Skin Prep Applicator With Valve-Controlled Disinfectant Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid applicators lack precise control over disinfectant volume dispensing, leading to inconsistent and excessive fluid release, which can result in inadequate skin disinfection, increased infection risk, and safety hazards due to fluid pooling and flammability.
Innovation Solution
A fluid applicator with a one-way valve and hydrophobic filter, embedded within a housing with a deformable end press and push rod mechanism, allowing controlled and constant flow of disinfectant onto a sponge for uniform distribution, eliminating the need for additional ampoules and flow limiting materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a breakable ampoule is used to dispense disinfectant, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fluid releases rapidly and uncontrolled leading to excessive dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow control valve as an intermediary component between the ampoule and the dispensing system. This valve mediates the rapid fluid release by providing a controlled passage that limits flow rate, thereby preventing excessive dispensing while maintaining the simple ampoule-based design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the flow parameters of the disinfectant by introducing a flow control mechanism that adjusts the flow rate from rapid uncontrolled release to a controlled constant flow. This parameter change enables precise volume dispensing while retaining the simplicity of the breakable ampoule system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional ampoules of varying volume sizes are provided, then clinicians can select appropriate volumes for different surface areas, but the device complexity increases and many ampoules are discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the dispensing system universal by enabling a single ampoule to provide multiple volume options through the flow control valve. The valve can be adjusted to deliver different volumes from the same ampoule, eliminating the need for multiple specialized ampoules and reducing waste while maintaining adaptability to different surface areas.
3Quantity of substance
If tortuous paths or absorbent materials are used to limit fluid flow, then the flow is controlled, but time delay occurs between ampoule breakage and fluid application
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control valve serves as an intermediary that provides immediate controlled flow upon ampoule breakage. Unlike tortuous paths or absorbent materials that require fluid to permeate through them, the valve opens instantly to a controlled passage, eliminating time delay while maintaining flow control.
4Reliability
If clinicians dispense excess disinfectant to ensure full coverage, then complete wet-out is achieved, but drying time increases and safety hazards occur due to pooling and flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control valve provides feedback-based flow regulation that responds to the dispensing process in real-time. By maintaining a constant controlled flow rate, the system delivers the precise amount of disinfectant needed for complete coverage without excess, thereby eliminating pooling and associated flammability hazards while ensuring reliable disinfection effectiveness.
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
Ensures precise volume and flow control of disinfectant, reducing the risk of infection, minimizing fluid waste, and enhancing safety by preventing pooling and flammability, while being cost-effective compared to existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A one-way valve is disposed on the outlet on the distal end of the barrel
Implementation Method 2
A hydrophobic filter is disposed within the port on the sidewall of the chamber, the hydrophobic filter being in fluid communication with the chamber
Implementation Method 3
A deformable end press is disposed on the open proximal end to fluidly seal the open proximal end of the barrel
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid applicators with precise volume dispensing control for dispensing fluids such as a disinfectant in a controlled manner. Such fluid applicators may include a barrel including a sidewall having an inside surface defining a chamber for retaining a fluid, an end press, a push rod disposed within the chamber, the push rod having a push button and a piercing tip, a cap attached to a port via a hinge to cover a hydrophobic filter disposed on the sidewall of the chamber, a one-way valve disposed on the outlet on a distal end of the barrel, a disinfectant disposed within the chamber; a housing having a base and an open proximal end; and a fluid applicator sponge disposed in the base of the housing. An alternate fluid may include a deformable end press, a plurality of volume scale markings on an outer surface of the barrel, a push rod, a one-way valve and applicator sponge.