Deployable Distance Indicator for Medicinal Spray Applicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hemostat and sealant dispensing devices fail to ensure that the spray is performed at a distance greater than the minimum recommended distance from the tissue surface, which can lead to embolisms during surgical procedures, especially in laparoscopic environments where distance estimation is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A spray applicator with a deployable distance indicator that provides visual or tactile feedback to ensure the spray tip maintains a minimum recommended distance from the tissue surface, allowing for gas-assisted or non-gas-assisted delivery without interfering with the spray process, and optionally controlling gas pressure to prevent embolisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deployable distance indicator is added to the spray applicator, then the reliability of maintaining optimal spray distance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance indicator is deployed in advance before spraying to establish the correct spray distance. The indicator extends from the spray tip to visually mark the minimum recommended distance, allowing the operator to position the applicator correctly before medicant delivery begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance indicator acts as an intermediary element between the spray tip and the tissue surface. It provides a visual reference that mediates the distance relationship, enabling the operator to maintain the optimal spray distance without directly measuring the gap.
2Ease of operation
If the distance indicator is made deployable rather than fixed, then the ease of operation is improved by not interfering with spray, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance indicator transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic deployable structure. It can be extended when needed for distance reference and retracted or removed when not needed, allowing the spray tip to approach the tissue surface freely when the indicator is retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance indicator is designed as a separate deployable component rather than an integral fixed part of the applicator. This segmentation allows it to be independently controlled - deployed when distance reference is needed, and retracted or removed when unobtrusive operation is required.
3Measurement precision
If the distance indicator provides visual or tactile feedback, then the measurement precision of spray distance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance indicator may incorporate visual elements such as colored bands or markings that provide clear visual feedback about the distance to the tissue surface. This allows the operator to quickly assess whether the optimal spray distance is maintained without complex measurement instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance indicator provides self-service measurement functionality through its simple extendable structure. When extended, it automatically establishes the correct distance reference without requiring additional measurement tools or complex calibration procedures.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of embolisms by ensuring optimal spray distances are maintained, allowing for precise and safe delivery of medicants, whether through gas-assisted or non-gas-assisted methods, while allowing for flexibility in spray proximity when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
an optional pressurized gas source in fluid communication with the spray tip through the cannula providing gas in the vicinity of the spray tip or within the spray tip
Implementation Method 2
droplets or a stream of mixed sealant agents are entrained in a stream of gas such as sterile compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a spray applicator for spraying a tissue treatment medicant onto a tissue that has a container containing the medicant and is positioned at a proximal end of the spray applicator; a spray tip positioned at a distal end of the spray applicator; a cannula connecting the container with the spray tip; an actuatable dispensing mechanism at a proximal end of the applicator to express the medicant from the container through the cannula and through the spray tip toward the tissue; an optional pressurized gas source discharging a gas through the cannula in the vicinity of the spray tip or inside the spray tip; and a distance indicator that provides indicia of the distance between the spray tip and the tissue but does not prevent positioning the spray tip closer to the tissue than a defined distance for the distance indicator.