U.S. patent number 3,667,465 [Application Number 04/882,841] was granted by the patent office on 1972-06-06 for applicator tubes for suppositories and the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Invention is credited to Joseph A. Voss.
United States Patent |
3,667,465 |
Voss |
June 6, 1972 |
APPLICATOR TUBES FOR SUPPOSITORIES AND THE LIKE
Abstract
An applicator tube and suppository combination is disclosed
having a shape and structure such as to permit easy and accurate
insertion in a body cavity, such as the rectum, with the applicator
comprising a two piece telescoping tubular member for easy ejection
of the suppository from the applicator after initial insertion is
accomplished. The telescoping tubular members are provided with
mating ring configurations which serve to lock the tubular elements
in a particular juxtaposition to be maintained prior to use, with
the rings being releasable from each other under slight pressure
and thereafter serving as guides ans the tubular members are
telescoped, one into the other. A novel suppository configuration
and means for latching the suppository in place in the applicator
prior to use, are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Voss; Joseph A. (Denver,
CO) |
Assignee: |
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
(Neenah, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
25381447 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/882,841 |
Filed: |
December 8, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/59; 604/197;
604/218; 604/275 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
31/007 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
31/00 (20060101); A61f 013/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/263,271,260,261,262,264,265 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michell; Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Wolff; J. H.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A suppository and applicator combination comprising:
a multi-element applicator having an outer tubular member and an
inner tubular member in telescoping relationship, said outer
tubular member having a forward end and a forward portion, said
forward portion having a plurality of longitudinally oriented slots
extending to said forward end to define circumferentially spaced
flexible segments, the forward ends of said segments having
inwardly directed flanges;
a suppository partially enclosed in one end of the outer tubular
member in a position such as to be ejected upon the telescoping of
the inner tubular member into the outer tubular member, said
suppository including a bullet-nosed forward portion projecting
from said forward end of said outer tubular member, a cylindrically
shaped rear portion disposed within said forward portion of said
outer tubular member, and a reduced diameter neck portion
interconnecting said forward and rear portions of said suppository,
said flanges engaging said neck portion and said segmented forward
portion of said outer tubular member facilitating ejection of said
suppository by spreading said flexible segments; and
a latching mechanism for releasably affixing the inner tubular
member in a withdrawn position relative to the outer tubular
member.
2. A suppository and applicator combination is accordance with
claim 1 wherein the latching mechanism is subject to release for
telescoping relative movement of the two tubular members upon the
application of finger pressure against the mechanism.
3. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 2 wherein the latching mechanism comprises a first
protuberance extending outwardly from the inner tubular member and
a second protuberance extending inwardly from the outer tubular
member to engage each other at a particular relative position of
the two tubular members.
4. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 3 wherein the material comprising at least one of said
protuberances is sufficiently resilient to permit one protuberance
to move past the other protuberance upon the application of
telescoping force applied to the tubular members.
5. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 4 wherein the protuberances comprise rings respectively
encircling the inner tubular member and projecting inwardly from
the interior surface of the outer tubular member for guiding the
movement of the inner tubular member within the outer tubular
member in the ejection of the suppository therefrom.
6. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 5 further including a guide ring encircling the inner tubular
member at a point remote from said protuberance thereon.
7. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 4 wherein the protuberances comprise respectively a pair of
rings encircling the inner tubular member and a plurality of tabs
projecting inwardly from the outer tubular member, the rings of the
inner tubular member serving to guide the movement of the inner
tubular member in the outer tubular member in ejecting the
suppository.
8. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 6 wherein at least one of said rings is positioned at a point
of likely application of pressure during the use of the combination
in ejecting the suppository therefrom.
9. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 6 wherein said tabs are positioned at the rearward end of the
outer tubular member.
10. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 9 wherein the outer tubular member is provided with an
outwardly extending flange and the inner tubular member is provided
with a substantially flat face across its rearward end to
facilitate the manual manipulation of the applicator in
administering the suppository.
11. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the outer tubular member is fabricated of a
thin-walled resilient plastic material sufficiently flexible at the
slotted forward end to permit the ejection of the suppository
therefrom.
12. A suppository and applicator combination in accordance with
claim 1 wherein said reduced diameter neck portion and said
cylindrically shaped rear portion of said suppository are joined by
an outwardly tapering surface further facilitating ejection of said
suppository.
13. An applicator for carrying a self-contained item such as a
suppository or the like and for administering said item
comprising:
an outer tubular member having a longitudinal, central axis and a
flexible, resilient forward end with a reduced diameter, flanged
opening for retaining said item in a fixed position therein while
permitting the ejection of said item upon the application of force
sufficient to spread said resilient forward opening, said resilient
forward end comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced
segments defined by narrow, longitudinally extending slots, the
forward extremities of said segments having inwardly directed
flanges lying substantially in a plane transverse to said central
axis, said flanges being adapted to engage said item, said segments
being adapted to move apart upon expulsion of said item from said
applicator;
an inner tubular member positioned in telescoping relationship
within the outer tubular member; and
combination latching and guide means for releasably locking the two
tubular members in a fixed relative position and for guiding the
movement of the inner tubular member into the outer tubular member
when released from the locked position.
14. An applicator in accordance with claim 13 wherein said
combination latching and guide means comprises at least one
protuberance projecting outwardly from the inner tubular member and
at least one protuberance extending inwardly from the outer tubular
member for engagement therebetween in the locked position.
15. An applicator in accordance with claim 14 wherein the
combination latching and guide means comprises a pair of closely
spaced rings encircling the inner tubular member and a protuberance
extending inwardly from the outer tubular member for engaging said
rings in the locked position.
16. An applicator in accordance with claim 15 wherein said
protuberance extending from the outer tubular member comprises an
inwardly extending ring.
17. An applicator in accordance with claim 15 wherein said
protuberance comprises a plurality of tabs affixed to the rearward
end of the outer tubular member and extending inwardly for
engagement with the rings of the inner tubular member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to suppository applicators, and
more particularly to such applicators having a telescoping inner
tube or plunger for assisting in the insertion of the
suppository.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Suppositories, particularly of the medicated type, are commonly
used in the administration of particular types of medication to
young children and animals when the administration of the
medication in some other manner is particularly difficult or
perhaps impossible. While such suppositories are in common use,
most often in the form of rectal suppositories, the use of the
suppositories is not without certain dangers. The administration by
hand is a rather difficult and, to some, distasteful procedure with
the likelihood of unpleasantness to the patient, if not actual pain
or possible injury. The tissues of the anal opening, particularly
in small children, are very delicate and because of the size of the
opening involved the suppositories used must necessarily be small
and are therefore difficult to administer.
There are instruments constructed specifically for the
administration of suppositories. One such instrument comprises an
outer tubular member with a tapered nose and enlarged encircling
portion partway back from the tip to delineate the extent of
insertion of the instrument. In use, the instrument is loaded by
inserting a suppository from the rearward end of the tubular
member, after which a plunger is inserted through the same opening
to ram the suppository forward toward the tip end of the tubular
member. The tubular member is then inserted in the body opening to
the extent permitted by the encircling ring, and the plunger is
pushed to eject the suppository through the narrow tip of the
instrument into the body opening. Such an instrument is not the
type that is likely to be kept outside of a medical facility. The
use of the instrument requires a somewhat messy and tedious
preparation of loading the instrument with the suppository prior to
administration. The instrument must also be cleansed and sterilized
after each use which further inhibits its general acceptance
outside of institutional usage.
A preferable product for this purpose is one which is compatible
with modern packaging and marketing practices, wherein the unit may
be prefabricated and packaged in a form which is ready to use, but
which may be marketed and stored in a sterile package until it is
actually needed for use. After one application, it is desirable to
be able to discard the unit without the need for cleansing it for
re-use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In brief, the invention involves the use of a pair of telescoping
hollow tubes, one slideable inside the other, having a particular
mating configuration such that they may be locked together in one
position which permits the storage of a pre-packaged suppository in
the forward portion of the outer tube without danger of premature
ejection during normal handling during shipping, marketing, and
preparation for administration. The locking arrangement is
preferably in the form of projections located on the outer surface
of the inner tube with mating projections extending inwardly from
the inner surface of the outer tube. In a particular juxtaposition
of the two tubes, these projections engage each other and serve to
lock the tubes in that position. As force is applied tending to
telescope the tubes, the locking arrangement becomes disengaged
because of the resilient structure of the tubular members, the
projections thereafter acting as guides within the outer tube as
the inner plunger is telescoped therein.
The suppository, which is packaged and shipped positioned within
the forward portion of the outer tubular member in preparation for
administration, is preferably bullet-nosed in the shape of its
forward end with a shoulder bearing against inwardly directed
portions formed in the forward end of the outer applicator tube.
The bullet-shaped nose, which projects from the forward end of the
outer tube, has an overall diameter approximating that of the outer
tube so that an essentially smooth, continuous exterior is provided
having a contour facilitating insertion. The inwardly directed
portions of the tube may take the form of flange means. Rearward of
this shoulder, the suppository is recessed and then increases in
diameter again, with the circular recess serving to provide a
retention surface for the flange means. The suppository is of a
yieldable material and the flange means is sufficiently resilient
to permit the passage of the rearward portion of the suppository
past the flange means during ejection from the applicator by the
application of force driving the inner tube forward. In one
particular arrangement in accordance with the invention, the
forward end of the outer applicator tube is slotted to define
circumferentially spaced segments in order to provide further
resilience so that the suppository may be easily ejected from the
applicator.
In one particular arrangement in accordance with the invention, the
projections extending outwardly from the surface of the inner tube
comprise molded projecting rings encircling the inner tube. The
rings are located near the forward end of the inner tube and are
spaced so as to engage a continuous ring on the inside of the outer
tube when the inner tube is retracted rearwardly from the outer
tube slightly more than half of its length. In this arrangement,
the rearward end of the outer tube may also be provided with an
inwardly extending ring portion to serve as a guide as the inner
tube is telescoped into the outer tube, thus assisting in reducing
the friction by eliminating contact with the major surfaces of the
adjacent walls of the two tubes.
In another particular arrangement in accordance with the invention,
the combination locking and guide rings projecting outwardly from
the inner tube are positioned approximately mid-way of the length
of the inner tube with a plurality of tabs projecting inwardly at
the rearward end opening of the outer tube. This tab and ring
combination serves to lock the two tubes in position when the inner
tube is retracted rearwardly approximately half of its length out
of the outer tube; that is to say, in the position at which the
associated suppository may be inserted and stored. The rings and
tabs also serve as guide elements as the two tubes are being
telescoped together during the injection of the suppository by
eliminating frictional contact between the adjacent surfaces of the
two tubes. An additional guide ring may be provided near the
forward end of the inner tube and projecting outwardly therefrom to
bear against the walls of the outer tube as the tubes are being
telescoped.
The combination guide and locking rings extending inwardly from the
outer tube also provide reinforcing and stiffening of the outer
tube against radially inward forces encountered during normal
application, thus advantageously permitting the use of thinner,
lighter materials for the tube.
Preferably the outer tube is fabricated of a thin-walled plastic
material which is flexible enough to allow the locking elements to
disengage when pressure is applied to the inner plunger. The
plastic should be finished with a smooth outer surface so as to
present a minimum of friction when the applicator is being used to
administer its enclosed suppository. The inner tube may be
fabricated of similar material and finish, but is preferably formed
with a stiffer wall than the outside tube because of its slightly
lesser dimensions and to withstand the forces normally applied to
it during use. It will be appreciated that the combination locking
and guide rings which have been thus described serve to strengthen
the tubular structures by adding reinforcement to assist in
withstanding the radial forces normally applied in the use of the
applicator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the present invention may be had from a
consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a suppository-applicator
combination in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a package for shipping and marketing
devices in accordance with the invention, in which the device of
FIG. 1 is shown in dashed outline contained therein;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, of one
particular arrangement in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 3 as seen
along the plane 3A--3A;
FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 3 showing it
in the partially ejected position;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view, partially in
cross-section, of the device represented in FIG. 3, showing it in
the fully ejected position;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section,
showing another particular arrangement in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 6 is an end view of the outer member of the arrangement shown
in FIG. 5, taken along the plane 6--6 and with the inner member
omitted therefrom; and
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view, partially in
cross-section, of the device of FIG. 5, shown in the ejected
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in FIG. 1, a suppository-applicator combination 10 in
accordance with the invention comprises an outer tubular member 12
and an inner tubular member 14 positioned for telescoping
engagement, one within the other. The tubular member 14 has a
tapering forward end 15 (FIG. 3). A suppository 16 is shown
protruding from the left-hand or forward end of the outer tubular
member 12. A preferred configuration of the suppository 16 is shown
in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 5. As indicated in FIG. 1, the
outer tubular member 12 is provided with a plurality of
longitudinally extending slots 18 near its forward end adjacent the
protruding portion of the suppository 16 thereby defining a number
of circumferentially spaced segments 19 about the forward portion
of the tube 12.
FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 in phantom outline within a
packaging container 20 for facility in handling and for maintaining
the suppository 16 in protected and sterile condition from
fabrication to ultimate use. The packaging container is preferably
a foil vacuum pack which may comprise top and bottom sheets of
approximately 3-mil foil sealed at the edges to provide an airtight
package. Near one end a notch 22 is provided for ease of
opening.
FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B and 4 illustrate one particular arrangement in
accordance with the invention, FIGS. 3 and 3A showing the
combination with the suppository 16 inserted within the outer
tubular member 12 in the configuration in which is maintained
during shipping and handling prior to actual administration. FIGS.
3B and 4 show the same arrangement with the suppository 16
partially and fully ejected respectively, by means of the inner
tubular member 14 which is telescoped within the outer tubular
member 12. FIG. 3 illustrates the locking and guiding means
employed in this particular arrangement in accordance with the
invention, shown as comprising a first inner ring or protuberance
32 projecting inwardly from the interior surface of the outer
telescoping member 12 for engagement with a pair of outer rings or
protuberances 34 extending outwardly from the inner tube of the
member 14. A second interior ring or protuberance 36 also projects
inwardly from the outer tubular member 12 at the right-hand or
rearward end thereof and is provided for use as a guide for the
inner tubular member 14 during its telescoping motion within the
outer tubular member 12. The left-hand or forward end of the outer
tubular member 12 also terminates in an inwardly directed portion
38 defining a forward end opening of reduced diameter.
The suppository 16 is shown in FIG. 3 as being formed in a shape
having a forward, bullet-shaped nose, followed by a reduced neck
portion 39, the rear face 39a of which tapers outwardly to define
the remaining body 40 of the suppository of somewhat enlarged
diameter, greater than the internal diameter of the inwardly
directed or flange 38. The suppository 16 terminates in a tapering
end with a rearward planar surface 42 suitable for abutting
engagement by the forward surface of the end 15 of the inner member
14 during ejection. The tapered rear end of the suppository
facilitates insertion of the suppository into the applicator tube
from the front, thereby eliminating the necessity of sliding the
suppository the full length of the tube which might scratch or
otherwise mar the front end of the suppository.
It will be noted that the essentially mating configuration of the
neck portion 39 of the suppository 16 and the inwardly directed
portions 38 of the segments 19 serve to maintain the suppository 16
encased within the outer tubular member 12 until application.
Similarly the rings 32 and 34 are in releasably engaging
juxtaposition, serving to maintain the axial relationship of the
inner and outer tubular members 12 fixed during shipping and
handling under normal conditions. When it is desired to administer
the suppository 16, the inner tubular member or plunger 14 is moved
forwardly in telescoping relation within the outer tubular member
12 by the application of sufficient force to overcome the locking
engagement of the rings 32 and 34, and to eject the suppository 16.
Prior to application of the device in this manner, the suppository
applicator combination 10 will have been inserted into the body
opening. To facilitate this operation, the nose 17 of the
suppository 16 is provided with a bullet-nose shape and may also be
provided with a light lubrication for ease of entry. This
lubrication may be included within the pack 20 at the time of
packaging, if desired.
The outer and inner tubular members 12 and 14 are preferably
fashioned of thin-walled plastic which is flexible enough to allow
the locking rings 32 and 34 to disengage when slight pressure is
applied to the inner plunger 14. As an alternative, with slight
modification, either or both of the tubes 12 and 14 can be
constructed of a thin, relatively hard paper which offers the
advantage of being toilet-disposable. Moreover, the construction of
the segmented forward end of the outer tubular member 12 as defined
by the longitudinal slots 18 and the resilient thin plastic wall is
such that the forward portion of the tube 12 is yieldable
outwardly, as best shown in FIG. 3B, to permit the ejection of the
suppository 16 as the tube 14 is pushed forward to telescope within
the outer tubular member 12. The width and length of the slots 18
will determine the flexibility of the segments 19 for a given
material, wider and/or longer slots increasing the flexibility. In
any event, the slots 18 should be wide enough to avoid pinching the
tissues of the body cavity into which the applicator is inserted
when the segments return to their original position after ejection
of the suppository.
As may be seen in FIG. 4, the rings 32, 34 and 36 serve as guides
bearing against the opposed surfaces of the outer tube 12 and the
inner tube 14 as the tube 14 is telescoped forwardly within the
outer tube 12. It will also be noted that the outer tubular member
12 is provided with an outer flange 44 opposite the inner flange 36
at the rearward end thereof, and a similar flange 46 is provided at
the rearward end of the tube 14 to facilitate the manual
manipulation of the telescoping tubular members 12 and 14 during
administration of the suppository 16.
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 depict another particular arrangement in
accordance with the invention, similar in general construction to
that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but having a slightly different
construction of the locking guide mechanism. In this arrangement,
the pair of outer rings 34 extending outwardly from the inner tube
14 is positioned approximately midway along the longitudinal extent
of the tube 14 at a point opposite the rearward end of the outer
tubular member 12 when the tube 14 is in the extended position.
Instead of an inner guide flange 36 at the rearward end of the
outer tubular member 12, a number of circumferentially spaced,
inwardly projecting tabs 52, best shown in FIG. 6, are provided for
locking engagement with the continuous rings 34 on the outside of
the inner tube 14. A forward guide ring 54 is provided on the
exterior surface of the inner tubular member 14 to cooperate with
the rings 34 and the tabs 52 to guide the two members with
minimized friction as the inner tube 14 is being advanced into the
outer tube 12 during ejection of the suppository 16.
By means of the arrangements in accordance with the invention shown
in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove, a
particular improvement with respect to a suppository and applicator
combination is provided. By virtue of these arrangements, a unitary
combination is achieved which is relatively simple and economical
enough to fabricate and market in a manner such as to be of
interest to the general public having need for such a device. The
unitary configuration admits of a low cost and easily marketable
packaging arrangement which serves to protect and maintain the
desired sterile condition of the combination until the package is
opened for use of the contained device. Administration of the
suppository may then be performed in a simple, safe and easy manner
which is made possible by the described structure which permits
insertion of the combination implement and injection of the
suppository in a single motion. The construction of the combination
guide and locking mechanism serves to prevent a binding of the two
telescoping members during administration, both by virtue of the
guiding rings which reduce the friction between the members and
also because of the reinforcement provided to the respective
tubular members by the guide rings which prevent the one tube from
collapsing or distorting diametrically relative to the other. Once
used in the fashion intended, the applicator portion may be
discarded, the manner of fabrication and the material employed
being sufficiently low in cost as not to justify saving it for
reuse, thereby eliminating a particularly distasteful task of
cleaning the implement with the attendant risk of bacterial
infection from possible failure of adequate sterilization.
Although there have been described above particular arrangements of
a suppository applicator tube in accordance with the invention for
the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may
be used to advantage, it will be appreciated that the invention is
not limited thereto. Accordingly, any and all modifications,
variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those
skilled in the art should be considered to be within the scope of
the invention. For example, it will be obvious that the applicator
arrangement and suppository configuration of the present invention
is equally applicable to vaginal tampons made of absorbent sponge
or compressed, absorbent cellulosic material or the like, and
utilized for catamenial or medicinal purposes. To aid in insertion
of the tampon, the forward portion thereof projecting from the
applicator may be coated with a water soluble lubricant.
* * * * *