Medical Applicator Weir Design for Uniform Liquid Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical liquid applicators face issues with uniform application of disinfection liquids, as the liquid often drips or leaks due to sudden and non-uniform flow from the application pad, leading to incomplete or inefficient application.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a hollow cylindrical member with a liquid container and an application pad, featuring an inclined outflow hole and an arcuate or crescent weir to control the flow rate and direction, ensuring the liquid permeates uniformly into the pad and is applied accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the liquid container is cleaved to release and discharge the liquid, then the liquid is discharged from the container, but the liquid suddenly and one-sidedly flows out and non-uniformly permeates into the application pad

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid discharge speedVSAvoidliquid flow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a weir structure with specific local geometric features (arcuate or crescent shape, specific height relative to the bank section) to create different flow conditions in different regions of the base bottom section. This local structural differentiation controls the liquid flow distribution, ensuring uniform permeation into the application pad while maintaining efficient discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The weir acts as an intermediary structure between the liquid container and the application pad. It mediates the liquid flow by creating a controlled water surface and directing the flow uniformly across the base bottom section, preventing sudden and one-sided discharge while ensuring consistent permeation into the pad.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the liquid flows out rapidly from the container, then the application efficiency is improved, but the liquid drips or leaks from the application pad before or during application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication efficiencyVSAvoidliquid control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The weir structure maintains continuous and controlled liquid flow from the container through the base bottom section to the application pad. By creating a regulated water surface and controlled discharge path, it ensures steady-state flow conditions that prevent sudden surges and dripping, maintaining both efficiency and reliability throughout the application process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the flow parameters by introducing the weir structure with specific dimensional parameters (height relative to bank section, arcuate or crescent shape). These parameter changes regulate the liquid flow rate and distribution, transforming the flow from sudden and uncontrolled to continuous and controlled, preventing dripping while maintaining application efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the application pad is made to absorb more liquid, then the coverage area is increased, but the liquid cannot be smoothly and uniformly applied by the application pad

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid capacityVSAvoidapplication uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The weir structure creates an equipotential water surface across the base bottom section, ensuring that liquid flows uniformly to all areas of the application pad. This equalizes the liquid distribution potential, allowing the pad to absorb and apply liquid uniformly across its entire surface area, achieving both increased capacity and smooth application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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

This configuration prevents liquid from dripping and ensures a uniform, controlled application of a predetermined amount of disinfection liquid, effectively addressing the issue of non-uniform flow and leakage.

Implementation Method 1

cause the flowed-out liquid to permeate through the application pad

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3315164B1Applicator for medical-use liquids
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 OTSUKA PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY INC
  • EP3315164B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3315164B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3315164B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An object is to provide an applicator for medical-use liquids in which an appropriate amount of medical-use liquid such as disinfection liquid uniformly exudes from an application pad, the applicator being able to accurately apply a predetermined amount of medical-use liquid. An applicator for medical-use liquids includes: a handle section comprising a hollow cylindrical member, a liquid container incorporated in the cylindrical member, and a cleaving means of the liquid container; and an applying section comprising an attachment plate 10 of an application pad (integrally) fixed to a lower end of the cylindrical member to be an inclined cross section and the application pad fixed to the attachment plate. The attachment plate 10 is provided with a bank section 12 formed thick at a peripheral edge, a base bottom section 13 formed as a recess in a center, an inclined outflow hole 14 opened inclinedly with respect to the base bottom section near the base bottom section center such that the solution flows out toward an attachment plate distal end direction, and a weir 15 provided in an arcuate shape or a crescent shape. A flow of the solution flowed out from the inclined outflow hole is reversed to flow backward by the weir 15. An amount of liquid permeated into the application pad is adjusted.