Surgical Applicator Tip Spikes Prevent Glue Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicator tips for fast curing adhesives, such as cyanoacrylate, face issues with instantaneous polymerization upon contact with moisture, leading to clogging or gluing of swabs or brushes, and limited control over adhesive distribution, which complicates sterile and precise application, especially in medical contexts.
Innovation Solution
An applicator tip with a body portion and inner tube feeding adhesive through an orifice, featuring spikes of varying heights and arrangements around the orifice to maintain distance and control adhesive spread, allowing for flexible material composition and design to minimize irritation and ensure precise application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is applied directly to moist tissue surface, then bonding occurs instantly, but adhesive cures too quickly causing clogging of orifice and inability to control application
Solution Approach 1:
The spikes protruding from the applicator tip perform preliminary action by contacting the tissue surface first to absorb excess moisture before the adhesive reaches the tissue. This pre-absorption of moisture prevents instantaneous polymerization upon adhesive-tissue contact, allowing controlled application while ensuring reliable bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The spikes act as an intermediary element between the adhesive and the tissue surface. They mediate the interaction by selectively absorbing moisture from the tissue surface, creating optimal conditions for adhesive bonding without causing premature curing. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction between needing moisture for bonding and avoiding excessive moisture that causes instant curing.
2Manufacturing precision
If swab or brush is used to spread adhesive, then adhesive distribution is improved, but moisture causes polymerization at the applicator tip gluing the material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the moisture-absorbing function from the adhesive application path. Instead of using swabs or brushes that directly contact both adhesive and moisture, the spikes extract excess moisture from the tissue surface before the adhesive reaches it, preventing premature polymerization while maintaining controlled distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The spikes serve as an intermediary structure that separates the adhesive from direct contact with excessive moisture on the tissue surface. This intermediary layer allows the adhesive to be applied in a controlled manner without the harmful effect of immediate polymerization that would occur with traditional swab or brush applicators.
3Measurement precision
If small orifice is used to apply adhesive, then precise line application is achieved, but adhesive flow is restricted and orifice may clog
Solution Approach 1:
The spikes perform preliminary moisture absorption before the adhesive reaches the orifice and tissue interface. This pre-action prevents the adhesive from curing too quickly, ensuring reliable flow through the small orifice while maintaining precise application control.
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 spike-arranged applicator tip effectively prevents premature polymerization and ensures controlled, sterile application of cyanoacrylate adhesive, reducing the risk of clogging and improving distribution precision, suitable for sensitive and moist tissue surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The spikes have a height in the range of 0,5 to 10 mm... effectively prevents premature polymerization
Implementation Method 2
The polymerization process of the monomeric compound can be initiated by various substances. Usually the polymerization process is initiated by water, specifically hydroxide ions contained in water
Implementation Method 3
for bonding or adhering small pieces of various materials... for bonding human or animal tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
An applicator tip for applying fast curing adhesive of low viscosity to a surface is described. The applicator tip comprises a body with an inner canal for feeding the adhesive to an orifice. Spikes in various shapes and placements are arranged around the orifice for preventing the orifice from contacting the surface.