Abstract:
A flexible delivery tip for delivering flowable substances, fiber or wire. The delivery tip uses 2 or more snap-together plastic pieces that articulate with respect to each other.

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY  
       [0001]     Priority is hereby claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/674,597 filed on Apr. 25, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Delivering liquid or gel materials to an application surface using a tip is commonly performed in may fields. The prior art delivery tip is a solid piece. It may be pre-bent at the time of manufacturing to a desired angle.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     A flexible delivery tip that can be bent by a clinical provider to any desired position is disclosed. The tip can be used to deliver all kinds of liquid or flowable materials and to guide fiber or wire. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1   a  depicts a parts explosion drawing of an example flexible tip.  
         [0005]      FIG. 1   b  depicts an example flexible tip.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2   a  depicts a cross sectional view of a parts explosion drawing of an example flexible tip.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2   b  depicts a cross sectional view of an example flexible tip.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts a flocked tip.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  depicts a flexible tip delivering fiber or wire. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]      FIG. 1   a  depicts parts explosion drawing of an example flexible tip. The tip includes a connector  101  for connection to a syringe or other device. The connector  101  could include a standard luer lock or other attachment mechanism. A plurality of connection joints  102  are provided. They may be plastic and may snap together. Each connection joint is articulable with respect to the next connection joint that it is connected to. By articulating the connection joints, a health care provider may position an end or delivery piece  103  in a desired angular orientation.  FIG. 1   b  depicts an example flexible delivery tip in assembled condition. Any desired number of connection joints may be used.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2   a  depicts a cross-sectional view of a delivery tip. It includes a connector with a wall  201 , an entry opening  202 , a luer lock mechanical feature  203 , an open cavity  204 , a delivery channel  205  through which material may flow, a curved half-ball shape connection piece  206 , and exit opening  207 . The connection joint has a large hemispherical receptacle wall  208 , an entry  209 , a cavity  210 , a neck with a channel  211 , a small hemispherical protrusion wall  212 , and exit  213 . A delivery piece has a wall  214 , an entry  215 , a delivery channel  216 , and an exit  217 .  FIG. 2   b  depicts the cross section of three major pieces connected together. The shape and size of connection joint is made in such that each piece can be connected to each other with tight fit. Thus, each piece will have the freedom to be articulated.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a flexible tip with a ball at the end and the ball is flocked with fiber. The flexible tip has an inner wall  301 , an entry  302 , a delivery channel  303 , exit holes  304   a  and  304   b , a ball  305 , and flocked fiber  306  around the ball. Such deliver piece can be used with a connection joint and entry piece described above to construct a delivery tip. With a ball flocked with fiber at deliver end, the user can scrub the surface when the materials being delivered, such as in dental applications.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross section of a delivery device to guide a wire or optical fiber to a desire angle. The delivery device  401  uses articulable joints to guide a wire or optical fiber  402 . By bending the tip, the wire or fiber can be formed at a desired angel.  
         [0014]     While the present invention has been described and illustrated in conjunction with a number of specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the inventions as herein illustrated, described and claimed. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.