Photo-Activatable Applicator Integrating Dispensing and Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional formulation applicators are inefficient in applying and activating photo-activatable formulations, as they require separate devices for dispensing and activating, leading to waste and reduced usable life due to exposure to air and environmental factors, and lack convenience in use.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained applicator device with a photo-active formulation assembly and a photo-dose assembly that includes a dispenser and an illuminator, respectively, to dispense and focus electromagnetic energy onto a biological surface, activating the formulation directly and minimizing exposure to air and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate devices are used for dispensing and activating photo-activatable formulations, then the activation function can be provided, but device complexity increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dispenser portion and illuminator into a single integrated applicator device. The dispenser portion dispenses photo-activatable formulation while the illuminator simultaneously or sequentially activates the formulation, eliminating the need for separate dispensing and activation devices. This integration directly resolves the technical contradiction by improving ease of operation through consolidation while managing device complexity through functional integration.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If photo-activatable formulations are exposed to air and environmental factors during storage, then the formulation can be dispensed, but the usable life decreases due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoirs are configured to maintain photo-activatable formulations in a protected environment until dispensing. The formulation remains isolated from air and environmental factors within the reservoir system, and only becomes exposed during the actual dispensing and activation process. This inert environment protection significantly extends the usable life of the formulation by preventing premature degradation from oxygen and moisture exposure.
3Loss of time
If photo-activatable formulations are dispensed and activated separately, then the activation can be controlled, but time is lost between dispensing and activation
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated applicator enables continuous operation where the dispenser portion and illuminator work in sequence without interruption. The formulation is dispensed and immediately activated by the illuminator in a continuous process, eliminating idle time between dispensing and activation steps. This continuous useful action significantly reduces time loss and improves overall productivity compared to separate sequential operations.
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 applicator efficiently dispenses and activates photo-activatable formulations in a single unit, reducing waste and environmental exposure, and enhancing user convenience by integrating the dispensing and activation processes.
Implementation Method 1
The focused electromagnetic energy is of a character and for a duration sufficient to photo-activate the photo-activatable formulation dispensed from the one or more photo-activatable formulation reservoirs
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator device includes a formulation assembly with a dispenser portion and one or more formulation reservoirs, the formulation assembly being operable to dispense a formulation from the one or more formulation reservoirs onto one or more regions of a biological surface. The applicator device also includes a photo-dose assembly operably coupled to the formulation assembly, the photo-dose assembly having at least one illuminator oriented to focus electromagnetic energy onto one or more focal regions of a biological surface.