Lip Moisturizing Applicator with External Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients recovering from surgery often suffer from dry or cracked lips due to limited fluid intake, leading to discomfort, and existing moisturizing devices are either complex, costly, or obstructive, making them impractical for continuous use.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an applicator and support structure that delivers moisturizing liquid to the lips without obstructing lip contact, using a reservoir and conduit with liquid release apertures, supported by the body, cheeks, ears, or bed frame, ensuring continuous and mess-free relief without disrupting speech or normal mouth movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing moisturizing devices are positioned partly or entirely within the mouth cavity, then they may be somewhat effective in moisturizing lips, but they obstruct normal closing of the mouth and disrupt the patient's ability to resume speaking
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is extracted from the mouth cavity and positioned externally in the recess between the lips. The support structure holds the applicator outside the oral cavity, allowing lip closure while maintaining contact with the lips for moisturizing delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator acts as an intermediary element positioned in the recess between the lips, delivering moisturizing liquid without requiring insertion into the mouth cavity. This intermediary positioning enables lip contact while preserving natural mouth closure function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual intervention by nurses or family members is used to moisten lips, then discomfort from dry lips can be addressed, but it adds burden on healthcare staff and may not always be feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service moisturizing by continuously delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips automatically. The patient does not require manual intervention from healthcare staff, as the applicator autonomously provides moisturization through the support structure positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides continuous moisturizing action rather than intermittent manual intervention. The applicator continuously delivers moisturizing liquid to the lips, ensuring constant relief from dryness without requiring repeated manual applications.
3Reliability
If devices extend between the lips of the patient, then they can deliver moisturizing liquid, but they interfere with normal closing of the mouth and disrupting the patient's ability to resume speaking
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is positioned locally in the recess between the lips rather than extending across the entire mouth. This localized positioning delivers moisturizing liquid to the lips while leaving the oral cavity open for normal speech and mouth closure functions.
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 system provides effective, non-intrusive, and continuous moisturization of dry lips, reducing healthcare burden and patient discomfort by maintaining lip contact integrity and avoiding device obstruction, thus addressing the need for a simple and effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
the reservoir maintains the moisturizing liquid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, the pressure generating liquid flow to the applicator
Implementation Method 2
the applicator includes an absorbent material moistened by the moisturizing liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject includes an applicator for applying the moisturizing liquid to the lips supported by a support structure so that at least a part of applicator is deployed so as to engage a recess between the lips of subject without obstructing contact between the subject's upper and lower lips. The proximity of the applicator to the lips allows the use of simple contact-based implementations of the applicator. At the same time, disruption of speech and other normal oral movement is minimized by avoiding any obstruction to contact between the lips.