Claims
- 1. An absorbent device adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the device comprising:
a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body including
an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, wherein the absorbency zone includes absorbent material; an application zone adjacent the proximal end and spaced apart from the distal end, wherein the application zone has a surface; and a formulation including a therapeutic agent positioned substantially adjacent the surface within the application zone.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a catamenial device.
- 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an incontinence device.
- 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a tampon.
- 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the application zone includes absorbent material.
- 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the application zone includes nonabsorbent material.
- 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the application zone consists essentially of non-absorbent material.
- 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir within the application zone, wherein the formulation including the therapeutic agent is located substantially within the reservoir.
- 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the reservoir is in communication with the surface.
- 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the reservoir is located under the surface.
- 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is substantially a liquid.
- 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is substantially a solid.
- 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is substantially a semi-solid.
- 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is encapsulated.
- 15. The device of claim 1, further comprising an applicator, wherein pressure applied by the applicator to the body releases the therapeutic agent from the application zone.
- 16. The device of claim 1, further comprising an applicator, wherein pressure applied by the applicator to the body releases the therapeutic agent to the application zone.
- 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is adapted to treat dysmenorrhea.
- 18. The device of claim 1, where in the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: Celecoxib, Meloxicam, Rofecoxib, and Flosulide.
- 19. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Phenylbutazone, Bromfenac, Sulindac, Nabumetone, Ketorolac, Mefenamic Acid, and Naproxen.
- 20. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: Lidocaine, Mepivacaine, Etidocaine, Bupivacaine, 2-Chloroprocaine hydrochloride, Procaine, and Tetracaine hydrochloride.
- 21. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: Diltaizem, Israpidine, Nimodipine, Felodipine, Verapamil, Nifedipine, Nicardipine, and Bepridil.
- 22. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: Dofetilide, E-4031, Imokalant, Sematilide, Ambasilide, Azimilide, Ted isamil, RP58866, Sotalol, Piroxicam, and Ibutilide.
- 23. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: Terbutaline, Salbutamol, Metaproterenol, and Ritodrine.
- 24. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide mononitrate.
- 25. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: Celecoxib, Meloxicam, Rofecoxib, and Flosulide.
- 26. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: Agnus castus, aloe vera, comfrey, calendula, dong quai, black cohosh, chamomile, evening primrose, Hypericum perforatum, licorice root, black currant seed oil, St. John's wort, tea extracts, lemon balm, capsicum, rosemary, Areca catechu, mung bean, borage seed oil, witch hazel, fenugreek, lavender, and soy.
- 27. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is a Vaccinium extract derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of: heath, cranberries, blueberries, azaleas, red onion skin, short red bell peppers, long red bell peppers, beet root extract, and capsanthin.
- 28. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: whortleberry, lingenberry, chokeberry, sweet rowan, rowanberry, seabuckhrouberry, crowberry, strawberries, and gooseberries.
- 29. The device of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is a combination of a botanical and a beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of: vitamins, calcium, magnesium, hormones, analgesics, prostaglandin inhibitors, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, leukotriene receptor antagonists, essential fatty acids, sterols, anti-inflammatory agents, vasodilators, chemotherapeutic agents, and agents to treat infertility.
- 30. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pledget, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is applied to the pledget
- 31. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is applied to the surface.
- 32. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is applied to degradable fibers.
- 33. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is compressed, and wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is applied to the body after the body is compressed.
- 34. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is constructed from a material, and wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is applied to the material before the body is constructed.
- 35. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent includes a hydrogel material.
- 36. The device of claim 1, wherein the body includes an apertured web, and wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent is contained in the apertured web.
- 37. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent includes a foam component.
- 38. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation including a therapeutic agent includes a polymeric material.
- 39. An absorbent device adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the device comprising:
a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body including
an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, wherein the absorbency zone includes absorbent material; an application zone adjacent the proximal end and spaced apart from the distal end; a reservoir within the application zone; and a formulation including a therapeutic agent positioned substantially within the reservoir in the application zone.
- 40. The device of claim 39, wherein the application zone has a surface, and wherein the reservoir is in communication with the surface.
- 41. The device of claim 39, wherein the application zone has a surface, and wherein the reservoir is located under the surface.
- 42. The device of claim 39, further comprising an applicator, wherein pressure applied by the applicator to the body releases the therapeutic agent from the application zone.
- 43. An absorbent device adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the device comprising:
a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body including
an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, wherein the absorbency zone includes absorbent material; an application zone adjacent the proximal end and spaced apart from the distal end, wherein the application zone has a surface; and a formulation including a therapeutic agent interspersed substantially within the interstitial space in the application zone.
- 44. A method for producing a device for delivering a therapeutic agent, the method comprising:
manufacturing a tampon having a body with a distal end, a proximal end, an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, and an application zone adjacent the proximal end, wherein the application zone has a surface; and locating a formulation including a therapeutic agent substantially adjacent the surface within the application zone.
- 45. The method of claim 44, further comprising providing a tampon applicator such that pressure from the tampon applicator on the body releases the therapeutic agent from the application zone.
- 46. The method of claim 44, wherein the manufacturing act includes manufacturing the body including a pledget, and wherein the locating act includes applying the formulation including a therapeutic agent to the pledget.
- 47. The method of claim 44, wherein the manufacturing act includes compressing the body, and wherein the locating act includes applying the formulation including a therapeutic agent to the body after the body is compressed.
- 48. The method of claim 44, wherein the manufacturing act includes manufacturing the body from a material, and wherein the locating act includes applying the formulation including a therapeutic agent to the material before the body is manufactured.
- 49. The method of claim 44, wherein the manufacturing act includes manufacturing the body to include an apertured web, and wherein the locating act includes containing the formulation including a therapeutic agent in the apertured web.
- 50. The method of claim 44, wherein the locating act includes producing the formulation including a therapeutic agent integrally with the device.
- 51. A tampon for delivering a therapeutic agent, the device comprising:
a body having a distal end, an absorbent portion adjacent the distal end, and an application zone spaced apart from distal end; and a means for carrying a therapeutic agent within the application zone.
- 52. The tampon of claim 51, wherein the application zone has a surface, and wherein the carrying means is substantially positioned adjacent the surface.
- 53. The tampon of claim 51, wherein the application zone has a reservoir, and wherein the carrying means is substantially positioned within the reservoir.
- 54. A method of producing a tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the method comprising:
treating a portion of a porous nonwoven sheet formed from hydrophobic polymer with a formulation including the therapeutic agent; and forming the tampon so as to include absorbent material, such that the portion at least partially covers a proximal end of the tampon, and such a distal end of the tampon is substantially free of the formulation including the therapeutic agent.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of provisional patent application, serial No. 60/315,882, filed Aug. 29, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60315882 |
Aug 2001 |
US |