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EP-4735089-A1 - FLUID APPLICATORS

EP4735089A1EP 4735089 A1EP4735089 A1EP 4735089A1EP-4735089-A1

Abstract

The invention provides an applicator suitable for applying a fluid, such as an antiseptic fluid, to the skin of a subject. The applicator comprises a handle (4) that can be used more than once and a head (2) that is removable from the handle (4) for safe disposal after each use of the applicator. The head (2) can move along the handle (4) from a first position, in which it is releasably secured to the handle (4) and is isolated from a source of fluid, to a second position, in which it is releasably secured to the handle (4) and is in communication with the source of fluid. After use, the head (2) can be moved to a third position, in which it is released from the handle (4). The head (2) may engage the handle (4) via a track (14) that extends along only said one side of the handle (4) to minimize the quantity of material that is required in the disposable head (2).

Inventors

  • RUPRA, Perminder
  • ROWE, ANDREW

Assignees

  • Elipse Health Ltd

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240611

Claims (11)

  1. 1. A fluid applicator comprising: a handle (4) suitable for containing a source of a fluid; and a head (2) suitable for applying the fluid to the skin of a subject; wherein: the handle (4) engages the head (2) so as to permit linear movement of the head (2) parallel to an axis (6) of the handle (4), said movement being from a first position, in which the head (2) is releasably secured to the handle (4) and is isolated from the source of fluid, to a second position, in which the head (2) is releasably secured to the handle (4) and is in communication with the source of fluid, then to a third position, in which the head (2) is released from the handle (4); the head (2) comprises an arm (22) that extends generally parallel to the axis (6) along one side of the handle (4); and each of the first and second positions is a position where a projection (26) on one of the handle and the arm (22) locates in a recess (28, 29) in the other of the handle (4) and the arm.
  2. 2. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein the arm (22) comprises one projection (26) that can locate in either of two recesses (28, 29) in the handle (4) to define the first and second positions respectively.
  3. 3. A fluid applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the arm (22) is resilient, such that when a projection (26) becomes located in a recess (28, 29), the projection (26) snaps into the recess (28, 29).
  4. 4. A fluid applicator according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the resilient arm (22) further comprises a grip (24) projecting away from the handle (4), whereby a user of the applicator can apply force to the grip (24) to move the head (2) between the first, second and third positions.
  5. 5. A fluid applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement between the handle (4) and the head (2) is via a track (14) that extends parallel to the axis (6) along only said one side of the handle (4).
  6. 6. A fluid applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the first position is between the second and third positions.
  7. 7. A fluid applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein: in the first position of the head (2), the source of fluid in the handle is isolated from the head by a seal (12); and movement of the head (2) from the first position to the second position breaks the seal (12) to permit the fluid to flow from the source to the head (2).
  8. 8. A fluid applicator according to claim 7, wherein the head (2) comprises a pin (32) adapted to pierce the seal (12) when the head (2) is moved from the first position to the second position.
  9. 9. A fluid applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the head (2) comprises a pad (8) that defines a planar surface (10) adapted to apply fluid to the skin of a subject.
  10. 10. A fluid applicator according to claim 9, wherein the axis (6) of the handle (4) is inclined to the plane of the pad (8).
  11. 11. A fluid applicator according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the head (2) comprises an apertured plate (15) adapted to mount the pad (8).

Description

TITLE Fluid applicators DESCRIPTION Technical field The invention relates to the field of fluid applicators for applying a fluid to a subject. It is particularly suitable for applicators that are intended to aseptically apply a sterilizing, antiseptic, anaesthetic or wound management fluid to the skin of a patient in a medical context, for example before a hypodermic needle or cannula is inserted into the skin. However, it also has applications in non-medical contexts, such as for cosmetic uses or general cleaning purposes. Background of the invention The skin provides an important barrier to prevent harmful entities such as bacteria entering the body. Therefore, before carrying out surgery or any other medical procedure that will pierce the skin of a patient, it is standard practice to ensure that the relevant area of the skin is made clean and sterile. This is typically done using a disposable fluid applicator to wipe the skin with an antiseptic fluid such as chlorhexidine diluted in alcohol or water. The applicator comprises a handle containing a source of the fluid and a head that is applied to the skin. Typically, the head comprises a pad made from, for example, an open-cell foam, that conducts the fluid from the source and distributes it over the skin. Published patent application WO 99/63934 discloses one example of such an applicator. Its delivery system includes an antimicrobial alcohol gel formulation contained within a sealed, flexible container and a gel formulation dispenser connected to the container. The gel formulation dispenser includes a container connector connected to the flexible container and a gel applicator having a sealed piercing member which is slidably engaged with the container connector. An applicator pad is secured to an angled gel applicator head of the gel applicator. The applicator pad is porous and also has enlarged holes for passage of the gel formulation. The gel formulation dispenser pierces a seal in the container and delivers the antimicrobial alcohol gel formulation from the container to the surgical site. Once the gel applicator has been moved to an activated position, a lock prevents it from sliding away again. In this manner, the lock contributes to a single use feature of the skin-preparation delivery system. For environmental and economic reasons, it is no longer desirable that an applicator should be single use, which provides an inefficient return on the materials and energy that were used to make and transport it, and on the financial outlay of the medical provider that acquired it. On the other hand, re-use of the applicator risks crossinfection between patients if it is not thoroughly sterilized, which itself consumes resources. Summary of the invention The invention provides an effective compromise between an applicator that is entirely single-use and one that is completely re-usable. The applicator comprises a head that is removable from the handle after use, whereby the head that has been in contact with the skin of a subject can be safely disposed of, while the handle that has not been in contact with the skin of the subject can be retained and sterilized for re-use with minimal risk of cross-infection. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide designs of applicator that minimize the quantity of material in the disposable head. Specifically, the invention provides a fluid applicator comprising a handle suitable for containing a source of a fluid and a head suitable for applying the fluid to the skin of a subject. The handle engages the head so as to permit linear movement of the head parallel to an axis of the handle, said movement being from a first position, in which the head is releasably secured to the handle and is isolated from the source of fluid, to a second position, in which the head is releasably secured to the handle and is in communication with the source of fluid, then to a third position, in which the head is released from the handle. The head comprises an arm that extends generally parallel to the axis along one side of the handle. Each of the first and second positions is a position where a projection on one of the handle and the arm locates in a recess in the other of the handle and the arm. The handle may itself be a reservoir for containing the fluid or it may be designed to receive a discrete reservoir of the fluid, such as a flexible pouch or a rigid cartridge. The fluid may be a liquid or a flowable gel. When the head is in the first position, the fluid remains contained within the handle and the head is secured against movement relative to the handle unless a predetermined force is applied. In this configuration, the applicator is suitable for transport and storage without the risk that the fluid will leak out or become contaminated. When the head is in the second position, fluid can flow from the handle to the head, either under gravity or by the user applying pressure to the fluid reservoir. The head can then be used t