Needleless Syringe for Tick Bite Wound Irrigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for removing ticks and treating tick bites are inefficient in preventing the transmission of pathogens like Lyme disease, as they often damage the tick, causing it to expel infectious fluids into the wound, and fail to effectively reach and kill pathogens deep within the skin.

Innovation Solution

The interceptor device, comprising a flushing needleless syringe with a conical tip and spreader arms, is used to deliver an antipathogen solution directly into the tick bite wound, ensuring thorough irrigation and evacuation of pathogens before they enter the bloodstream, utilizing a splash shield for protection and spreader arms to maintain skin tension for better access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If prompt removal of the tick is performed, then the first line of defense against infection is provided, but the pathogen may already be deep in the wound and difficult to reach

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to remove tickVSAvoiddifficulty of reaching pathogen

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from surface-level cleaning to deep wound irrigation by introducing a syringe-based delivery system that penetrates into the wound cavity, delivering antipathogen solution along the path of least resistance directly to where pathogens are most likely located

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses antipathogen solution as an intermediary substance that facilitates pathogen destruction by being delivered directly to the wound site through the syringe, acting as a carrier for the therapeutic agent

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the tick is removed without damage, then pathogen expulsion is minimized, but the barbed hypostome makes removal without damage extremely difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen expulsionVSAvoidease of tick removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies antipathogen solution immediately after tick removal, before the pathogen can fully establish itself in the wound, creating a preliminary protective action that reduces the need for aggressive tick removal techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful situation of pathogen presence into a benefit by using the antipathogen solution to target and destroy the pathogen, turning the wound site from a vulnerability into a controlled treatment zone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If soap and water or alcohol is used to wash the bite area, then general cleaning is provided, but the pathogen deep in the wound is not effectively killed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of treatmentVSAvoideffectiveness of pathogen elimination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of washing with a controlled fluid delivery system that uses pressure to penetrate deep into the wound, substituting simple rubbing motions with targeted high-pressure irrigation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the cleaning process by using a syringe to deliver antipathogen solution under pressure, transforming the treatment from low-pressure washing to high-pressure targeted irrigation that reaches deep into the wound

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method effectively reduces the number of pathogens at the wound site, preventing their entry into the bloodstream and potentially reducing the risk of infection, particularly for tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, by ensuring prompt and thorough treatment of the wound area.

Implementation Method 1

flushing needleless syringe with conical tip... deliver an antipathogen solution directly into the tick bite wound, ensuring thorough irrigation and evacuation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

spreader arms to maintain skin tension for better access

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

kill or significantly reduce in number before having an opportunity to enter the blood stream... deliver an antipathogen solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical action: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS9474849B2Apparatus and method for reducing incidence of tick borne infections

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 PARKER JOHN RICHARD

AI summary

A device and method for treating a tick bite or other skin wound that may have been exposed to pathogens employs a syringe filled with antipathogen solution whereby the solution is applied under mild pressure directly to the wound site. The device employs spreader/retractor arms to open the wound for better access of the solution into the wound. The method of using the device to cleanse and disinfect a wound is described.