Antiseptic Applicator Handle with Guided Container Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid applicators for medical procedures face issues with inefficient fluid retention, leading to leakage and imprecise dispensing of antiseptic solutions, causing mess and potential irritation.

Innovation Solution

A fluid applicator device with a handle featuring elongate hollow body, guiding ribs to orient and secure the fluid container, and a stopping rib to control its translation, along with an actuator sleeve to release the fluid to an applicator pad, ensuring precise and controlled application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing applicators use simple sponges soaked in open containers, then the device complexity is low, but fluid retention is poor causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid retentionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow body is segmented into multiple functional zones with guiding ribs and stopping ribs that divide the internal space to control fluid flow paths, preventing uncontrolled leakage while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container is nested within the hollow body, creating a hierarchical structure where the inner container holds fluid and the outer hollow body provides structural support and fluid management features, achieving reliable fluid retention through layered design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If existing applicators allow free movement of fluid containers, then the ease of operation is high, but the precision of fluid dispensing is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid dispensing precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container and hollow body feature asymmetric flat surfaces that mate together, preventing rotational movement and ensuring precise orientation of the container within the hollow body for controlled fluid dispensing, while still allowing straightforward insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The container is pre-oriented during insertion using the flat surface alignment feature, ensuring correct positioning before fluid dispensing begins, which maintains precision without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2379159B1Fluid application device
Publication Date: 2014.10.22 OTSUKA PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY INC
  • EP2379159B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2379159B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2379159B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An applicator device (14) for applying a fluid is provided. The applicator device may include a handle. The handle may comprise an elongate hollow body (16) having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one longitudinal, interior rib disposed on an inner surface of an outer wall of the hollow body and configured to orient and guide a container (12) for containing the fluid when the container is disposed within the hollow body. In addition, the applicator device may include a base (22) at the distal end of the hollow body. Further, the applicator device may include an applicator pad (24) coupled to the base.