Title of Invention

DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE

Abstract

A drug delivery device includes a tubular wall (22) having a drug entrance end (221) and a drug release end (222) which has a plurality of flexible ribs (23) to grate the drug release end (222). The ribs (23) include first and second ribs (231) that project from two opposite first sides (220) of the tubular wall (22) along substantially parallel lines, and third and fourth ribs (231') that project from two opposite second sides (220') of the tubular wall (22) along lines that can intersect the parallel lines. Each second side (220') of the tubular wall (22) interposes the first sides (220). The third and fourth ribs (231') are arranged so as not to intersect each other and so as not to intersect the first and second ribs (231). An elongate plunger (3) has an insert part (30) inserted into the tubular wall (22), and a rear push end (32) extending outwardly of the drug entrance end (221).

Full Text

DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE The invention relates to a drug delivery device, more particularly to a drug delivery device for delivering a drug into a vagina or anus. Suppositories are usually used for treating vaginal infections or diseases in the anus. Typically, the suppository, in the form of a tablet, is inserted into the vagina or anus. Referring to Figure 1, a conventional process by which a drug 1 is delivered into a body cavity is by aiming one end 11 of the drug 1 at the opening of the vagina or anus, after which a finger is used to push the drug 1 deep into the vagina or anus. However, this conventional way of delivering the drug 1 into the body cavity has the following disadvantages: 1. It is necessary to wash the hands thoroughly or to use sterilized hand gloves during the drug delivery process. 2. The inner wall of the vagina or anus is easily scratched and injured by the fingernail of the inserted finger. This may be painful and lead to other complications . 3. The drug delivery process may induce emotional trauma. 4 . Because it may not be possible to deliver the drug 1 to a proper depth and position due to the limited length of the finger, the effect of the drug 1 is reduced, thereby prolonging the course of treatment, Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a drug delivery device that dispenses with the need to insert a finger into a foodv cavitv during the delivery process. According to one aspect of this invention, a drug delivery device comprises an outer tube and an elongate plunger. The outer tube has a tubular wall provided with a drug entrance end and a drug release end. The drug release end has an opening, and a plurality of flexible ribs that project curvedly into the opening from the tubular wall to grate the drug release end. The ribs include first and second ribs that alternate with each other and that project from two opposite first sides of the tubular wall in two opposite directions and along substantially parallel lines, and third and fourth ribs that project from two opposite second sides of the tubular wall along lines that can intersect the parallel lines. Each of the second sides of the tubular wall interposes the first sides of the tubular wall. The third and fourth ribs are arranged such that the third and fourth ribs do not intersect each other and do not intersect the first and second ribs. The elongate plunger has an insert part that is inserted into the tubular wall and that has a forward push end to move to the drug release end, and a rear push end opposite to the forward push end and extending outwardly of the drug entrance end. According to another aspect of this invention, a drug delivery device comprises an outer tube and an elongate plunger. The outer tube has a tubular wall provided with a drug entrance end and a drug release end. The drug release end has an opening, and a plurality of flexible ribs that project curvedly into the opening from the tubular wall to grate the drug release end. The elongate plunger has an insert part that is inserted into the tubular wall and that has a forward push end to move to the drug release end, and a rear push end opposite to the forward push end and extending outwardly of the drug entrance end. The insert part includes a plurality of axially extending wing plates that extend radially to meet each other. The wing plates have axially extending free ends confronting and spaced apart from an inner wall face of the tubular wall. Two of the wing plates are opposite to each other in a diametric direction. Each of the two wing plates has a cutout portion formed in the free end of a corresponding one of the wing plates, and a flexible finger formed in the cutout portion and projecting outwardly to contact frictionally the inner wall face of the tubular wall. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 illustrates a conventional process by which a drug is delivered into a body cavity; Figure 2 is an exploded partly sectional view of the preferred embodiment of a drug delivery device according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic end view of an outer tube of the preferred embodiment, illustrating a plurality of flexible ribs at a drug release end of the outer tube; Figure 4 is an assembled sectional view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment taken along line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 illustrates the preferred embodiment in a state of use; Figure 7 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how a drug is pushed out of the drug release end of the outer tube by a plunger; Figure 8 illustrates a position of the plunger after the drug is pushed out of the outer tube; Figure 9 illustrates a forward push end of the plunger extending outwardly of the outer tube; and Figure 10 is a schematic end view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how the flexible ribs grip the forward push end of the plunger. Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the preferred embodiment of a drug delivery device according to the present invention is shown to comprise an outer tube 2 and an elongate plunger 3. The outer tube 2 has a tubular wall 22 defining a passage 21 that extends in an axial direction (X) for receiving a drug 4 in solid form. The cross section of the tubular wall 22 may be circular or oval in shape, or any other shape that has a non-pointed peripheral surface. The tubular wall 22 has a drug entrance end 221, a drug release end 222, two lug portions 223, and a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions 224. The drug entrance end 221 is adapted for admitting the drug 4 into the passage 21. The drug release end 222 is opposite to the drug entrance end 221 in the axial direction (X) , and is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity. The drug release end 222 has an opening 20, and a plurality of flexible ribs 23 that project curvedly into the opening 20 from the tubular wall 22 so as to grate the drug release end 222, thereby preventing unforced removal of the drug 4 from the passage 21 via the drug release end 222, as best shown in Figure 4. The ribs 23 include first and second ribs 231 that alternate with each other and that proj ect from two opposite first sides 220 of the tubular wall 22 in two opposite directions and along substantially parallel lines, and third and fourth ribs 231' that project from two opposite second sides 220' of the tubular wall 22 along lines that can intersect the parallel lines. Each of the second sides 220' of the tubular wall 22 interposes the first sides 22 0. The third and fourth ribs 231' are arranged such that they do not intersect each other and do not intersect the first and second ribs 231. The first to fourth ribs 231, 231' are made of a soft flexible material. The lug portions 223 are formed on the drug entrance end 221, and project radially, outwardly, and oppositely from an outer periphery thereof. The protrusions 224 are formed on an inner wall face of the tubular wall 22. The elongate plunger 3 has an insert part 30 that is inserted slidably into the tubular wall 22 . The insert part 30 has a forward push end 31. A rear push end 32 is opposite to the forward push end 31, and extends outwardly of the drug entrance end 221. The forward push end 31 has a convex pushing surface. Each of the first to fourth ribs 231, 231' has a curvature substantially similar to that of the forward push end 31. The plunger 3 has a length sufficient to enable the forward push end 31 to push apart the first to fourth ribs 231, 231' and to extend out of the drug release end 222 . The first to fourth ribs 231, 231' are capable of restricting inward movement of the forward push end 31 after the forward push end 31 is moved out of the drug release end 222. The insert part 30 includes four axially extending wing plates 33, 34 that extend radially to meet each other. Each of the wing plates 33, 34 has an axially extending free end 330 , 340 confronting and spaced apart from the inner wall face of the tubular wall 22, and a dent 331, 341 formed in the free end 330, 340 of the corresponding wing plate 33, 34 and proximate to the rear push end 32. The two wing plates 33 are opposite to each other in a diametric direction. Each of the two wing plates 33 has a cutout portion 332 formed in the free end of the corresponding wing plate 33, and a flexible finger 333 formed in the cutout portion 332 and projecting outwardly to contact frictionally the inner wall face of the tubular wall 22. The rear push end 32 of the plunger 3 is physically larger than the passage 21 of the tubular wall 22. With reference to Figures 4 and 5, in use, the drug 4 is first inserted into the passage 21 of the outer tube 2 via the drug entrance end 221 so as to drop into the drug release end 222. The drug 4 is hindered from undergoing further downward movement by the first to fourth ribs 231, 231' at this time. The plunger 3 is then inserted into the passage 21 until the flexible fingers 333 of the two wing plates 33 are in frictional contact with the inner wall face of the tubular wall 22. When no external force is applied on the rear push end 32 of the plunger 3 , the plunger 3 is stably posit ioned within the passage 21 so that when the user shakes, moves, or alters the operating direction of the drug delivery device of the present invention, the drug 4 and the plunger 3 will not fall out of the outer tube 2. When the user pushes the rear push end 32 of the plunger 3 until the flexible fingers 333 abut against the corresponding protrusions 224, the user knows that the plunger 3 has reached a suitable position and the drug 4 is ready to be delivered because the flexible fingers 333 will produce a large frictional contact with the corresponding protrusions 224 at this time. Referring to Figures 6 to 8, during operation of the drug delivery device of the present invention, the user's fingers are positioned on the outer tube 2 with two of the fingers abutting against the lug portions 223 and one of the fingers in contact with the rear push end 32 of the plunger 3, after which the outer tube 2 is inserted into a proper depth of the vagina or anus. The rear push end 32 of the plunger 3 is then pushed inwardly so that the forward push end 31 of the plunger 3 moves along the axial direction (X) toward the drug release end 222 of the outer tube 2. Air is released through gaps between the tubular wall 22 and the wing plates 33, 34. The rear push end 32 of the plunger 3 is pushed continuously until the forward push end 31 reaches the drug release end 222 of the outer tube 2, and the drug 4 is pushed out of the drug release end 222 via the opening 20 (see Figure 3) and through the ribs 231, 231'. The drug 4, therefore, is released into a proper depth and position of the body cavity. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, after the drug 4 is delivered into the body cavity, and the drug delivery device of the present invention is pulled out from the body cavity, the plunger 3 is pushed continuously until the rear push end 32 of the plunger 3 abuts against the drug entrance end 221 of the outer tube 2. At this time, the forward push end 31 of the plunger 3 extends out of the drug release end 222 of the outer tube 2 pushing apart the first to fourth ribs 231, 231' . Further, the dents 331, 341 of the wing plates 33, 34 engage the corresponding protrusions 224 of the tubular wall 22, and the first to fourth ribs 231, 231' extend curvedly toward and among the wing plates 33 , 34 so as to restrict movement of the forward push end 31 of the plunger 3. As such, the forward push end 31 of the plunger 3 cannot move along the axial direction (X) back toward the drug entrance end 221 of the outer tube 2. When an attempt is made to reuse the drug delivery device of the present invention by forcibly pulling the plunger 3 so as to move the forward push end 31 toward the drug entrance end 221, the forward push end 31 will destroy the structure of the first to fourth ribs 231, 231', and thereby destroy the structure of the outer tube 2. Hence, the drug delivery device of the present invention cannot be used more than once. From the aforementioned description, the advantages of the drug delivery device of the present invention can be summarized as follows: 1. Since the drug 4 is pre-disposed in the outer tube 2 and is delivered into the body cavity by operation of the plunger 3, the hands of the user need not come into contact with the drug 4 during the actual delivery process so that sanitation can be maintained and enhanced. 2. Because the first to fourth ribs 231, 231' are formed at the drug release end 222 of the outer tube 2, and by virtue of their configurations and flexibilities, the first to fourth ribs 231, 231' not only can prevent unintentional removal of the drug 4 from the outer tube 2, but can also permit easy release of the drug 4 from the outer tube 2 during the delivery process. Hence, the operation of the present invention is simple and easy. 3. Since the outer tube 2 can be circular or oval in shape, and since the first to fourth ribs 231, 231' are flexible , injury to the body cavity can be minimized, and comfort during use is enhanced. 4. The length of the outer tube 2 can be varied so as to suit different kinds of drug shapes and different delivery depths so that the drug 4 can be delivered into the proper depth of the body cavity, and effective treatment of the drug 4 can be achieved. 5. When an attempt is made to pull the forward push end 31 of the plunger 3 back into the outer tube 2, the structure of the ribs 231, 231' will be destroyed by the forward push end 31, thereby damaging the entire structure of the outer tube 2. Hence, the drug delivery device of the present invention cannot be reused, thereby enhancing the safety and sanitation of the drug delivery device. I CLAIM : 1. A drug delivery device comprising : an outer tube (2) having a tubular wall (22) provided with a drug entrance end (221) and a drug release end (22), and two diametrically opposite protrusions (224) formed on an inner wall face of said tubular wall (22), said drug release end (222) having an opening (20), said outer tube (2) further having a plurality of flexible ribs (23) that project curvedly into said opening(2) to grate said drug release end (22) ; and an elongate plunger (3) inserted into said tubular wall (22) and having an insert part (30) that has a forward push end (31) to move to said drug release end (222), a rear push end (32) extending outwardly of said drug entrance end (221), and a plurality of axially extending wing plates (33, 34) disposed between said forward and rear push ends (31, 32), each of said wing plates (33, 34) having an axially extending free end (330) projecting toward said inner wall face of said tubular wall (22); wherein two of said wing plates (33) are opposite to each other in a diametric direction, said two wing plates (33) respectively having cutout portions (332) formed in said free ends (330) thereof, and flexible fingers (333) formed respectively in said cutout portions (332) and projecting toward said inner wall face of said tubular wall (22), said flexible fingers (333) contacting frictionally said inner wall face of said tubular wall (22) to stabilize said plunger (3) and being capable of abutting against the respective protrusions (224) during a forward movement of said plunger (3) within said tubular wall (22). 2. The drug delivery device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plunger (3) has a length sufficient to enable said forward push end (31) to push apart said ribs (23) and to extend out of said drug release end (222), said ribs (23) being capable of restricting inward movement of said forward push end (31) after said forward push end (31) is moved out of said drug release end (222). A drug delivery device includes a tubular wall (22) having a drug entrance end (221) and a drug release end (222) which has a plurality of flexible ribs (23) to grate the drug release end (222). The ribs (23) include first and second ribs (231) that project from two opposite first sides (220) of the tubular wall (22) along substantially parallel lines, and third and fourth ribs (231') that project from two opposite second sides (220') of the tubular wall (22) along lines that can intersect the parallel lines. Each second side (220') of the tubular wall (22) interposes the first sides (220). The third and fourth ribs (231') are arranged so as not to intersect each other and so as not to intersect the first and second ribs (231). An elongate plunger (3) has an insert part (30) inserted into the tubular wall (22), and a rear push end (32) extending outwardly of the drug entrance end (221).

Documents:

82-KOL-2006-(03-01-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

82-KOL-2006-(23-08-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

82-KOL-2006-FORM-27.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-abstract.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-claims.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-correspondence.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-description (complete).pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-drawings.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-examination report.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-form 1.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-form 18.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-form 2.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-form 26.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-form 3.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

82-kol-2006-granted-specification.pdf

821-KOL-2006-FORM 27.pdf