Fluid pressure indicator for a medical device

Abstract

A device for delivering pressurized fluid includes a handle having a lumen configured to receive a container of pressurized fluid, a cap for closing the lumen, and an indicator that moves from a first position to a second position, the first position indicating disconnection of the container from a fluid pathway and the second position indicating connection of the container to the fluid pathway.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to medical systems and devices for delivering pressurized fluids, and in one example to methods and tools for indicating the connection of a pressurized fluid source to a medical device. [Background technology]

[0002] Fluid delivery systems and devices are used to deliver various fluids, such as gases, during medical procedures. These procedures may involve delivering fluids within a range of appropriate pressures and / or flow rates. These fluids may include hemostatic agents that are optimally delivered to tissue at the appropriate pressures and / or flow rates for a particular application.

[0003] Handheld medical fluid delivery systems often require the delivery of fluid from a high-pressure storage tank, such as a cartridge or similar housing. Such a cartridge may be attached to the handle of the delivery system, and the delivery system can be activated or filled when a seal on the cartridge is pierced by a piercing pin or similar device on the delivery system. These fluids may be under high pressure and may cause injury if the medical system is not used properly. In some instances, the user is unaware when the medical system is filled with pressurized fluid. In other instances, the user may be unaware whether the cartridge is properly attached to the medical system and / or whether fluid from the cartridge is being delivered to the medical system. The present disclosure may solve one or more of these or other problems in the art. However, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, not by the ability to solve a particular problem. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect, a device for delivering pressurized fluid includes a handle having a lumen configured to receive a container of pressurized fluid, a cap configured to close the lumen, and an indicator configured to move from a first position to a second position, where the first position indicates disconnection of the container from a fluid pathway and the second position indicates connection of the container to the fluid pathway.

[0005] The device may further include a container, and the lumen may be external to the fluid pathway. The device may further include a piercing pin within the handle, the piercing pin configured to pierce the seal of the container.

[0006] The indicator may include one or more markings configured to indicate when the container is in the second position, and the one or more markings may be visible to a user when the container is in the second position and may not be visible to a user when the container is in the first position.

[0007] The indicator may be connected to the cap via an elongate member, which may be radially offset from the longitudinal axis of the handle. The indicator includes an annular member, the indicator configured to move relative to the handle and the container as the indicator moves between the first and second positions.

[0008] The opening in the annular member is capable of receiving the container. The indicator may have a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the container and less than the inner diameter of the handle.

[0009] The indicator may include one or more springs configured to bias the indicator to the first position. The pressurized fluid may be configured to overcome the spring force of the one or more springs to move the indicator from the first position to the second position.

[0010] The indicator may include a movable member configured to rotate about an axis within the housing based on the pressure of pressurized fluid flowing from the container into the device. The indicator may include a protrusion configured to move in a radially outward direction of the handle when pressurized fluid flows through the fluid path.

[0011] The indicator may be configured to move from a second position to a third position, the third position being between the first and second positions to operate the device. The device may further include an actuator configured to release fluid from the downstream end of the device, and the actuator may be configured to be operable only when the indicator is in the second position.

[0012] The indicator may be configured to indicate that pressurized fluid is flowing from the container at a rate sufficient to operate the device when the indicator is in the second position. According to another aspect, a device for delivering pressurized fluid includes a handle, a cap configured to close an opening in the handle, and an indicator attached to the cap, the indicator including a ring-shaped member configured to move relative to the handle when the cap is attached to the handle, the indicator configured to indicate connection of a fluid containing vessel to a fluid pathway of the handle.

[0013] The opening in the ring-shaped member is capable of receiving the container. The cap and indicator may each be configured to rotate relative to the handle.

[0014] The elongated member may extend from and be attached to the cap at a first end, the elongated member may be attached to the indicator at a second end opposite the first end, and the elongated member may be offset from a central longitudinal axis of the cap.

[0015] According to another aspect, a method for delivering pressurized fluid to a device includes inserting a container of pressurized fluid into a handle of the device; moving an indicator from a first position to a second position, the first position indicating disconnection of the container from a fluid path of the device and the second position indicating connection of the container to the fluid path of the device; and activating the device when the indicator is in the second position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an indicator of the delivery system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3A] 3A, 3B, and 3C are side views illustrating the attachment of a containment device to the delivery system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B] 3A, 3B, and 3C are side views illustrating the attachment of a containment device to the delivery system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3C] 3A, 3B, and 3C are side views illustrating the attachment of a containment device to the delivery system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of the delivery system of FIG. 1 having an indicator according to another embodiment. [Figure 5]5 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of the delivery system of FIG. 1 having another indicator according to one embodiment. [Figure 6A] 6A and 6B are side views of an indicator according to one embodiment. [Figure 6B] 6A and 6B are side views of an indicator according to one embodiment. [Figure 7A] 7A and 7B are side views of an indicator according to another embodiment. [Figure 7B] 7A and 7B are side views of an indicator according to another embodiment. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the indicator of FIGS. 7A and 7B according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present disclosure will be described with reference to an exemplary medical system for dispensing a medicant (such as a hemostatic agent or any therapeutic agent) using a pressurized fluid. An indicator associated with the medical system can improve the functionality and / or safety of the medical system by notifying a user when the system is pressurized with fluid. This may reduce the possibility of unintended decompression of the medical system during use, breakage of the containment device or handle, or other unintended malfunction of the device during use. In several examples, indicators provided on or within the medical system can provide a user with information regarding proper connection between the cartridge and the medical system. However, it should be noted that reference to any particular procedure is provided for convenience only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts underlying the disclosed devices and application methods can be utilized in any suitable procedure, medical or otherwise. The present disclosure can be understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals.

[0018] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not limiting of the features as claimed. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "having," "including," or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0019] For ease of description, portions of the device and / or its components are referred to as proximal and distal portions. Note that the term "proximal" is intended to refer to the portion of the device closer to the user or upstream of the propulsion fluid path (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 ), and the term "distal" is used herein to refer to the portion farther from the user or downstream of the propulsion fluid path (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1 ). Similarly, "distally" extending indicates that a component extends in the distal direction, and "proximally" extending indicates that a component extends in the proximal direction. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" indicate a range of values ​​within + / - 10% of the stated or suggested value. Additionally, terms indicating the geometry of components / surfaces refer only to approximate shapes.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 , a delivery system 10 according to one embodiment is shown. The delivery system 10 includes an application device 20 (e.g., a handheld device) having a handle 30 at its proximal end and one or more triggers or actuators 22, 24 configured to actuate the delivery system 10 to release a propellant fluid. A tube (e.g., a catheter) 100 or application tip may be attached to the distal outlet of the delivery system 10 to aid in delivering the propellant fluid and / or a mixture of the propellant fluid and a hemostatic agent to a desired location. As described herein, a storage device 50 (e.g., a cartridge) may be housed within the handle 30 ( FIG. 4 ). A cap 32 (e.g., a cradle) may be releasably attached to the handle 30 and may control and / or assist in the attachment of the storage device 50 to the application device 20 within the handle 30. An example of a delivery system 10 is found in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 589,633, filed October 1, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] 3A-3C, the handle 30 may include a window 36 (e.g., an opening) in its sidewall. The window 36 may be any shape, e.g., oval, rectangular, etc., and may allow a user to view the interior cavity of the handle 30 and / or a device within the interior cavity of the handle 30, as described herein. The window 36 may include a cover, e.g., a transparent, translucent, or tinted cover, to seal the interior cavity of the handle 30 from the exterior surface of the handle 30.

[0022] 1 and 4, the containment device 50 is configured to contain a propellant fluid, such as a gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, or any other propellant gas or fluid known in the art. While shown as a cylinder, the containment device 50 may be any shape, such as a torpedo shape, a sphere, or any other shape known in the art for containing a gas. For example, the containment device 50 may be a carbon dioxide cylinder for insertion into the lumen 34 of the handle 30 (FIG. 4). The containment device 50 includes one or more outer walls 50a defining one or more internal chambers 50b, the internal chamber(s) being configured to contain the propellant fluid. The walls 50a of the containment device 50 may be formed of any material suitable for containing a fluid, such as, but not limited to, a metal alloy, a ceramic, or other material known in the art. The fluid contained in the internal chamber 50b of the containment device 50 may be under pressure. Thus, wall 50a may be formed of a material and / or thickness suitable for containing a fluid at a pressure of, for example, at least about 1000 pounds per square inch (PSI) (about 6.895 MPa), or about 850 PSI (about 5.861 MPa). For example, gases that may be contained in containment device 20 include carbon dioxide (CO), which has a vapor pressure of about 2,000-8,000 kPa at typical device temperatures, or nitrogen (N), which has a vapor pressure of less than 40 MPa at typical device temperatures. It will be understood that these gases are examples and are not intended to limit the types of gases that may be contained in containment device 50.

[0023] 1 and 4 , the application device 20 is attached to the storage device 50 by inserting the storage device 50 into the lumen 34 of the handle 30. For example, the inlet of the application device 20 (e.g., inlet 76 of tubing 74 in FIG. 5 ) may be directly connected to an output, such as a prong (unnumbered in FIG. 5 ), of the storage device 50 using a threaded connection, a pressure washer adapter, or the like. The prong of the storage device 50 may extend into the inlet 76 of the application device 20 and connect directly or indirectly to a regulator (e.g., regulator 70). Directly connecting the application device 20 to the storage device 50 may be suitable for a small-volume storage device 20, e.g., containing approximately 5 g to 75 g of compressed gas, or preferably approximately 12 g to 40 g of compressed gas, and may allow the delivery system 10 to be more portable.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 , actuation of one or both of the actuation devices 22, 24 of the application device 20 causes fluid to exit the delivery system 10 through the tube 100 and reach the target site. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, only one actuation device 22, 24 may need to be actuated. Actuation of one or both actuation devices 22, 24 relieves pressure buildup within the delivery system 10 and causes the regulator 70 ( FIG. 5 ) to release fluid at a predetermined pressure from the containment device 50 into the delivery system 10 downstream of the regulator 70. The application device 20 may be, for example, a garden hose handle or other pistol-like configuration. The actuation devices 22, 24 may be any push button, trigger mechanism, or other device that, when actuated, opens a valve and releases fluid, such as those described in more detail herein and in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 589,633, which is incorporated by reference.

[0025] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1 , the cap 32 is configured to be attached to the distal end of the handle 30 such that when the cap 32 is attached to the handle 30, the cap 32 seals the lumen 34 of the handle 30. The cap 32 may be attached to the proximal end of the handle 30 using a threaded connection (e.g., threads 30b of the cap 32 interacting with corresponding threads 30b of the handle 30 in FIG. 4 ). For example, the cap 32 may be placed on the proximal end of the handle 30 after the storage device 50 is inserted into the lumen 34. The inner surface of the wall 32a of the cap 32 (specifically, the bottom or most proximal inner surface of the wall 32a) may contact the storage device 50. The cap 32 may be threaded onto the handle 30 via the threaded connection as described herein. When the cap 32 is threaded onto the handle 30, the cap 32 may press the storage device 50 against a piercing pin located in an inlet (e.g., inlet 76 in FIG. 5 ) of the application device 20, placing the storage device 50 in fluid communication with the application device 20. However, it may be dangerous for a user to actuate one or more triggers 22, 24 of the application device 20 before the application device 20 is fully energized or filled with propellant fluid because the user cannot determine when the containment device 50 is in full fluid communication with the application device 20. Therefore, it may be necessary to provide one or more indicators to let the user know when the fluid containment device 50 is fully fluidly connected to the application device 20 so that the application device 20 can be activated or filled with propellant fluid from the containment device 50.

[0026] 2 and 4, an example indicator 40 is shown. The indicator 40 is connected to the inner surface of the wall 32a of the cap 32 via a post 42. The post 42 may be connected to the cap 32 at a first end, extend from the cap 32, and be attached to the indicator 40 at a second, opposite end. It will be understood that the post 42 may extend further distally than the indicator 40. The indicator 40 may be a ring-shaped member having an opening for receiving the storage device 50. The diameter of the opening of the ring of the indicator 40 is larger than the outer diameter of the wall 50a of the storage device 50. The outer diameter of the ring of the indicator 40 is smaller than the inner diameter of the wall 30a of the handle 30 (FIG. 4). While the indicator 40 is shown as a complete, unbroken ring-shaped member in 360°, it will be understood that the indicator 40 may be C-shaped and therefore discontinuous around its circumference. For example, indicator 40 may be only a partial ring with material extending 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees, or other amounts around the circumference. Additionally or alternatively, multiple posts 42 may extend from cap 30, with each post 42 attached to a corresponding indicator 40, or posts 42 may be attached to a single indicator 40, for example, for additional support. It will be understood that posts 42 are off-center so as not to interfere with receiving device 50.

[0027] The indicator 40 may include markings, colors, and / or other indications on its radially outward surface (the surface facing the wall 30a). For example, the indicator 40 may include the word “ENERGIZED” on the outer surface 42 of the indicator 40. As described herein, if a user can read the entire word “ENERGIZED” in the window 36 of the handle 30, the user can understand that the application device 20 is ready for use. It should be understood that the word is not limited to ENERGIZED and any other word, term, number, or symbol can be used, such as, for example, READY, PRESSURIZED, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the indicator 40 may include a green band (or a band of a different color) on the outer surface of the indicator 40 at its proximal-most end (e.g., the end closest to the cap 32). If the green band is visible in the window of the handle 30, the user can understand that the application device 20 is ready for use. Alternatively, the outer surface of the storage device 20 may have a color (e.g., red). When the cap 32 is advanced onto the handle 30, the indicator 40 may block a user's view of the storage device 50 through the window 36 in the handle 30. When the storage device 50 is no longer visible through the window 36, it can be seen that the application device 20 is ready for use. It will be appreciated that the indicator 40 may move relative to the storage device 50 at a speed equal to the thread pitch of the threads 30b and 32b.

[0028] 3A-3C and 4, attachment of the cap 32 to the handle 30 is shown. The storage device 50 may be inserted into the lumen 34 through the distal end of the handle 30. The indicator 40 and a portion of the post 42 are inserted into the lumen 34 so that the indicator 40 is radially outward of the sidewall 50a of the storage device 50 and radially inward of the sidewall 30a of the handle 30, as shown in FIG. 4. The indicator 40 may be advanced distally, for example, in the direction indicated by arrow M in FIGS. 3A-3C, so that the threads 32b of the cap 32 contact the threads 30b of the handle 30 (FIG. 4). In the first position shown in FIG. 3A, the indicator 40 is not visible within the window 36, such that the entire window 36 is indicated by the deactivated indicator 36a (e.g., the outer surface of the sidewall 50a of the storage device 50, which may have a color as described herein, is visible).

[0029] A user can twist cap 32 onto handle 30 via threads 32b of cap 32 and threads 30b of handle 30. When cap 32 is twisted in the direction indicated by arrow L in FIG. 3B , the proximal inner surface of side wall 32a contacts the proximal outer surface of side wall 50a, pushing containment device 50 distally toward the piercing pin. When cap 32 is twisted on handle 30 in the direction indicated by arrow L, indicator 40 moves distally and can be partially viewed within window 36 (see FIG. 3B ).

[0030] Continued twisting of cap 32 can push storage device 50 into full connection with the piercing pin. Once cap 32 is fully screwed onto handle 30, storage device 50 is fully connected with the piercing pin and application device 20 may be activated with propellant fluid. In this position, indicator 40 completely fills window 36, and deactivation indicator 36a is no longer visible through window 36. In this position, a user can see a word such as "ENERGIZED" or a colored band, such as a green band, indicating that application device 20 is fully activated or pressurized and ready for use.

[0031] Other example indicators are shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B. The application device 20 may again include a handle 30 and a cap 32, and the storage device 50 may be inserted into a lumen of the handle 30. Alternatively, the cap 32 may be a lever device for pushing the storage device toward a piercing pin disposed in or proximal to the tube 74 of the application device 20. The piercing pin may interact with an opening 76 in the storage device 50. The opening 76 may include a seal (e.g., a rubber seal, a resin seal, or any other seal suitable for maintaining pressure of the propellant fluid within the storage device 50). When the piercing pin pierces the seal at the opening 76, the propellant fluid flows into the tube 74 of the application device 20. To determine when the application device 20 is activated, the indicator 60 may be positioned in fluid communication with the fluid pathway from the storage device 50, through the application device 20, and via the tube 100 to the target site. 5, indicator 60 may be upstream of regulator 70 and connected to regulator 70 via tubing 72. In this manner, indicator 60 can determine when application device 20 is activated without any intervening structure, such as regulator 70, triggers 22, 24, or other intervening structure.

[0032] 6A and 6B, the indicator 60 includes a protrusion 62 that can extend from a sidewall of the application device 20 (e.g., sidewall 30a of the handle 30). The protrusion 62 may protrude from the handle 30, e.g., a proximal end of the handle 30 closer to the actuators 22, 24, or may protrude from another side of the application device 20. The protrusion 62 may have any cross-sectional shape, e.g., spherical, rectangular, etc. The indicator 60 includes a housing that defines a cavity 60a. The protrusion 62 may move within the cavity 60a from a position within the application device 20 to a position extending radially outward from the application device 20. The protrusion 62 may form a plunger or similar structure and may be tapered from a radially inner surface of the protrusion 62 to a radially outer surface of the protrusion 62. The radially inner end of the protrusion 62 may include a flange 62a connected to the sidewall 30a of the handle 30 via one or more springs 60b. The outer surfaces of the flange 62a (shown at the top and bottom in FIGS. 6A and 6B ) may contact and seal against the inner surface of the cavity 60a facing those flange surfaces. In this way, pressurized fluid remains on one side of the flange 62a (left side in FIGS. 6A and 6B ) and does not flow to and press against the opposite side adjacent the spring 60b. The spring 60b may bias the protrusion 62 into the cavity 60a in the direction indicated by arrow N (e.g., the first position). Pressurized fluid may be supplied to the cavity 60a via a tube 74. The pressurized fluid may overcome the spring force of the spring 60b, thereby moving the protrusion 62 in a radially outward direction, e.g., in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by arrow N. When the pressurized fluid exceeds a threshold value, the protrusion 62 may be in a second position, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, which may indicate that the delivery system 10 is fully pressurized.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6B , the outer surface of the protrusion 62 may include marking 62b. Marking 62b may be a word or term, such as the word “ENERGIZED” as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, marking 62b may include a green band on the radially innermost end of the protrusion 62. As another example, marking 62b may resemble the empty / full fuel markings on a car to indicate, for example, when a small amount of propellant fluid is flowing into the application device 20 or when the application device 20 is activated. When the storage device 50 is connected to the application device 20, the indicator 60 can move from a first position shown in FIG. 6A , in which the protrusion 62 is fully or partially disposed within the application device 20, indicating an absence of propellant fluid within the application device 20, to a second position shown in FIG. 6B , in which the protrusion 62 is fully exposed from the application device 20 or more exposed from the device 20 than the first position, indicating the application device 20 is activated. It will be appreciated that the application device 20 may not be immediately activated and the propellant fluid may need to accumulate within the application device 20, for example, in the fluid path prior to the regulator 70. In this situation, the protrusion 62 may only partially extend from the application device 20 or may be exposed an amount between its exposure in the first position and the second position until the application device 20 is activated. For example, the fluid pressure within the cavity 60a may be sufficient to overcome a portion of the spring force exerted by the spring 60b and move the protrusion 62 in a radially outward direction only a portion of the distance to the second position. The protrusion 62 may fully extend from the application device 20 when the propellant fluid pressure exceeds a threshold value, or may otherwise be in the second position.

[0034] It will also be appreciated that indicator 60 may indicate when the propellant fluid in containment device 50 (and therefore application device 20) is low. For example, indicator 60 may be a pressure gauge that causes protrusion 62 to move radially outward in the direction opposite arrow N when the pressure of the fluid in cavity 60a overcomes the spring force of spring 60b and pressurized fluid passes through indicator 60. For example, when the pressure of the propellant fluid from containment device 50 decreases such that the pressure of the fluid in cavity 60a falls below a threshold, protrusion 62 may move radially inward in the direction of arrow N such that only a portion of protrusion 62 extends from application device 20. In this way, a user can know both when application device 20 is activated and when the amount of propellant fluid passing into application device 20 is insufficient to deliver a medicament from application device 20 to a body target.

[0035] Another example of an indicator 60' is shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. The indicator 60' may be located on the handle 30 in the same position as the indicator 60. The indicator 60' may include a cylinder with a movable member 60a' within a housing. FIG. 7C shows the cylinder with the bottom wall removed to reveal the internal components. The cylinder may be part of the handle 30, with the cylindrical wall being comprised of the outer wall of the handle 30. The movable member 60a' may rotate when pressurized propellant fluid flows through the indicator 60'. A window 62' may be located on the side wall of the application device 20, allowing a user to view the movable member 60a' rotating within the housing. For example, the portion of the movable member 60a' visible through the window 62' may be the same color as the handle 30 when the containment device 50 is not attached to the application device 20, as shown in FIG. 7A, or may be a color such as red.

[0036] Once the containment device 50 is attached to the application device 20 and propellant fluid begins to flow into the application device 20, the movable member 60a' can rotate about axis C, shown in FIG. 7C, to the position shown in FIG. 7B, where one or more markings 64' on the sidewall of the cylinder 60a' are visible in the window 62'. For example, FIG. 7C shows an indicator 60'. The indicator 60' can be a cylinder having a movable member 60a' that rotates about axis C. The indicator 60' can include a cavity 66' that can receive propellant fluid from a tube 74 through an opening 74a' in the indicator 60'. The fluid can exit the cavity 66' via a tube 72 (not shown in FIG. 7C) and travel downstream through the fluid path of the delivery system 10. As fluid pressure increases within the cavity 66', the movable member 60a' can rotate about axis C in the direction indicated by arrow Z. One or more springs 62a' (only one spring 62a' is shown in FIG. 7C) can bias the movable member 60a' to a position (e.g., a first position) opposite the direction indicated by arrow Z. When fluid pressure is sufficient to overcome the spring force of spring 62a', the movable member 60a' can be moved to a second position (in the direction indicated by arrow Z).

[0037] For example, FIG. 7B can show an activated state of the application device 20 with the movable member 60a' in the second position. As described herein, the marking 64' can be any marking, color, word, etc. to indicate that the application device 20 is activated with propellant fluid (e.g., the pressure of the propellant fluid is greater than an activation threshold). Similar to the indicator 60, the indicator 60' can indicate when only some propellant fluid is flowing into the application device 20 or when the pressure of the propellant fluid entering the application device 20 is below a threshold. For example, if the pressure of the propellant fluid drops below the threshold, the movable member 60a' can only partially rotate such that only a portion of the marking 64' is visible within the window 62'. In this scenario, the fluid pressure within the cavity 66' is insufficient to completely overcome the spring force of the spring 62a'. In this manner, a user can determine when propellant fluid is flowing through the application device 20 and when the application device 20 is activated. It will be appreciated that window 62', like window 36, may include a cover or the like.

[0038] While the delivery system 10 has been described as having a cap 32 for pushing the storage device 50 toward the piercing pin, it will be understood that other mechanisms may be used. For example, the cap 32 may include a lever action, as opposed to a threaded connection. The storage device 50 may be pushed toward the piercing pin by a lever that moves the cap 32 and / or by pushing the proximal end of the storage device 50 toward the piercing pin. In this situation, an indicator may be attached to the base of the lever so that it moves within the lumen 34 of the handle 30 when the lever is moved. Furthermore, although described separately, it will be understood that each of the indicators 40, 60, and 60′ may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the indicators described herein. It will also be understood that in some examples, the actuators 22, 24 are only operable when the delivery system 10 is activated. For example, one or more indicators may prevent actuation of the actuators 22, 24 if the delivery system 10 is not activated.

[0039] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed devices without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A device for delivering pressurized fluid, comprising: a handle having a lumen configured to receive a container of pressurized fluid; a cap attached to the distal end of the handle and configured to close the lumen; an indicator extending outwardly from the cap and configured to move with the cap from a first position to a second position; wherein the first position indicates disconnection of the container from a fluid pathway and the second position indicates connection of the container to the fluid pathway.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising the container, wherein the lumen is external to the fluid pathway.

3. The device of claim 2 , further comprising a piercing pin within the handle, the piercing pin configured to pierce a seal of the container.

4. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator includes one or more markings configured to indicate when the container is in the second position, the one or more markings being visible to a user when the container is in the second position and not visible to the user when the container is in the first position.

5. the indicator is connected to the cap via an elongated member, the elongated member being radially offset from a longitudinal axis of the handle; The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cap is disposed around the outside of the distal end of the handle and the indicator extends into the lumen of the handle.

6. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises an annular member, the indicator configured to move relative to the handle and the container as the indicator moves between the first position and the second position.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the opening in the annular member accommodates the container.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicator has a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the container and less than the inner diameter of the handle.

9. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the indicator includes one or more springs configured to bias the indicator towards the first position.

10. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the pressurized fluid is configured to overcome a spring force of the one or more springs to move the indicator from the first position to the second position.

11. 11. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, 9 and 10, wherein the indicator comprises a movable member configured to rotate about an axis within a housing based on the pressure of the pressurized fluid flowing from the container into the device.

12. 11. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, 9 and 10, wherein the indicator comprises a protrusion configured to move in a radially outward direction of the handle when the pressurized fluid flows through the fluid path.

13. 13. The device of claim 11 or 12, wherein the indicator is configured to move from the second position to a third position, the third position being between the first position and the second position to operate the device.

14. 14. The device of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising an actuator configured to expel the fluid from a downstream end of the device, the actuator configured to be operable only when the indicator is in the second position.

15. 15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate, when the indicator is in the second position, that the pressurised fluid is flowing from the container at a rate sufficient to operate the device.

Images