Beneficial agent dispenser

Abstract

A dispensing device for use with a beneficial agent has a dispensing package, a dispenser disposed on an end portion of the dispensing package, and an actuator movably disposed along at least a portion of the package between a pre-dispensing state and a dispensing state. One arrangement also provides a beneficial agent dispenser having a dispensing port, an elongate portion and a plunger that is movably disposed relative to a tubular wall of the elongate portion during a dispensing stroke to partially penetrate a separable barrier and expel the beneficial agent through the dispensing port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing device for delivering a beneficial agent comprising:
 an elongated frame comprising two walls substantially parallel to each other comprising tracks;   a dispensing package at least partially disposed in the elongated frame, comprising a flexible wall, and containing the beneficial agent;   a fluid transport device communicable with the dispensing package;   an actuation stem moveably disposed in the elongated frame comprising:
 a proximal end comprising a follower configured to guide the proximal end in the tracks; and 
 a distal end configured to operate the actuation stem along the elongated frame; and 
   wherein when the actuation stem is advanced into the elongated frame, the follower moves in the track causing the proximal end to compress the dispensing package, collapsing the flexible wall, and expelling the beneficial agent through the fluid transport device.   
     
     
         2 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuation stem further comprises a roller disposed at the proximal end. 
     
     
         3 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible wall of the dispensing package is tubular. 
     
     
         4 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible wall of the dispensing package comprises a first wall and a second wall, wherein at least the first wall is preformed to create a cavity for containing the beneficial agent, and the first wall is joined to the second wall along its circumference in a fluid-tight fashion. 
     
     
         5 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein when in a storage configuration, the dispensing package is not in fluid communication with the fluid transport device, a frangible seal disposed therebetween; and when in a dispensing configuration, the frangible seal is ruptured, establishing fluid communication between the dispensing package and the fluid transport device. 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible wall is made of at least one of a film and foil. 
     
     
         7 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transport device comprises one of a needle, a micro-needle, an intradermal needle, a subcutaneous needle, an intramuscular needle, an IV catheter, a jet injection nozzle, a catheter, a tube, a hose, a topical applicator, a nasal applicator, an auricular dispenser, an ocular dispenser, a dropper, an adapter, or a connector to any of the above. 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1  further comprising a cap providing at least one of a mechanical protection and an aseptic barrier to the dispensing device. 
     
     
         9 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing package further comprises a rigid backing providing support to the dispensing package and wherein the actuating stem compresses the flexible wall of the dispensing package against the rigid backing. 
     
     
         10 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuation stem comprises two opposing rollers disposed at the proximal end, and the follower comprises two roller shafts. 
     
     
         11 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuating stem comprises an upper cantilever arm and a lower cantilever arm. 
     
     
         12 . A dispensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing package comprises two compartments containing constituents of the beneficial agent separated by a frangible seal, the frangible seal formed by joining portions of the flexible wall in a fluid-tight fashion, and wherein the frangible seal is peeled when the dispensing package is compressed by the actuation stem, merging the two compartments to mix the constituents of the beneficial agent prior to dispensing. 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing device according to  claim 12  wherein manipulating the distal end of the actuation stem to further extend said actuation stem from the elongated frame compresses the dispensing package and peels the frangible seal merging the two compartments of the dispensing package. 
     
     
         14 . A dispensing device according to  claim 11  wherein the track is shaped such that manipulating the distal end of the actuation stem in axial direction to further extend said actuation stem from the elongated frame flexes the upper cantilever arm and the lower cantilever arm away from the dispensing package.