Patent ID: 6071261
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: A61J

Abstract:
An apparatus for orally administering a dosage of a liquid, a suspension, or medication to patients able to swallow, but otherwise unable to independently ingest the liquid, medication, or suspension, comprising:a sleeve for retaining the liquid, suspension, or medication, having at least one interior wall surface and a closed end, the closed end including an outwardly extending flange defining an aperture extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the interior of the sleeve;a manually operable plunger having a stem portion, and an end adapted to slidingly and sealingly engage the interior wall surface to cooperatively define a reservoir with the sleeve interior wall surface an closed end, the plunger being movable between a first position wherein the end is adjacent to the closed end of the sleeve, and a second position wherein the end is adjacent to the opposite end of the sleeve;an elongated hollow tube having a first end coupled to the flange and defining an aperture extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the reservoir;a valve interposed between and coupled at one end to the flange and at an opposite end to the tube, the valve being manually operable between a closed position wherein the liquid, medication, or suspension retained in the reservoir of the sleeve, is prevented from leaking out of the tube and an open position wherein the liquid, medication, or suspension can be injected through the tube; and whereinthe tube includes a second end adapted to be positioned at a point within a patient's mouth adjacent to the patient's throat, such that when the end of the plunger is moved from the second to the first position, the liquid, medication, or suspension contained within the reservoir of the sleeve is injected out of the second end of the tube and is readily swallowed by the patient.