Device, method, and system for automated dispensing of periodontal medication

Abstract

A device for the treatment of periodontal disease includes a handle that has a configuration familiar to dental professionals, and a detachable tip or cartridge, that is locked into the handle when use. The device provides for automatically delivering a single dose of medicament, such as a powdered preparation of antibiotic, to a periodontal pocket for treatment of infection or disease.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medicament delivery device comprising:
 an actuator comprising a housing serving as a handle and having an open distal end in communication with   a medicament delivery tip, said tip detachably affixed to the actuator and having an axial bore longitudinally disposed therethrough with a single dose of medicament and a medicament plunger contained therein, said medicament housed at the distal end of said tip distal to said plunger;   wherein the actuator further comprises an internally disposed push rod coupled to a compression spring capable of storing energy when compressed, said rod and compression spring being lockable into spring loaded configuration by a catch mechanism upon compression of the spring; wherein the release of stored energy in the compressed spring is actuated by a single-action release mechanism operatively coupled to said catch mechanism, the release resulting in automated movement of the push rod for engagement with the medicament plunger to deliver the medicament.   
     
     
         2 . A device for delivery powdered medicaments to a periodontal pocket, said device comprising an actuator handle portion, and plurality of detachable tips, each comprising a plunger and a single dose of said medicament, in which the delivery pressure is predominantly in the range of about 50 to 300 psi. 
     
     
         3 . A medicament delivery tip that is at one end affixable to an actuator handle, the tip and the actuator handle useful for dispensing at least one medicament to a periodontal pocket, said tip comprising:
 a generally elongate tube having an outer circumference and internal bore disposed throughout its length, said tip terminating proximally in a first end that can be affixed to an actuator handle and terminating distally in a medicament exit port;   a medicament plunger slideably housed within the tip proximal to a medicament bolus housed within the tip;   wherein the internal bore is substantially round throughout its entire length and the outer circumference is substantially round at the proximal end and tapers to an elliptical circumference at the distal end.   
     
     
         4 . The delivery tip of  claim 3  wherein the medicament bolus is comprised of dry particles. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery tip of  claim 3  wherein the proximal end of the tip has a flange for affixing the tip to the actuator handle. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery tip of  claim 3  wherein the internal bore has a substantial stepdown in diameter to serve as a plunger stop. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery tip of  claim 3  wherein the exit port is configured as a two-pronged, beveled wedge. 
     
     
         8 . A system for delivery of a powdered medicament to a periodontal pocket, said system comprising an actuator handle portion, and a plurality of detachable tips, each comprising a plunger and a single dose of said medicament, wherein the plurality of tips is separately packaged in a storage tray and arrayed for affixing a tip to the handle portion without touching the tip or other tips within the storage tray. 
     
     
         9 . A therapeutic delivery system, comprising delivering particles of a powdered therapeutic agent to a periodontal pocket, said system comprising an actuator handle portion, and plurality of detachable tips, each comprising a plunger and a single dose of said medicament, in which the particles of the therapeutic agent have size predominantly in the range of about 10 to 250 μm. 
     
     
         10 . A method for delivery of a powdered medicament to a periodontal pocket, said method comprising
 a. providing a system comprising an actuator handle portion, and at least one detachable tip, said tip containing a plunger and a single dose of said medicament;   b. affixing the handle and tip together;   c. positioning the tip within a target periodontal pocket; and   d. releasing the spring-loaded mechanism within the handle portion to deliver medicament to the target periodontal pocket.