Methods for Medication Administration

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for medication administration via a body cavity. In one aspect, a medication administration device includes: a tip portion having a plurality of holes and a balloon defining a balloon cavity. When the balloon is deflated the tip portion can be inserted into a body cavity, such as rectum, to allow medication delivery through the holes in the tip portion. When inflated, the balloon can prevent the tip portion from being withdrawn from the body cavity and / or hold dispersed medication within the body cavity. The device further includes a port portion that has a first port and a second port, and an elongated tubular portion that is coupled between the tip portion and the port portion. The tubular portion has a first lumen connecting the first port to the plurality of holes in the tip portion, and a second lumen connecting the second port to the balloon cavity.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to the provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 998,286, filed Oct. 10, 2007 and entitled “Rectal Medication Administration Tube”, and to the non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 609,014, filed on Sep. 23, 2008, and entitled “Apparatuses and methods for Medication Adminitration”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY[0002]At least some embodiments of the disclosure relate to delivery of medications in general and, more particularly but not limited to, delivery of medication into rectum.BACKGROUND[0003]Most patients lose the ability to swallow at a certain point near death, during which symptom management can become challenging, as symptoms, such as pain, shortness of breath, restlessness or agitation, tend to worsen.[0004]The rectum is a good alternative for hospice patients when the oral route fails. The walls of the rectum absorb many medicat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In one embodiment, the tip portion is configured to be inserted into rectum; the diameter of the first lumen connecting the first port to the plurality of holes is no more than 3 millimeters to limit a volume of the first lumen; and the volume of the first lumen is no more than 4 milliliter to reduce medication dilution after medication is flushed out of the first lumen into the body cavity through the holes in the tip portion.

Problems solved by technology

Most patients lose the ability to swallow at a certain point near death, during which symptom management can become challenging, as symptoms, such as pain, shortness of breath, restlessness or agitation, tend to worsen.

These traditional approaches typically involve moving or repositioning the patient, which is many times uncomfortable and invasive for the patient and difficult for the caregivers.

Such a process can be painful, especially if the patient has hemorrhoids.

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