Liquid Applicator for Delivering Vaccines
The invention relates to a liquid applicator, for administering liquids, including vaccines, to animals. In particular, the applicator is useful for delivering liquids to mouths of animals.
1 - 17 . (canceled)
18 . An applicator capable of delivering a liquid blended vaccine composition to a canine or feline animal by oral administration;
wherein the applicator is adapted to the canine or feline mouth, comprising an elongated reservoir defining a longitudinal axis (A′), an elongated and hollow stem comprising an angled portion, and adapted to be inserted into the canine or feline animal's mouth, the elongated and hollow stem comprising proximal and distal ends, the proximal end operably connected to and in fluid communication with the elongated reservoir and the distal end adaptable to allow liquid to exit and enter the applicator;
further wherein said angled portion of the elongated and hollow stem is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis (A′) and wherein the portion of the elongated and hollow stem defines a second axis (B′), wherein the longitudinal axis (A′) and the second axis (B′) define an angle theta (θ) with respect to the longitudinal axis (A′), wherein theta is from about 0 to about 35 degrees;
further wherein the applicator comprises a fused dual or double stem;
further wherein the applicator is capable of dispensing the liquid blended vaccine composition to the canine or feline animal.
19 . The applicator of claim 18 , wherein the applicator is capable of sealably containing a carrier liquid to be dispensed into a vial containing one or more lyophilized immunogens to form the liquid blended vaccine composition.
20 . The applicator of claim 18 , wherein the applicator is capable of dispensing the carrier liquid into the vial containing the one or more lyophilized immunogens to form the liquid blended vaccine composition upon the application of mechanical pressure to the elongated reservoir, and is capable of drawing the liquid blended vaccine composition back into the elongated reservoir when mechanical pressure is first applied to the elongated reservoir and then released while the elongated reservoir is in fluid communication with the liquid blended vaccine composition.
21 . The applicator of claim 18 , wherein the distal end of the elongated and hollow stem comprises a frangible seal.
22 . The applicator of claim 21 , wherein the frangible seal is breakable by twisting or torqued force.
23 . The applicator of claim 18 , wherein the filling volume of the applicator is from about 1 mL to about 3 mL, or from about 1.1 mL to about 2.5 mL, or from about 1.2 to about 2.0 mL, or from about 1.3 mL to about 1.8 mL, or from about 1.3 to about 1.4 mL.
24 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the applicator is made of LDPE, MDPE or HDPE.
25 . The applicator of claim 20 , wherein the elongated reservoir end of the applicator is bounded by a graspable tab, and the elongated and hollow stem comprises a bend and two linear stem regions.
26 . The applicator of claim 25 , wherein the two linear stem regions have a length ratio from 10:1 to 1:10, and wherein the proximal region of the elongated and hollow stem further comprises one or more longitudinal stiffeners that in part join the elongated and hollow stem to the elongated reservoir.
27 . A kit comprising the applicator of claim 1 and a vial of lyophilized immunogen.
28 . The kit of claim 27 , wherein the lyophilized immunogen is capable of providing the canine with protective immunity against a pathogen selected from the group consisting of an influenza virus, a parainfluenza virus, a canine influenza virus, Bordetella , a rabies virus, a parvovirus, an adenovirus, and a distemper virus.
29 . The kit of claim 27 , wherein the lyophilized immunogen is capable of providing the canine with protective immunity against a parainfluenza virus.