Fluid Applicator with Puncture Cap and Translucent Bulb

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid applicators for topical skin adhesives, such as cyanoacrylates, face challenges in providing precise and controlled application, visibility of adhesive remaining, risk of glass shard penetration, and inefficiency in use, leading to potential wound dehiscence, infection, and increased healthcare costs.

Innovation Solution

A fluid applicator design featuring a plunger-activated puncture cap with a cutter and channel system that allows for controlled expression of adhesive into a bulb, enabling easy identification of used applicators and reducing the risk of glass shards, with a translucent bulb for visual fluid monitoring and a rounded tip for smooth application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a glass ampule is cracked by hand action to release fluid, then the adhesive can be applied, but glass shard penetration and user injury risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive releaseVSAvoidglass shard penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protective foil layer as an intermediary between the glass ampule and the user's hand. This foil layer prevents direct contact with glass shards while still allowing the ampule to be cracked and the adhesive to be released. The foil acts as a mediator that protects the user from harmful glass shards while maintaining the functionality of the ampule cracking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable protective foil covering that is discarded after use. This single-use foil layer provides protection during the critical moment of ampule cracking and adhesive application, then is discarded to avoid any potential harm. The disposable nature ensures that no glass shards remain after use, eliminating long-term safety concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Device complexity

If standard applicators are used without visibility features, then the device is simple, but the user cannot see how much adhesive remains leading to potential wound dehiscence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicator designVSAvoidwound sealing compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a color-changing or translucent bulb that allows the user to visually monitor the adhesive remaining in the applicator. As the adhesive level changes, the bulb's appearance changes, providing immediate visual feedback to the user. This ensures the user knows when adhesive remains and when the applicator is empty, preventing premature or incomplete wound sealing and ensuring compliance with treatment protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a narrow tip is used for applicator, then precision application is possible, but the tip may be left in the patient requiring tracking and inventory

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication precisionVSAvoidtip tracking and inventory

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the applicator into distinct segments: a removable tip component and a main body. The tip can be easily detached from the main body, allowing the user to remove it completely from the patient without leaving any portion behind. This segmentation eliminates the need for tip tracking and inventory while maintaining the precision benefits of a narrow tip for controlled adhesive application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple layers of protective cover and crushed ampule are used, then glass shard penetration is reduced, but fluid expression control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglass shard protectionVSAvoidfluid expression control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the protective foil layer after the ampule is cracked and adhesive is released. By taking out the protective covering, the design eliminates the barrier that was causing difficulty in fluid expression control. The foil is removed before the user needs to express the adhesive, allowing for easy and precise control without interference from protective layers.

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 solution enhances the precision and efficiency of adhesive application, reduces the risk of glass shard injuries, and ensures consistent adhesive delivery, improving compliance with wound sealing protocols and patient safety.

Implementation Method 1

depressing a plunger thereby forcing a puncture cap having one or more teeth against a sealed ampule containing a fluid; puncturing the sealed ampule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

forcing the fluid through a channel in the puncture cap and into a bulb

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure Gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8852231B2Fluid applicator

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 STRATEGIC MEDICAL SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

Fluid applicators utilizing a cutter and an ampule containing fluids, such as topical adhesives, and methods for safe, sterile, one-time use of fluid applicators for expressing fluids, such as wound sealing adhesives, are provided.