# US 7,744,556 B2 · Delivery tube assembly for an applicator

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- Number: US 7,744,556 B2
- Document ID: US7744556B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/090,559
- Filed: 2005-03-25
- Published: 2006-09-28
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2005-03-25
- Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
- Inventors: Daniel J. Heuer; Gregory J. Rajala; Steven C. Gehling; Joyce A. Damico
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744556B2

## CPC

- A61M 31/00: Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body (A61M25/00 takes precedence {; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008})
- A61F 13/26: Means for inserting tampons {, i.e. applicators}
- A61F 13/28: with lubricating means
- Y10S 604/904: Tampons
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A delivery tube assembly is provided, the delivery tube assembly including a delivery tube including a delivery tube attachment end, an open delivery tube second end opposite the delivery tube attachment end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a delivery tube cavity; and a dosage form including a therapeutic agent, wherein the dosage form is positioned within the delivery tube cavity. The assembly may also include an engagement mechanism positioned at the delivery tube attachment end. The assembly may also include a containment seal coupled to the delivery tube second end. The assembly may also include an inner containment seal positioned within the delivery tube cavity to seal the dosage form within the delivery tube cavity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A delivery tube assembly for use in conjunction with a tampon applicator having a first member with a tampon therein and a second member, the delivery tube assembly comprising:
a delivery tube comprising
a delivery tube attachment end,
an open delivery tube second end opposite the delivery tube attachment end,
an outer surface, and
an inner surface defining a delivery tube cavity; and
a dosage form including a therapeutic agent, wherein the dosage form is positioned within the delivery tube cavity
wherein the first member and the second member are separate and distinct from the delivery tube; and wherein the delivery tube completely covers the first member so that it is not visible to a user.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the delivery tube is adapted to be coupled to the tampon applicator at the delivery tube attachment end.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the delivery tube includes means for attaching the delivery tube to the tampon applicator.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an engagement mechanism positioned at the delivery tube attachment end.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The assembly of claim 4, wherein the engagement mechanism is selected from a group consisting of a snap ring, a screw mechanism, quarter-turn threads, a mechanical latch, and an escapement-type mechanism.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an inner containment seal positioned within the delivery tube cavity to seal the dosage form within the delivery tube cavity.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The assembly of claim 6, wherein the inner containment seal is removable.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The assembly of claim 7, wherein the inner containment seal is frangible.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the dosage form conforms to the inner surface within the delivery tube cavity.