Applicator for Dispensing a Medicinal Substance and Methods Associated Therewith

An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, which comprises:

• a body formed about an axis with the body extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body;
• a stem which forms an axial portion of the body;
• the stem formed with a common external surface;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through at least a portion of the stem;
• a slot formed through a portion of the stem from the slot delivery passage to the common external surface to facilitate the flow of the medicinal substance from within the slot delivery passage, through the slot, and to an environment adjacent the common external surface;
• the slot formed with an extended side wall which extends axially from a proximal end to the distal end of the slot;
• the extended side wall located at one side of the slot, and extending from an inboard juncture of the extended side wall with the slot delivery passage to an outboard juncture of the extended side wall with the common external surface of the stem;
• a flat surface formed in the stem adjacent the slot, having a first end spaced from the extended side wall,
• the flat surface extending from the first end thereof angularly away from the extended side wall to a second end of the flat surface at a juncture with the common external surface of the stem, and
• the flat surface and the extended side wall extending axially along at least a portion of the slot.

An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, which comprises:

• a body formed about an axis with the body extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body;
• a stem which forms an axial portion of the body;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through at least a portion of the stem;
• a slot formed through a portion of the stem from the slot delivery passage to the common external surface to facilitate the flow of the medicinal substance from within the slot delivery passage, through the slot, and to an environment adjacent the common external surface;
• the stem formed with an axially solid portion which extends distally from a distal end of the slot to the distal end of the stem;
• a cleft formed in at least a portion of an external surface of the solid portion of the stem, with the cleft extending from, and in communication with, the distal end of the slot toward the distal end of the stem;
• and
• the cleft forming a structure which is angled outward as the cleft extends in a distal direction from a proximal end of the cleft to direct the medicinal substance exiting from the distal end of the slot to surfaces of the tissue adjacent the cleft.

An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, which comprises:

• a body formed about an axis which extends from a proximal end of the body to an exterior axial surface of a closed distal end of the body;
• the body formed with a proximal section which extends from the proximal end of the body toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the proximal section;
• the proximal section of the body formed with an axial entry passage extending through the proximal section from a the proximal end of the body toward a the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the axial entry passage;
• the axial entry passage being formed with a prescribed diameter at the proximal end of the body;
• the body being formed with an axial intermediate passage having a proximal end in communication with the distal end of the axial entry passage, and extending toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• the axial intermediate passage being formed with a uniform passage diameter which is less than the prescribed diameter;
• the body being formed about the axis thereof with a passage section, having a uniform exterior diameter, which extends from a proximal end thereof toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the passage section;
• the passage section of the body fully surrounding at least a portion of the axial intermediate passage to the distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• the body being formed about the axis thereof with a slot section, having the uniform exterior diameter, which extends from a proximal end of the slot section toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the slot section, with the proximal end thereof being formed integrally with the distal end of the passage section;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through the slot section of the body from a proximal end thereof toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a closed distal end of the slot delivery passage, with the proximal end of the slot delivery passage being in communication with the distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• at least one axially elongated slot formed radially through the slot section of the body in unobstructed communication with the slot delivery passage and an external surface of the body, and extending from the proximal end of the slot section toward the distal end of the slot section, and to a distal end of the at least one axially elongated slot;
• the slot delivery passage being formed with the uniform passage diameter interrupted only by the presence of the at least one axially elongated slot;
• a stem which forms an axial portion of the body;
• the slot delivery passage formed axially through at least a portion of the stem;
• the stem formed with an axially solid portion which extends distally from a distal end of the slot to the distal end of the stem;
• a cleft formed in at least a portion of an external surface of the solid portion of the stem, with the cleft extending from, and in communication with, the distal end of the slot toward the distal end of the stem;
• and
• the cleft forming a structure which is angled outward as the cleft extends in a distal direction from a proximal end of the cleft to direct the medicinal substance exiting from the distal end of the slot to surfaces of the tissue adjacent the cleft.

An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, which comprises:

• a body formed about an axis with the body extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body;
• a stem which forms an axial portion of the body;
• the stem formed with a common external surface;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through at least a portion of the stem;
• a slot formed through a portion of the stem from the slot delivery passage to the common external surface to facilitate the flow of the medicinal substance from within the slot delivery passage, through the slot, and to an environment adjacent the common external surface;
• the stem formed with an axially solid portion which extends distally from a distal end of the slot to the distal end of the stem;
• a cleft formed in at least a portion of an external surface of the solid portion of the stem, with the cleft extending from, and in communication with, the distal end of the slot toward the distal end of the stem;
• and
• the cleft forming a structure which is angled outward as the cleft extends in a distal direction from a proximal end of the cleft to direct the medicinal substance exiting from the distal end of the slot to surfaces of the tissue adjacent the cleft.

An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, where the substance has a cream-like consistency of the type which does not flow without a force being applied thereto, which comprises:

• a body formed about an axis which extends from a proximal end of the body to an exterior axial surface of a closed distal end of the body;
• the body formed with a proximal section which extends from the proximal end of the body toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the proximal section;
• the proximal section of the body formed with an axial entry passage extending through the proximal section from a the proximal end of the body toward a the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the axial entry passage;
• the axial entry passage being formed with a prescribed diameter at the proximal end of the body;
• the body being formed with an axial intermediate passage having a proximal end in communication with the distal end of the axial entry passage, and extending toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• the axial intermediate passage being formed with a uniform passage diameter which is less than the prescribed diameter;
• the body being formed about the axis thereof with a passage section, having a uniform exterior diameter, which extends from a proximal end thereof toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the passage section;
• the passage section of the body fully surrounding at least a portion of the axial intermediate passage to the distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• the body being formed about the axis thereof with a slot section, having the uniform exterior diameter, which extends from a proximal end of the slot section toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the slot section, with the proximal end thereof being formed integrally with the distal end of the passage section;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through the slot section of the body from a proximal end thereof toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a closed distal end of the slot delivery passage, with the proximal end of the slot delivery passage being in communication with the distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• at least one slot arranged in a helical path about an axis of the body and formed through the slot section of the body in unobstructed communication with the slot delivery passage and an external surface of the body, and extending from the proximal end of the slot section toward the distal end of the slot section, and to a distal end of the at least one slot;
• and
• the slot delivery passage being formed with the uniform passage diameter interrupted only by the presence of the at least one slot.

An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, which comprises:

• a body formed about an axis with the body extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body;
• a stem which forms an axial portion of the body;
• the stem formed with a common external surface;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through at least a portion of the stem;
• a slot formed through a portion of the stem from the slot delivery passage to the common external surface to facilitate the flow of the medicinal substance from within the slot delivery passage, through the slot, and to an environment adjacent the common external surface;
• the slot arranged in a helical path about the axis of the body and formed through the slot section of the body in unobstructed communication with the slot delivery passage and an external surface of the body, and extending from the proximal end of the slot section toward the distal end of the slot section, and to a distal end of the at least one slot;
• and
• the slot delivery passage being formed with the uniform passage diameter interrupted only by the presence of the at least one slot.

An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, which comprises:

• a body formed about an axis with the body extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body;
• a stem which forms an axial portion of the body;
• the stem formed with a common external surface;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through at least a portion of the stem;
• a slot formed through a portion of the stem from the slot delivery passage to the common external surface to facilitate the flow of the medicinal substance from within the slot delivery passage, through the slot, and to an environment adjacent the common external surface;
• the slot formed with an extended side wall which extends axially from a proximal end to the distal end of the slot;
• the extended side wall located at one side of the slot, and extending from an inboard juncture of the extended side wall with the slot delivery passage to an outboard juncture of the extended side wall with the common external surface of the stem;
• a flat surface formed in the stem adjacent the slot, having a first end spaced from the extended side wall,
• the flat surface extending from the first end thereof angularly away from the extended side wall to a second end of the flat surface at a juncture with the common external surface of the stem, and
• the flat surface and the extended side wall extending axially along at least a portion of the slot.

A cream delivery assembly for dispensing a medicinal substance therefrom, which comprises:

• a syringe having a barrel, a barrel passage, a plunger, and a first stem;
• an applicator;
• a mating coupler having a first portion formed at a distal end of the syringe:
• the mating coupler having a second portion formed at a proximal end of the applicator;
• the syringe and the applicator being in assembly where the first portion of the mating coupler is in mating coupling with the second portion of the mating coupler;
• the applicator having a body formed about an axis with the body extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body;
• a second stem which forms an axial portion of the body;
• the second stem formed with a common external surface;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through at least a portion of the second stem;
• the barrel passage of the syringe being in communication with the slot delivery passage of the applicator;
• a slot formed through a portion of the second stem from the slot delivery passage to the common external surface to facilitate the flow of the medicinal substance from within the slot delivery passage, through the slot, and to an environment adjacent the common external surface;
• the slot formed with an extended side wall which extends axially from a proximal end to the distal end of the slot;
• the extended side wall located at one side of the slot, and extending from an inboard juncture of the extended side wall with the slot delivery passage to an outboard juncture of the extended side wall with the common external surface of the stem;
• a flat surface formed in the stem adjacent the slot, having a first end spaced from the extended side wall,
• the flat surface extending from the first end thereof angularly away from the extended side wall to a second end of the flat surface at a juncture with the common external surface of the stem, and
• the flat surface and the extended side wall extending axially along at least a portion of the slot.

A cream delivery assembly for dispensing a medicinal substance therefrom, which comprises:

• a syringe having a barrel, a barrel passage, a plunger, and a first stem;
• an applicator;
• a mating coupler having a first portion formed at a distal end of the syringe:
• the mating coupler having a second portion formed at a proximal end of the applicator;
• the syringe and the applicator being in assembly where the first portion of the mating coupler is in mating coupling with the second portion of the mating coupler;
• the applicator having a body formed about an axis with the body extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body;
• a second stem which forms an axial portion of the body;
• the second stem formed with a common external surface;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through at least a portion of the second stem;
• the barrel passage of the syringe being in communication with the slot delivery passage of the applicator;
• a slot formed through a portion of the second stem from the slot delivery passage to the common external surface to facilitate the flow of the medicinal substance from within the slot delivery passage, through the slot, and to an environment adjacent the common external surface;
• a cleft formed in at least a portion of an external surface of the solid portion of the stem, with the cleft extending from, and in communication with, the distal end of the slot toward the distal end of the stem;
• and
• the cleft forming a structure which is angled outward as the cleft extends in a distal direction from a proximal end of the cleft to direct the medicinal substance exiting from the distal end of the slot to surfaces of the tissue adjacent the cleft.

A method of making an applicator, which comprises the steps of:

• forming a body having a stem with a slot delivery passage and a common external surface,
• forming a slot in and extending through the stem from the slot delivery passage to the common external surface, with the slot having a side;
• and
• forming a flat surface having an inboard end at the side of the slot with the flat surface extending angularly away from the side towards the common external surface. 46. The method as set forth in claim 45, where the side of the slot is a first side, which further comprises the steps of:
• forming the slot with a second side spaced opposite the first side;
• forming an extended side wall at the second side of the slot;
• forming the flat surface with the inboard end of the flat surface spaced from the extended side wall;
• and
• forming the flat surface to extend angularly away from the spaced extended side wall towards the common external surface.

A method of making an applicator, which comprises the steps of:

• forming a body having a stem with a slot delivery passage and a common external surface,
• forming the slot to extend axially along a length of the slot from a proximal end of the slot to a distal end of slot;
• and
• forming a trough-like cleft in the common external surface of the stem adjacent and contiguous with the distal end of the slot.

A method for loading a substance into a cartridge, which comprises the steps of:

• providing the cartridge having an axial passage therethrough;
• inserting a plunger into the axial passage from a proximal end of the cartridge;
• positioning the plunger at a prescribed location within the axial passage to establish between the distal end of the plunger and the distal end of the cartridge a prescribed volume within the axial passage for receipt of a prescribed amount of the substance;
• and
• depositing the substance into the passage through an opening at the distal end of the cartridge and through the axial passage to the distal end of the plunger to provide the prescribed amount of the substance within the axial passage.

A method for loading a substance into a cartridge, which comprises the steps of:

• providing the cartridge having an axial passage therethrough;
• inserting a plunger into the axial passage from a proximal end of the cartridge;
• locating the plunger at a distal end of the cartridge within the axial passage;
• depositing a prescribed amount of the substance into the axial passage through an opening at the distal end of the cartridge;
• and
• moving the plunger toward the proximal end of the cartridge by a force of the prescribed amount of the substance being deposited into the axial passage.

A method of making a cream delivery assembly, which comprises the steps of:

• providing a syringe having a barrel, a barrel passage, a plunger, and a slidable stem having portions axially movable within the barrel passage from a proximal end of the syringe, with a first portion of a mating coupler formed at a distal end of the syringe;
• providing an applicator having a body with a fixed stem of the body and a slot delivery passage formed axially in the stem, and a slot formed in the body which communicates with the slot delivery passage and an environment externally of the body, and having a second portion of the mating coupler formed at a proximal end of the applicator;
• forming a flat surface in the stem adjacent a side of the slot and extending angularly away from the slot;
• and
• assembling the first portion of the mating coupler with the second portion of the mating coupler to couple the syringe to the applicator with the barrel passage of the syringe and the slot delivery passage of the applicator being in communication.

A method of making a cream delivery assembly, which comprises the steps of:

• providing a syringe having a barrel, a barrel passage, a plunger, and a slidable stem having portions axially movable within the barrel passage from a proximal end of the syringe, with a first portion of a mating coupler formed at a distal end of the syringe;
• providing an applicator having a body with a fixed stem of the body and a slot delivery passage formed axially in the stem, and a slot formed in the body which communicates with the slot delivery passage and an environment externally of the body, and having a second portion of the mating coupler formed at a proximal end of the applicator;
• providing the applicator with a solid portion of the stem at a distal end of the stem adjacent a distal end of the slot;
• and
• forming a trough-like cleft in the solid portion of the stem contiguous with and adjacent a distal end of the slot;
• and
• assembling the first portion of the mating coupler with the second portion of the mating coupler to couple the syringe to the applicator with the barrel passage of the syringe and the slot delivery passage of the applicator being in communication.

An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, where the substance has a cream-like consistency of the type which does not flow without a force being applied thereto, which comprises:

• a body formed about an axis which extends from a proximal end of the body to an exterior axial surface of a closed distal end of the body;
• the body formed with a proximal section which extends from the proximal end of the body toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the proximal section;
• the proximal section of the body formed with an axial entry passage extending through the proximal section from a the proximal end of the body toward a the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the axial entry passage;
• the axial entry passage being formed with a prescribed diameter at the proximal end of the body;
• the body being formed with an axial intermediate passage having a proximal end in communication with the distal end of the axial entry passage, and extending toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• the axial intermediate passage being formed with a uniform passage diameter which is less than the prescribed diameter;
• the body being formed about the axis thereof with a passage section, having a uniform exterior diameter, which extends from a proximal end thereof toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the passage section;
• the passage section of the body fully surrounding at least a portion of the axial intermediate passage to the distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• the body being formed about the axis thereof with a slot section, having the uniform exterior diameter, which extends from a proximal end of the slot section toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the slot section, with the proximal end thereof being formed integrally with the distal end of the passage section;
• a slot delivery passage formed axially through the slot section of the body from a proximal end thereof toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a closed distal end of the slot delivery passage, with the proximal end of the slot delivery passage being in communication with the distal end of the axial intermediate passage;
• at least one axially-elongated slot formed radially through the slot section of the body in unobstructed communication with the axial slot delivery passage and an external surface of the body, and extending from the proximal end of the slot section toward the distal end of the slot section, and to a distal end of the at least one axially-elongated slot;
• the slot delivery passage being formed with the uniform passage diameter interrupted only by the presence of the at least one axially-elongated slot;
• the at least one elongated slot formed with an extended side wall which extends axially from a proximal end to the distal end of the at least one elongated slot;
• the extended side wall located at one side of the at least one elongated slot, and extending from an inboard juncture of the extended side wall with the slot delivery passage to an outboard juncture of the extended side wall with the external surface of the body;
• the body formed with an axially solid portion which extends distally from a distal end of the slot to the distal end of the body;
• a cleft formed in at least a portion of an external surface of the solid portion of the body, with the cleft extending from, and in communication with, the distal end of the slot toward the distal end of the body;
• and
• the cleft forming a structure which is angled outward as the cleft extends in a distal direction from a proximal end of the cleft to direct the medicinal substance exiting from the distal end of the slot to surfaces of the tissue adjacent the cleft.

An applicator for dispensing a substance therethrough, which comprises:

• a stem formed about an axis;
• a slot delivery passage extending through the stem along at least a portion of the axis;
• a common external surface formed on an exterior of the stem;
• a slot formed through the stem from, and through, the slot delivery passage to, and through, the common external surface, along a transaxis extending radially through and from the axis;
• an extended side wall formed in the stem, which forms one side of the slot and is generally parallel with a transaxis plane coincidental with the transaxis;
• and
• an angular side wall formed in the stem, which forms another side of the slot spaced, and extending angularly away, from the extended side.