Plug for insertion into the nose or ear of a subject and method for administering a fluid therapeutic agent using said plug
A plug for insertion into the nose or ear of a subject, comprising: a body adapted to fit into a nostril or ear canal of the subject and a hollow tubular member with a collar disposed inside the body. The plug is adapted to receive a tip of a syringe for injection of a fluid therapeutic agent through the hollow tubular member for nasal administration or administration to the ear. A kit comprising the plug and a syringe, as well as a method for administering a fluid therapeutic agent to a subject using the plug are also disclosed.
1. A plug for insertion into a nose or ear of a subject, comprising:
a body adapted to fit into a nostril or ear canal of the subject, the body comprising a first end arranged to face inward and a second end arranged to face outward during use, wherein the body comprises a compressible, resilient foam material adapted to absorb liquid;
a hollow tubular member disposed inside the body and extending substantially an entire length of the body and comprising a tubular portion having a first opening facing inwardly and a second opening facing outward during use, the hollow tubular member being arranged to provide fluid communication between the first and second openings;
wherein the hollow tubular member further comprises a cup-shaped collar arranged on an external surface of the tubular portion and extending radially outward from the tubular portion, wherein a rim of the collar, defined by a radially outermost surface of the collar, is disposed inside the body in contact with an inner wall of the body at the second end of the body, wherein a substantially concave side of the collar faces towards the first end of the body; and
wherein the second opening of the hollow tubular member is adapted to receive a tip of a syringe for injection of a fluid therapeutic agent through the hollow tubular member.
2. The plug according to claim 1 , further comprising a spray nozzle arranged adjacent the first opening of the hollow tubular member.
3. The plug according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter arranged inside the hollow tubular member.
4. The plug according to claim 1 , further comprising an internal device arranged inside the hollow tubular member.
5. The plug according to claim 4 , wherein the internal device is an acoustic device being selected from a hearing aid, a speaker or an auditory masking device.
6. The plug according to claim 4 , wherein the internal device is a sensor, the sensor being configured to detect gas, radioactivity, levels of pollen, pollution, pathogens, acoustic signals and/or electromagnetic signals.
7. The plug according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor is configured to emit pheromones, aphrodisiac, scents/fragrances, vibrations and/or acoustic signals in response to the detection.
8. The plug according to claim 4 , wherein the internal device is configured to determine a position and/or orientation of the plug.
9. A kit comprising at least one plug for insertion into the nose or ear of a subject and at least one syringe pre-filled with a fluid to be injected into the nostril or ear canal of the subject through the plug, the plug comprising:
a body adapted to fit into a nostril or ear canal of the subject, the body comprising a first end arranged to face inward and a second end arranged to face outward during use, wherein the body comprises a compressible, resilient foam material adapted to absorb liquid;
a hollow tubular member disposed inside the body and extending substantially an entire length of the body and comprising a tubular portion having a first opening facing inwardly and a second opening facing outward during use, the hollow tubular member being arranged to provide fluid communication between the first and second openings;
wherein the hollow tubular member further comprises a cup-shaped collar arranged on an external surface of the tubular portion and extending radially outward from the tubular portion, wherein a rim of the collar, defined by a radially outermost surface of the collar, is disposed inside the body in contact with an inner wall of the body at the second end of the body, wherein a substantially concave side of the collar faces towards the first end of the body; and
wherein the second opening of the hollow tubular member is adapted to receive a tip of the syringe for injection of a fluid therapeutic agent through the hollow tubular member.
10. The kit according to claim 9 further comprising a spray nozzle arranged adjacent the first opening of the hollow tubular member.
11. The kit according to claim 9 , further comprising a filter arranged inside the hollow tubular member.
12. The kit according to claim 9 , further comprising an internal device arranged inside the hollow tubular member.
13. The kit according to claim 12 , wherein the internal device is an acoustic device being selected from a hearing aid, a speaker or an auditory masking device.
14. The kit according to claim 12 , wherein the internal device is a sensor, the sensor being configured to detect gas, radioactivity, levels of pollen, pollution, pathogens, acoustic signals and/or electromagnetic signals.
15. The kit according to claim 14 , wherein the sensor is configured to emit pheromones, aphrodisiac, scents/fragrances, vibrations and/or acoustic signals in response to the detection.
16. The kit according to claim 12 , wherein the internal device is configured to determine a position and/or orientation of the plug.
17. The kit according to claim 9 , wherein the fluid therapeutic agent is selected from analgesics, corticosteroids, antibiotics, decongestants, stem cells, nicotine, vaccines, cerebral cytostatic, disinfectants, astringents, procoagulants, antifungals and/or cerumenolytics.