Medicated pacifier

A device for the oral administration of a medication which comprises:

• a pierced nipple having a nipple chamber and an open base,
• a medication reservoir having an outer wall member defining a reservoir chamber, a first end opening into the reservoir chamber, a closable second end opening into the reservoir chamber, and an interior wall from which extends at least one piercing means,
• means to connect the first end of the reservoir to the open base of the nipple in fluid-tight relationship with the nipple chamber communicating with the reservoir chamber through the open base, and
• closing means operable to seal the second end of the reservoir.

A device for the oral administration of a medication which comprises:

• a pierced nipple having a nipple chamber and an open base,
• a medication reservoir having an outer wall member defining a reservoir chamber, a first end opening into the reservoir chamber, and a closable second end opening into the reservoir chamber,
• means to connect the first end of the reservoir to the open base of the nipple in fluid-tight relationship with the nipple chamber communicating with the reservoir chamber through the open base, and
• closing means operable to seal the second end of the reservoir with at least one piercing means extending into the reservoir chamber from the closing means.

A device for the oral administration of a medication which comprises:

• a pierced nipple having a nipple chamber and an open base,
• a medication reservoir having an outer wall member defining a reservoir chamber of fixed volume, a first end opening into the reservoir chamber, and a closable second end opening into the reservoir chamber, the closable second end being of dimensions sufficient to receive a medication formulation,
• a hollow piercing means through which the first end communicates with the nipple chamber, said piercing means fixed to the first end and protruding into the reservoir chamber,
• means disposed on the first end for firmly engaging the base of the nipple in fluid-tight relationship, and closing means operable to seal the second end of the reservoir.

A method for the oral administration of a medication comprising the steps of:

• inserting a gelcap comprising a medication into a reservoir chamber of a medication reservoir having a first chamber opening, a second chamber opening, and a gelcap piercing means, the medication reservoir being connected to a pierced nipple through the first chamber opening and communicating with the nipple, the gelcap being inserted into the reservoir chamber through the second chamber opening;
• closing the second chamber opening of the reservoir;
• piercing the gelcap with the gelcap piercing means by the action of closing the reservoir to enable the medication to release from the gelcap into the reservoir;
• and
• administering the medication to the patient from the reservoir through the pierced nipple.