Patent Description:
Dispensing devices or dispensers are used to dispense controlled amounts of fluids. In a medical context, the dispensed fluids may include a biological sealant, such as a hemostatic matrix or other sealant, which is applied on a biological tissue as a tissue adhesive to control bleeding or reduce risks associated with blood clots. During cardiac surgeries or other surgeries that involve cutting / repairing blood vessels for example, there is an increased risk of forming blood clots that can potentially cause deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. A dispensing device can be used to mitigate these types of risks by dispensing a hemostatic matrix (or other sealant) on a blood vessel or other biological tissue.

Dispensers are commonly used in surgeries and in other medical procedures to apply biological sealants. Unfortunately, manual dispensers are burdensome to medical professionals. For example, a medical professional might accidentally trigger release of an incorrect amount of sealant from the manual dispenser. As another example, a surgeon might begin applying a sealant to a wound without realizing that the remaining amount of the sealant in the dispenser is not sufficient for adequately sealing the wound. It can be burdensome for the surgeon to evaluate how much sealant is available in the dispenser quickly and accurately, especially during a surgical procedure. A manual dispenser might also be accidentally used with more than one patient, which could pose a hazard to patients.

<CIT> discloses an infusion device including a housing with an interior chamber sized and configured to hold at least a flange and plunger of a syringe, a trigger held by the housing, and a lever in communication with the trigger and including an upwardly extending cam with a cam path having an upper end. The cam is in communication with the flange of the syringe. In response to actuation of the trigger to dispense fluid from the syringe, the upper end of the cam travels upward above the syringe and longitudinally toward a dispensing end of the syringe to linearly translate the plunger of the syringe in a first direction to dispense fluid from the syringe. To refill fluid into the syringe, the upper end of the cam travels downward and longitudinally away from the dispensing end of the syringe to linearly translate the plunger in a second direction to intake fluid.

The herein claimed invention discloses a dispensing device according to claim <NUM>. Optional features are defined in the dependent claims. The present disclosure provides a dispensing device or dispenser for dispensing and applying a sealant. The dispenser disclosed herein provides feedback about an amount of sealant currently available in the dispenser, which allows a user to more accurately and quickly evaluate whether a sufficient amount of sealant is present prior to (and/or while) dispensing the sealant. The dispenser also provides an enhanced triggering mechanism, which allows a user to more accurately control application of the sealant.

In an example, a dispensing device is disclosed that includes a driver unit and a probe unit. The probe unit is detachably mounted on the driver unit. The probe unit includes a housing configured to store a sealant, a near field communication (NFC) tag configured to wirelessly transmit information identifying the probe unit. The driver unit includes a display, a motor, a trigger, and a controller. The display is configured to display an identifier that identifies the probe unit based on the information received from the NFC tag. The trigger is configured to receive a tactile input. The motor is configured to cause the probe unit to dispense the sealant out of the housing based on the tactile input.

The dispensing device or dispenser disclosed herein is expected to offer convenience compared to devices and systems that require manually dispensing hemostatic agents and/or other sealants.

It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide a dispensing device that includes a reusable driver unit and a disposable probe unit.

It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide a sealant applicator (e.g., sealant applier) having a motor-assisted dispensing mechanism.

It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide a dispensing system that provides feedback to a user about an amount of a sealant fluid available for dispensation by a probe unit and that displays an identifier of the probe unit when the probe unit is attached to the dispenser.

It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide a dispenser configured to automatically actuate a sealant flowing through the dispenser according to one of a plurality of different modes depending on a tactile input received from a user.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosed sealant applicator (e.g., sealant dispenser), systems, and methods are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures. Also, any particular embodiment does not have to have all of the advantages listed herein. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes.

Example sealant dispensing systems (e.g., sealant dispenser, hemostatic agent applicator, hemostatic matrix dispenser, etc.) herein provide improved hemostatic fluid application and dispensing features.

<FIG> illustrates an example fluid dispensing system or dispenser <NUM>, according to the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates the example dispenser <NUM> in a configuration where the disposable probe unit <NUM> is detached from (e.g., not mounted on) the driver unit <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> is configured to apply a sealant (e.g., a hemostatic matrix or other flowable hemostatic agent) to a surgical surface (e.g., blood vessel, etc.). The dispensing system <NUM> includes a filling syringe <NUM>, a reusable driver unit <NUM>, and a disposable probe unit <NUM>.

The filling syringe <NUM> can be used to fill and/or refill a sealant reservoir (not shown) inside the probe unit <NUM>. In specific examples, the filling syringe <NUM> can be a <NUM> milliliter (ml) or a <NUM> syringe. Other types of syringes are possible as well. To facilitate this, the probe unit <NUM> includes a valve <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) shaped to receive the filling syringe <NUM>. For example, the luer cap <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) can be removably disposed on the probe unit <NUM> to expose or cover an inlet or port of the valve <NUM> to which the filling syringe can be connected to transport sealant fluid into the probe unit <NUM>.

In some examples, the probe unit <NUM> is configured as a removable, detachable, and/or disposable device. For example, before or during a surgical procedure, a new disposable probe unit <NUM> can be installed on / attached to the driver unit <NUM>. Then, in this example, the disposable probe unit <NUM> can be removed and disposed of after the surgical procedure. In general, it is desirable to avoid using a same endoscopic applicator (e.g., the probe unit <NUM>) to treat multiple patients so as to avoid risks such as contamination or infection. To that end, the present disclosure provides the disposable probe unit <NUM> as a relatively low cost component that can be replaced without replacing the entire dispenser <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the example driver unit <NUM>, according to the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded view of the example driver unit <NUM> of <FIG>.

In some examples, the driver unit <NUM> is configured as a reusable device that can receive, mount, and/or operate different disposable probe units similar to probe unit <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the driver unit <NUM> is shaped and configured as a hand-held device (e.g., gun shape). As such, the driver unit <NUM> (and more generally the dispenser <NUM>) can be conveniently held and operated using a single hand during a surgery and/or while performing an endoscopic application of a sealant. In the illustrated example, the driver unit <NUM> is shaped to form a handle that can be used to support / grip the driver unit <NUM> (and/or the dispenser <NUM>) with a single hand.

As shown, the driver unit <NUM> includes a display <NUM> and a trigger <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the display <NUM> is disposed at a proximal end <NUM> of the driver unit <NUM>. With this arrangement, the present disclosure advantageously allows a user to easily view information on the display <NUM> while holding the driver unit <NUM>, applying sealant on a surgical site, and/or while performing some other surgical task.

In an example, the display <NUM> is configured to display a current level and/or amount of sealant (e.g., in milliliters) currently disposed inside the probe unit <NUM> (and/or currently available for dispensing). Thus, the dispenser <NUM> of the present disclosure can advantageously assist a surgeon when evaluating whether a sufficient amount of sealant is available for adequately sealing a wound.

In an example, the display <NUM> is configured to display operation parameters of the dispenser <NUM>, such as a value of a fixed amount of sealant that will be dispensed when the trigger <NUM> detects a tactile input assigned to an automatic mode of the dispenser <NUM>. For instance, a user of the dispenser <NUM> can select a value of one milliliter as the fixed amount to be dispensed when the user taps or presses the trigger <NUM> for a short period of time (e.g., <NUM> milliseconds). In this example, the display <NUM> may be configured to display the selected value of one millimeter to as a convenient reminder for the user during a surgical procedure.

In an example, the display <NUM> is configured to display an identifier (e.g., a number) that identifies which specific probe unit <NUM> is currently mounted on the driver unit <NUM>. For instance, a given probe unit <NUM> can be configured to transmit a message (e.g., radio frequency identifier (RFID) code, etc.) when it is mounted on the driver unit <NUM>, and the display <NUM> can then display a value representing an identifier that identifies that particular probe unit <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may include any type of display, such as a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), among others. In some examples, the display <NUM> is a touch screen display that allows a user to select, adjust, and/or set various operation parameters to control the driver unit <NUM> (and/or the dispenser <NUM>). As an example, a user can use the touch screen display <NUM> to set a value for a particular amount of sealant (e.g., <NUM>, etc.) that the dispenser <NUM> should dispense when operating in an automatic mode.

The trigger <NUM> is configured to detect a tactile input, such as a touch or press action, from a user of the dispenser <NUM>. In a specific example, the trigger <NUM> includes a silicon cover (or other cover) and a tactile switch covered by the silicon cover. The driver unit <NUM> is configured to control the probe unit <NUM> (and/or one or more components of the driver unit <NUM>) based on the tactile input detected by the trigger <NUM>. In a specific example, a force required to operate the trigger <NUM> can be relatively low (e.g., between <NUM> Newtons (N) and <NUM> N).

In an example, the driver unit <NUM> is configured to switch on or off the driver unit <NUM> (and/or the display <NUM>) in response to trigger <NUM> detecting a first type of tactile input (e.g., a long press).

In an example, the driver unit <NUM> is configured to operate the dispenser <NUM> in a priming mode in response to the trigger <NUM> detecting a second type of tactile input (e.g., a certain pattern of presses). When operating in the priming mode for instance, the driver unit <NUM> can automatically operate the probe unit <NUM> to actuate a particular amount of sealant through a cannula of the probe unit <NUM> so as to prime the cannula.

In an example, the driver unit <NUM> is configured to operate the dispenser <NUM> in an automatic mode in response to the trigger <NUM> detecting a third type of tactile input (e.g., a soft press, short press, etc.). In the automatic mode, the driver unit <NUM> causes the probe unit <NUM> to dispense a fixed amount of sealant (e.g., one milliliter, half a milliliter, etc.).

In an example, the driver unit <NUM> is configured to operate the dispenser <NUM> in a manual mode in response to the trigger <NUM> detecting a fourth type of tactile input (e.g., a continuous or long press, a hard press, etc.). In the manual mode for instance, the driver unit <NUM> may cause the probe unit to continuously dispense sealant until a user of the dispenser <NUM> stops pressing the trigger <NUM>.

Accordingly, the present disclosure advantageously enables a user of the dispenser <NUM> to conveniently and efficiently operate the dispenser <NUM> and/or dispense sealant fluid (e.g., hemostatic matrix) in a particular controlled manner with less effort as compared to traditional hemostatic agent dispensers.

As shown, the driver unit <NUM> also includes a rail <NUM> and a pusher <NUM> disposed at a top side <NUM> of the driver unit <NUM>. The rail <NUM> is configured to provide a track for receiving and/or retaining the probe unit <NUM> when the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on the driver unit <NUM>. The pusher or rack <NUM> is configured to actuate (e.g., by pushing or pulling a syringe plunger, etc.) the sealant out of the probe unit <NUM> when the trigger <NUM> is pressed by a user of the dispenser <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, the driver unit <NUM> includes a right cover <NUM>, a left cover <NUM>, a plurality of screws <NUM>, and a plurality of inserts <NUM>. During assembly, the right cover <NUM> and the left cover <NUM> are coupled (e.g., by aligning the screws <NUM> with the inserts <NUM>) to form a frame that supports the various components of the driver unit <NUM> in a particular arrangement.

The driver unit <NUM> also includes a chassis <NUM>, which can be formed from steel or other solid material. The rail <NUM> and the pusher <NUM> are disposed on a first side of the chassis <NUM>. The driver unit <NUM> also includes a motor <NUM> and a worm shaft <NUM> is disposed on another side of the chassis <NUM> opposite the side where the rail <NUM> and the pusher <NUM> are disposed. The motor <NUM> is configured to actuate the pusher <NUM> (via the worm shaft <NUM>) to move the pusher <NUM> forward or backward inside the rail or track <NUM>.

In an example, the motor <NUM> actuates the pusher <NUM> to cause the probe unit <NUM> to dispense a sealant. The amount of sealant dispensed by the probe unit <NUM> (as well as the remaining amount of sealant) can be measured using an encoder (not shown) that measures the amount of actuation by the motor <NUM>. As such, in line with the discussion above, the driver unit <NUM> can display the remaining amount of sealant in the probe unit <NUM> via the display <NUM>.

The driver unit <NUM> also includes a battery <NUM>, which can be a lithium polymer (LIPO) battery or any other battery. The battery <NUM> provides power for various components of the driver unit <NUM> (e.g., the display <NUM>, the trigger <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, etc.).

The driver unit <NUM> also includes a hall sensor <NUM> disposed adjacent to the display <NUM> at the proximal end <NUM> of the driver unit <NUM>. The hall sensor <NUM> is configured to detect a magnet (not shown) inside the probe unit <NUM>. The driver unit <NUM> is configured to detect that the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on / attached to the driver unit <NUM> based on a signal from the hall sensor <NUM>.

The driver unit <NUM> also includes circuitry <NUM> (e.g., one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs)) wired to perform the various functions and operations of the driver unit <NUM> as described above. For example, the driver unit <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> that receives and provides electrical signals to control various components of the driver unit <NUM> (e.g., the display <NUM>, the trigger <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, the hall sensor <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, etc.) and thus cause the driver unit <NUM> (and/or each of the components thereof) to operate in accordance with the description above.

In an example, the controller <NUM> receives a signal from the hall sensor <NUM> indicating that a probe unit <NUM> is mounted on the driver unit <NUM>. In response, the controller <NUM> operates a near field communication (NFC) reader (e.g., a component of the circuitry <NUM>, etc.) to communicate with an NFC tag (not shown) of the probe unit <NUM> to retrieve identification information (e.g., NFC tag identifier, etc.) from the probe unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> then operates the display <NUM> to display an indication of the identifier of the probe unit <NUM> received from the NFC tag.

In an example, the controller <NUM> operates the trigger <NUM>, in accordance with the description of the trigger <NUM> above, and receives a signal indicating detection of a tactile input by the trigger <NUM>. Depending on the detected tactile input, the controller <NUM> then operates the motor <NUM>, in accordance with the discussion above, to actuate the pusher <NUM> thereby causing the probe unit <NUM> to dispense sealant according to one of a plurality of operation modes. The controller <NUM> may also keep track of the amount of sealant dispensed and/or remaining in the probe unit <NUM> based on a measurement (e.g., via an encoder, etc.) of the actuation caused by the motor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may then operate the display <NUM> to update and/or display the current remaining amount of sealant inside the probe unit <NUM>. More generally, the controller <NUM> is configured to operate the various components of the driver unit <NUM> to cause the driver unit <NUM> to perform the various functions and operations described above.

In an example, the controller <NUM> includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the driver unit <NUM> (and/or components thereof) to perform the functions and operations described above. Alternatively or additionally, the controller <NUM> includes digital and/or analog circuitry wired to cause the driver unit <NUM> (and/or components thereof) to perform the functions and operations described above.

The driver unit <NUM> also includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector <NUM> coupled to the circuitry <NUM>. The USB connector <NUM> is configured as an electrical interface between the driver unit <NUM> and an external device (e.g., battery charger, etc.). In an example, the USB connector <NUM> is configured to removably connect with a battery charger to receive power for charging the battery <NUM>. In an example, the USB connector <NUM> is configured to connect with another USB-enabled external device (e.g., computer, etc.) to communicate with and/or receive instructions from the external device. For instance, the external device can communicate with the controller <NUM> (via the USB connector <NUM>) to update software and/or firmware used to operate the driver unit <NUM> (and/or one or more components thereof).

<FIG> is a perspective view of a portion of the driver unit <NUM> (e.g., bottom side). As best shown in <FIG>, the USB connector <NUM> is exposed to an external environment of the driver <NUM> when the driver unit <NUM> is assembled (i.e., when the right cover <NUM> and the left cover <NUM> are connected).

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the probe unit <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded view of the probe unit of <FIG>. The probe unit <NUM> extends lengthwise from a proximal end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. The probe unit <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and a cannula <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is configured to store a sealant (e.g., hemostatic matrix) received via a port (e.g., valve <NUM>) covered by the luer cap <NUM>.

The probe unit <NUM> also includes an identification tag <NUM> disposed at the proximal end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> / the probe unit <NUM>. The identification tag <NUM> is an electronic device that includes a data store storing identification information (e.g., a number or other identifier) and includes a wireless communication device (e.g., transponder, transceiver, etc.) configured to wirelessly transmit the identification information or identifier to the driver unit <NUM> when the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on / attached to the driver unit <NUM>. In an example, the tag <NUM> is a passive device (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, near field communication (NFC) tag) that is powered (e.g., via induction, etc.) by a wireless signal from the driver unit <NUM> when the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on / attached to the driver unit <NUM>.

The probe unit <NUM> also includes a cannula extending away from a distal end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the probe unit <NUM>. The cannula defines a fluid channel for transporting a sealant (e.g., hemostatic agent) from the housing <NUM> and out of the cannula <NUM> (at the distal end <NUM>), so that the sealant can be dispensed and/or applied to a biological tissue.

As best shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> is formed from a top cover 170a and a bottom cover 170b. When the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on / attached to the driver unit <NUM>, bottom cover 170b is at a bottom side of the probe unit <NUM> (adjacent to the driver unit <NUM>) and the top cover 170a is at a top side of the probe unit <NUM> (opposite the bottom side).

The probe unit <NUM> also includes a window <NUM> disposed on the top side of the housing <NUM> (i.e., at the top cover 170a). In an example, the window <NUM> includes a transparent substrate (e.g., transparent glass) configured to allow a user to view a portion of an interior of the housing <NUM>.

The probe unit <NUM> also includes a valve <NUM>, a reservoir <NUM>, and a plunger <NUM> disposed inside the housing <NUM> (i.e., between the top cover 170a and the bottom cover 170b). In an example, the valve <NUM> is a dual check valve that controls flow of a sealant from the filling syringe <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) through the top side of the housing (e.g., through a port of the valve <NUM> that is covered by the luer cap <NUM> in the illustration of <FIG>) and into the reservoir <NUM>. Thus, when filling or refilling the probe unit <NUM> with sealant fluid, the syringe <NUM> and the reservoir <NUM> are in fluid communication via the valve <NUM>. To facilitate dispensing the sealant, the dual check valve <NUM> controls flow of the sealant from the reservoir <NUM> to the cannula <NUM>. Thus, the cannula <NUM> is in fluid communication with the reservoir <NUM> via the valve <NUM>. When assembled, the cannula <NUM> and the reservoir <NUM> are connected to the valve <NUM>.

The plunger <NUM> is configured to move the sealant out of the reservoir <NUM> (and/or into the reservoir <NUM>) in response to the plunger <NUM> being actuated by the driver unit <NUM>. To facilitate this, the plunger <NUM> includes a snap feature or connector 180a which connects the plunger <NUM> with the pusher <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the driver unit <NUM>.

The probe unit <NUM> also includes a magnet <NUM>. In an example, the magnet <NUM> includes any type of permanent magnet disposed at the proximal end <NUM> of the probe unit <NUM> (e.g., adjacent to and opposite the hall sensor <NUM> of the driver unit <NUM> when the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on the driver unit <NUM>). The magnet <NUM> is configured to produce a magnetic field that is detected by the hall sensor <NUM> when the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on or attached to the driver unit <NUM>. Referring back to <FIG> for example, an interaction of the magnet <NUM> with the hall sensor <NUM> enables the controller <NUM> of the driver unit <NUM> to detect that the probe unit <NUM> was attached to and/or mounted on the driver unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross section view of a portion of the example dispenser <NUM>, in a configuration where the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on and/or attached to the driver unit <NUM>. As noted above (and as best shown in <FIG>), in some examples, when the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on the driver unit <NUM>, the magnet <NUM> of the probe unit <NUM> is disposed adjacent to, within a threshold distance from, and opposite the hall sensor <NUM> of the driver unit <NUM>. The hall sensor <NUM> then transmits a signal (e.g., to the controller <NUM> of the driver unit <NUM>) indicating that the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on the driver unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may then communicate with the tag <NUM> to receive an identifier or other identification information identifying the probe unit <NUM>. In an example, the controller <NUM> then causes the display <NUM> to display an indication of the identifier received from the tag <NUM> and/or performs the other functions and operations noted above in the description of the driver unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a portion of the example dispenser <NUM>. It is noted that some of the components of the dispenser <NUM> are omitted from the illustration of <FIG> for convenience in description.

As best shown in <FIG>, the plunger <NUM> (of the probe unit <NUM>) is connected to the pusher <NUM> (of the driver unit <NUM>) via the snap feature or connector 180a.

In the illustrated example of <FIG>, the driver unit <NUM> also includes a shaft <NUM>, a gear <NUM>, and a bearing <NUM>. For example, the gear <NUM> can be configured to transfer an actuation motion of the worm shaft <NUM> (caused by the motor <NUM>) to the pusher <NUM> by rotating about the shaft <NUM>. To facilitate this, the gear <NUM> is attached to the chassis <NUM> (the chassis shown in <FIG>) via the bearing <NUM>.

Although not shown, in some examples, the driver unit <NUM> also includes an encoder. The encoder may be implemented as a hardware component coupled to the motor <NUM>, as a software component (e.g., executed by the controller <NUM> shown in <FIG>), or as any other circuitry wired to perform the functions of the encoder. In an example, the encoder outputs a signal that indicates an angular position of the motor <NUM> and/or the worm shaft <NUM>. For example, the signal output from the encoder can be used by the controller <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) to determine an amount of sealant remaining inside the reservoir <NUM> (of the probe unit <NUM>) and/or an amount of the sealant flowing out of the reservoir <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> can calculate, based on encoder measurements from the encoder, a volume of sealant dispensed by the probe unit <NUM> due to actuation of the plunger <NUM> by the motor <NUM> (via the worm shaft <NUM>, the gear <NUM>, the pusher <NUM>, etc.).

<FIG> is a cross section view of a portion of the example dispenser <NUM>, in a configuration where the probe unit <NUM> is mounted on / attached to the driver unit <NUM>. It is noted that some of the components of the dispenser <NUM> are omitted from the illustration of <FIG> for convenience in description.

As best shown in <FIG>, the chassis <NUM> is shaped to support an actuation assembly (e.g., the motor <NUM>, a motor shaft <NUM>, the gear shaft <NUM>, and the gear <NUM>) in a particular arrangement. For example, the driver unit <NUM> may include a flanged bearing <NUM> configured to couple an end of the worm shaft <NUM> with the chassis <NUM> such that the chassis <NUM> retains and supports the worm shaft <NUM> while the motor <NUM> / the motor shaft <NUM> is rotating the worm shaft <NUM>. In turn, the rotation of the worm shaft <NUM> causes the gear <NUM> to rotate, which in turn causes the pusher or rack <NUM> to push (or pull) the plunger <NUM> into (or out of) the reservoir <NUM>. For example, when the pusher / rack <NUM> pushes the plunger <NUM> into the reservoir <NUM>, a sealant (not shown) in the reservoir may flow from the reservoir <NUM> to the cannula <NUM> through the valve <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that for each component with multiple or alternative embodiments, each or any of the embodiments may include the same or similar features as a previously described or a later described embodiment. Additionally, it should be appreciated that some example embodiments herein may include fewer or more components than other example embodiments. Aspects of the subject matter described herein may be useful alone or in combination with one or more other aspects described herein. To the extent that any of these aspects are mutually exclusive, it should be understood that such mutual exclusivity shall not limit in any way the combination of such aspects with any other aspect whether or not such aspect is explicitly recited.

Claim 1:
A dispensing device comprising:
a probe unit (<NUM>) that includes:
a housing (<NUM>) configured to receive and store a sealant in a fluid state,
a cannula (<NUM>) extending from a distal end of the housing, the cannula in fluid communication with the sealant stored inside the housing,
an identification tag (<NUM>) configured to wirelessly transmit an identifier that identifies the probe unit, and
a magnet (<NUM>) configured to provide a magnetic field; and a driver unit (<NUM>),
wherein the probe unit is detachably mounted on the driver unit, the driver unit including:
at least one rail (<NUM>) positioned on a top side of the driver unit and configured to provide a track for receiving and retaining the probe unit when the probe unit is mounted on the driver unit,
a hall sensor (<NUM>) arranged to detect the magnet in response to the probe unit being mounted on the driver unit,
a controller (<NUM>) configured to obtain the identifier from the identification tag of the probe unit in response to the hall sensor detecting the magnet, and
a display (<NUM>) configured to display an indication of the identifier of the probe unit.