Method and device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for treating or preventing or suppressing a disease or condition in a non-human animal. The method comprises the steps of providing a single delivery device containing two components for sequential delivery from the delivery device. A first component is delivered from the single delivery device into a teat canal of a non-human animal and subsequently the second component is delivered from the single delivery device into the teat canal. The components are delivered without substantial mixing of the components.

1 .- 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . An injector device for delivery of components into a teat canal of a non-human animal, to treat, prevent or suppress infection with a mastitis causing micro-organism, said device comprising:
 a barrel containing a first component,   an outlet nozzle for insertion into the teat canal, at one end of the barrel,   an internal receptacle containing a second component,   a barrier for separating the first component and the second component, and   a delivery means for delivery of the first component from the barrel and sequential delivery of the second component from the internal receptacle through the outlet nozzle without substantial mixing of the first and second components;   wherein the barrier is releasable for delivery of the second component;   the internal receptacle comprises an inner barrel located within an outer barrel defined by the barrel of the injector;   the inner barrel defines a plunger for the outer barrel;   the delivery means comprises the inner barrel and a plunger for the inner barrel;   the first component comprises an antimicrobial formulation; and   the second component comprises a seal formulation.   
     
     
         65 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the barrier is normally closed. 
     
     
         66 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the barrier is defined by at least a portion of the internal receptacle. 
     
     
         67 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the barrier comprises one or more passageways. 
     
     
         68 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 67 , wherein the one or more passageways are opened when the barrier is released for delivery of the second component through said one or more passageways. 
     
     
         69 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the device comprises an activator for releasing the barrier. 
     
     
         70 . An injector as claimed in  claim 69 , wherein the activator comprises at least one projecting member. 
     
     
         71 . An injector as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the inner barrel comprises an external seal for engagement with the outer barrel on assembly. 
     
     
         72 . An injector as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the inner barrel comprises a locking ring for engagement with the plunger for the inner barrel. 
     
     
         73 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 69 , wherein the activator comprises a rupturing means for at least partially releasing the barrier. 
     
     
         74 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the seal formulation comprises between 50% and 75% by weight of bismuth sub-nitrate in a gel base. 
     
     
         75 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the antimicrobial is selected from any one or more of betalactam antibiotics, polymyxins, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, lincosamides, macrolides, pleuromutilins, “fenicols” such as chloramphenicol and florfenicol, tetracylcines, sulphonamides and potentiated sulphonamides such as mixtures of trimethoprim and one or more sulphonamide, quinolones and fluoroquinolones, ionophores, courmarins such as novobiocin, natural or synthetic peptides, aminoglycosides, antimicrobial peptides or antimicrobials, lantibiotics, or other products of bacteria and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         76 . An injector device as claimed in  claim 75 , wherein the betalactam is selected from any one or more of penicillin, modified penicillin such as cloxacillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins or beta lactam antibiotics potentiated by beta lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid. 
     
     
         77 . A method for treating, preventing or suppressing mastitis or an infection with a mastitis causing micro-organism, said method comprising the steps of sequentially delivering an antimicrobial formulation and a seal formulation from a single delivery device into a teat canal of a non-human animal, wherein the antimicrobial formulation and the seal formulation are delivered into the teat canal without substantial mixing of the formulations prior to delivery into the teat canal. 
     
     
         78 . A method as claimed in  claim 77 , wherein the device is an injector device as claimed in claim  1 . 
     
     
         79 . A method as claimed in  claim 77 , wherein the seal formulation comprises between 50% and 75% by weight of bismuth sub-nitrate in a gel base. 
     
     
         80 . A method as claimed in  claim 77 , wherein the antimicrobial is selected from any one or more of betalactam antibiotics, polymixins, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, lincosamides, macrolides, pleuromutilins, “fenicols” such as chloramphenicol and florfenicol, tetracylcines, sulphonamides and potentiated sulphonamides such as mixtures of trimethoprim and one or more sulphonamide, quinolones and fluoroquinolones, ionophores, courmarins such as novobiocin, natural or synthetic peptides, aminoglycosides, antimicrobial peptides or antimicrobials, lantibiotics, or other products of bacteria and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         81 . A method as claimed in  claim 80 , wherein the betalactam is selected from any one or more of penicillin, modified penicillin such as cloxacillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins or beta lactam antibiotics potentiated by beta lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid.