Applicator for delivering at least one dose of a composition into a bodily route of a user and associated method

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator (100) for delivering at least one dose of a composition into a bodily route of a user, a refill (30) for such an applicator (100), a kit comprising such an applicator (100) and at least one such refill (30) and a method for administering at least one dose of a composition into a bodily route of the user.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] APPLICATOR TO DELIVER AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF ONE

[0003] COMPOSITION IN A BODILY WAY OF A USER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to the field of applicators for delivering a composition. In particular, the invention relates to an applicator for delivering at least one dose of a composition into a bodily pathway of a user, the natural pathway opening to the outside through at least one opening. The invention also relates to a refill for such an applicator, a kit comprising such an applicator and at least one such refill, and a method for administering at least one dose of the composition into a bodily pathway of the user.

[0006] The invention applies to the administration of all kinds of compositions intended to be injected into bodily pathways through their opening. In particular, the invention applies to the administration of compositions into bodily pathways that are difficult to access. The invention applies in particular to the administration of a composition intended to form a barrier within the bodily pathway.

[0007] STATE OF THE ART

[0008] Urinary tract infections are very common in women. They can affect different parts of the urinary system, including the bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis), ureters, and sometimes the kidneys (pyelonephritis).

[0009] Common symptoms associated with UTIs include a burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and sometimes fever when the infection reaches the kidneys.

[0010] Generally, women are more likely to develop UTIs than men due to their shorter urethra, which facilitates the migration of bacteria. It is estimated that up to 50% of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime.

[0011] Urinary tract infections in women can be caused by many factors including sexuality, pregnancy, menopause or even diabetes.

[0012] There are many ways to prevent it, such as promoting good hygiene, regular bladder emptying, adequate hydration, and avoiding known risk factors.

[0013] There are also medical solutions such as antibiotic treatments for curative or preventive purposes. However, prolonged use of antibiotics increases the risk of developing allergies, intolerance, altering the microbiota, and developing antibiotic resistance.

[0014] Similarly, medical-surgical interventions such as intravesical instillations, meatotomy or dilation are risky and present an uncertain outcome for the patient.

[0015] There is currently no solution that can ensure reproducible, long-lasting, and risk-free effectiveness. Indeed, all prevention methods, and particularly those mentioned above, generally have a rather unfavorable benefit-risk balance, which often varies greatly and is unpredictable from person to person. Typically, it is estimated that approximately 20% to 30% of women who have had cystitis will have a recurrence within six months.

[0016] There is therefore a real need to find an effective prevention solution to limit the occurrence of urinary tract infections and their recurrence.

[0017] In particular, there is a need for a prevention solution that can be implemented by the user himself.

[0018] However, the urethra is a body passage that is difficult to reach and visualize by the user himself. Document US 2023 / 021407 describes an applicator for delivering at least one dose of an intraurethral composition in which a syringe is placed inside a two-part shell to be actuated by a rod mounted movable between the shell parts. This applicator of complex design does not offer easy handling for the user, either during assembly or during administration, and particularly when this administration is carried out by the user himself. In addition, when applied to the female urethra, its administration from the outside does not offer satisfactory effectiveness.

[0019] There is therefore also a need for a prevention solution to facilitate access, and optionally visualization of the urethral region, including the meatus, the external orifice of the urethra.

[0020] More generally, the technical problem that the invention seeks to solve is to obtain a device making it possible to facilitate access to a bodily route by a user who would, for example, wish to administer a composition to himself.

[0021] SUMMARY

[0022] The invention relates to an applicator for delivering at least one dose of a composition into a bodily pathway of a user opening to the outside through at least one opening, the applicator comprising: a hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis, the hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end; a piston positioned in the hollow body, the piston extending along the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end being intended to be actuated by the user to slide the piston along the longitudinal axis between a high position and a low position, a refill comprising: o an internal reservoir including the at least one dose of the composition, o a distal tip connected to the internal reservoir, the distal tip being configured to penetrate into the bodily pathway through the opening and deliver the at least one dose into the bodily pathway,o a guide surface extending along the longitudinal axis, the guide surface at least partially delimiting the internal reservoir, in which the refill is configured to be removably mounted on the distal end of the hollow body and the applicator has a mounted state, in which the refill is mounted on the distal end of the hollow body, the second end of the piston comprising a thrust member configured to slide in the guide surface in order to deliver the at least one dose.,

[0023] According to the invention, a bodily pathway designates a conduit, natural or artificial, connecting an exterior of the body and an organ located inside the human body or a cavity opening onto the exterior of the human body by at least one opening. Typically, the bodily pathway may be a natural conduit such as the nasal passage, the auditory canal, the oral cavity, the vagina or the anus. The bodily pathway may also be an artificial conduit provided for the passage of a syringe, a cannula, a probe or a catheter. For example, the bodily pathway is a conduit provided by a syringe to a vein or an artery, a tracheal conduit which crosses the neck region to reach the trachea or an intracranial conduit, which crosses the cranium to reach the brain. The bodily pathway may in particular be the urethra and its opening, the meatus, and more particularly the urethra and the meatus of a woman.Alternatively, the bodily route may be a wound or a bedsore.

[0024] According to the invention, the composition may be a composition for therapeutic, preventive or curative purposes. For example, the composition is a saline solution, an antibiotic or an analgesic, or an anesthetic composition. The composition is, for example, a dose of valium delivered intrarectally by a third party or a composition intended for dental application, or a dose for intra-auricular instillation delivered in place of a dropper of the prior art, which is much less precise. Alternatively, the composition may be for diagnostic purposes, such as a composition comprising a contrast agent injected for medical imaging. The composition may also be a composition intended to form at least a mechanical barrier in the body. For example, the composition may aim to temporarily or permanently seal an artery, a vein, a wound or a bedsore to stop bleeding.Advantageously, the composition may also aim to form a temporary barrier in the urethra, particularly of a woman, in order to prevent the rise of pathogenic microorganisms along the urethra. The composition may be placed temporarily and, for example, be evacuated during urination. The composition may be in various forms and states. For example, the composition may be a gel, a paste or a liquid.

[0025] The composition is notably characterized by its properties of adhesion to the walls of the body pathway, its detachment, its persistence, its persistence, its non-migration below a certain force applied to said composition. The composition can also be characterized by its antibacterial effect.

[0026] In other words, the applicator according to the invention is sized to facilitate the administration of the composition into the body by the user himself. No external intervention is then necessary and in particular no intervention by medical personnel. The ergonomics of the applicator allows a safe action by the user despite the fact that the body is difficult to access and potentially difficult to visualize. In particular, the distal tip is adapted to easily penetrate the body, while limiting the pain caused. Alternatively, the applicator according to the invention is sized to facilitate the administration of the composition by a third party without requiring the intervention of medical personnel.

[0027] In the applicator according to the invention, the hollow body and the refill placed end to end make it possible to simplify the assembly of the refill while providing easier handling of the applicator. Indeed, this arrangement allows a better grip of the applicator at an appropriate distance from the distal tip to more easily reach the opening of the body passage. This results in more precise self-administration of the dose of composition at the desired location within the body passage and, hence, better administration efficiency.These provisions also provide safe self-administration in that the user, and particularly the female user in the case of self-administration into the female urethra, can hold only the hollow body during administration, limiting contact with the refill, the contents of the refill or the part of the body in which the opening of the bodily route is located, in particular the meatus. Possible contamination associated with such contact can thus be limited. The applicator can be operated with one hand, leaving the other hand available to simplify access to the opening or guide administration.

[0028] The applicator also allows for prolonged use, which is more economical and environmentally friendly, since it allows the hollow body and the piston to be reused and only the refill to be changed when all the composition has been used up.

[0029] According to other aspects of the invention, the applicator according to the invention comprises one or more of the features described in the following embodiments, taken individually or in all possible combinations.

[0030] The distal end of the hollow body may have a mounting opening along the longitudinal axis, the refill and the mounting opening being configured to allow mounting of the refill on the distal end through the mounting opening by inserting the internal reservoir into the mounting opening.

[0031] The hollow body may include a shell extending about the longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends, and a centering surface extending into the distal end along the longitudinal axis, the centering surface defining the mounting opening and being configured to contact an exterior surface of the inner reservoir in the mounted state. These arrangements secure the positioning of the refill on the hollow body to ensure operation of the applicator.

[0032] The refill may include a stop member extending transversely to the longitudinal axis and configured to axially contact the distal end of the hollow body. These arrangements simplify mounting by defining a mounting position of the refill in abutment against the distal end of the hollow body, before the refill is locked. When locking the refill, contact of the stop member with the end of the hollow body provides haptic feedback to the user. The stop member provides additional support securing the positioning of the refill and keeping it in place during use. The distal tip may have a guard configured to stop progression of said distal tip in the body pathway at an insertion distance.

[0033] According to a first embodiment, the piston comprises an end portion forming the thrust member, the end portion being configured to penetrate into the internal reservoir.

[0034] In this embodiment, the pushing member is configured to penetrate directly into the internal reservoir of the refill. The pushing member thus comes into direct contact with the composition to push it out of the refill. Contamination of the composition is thus advantageously avoided.

[0035] According to a second embodiment, the refill comprises a transmission member mounted in the guide surface so as to slide in the internal reservoir, the transmission member being arranged to be in contact with the thrust member at least when the piston is actuated to slide from the high position to the low position.

[0036] In this embodiment, the pushing member is configured to push the transmission member, which in turn enters the internal reservoir of the refill. In practice, the refill is provided such that the transmission member is pre-inserted into the guide surface and thus closes the upper opening of the internal reservoir. The composition is thus never exposed to the external environment and does not risk being contaminated. In particular, the composition never comes into direct contact with the piston, which limits cross-contamination between applications of the different doses of composition.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the piston may comprise a guide portion, positioned between the first end and the second end, the guide portion being configured to come into contact with an internal wall of the hollow body so as to guide the sliding of the piston within the hollow body.

[0038] The disclosure also relates to a monolithic applicator in which the refill is not removable after being mounted on the distal end of the hollow body, the hollow body and the refill forming a single piece. The refill can be mounted on the hollow body thanks to the cooperation of complementary locking members positioned on the refill and the hollow body.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the refill is mounted on the distal end of the hollow body by cooperation between at least one male locking member and at least one female locking member positioned on the hollow body and the refill, a first angular position allowing the male locking member to be introduced into the female locking member, and a second angular position, different from the first angular position, allowing locking of the male locking member in the female locking member.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the first end of the piston comprises a connecting member configured to cooperate with a viewing element allowing viewing of a region of the body pathway when the viewing element is mounted on the connecting member.

[0041] The visualization organ allows better visualization of the body route by the user and helps to facilitate access to the body route by the user who wishes to self-administer the composition.

[0042] When the applicator is specifically intended to deliver the dose of composition into the urethra of a woman as a bodily route, through the meatus as an opening, the distal tip is configured to enter the urethra through the meatus.

[0043] The internal reservoir of the refill can then include at least one dose of composition suitable for forming a barrier to pathogenic microorganisms.

[0044] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a refill for an applicator as described above, in which the refill comprises: an internal reservoir including the at least one dose of the composition, a distal tip connected to the internal reservoir, the distal tip being configured to penetrate into a bodily pathway through an opening through which said bodily pathway opens onto the outside and to deliver said at least one dose into the bodily pathway, a guide surface extending along the longitudinal axis, the guide surface at least partially delimiting the internal reservoir, the refill being configured to be removably mounted on the distal end of the hollow body of the applicator so that the second end of the piston comprising the thrust member can slide in the guide surface in order to deliver the at least one dose.

[0045] The distal tip may have a guard configured to stop progression of said distal tip into the body pathway at an insertion distance.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the refill further comprises a transmission member mounted in the guide surface so as to slide in the internal reservoir, the transmission member being configured to be in contact with the thrust member at least when the piston is actuated to slide from the high position to the low position.

[0047] The refill is thus designed so that the transmission member is pre-inserted into the guide surface and thus closes the upper opening of the internal reservoir. The composition is thus never exposed to the external environment and does not risk being contaminated. In particular, the composition never comes into direct contact with the piston, which limits cross-contamination between applications of the different doses of composition.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the refill is configured to be mounted on the distal end of the hollow body by cooperation between at least one male locking member and at least one female locking member positioned on the hollow body and the refill, a first angular position allowing the male member to be introduced into the female member, and a second angular position, different from the first angular position, allowing locking of the male member in the female member.

[0049] The internal reservoir may include at least one dose of composition suitable for forming a barrier to pathogenic microorganisms. According to another aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising an applicator as described above and at least one refill as described above.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the kit further comprises a visualization element configured to enable visualization of a region of the body pathway when the visualization element is mounted on the connecting member.

[0051] In particular, the visualization element makes it possible to improve the user's comfort by increasing his ability to visualize the region of the body pathway. This applies to the user who wishes to self-administer the composition or to a third party who wishes to visualize a body pathway that is difficult to access, such as the inside of the oral cavity.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the kit further comprises a box intended to contain at least the applicator, the at least one refill and the display element.

[0053] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for delivering at least one dose of a composition with the applicator described above, the method comprising the actuation, by the user, of the first end of a piston of the applicator, so as to slide the piston along a longitudinal axis between a high position and a low position, a thrust member included in the second end of the piston being configured to slide in the guide surface in order to deliver the at least one dose via a distal tip.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the method is a method of delivering at least one dose of a composition intended to form a barrier in a bodily pathway.

[0055] In one embodiment, the method is a method of delivering at least one non-therapeutic dose of a composition for forming a mechanical barrier in a body pathway.

[0056] For example, the composition is intended to form an impermeable barrier to at least one of sound, air, water, particles, odors, gases, bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, tears, sweat, mucus or vaginal secretions and other sexual fluids. The composition may also form a plug at the cervix to limit the flow of blood flow caused by menstruation. The composition may also aim to improve comfort during sexual intercourse by lining the walls of the bodily passageway. The composition may also aim to improve ocular comfort. The composition may also aim to limit sweating.

[0057] According to another aspect, the delivery method provides for injecting into the bodily tract, in particular the urethra, in particular of a woman, through the opening, in particular the meatus, at least one dose of a composition suitable for forming a barrier to pathogenic microorganisms.

[0058] According to the invention, the administration can be carried out in one or more bodily routes of the subject. Similarly, several administrations can take place at several injection sites of the bodily route.

[0059] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0060] Figure 1 is an exploded view of an applicator according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0061] Figure 2 is an exploded view of an applicator according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0062] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the hollow body of the applicator of Figure 2,

[0063] Figure 4 is a front view of the applicator plunger of Figure 2,

[0064] Figure 5 is a side view of the applicator plunger of Figure 2,

[0065] Figure 6 is a front view of the applicator plunger of Figure 1,

[0066] Figure 7 is a front sectional view of the applicator refill of Figure 2,

[0067] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the refill of Figure 7,

[0068] Figure 9 is a front sectional view of the refill of the applicator of Figure 1, Figure 10 is a front sectional view of the applicator of Figure 1, in which the refill is visible,

[0069] Figure 11 is a front view of the transmission member of the applicator of Figure 2,

[0070] Figure 12 is a front sectional view of an applicator according to a third embodiment, comprising a transmission member according to a second embodiment,

[0071] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the applicator cap of Figure 2,

[0072] Figure 14 is a front sectional view of the plug of Figure 13,

[0073] Figure 15 is a top view of the cap of Figure 13,

[0074] Figure 16 is a sectional view of a cap of the applicator according to a variant of the embodiment of the cap of Figure 13,

[0075] Figure 17 is a front view of the display member of Figure 2,

[0076] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the applicator of Figure 1, cooperating with a viewing member of Figure 17,

[0077] Figure 19 is a side view of the applicator and viewing member of Figure 18,

[0078] Figure 20 is a front view of the kit according to one embodiment of the invention, and

[0079] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the kit of Figure 19, in an easel configuration.

[0080] ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0081] The following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings. For purposes of illustration, the applicator of the invention is shown in preferred embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, and aspects specifically shown hereinafter. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the embodiments shown. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features recited in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and in no way limit their scope.

[0082] As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the applicator 100, 101 according to the invention has a hollow body 10, within which a piston 20 slides. The piston 20 cooperates directly or indirectly with a refill 30 in order to deliver at least one dose of a composition 37 into a bodily route. The applicator 100, 101 may for example have a total length of between 5 cm and 30 cm.

[0083] As illustrated in Figure 3, the hollow body 10 has an envelope extending around a longitudinal axis A and taking for example the form of a cylinder or a hollow flattened cylinder. The envelope thus defines an external wall 14 and an internal wall 15 intended to receive the piston 20.

[0084] The envelope has, for example, a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, a height of between 50 mm and 70 mm, and preferably a height of 63.5 mm.

[0085] The envelope may have a diameter which decreases between a proximal end 11 and a distal end 12. The proximal end 11 may have a flared shape, the width of which is for example between 20 mm and 30 mm, in particular 25 mm, and the distal end 12 may have a narrower width, for example between 10 mm and 20 mm, in particular 15 mm.

[0086] The hollow body 10 has, at the proximal end 11, an upper opening along the longitudinal axis A intended to receive the piston 20 and in particular the head 25 of the piston. The hollow body 10 also comprises, at the distal end 12, a mounting opening 16 along the longitudinal axis A delimited by a centering surface. The mounting opening 16 is in particular intended to allow the passage of the second end 22 of the piston and in particular the thrust member 27, outside the hollow body 10. Alternatively, the lower opening can be configured to allow the passage of a transmission member 40.

[0087] The hollow body 10 also has at least one locking member 13 allowing the cooperation and blocking of a refill 30 on the hollow body 10.

[0088] The hollow body 10 can be made of a lightweight, biocompatible material that is resistant to frequent use, such as Styrene-based polymers (e.g. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Poly(styrene / butadiene) (SB), Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA)) or polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide, aluminum, stainless steel, ceramics or certain natural species such as wood. It can, for example, be obtained by a molding, machining, sintering, electroforming or material addition process such as 3D printing.

[0089] As illustrated in Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6, the piston 20 extends along an axis A' which coincides with the longitudinal axis A when the piston 20 is mounted in the hollow body 10. The piston 20 extends along the axis A' between a first end 21 and a second end 22 over a height for example between 60 mm and 80 mm, in particular 70 mm.

[0090] At the first end 21, the piston 20 has a head 25 intended to be held in the hand and actuated by the user, for example by pressing at least one finger on the head 25. The head 25 may have a cylinder shape with a diameter of, for example, between 15 mm and 25 mm, in particular 22.5 mm, and a thickness of, for example, between 1 mm and 5 mm. The head 25 may have any other shape allowing actuation by the user and sliding in the hollow body 10 without changing the invention.

[0091] The head 25 may also have one or more material recesses making it possible to lighten the structure and limit the quantity of material used for its manufacture.

[0092] At the second end 22, the piston has a terminal portion 26 forming a thrust member 27 intended to cooperate directly or indirectly with the refill 30 to deliver the at least one dose of the composition 37. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the thrust member 27 has for example a tapered shape whose length is at least 10 times greater than the width. The thrust member 27 thus extends over a length of for example between 10 mm and 30 mm and has a width of for example between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The thrust member 27 can take a parallelepiped shape or a tubular or flattened tubular shape.

[0093] The piston 20 of the embodiment of Figure 6 is configured to cooperate directly with a refill 30 and more precisely to penetrate directly into an internal reservoir 33 of the refill 30 to exert a force allowing the expulsion of the dose of the composition 37 present in the internal reservoir 33. For this purpose, the pushing member 27 is preferably sized to slide in the internal reservoir 33. The pushing member 27 thus comes into contact with the internal wall of the internal reservoir 33, as illustrated for example in Figure 10. In order to minimize the friction of the pushing member 27 against the internal wall of the internal reservoir 33, a coating for example made of Teflon or a surface treatment can be added to the pushing member 27. Similarly, the dimensions of the pushing member 27 and of the internal reservoir 33 are preferably chosen in order to minimize the lateral movements of the pushing member 27, thus reducing the friction.

[0094] In the embodiment of Figure 4 and Figure 5, the thrust member 27 has a wider and shorter shape than in the embodiment of Figure 6. The thrust member 27 thus extends over a length of, for example, between 5 mm and 30 mm and has a width of, for example, between 2 mm and 5 mm, in particular 3.5 mm. The thrust member 27 may take a parallelepiped shape or a tubular or flattened tubular shape.

[0095] The piston 20 of the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 is configured to cooperate with a transmission member 40, which is itself configured to penetrate directly into the internal reservoir 33 of the refill 30 to exert a force allowing the expulsion of the dose of the composition 37 present in the internal reservoir 33. For this purpose, the lower end of the thrust member 27 comprises a bearing surface configured to optimize the transfer of the thrust exerted on the piston 20 to the transmission member 40. The cooperation between the thrust member 27 and the transmission member 40 can be carried out by simple contact or by a locking system such as a screwing system, ratchet, snap-fastening, bayonet, lever locking, magnet or a combination of the systems mentioned above.

[0096] Between the first end 21 and the second end 22 of the piston 20, there is a guide portion 23 configured to guide the sliding of the piston 20 within the hollow body 10. For this purpose, the guide portion 23 has at least one section 29 with an enlarged diameter of between 15 mm and 25 mm. In the embodiment shown, the guide portion 23 comprises two sections 29 spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis A. The sections 29 of the guide portion 23 are dimensioned to come into contact with the internal wall 15 of the hollow body 10, as illustrated for example in Figure 10. The contact of the piston 20 in discrete sections 29 spaced apart from each other makes it possible to ensure reliable guidance of the piston while limiting the material and friction.In order to further minimize the friction of the sections 29 against the internal wall 15 of the hollow body 10, a coating, for example made of Teflon, a surface treatment and / or a lubricant may be added to the sections 29. Similarly, the dimensions of the sections 29 and of the internal wall 15 are preferably chosen in order to minimize the lateral movements of the piston 20, thus reducing the friction.

[0097] When mounted in the hollow body 10, the piston 20 can slide to a high position, in which the first end 21 and in particular the head 25 of the piston 20 protrudes by a first distance from the proximal end 11 of the hollow body 10. The first distance is for example between 5 mm and 35 mm. In this high position, the thrust member 27 can be completely retracted into the distal end 12 of the hollow body 10 and not protrude from the distal end 12. Alternatively, the thrust member 27 can protrude from the distal end 12 of the hollow body 10 over a length of for example between 5 mm and 35 mm. In particular, the thrust member 27 can be at a first length of between 5 mm and 35 mm from the distal end 12.

[0098] The piston 20, when actuated by the user, slides to a low position, in which the first end 21 and in particular the head 25 of the piston 20 protrudes by a second distance from the proximal end 11 of the hollow body 10. The second distance is less than the first distance and is between 5 mm and 35 mm. In the low position, the pushing member 27 according to the embodiment of Figure 1 protrudes from the distal end 12 by a length of, for example, between 5 mm and 35 mm. The pushing member 27 according to the embodiment of Figure 2 does not protrude from the distal end 12 but is brought closer to the distal end 12 compared to the high position. In particular, the pushing member 27 is at a second length of between 5 mm and 35 mm from the distal end 12, the second length being smaller than the first length.According to other embodiments, when passing between the high position and the low position, the thrust member 27 can either remain within the hollow body 10, or exit the hollow body 10, or already be exited from the hollow body 10 from the high position and move away from the distal end 12 of the hollow body 10 when passing to the low position.

[0099] The piston 20 can be made in one piece or in several elements secured together. Similarly, the piston 20 can be made of one or more materials, preferably light, biocompatible and resistant to frequent use, such as Styrene-based polymers (eg Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Poly(styrene / butadiene) (SB), Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA)) or polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide, aluminum, stainless steel, ceramics or certain natural species such as wood.

[0100] The piston 20 can be obtained by a molding, machining, sintering, electroforming or material addition process such as 3D printing.

[0101] As illustrated on the Ligure 7, the Ligure 8, the Ligure 9 and the Ligure 10, the refill 30 comprises an internal reservoir 33 comprising at least one dose of the composition 37.

[0102] The dose has a volume of, for example, between 0.05 mL and 10 mL. Preferably, the internal reservoir 33 is configured to contain a single dose. Alternatively, the internal reservoir 33 may be configured to deliver multiple doses.

[0103] The internal reservoir 33 is in the form of an enclosure, for example of tubular shape, extending along an axis A”, which coincides with the axis A when the refill is mounted on the hollow body 10. The internal reservoir 33 has a height of, for example, between 5 mm and 35 mm and an internal diameter of, for example, between 1 mm and 5 mm, and preferably 2.5 mm. The internal reservoir 33 is delimited at an upper end by a guide surface 31.

[0104] According to a first embodiment, illustrated in Figure 9 and Figure 10, the guide surface 31 is in the form of an opening through which the pushing member 27 penetrates to come directly into contact with the composition 37 contained in the internal reservoir 33. The pushing member 27 thus slides over a distance of, for example, between 5 mm and 20 mm in the internal reservoir 33 so as to push the composition 37 out of the internal reservoir 33 and in particular in the direction of a distal tip 32.

[0105] According to a second embodiment, illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8, the guide surface 31 is in a tubular form, extending along the axis A”, which coincides with the longitudinal axis A when the refill is mounted on the hollow body 10. The guide surface 31 thus extends the internal reservoir 33. For this purpose, the guide surface 31 may have the same internal diameter as the internal diameter of the internal reservoir 33. The guide surface 31 does not, however, contain composition 37. The guide surface 31 also has a height of, for example, between 5 mm and 35 mm.

[0106] The guide surface 31 may be configured to receive a transmission member 40 and allow it to slide along an internal wall of the transmission member 40 and also in the internal reservoir 33. The transmission member 40 thus slides over a distance of, for example, between 5 mm and 20 mm in the guide surface 31 and the internal reservoir 33, so as to push the composition 37 out of the internal reservoir 33 and in particular in the direction of the distal tip 32.

[0107] The refill 30 further comprises a distal tip 32 connected to the internal reservoir 33 and configured to deliver the dose into the body pathway. The distal tip 32 comprises a side wall delimiting a central channel allowing the dose to pass from the internal reservoir 33 into the body pathway. For this purpose, the tip is sized to allow, if necessary, its secure penetration into the body pathway, through the opening of the body pathway, in order to guarantee delivery of the entire dose without loss, at the desired location.

[0108] In the case of application to the urethra, and in particular to the female urethra, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the distal tip 32 has a substantially tubular shape suitable for its insertion into the urethra through the meatus. For example, the tip may have a length of between 4 mm and 10 mm and preferably 7 mm, an external diameter of between 2 mm and 4 mm and preferably 3.3 mm and an internal diameter of between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, in particular 1 mm. The distal tip 32 preferably has rounded edges and fillets instead of edges, so as to guarantee the comfort of the user when inserting the distal tip 32 into the body passage.

[0109] The distal tip 32 may have a guard intended to stop the progression of the distal tip 32 in the body pathway at a sufficient insertion distance for administration. The guard is an additional element making it possible to inform the user about the safety of his action.

[0110] Furthermore, the distal tip 32 is preferably coated with a lubricating fluid to facilitate insertion of the distal tip 32 into the body passage. The distal tip 32 may also have a garment, for example made of Teflon, or a surface treatment to minimize friction.

[0111] The refill 30 is removably mounted on the distal end 12 of the hollow body 10 so that it is possible to change the refill 30 when the internal reservoir 33 is empty.

[0112] The refill 30 and the mounting opening 16 are configured to allow mounting of the refill 30 on the distal end 12 through the mounting opening 16 by inserting the internal reservoir 33 into the mounting opening 16. In particular, the centering surface delimiting the mounting opening 16 is configured to be in contact with an outer surface of the internal reservoir 33 in the mounted state. The centering surface thus ensures correct positioning of the refill when it is mounted on the hollow body 10 but also when it is placed on the hollow body 10. The refill 30 may further comprise a stop member 36a extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis A.In the embodiment shown, the stop member consists of an upper free surface of a skirt 36 extending around the longitudinal axis A, between respective adjoining ends of the internal reservoir 33 and the distal tip 32, at a distance from them. The stop member 36a is configured to come into axial contact with the distal end 12 of the hollow body 10 in the mounted state and thus ensure correct and stable positioning of the refill 30 relative to the hollow body 10.

[0113] The refill 30 may have at least one locking member 34 allowing the refill 30 to cooperate and be blocked on the hollow body 10.

[0114] The cooperation between the refill 30 and the hollow body 10 can for example be carried out by a screwing system, ratchet, snap-in, bayonet, lever locking, magnet or a combination of the systems mentioned above.

[0115] For this purpose, the refill 30 may be provided with female locking members cooperating with male locking members positioned on the hollow body 10 or conversely, the refill 30 may be provided with male locking members cooperating with female locking members positioned on the hollow body 10.

[0116] Typically, the cooperation between the refill 30 and the hollow body 10, as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, is carried out by inserting male locking members 34 positioned on the refill 30 into female locking members 13 positioned on the hollow body 10, then rotating the male locking members of the refill 30 through an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees in the female locking members 13 of the hollow body 10, between a first angular position and a second angular position.

[0117] To do this, the male locking members 34 are for example fins (see Figure 9) or lugs (see Figure 8) positioned on the periphery of the refill 30, typically at the level of the external casing of the internal reservoir 33. These fins and lugs are designed to be inserted into complementary grooves or cavities present on the female locking member 13 of the hollow body 10. Each groove of the female locking members 13 has an axial portion extending from the distal end 12 along the longitudinal axis A, and a circumferential portion extending around the longitudinal axis A at one end of the axial portion opposite the distal end 12.To retain the male locking member 34 in the female locking member 13, the circumferential portion of the groove is provided with a holding element, for example in the form of a relief that is hollow or protrudes relative to a sliding surface on which the male locking member 34 slides. Alternatively, the holding element may be an elastic deformable element placed on the sliding surface. Typically, the male locking members 34 of the hollow body 10 are inserted into the axial portions of the grooves of the female locking members 13 and then, after rotation, into the circumferential portions of the grooves of the female locking members 13 up to the holding elements, thus preventing the refill 30 from being withdrawn along the longitudinal axis A when the male locking members 34 are in the second angular position.

[0118] The locking mechanism can notably be designed to be easily operated with one hand, if necessary.

[0119] Additionally, the refill 30 may include elements 35 intended for the attachment of a cap 60 to cover the distal tip 32.

[0120] The refill 30 may also comprise a seal 70 located in the guide surface 31. The seal 70 makes it possible to close the internal reservoir 33 and to guarantee a seal necessary for precise control of the dosage of the composition 37 administered, as well as to maintain the sterility of the composition 37. The seal 70 is movable along the guide surface 31 under the effect of the thrust member 27 of the piston 30.

[0121] The refill 30 can be made in one piece or in several elements secured together. Similarly, the refill 30 can be made of one or more materials, preferably light, biocompatible and resistant to frequent use, such as Styrene-based polymers (eg Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Poly(styrene / butadiene) (SB), Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA)) or polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide, aluminum, stainless steel, ceramics or certain natural species such as wood.

[0122] The refill 30 can be obtained by a process of molding, machining, sintering, electroforming or material addition such as 3D printing.

[0123] As illustrated in Figure 11 and Figure 12, the transmission member 40 is configured to be in contact with the thrust member 27 at least when the piston 20 is actuated to slide from the high position to the low position.

[0124] For this purpose, the transmission member 40 has a body 41 of substantially tubular shape, with a length of, for example, between 10 mm and 20 mm, in particular 14 mm, and with a diameter of, for example, between 2 mm and 4 mm. The body 41 is preferably sized to slide in the internal reservoir 33. The body 41 thus comes into contact with the internal wall of the internal reservoir 33, as illustrated, for example, in Figure 12. In order to minimize the friction of the body 41 against the internal wall of the internal reservoir 33, a coating, for example made of Teflon, or a surface treatment may be added to the body 4L. Similarly, the dimensions of the body 41 and the internal reservoir 33 are preferably chosen to minimize the lateral movements of the body 41, thus reducing the friction.

[0125] The transmission member 40 may have an upper part intended to come into contact with the piston 20, in particular via a receiving surface 45 configured to optimize the transfer of the thrust exerted by the piston 20, via the bearing surface of the thrust member 27, onto the transmission member 40. The transmission member 40 also has a lower part intended to come into contact with the composition 37.

[0126] At the upper part, the transmission member 40 may also have guide elements cooperating with complementary guide elements positioned on the guide surface 31.

[0127] Typically, the guide elements of the transmission member 40 are fins 42 intended to slide in grooves 38 formed along the axis A” of the guide surface 31 (see Figure 8). Preferably, the fins 42 do not exceed the width of the grooves 38 so that the user cannot actuate the transmission member 40 and deliver the dose of the composition 37 without the aid of the piston 20.

[0128] At the lower part, the transmission member 40 may for example have an end portion 44 of cylindrical, curved or even conical shape.

[0129] The transmission member 40 preferably has a narrowing 43 allowing the addition of a seal 70, as illustrated on the applicator 102 of Figure 12. The seal 70 makes it possible to guarantee a seal necessary for precise control of the dosage of the composition 37 administered.

[0130] The transmission member 40 can be made in one piece or in several elements secured together. Similarly, the transmission member 40 can be made of one or more materials, preferably light, biocompatible and resistant to frequent use, such as Styrene-based polymers (eg Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Poly(styrene / butadiene) (SB), Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA)) or even polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide, aluminum, stainless steel, ceramics or certain natural species such as wood.

[0131] The transmission member 40 can be obtained by a molding, machining, sintering, electroforming or material addition process such as 3D printing.

[0132] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, Figure 13, Figure 14 and Figure 15, the applicator 100, 101 may include a cap 60 configured to cover the distal tip 32 and thus protect it from contamination. The cap 60 also prevents the lubricant covering the distal tip 32 from drying out during a minimum shelf life of the refill 30. The cap 60 advantageously seals tightly onto the refill 30.

[0133] For this purpose, the cap 60 has a substantially parallelepipedal outer casing 61. Roundings and fillets may be present instead of edges. The lower end of the cap 60 is closed, while the upper end of the cap 60 has an opening configured to cooperate with the refill 30 to fix the cap 60 on the refill 30. To do this, the upper end of the cap 60 has a shape complementary to the elements 35 positioned on the refill 30. The cap 60 can thus be force-fitted around the elements 35. Alternatively, a locking mechanism can be integrated to reinforce the connection between the cap 60 and the refill 30. This locking mechanism can for example take the form of notches or grooves.

[0134] The lower end comprises a projection 62 having a height of, for example, between 7 mm and 10 mm, in particular equal to or slightly less than the height of the distal tip 32. The projection has a shape complementary to the shape of the distal tip 32 and is configured to prevent the lubricant present on an external wall of the distal tip 32 from drying out.

[0135] At the center of the lower end, the stopper 60 has a lug 63 whose diameter is sized to penetrate a portion of the length of the distal tip 32 and plug the distal tip 32, thus preventing the composition 37 from escaping from the refill 30 or drying out and also preventing the composition 37 from coming into contact with the lubricant present on the external wall of the distal tip 32.

[0136] The cap 60 can be made of a deformable, biocompatible material that is resistant to frequent use, such as Styrene-based polymers (e.g. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Poly(styrene / butadiene) (SB), Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA)) or polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide, aluminum, stainless steel, ceramics or certain natural species such as wood. It can, for example, be obtained by a molding, machining, sintering, electroforming or material addition process such as 3D printing.

[0137] In a variant illustrated in Figure 16, the outer casing 61' of the cap 60' is extended along the longitudinal axis A to a free edge opposite the closed lower end. The cap 60' can thus cover a distal portion of the casing of the hollow body 10, at a distance from the latter. A radial collar 62' extends peripherally from the free edge opposite the hollow body to form a gripping element for the user. In this variant, the cap 60' combines protective and packaging functions for handling the applicator, during its transport and storage. The applicator 100, 101 according to the invention can cooperate with a display element 50 allowing the user himself to view the region of the body pathway which is the site of administration of the composition 37.The display element 50 thus aims to facilitate self-administration by the user himself or by a third party of the composition 37, in particular in areas that are difficult to access and view.

[0138] As illustrated in Figure 17, Figure 18 and Figure 19, the viewing element 50 typically comprises a viewing area 52 occupied by a mirror or a screen on which at least one image captured by a camera integrated into the viewing element 50 is retransmitted. The viewing area 52 has for example a circular shape with a diameter of for example between 55 mm and 65 mm, preferably 60 mm. The viewing area 52 is integrated into a support 51 configured to protect the viewing area 52 from shocks and other risks of damage. The support 51 has for example a circular or oval shape with a diameter greater than the diameter of the viewing area 52, for example between 45 mm and 75 mm, preferably 70 mm.

[0139] Alternatively, the viewing element may comprise two elements: a first element comprising a camera that can be arranged to image the administration area and a second element comprising a screen for viewing the administration area. For example, the camera is arranged directly on the applicator 100, 101, 102. The two elements may be independent so that the second element can be positioned at eye level to facilitate user comfort. The second element may, for example, be a smartphone or a tablet.

[0140] The display element 50 further has a thickness of, for example, between 3 mm and 5 mm.

[0141] The support 51 is extended by a connecting member 53 in the form of a tubular rod of length for example between 5 mm and 12 mm and of diameter for example between 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably 5 mm.

[0142] To cooperate with the viewing element 50, the head 25 of the piston 20 comprises a connection member 24 allowing the viewing element 50 to be mounted on the head 25 of the piston 20. Preferably, the viewing element 50 is mounted so as to be held on the head 25, while allowing orientation of the viewing element 50 by the user to improve the visualization of the administration zone of the composition 37.

[0143] As illustrated in Figure 5, the connection member 24 is an orifice passing through the head 25. The orifice may take a polygonal shape, but preferably, to allow the orientation of the display element 50, the orifice has a circular shape with a diameter of, for example, between 3 mm and 10 mm. In order to reinforce the retention of the display element 50 in the orifice, the latter may extend over a thickness greater than the thickness of the head 25, in particular via a tubular reinforcement 28 visible in Figure 5. The tubular reinforcement extends over a length of, for example, between 1 mm and 3 mm, so that the total length of the orifice is, for example, between 5 mm and 12 mm.

[0144] The display element 50 may have a notch (not shown) on the connecting member 53. The notch also makes it possible to extend the stroke of the piston and optionally to guarantee a certain degree of rotation of the display element 50 once the piston 20 has completely retracted into the body 10 and the dose of the composition 37 has been delivered.

[0145] Advantageously, the viewing element 50 is oriented so as to form an angle a of between 5 degrees and 25 degrees defined between a longitudinal axis M of the viewing element 50 and the vertical V. This angle allows optimal viewing of the body path by the user.

[0146] The invention also relates to a kit 1000 illustrated in Figure 20 and Figure 21. The kit 1000 comprises the applicator 100, 101 and at least one refill 30. For example, the kit 1000 may comprise one refill 30, two refills 30, three refills 30 or even five refills 30 and up to ten refills 30, as illustrated in Figures 20 and 21. The refills 30 may be packaged in packaging to guarantee the user the absence of contamination of the composition 37 contained in the refills 30. Optionally, the kit 1000 may also comprise the display element 50 and / or a lamp 80.

[0147] The various constituent elements of the kit 1000 may be packaged in a box 1001 comprising a base 1002 and a cover 1003 connected by at least one hinge 1004. The base 1002 may for example comprise the light 80 and the display element 50, while the cover 1003 may comprise the applicator 101 and the refills 30. The closed box 1001 may have a parallelepiped or cylindrical shape, with a length of for example between 100 mm and 150 mm, a width of for example between 100 mm and 140 mm and a thickness of for example between 30 mm and 50 mm.

[0148] The various constituent elements of the kit 1000 can be held in the box 1001 using holding elements 1006 such as deformable lugs.

[0149] The hinge 1004 of the case 1001 can be pivoted between an angle of 0 degrees and 330 degrees so that the case 1001 can be positioned as an easel, the upper faces 1007, 1008 of the base 1002 and the cover 1003 being configured to rest on a flat surface such as a table or the floor. The box, in its easel configuration, can then be positioned so as to be able to orient the viewing element 50 and / or the lamp 80, still held in the box 1001 by means of the holding elements 1006, towards the region of the body pathway, in order to allow the user to better view the body pathway and thus facilitate the insertion of the applicator 100, 101. Typically, a locking system can make it possible to position the box in the easel configuration so that the viewing element 50 integrated in the base 1002 or the cover 1003 allows optimal viewing of the body pathway.

[0150] When using the applicator 100, 101, a user takes a refill 30 and mounts it on the hollow body 10. Optionally, to do this, he can open the packaging of the refill 30 and / or remove the cap 60. The piston is then armed in the high position. The user then inserts the distal tip 32 into the body passage. To do this, the user can use the viewing element 50 and / or the lamp. Then, the user presses on the head 25 of the piston 20, so as to slide the piston 20 in the hollow body 10, from the high position to the low position, thus releasing the dose of the composition 37 into the body passage. Once the dose has been delivered, the user can remove the used refill 30 and discard it.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Applicator (100, 101, 102) for delivering at least one dose of a composition (37) into a body passage of a user opening to the outside through at least one opening, the applicator (100, 101, 102) comprising: a hollow body (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (A), the hollow body (10) having a proximal end (11) and a distal end (12); a piston (20) positioned in the hollow body (10), the piston (20) extending along the longitudinal axis (A) between a first end (21) and a second end (22), the first end (21) being intended to be actuated by the user to slide the piston (20) along the longitudinal axis (A) between a high position and a low position, a refill (30) comprising: ■ an internal reservoir (33) including at least one dose of the composition (37), ■ a distal tip (32) connected to the internal reservoir, the distal tip being configured to enter the body pathway through the opening and deliver said at least one dose into the body pathway, ■ a guide surface (31) extending along the longitudinal axis (A), the guide surface at least partially delimiting the internal reservoir (33), in which the refill (30) is configured to be removably mounted on the distal end (12) of the hollow body (10) and the applicator (100, 101, 102) has a mounted state, in which the refill (30) is mounted on the distal end (12) of the hollow body (10), the second end (22) of the piston (20) comprising a thrust member (27) configured to slide in the guide surface (31) in order to deliver the at least one dose.

2. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to claim 1, wherein the distal end (12) of the hollow body (10) has a mounting opening (16) along the longitudinal axis (A), the refill (30) and the mounting opening (16) being configured to allow mounting of the refill (30) on the distal end (12) through the mounting opening (16) by introducing the internal reservoir (33) into the mounting opening (16).

3. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to claim 2, wherein the hollow body (10) comprises a casing extending around the longitudinal axis (A) between the proximal (11) and distal (12) ends, and a centering surface extending in the distal end (12) along the longitudinal axis (A), the centering surface delimiting the mounting opening (16) and being configured to be in contact with an outer surface of the internal reservoir (33) in the mounted state.

4. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the refill (30) comprises a stop member (36) extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis (A) and configured to come into axial contact with the distal end (12) of the hollow body (10) in the mounted state.

5. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the distal tip (32) has a guard configured to stop a progression of said distal tip (32) in the body pathway at an insertion distance.

6. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the piston (20) comprises an end portion (26) forming the thrust member (27), the end portion (26) being configured to penetrate into the internal reservoir (33).

7. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the refill (30) comprises a transmission member (40) mounted in the guide surface (31) so as to slide in the internal reservoir (33), the transmission member (40) being arranged to be in contact with the transmission member (40) mounted in the guide surface (31). thrust (27) at least when the piston (20) is actuated to slide from the high position to the low position.

8. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the piston (20) comprises a guide portion (23), positioned between the first end (21) and the second end (22), the guide portion (23) being configured to come into contact with an internal wall (15) of the hollow body (10) so as to guide the sliding of the piston (20) within the hollow body (10).

9. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the refill (30) is mounted on the distal end (12) of the hollow body (10) by cooperation between at least one male locking member (34) and at least one female locking member (13) positioned on the hollow body (10) and the refill (30), a first angular position allowing the male locking member (34) to be introduced into the female locking member (13), and a second angular position, different from the first angular position, allowing locking of the male locking member (34) in the female locking member (13).

10. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the first end (21) of the piston (20) comprises a connection member (24) configured to cooperate with a display element (50) allowing a display of a region of the body pathway when the display element (50) is mounted on the connection member (24).

11. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to one of claims 1 to 10 specially intended to deliver the dose of composition into the urethra of a woman as a bodily route, through the meatus as an opening, the distal tip (32) being configured to penetrate into the urethra through the meatus.

12. Applicator (100, 101, 102) according to claim 11, wherein the internal reservoir (33) of the refill (30) includes at least one dose of composition suitable for forming a barrier to pathogenic microorganisms.

13. Refill (30) for applicator (100, 101, 102) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the refill (30) comprises: an internal reservoir (33) including the at least one dose of the composition (37), a distal tip (32) connected to the internal reservoir (33), the distal tip (32) being configured to penetrate into a bodily pathway through an opening through which said bodily pathway opens onto the outside and to deliver said at least one dose into the bodily pathway, a guide surface (31) extending along the longitudinal axis (A), the guide surface (31) at least partially delimiting the internal reservoir (33), the refill (30) being configured to be removably mounted on the distal end (12) of the hollow body (10) of the applicator (100, 101, 102) so that the second end (22) of the piston (20) comprising the pushing member (27) can slide in the guide surface (31) in order to deliver the at least one dose.

14. The refill (30) of claim 13, wherein the distal tip (32) has a guard configured to stop progression of said distal tip (32) into the body pathway at an insertion distance.

15. Refill (30) according to any one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the refill (30) further comprises a transmission member (40) mounted in the guide surface (31) so as to slide in the internal reservoir (33), the transmission member (40) being configured to be in contact with the thrust member (27) at least when the piston (20) is actuated to slide from the high position to the low position.

16. Refill (30) according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the refill (30) is configured to be mounted on the distal end (12) of the hollow body (10) by cooperation between at least one male locking member (34) and at least one female locking member (13) positioned on the hollow body (10) and the refill (30), a first angular position allowing the male member (34) to be introduced into the female member (13), and a second angular position, different from the first angular position, allowing locking of the male locking member (34) in the female locking member (13).

17. Refill (30) according to one of claims 13 to 16, in which the internal reservoir (33) includes at least one dose of composition suitable for forming a barrier to pathogenic microorganisms.

18. Kit (1000) comprising an applicator (100, 101, 102) according to one of claims 1 to 12 and at least one refill (30) according to one of claims 13 to 17.

19. The kit (1000) of claim 18, wherein the kit (1000) further comprises a viewing element (50) configured to enable viewing of a region of the body pathway when the viewing element (50) is mounted on the connecting member (24).

20. Kit (1000) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the kit (1000) further comprises a case (1001) intended to contain at least the applicator (100, 101, 102), the at least one refill (30) and the display element (50).

21. Method for delivering at least one dose of a composition (37) with the applicator (100, 101, 102) according to one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising actuating the first end (21) of a piston (20) of the applicator (100, 101, 102), so as to slide the piston (20) along a longitudinal axis (A) between a high position and a low position, a thrust member (27) included in the second end (22) of the piston (20) being configured to slide in the guide surface (31) in order to deliver the at least one dose via a distal tip (32).

22. Delivery method according to claim 21, providing for injecting into the bodily tract, in particular the urethra, in particular of a woman, through the opening, in particular the meatus, at least one dose of a composition, in particular not therapeutic, suitable for forming a barrier, particularly mechanical, to pathogenic microorganisms.

Images