System for delivering a composition to the nasal membrane and method of using same
A quick and easy system and method for delivering a composition to a nasal membrane is presented. The applicator assembly includes a sleeve member which encases a swab having a portion that contacts a gelled composition. The sleeve member is manually severed to expose the applicator and the composition. The gelled composition contained on the applicator is applied to the nasal membrane.
1. A delivery system comprising:
an applicator assembly comprising a handle portion, an applicator portion attached at one end of the handle portion, and a container, wherein the container comprises a first portion for encasing the handle portion and a second portion for encasing the applicator portion; and
a gelled-matrix composition comprising one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of a moisturizer, a decongestant, and a homeopathic agent enclosed within the container and adjacent the applicator.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients comprises zinc.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition comprises a thickening agent.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein a thickener is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, carrageenan, sugar, guar gum, methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carbohydrate thickeners, and aloe barbadensis gel.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition further comprises at least one of a carrier, an antiseptic, a permeation enhancer, a preservative, an emulsifier, a sequestering agent, and a buffer.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition further comprises glycerin.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition further comprises a preservative comprising at least one of a benzalkonium chloride and a benzyl alcohol.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition comprises water, glycerin, sodium chloride, hydroxyethyl cellulose, zinc gluconate, benzalkonium chloride, and sodium hydroxide.
9. A system for applying a composition, the system comprising:
an applicator assembly comprising a handle portion, an applicator portion attached at one end of the handle portion, and a container, wherein the container comprises a first portion for encasing the handle portion and a second portion for encasing the applicator portion; and
a composition enclosed within the container and adjacent the applicator, the composition comprising an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of homeopathic materials, naturopathic materials, zinc, decongestants, and moisturizers, wherein the composition has a viscosity greater than 1,500 centipoise or about 1,500 centipoise and less than 40,000 centipoise or about 40,000 centipoise.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the composition has a viscosity between about 2,500 centipoise and about 10,000 centipoise.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the composition has a viscosity between about 4,000 centipoise and about 6,000 centipoise.
12. A system for applying a composition, the system comprising:
an applicator assembly comprising a handle portion, an applicator portion attached at one end of the handle portion, and a container, wherein the container comprises a first portion for encasing the handle portion and a second portion for encasing the applicator portion; and
a gelled-matrix composition comprising an active substance selected from the group consisting of a mineral, a vitamin, a nucleic acid, an amino acid, a peptide, a polypeptide, a protein, a gene, a mutagen, an antiviral agent, an antibacterial agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, a decongestant, a histamine, an anti-histamine, an anti-allergen, an allergy-relief substance, and a moisturizer, the gelled-matrix enclosed within the container and adjacent the applicator.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition further comprises a thickener.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the thickener is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrate thickeners, carrageenan, sugar, guar gum, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and methylcellulose.
15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition further comprises a preservative.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the preservative comprises at least one of the following: benzalkonium chloride and benzyl alcohol.
17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the active substance is zinc.
18. The system of claim 12 , wherein the active substance is zinc gluconate in a range of about 0.9 to about 2.0 weight percent of the gelled-matrix composition.
19. The system of claim 12 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one of a carrier, a thickener, a permeation enhancer, a preservative, an emulsifier, and a buffer.
20. The system of claim 12 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition comprises glycerin.
21. The system of claim 12 , wherein the gelled-matrix composition comprises a permeation enhancer selected from the group consisting of liposomes, sequestering agents, ascorbic acid, glycerol, chitosan, lysophosphotidylcholin, EDTA, and disodium EDTA.
22. A method of using the system of claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
providing the system of claim 1 ;
severing the container to expose the applicator portion; and
using the applicator portion to apply the gelled-matrix composition.
23. A method of using the system of claim 9 , the method comprising the steps of:
providing the system of claim 9 ;
severing the container to expose the applicator portion; and
using the applicator portion to apply the composition.
24. A method of using the system of claim 12 , the method comprising the steps of:
providing the system of claim 12 ;
severing the container to expose the applicator portion; and
using the applicator portion to apply the gelled-matrix composition.