Retention system and method for disposable cartridge for electrostatic applicator

Abstract

A disposable fluid delivery system for an electrostatic applicator is disclosed. The system may include a cartridge housing for storing an aqueous solution and a nozzle housing. A high voltage contact may be electrically attached to a delivery tube located at least partially within the nozzle housing, the high voltage contact in electrical communication with the high voltage module and configured to electrostatically charge fluid contents within the delivery tube. A cartridge retention system may be at least partially positioned at an outer surface of the cartridge housing, the cartridge retention system configured to engage with the cartridge housing and retain the cartridge housing in a connected configuration with a cartridge receiving chamber of an applicator housing of the electrostatic applicator.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. nonprovisional patent application serial number 18 / 235,324, filed August 17, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth below. Technical Field

[0002] The solutions disclosed herein relate to retention systems for use with devices, systems, and methods for applying one or more agents (e.g., one or more biological agents, polymer-spun wound dressings, antiseptics, or anesthetics) to a treatment site (e.g., the wound surface of a subject). Background Technology

[0003] Infectious diseases are frequently contracted in places that should be safe, such as ambulances, hospitals, clinical settings, and other areas, including assisted living facilities. In fact, these healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant threat to patient safety and impose unnecessary financial burdens. For example, surgical infections are a leading cause of HAIs, causing not only pain and discomfort but also potentially prolonged hospital stays and / or repeat hospitalizations. Many antimicrobial and / or analgesic compounds are available to help treat patients and prevent infection; however, despite their widespread availability, current delivery methods are often ineffective.

[0004] For example, oral and intravenous administration are often insufficient to effectively control or treat severe pain in a specific area of ​​the body, and administering high concentrations can lead to adverse events. To overcome some of the problems associated with oral and intravenous administration, delivery carriers such as hydrogels have been developed to provide spatial and temporal control over the release of various therapeutic agents, including small molecule drugs, peptides, and cells. However, hydrogels may also have some undesirable properties, including being expensive and difficult to sterilize.

[0005] In recent years, electrospraying has emerged as a technology with potential biomedical applications. Electrospraying involves applying an electrostatic charge to a fluid as it is expelled from an electrosprayer. The electric field can break the expelled liquid into tiny droplets, for example, on the micrometer scale. These droplets can then be relatively uniformly bound to the treatment site, requiring less solution. However, not all solutions (including antiseptics and / or analgesics) respond equally to the same electrostatic conditions—differences in viscosity and / or dielectric properties may necessitate different optimal configurations for electrospray devices. Current electrospray devices fail to provide a modular system that can accommodate a wide variety of different solutions within a single device.

[0006] This disclosure addresses these and other problems of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The subject of this disclosure is an electrostatic applicator for spraying the contents of a disposable cartridge (e.g., a therapeutic solution contained in the cartridge) onto a patient's treatment site.

[0008] In some examples, a disposable fluid delivery system for an electrostatic applicator is disclosed. The system may include a cartridge housing for storing an aqueous solution and a nozzle housing. A high-voltage contact may be electrically attached to a delivery tube at least partially located within the nozzle housing, the high-voltage contact being electrically connected to a high-voltage module and configured to electrostatically charge the fluid contents within the delivery tube. A cartridge holding system may be at least partially positioned on the outer surface of the cartridge housing, the cartridge holding system being configured to engage with the cartridge housing and retain the cartridge housing in a connection configuration with the cartridge receiving chamber of the applicator housing of the electrostatic applicator.

[0009] In some examples, the cartridge holding system includes a latch having an inclined surface extending from a surface of the cartridge housing (e.g., a lower surface, a side surface, or an upper surface) and configured to be securely connected to the inclined surface of a cam release member of the cartridge receiving chamber.

[0010] In some examples, the cartridge holding system includes a pull-down lock that includes a ramp and a limiting guide slidably connected to the pull-down lock.

[0011] In some examples, the pull-down lock includes a lock housing with an upper ramp latch. The ramp surface is located on the outer edge of the lock housing, adjacent to or opposite to the upper ramp latch.

[0012] In some examples, the limiting guide includes a planar base, and the guide portion of the limiting guide extends upward away from the planar base. The limiting guide may be connected to a spring.

[0013] In some examples, the cartridge holding system includes one or more compressible portions of the cartridge housing that form a movable hinge configured to engage with a recess.

[0014] In some examples, the cartridge holding system includes an opening located in the outer surface of the cartridge housing, the opening being arranged to receive a movable pin of the solenoid that locks the cartridge housing in the connected configuration.

[0015] In some examples, an electrostatic applicator system for delivering a therapeutic solution to a target site is disclosed. The system includes a portable, reusable electrostatic applicator comprising a handheld device housing, a motor located within the device, a voltage source, a high-voltage module electrically connected to the voltage source, and a cartridge chamber defined by one or more outer surfaces of the device housing. A disposable cartridge is removably inserted into the cartridge chamber, the disposable cartridge including a cartridge housing configured to store an aqueous solution and a nozzle housing. A high-voltage contact can be electrically attached to a delivery tube at least partially located within the nozzle housing. The high-voltage contact can be electrically communicated with the high-voltage module and electrostatically charge the fluid contents within the delivery tube. A cartridge holding system can be at least partially positioned at the outer surface of the cartridge housing, the cartridge holding system being configured to engage with the cartridge housing and hold the cartridge housing in a connection configuration with the cartridge receiving chamber of the applicator housing of the electrostatic applicator.

[0016] In some examples, a cam release extends from within the device housing through an opening in the wall of the cartridge chamber. A motor may be located within the device housing to rotate the cam release and release the latch of the cartridge holding system, thus switching the cartridge housing to an open configuration.

[0017] In some examples, upon release of the latch, one or more biasing elements cause the cartridge case to be pushed away from the cartridge chamber.

[0018] In some examples, the latch of the cartridge retaining system is at an angle to receive the inclined surface of the cam release element.

[0019] In some examples, the pull-down lock is configured to engage with a cartridge retaining system via a slot. The pull-down lock extends from within the device housing through an opening in the wall of the cartridge chamber and includes a ramp. A limiting guide can be slidably connected to the pull-down lock, wherein an electrical mechanism within the device housing causes rotation on the ramp of the pull-down lock, such that the motor can only move via the limiting guide in the vertical and / or tilting directions to transition to a disengaged configuration.

[0020] In some examples, the zipper includes a lock housing with an upper ramp latch extending through an opening, wherein the ramp surface is positioned on the outer edge of the lock housing, adjacent to or on the surface opposite the upper ramp latch.

[0021] In some examples, the limiting guide includes a planar base, and a guide of the limiting guide extends upward away from the planar base, wherein the limiting guide is connected to a spring that holds a pull-lock as the cartridge case slides into the cartridge chamber, thereby locking the cartridge case in place when a slot in the cartridge case aligns with the pull-lock.

[0022] In some examples, the cartridge holding system includes one or more compressible portions of the cartridge housing that form a movable hinge configured to engage with a recess in the cartridge chamber, thereby locking the cartridge housing within the cartridge chamber.

[0023] In some examples, the solenoid includes a pin that extends from within the device housing through an opening in the wall of the cartridge chamber, wherein the pin is pushed inward as the cartridge housing slides through the pin of the solenoid within the cartridge chamber until it is released to extend through an opening in the cartridge holding system, thereby locking the cartridge housing in the connected configuration.

[0024] In some examples, to switch the cartridge case to a disconnected configuration, the solenoid is energized and the pin is released from an opening in the outer surface of the cartridge case.

[0025] In some examples, a method for operating an electrostatic applicator system is disclosed. The method may include: inserting a disposable cartridge into the cartridge chamber of the electrostatic applicator system until the voltage contact of the disposable cartridge contacts the voltage contact of the electrostatic applicator system, and a cartridge holding system such that the cartridge housing of the disposable cartridge is removably connected in a connection configuration to the cartridge chamber of the applicator housing of the electrostatic applicator.

[0026] In some examples, the method includes releasing the latch of the cartridge holding system by rotating a cam release member within the device housing of the electrostatic applicator via a motor, thereby causing the cartridge housing to switch to an open configuration.

[0027] In some examples, the method includes: upon release of the latch, one or more biasing elements of the cartridge chamber causing the cartridge housing to be pushed away from the cartridge chamber.

[0028] In some examples, the method includes: engaging a cartridge retaining system slot with a pull-down lock extending from within the device housing through an opening in the cartridge chamber, the pull-down lock including a ramp; and rotating a limiting guide on and / or along the ramp of the pull-down lock via a motor within the device housing, such that the motor can move only via the limiting guide in a vertical and / or inclined direction to switch between a connected configuration and a disconnected configuration.

[0029] In some examples, the method includes releasing the cartridge housing from a connected configuration to a disconnected configuration by squeezing one or more compressible portions of the cartridge housing, the one or more compressible portions forming a movable hinge to unlock the cartridge housing from the cartridge chamber.

[0030] In some examples, the method includes: a solenoid pin, which extends through an opening in the wall of the cartridge chamber from within the device housing, via a surface of the cartridge housing (such as a lower surface, side surface, or upper surface), is pushed inward as the cartridge housing slides within the cartridge chamber until the pin is released to extend through the opening in the cartridge holding system, thereby locking the cartridge housing in a connected configuration.

[0031] In some examples, the method includes: switching the cartridge housing to an open configuration by energizing the solenoid to release the pin from an opening in the outer surface of the cartridge housing.

[0032] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, certain illustrative aspects have been described herein in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. However, these aspects indicate only a few of the various ways in which the principles of the claimed subject matter can be employed, and the claimed subject matter is intended to encompass all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The above and other aspects of the invention will be further discussed with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in the figures. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather to emphasize the principles of the invention. The drawings depict one or more implementations of the device of the invention by way of example only and not limitation.

[0034] Figure 1A A perspective view of an example electrostatic applicator in a decomposed state with a disposable cartridge is depicted.

[0035] Figure 1B It depicts an assembly process with a disposable cartridge. Figure 1A A three-dimensional diagram of an example electrostatic applicator.

[0036] Figure 2A Depicting Figures 1A to 1B Example of a medicine cartridge: a frontal stereoscopic view.

[0037] Figure 2B Depicting Figures 1A to 1B The example medicine cartridge is shown in a rear-view stereoscopic view.

[0038] Figure 3A A perspective view of a cartridge receiving chamber according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0039] Figure 3B It shows Figure 3A A close-up of part 3B-3B.

[0040] Figure 3CA lower internal perspective view of a motor according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure is shown, the motor being operatively connected to... Figure 3A All aspects of the cartridge receiving chamber.

[0041] Figure 4A A cross-sectional view is shown of an exemplary cam release member according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure when coupled to various aspects of a cartridge.

[0042] Figure 4B A lower internal perspective view of the lower surface of a cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0043] Figure 5A A perspective view of a cartridge receiving chamber according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0044] Figure 5B A perspective view of a cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure when coupled to an exemplary receiving chamber is shown.

[0045] Figure 5C It shows Figure 5B A close-up of part 5C-5C.

[0046] Figure 6A A lower internal perspective view of an exemplary motor according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is shown, the motor being operatively connected to... Figures 5A to 5C All aspects of the cartridge receiving chamber.

[0047] Figure 6B A perspective view of various aspects of an exemplary motor operatively connected to... is shown. Figures 5A to 6A The cartridge case maintains all aspects of the system.

[0048] Figure 6C A perspective view of various aspects of an exemplary motor operatively connected to... is shown. Figures 5A to 6B The cartridge case maintains all aspects of the system.

[0049] Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view of various aspects of an exemplary motor operatively connected to... is shown. Figures 5A to 6C The cartridge case maintains all aspects of the system.

[0050] Figure 8A A perspective view of a cartridge receiving chamber according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0051] Figure 8B A perspective view of a cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure when coupled to an exemplary receiving chamber is shown.

[0052] Figure 9A Exemplary aspects according to this disclosure are shown. Figures 8A to 8BA three-dimensional view of the lower interior of the lower surface of the cartridge receiving chamber.

[0053] Figure 9B The cartridge shown is in conjunction with an exemplary aspect of this disclosure. Figures 8A to 8B A side cross-sectional view of the cartridge receiving chamber when coupled.

[0054] Figure 10 A perspective view of an example cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0055] Figure 11 A flowchart of a method according to an embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0056] Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Therefore, the scope of the disclosed technology is intended to be limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings. The disclosed technology is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or implemented in various ways.

[0057] It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly specifies otherwise. “Comprising,” “containing,” or “including” means that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition, article, or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, or method steps, even if such other compounds, materials, particles, or method steps have the same function as the named one.

[0058] In this disclosure, relative terms (such as “approximately,” “basically,” and “roughly”) are used to indicate possible variations of ±10% in the value.

[0059] In describing exemplary embodiments, terminology will be used for clarity. Each term is intended to be understood in the broadest sense as known to those skilled in the art, and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to achieve similar purposes. It should also be understood that reference to one or more steps of a method does not exclude the existence of additional method steps or intermediate method steps between those explicitly stated steps. The steps of a method may be performed in a different order than that described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosed technology. Similarly, it should be understood that reference to one or more components in an apparatus or system does not exclude the existence of additional components or intermediate components between those explicitly stated components.

[0060] As discussed herein, the treatment site for the “subject” or “patient” can be a wound site or a treatment for a human or any animal. It should be understood that the animal can be any applicable type, including but not limited to mammals, veterinary animals, livestock, or pet-type animals. As an example, the animal can be a laboratory animal specifically selected that has certain characteristics similar to humans (e.g., rats, dogs, pigs, monkeys, etc.). It should be understood that the subject can be, for example, any applicable human patient.

[0061] As discussed herein, “operator” may include, but is not limited to, a physician, surgeon, nurse, physical therapist or other healthcare professional, or any other suitable individual, or a delivery device associated with applying a treatment solution to the treatment site on the subject.

[0062] As discussed herein, a “treatment solution” can be one or more fluids (e.g., liquid and / or emulsion solutions, gels, and / or mixtures) and can include one or more of antibacterial solutions, disinfectant solutions, analgesics, exosomes, biological agents, chlorhexidine gluconate, povidone-iodine, and / or liquid bandage solutions. Analgesics can include one or more of lidocaine, levobupivacaine, asimexine, ketorolac, and ceftazidime. Biological agents can include one or more of stem cells and / or primary mammalian cells, drugs, gels (e.g., hydrogels), reconstitution aspects (e.g., immiscible and / or lyophilized components that are miscible with one or more solvents). Disinfectants can include one or more alcohols, aldehydes, oxidants, phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds, etc., antibacterial agents, biguanides, analgesics, surfactants and / or debridement components, or any other contents and / or drugs contemplated and stored in a cartridge of this disclosure and which can be delivered (e.g., applied, deposited, and / or sprayed) to a patient’s treatment site using an electrostatic applicator. Treatment solutions can include any concentration or mixture of the components disclosed herein.

[0063] The term "therapeutic solution" may also include one or more tracking materials (e.g., a gel with tracking properties, mixed with the therapeutic solution). Therapeutic solutions may include any number of small molecule drugs, peptides, cells, and other therapeutic agents. In some aspects, a therapeutic solution may include one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients, growth factors, nutritional factors, exosomes, mammalian regenerative cells, and / or supportive matrices. In some aspects, a therapeutic solution may include lidocaine, levobupivacaine, asimexine, ketorolac, and / or analogs, or any combination thereof.

[0064] The terms “distal” or “proximal” are used in the following description to indicate a location or orientation relative to a reference point (e.g., a user [e.g., a therapist or interventional medical specialist]). “Distal” or “distal” refers to a location or orientation away from the reference point. “Proximal” or “proximal” or “proximal” refers to a location close to the reference point or orientation toward the reference point.

[0065] Increasingly, care and resources are being focused on creating effective treatments for pain and infection care. The most common methods for treating pain and infection include oral and intravenous (IV) administration of medications. While these methods are widespread, the efficacy of these drug delivery methods is often insufficient. For example, when a drug is administered orally or via IV, its therapeutic effect is generalized rather than localized—the drug targets the entire patient rather than the site of treatment. To overcome some of these problems, delivery carriers such as topical therapeutics (more specifically, hydrogel compounds) have been developed to provide spatial and temporal control over the release of various therapeutics, including small molecule drugs, peptides, and cells. However, these treatments may also have drawbacks. These therapeutics, often carried by synthetic carriers, can be expensive, and because they are fragile polymer chains, it is difficult to sterilize the polymer chains of the solution / hydrogel combination.

[0066] In recent years, the concept of electrospraying therapeutic solutions, including antibacterial and / or analgesic solutions, onto the treatment site has been considered. Electrostatic spraying is a technique that subjectes a therapeutic solution to an electric field to charge the fluid. An electric field provided by a voltage source can generate a charge (e.g., positive or negative) on the fluid being applied. This is particularly helpful in the biomedical field because the natural resting state of human cells is negative (i.e., a negatively charged state). This imbalance is established by potassium and sodium ions inside and outside the cells, creating capacitance within the patient's body. This polarity difference creates a natural attraction between the treatment site and the sprayed solution.

[0067] However, negative / positive attraction is not the only benefit of electrostatic spraying. For example, subjecting the fluid to this electric field can also generate tiny droplets (e.g., micrometer-sized), providing a relatively uniformly distributed layer of therapeutic solution. When the electrical stress generated by the accumulation of charge in a liquid droplet exceeds its surface tension, the droplet disintegrates and / or atomizes into extremely fine droplets—a process known as Rayleigh disintegration or Coulombic fission. As discussed herein, the term “atomization” is understood as part or all of the process of converting a substantially liquid solution into very fine particles or droplets. The solvent dielectric constant, or conductivity, can play a crucial role in determining particle morphology. Other factors influencing how liquids atomize include the vapor pressure, viscosity, and miscibility of the therapeutic solution, the voltage applied to the solution, and so on.

[0068] It should be noted that previous designs of electro-spraying devices did not take into account these various types of parameters. This is because most existing electrostatic devices focus on spraying one type of solution—consider common examples such as inkjet printers and paint sprayers, which spray a consistent solution at a consistent flow rate and voltage potential. Furthermore, these types of applications do not focus on operating parameters. This disclosure provides solutions that maintain the sterility of each application of therapeutic solution by providing personalized, pre-filled, disposable cartridges that house the parts for electro-spraying. Furthermore, each disposable cartridge can be individually customized and / or connected to a reusable electrostatic applicator to individually customize the parameters required for targeted therapeutic application of preferred particle (e.g., nano- to micron-sized) droplets.

[0069] Switch to the attached image. Figure 1A An example applicator 100 with a disposable cartridge 50 is provided in a disassembled state positioning, while Figure 1B The image depicts an assembly with a cartridge 50. Figure 1A A perspective view of the applicator 100. The applicator 100 may include an applicator housing 10, which may include an upper portion 31, a lower base portion 30 located in a lower section, and a handle portion 15 located between portions 30 and 31. A front cartridge support portion 32 may also be positioned between portions 30 and 31. In some aspects, obtuse angles may be formed between the outer surfaces of portions 30 and 32, and the handle portion 15 may be orthogonal to portions 30 and / or 31. Although shown as a handheld pistol-shaped device, there is no requirement that the reusable applicator 100 must have a pistol-shaped design, as the components described herein can also be incorporated into other electro-sprayer designs, including but not limited to fully cylindrical handheld electro-sprayer designs.

[0070] In some aspects, portion 30 may house a rechargeable battery that provides a voltage potential to generate an electric field at the nozzle assembly 60 of cartridge 50, and / or to power components of applicator 100 (e.g., a CPU and / or high-voltage module disposed within housing 10). The rechargeable battery may include one or more batteries, including, for example, DC batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, etc. The rechargeable battery may provide sufficient voltage to generate the voltage potentials described above, including but not limited to approximately 1 V to approximately 40 kV. In some examples, the range may be approximately 1 V to 8 kV. In some examples, the voltage supply for the rechargeable battery may be one or more rechargeable batteries. In some examples, applicator 100 may include an actuator (e.g., button 35) that can activate and / or actuate components of applicator 100. For example, button 35 may initiate power from the rechargeable battery, and by activating and / or initiating power, the system is powered to electrostatically charge the liquid solution of cartridge 50 via direct charging, inductive charging, indirect charging, or any combination thereof. In the case of direct charging, the liquid solution of cartridge 50 can flow through a conductive tube or other conduit carrying a static charge, so that the liquid solution comes into contact with and becomes charged through direct contact.

[0071] In some examples, battery B can power components of the high-voltage (HV) module 86, air pump 83, circuit board 64, target sensor 45, motor 90, user interface 87, one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU)) of applicator 100, and cartridge 50. As will be described in more detail below, applicator 100 may also include other features that eliminate the need for button 35, including, for example, an accelerometer, activation input from a user device, etc.

[0072] The applicator housing 10 may include a cartridge receiving chamber 200, more specifically in Figure 3A As shown in the diagram. The cartridge receiving chamber 200 can be sized and positioned to receive the housing 49 of the disposable cartridge 50. Return to reference Figure 2A It provides a forward-facing perspective view of cartridge 50, while Figure 2BA rear perspective view of cartridge 50 is depicted. It should be understood that, in some aspects, the entire nozzle housing 60 of cartridge 50 may be molded (e.g., insert-molded) as a single integral part and / or formed from multiple parts or segments. The nozzle housing 60 may include a nozzle outlet channel located at its distal end, which may be funnel-shaped, dimensionally designed, and positioned to receive the outlet end of the delivery tube. The nozzle housing 60 may include an air inlet port in fluid communication with the nozzle end of the air supply tube and the inlet port of cartridge 50. The nozzle housing 60 may include a voltage chamber port for connection to a voltage lead. One side of the port may include a contact section through which the lead can pass to contact the delivery tube. The nozzle outlet channel of housing 60 may be located at its distal end and may receive air and fluid to discharge fluid droplets charged by the voltage lead. In some aspects, the voltage lead may electrostatically charge the contents within the delivery tube of cartridge 50 and fluid contents proximate thereto (e.g., the contents within the cylindrical portion of syringe 70).

[0073] The housing 49 may be formed of a multi-part outer shell having an alignment groove 55 that engages with an alignment tab 225 of the cartridge receiving chamber 200. The housing 49 may be formed and / or assembled in a variety of ways, including but not limited to machining, molding, injection molding, 3D printing, or any other suitable manufacturing process. Suitable materials for the housing 49 may include one or more of glass-filled nylon, glass-filled polypropylene, glass-filled polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, or plastic materials. In some examples, the housing 49 may include two or more moldable plastic segments, such as a first half and a second half. The segments of the housing 49 may be assembled together using fasteners such as screws, rivets, welds [e.g., ultrasonic welds], one or more straps or snaps, adhesives or tapes, etc., such that internal components are positioned between the portions and / or corresponding halves of the housing 49. In some aspects, the housing 49 may include a housing spray outlet associated with the nozzle assembly 60, which allows an electrically charged therapeutic solution to be discharged from the cartridge 50.

[0074] The groove 55 can engage with the tab 225 to align the housing into the cartridge receiving chamber 200, thereby facilitating proper alignment between the cartridge 50 and the chamber 200. The housing 49 may include the groove 55 positioned on opposite lateral sides of the cartridge 50. The groove 55 may include an open proximal end and a distal end. In some aspects, the distal end may be closed. In some aspects, the rear portion of the cartridge 50 may include one or more stop surfaces to prevent further sliding of the cartridge 50 relative to the tab 225. In those aspects where the distal end of the groove 55 is closed and adjacent to or otherwise toward the nozzle housing 60, the distal end prevents the tab 225 from sliding deeper into the groove 55.

[0075] Figure 2B The supply end and contact end of cartridge 50 are specifically shown. The HV contact may be a contact port embedded in and / or otherwise positioned on the surface of the cartridge HV wall 54, which is configured to abut against an HV wall (not shown but adjacent to the cartridge receiving chamber 200, as shown and described in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 110,854, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in words). The HV wall 54 may also include an air inlet port 47, which may be configured to be coupled to a corresponding air inlet port on the HV wall.

[0076] As will be discussed further, cartridge 50 can be safely engaged and / or released from chamber 200 in a variety of ways. Figures 3A to 3C The present invention discloses exemplary systems and methods for safely engaging and / or releasing a cartridge 50 from a chamber 200. Specifically, Figure 3A A perspective view of a chamber 200 is shown, having a distal stepped portion through which a connection port 229 can be connected to various aspects of the cartridge 50 (e.g., a gas supply port). The chamber 200 may include a lower front portion 219 having an outer stepped portion 217 extending distally from the lower front portion. The chamber 200 may also include an outer edge 231b defining the outermost periphery of the chamber 200.

[0077] Figure 3B It shows Figure 3A A close-up of part 3B-3B shows various aspects of the cartridge holding system configured to engage with and hold the cartridge housing 49 in a connection configuration with the chamber 200. Figure 3C A further perspective view of the lower interior of motor 290, operatively connected to portion 217, is shown. Specifically, motor 290 (e.g., a servo motor) is configured to rotate a cam release member 272 to actuate and release (e.g., eject) the latch 57 of cartridge 50. Latch 57 is more specifically located in... Figure 4B As can be seen, one or more peripheral cutouts 53a have a surface 53. The cam release member 272 may include an inclined surface 272a, which may include a snap-fit ​​mechanism, wherein the surface 272a may extend from a wider base portion 272b. The cam release member 272 may be configured to extend a cutout 223 through the surface 227. As shown more clearly in… Figure 4AIn the cross-sectional view, the cam release member 272 may include a washer surface 272c configured to attach to a surface, wherein the shaft 272d extends away from surface 272c and surface 217. A seal 272e (e.g., a gasket, O-ring, etc.) may be positioned between surface 272c and surface 227 of housing 49. A motor 290 may be mounted to one or more mountings of cartridge receiving chamber 200 and rotatably connected to shaft 272d. In this respect, motor 90 may be a servo motor configured to move and / or otherwise rotate surface 272c, portion 272b, and surface 272a.

[0078] Exemplary latch 57 in Figure 4B A close-up lower perspective view shows various aspects of cartridge 50. Latch 57 may include an inclined surface extending from the lower surface 53 of cartridge housing 49 to securely engage with the inclined surface 272a of the cam release member 272 of cartridge receiving chamber 200. It should be understood that surface 53 is not limited to this and may be a side or upper surface of cartridge 50. Once latch 57 is released, one or more biasing members (e.g., springs, elastic materials, etc.) on the applicator side cause cartridge 50 to leave chamber 200.

[0079] exist Figures 5A to 6C The present invention discloses another exemplary system and method for securely engaging a cartridge 50 and / or releasing it from another exemplary cartridge receiving chamber 300. Figure 5A A perspective view of the cartridge receiving chamber 300 is shown, while Figure 5B A perspective view of a cartridge 50 according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure, coupled to a chamber 300, is shown. Specifically, Figure 5A A perspective view of a chamber 300 is shown, the chamber having a distal stepped portion through which a connection port 329 can be connected to various aspects of the cartridge 50 (e.g., a gas supply port). The chamber 300 may include a lower front portion 319 having an outer stepped portion 317 extending distally from the lower front portion. The chamber 300 may also include an outer edge 331b defining the outermost periphery of the chamber 300.

[0080] Figure 5C It shows Figure 5B A close-up of portion 5C-5C shows aspects of another cartridge holding system configured to engage with and retain the cartridge housing 49 in a connected configuration with the chamber 300. Specifically, it can be seen that the wall (e.g., the lower wall) of the cartridge housing 49 includes a large recessed area 353 with a slot 323. The slot 323 may be an opening or cutout selectively positioned to align with a corresponding pull-down lock 372. Figure 6AA further perspective view of the lower interior of motor 390 is shown, which is operatively connected to lock 372 and port 317 of chamber 300. Figures 6B to 6C A perspective view of the motor 390 coupled to the lock 372 is shown. Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view of various aspects of an exemplary motor 390, operatively connected to a previously installed... Figures 5A to 6C The aspects shown are as follows. Specifically, a motor 390 (e.g., a servo motor) is configured to rotate on a ramp surface 374 of a pull-down lock 372. The lock 372 may include a housing and / or a substantially hollow structure and include a lower base portion 372c that has a larger footprint than the rest of the lock 372. A plurality of lateral protrusions 372f may extend away from portion 372c, wherein the ramp surface 374 may be formed in each of the lateral protrusions 372f. The surface 374 may be a faceted cutout or window having at least one inclined or otherwise ramped edge, configured to receive aspects of a planar snap 373. A middle portion 372b may extend from the lateral protrusions 372f of the surface 374. An upper snap 372a may extend from portion 372b. Snap 372a may include a smaller footprint than the rest of portions 372c and 372. The latch 372a may include an inclined outermost edge comprising a ramp latch for releasable engagement with a corresponding receiver of the housing 49. The guide 372e may extend at least partially from various aspects of the portion 372b toward the base portion 372c.

[0081] The motor 390 may be rotatably connected to the planar latch 373. The latch 373 may include a lower portion configured to be rotatably coupled and rotated by the motor 390. The latch 373 may include a wider upper portion configured such that rotation along the surface 374 causes the latch 373 to extend deeper into the cavity within the lock 372. Furthermore, the limiting guide 375 may include a lower base portion having one or more external openings 375a extending through the lower base for mounting to a corresponding connector associated with the chamber 300. One or more guides 375e may extend upward and have an open end recess for slidably engaging with guide 372e. Once one or more guides 375e are slidably coupled to guide 372e, guide 375e can retain lock 372 to move only in the vertical and / or tilt direction (e.g., up and down movement), in the generally vertical direction (e.g., the vertical direction with possible variation of ±10%), and in the direction of approximately + / -45° during transitions between connected and disconnected configurations.

[0082] In some aspects, the lock 372 is supported by one or more biasing elements (e.g., springs, materials with resistance such as elastomers, torsion members, coils, etc.), and the corresponding latch 372a is held in an upright position within the chamber 300 by the upward actuation of one or more biasing elements. Furthermore, when the cartridge case 49 slides over the latch 372a, the cartridge 50 is locked in place, at which point the slot 323 in the cartridge is aligned with the latch 372a of the lock 372.

[0083] exist Figures 8A to 9B The present invention discloses another exemplary system and method for securely engaging a cartridge 50 and / or releasing it from another exemplary cartridge receiving chamber 400. Figure 8A A perspective view of the cartridge receiving chamber 400 is shown, while Figure 8B A perspective view of a cartridge 50 according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure, coupled to a chamber 400, is shown. Specifically, Figure 8A A perspective view of a chamber 400 is shown, having a distal stepped portion through which a connection port 429 can be connected to various aspects of the cartridge 50 (e.g., a gas supply port). The chamber 400 may include a lower front portion 419 having a front inner portion 427 through which a solenoid pin 472 can extend. The chamber 400 may also include an outer edge 431b defining the outermost periphery of the chamber 400.

[0084] Figure 9A A perspective view of the lower interior of the cartridge receiving chamber 400 is shown, while Figure 9A A lower internal perspective view of the underside of surface 427 is shown. During operation of chamber 400, cartridge 50 slides over solenoid pin 472 (e.g., a pull solenoid). Pin 472 is then pushed downwards by cartridge 50 as it slides past, allowing solenoid pin 472 to eject through a cutout 427a in the lower surface of housing 49, thereby locking cartridge 50 in place. When cartridge 50 is to be ejected from chamber 400, solenoid pin 472 is energized and pulled downwards, allowing cartridge 50 to be removed from chamber 400. Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, the solenoid pin may include an uppermost end 472a configured to pass through a notch 427a. One or more biasing elements 472f (e.g., springs, materials with resistance such as elastomers, torsion members, coils, etc.) may be configured to support the pin 472 and cause the pin 472 to shift between a disengaged configuration and a spring-back configuration in place. The pin 472 may also include an elongated portion extending from the end 472a back into the pin housing 472b. One or more biasing elements 472f may be positioned between the end 472a and the pin housing 472b. The pin housing 472b may completely enclose or, as... Figure 9AThe area shown is surrounded by [a region / area], where at least one side is missing. (As shown...) Figure 9B As shown, cartridge 50 may include ramp 453 to facilitate downward movement of solenoid pin 472 during loading of cartridge 50 into chamber 400.

[0085] Figure 10 A perspective view of an example cartridge 550 according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure is shown. Similar to cartridge 50, cartridge 550 may include a nozzle assembly 560 and a cartridge housing 549 formed of a multi-part outer shell having an alignment recess 555 that can engage with an alignment tab (e.g., tab 225 of cartridge receiving chamber 200). In some examples, one or more latches 576 may be positioned at the recess 555 and extend outward from the outer surface of housing 549. One or more slots 578 may extend upward from the corresponding recess 555 along the latch 576 and across the upper edge of housing 549. The outer surface of housing 549 may also include one or more grip guiding members 571 (e.g., one or more protrusions extending outward from the outer surface of housing 549) and one or more movable hinges 581. In operation, the member 571 can be compressed by the user, causing the cartridge 550 to snap into a recess in the corresponding cartridge receiving chamber and allowing the cartridge 550 to lock in place. In some respects, the user can manually press member 571 to allow cartridge 550 to be removed from cartridge receiving chamber via hinge 581 formed therewith.

[0086] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of an exemplary method 1100 for operating an electrostatic applicator system. In method 1100, step 1105 may include: inserting a disposable cartridge into the cartridge chamber of the electrostatic applicator system until the voltage contact of the disposable cartridge contacts the voltage contact of the electrostatic applicator system, and a cartridge holding system such that the cartridge housing of the disposable cartridge is removably connected to the cartridge chamber of the applicator housing of the electrostatic applicator in a connection configuration.

[0087] In some aspects, method 1100 may include: releasing the latch of the cartridge holding system by rotating a cam release member within the device housing of the electrostatic applicator via a motor, thereby causing the cartridge housing to switch to an open configuration.

[0088] In some aspects, method 1100 may include: upon release of the latch, one or more biasing elements of the cartridge chamber causing the cartridge housing to be pushed away from the cartridge chamber.

[0089] In some aspects, method 1100 may include: engaging a slot of a cartridge holding system with a pull-down lock extending from within the device housing through an opening in the cartridge chamber, the pull-down lock including a ramp; and rotating a limiting guide on and / or along the ramp of the pull-down lock via a motor within the device housing, such that the motor can move only via the limiting guide in a vertical and / or inclined direction.

[0090] In some aspects, method 1100 may include: releasing the cartridge housing from a connected configuration to a disconnected configuration by squeezing one or more compressible portions of the cartridge housing, the one or more compressible portions forming a movable hinge to unlock the cartridge housing from the cartridge chamber.

[0091] In some aspects, method 1100 may include: a pin of a solenoid extending from the lower surface of the cartridge housing through an opening in the wall of the cartridge chamber is pushed inward as the cartridge housing slides within the cartridge chamber until the pin is released to extend through the opening in the cartridge holding system, thereby locking the cartridge housing in the connection configuration.

[0092] In some aspects, method 1100 may include: switching the cartridge housing to an open configuration by energizing the solenoid to release the pin from an opening in the outer surface of the cartridge housing.

[0093] Although the systems and methods have been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to illustrate the scope of this disclosure and is not intended to be limiting. The scope of this disclosure is intended to be limited only to the extent claimed in the appended claims. For example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that… Figures 1A to 11 Any element can be modified, and the foregoing discussion of some embodiments in these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. For example, Figure 11 One or more of the programs, processes, or activities may include different programs, processes, and / or activities, and may be executed by different modules in some different order.

[0094] The specific construction, material selection, and dimensions and shapes of various components can vary according to the specific design specifications or constraints of the system or method constructed based on the principles of the disclosed technology. Such changes are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosed technology. Therefore, the embodiments currently disclosed are considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. Thus, it will be apparent from the foregoing that while specific forms of this disclosure have been shown and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and all changes falling within their equivalent meaning and scope are intended to be covered.

Claims

1. A disposable fluid delivery system for an electrostatic applicator, comprising: The cartridge case is configured to store an aqueous solution; Nozzle housing; A high-voltage contact is electrically attached to a delivery tube located at least partially within the nozzle housing, the high-voltage contact being configured to be electrically connected to a high-voltage module and to electrostatically charge the fluid contents within the delivery tube; as well as A cartridge holding system, at least partially located on the outer surface of the cartridge housing, is configured to engage with the cartridge housing and hold the cartridge housing in a connection configuration with the cartridge receiving chamber of the applicator housing of the electrostatic applicator.

2. The disposable fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge holding system includes a latch having an inclined surface extending from a surface of the cartridge housing and configured to be securely connected to an inclined surface of a cam release member of the cartridge receiving chamber.

3. The disposable fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge holding system includes a pull-down lock, the pull-down lock including a ramp surface; and The limiting guide is slidably connected to the pull-down lock.

4. The disposable fluid delivery system according to claim 3, wherein, The pull-down lock includes a lock housing with an upper ramp latch, wherein the ramp surface is positioned on the outer edge of the lock housing, adjacent to or located on a surface opposite to the upper ramp latch.

5. The disposable fluid delivery system according to claim 3, wherein, The limiting guide includes a planar base, and a guide member of the limiting guide extends upward away from the planar base, wherein the limiting guide is connected to a spring.

6. The disposable fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge holding system includes one or more compressible portions of the cartridge housing, the compressible portions forming a movable hinge configured to engage with a recess.

7. The disposable fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge holding system includes an opening located in the outer surface of the cartridge housing, the opening being arranged to receive a movable pin of a solenoid, the movable pin locking the cartridge housing in a connected configuration.

8. An electrostatic applicator system for delivering a therapeutic solution to a target site, comprising: A portable, reusable electrostatic applicator includes a device housing configured for handheld use, a motor located within the device housing, a voltage source, a high-voltage module electrically connected to the voltage source, and a cartridge chamber defined by one or more outer surfaces of the device housing. as well as A disposable cartridge case, removably insertable into the cartridge chamber, the disposable cartridge case comprising: The cartridge case is configured to store an aqueous solution; Nozzle housing; A high-voltage contact is electrically attached to a delivery tube located at least partially within the nozzle housing, the high-voltage contact being configured to be electrically connected to a high-voltage module and to electrostatically charge the fluid contents within the delivery tube; A cartridge holding system, at least partially located on the outer surface of the cartridge housing, is configured to engage with the cartridge housing and hold the cartridge housing in a connection configuration with the cartridge receiving chamber of the applicator housing of the electrostatic applicator.

9. The electrostatic coating system according to claim 8, further comprising: A cam release element extends from within the device housing through an opening in the wall of the cartridge chamber, wherein an electrical mechanism within the device housing causes the cam release element to rotate and release the latch of the cartridge holding system, thereby disengaging the cartridge housing to a disconnected configuration.

10. The electrostatic applicator system of claim 9, further comprising one or more biasing elements of the cartridge chamber, wherein, When the latch is released, the one or more biasing elements cause the cartridge housing to be pushed away from the cartridge chamber.

11. The electrostatic coating system according to claim 9, wherein, The latch of the cartridge retaining system is at an angle to receive the inclined surface of the cam release member.

12. The electrostatic coating system according to claim 8, further comprising: A pull-down lock, configured to engage with a slot in the cartridge case holding system, the pull-down lock extending from within the device housing through an opening in the wall of the cartridge case chamber, the pull-down lock including a ramp surface; and A limiting guide is slidably connected to the pull-down lock, wherein an electric mechanism within the device housing causes rotation on the ramp surface of the pull-down lock, such that the motor can only move in the vertical and / or inclined directions via the limiting guide.

13. The electrostatic coating system according to claim 12, wherein, The pull-down lock includes a lock housing having an upper ramp latch extending through the opening, wherein the ramp surface is positioned on the outer edge of the lock housing, adjacent to or located on a surface opposite to the upper ramp latch.

14. The electrostatic coating system according to claim 12, wherein, The limiting guide includes a planar base, and a vertical guide of the limiting guide extends upward away from the planar base, wherein the limiting guide is connected to a spring that holds the pull-down lock when the cartridge housing slides into the cartridge chamber, thereby locking the cartridge housing in place when the slot in the cartridge housing is aligned with the pull-down lock.

15. The electrostatic coating system according to claim 8, wherein, The cartridge case holding system includes one or more compressible portions of the cartridge case housing, the compressible portions forming a movable hinge configured to engage with a recess in the cartridge case chamber, thereby locking the cartridge case housing within the cartridge case chamber.

16. The electrostatic coating system according to claim 8, further comprising: A solenoid, including a pin extending from within the device housing through an opening in the wall of the cartridge chamber, wherein, as the cartridge housing slides through the pin of the solenoid within the cartridge chamber, the pin is pushed inward until it is released to extend through an opening in the cartridge holding system, thereby locking the cartridge housing in a connected configuration.

17. The electrostatic coating system according to claim 16, wherein, To switch the cartridge housing to a disconnected configuration, the solenoid is energized and the pin is released from the opening in the outer surface of the cartridge housing.

18. A method for operating an electrostatic coating system, comprising: A disposable cartridge is inserted into the cartridge chamber of the electrostatic applicator system until the voltage contact of the disposable cartridge contacts the voltage contact of the electrostatic applicator system, and a cartridge holding system is provided such that the cartridge housing of the disposable cartridge is removably connected to the cartridge chamber of the applicator housing of the electrostatic applicator system in a connection configuration.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: The latch of the cartridge holding system is released by the motor rotating the cam release element within the device housing of the electrostatic applicator system, thereby causing the cartridge housing to be switched to an open configuration.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: When the latch is released, one or more biasing elements of the cartridge chamber cause the cartridge housing to be pushed away from the cartridge chamber.

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