Single Dose Applicator Tray with Finger Depression and Ramp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems for medical materials and applicators fail to ensure sterility and ease of use, particularly in medical procedures, as they often allow contamination, are difficult to hold, and lack precise control over the material quantity applied.
Innovation Solution
A single dose package with a formed tray featuring a material well, applicator well, finger depression, and applicator support, along with a removable cover and ramp, which provides secure sealing, easy handling, and controlled material dispensing, allowing for sterile conditions and easy applicator removal even with gloved hands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the applicator extends out of the tray for easy access, then the applicator is easily accessible, but the sterility and cleanliness of the applicator cannot be assured
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is segmented into two distinct zones: a covered portion stored within the tray and an exposed portion for application. The tray includes a covered well that seals the applicator tip with the material, and an uncovered well that exposes only the handle and shaft for manipulation. This segmentation allows the applicator to be both accessible and sterile.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray structure acts as an intermediary between the sterile material/applicator tip and the non-sterile environment. The removable cover serves as a mediator that maintains sterility during storage and transport, then can be removed to allow controlled access to the applicator for application.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tray structure is simple, then the package is easy to manufacture, but the tray is difficult to hold while removing the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The tray exhibits local quality by having different structural characteristics in different regions. The main body remains simple for easy manufacture, but specific areas incorporate enhanced features: a thicker rim section provides finger grip surfaces, and the covered well includes a recessed area that accommodates the thumb for push-to-open activation.
3Reliability
If the applicator is fully contained in the package, then sterility is maintained, but removal of the applicator is difficult especially when gloves are used
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator removal process is segmented into stages: first the cover is removed while the applicator remains sealed in the covered well, then the applicator can be partially extracted through the uncovered well portion. This segmentation allows gloved hands to manipulate the applicator without compromising sterility of the tip.
Solution Approach 2:
The design extracts the applicator handle and shaft from the sealed environment while keeping the tip contained. The uncovered well portion allows the applicator to be partially extracted for manipulation, while the covered well maintains the sterile barrier around the tip until application.
4Ease of operation
If the material quantity is not controlled, then the application process is simple, but the quantity of material placed on the applicator cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp structure performs preliminary action by pre-positioning and controlling the material before application. The inclined surface guides the material to a specific location and orientation, ensuring that a precise, controlled amount of material is transferred to the applicator tip before the user begins the application process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A single dose material and applicator package that is easily held for removal of a cover and that contains an easily removable applicator. A tray has an applicator well and a material well. Formed in the applicator well is a finger depression adjacent the material well and an applicator support depression adjacent an opposing end of the applicator well. The finger depression permits easy grasping of the tray for removing the cover. The applicator support depression acts as a fulcrum to pivot or lever the applicator out of the tray when a force is applied to one end of the applicator. A material well ramp permits a controlled amount of material to be placed on the applicator brush.