployed
orientation, the nozzle 160 may protrude from the remainder of the
cap 110 in a manner that facilitates its intended use. For example,
a tip 162 of the illustrated embodiment of nozzle 160 may be
inserted into an individuals' nostril to enable a substance within
the reservoir in the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 to be forced
directly into the individual's nasal cavity. As will be
appreciated, the nozzle 160 may be provided in one or more sizes
(e.g., infant, child, adult, etc.), depending upon the age of the
intended recipient and/or the size of the intended recipient's
nostrils.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 19, a safety cap 170 may be provided with
the cap 110 to limit access to the delivery element 130 until the
delivery element 130 is needed. The safety cap 170 may comprise a
conventional snap-on cap that engages features on an outer surface
of the annular member 132. A bottom edge of the safety cap 170 may
rest on or adjacent to a portion of the top 122 of the base 120
that is exposed beyond an outer periphery of the annular member
132. The safety cap 170 may provide a protective covering for the
delivery element 130 of the cap 110 and the substance that within
the reservoir within the body 152 of the atomizer bulb 150 of the
delivery element 130. A removable seal may secure the safety cap
170 to the remainder of the cap 110.
[0086] The base 120, the annular member 132, the nozzle 160, and
the safety cap 170 may be formed from any suitable material. As an
example, polyethylene terephthalate PET(E), a recyclable and
durable material, may be used to form any or all of these
components. Each of these elements may be formed from any technique
suitable for use with the desired material (e.g., by injection
molding processes, etc.).
[0087] In some embodiments, the cap 110 may be provided in a sealed
wrapper.
[0088] In use, the cap 110 may be removed from its prescription
bottle 80 (if the cap 110 has not already been removed), a safety
cap 170 may be removed from the cap 110 (if the safety cap 170 is
assembled with the cap 110), and the nozzle 160 may be pivoted to
its deployed orientation. With the nozzle 160 in its deployed
orientation, it may be inserted into one of an individual's
nostrils. The actuator 156 may then be pressed firmly to force the
substance within the reservoir of the body 152 of the atomizer bulb
150 through the nozzle 160 and into the individual's nasal cavity.
Once the counteragent has been administered, the nozzle 160 may be
removed from the affected individual's nostril. A second dose of
the substance may be administered to the individual by replacing
the depleted, or spent, atomizer bulb 150 with a fresh atomizer
bulb 150, reinserting the nozzle 160 into the individual's other
nostril and firmly pressing the actuator 156 of the fresh atomizer
bulb 150.
[0089] Although the foregoing description sets forth many
specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of
any of the claims, but merely as providing illustrations of some
embodiments and variations of elements or features of the disclosed
subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter
may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any
of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed
in combination. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited
only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.
* * * * *