Multi-chamber, Multi-formulation Fluid Delivery System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020253163-A1
Application number	US-201916721660-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 19, 2019
Priority date	Sep 17, 2013
Publication date	Aug 13, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

The application discloses a multi-chamber, multi-formulation fluid delivery system, comprising a multi-chamber applicator in fluid communication with multi-chamber packaging. Applicators according to the instant disclosure have reduced squeeze-strength requirements, and are useful for dispensing fluids, including medicaments, to animals, including livestock animals. The multi-chamber packaging provides separate storage for formulations containing incompatible active ingredients, and is suitable for use with the multi-chamber applicator. The application also discloses methods for using the system to simultaneously deliver multiple active ingredients, at least some of which are not suitable for co-formulation, thus reducing the time, economic burden and animal stress involved with applying multiple, separate formulations to animals.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A multi-chamber, multi-formulation delivery system comprising:
a. a multi-chamber applicator for delivering multiple formulations to an animal; b. a suitable conduit and connectivity for connecting the applicator to fluid packaging; and c. a multi-chamber packaging for separately containing and storing the multiple formulations.

2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the applicator comprises:
a. at least two fluid supply inlets;
b. at least one outlet;
c. at least two barrels each having barrel outlets and barrel inlets which are in fluid communication, or selective fluid communication, with the fluid supply inlets;
d. at least two one way outlet valves, one for each barrel, in fluid communication with the barrel outlets and with the outlets;
e. at least two pistons, one for each barrel, moveable relative to the barrels and in sealing engagement with the barrels;
f. a piston actuation means for moving the pistons relative to the barrels;
g. at least two pressure limiting means for limiting a maximum pressure of fluid entering the barrels from the fluid supply inlets; and optionally
h. a means for combining the fluids from the at least two barrels into a single outlet.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the applicator ( 200 ) is substantially as depicted in FIGS. 3A -3F or FIG. 4 .

4 . The system of claim 3 , comprising:
a. a first barrel ( 1 a ) with an outlet ( 2 a ); b. a one way outlet valve ( 3 a ), positioned at or adjacent the barrel outlet ( 2 a ), which is in selective fluid communication with an applicator outlet ( 4 ) from which fluid is discharged in use; c. a second barrel ( 1 b ) with an outlet ( 2 b ); d. a one way outlet valve ( 3 b ), positioned at or adjacent the barrel outlet ( 2 b ), which is in selective fluid communication with the applicator outlet ( 4 ) from which fluid is discharged in use.

5 . The system of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the application ( 203 ) is substantially as depicted in FIGS. 14A-14C or 15A-15D , and comprises:
a. a double barrel ( 12 );
b. a left-hand plunger ( 30 ) and a right-hand plunger ( 29 );
c. a means for independently actuating the plungers;
d. front ( 1 ) and rear ( 5 ) handles;
e. a volume control or dose adjuster means ( 11 );
f. at least two BREAZE™ valve assemblies, wherein each BREAZE™ valve assembly comprises a fluid inlet ( 13 ), a BREAZE™ valve housing ( 14 ), a diaphragm ( 15 ), an inlet valve ( 16 ), an inlet valve retention pin ( 17 ), a clamp ring ( 18 ), a follower ( 19 ), a jumper washer ( 20 ), a spring ( 21 ), and a jet ( 22 ); and
g. a nozzle assembly.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the volume control comprises the following elements:
a. ribs at the front of the volume control ( 11 ), providing a grip for turning the volume control; b. two cylindrical shell spiral staircases, wrapped around and forming the outer surface of the volume control; wherein the two staircases have different diameters, and are offset axially, such that the inner (and slightly rearward) staircase engages with a rib on the left-hand plunger shaft ( 30 ), limiting how far forward this plunger shaft can travel; and wherein the outer (and slightly forward) staircase engages with a rib on the right-hand plunger shaft ( 29 ), limiting how far forward this plunger shaft can travel.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the ribs on the plunger shafts ( 29 , 30 ) extend radially inwards by different lengths, determining with which spiral staircase each of them engages.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the axial positions of these ribs on the plunger shafts differ between the left and right plunger shafts ( 29 , 30 , such that the two plunger shafts ( 29 , 30 ) have the same axial position when in their forward position against the spiral staircases, despite engaging with opposite sides of the volume control ( 11 ).

9 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the plunger shafts ( 29 , 30 ) slidably engage with the inside of a housing ( 7 ), one on each side; and wherein a vertical groove, near the front of the plunger shaft ( 29 , 30 ) engages with a plunger engagement pin ( 2 ), so that the plunger shaft is moved when the front handle ( 1 ) moves or is otherwise squeezed.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the part of the plunger shaft in front of the vertical groove protrudes outwards, to prevent a plunger engagement pin ( 2 ) from moving forward of the vertical groove, even when the pin is in the retracted position; and wherein the plunger engagement pin ( 2 ) can be retracted and then slide back along the side of the plunger shaft ( 29 , 30 ), but not forward of it.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the two plunger shafts ( 29 , 30 ) are not identical; and wherein the plungers' inwardly protruding ribs, which engage with the volume control ( 11 ) are different lengths radially and in different positions longitudinally; to ensure that each plunger engages with the correct spiral on the volume control ( 11 ), and both plunger shafts ( 29 , 30 ) stop in the same longitudinal position despite engaging with opposite sides of the volume control ( 11 ).

12 . The system of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising color-coded conduits that connect the multi-chamber applicator to the multi-chamber packaging, at corresponding color-coded caps; and anti-counterfeiting measures, substantially as depicted in FIGS. 23A-B .

13 . A dose control, for use with the system of any one of claim 1 , 2 or 6 , comprising:
a. ribs at the front of the volume control ( 11 ), providing a grip for turning the volume control;
b. two cylindrical shell spiral staircases, wrapped around and forming the outer surface of the volume control; wherein the two staircases have different diameters, and are offset axially, such that the inner (and slightly rearward) staircase engages with a rib on the left-hand plunger shaft ( 30 ), limiting how far forward this plunger shaft can travel; and wherein the outer (and slightly forward) staircase engages with a rib on the right-hand plunger shaft ( 29 ), limiting how far forward this plunger shaft can travel.

14 . The dose control of claim 13 , substantially as depicted in FIG. 17A-B .

15 . A multi-chamber applicator ( 203 ), for use with the system of claim 1 or 6 , comprising:
a. a double barrel ( 12 );
b. a left-hand plunger ( 30 ) and a right-hand plunger ( 29 );
c. a means for independently actuating the plungers;
d. front ( 1 ) and rear ( 5 ) handles;
e. a volume control or dose adjuster means ( 11 );
f. at least two BREAZE™ valve assemblies, wherein each BREAZE™ valve assembly comprises a fluid inlet ( 13 ), a BREAZE™ valve housing ( 14 ), a diaphragm ( 15 ), an inlet valve ( 16 ), an inlet valve retention pin ( 17 ), a clamp ring ( 18 ), a follower ( 19 ), a jumper washer ( 20 ), a spring ( 21 ), and a jet ( 22 ); and
g. a nozzle assembly.

16 . The applicator ( 203 ) of claim 15 , comprising: a front handle ( 1 ), a rear handle ( 5 ), a thread insert ( 6 ), a housing ( 7 ), a thread insert ( 8 ), a volume control or Dose adjuster ( 11 ), a barrel component ( 12 ), a fluid inlet ( 13 ), a BREAZE™ valve housing ( 14 ), a diaphragm ( 15 ), an inlet valve ( 16 ), an inlet valve retention pin ( 17 ), a clamp ring ( 18 ), a plunger shaft (right hand side) ( 29 ), a plunger shaft (left hand side) ( 30 ), an outlet adaptor ( 31 ), an outlet tube connector ( 32 ), a nozzle ( 33 ), an umbrella valve ( 36 ), a handle spring ( 40 ), an outlet tube ( 45 ); and wherein the parts are arranged according to FIGS. 15A-15D .

Assignees

• Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Usa Inc

Inventors

• Prescott Todd Luepke
• Walker Rodney Gordon
• Lauchlan Gareth Nigel
• Trow David Andrew

Classifications

• A61M2250/00

  Specially adapted for animals · CPC title

• A61D7/00

  Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals (for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00 {; devices for implanting pellets, radon seeds or the like A61M37/0069}) · CPC title

• A61M2005/3103

  Leak prevention means for distal end of syringes, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle · CPC title

• A61M5/3148

  Means for causing or aiding aspiration or plunger retraction · CPC title

• A61M5/3007

  with specially designed jet passages at the injector's distal end · CPC title