Medical Applicator With Membrane Seal And Perforation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical applicators for applying antiseptic liquids to skin surfaces are inefficient due to excess antiseptic usage, contamination issues, and insecure opening mechanisms, which increase waste and risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
A medical applicator with a flexible container and a secure, easy-to-use opening mechanism that includes a membrane seal and a gripping mechanism for swabs, allowing for controlled release of antiseptic liquid and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foam pad applicator with breakable glass ampoule is used, then the antiseptic liquid can be dispensed to the skin surface, but the foam pad cannot be replaced if contaminated and the opening mechanism is not adequately secured against accidental activation
Solution Approach 1:
The perforation element is pre-positioned within the attachment part but kept separated from the membrane closure by a spacer during storage and transport. The spacer prevents accidental activation by maintaining a safe distance between the perforation element and the membrane closure, while allowing intentional activation when the spacer is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable spacer acts as an intermediary component between the perforation element and the membrane closure. This spacer serves as a safety mechanism that prevents direct contact between the sharp perforation element and the sealed membrane during storage, while allowing controlled access when removed by the user.
2Productivity
If antiseptic liquid is pre-filled in a bowl, then the skin surface can be treated with antiseptic, but the antiseptic liquid must be transferred from a reservoir into the bowl resulting in large consumption of disinfectant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bowl-filling step from the disinfection process by providing a controlled dispensing system. The antiseptic liquid is dispensed directly onto the swab through the attachment part, eliminating the need to pre-fill a bowl and thereby preventing excess liquid from being poured and wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator is self-contained with the antiseptic liquid already in the flexible container. The system serves itself by allowing the user to dispense the required amount directly onto the swab without needing external bowls or reservoirs, ensuring precise dosage and minimizing waste.
3Ease of operation
If a breakable glass ampoule with foam pad is used, then the antiseptic liquid can be applied to the skin, but the entire applicator including remaining antiseptic fluid must be disposed of if the foam pad becomes contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is segmented into separable components: the flexible container with remaining antiseptic liquid can be detached from the attachment part containing the swab. This allows the contaminated swab and attachment to be disposed of while recovering and reusing the remaining antiseptic liquid in the flexible container, reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables discarding only the contaminated components (swab and attachment part) while recovering the remaining antiseptic liquid in the flexible container. The flexible container can be sealed and reused for future applications, preventing loss of the expensive antiseptic fluid.
4Ease of operation
If a manual pincer-like gripping mechanism is used, then the swab can be easily grasped and held, but the mechanism adds complexity to the applicator structure
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism is merged with the attachment part structure itself rather than being a separate component. The first and second gripping arms are integrated into the attachment part, sharing common structural elements and mounting points, which reduces overall complexity while maintaining the pincer-like grasping function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The applicator reduces antiseptic waste, prevents contamination, and ensures secure operation, making it more efficient and reliable for skin disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
The container ( 1 ) consists of a flexible material, in particular a flexible plastic material
Implementation Method 2
The outlet ( 4 ) of the container ( 1 ) is provided with a membrane closure ( 3 ), which in this context also refers to a septum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medical applicator (45) for applying a liquid, in particular an antiseptic, to a swab. The medical applicator comprises a flexible container with the liquid and a first outlet having a membrane closure (3). The medical applicator further comprises an attachment for the container. The attachment comprises a second outlet, at least one perforation element (13, 14) for piercing and opening the membrane closure (3), a removable spacer (9) for separating the membrane closure (3) and the perforation element (13, 14), and a gripping mechanism for grasping and holding the swab.The medical applicator can be transferred from a first arrangement to a second arrangement by removing the spacer and moving the attachment part towards the container, in particular by pushing, rotating or screwing it, so that the perforation element can pierce and open the membrane closure.