Transdermal dispensing apparatus and methods

Abstract

An applicator for dispensing a therapeutic agent to an animal comprising a housing including first and second sections coupled together, the first and second sections defining a channel therebetween that includes at least one outlet; a hub integral with the first section and extending therefrom, the hub defining a conduit; and a bent path connecting the conduit to the channel. In accordance with this embodiment, the conduit, the bent path and the channel are fluidly connected.

1 . An applicator for dispensing a therapeutic agent to an animal, comprising:
 a housing including first and second sections coupled together, the first and second sections defining a channel therebetween that includes at least one outlet;   a hub integral with the first section and extending therefrom, the hub defining a conduit; and   a bent path connecting the conduit to the channel;   wherein the conduit, the bent path and the channel are fluidly connected.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the bent path is disposed within the first section and terminates into an opening fluidly connected to the channel. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the channel comprises two legs originating at the opening and extending in substantially opposite directions therefrom. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one outlet comprises a pair of outlets, each leg terminating in one of said outlets. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the opening directs fluid in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the channel comprises a substantially semi-circular shape. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector for attachment to a fluid delivery device. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 7 , wherein the connector is a luer lock connector. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one prong located proximate the at least one outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one prong comprises a pair of spaced tines. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one prong comprises a pair of spaced feet. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the bent path comprises at least one turn. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 12 , wherein the bent path comprises a substantially semi-circular portion connected to the conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the bent path terminates in an opening fluidly connected to the channel, the opening being positioned substantially orthogonally relative to the substantially semi-circular portion. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 14 , wherein the opening is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the bent path is seamless. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the interface between the first and second sections defines a plane. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 17 , wherein the bent path is disposed above or below the plane. 
     
     
         19 . The applicator of  claim 17 , wherein the bent path is offset from the plane. 
     
     
         20 . The applicator of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the bent path is substantially parallel with the plane. 
     
     
         21 . The applicator of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the bent path is substantially orthogonal to the plane. 
     
     
         22 . The applicator of  claim 17 , wherein the hub projects above the plane. 
     
     
         23 . A method of manufacturing an applicator for transdermally dispensing a therapeutic agent to an animal, comprising:
 providing a first housing section including a hub portion attachable to a syringe and a pair of spaced ribs with a groove formed therebetween, the hub portion further defining a conduit;   providing a second housing section including a ledge, the ledge being formed by a pair of spaced grooves;   mating the pair of spaced ribs with the pair of spaced grooves to form a channel for dispensing the therapeutic agent, the channel being fluidly connected to the conduit by way of a bent path; and   coupling the first housing section to the second housing section to form an applicator body, the applicator body defining at least one outlet for dispensing the therapeutic agent.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein coupling the first housing section to the second housing section comprises ultrasonically welding the first and second housing sections together. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the bent path is disposed in the first housing section and terminates in an opening fluidly connected to the channel. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the bent path comprises at least one turn. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the bent path comprises a substantially semi-circular portion connected to the conduit. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the opening is positioned substantially orthogonally relative to the substantially semi-circular portion. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the opening is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the substantially semi-circular portion is smaller than the conduit and the opening is smaller than the substantially semi-circular portion. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the hub projects above a plane defined by the first housing section. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the pair of spaced grooves are V-shaped. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the pair of spaced ribs are trapezoidal-shaped. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23 , forming a seam between the first and second housing sections. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the bent path is seamless. 
     
     
         36 . A method for dispensing a therapeutic agent from an applicator of the type having a housing including first and second sections coupled together to form a channel and a hub extending from the housing that is attachable to a syringe, the method comprising:
 attaching the hub to a syringe containing a therapeutic agent;   placing an outlet of the applicator on or near the animal;   causing the therapeutic agent to be released from the syringe into the applicator;   passing the therapeutic agent through the hub, through a bent path and then into the channel; and   dispensing the therapeutic agent through the outlet onto the animal.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising maintaining the therapeutic agent in one section of the housing until it passes into the channel. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the placement step comprises placing at least one prong located proximate the at least one outlet on or near the animal. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising minimizing back pressure as the at least one prong engages the animal during administration of the therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein passing the therapeutic agent through the bent path comprises causing the therapeutic agent to change direction at least once as it is being dispensed. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the dispensing step comprises emptying substantially all of the therapeutic agent from the applicator. 
     
     
         42 . An applicator for dispensing a therapeutic agent to an animal, comprising:
 a housing including a first and second sections coupled together, the interface between the first and second sections defining a plane;   a channel defined between the first and second sections and including at least one outlet;   a hub integral with the first section and extending therefrom, the hub defining a conduit; and   a path connecting the conduit to the channel, wherein the conduit, path, and channel are fluidly connected;   wherein, the path is offset from the plane.   
     
     
         43 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein the path is bent. 
     
     
         44 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein the path changes directions by approximately 90°. 
     
     
         45 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein the path is seamless. 
     
     
         46 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein the path is disposed above or below the plane. 
     
     
         47 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein a portion of the path is substantially parallel with the plane. 
     
     
         48 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein a portion of the path is substantially orthogonal to the plane. 
     
     
         49 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein the path is offset from the plane. 
     
     
         50 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein the channel has a substantially semi-circular cross-section. 
     
     
         51 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein a portion of the channel is defined by the interface. 
     
     
         52 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein the channel comprises a substantially flat cross-sectional portion and a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional portion, the substantially flat cross-sectional portion defined by the interface and the substantially semi-circular cross-sectional portion defined by the second section. 
     
     
         53 . The applicator of  claim 42 , wherein the path is defined in the first section. 
     
     
         54 . An applicator for dispensing a therapeutic agent to an animal, comprising:
 a housing including first and second sections coupled together, the interface between the first and second sections defining a seam;   a channel defined between the first and second sections and including at least one outlet;   a hub integral with the first section and extending therefrom, the hub defining a conduit; and   a seamless path connecting the conduit to the channel.   
     
     
         55 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein the path is offset from the seam. 
     
     
         56 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein the path is disposed above or below the seam. 
     
     
         57 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein the path is bent. 
     
     
         58 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein the path changes directions by approximately 90°. 
     
     
         59 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein the seam substantially defines a plane. 
     
     
         60 . The applicator of  claim 59 , wherein the path is offset from the plane. 
     
     
         61 . The applicator of  claim 59 , wherein a portion of the path is substantially parallel to the plane. 
     
     
         62 . The applicator of  claim 59 , wherein a portion of the path is substantially orthogonal to the plane. 
     
     
         63 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein a portion of the path is substantially parallel with the seam. 
     
     
         64 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein the channel comprises a substantially flat portion that is coextensive with the seam and a substantially semi-circular portion defined by the second section. 
     
     
         65 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein the channel has a substantially semi-circular cross-section. 
     
     
         66 . The applicator of  claim 54 , wherein the path is defined in the first section. 
     
     
         67 . The applicator of  claim 54 , further comprising a seamless conduit. 
     
     
         68 . An applicator for dispensing a therapeutic agent to an animal, comprising:
 a housing including first and second sections coupled together, the first and second sections defining a channel therebetween that includes at least one outlet;   a hub integral with the first section and extending therefrom, the hub defining a conduit; and   a path connecting the conduit to the channel;   wherein, the channel has a substantially semi-circular cross-section.   
     
     
         69 . The applicator of  claim 68 , wherein the path is bent. 
     
     
         70 . The applicator of  claim 68 , wherein the path is seamless. 
     
     
         71 . The applicator of  claim 68 , wherein the interface between the first and second sections defines a plane. 
     
     
         72 . The applicator of  claim 71 , wherein the path is offset from the plane. 
     
     
         73 . The applicator of  claim 71 , wherein the path is disposed above or below the plane. 
     
     
         74 . The applicator of  claim 71 , wherein a portion of the path is substantially parallel with the plane. 
     
     
         75 . The applicator of  claim 71 , wherein a portion of the path is substantially orthogonal to the plane. 
     
     
         76 . The applicator of  claim 71 , wherein the interface defines a seam. 
     
     
         77 . The applicator of  claim 68 , wherein the path is disposed in the first section. 
     
     
         78 . The applicator of  claim 68 , wherein the conduit, path, and channel are fluidly connected.