Device for the preparation and application of a medical substance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical applicator devices for cutaneous administration face challenges such as the need for multiple applicators, inefficient mixing of medical and dyeing substances, fragility of glass ampoules, and complications in handling and disposal of hospital waste, as well as issues with filter systems that affect dosage accuracy and compatibility with liquid substances.

Innovation Solution

A single, cylindrical applicator device with a sliding cartridge and hermetically sealed double-layer closure system allows for simultaneous and continuous mixing of medical and dyeing substances without additional components, preventing lateral leakage and maintaining sterility, using a breaking mechanism that creates fluid communication between the cartridge and the contact element for efficient application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a glass ampoule system is used to contain and dispense medical substance, then the substance can be sealed and protected, but the device becomes fragile and may break during transportation or preparation, creating glass fragments that contaminate the medical substance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing protectionVSAvoidglass fragment contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the reusable glass ampoule with a disposable plastic cartridge containing the medical substance. The cartridge is designed for single use, eliminating the risk of glass fragmentation while maintaining the sealing and protection functions. The entire cartridge is discarded after use, avoiding contamination risks associated with glass breakage during transportation or preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter of the containment system from glass to plastic, fundamentally altering the physical properties. This material substitution eliminates fragility and the associated harmful effect of glass fragmentation, while preserving the essential function of sealing and protecting the medical substance until activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If a filter is added to mix dyeing substance with medical substance, then dyeing can be achieved, but the filter requires additional loading operations and positioning to prevent lateral leakage, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing functionVSAvoidfilter loading and positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dyeing substance directly into the medical substance within the cartridge before sealing. This integration eliminates the need for a separate filter component and its associated loading and positioning operations. The dyeing function is achieved through pre-mixing, simplifying the device structure while maintaining the desired functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dyeing substance is preliminarily mixed with the medical substance during cartridge manufacturing, before the device reaches the user. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex filter mechanisms and loading operations at the point of use, reducing device complexity while ensuring proper dyeing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If two separate applicators are used for medical substance and dyeing substance, then each substance can be applied separately, but the overall dimension increases and practicality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparate application capabilityVSAvoidoverall dimension and practicality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the medical substance and dyeing substance into a single integrated cartridge, creating one applicator device that performs both functions. This merging eliminates the need for two separate applicators, reducing overall dimensions and improving ease of operation while maintaining the capability to apply both substances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single cartridge design provides multi-functionality by containing both medical and dyeing substances in one device. This universal applicator can perform multiple functions (applying medical substance and dyeing) that previously required two separate devices, improving practicality and reducing overall dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If a filter system is used to release dyeing substance, then dyeing can be achieved, but part of the dyeing substance sticks to the walls of the filter, affecting dosage accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing functionVSAvoiddosage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dyeing substance is preliminarily mixed with the medical substance in precise proportions during cartridge manufacturing. This preliminary mixing ensures accurate dosage without the loss of dyeing substance to filter walls, as no filter is used during application. The precise dosing is achieved through controlled manufacturing processes rather than filter-based release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter component is extracted from the system entirely, eliminating the source of dosage inaccuracy. By removing the filter, the patent eliminates the problem of dyeing substance adhering to filter walls, thereby ensuring that the full intended dosage is delivered to the patient without loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 device enables easy, efficient, and cost-effective preparation and application of colored medical substances, ensuring optimal mixing and dosage accuracy while reducing waste and complexity, making it suitable for pre-operative disinfection and skin treatments.

Implementation Method 1

the breaking means and the double layer closure system make the present invention easy to implement and obtain, thus guaranteeing optimal performance in terms of carrier and mixing capacity of the two components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid communication:

Implementation Method 2

a cartridge slidingly inserted into said hollow chamber by means of a hosting end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3237054B1Device for the preparation and application of a medical substance
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 NEX MEDICAL ANTISEPTICS SRL
  • EP3237054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3237054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3237054B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The present invention regards an applicator device for the preparation and application of at least one medical substance, preferably a coloured liquid, comprising: a hollow chamber having a hosting end and an opposite distal end in communication with means for contact with the patient; a cartridge slidingly inserted into said hollow chamber, containing at least one first medical substance, and having a first end external to the hollow chamber, and a second end completely inserted into the hollow chamber; a breaking means positioned at the distal end, capable of establishing a fluid communication between the internal of the cartridge and the means for contact with the patient; said second end being sealed by a filled double layer closure system containing at least one second substance, preferably coloured, mixable and/ or soluble with the first medical substance contained in the cartridge.