Fluid coating device

Abstract

The present invention provides an applicator suitable for applying a fluid, such as a disinfectant, to the skin of a target. The applicator comprises a handle (4) that can be used once or more, and a head (2) that is detachable from the handle (4) and safely discarded after each use of the applicator. The head (2) can move along the handle (4) from a first position, which is detachably fixed to the handle (4) and isolated from the fluid source, to a second position, which is detachably fixed to the handle (4) and in communication with the fluid source. After use, the head (2) can move to a third position, which is released from the handle (4). The head (2) can engage with the handle (4) via a track (14) that extends along only one side of the handle (4), minimizing the material required for the disposable head (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fluid application devices for applying fluids to a target. The device is suitable for an application device aimed at aseptically applying a fluid for treating wounds such as sterilization, disinfection, and anesthesia to a patient's skin before inserting a subcutaneous injection needle or cannula into the skin in a medical scenario. However, it can also be used in fields other than medicine, such as cosmetic applications and general cleaning purposes.

Background Art

[0002] The skin is an important barrier that prevents harmful substances such as bacteria from entering the body. Therefore, before performing surgery or other medical procedures that puncture the patient's skin, it is a standard procedure to clean and sterilize the skin area. This is usually done using a disposable fluid application device that wipes the skin with a disinfectant solution such as chlorhexidine diluted with alcohol or water. This application device consists of a handle that houses a fluid source and a head that contacts the skin. The head usually has, for example, an open self-forming pad and guides the fluid from the fluid source and spreads it on the skin.

[0003] WO 99 / 63934 (Patent Document 1) discloses an example of such an application device. Its delivery mechanism includes an antibacterial alcohol gel preparation housed in a sealed flexible container and a gel preparation dispenser connected to the container. The gel preparation dispenser includes a container connector connected to the flexible container and a gel application device having a sealed piercing member that slidably engages with the container connector. The application device pad is fixed to the inclined gel application device head of the gel application device. The application device pad is porous and also has enlarged pores through which the gel preparation passes. The gel preparation dispenser pierces the seal of the container and delivers the antibacterial alcohol gel preparation from the container to the surgical site. Once the gel application device is moved to the operating position, the locking mechanism is activated to prevent it from sliding again and moving away from there. In this way, the locking mechanism contributes to the disposable nature of the skin disinfectant delivery device.

[0004] From an environmental and economic standpoint, disposable application devices are no longer desirable. This is because the materials, energy, and costs incurred in manufacturing and transportation, as well as the costs borne by healthcare providers, cannot be efficiently recovered. On the other hand, reusing application devices carries the risk of cross-infection between patients unless thoroughly sterilized, but thorough sterilization also consumes resources. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 99 / 63934 [Overview of the project]

[0006] The present invention provides an effective compromise between a completely disposable dispensing device and a completely reusable dispensing device. The dispensing device has a head that can be removed from the handle after use, so that the head that has come into contact with the target skin can be safely disposed of, while the handle that has not come into contact with the target skin can be retained, sterilized, and reused while minimizing the risk of cross-infection. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a design for a dispensing device that minimizes the material used for the disposable head.

[0007] Specifically, the present invention provides a fluid application device comprising a handle suitable for housing a fluid source and a head suitable for applying a fluid to the skin of a target. The handle engages with the head, allowing the head to move linearly parallel to the axis of the handle. This movement proceeds from a first position in which the head is detachably fixed to the handle and isolated from the fluid source, to a second position in which the head is detachably fixed to the handle and in communication with the fluid source, and to a third position in which the head is released from the handle. The head has an arm extending substantially parallel to the axis along one side of the handle. The first and second positions are positions in which a projection provided on either the handle or the arm is positioned in a notch provided on the other, respectively.

[0008] The handle itself may be a fluid reservoir, or it may be designed to accommodate a separate fluid reservoir, such as a flexible pouch or a rigid cartridge. The fluid may be a liquid or a fluid gel.

[0009] When the head is in the first position, the fluid remains sealed within the handle unless a predetermined force is applied, and the head's movement relative to the handle is restricted. In this state, the coating device can be transported and stored without the risk of fluid leakage or contamination.

[0010] When the head is in the second position, the fluid flows from the handle to the head by gravity or by the user pressurizing the fluid reservoir. The fluid can then be applied to the target skin using the head. For example, one method involves soaking a foam pad, which is part of the head, with the fluid, and the user wiping the target skin with that pad.

[0011] When the head is in the third position, it can be detached from the handle. This allows the head, which has come into contact with the user's skin, to be safely disposed of, while the handle can be retained, sterilized, and reused. This avoids waste of component materials (compared to discarding the entire dispensing device) and waste of energy and cleaning substances (compared to sterilizing the entire dispensing device until it meets the standards required for reuse in contact with the target).

[0012] Preferably, the arm has a projection, which is positioned in one of two notches in the handle, each defining a first and second position. Positioning the projection in the notches ensures that the user can reliably define each position when moving the head along the handle, and that the head can be detachably fixed in that position.

[0013] The arm may be elastic and designed to engage with the notch when the projection is positioned within it. This ensures that the user can perceive the head's position as they slide it along the handle, and that moving the head to a different position requires overcoming the spring force of the elastic arm. In some embodiments, the elastic arm may further include a grip protruding from the handle, allowing the user to apply force to the grip to move the head between a first, second, and third position. When the protruding grip is combined with the elastic arm, the grip acts as a lever, releasing the projection from the notch and freeing the head from its current position relative to the handle.

[0014] The engagement between the handle and the head is preferably achieved via a track that extends parallel to the axis along only one side of the handle. Because the track is provided on only one side of the handle, the head only needs to extend along the side of the handle that has the track, thus saving material for disposable heads. It also allows the user to easily move the head. For example, the head can be moved by gripping the handle with one hand and sliding it along the handle with the thumb of the same hand. Note that here, "side" of the handle refers to the part of the handle that faces any direction around the axis of the handle, and includes the "front" and "back".

[0015] Preferably, the first position is located along the axis between the second and third positions. As a result, the movement from the first position to the second position for preparation for use is in the opposite direction to the movement from the second position to the third position for separating the head from the handle after use. This clearly distinguishes the two functions and prevents the user from accidentally "overshooting" to the third position and detaching the head from the handle when moving the head to the second position for use.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the head is in a first position, the fluid source in the handle is isolated from the head by a seal. Moving the head from the first position to a second position breaks the seal, allowing the fluid to flow from the fluid source to the head. The use of the seal ensures the sterility of the fluid until the application device is used. Furthermore, physical means such as a sharp tip to break the seal are simpler, cheaper, and more reliable than alternative means such as a valve mechanism.

[0017] The head may be equipped with pins that puncture or break the seal when the head moves from a first position to a second position.

[0018] The head may include a pad (e.g., an open-cell foam pad) that defines a flat surface for applying fluid to the target skin. The handle shaft may be inclined relative to the surface of the pad. The head may also include an open plate for attaching the pad.

[0019] In this specification, terms such as “top” and “bottom” are used with reference to the orientation of the fluid dispensing device shown in the drawings. This is the typical orientation of the dispensing device in use, in which the fluid flows from the handle to the head by gravity. It should be understood that the device can be manufactured, stored, transported, and sold in any orientation, and is usable in any orientation, at least in embodiments in which the fluid movement does not depend on gravity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view of the fluid coating apparatus of the present invention in use. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fluid coating apparatus shown in Figure 1, viewed from above. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fluid coating apparatus shown in Figure 1, viewed from below. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid coating apparatus shown in Figure 1, viewed from below. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a magnified view of the handle portion shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the head portion of the fluid application device of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the fluid application device of FIG. 1 in a storage state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid application device of FIG. 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The illustrated fluid application device includes a head 2 detachably coupled to a handle 4. The handle 4 is generally elongated and has a suitable size and shape for comfortable gripping by a user's hand. The head 2 is slidable parallel to the axis 6 of the handle 4. A pad 8 is attached to the head 2 and has a generally planar surface 10 used for applying a fluid such as a disinfectant solution to the target skin. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis 6 of the handle 4 is inclined with respect to the surface of the pad 8. This allows a user gripping the application device to hold the wrist at a comfortable angle, but this is not essential to the invention.

[0022] The pad 8 is typically made of a flexible and permeable material such as an open cell foam, and during use, the pad 8 conforms to the contour of the skin to allow the fluid to flow through the pores to the surface 10. The pad 8 is formed as a separate component permanently fixed to the head 2 during manufacture or is attached to the head 2 immediately before use of the application device. The present invention does not exclude the use of a head 2 (e.g., a head (not shown) having a surface for conforming to the skin itself and having micro holes perforated in the surface for passage of the fluid) that can be used without a separate pad 8.

[0023] The handle 4 serves as the source of the fluid supplied to the head 2. As shown in Figure 8, the handle 4 is generally hollow, with the distal end to the head 2 closed and the end adjacent to the head 2 open. When manufacturing the coating apparatus according to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the handle may be sterilized and then held in the opposite position to that shown in Figure 8, and the fluid may be filled directly into it. Subsequently, to prevent fluid leakage and the ingress of contaminants before use, a fluid-sealing partition or seal 12 may be fixed to the open end of the handle 4. The seal 12 is usually a flexible foil or membrane. In another embodiment (not shown), instead of directly filling the handle 4 with fluid, the fluid may be supplied to a pre-sealed reservoir that fits into the handle 4 (e.g., a bag with flexible walls, or a cartridge with rigid walls and closed by a partition). The handle 4 can be reused simply by inserting a replacement pouch or cartridge, without the need to return it to the manufacturer for refilling and resealing.

[0024] The handle 4 is further provided with a pair of parallel rails 13, which define a track 14 that extends parallel to the axis 6 along the back of the handle 4.

[0025] Head 2 is shown separately in Figures 4 and 6 (the pad 8 is omitted in these figures for clarity). Head 2 includes an open plate 15 for attaching the pad 8. The upper surface of the plate 15 is provided with a collar 16 that fits onto the lower end 18 of the handle 4. Head 2 further includes a pair of rigid arms 20 that extend parallel to each other and engage with the rail 13 of the handle 4. When the rigid arms 20 and the rail 13 engage, head 2 is constrained to slide parallel to the axis 6 along the track 14 of the handle 4. Between the two rigid arms 20 is an elastic arm 22 that extends substantially parallel to them. This elastic arm 22 is fixed at its proximal end to the plate 15 and has a free end distal to the plate 15. A grip 24 protrudes away from the handle 4 from the free end of the arm 22. By applying force to the grip 24, the user can slide head 2 in any direction along the handle 4. When force is applied to the grip 24 in the direction toward the plate 15, it also acts as a lever, allowing the elastic arm 22 to bend elastically slightly away from the handle 4.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the surface of the elastic arm 22 facing the handle 4 is provided with a projection or rib 26 extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the arm 22. As shown in Figure 5, the track 14 between the rails 13 has two recesses or notches 28, 29 extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the track 14, each formed to receive the rib 26 of the elastic arm 22. As the head 2 slides upward along the handle 4, the flexing of the elastic arm 22 causes the rib 26 to first enter the lower notch 28 and then the upper notch 29, defining the first and second positions of the head 2, respectively. When the rib 26 is located in either of the notches 28, 29, an additional force is required to move the head 2 away from each position. The notches 28, 29 and / or the rib 26 may form an asymmetrical contour, such as a serrated shape, to allow the head 2 to move more easily in one direction (further up the handle 4) than in the opposite direction. It is inconvenient if head 2 accidentally detaches from the handle during use, not only posing a risk of spilling excess fluid, but also potentially violating existing protocols for strictly tracking the location of all items if the dispensing device is used in an operating room. However, the above configuration reduces this risk. Note that the two notches 28 and 29 do not need to have identical contours.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the positions of the ribs and notches may be swapped, with the ribs positioned on the handle side and the notches on the elastic arm side. Of course, if deemed advantageous, additional notches can be added to define additional positions for detachably fixing the head 2 onto the handle 4. A useful application of the added positions is to reseal the fluid inside the handle 4 if unused fluid remains inside after use of the dispensing device. Yet another embodiment may also be provided, comprising two or more ribs and one notch.

[0028] The illustrated fluid dispensing device can be used as follows. During the manufacturing process, the handle 4 is filled with fluid as described above and closed with the seal 12. The head 2 is attached to the handle 4 and slides along the track 14 until the rib 26 of the elastic arm 22 fits into the lower notch 28 of the handle 4. The head 2 is thus detachably fixed in the first position and cannot move along the handle 4 in any direction unless a predetermined force is applied that bends the elastic arm 22 so much that it comes out of the notch 28. The required force level can be set to prevent the head 2 from moving accidentally during normal handling of the fluid dispensing device, so that it can be safely transported and stored while in this first position. When the head 2 is in the first position, the seal 12 remains in perfect condition and the fluid in the handle 4 is reliably held. Figure 7 shows the dispensing device set to the first position for transport and storage. The small gap 30 on the outer surface of the dispensing device indicates that the head 2 is not fully pushed into the handle 4.

[0029] When using the fluid dispensing device, the user grasps the handle 4 and pulls the grip 24 to slide the head 2 upward, overcoming the resistance of the elastic arm 22 until the rib 26 enters the upper notch 29. This defines the second position of the head 2. As it moves from the first to the second position, the sharp spikes or pins 32 attached to the head contact and perforate the seal 12. This releases the fluid from the handle 4, allowing it to flow through the head 2 into the pad 8 and be applied to the target skin. Note that the movement of the pins 32 is parallel to the axis 6 and therefore not perpendicular to the plane of the seal 12. Consequently, there is a component in which the pins 32 move laterally relative to the seal 12, making it prone to tearing rather than a clean hole that risks being blocked by the pins 32. The shape of the pins 32 may be designed to enhance this effect. The pins 32 do not need to be positioned to perforate the center of the seal 12. Multiple pins 32 (not shown) may be provided. Alternative means of rupturing the seal by relative movement between the head 2 and the handle 4 can also be easily designed, such as a method of causing a rigid sealing member to crack along a predetermined weak line as needed. The broadest scope of the present invention also includes other means of communicating the fluid in the handle 4 with the head 2 as a result of the relative movement between the head 2 and the handle 4, such as a method of opening a valve using movement.

[0030] After applying fluid to the target skin using the fluid application device, the head 2 that has come into contact with the skin should be safely disposed of, but it is desirable to retain, sterilize, and reuse the handle 4. The head 2 can be separated from the handle by applying an axial force to the grip 24 in the direction of the head 2 toward the plate 15. As mentioned above, the notches 28 and 29 form a serrated contour, which prevents the head 2 from coming off the handle 4 too easily. However, when a force is applied to the grip 24 in this direction, the grip acts as a lever, bending the elastic arm 22 and disengaging the rib 26 from the second notch 29. The applied force allows the head 2 to slide completely downward along the track 14, causing the arm 20 of the head 2 to detach from the end of the rail 13, and the head 2 to no longer be fixed to the handle 4. The point at which this occurs can be defined as the "third position" of the head 2.

[0031] The illustrated embodiment is described with respect to a substantially rigid handle 4. When the seal 12 is broken, the fluid flows from the handle 4 to the head 2 by gravity (assuming the fluid dispensing device is in a substantially upright position as shown). In other embodiments, the fluid may be a gel, which has the advantages of being less prone to leakage from the device and easier to control when applied to the target skin. However, gravity alone may not be sufficient to move the gel to the head. In such cases, means (not shown) may be provided to apply pressure to the fluid and move it toward the head. For example, a portion of the handle 4 may be formed from a material that is flexible enough to be compressed to reduce its internal volume, thereby displacing the fluid toward the head 2. In other embodiments, physical means such as a piston may be provided and actuated to displace the fluid.

Claims

1. A fluid coating apparatus, A handle (4) suitable for housing a fluid source, It comprises a head (2) suitable for applying fluid to the target skin, The handle (4) engages with the head (2), allowing the head (2) to move linearly parallel to the axis (6) of the handle (4), the movement of which occurs from a first position in which the head (2) is detachably fixed to the handle (4) and isolated from the fluid source, to a second position in which the head (2) is detachably fixed to the handle (4) and in communication with the fluid source, and to a third position in which the head (2) is released from the handle (4). The head (2) has an arm (22) that extends along one side of the handle (4) substantially parallel to the shaft (6), The fluid coating apparatus is characterized in that the first and second positions are positions in which a projection (26) provided on either the handle (4) or the arm (22) is positioned in notches (28, 29) provided on the other of the handle (4) or the arm (22), respectively.

2. The fluid coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm (22) has the projection (26), and the projection (26) is positioned in one of the two notches (28, 29) of the handle (4), defining the first position and the second position, respectively.

3. The fluid coating apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the arm (22) is elastic, and when the projection (26) is positioned in the notches (28, 29), the projection (26) enters into the notches (28, 29).

4. The fluid coating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the elastic arm (22) further comprises a grip (24) protruding from the handle (4), thereby allowing the user of the coating apparatus to apply force to the grip (24) to move the head (2) between the first, second, and third positions.

5. The fluid coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement between the handle (4) and the head (2) is performed via a track (14) that extends parallel to the axis (6) along only one side of the handle (4).

6. The fluid coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first position is located between the second position and the third position.

7. At the first position of the head (2), the fluid source in the handle (4) is isolated from the head (2) by the seal (12). A fluid coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the head (2) moves from the first position to the second position, the seal (12) breaks, allowing the fluid to flow from the fluid source to the head (2).

8. The fluid coating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the head (2) is provided with a pin (32) configured to puncture the seal (12) when the head (2) moves from the first position to the second position.

9. The fluid application apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the head (2) comprises a pad (8) that defines a flat surface (10) for applying the fluid to the target skin.

10. The fluid coating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the shaft (6) of the handle (4) is inclined with respect to the surface (10) of the pad (8).

11. The fluid coating apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the head (2) comprises an open plate (15) for attaching the pad (8).

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