Time-delay metering dispenser

Abstract

A device suitable for dispensing medicament fluids in repeated dosage amounts on a time-delay basis comprises an applicator head and a handle having a primary first reservoir containing a quantity of medicament fluid to be dispensed within the handle. A single dosage containing second reservoir is contained within the applicator head and has dispensing means in communication with the head. A filling means positively fills the dosage reservoir from the primary first reservoir over a predetermined delay time generally not less than 30 minutes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In one aspect this invention relates to tooth brushing. In another aspect this invention relates to dispensing brushes suitable for dispensing medicinal fluids.

2. Prior Art

Fountain or dispensing tooth brushes are known in the art; examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,168,965 issued to Rosenblum; 1,676,601 issued to Cavanaugh; 2,814,816 issued to Pepping et al.; 2,987,743 issued to Capps; and 3,256,894 issued to Sherman. These tooth brushes disclose various mechanisms for storing and dispensing quantities of a fluid or semi-solid material to the bristles of a tooth brush.

Many materials are known to be of value in the prevention and/or treatment of oral disease. Examples include fluorides such as sodium fluoride, antibiotics, e.g. tetracycline, and bactericides, e.g. chlorhexidine. In general, these materials share the problem of toxicity when administered in large doses. Therefore, the dosage of these materials applied by a dispensing brush containing such materials is important and must be regulated. Prior art brushes do not provide means for applying a measured dose and preventing multiple doses which might prove harmful.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the applicator of this invention overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art. The applicator formed is suitable for dispensing repeated dosage amounts but on a time-delayed basis so that an overdose of the medicament is prevented and a therapeutic dose assured. The applicator of this invention comprises generally an applicating head having attached thereto suitable medicament spreading means and a handle means attached to the applicating head. A primary reservoir containing a quantity of medicament fluid to be dispensed, said quantity constituting a plurality of single doses, is contained within the handle attached to the head and a single dosage reservoir is contained within said head. The dosage reservoir is emptied by gravity or alternately has a dispensing means which positively delivers the contents of the dosage reservoir to the spreading means. A time-delayed filling means connects the primary reservoir to the dosage reservoir, the filling means being adapted to positively fill the dosage reservoir over a predetermined time, but in not less than about 30 minutes. There may be activating means mounted on the handle to positively empty the dosage reservoir on the spreading means. When the activating means are used, a single dose of medicament, in a predetermined amount is delivered to the spreading means. Following delivery of the medicament to the spreading means, a second dose cannot be dispensed immediately, thereby insuring against an overdose. After the passage of a period of time, generally at least 30 minutes, the dosage reservoir will be refilled and a repeat application is possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A further understanding can be had by referring to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the dispensing tooth brush of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the brush of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which like reference numerals refer to like parts in the several views, a tooth brush 10 has a handle 12 and brush head 14. The handle 12 has a collapsible storage reservoir 16 disposed therein communicating with a dosage reservoir 18 which has a duct 20 connecting the dosage reservoir with bristles 22.

In greater detail, as shown the handle 12 and brush head 14 can be formed of one piece of solid material such as injection molded plastic. The collapsible storage reservoir 16 is mounted within a hollow portion of handle 12 and has an aperture 24 which is closed by a semi-permeable membrane 26. The membrane is held in place over aperture 24 by a coupling 28. The coupling also serves, in conjunction with shaped portion 30 of the brush handle 14, to hold the collapsible primary reservoir 16 in fluid communication with the dosage reservoir 18. The semi-permeable membrane 26 insures that the release of medicinal fluid into dosage reservoir 18 will take place over a substantial period of time and that multiple doses of medicament are not fed into and out of the dosage reservoir over a short period of time. The dosage reservoir 18 contains a sponge 32 which is capable of absorbing and holding a single dose of medicament within the dosage reservoir 18. The sponge insures that the entire dose of medicament will be held within the dosage reservoir until activation of the brush so that a full dose is delivered upon activation, also, after filling of the dosage reservoir 18 the medicament will not continuously drain through duct 20 onto the bristles.

When it is desired to dispense a dose of medicament, a plunger assembly comprising plunger 34, spring 36 and O-ring 38 is pushed downward, the bottom surface of plunger 34 squeezing sponge 38 to a compressed state and releasing the medicament imbibed therein into duct 20. The imbibed medicament flows through duct 20 and onto the bristles 22 of brush 14. After activation spring 36 returns the plunger 34 to the upper open position allowing sponge 32 to expand to its uncompressed state and imbibe additional medicament as it permeates through the semi-permeable membrane 26.

The applicator of this invention is useful, e.g. for safely dispensing measured amounts of medicinal agents into the buccal cavity for the prevention or treatment of oral disease. An effective medicament is a solution of sodium fluoride of about 5 percent concentration by weight. It is also useful in dispensing other medicaments operational in the buccal cavity including soluble inorganic fluorides, antibiotics such as tetracycline, and bactericides such as chlorhexidine. The time delay metered dosage form brush may also be used for application of medicaments to external portions of a body where one wants the combination of medicament delivery and cleansing action achievable with a brush sponge or the like.

The handle and applicating head of this invention can be made as a unit such as shown in FIG. 1 or may be made separately and only a portion of the device replaced when necessary. Suitable materials for forming the handle and applicating head are low creep plastics e.g. cellulose propionate. The materials can be selected on the basis of cost, ease of manufacture, nonreactivity with the medicament to be dispensed as well as other processing variables.

The spreading means can comprise bristles such as those commonly used in tooth brushes, sponges, fiberous or non-woven pads and similar porous applicating and spreading means well known in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device suitable for dispensing medicinal fluids in repeated measured dosage amounts with predetermined minimum time delay between consecutive doses comprising:

an applicator head embodying a medicament spreading means;

a handle means attached to said head;

a first reservoir containing a quantity of medicament fluid constituting a plurality of single doses contained within said handle means;

a second reservoir for containing and storing a single dose amount of said fluid medicament within said handle means;

dispensing means adapted to deliver the medicament fluid contained in said second reservoir to said medicament spreading means; and time-delayed filling means connecting said first reservoir and said second reservoir, said means being adapted to positively refill said second reservoir over a predetermined period of time not less than about 30 minutes;

whereby after each dose of medicament of predetermined amount has been delivered to the applicator head for application of said medicament to a desired area for treatment said device will dispense a following dose of medicament only after said predetermined period of time.

2. The device of claim 1 where said time-delayed filling means is a capillary tube.

3. The device of claim 1 where said time-delayed filling means is a semi-permeable membrane.

4. The device of claim 1 where said second reservoir has a sponge contained therein to retain the medicament.

5. The device of claim 1 where said medicament is an aqueous solution of stannous fluoride.

6. The device of claim 1 where said medicament is an aqueous solution of sodium fluoride.

7. The device of claim 1 where said medicament is an aqueous solution of fluoride ion producing compound.

8. The device of claim 1 where said medicament is a solution of antibiotic.

9. The device of claim 8 where said medicament is a solution of tetracycline.

10. The device of claim 1 where said medicament is a solution of antibacterial agent.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the medicament is a solution of chlorhexidine.

12. The device of claim 1 having means associated with said second reservoir to positively empty said reservoir when it is desired to dispense the medicament.

13. The article of claim 6 where said means connecting said second reservoir and said first reservoir comprises a permeable membrane.

14. The article of claim 6 where said second reservoir is refilled with a single dose of fluid medicament over a period of about 30 minutes to 4 hours.

15. A tooth brush suitable for dispensing repeated dosage amounts of a fluid medicament on a time-delay basis comprising:

a brush head having attached thereto a plurality of bristles suitable for cleaning teeth;

a handle attached to said head;

a first reservoir containing multiple dose amounts of fluid medicament contained within said handle;

a second reservoir for containing a single dose amount of said medicament within said handle and containing a spongelike fluid-holding material; a fluid duct connecting said second reservoir with said brush head; a time-delayed filling means connecting said first reservoir and said second reservoir adapted to fill said second reservoir over a predetermined period of time not less than about 30 minutes; and

means adapted to compress said fluid-holding material in said second reservoir thereby delivering a single dose of medicament to said brush and allowing the application of a following dose of medicament only after said predetermined period of time.

16. The tooth brush of claim 15 where said medicament is one which is normally unstable when mixed with toothpaste.

17. The article of claim 15 where said medicament is a solution of sodium fluoride.

18. The article of claim 15 where said medicament is a solution of stannous fluoride.

19. The article of claim 15 where said medicament is a solution of fluoride ion producing compound.

20. The article of claim 15 where said medicament is a solution of tetracycline.

21. The article of claim 15 where said medicament is a solution of chlorhexidine.