Applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance

Abstract

A device 60 , for administering medicated cream, includes a cartridge 62 for containing the cream, a plunger head 100 for moving the cream from within the cartridge, and a stem 106 for moving the plunger head within the cartridge. The plunger head 100 includes a tapered receptor opening 148 for reception of a tapered stem structure 114 . A rib 156 is formed on the cartridge 62 , and a plurality of ribs 164 are formed on the stem 106 , cooperate to provide tactile notification to a patient-user that measured doses of the cream have been administered.

1 - 68 . (canceled)  
   
   
       69 . An applicator for dispensing a medicinal substance therethrough, where the substance has a cream-like consistency of the type which does not flow easily 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 the proximal end of the body toward 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 body formed with a flange section having a proximal end formed integrally with the distal end of the proximal section, and a distal end formed integrally with the proximal end of the passage section of the body;    a flange located in the flange section of the body and extending radially outward from the external surface of the body to an outer edge surface of the flange;    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 dispensing section, having the uniform exterior diameter, which extends from a proximal end of the dispensing section toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a distal end of the dispensing section, with the proximal end thereof being formed integrally with the distal end of the passage section;    a distal delivery passage formed axially through the dispensing 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 distal delivery passage, with the proximal end of the distal delivery passage being in communication with the distal end of the axial intermediate passage;    at least one dispensing passage formed through the dispensing section of the body in communication with the distal delivery passage, at a first end of the at least one dispensing passage, and an exterior of the body, at a second end of the at least one dispensing passage;    the distal delivery passage being formed with the uniform passage diameter interrupted only by the presence of the at least one dispensing passage;    the body formed with a solid section, having the uniform exterior diameter, which extends from a closed proximal end of the solid section toward the closed distal end of the body, and to a closed distal end of the solid section, with the closed proximal end of the solid section being formed integrally with the distal end of the distal section;    the body formed with a dome section in the form of a solid dome, which extends from a closed proximal end of the dome section to a closed distal end of the dome section, which is coincidental with the exterior axial surface of the closed distal end of the body;    the closed proximal end of the dome section being formed integrally with the closed distal end of the solid section; and    the solid section and the dome section being exclusive of any opening.    
   
   
       70 . The applicator as set forth in  claim 69 , which further comprises: 
 the at least one dispensing passage formed in a configuration of a cylindrical passage from the first end thereof to the second end thereof.    
   
   
       71 . The applicator as set forth in  claim 70 , which further comprises: 
 the cylindrical passage of the at least one dispensing passage being formed with a uniform diameter from the first end of the at least one dispensing passage to the second end of the at least one dispensing passage.    
   
   
       72 . The applicator as set forth in  claim 71 , which further comprises: 
 the at least one dispensing passage extending radially from the axis of the body.    
   
   
       73 . The applicator as set forth in  claim 69 , which further comprises: 
 the at least one dispensing passage being in the form of a plurality of dispensing passages.    
   
   
       74 . The applicator as set forth in  claim 73 , which further comprises: 
 the plurality of dispensing passages being spaced axially within the dispensing section.    
   
   
       75 . The applicator as set forth in  claim 73 , which further comprises: 
 the plurality of passages being located between the proximal end of the dispensing section and the distal end of the dispensing section.    
   
   
       76 . The applicator as set forth in  claim 73 , which further comprises: 
 the spacing between adjacent dispensing passages of the plurality of dispensing passages being equal.    
   
   
       77 . The applicator as set forth in  claim 69 , which further comprises: 
 the flange having a proximal surface facing in a direction toward the proximal end of the body and a distal surface facing in a direction toward the closed distal end of the body;    the distal surface of the flange formed by a straight portion which extends from the outer edge of the flange, radially inward toward the axis of the body and toward the closed distal end of the body, to an inboard edge of the straight portion spaced radially outward from the external surface of the body; and    the distal surface of the flange formed with a concave portion which extends from the inboard edge of the straight portion toward the distal end, and to the external surface, of the body.