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EP-4740993-A2 - ANTISEPTIC APPLICATOR

EP4740993A2EP 4740993 A2EP4740993 A2EP 4740993A2EP-4740993-A2

Abstract

An applicator assembly includes a plurality of ampoules formed of a frangible material and containing liquid to be applied, a container having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a chamber adapted to receive the plurality of ampoules, an application member attached to the distal end of the container; and at least one actuator projecting from the container, wherein the at least one actuator is actuatable to independently fracture the plurality of ampoules, thereby independently releasing the liquid into the application member. The at least one actuator may be moveable from a first position to a second position, the applicator having a smaller profile when the actuator is in the second position than when the actuator is in the first position.

Inventors

  • MINGIONE, LOUIS P.
  • BEUCHAT, CHARLIE

Assignees

  • CareFusion 2200 Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20151210

Claims (11)

  1. An applicator assembly comprising: at least one ampoule formed of a frangible material and containing liquid to be applied; a container (410, 510) having a proximal end (412, 512), a distal end (430, 530), and an interior portion defining a chamber adapted to receive the at least one of ampoule; an application member (420, 520) attached to the distal end (430, 530), of the container (410, 510); and at least one actuator (460, 560) projecting from the container (410, 510) and actuatable to fracture the at least one ampoule, thereby releasing the liquid into the application member (420, 520), wherein the at least one actuator (460, 560) is moveable from a first position to a second position, the applicator having a smaller profile when the actuator (460, 560) is in the second position than when the actuator is in the first position.
  2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein in the second position the at least one actuator (460, 560) extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container (410, 510).
  3. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a hinge mechanism (468) configured to enable movement of the at least one actuator (460) from the first position to the second position.
  4. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the actuator (460) comprises rotation elements (462) coupled with a pair of opposing retaining posts (464), and wherein the rotation elements (462) and the opposing posts (464) form the hinge mechanism (468).
  5. The applicator of claim 4, further comprises at least one projection member (452a, 452b) disposed between the rotation elements (462), wherein the at least one projection (452a, 452b) imparts compressive force on the at least one ampoule when the actuator (460) is rotated from the first position to the second position.
  6. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the second position is external to container (510).
  7. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a coupling mechanism (570) configured to enable removal of the at least one actuator (560) from the container (510).
  8. The applicator of claim 7, wherein the actuator (560) comprises a first mating feature, and wherein the container (510) comprises a second mating feature, first and second mating features forming the coupling mechanism.
  9. The applicator of claim 8, wherein the first mating feature comprises a plurality of ribs (574), and wherein the second mating feature comprises a plurality of lips (578) for receiving the plurality of ribs (574).
  10. The applicator of claim 9, wherein the first mating feature further comprises a projection member (572) and the second mating feature further comprises a receiving member (576) for receiving the projection member.
  11. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one ampoule comprises a plurality of ampoules, and wherein the at least one actuator (460, 460) is actuatable to independently fracture the plurality of ampoules, thereby independently releasing the liquid into the application member.

Description

BACKGROUND Field The present disclosure relates to an antiseptic applicator, and more particularly, to an antiseptic applicator that uses a compressive force to actuate release of a sealed solution, preferably an antimicrobial solution, from an ampoule. Description of Related Art Antiseptic applicators for the preparation of a patient prior to surgery, for example, are known and common in the prior art. Conventional applicators rely on various means of actuation to release a self-contained reservoir of antimicrobial solution for sterilization of the patient's skin. For example, a number of applicators are designed with a puncturing means. These applicators typically include a head with a spike, for example, and a sealed container or cartridge. A push or screw motion is employed to axially translate the head toward the sealed container so that the spike may pierce the sealed container and effectuate the release of the solution contained therein. Some examples of applicators using a puncturing means include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,415,288; 4,498,796; 5,769,552; 6,488,665; and 7,201,525; and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0039742. Other conventional applicators rely on fracturing an internally situated frangible container or ampoule through the application of a one-way directional force or a localized application of pressure. The directional force is typically applied longitudinally to one end of the ampoule by a pushing motion designed to force the ampoule to fracture under a compressive stress, sometimes at a predetermined area of stress concentration. Alternatively, a pressure may be applied to a localized section of the ampoule through a squeezing motion designed to crush a section of the frangible ampoule in order to release the antimicrobial solution contained therein. Some examples of applicators using frangible ampoules in the manner discussed above include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,757,782; 5,288,159; 5,308,180; 5,435,660; 5,445,462; 5,658,084; 5,772,346; 5,791,801; 5,927,884; 6,371,675; and 6,916,133. The patent application US 2011/066121 A1 discloses, among the others, an applicator assembly comprising two ampoules which are housed each in one branch of a bifurcated handle, the two branches forming a given angle when in the normal position. The ampoules may be ruptured upon moving the two branches of the handle towards each other, so as to reduce the angle they form between them at rest, the rupture being caused by the interference of the bifurcated handle with a fixed multistep wedge point. The patent application US 2004/254561 A1 discloses an applicator for dispensing two fluids, each one from one of the two ends of the applicator, for performing two different functions. The patent applications US 2002/0076255 A1 and US 2004/0179888 A1 each disclose a liquid applicator comprising ampoule(s) housed within a container defining an interior chamber, an application member at one end of the container and one actuator projecting from the container for releasing the liquid into the application member. On the other hand, the international publ. No. WO 03/101370 discloses a different device, namely an ampoule set designed for two subsequent applications, with a body element and a pair of opposed removable caps, wherein each cap contains the liquid to be dispensed to a respective swab upon rupture of a membrane, the swab being housed within the respective cap. However, in the above-listed applicators having multiple ampoules, there is no ability for the user to control the rupturing of each ampoule independently. Furthermore, for the applicators having actuating levers, the levers increase the overall profile of the applicator, making it difficult to reach all areas of the patient. Thus, there is a need in the art for an antiseptic applicator that allows for the user to independently fracture each ampoule and a reduced profile after fracturing. SUMMARY The invention is defined in independent claim 1. Further aspects thereof are defined in dependent claims 2-11. Methods of use present in this description do not form part of the claimed invention and are left for illustrative purposes. In accordance with some examples of the present invention, an applicator assembly may include a plurality of ampoules formed of a frangible material and containing liquid to be applied, a container having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a chamber adapted to receive the plurality of ampoules, an application member attached to the distal end of the container, and at least one actuator projecting from the container, wherein the at least one actuator is actuatable to independently fracture the plurality of ampoules, thereby independently releasing the liquid into the application member. In accordance with some further examples of the present invention, an applicator may include at least one ampoule formed of a frangible material and containing liquid to be applied, a container having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inte