Metered Applicator Device for Hard-to-Reach Skin Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with dermatologic conditions or physical disabilities face challenges in applying topical substances to hard-to-reach areas, leading to inadequate application and potential side effects due to overuse or underuse of medications.
Innovation Solution
A metered-dose applicator device with a handle, articulating segment, and applicator head that includes a syringe cartridge and actuator, allowing for precise delivery of topical substances to difficult-to-reach areas without assistance, preventing overapplication and ensuring proper dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patients apply topical substances manually to hard-to-reach areas, then they can reach the affected areas, but they cannot control the amount applied leading to overuse or underuse
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator device segments the substance delivery system into distinct components: a reservoir for the topical substance, a metering mechanism with calibrated chambers, and an applicator tip. This segmentation allows the metering mechanism to precisely control the amount of substance delivered while the extended applicator tip reaches hard-to-access areas independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a metering mechanism as an intermediary between the substance reservoir and the application point. This intermediary component precisely measures and dispenses specific amounts of topical substance, eliminating the patient's direct manual control while ensuring accurate dosing to difficult-to-reach areas
2Ease of operation
If patients use oral medications instead of topical treatments, then they can treat dermatologic conditions without application difficulties, but they experience more side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator device enables patients to self-administer topical medications to hard-to-reach areas without caregiver assistance. The extended and articulating applicator tip allows patients to independently reach their own back and other difficult areas, maintaining the benefits of topical treatment while eliminating the need for caregiver application
3Area of stationary object
If patients apply generous amounts of cream to larger surface areas, then they ensure adequate coverage, but they risk overuse and systemic toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The metering mechanism is pre-calibrated with specific chamber volumes designed to deliver appropriate amounts of topical substance for different treatment scenarios. This preliminary preparation ensures that patients receive the correct dosage before application, preventing both under-dosing that would require reapplication and over-dosing that could cause toxicity
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator device allows for independent application of topical substances onto patients' skin, allowing self-application to difficult-to-reach areas. The applicator device includes a handle, an articulating segment, and an applicator head. The handle extends to a rotating joint between the handle and the articulating segment. A user activates the handle that operates to deliver the topical substance from an incorporation portion of the articulating segment to the applicator head and to the patient. The device meters the dispensed doses. The device can use disposable foam applicator pads and comes in a sleek, modern, ergonomic design. The device articulates and folds and rotates to provide easy access to previously hard-to-reach patient areas. The device can be easily stored, cleaned, and disinfected. The device prevents wasting of substances and solves the problem of overuse of topical medications, which can lead to adverse side effects.