Patent Description:
Conventional hand-held electrospraying or electrospinning devices may have a durable portion and a consumable portion containing the material for electrospraying or electrospinning. The consumable portion may be provided within the durable portion for operation of the electrospraying or electrospinning device. However, conventional hand-held electrospraying or electrospinning devices may not be provided with a so-called semi-durable portion configured to receive a consumable portion and be provided in a durable portion with the consumable portion, rather than the consumable portion being directly provided in the durable portion.

<CIT> ("the '<NUM> patent") describes an electrostatic spraying device. The '<NUM> patent describes that the electrostatic spraying device is designed to be portable, hand-held, self-containing, and battery-operated, with a disposable cartridge. According to the '<NUM> patent, a disposable cartridge can be inserted into the electrostatic spraying device.

<CIT> ("the '<NUM> patent") describes an electrospraying device. The '<NUM> patent describes that the electrospraying device has a removable cartridge with a reservoir containing a volume of liquid compositions to be electrically sprayed on a user's skin, and that the device includes a nozzle for dispensing the liquid as well as an emitter electrode disposed adjacent to the nozzle for charging the liquid composition just being dispensed from the nozzle. A field electrode surrounds the reservoir in order to charge the liquid composition within the reservoir, which, according to the '<NUM> patent, avoids an occurrence of electric current which would otherwise flow in the liquid composition and would deteriorate the composition remaining in the reservoir.

<CIT> ("the '<NUM> publication") describes a portable electrospinning device. The '<NUM> publication describes that the electrospinning device is handheld and for producing a electrospun fibrous mat. According to the '<NUM> publication, the handheld device comprises a housing configured to be handheld by a user; a container accommodating at least one electrospinning medium; at least a nozzle in fluid communication with the container; a mechanism dispensing the medium from the container via said nozzle; an auxiliary electrode surrounding the nozzle; and a power supply providing electric potentials to the nozzle and the auxiliary electrode. The '<NUM> publication also describes that the housing comprises an electrically conductive portion configured to be gripped by the user during operation, where the electrically conductive portion is connected to the power supply. Further examples of previously known electrospinning devices are derivable from <CIT> as well as <CIT>, which forms basis for the two-part form of independent claim <NUM>.

The downsides of conventional electrospinning devices as discussed above are resolved by means of portable, hand-held device for electrospinning or electrospraying toward a deposit surface a predetermined solution formulated for the device as defined in independent claim <NUM>.

Distinct embodiments of the present application are derivable from the dependent claims.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, are illustrative of one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and, together with the description, explain various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Further, the accompanying drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale, and any values or dimensions in the accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Where applicable, some or all select features may not be illustrated to assist in the description and understanding of underlying features.

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the described subject matter and is not necessarily intended to represent the only embodiment(s). In certain instances, the description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described subject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, structures and components may be shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described subject matter. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.

Any reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, operation, or function described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, any appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, characteristics, operations, or functions may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, and it is intended that embodiments of the described subject matter can and do cover modifications and variations of the described embodiments.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification, appended claims and abstract, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. That is, unless clearly specified otherwise, as used herein the words "a" and "an" and the like carry the meaning of "one or more. " Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "side," "height," "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "interior," "exterior," "inner," "outer," and the like that may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the described subject matter to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc. merely identify one of a number of portions, components, points of reference, operations and/or functions as described herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the described subject matter to any particular configuration or orientation.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed generally to electrospraying or electrospinning devices and systems and methods thereof. More preferably, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed to portable, hand-held electrospinning or electrospraying devices and systems, methods, and portions thereof. In that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can involve portable, hand-held electrospinning or electrospraying devices and systems, methods, and portions thereof, such embodiments may be used in a clinical, salon, or at-home setting.

Generally speaking, electrospinning, which may be referred to as electric-field spinning, involves generating an electric field (EF) in and around a solution, for instance, a polymer solution, to draw out the solution to create relatively a fine fiber. The high voltage must be sufficiently high to generate an electric field sufficient to produce a Taylor cone. A plurality of such fibers may form a mesh or web on a surface, such as skin, for instance. The fiber diameter may be as small as a nanometer, for instance.

The flow rate of the output solution may be about <NUM>/min, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>/min, more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>/min, and most preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>/min. Further, the flow rate may be caused or set based on current and voltage supplied to create the electric field, and desired fiber or droplet properties to be output. The flow rate may also be dependent upon characteristics of the solution, such as molecular weight, type, conductivity; environmental aspects, such as ambient temperature and/or ambient humidity; and apparatus configuration, such as the configuration of the nozzle.

One or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can involve application of a cosmetic, such as a base/foundation, a concealer, a moisturizer, or coloring. Of course, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not limited to application of cosmetics. For example, one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can involve application of deodorants, scents, sun protection, creams, topical drug delivery, anti-microbial barriers and coatings, hydrophobic/phallic surface treatments, anti-fouling coatings, tissue repair, etc..

In general, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can involve a portable, hand-held device for electrospinning or electrospraying a predetermined solution toward a deposit surface. The device can have a durable portion, a semi-durable portion, and a consumable portion. The consumable portion can be received and held by the semi-durable portion, and the semi-durable portion holding the consumable portion can be removably coupled to the durable portion.

The consumable portion can be removed from the semi-durable portion and replaced with a new consumable portion, for instance, when the initial consumable portion is out of solution or when there is a desire to switch to a consumable portion with a different solution. In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a portion of the semi-consumable portion, for instance, a consumable portion housing of the semi-durable portion, may be removed from the semi-durable portion and replaced with a different (e.g., larger) consumable portion housing configured to receive and hold a different (e.g., larger) consumable portion.

Turning to the figures, <FIG> shows a system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. System <NUM> can be comprised of a base station <NUM> and a handset <NUM>, which may be referred to herein as a hand-held device. Optionally, the base station <NUM> and the handset <NUM> may be connected to each other via a transmission medium <NUM>, which may provide power from the base station <NUM> to the handset <NUM> and communications between the base station <NUM> and the handset <NUM>.

The transmission medium <NUM> may be a plurality of wired transmission lines, for instance, separately insulated inside a single transmission cord or separate transmission cords, where one of the wired transmission lines can transmit relatively high voltage from the base station <NUM> to the handset <NUM> and another transmission line (or lines) can provide relatively low voltage, communication signals, and grounding for the handset <NUM>. Thus, in one or more embodiments, the low voltage transmission can be implemented via a low voltage cable bundle for power and communications to the handset <NUM> (e.g., for a motor and/or controller of the handset <NUM>); a ground cable may be integrated into the low voltage cable bundle or, alternatively, the ground cable may be a separate cable. Alternatively, some or all of the signals can be transmitted wirelessly between the base station <NUM> and the handset <NUM>. That is, the handset <NUM> may be a wireless handset.

Generally, for electrospinning or electrospraying, the surface on which the fibers or droplets, respectively, are to be deposited on should or must be at or near ground potential. As such, the deposit surface, such as skin of a user, should be grounded during the electrospinning or electrospraying process. In terms of grounding a user, this may be accomplished by grounding the user to the base station <NUM>, the handset <NUM>, or some other structure. For example, the user may be grounded via a grounding strap <NUM> attached to the user and a grounding line <NUM> connected to the base station <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>, via a grounding line <NUM> connected to the handset <NUM>, via a rod or a plate on a grip of the handset <NUM> and optionally a grounding strap <NUM> attached to the user, or via a grounding route separate from the base station <NUM> and the handset <NUM>, such as a grounding route integrated into a chair, seat, table, metal plate, or other structure. Also, in the case of someone other than the user (e.g., an esthetician) using the handset <NUM> to apply the electrospun or electrosprayed solution to the user, the other person may also be grounded, for example, via the handset <NUM> or a separate grounding route, such as described above.

The base station <NUM> can include a control panel <NUM> and circuitry, which may include a controller or controllers <NUM> and/or a power source <NUM>. Optionally, the circuitry can include computer-readable memory (not expressly shown) configured to store settings and/or programming code executable by the controller <NUM>, to control the power source <NUM>, the control panel <NUM>, and the handset <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the base station <NUM> may include a handset receptacle <NUM> configured to receive and physically hold or stow the handset <NUM>. Optionally, the base station <NUM> may include a timer settable and viewable by the user, for instance. In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the base station <NUM> may have relatively less functionality than described above. For example, the base station <NUM> may simply have the handset receptacle <NUM> and therefore act only as a holder or receptacle for the handset <NUM>.

The control panel <NUM> may be configured to receive control inputs to control the handset <NUM> and the base station <NUM> by way of the controller <NUM>, for instance. For example, the control panel <NUM> may have a control input to control high voltage to the handset <NUM>, a control input to control motor direction of a motor (e.g., stepper motor) of the handset <NUM>, and/or a control input to control flow rate of the handset <NUM> (e.g., speed of the motor of handset <NUM>). The control panel <NUM> may also have a power on/off control input to control an on/off state of the base station <NUM> and, optionally, whether some or all of the voltage and communication signals are supplied to the handset <NUM>. The user input interfaces can be knobs, switches, buttons, a touch panel or screen, or a combination some or all of the foregoing. Further, such user input interfaces may identify relatively simple predetermined settings for various operational characteristics controllable by the user via the control panel <NUM>.

Optionally, control panel <NUM> may include a display (not expressly shown), such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, which may be a touch screen or panel, as noted above. The display may output information corresponding to operating characteristics of the handset <NUM>, such as flow rate, an amount of high voltage received by the handset <NUM> or otherwise applied to the solution to perform electrospinning or electrospraying, a status of the handset <NUM>, a direction of the motor of the handset, and/or whether appropriate grounding of the user is provided. Additionally or alternatively, the display may output information corresponding to operating characteristics of the base station <NUM>, such as an amount of high voltage supplied to the handset <NUM>, the on/off state, whether the handset <NUM> is detected by the base station <NUM> to be docked in the handset receptacle <NUM>, and/or whether power is supplied to the base station <NUM> by an internal or external power source.

The power source <NUM> may be or include a relatively low voltage power source, such as <NUM> VDC supplied from an onboard power source (e.g., a battery or batteries) or an external source, such as mains (e.g., from a wall electrical receptacle), in which case the voltage would be converted from AC to the relatively low DC voltage, or an external battery unit. Of course, in the case of mains, the power source <NUM> can have an AC/DC converter to convert the mains to the relatively low voltage. Generally, components of the base station <NUM>, such as the control panel <NUM> and the controller <NUM>, may be supplied power from the power source <NUM>, particularly the relatively low voltage.

Optionally, the power source <NUM> may be or include a relatively high voltage power source to provide a corresponding high voltage to the handset <NUM>. The power source <NUM> may have or be coupled to a transformer that converts a relatively low voltage, such as the above-referenced <NUM> VDC, to the relatively high voltage, particularly a relatively high DC voltage. The high voltage should be sufficiently high to create an electric field that can generate a Taylor cone of the solution; also a current supply sufficient to charge up the solution and also overcome parasitic losses/capacitances should be supplied. Thus, in embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the power source <NUM> can high voltage with sufficient current output to perform a desired electrospin or electrospray operation. The high DC voltage may be preferably about <NUM> kV DC; more preferably about <NUM> kV DC to about <NUM> kV DC; and most preferably about <NUM> kV DC to about <NUM> kV DC. Optionally, the high voltage may be controllable using the control panel <NUM>, for instance, preferably from about <NUM> kV DC to about <NUM> kV DC; more preferably about <NUM> kV DC to about <NUM> kV DC.

The relatively high voltage HV can be supplied to the handset <NUM> via the transmission medium <NUM>, under control of the control panel <NUM> and controller <NUM>, for instance. Further, the relatively high voltage can be provided to the handset <NUM> to generate an electric field (EF) in and around a solution contained in the handset <NUM> to output the solution in electrospun or electrospray format. Alternatively, the high voltage power source may be provided in the handset <NUM>.

Incidentally, the transmission medium <NUM> (or portions thereof) may be removably coupled to the base station <NUM>. Thus, different handsets, such as handset <NUM>, may be coupled to the same base station <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may be used to control settings, configurations, etc. based on the particular handset coupled to the base station <NUM>. Optionally, the base station <NUM> may detect the type of handset and automatically set some or all settings, configurations, etc. based on the detected type. Alternatively, the base station <NUM>, via the control panel <NUM>, may display options so the user may set the settings, configurations, etc. based on the particularly type of handset. Likewise, the grounding line <NUM> may be removably coupled to the base station <NUM>.

Alternatively, the system <NUM> may be comprised of the handset <NUM> and not the base station <NUM>. That is, in one or more embodiments, components of the base station <NUM> may be implemented in the handset <NUM> such that the handset <NUM> can be fully operational as a stand-alone electrospinning or electrospraying apparatus. For example, the handset <NUM> can have a power source to provide a high voltage HV to perform the electrospinning or electrospraying process and a power source to provide relatively low voltage (e.g., <NUM> VDC) to power other components of the handset <NUM>, such as an electric motor of the handset <NUM>. Optionally, the transmission medium <NUM> may still be coupled to the handset <NUM>, for instance, to provide power from mains (e.g., a wall receptacle). Of course, in the latter case the transmission medium <NUM> may not need to accommodate relatively high voltage, since such high voltage is now provided by the handset <NUM>. Alternatively, the handset <NUM> may be powered locally, using a battery or batteries, capacitors, etc. directly coupled to or in the handset <NUM>.

The handset <NUM> can be comprised of a body assembly <NUM> and an output assembly <NUM>, which may be referred to herein as a durable portion and a semi-durable portion, respectively. The output assembly <NUM> can be removably coupled to the body assembly <NUM>, for instance, using a snap-fit connection or connections. The output assembly <NUM> can have an outlet or nozzle <NUM> or, alternatively, be coupled to the nozzle <NUM>. Thus, in one or more embodiments, the nozzle <NUM> can be removably coupled to the output assembly <NUM>. Generally, the user can provide a control input to the body assembly <NUM> to cause a high voltage HV and thus a corresponding electric field to be applied in and around solution in the output assembly <NUM>, such that the solution is output in electrospun or electrospray-fashion from the nozzle <NUM>.

The body assembly <NUM> may be deemed a durable portion in that the body <NUM> assembly may be used over and over again. Of course, the body assembly <NUM> may itself have consumables, such as a battery or batteries. The output assembly <NUM> may be deemed a semi-consumable portion configured to removably hold a consumable portion, because some of the output assembly <NUM> can be reused and some of the output assembly <NUM> can be replaced. For example, the semi-consumable portion may have a consumable portion housing that is removable from the semi-durable portion and replaceable with a different (e.g., larger) consumable portion housing configured to receive and hold a different (e.g., larger) consumable portion. The consumable portion can be replaced in the corresponding consumable portion housing.

The output assembly <NUM> can contain the solution, for instance, in a consumable portion. The consumable portion can be comprised of a container (e.g., carpule, cartridge, etc.) configured to hold and output the solution. When the consumable portion is empty or if another type of solution is desired, the output assembly <NUM> may be removed from the body assembly <NUM> and the consumable portion presently in the output assembly <NUM> may be removed and replaced with another consumable portion of a same configuration. Alternatively, as noted above, a consumable portion housing (and the consumable portion held therein) may be removed from the output assembly <NUM> and replaced with another consumable portion housing having a different configuration. Another consumable portion with a configuration matching the configuration of the consumable portion housing may be inserted into the different consumable portion housing.

<FIG> show a system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The system <NUM> can be comprised of a base station <NUM> and a hand-held device <NUM>. A transmission medium <NUM> can connect the base station <NUM> to the hand-held device <NUM> (not expressly shown). Of course, in one or more embodiments the transmission medium <NUM> may be a wireless transmission medium exclusively, or a combination of wire and wireless transmission media. As shown, the base station <NUM> can have a hand-held device receptacle <NUM> configured to receive and physically hold or stow the hand-held device <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, operation of the base station <NUM> can be as described above for the base station <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may be coupled to a separate power supply (e.g., mains) via a power cable (not expressly shown), which may be fixed to or detachable from the base station <NUM>. The base station <NUM> shows a non-limiting example of a control panel <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

The control panel <NUM> may be configured to receive control inputs <NUM> to control the hand-held device <NUM> and the base station <NUM> by way of a controller (not expressly shown), for instance. For example, the control panel <NUM> may have as control inputs <NUM> a control input to control high voltage to the hand-held device <NUM>, a control input to control motor direction of a motor (e.g., stepper motor) of the hand-held device <NUM>, and/or a control input to control flow rate of the hand-held device <NUM> (e.g., speed of the motor of hand-held device <NUM>). The control panel <NUM> may also have as one of the control inputs <NUM> a power on/off control input to control an on/off state of the base station <NUM> and, optionally, whether some or all of the voltage and communication signals are supplied to the hand-held device <NUM>. The control inputs <NUM> can be user input interfaces in the form of knobs, switches, buttons, a touch panel or screen, or a combination some or all of the foregoing. Further, such user input interfaces may identify relatively simple predetermined settings for various operational characteristics controllable by the user via the control panel <NUM>.

The control panel <NUM> can include a display <NUM>, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, which may be a touch screen or panel. The display <NUM> may output information corresponding to operating characteristics of the held device <NUM>, such as flow rate, an amount of high voltage received by the held device <NUM> or otherwise applied to the solution to perform electrospinning or electrospraying, a status of the held device <NUM>, a direction of the motor of the handset, and/or whether appropriate grounding of the user is provided. Additionally or alternatively, the display <NUM> may output information corresponding to operating characteristics of the base station <NUM>, such as an amount of high voltage supplied to the hand-held device <NUM>, the on/off state, whether the hand-held device <NUM> is detected by the base station <NUM> to be docked in the hand-held device receptacle <NUM>, and/or whether power is supplied to the base station <NUM> by an internal or external power source.

The base station <NUM> can also include circuitry, which may include a controller or controllers and/or a power source (not expressly shown). Optionally, the circuitry can include computer-readable memory (not expressly shown) configured to store settings and/or programming code executable by the controller, to control the power source, the control panel <NUM>, and the hand-held device <NUM>. Optionally, the base station <NUM> may include a timer settable and viewable by the user, for instance (not expressly shown).

<FIG> show various views of the hand-held device <NUM>, according to various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

The hand-held device <NUM> can be configured to electrospin or electrospray a predetermined solution toward a deposit surface. The hand-held device <NUM> can be comprised of a durable portion <NUM>, a semi-durable portion <NUM>, and a consumable portion <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>). In one or more embodiments, the hand-held device <NUM> may be interpreted as consisting of the durable portion <NUM>, the semi-durable portion <NUM>, and the consumable portion <NUM>. Discussed in more detail below, the semi-durable portion <NUM> can be removably coupled to the durable portion <NUM>, and the consumable portion <NUM> can be removably coupled to the semi-durable portion <NUM>.

An optional cap <NUM> can be provided, which may be removably coupled (e.g., via a snap fit connection or a threaded connection) to the semi-durable portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the cap <NUM> may be removably coupled to the semi-durable portion <NUM> and an end of the durable portion <NUM>, such as to a collar <NUM>. As yet another alternative, the cap <NUM> may be removably coupled to only the end of the durable portion <NUM>, such as the collar <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the cap <NUM> may be considered part of the semi-durable portion <NUM>. The durable portion <NUM> may be coupled to the transmission medium <NUM>, which, in turn, may be coupled to a base station, such as the base station <NUM>.

<FIG> are enlarged perspective sectional views of an end portion of the hand-held device <NUM>. Notably, these figures show the consumable portion <NUM> inside the semi-durable portion <NUM> and the durable portion <NUM> when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is removably coupled to the durable portion <NUM>. When the semi-durable portion <NUM> is removably coupled to the durable portion <NUM>, an outer peripheral surface of the semi-durable portion <NUM> may be exposed to the outside. That is, the durable portion <NUM> may not cover a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the semi-durable portion <NUM> when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is connected to the durable portion <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the consumable portion <NUM> may have an end that extends from the semi-durable portion <NUM>, into the durable portion <NUM>. A portion of the consumable portion <NUM> inside the semi-durable portion <NUM> may be more than a portion that is inside only the durable portion <NUM>. For example, the semi-durable portion <NUM> may have a consumable portion housing <NUM> configured to hold the consumable portion <NUM>, where a length of the consumable portion <NUM> associated with an end portion thereof that is held by the consumable portion housing <NUM> can be greater than a length of the consumable portion <NUM> associated with an opposite end portion thereof that extends from the semi-durable portion <NUM>. Alternatively, a portion of the consumable portion <NUM> inside the semi-durable portion <NUM> may be less than a portion that is inside only the durable portion <NUM>. For example, a length of the consumable portion <NUM> associated with an end portion thereof that is held by the consumable portion housing <NUM> can be less than a length of the consumable portion <NUM> associated with an opposite end portion thereof that extends from the semi-durable portion <NUM>. The amount of the consumable portion <NUM> that extends from the consumable portion housing <NUM>, for instance, can be based on desired holding characteristics for the consumable portion <NUM> and/or a means by which the consumable portion <NUM> is to be pulled out of the consumable portion housing <NUM> (e.g., via a user's fingers or a specialized removal tool). Further, in some embodiments, the consumable portion housing <NUM> may form an extremity of the semi-durable portion <NUM>.

<FIG> show various views of the durable portion <NUM> of the hand-held device <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The durable portion <NUM> can be configured to be held by the user during an electrospraying or electrospinning operation. Generally, with reference to <FIG>, and <FIG>, the durable portion <NUM> can include a body with a user control interface <NUM> configured to receive manual input from the user to control a drive mechanism <NUM> and application of high voltage, via a high voltage line <NUM>, to an electrode <NUM> of the semi-durable portion <NUM> to create an electric field for application to the solution to electrospin or electrospray the solution from a nozzle <NUM> of the semi-durable portion <NUM> toward a deposit surface. Incidentally, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can have a single electrode or multiple electrodes or electrode portions.

In addition to the user control interface <NUM>, the durable portion <NUM> can have the drive mechanism <NUM>, which can be configured to cause the solution within a container <NUM> of the consumable portion <NUM> to be output to the electrode <NUM> of the semi-durable portion <NUM>. The drive mechanism <NUM> can include a motor <NUM> and an actuator <NUM>. The motor <NUM> of the drive mechanism <NUM> may be a stepper motor, for instance, that drives the actuator <NUM>, which may be a linear actuator. The motor <NUM> and actuator <NUM> can be controlled based on operation of the user control interface <NUM>. Generally speaking, actuation of the actuator <NUM>, which may be in response to activation of the user control interface <NUM>, can drive a boss thereof against a plunger <NUM> relative to the container <NUM> of the consumable portion <NUM> (described in more detail below) to cause the plunger <NUM> to move inside the container <NUM> and cause solution in the container <NUM> to be output from the container <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM> for application of high voltage and output from the nozzle tip <NUM> as electrospun or electrosprayed solution.

Optionally, the motor <NUM> may be programmable, for instance, using circuitry (not expressly shown) of the durable portion <NUM>. Such programming may provide for different flow profiles to be used based on particular application conditions, such as environment, type of solution to be applied, high voltage applied, etc. Optionally, the actuator <NUM> can be controlled, prior to an electrospinning or electrospraying operation, to prime the hand-held device <NUM> by removing air from the solution flow path. Additionally, the motor <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> may not provide back suction. That is, in one or more embodiments, back suction of the solution may not be provided. Alternatively, the motor <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> may be controlled to provide back suction, for instance, for a predetermined duration of time. The predetermined duration of time may be preferably about. <NUM> seconds; more preferably about. <NUM> seconds, after stopping output of the solution from the nozzle <NUM>.

Circuitry (not expressly shown) of the durable portion <NUM> may be comprised of a power supply, which may provide low and high voltage to respective components of the hand-held device <NUM>. For example, the power supply can provide high voltage to the high voltage line <NUM>. Optionally, at least a portion of the circuitry may be implemented via a printed circuit board (PCB). In one or more embodiments, the high voltage high voltage line <NUM> may be considered part of the circuitry.

As shown in <FIG>, the high voltage line <NUM> can extend toward and be electrically connected to the electrode <NUM> of the semi-durable portion <NUM> when the semi-durable portion is connected to the durable portion <NUM>. A conductive rod <NUM>, an electrode spring <NUM>, and a contact <NUM> may be provided as an electrical connection for the high voltage line <NUM> and the electrode <NUM> of the semi-durable portion <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the conductive rod <NUM>, the electrode spring <NUM>, and the contact <NUM> may be considered part of the high voltage line <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, such as shown in <FIG>, the conductive rod <NUM> and the electrode spring <NUM> may be provided without the contact <NUM>, and such conductive rod <NUM> and electrode spring <NUM> may be considered part of the semi-durable portion <NUM>. Of course, the conductive rod <NUM> can contact an electrical contact (not shown in <FIG>) of the durable portion <NUM> at a far end of the conductive rod <NUM>.

The electrical connection formed by at least the conductive rod <NUM> and the electrode spring <NUM> may be deemed a spring-loaded pogo connector, which may be operative to have the high voltage supplied therethrough only when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is properly coupled to the durable portion <NUM>. That is, the electrode <NUM> of the semi-durable portion <NUM> may receive high voltage from the high voltage line <NUM> when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is properly connected to the durable portion <NUM>, because the circuit formed by these components is completed and capable of receiving and providing the high voltage. Discussed in more detail below with reference to <FIG>, the semi-durable portion <NUM> may be slid into the durable portion <NUM> and, as such, the electrical connection can be considered a slide-in electrical connection. Such slide-in electrical connection can increase a distance at which an arc would have to travel.

The high voltage line <NUM> (or a portion thereof), the conductive rod <NUM>, the electrode spring <NUM>, and/or the contact <NUM> can be surrounded by insulation. Such insulation can be insulation of the semi-durable portion <NUM> and/or insulation of the durable portion <NUM>, depending upon the location of the power-related component. Optionally, the insulation can be part of a housing of the semi-durable portion <NUM> and/or a housing of the durable portion <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the insulation can be a separate insulation component or components inside the housing of the semi-durable portion <NUM> and/or the housing of the durable portion <NUM>. Further, such insulation can be in the form of non-conductive plastic. In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a portion of the high voltage line <NUM>, the conductive rod <NUM>, the electrode spring <NUM>, and the contact <NUM> may be positioned at, on, or outside an outer circumference of the consumable portion housing <NUM>.

For example, <FIG>, and <FIG> show an insulating portion (or portions) <NUM> of the durable portion <NUM> which surrounds a portion of the high voltage line <NUM> (including the conductive rod <NUM>), and <FIG> show an insulating portion (or portions) <NUM> of the semi-durable portion <NUM>, which surrounds a portion of the high voltage line <NUM> (including the conductive rod <NUM>, the electrode spring <NUM>, and the contact <NUM>). As another example, <FIG> show an embodiment where an insulating portion (or portions) <NUM> surrounds the conductive rod <NUM>. The insulating portion <NUM> of <FIG> may be in the configuration of an insulating rod.

The user control interface <NUM> can include or be in the form of switch, for instance, a trigger button or a toggle switch. Optionally, the trigger button or switch can be connected to ground. The user control interface <NUM> can be activated by user input, for instance, a user's finger or thumb, to activate the hand-held device <NUM>. Specifically, the user control interface <NUM> can be activated by the user to activate the motor <NUM> to control the actuator <NUM> to cause solution in the container <NUM> to be output to the nozzle <NUM> and output from the nozzle tip <NUM>, to activate providing the high voltage to the electrode <NUM> to create a corresponding electric field for application to the solution, or both.

The user control interface <NUM>, for instance, the switch, can be provided at a predetermined distance or spacing from the high voltage line <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the switch may be at a first side of the durable portion <NUM> and the high voltage line <NUM> may be at a second side of the durable portion <NUM> opposite the first side in a radial direction. Put another way, the switch may be <NUM> degrees offset from the high voltage line <NUM> in a tangential direction. Of course, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can embody different offset amounts. For example, in one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the switch may be offset from the high voltage line <NUM> by about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees, preferably about <NUM> degrees, in the tangential direction. Optionally, the durable portion <NUM> may have at least one attachment arrangement configured to detachably hold an accessory (not expressly shown).

Optionally, the user control interface <NUM> may be a multi-stage user interface, such as a half/full press tactile switch. Thus, for example, the first stage may be to check the settings of the hand-held device <NUM>, for instance, to identify whether the hand-held device <NUM> is suitably positioned - i.e., not too far away and/or not too close - relative to the deposit surface (e.g., skin of the user). That is, the first stage may be used to for depth adjustment of hand-held device <NUM> before outputting the electrospun or electrosprayed solution. The second stage may be to cause output of the electrospun or electrosprayed solution by controlling the motor <NUM> and the high voltage applied to and around the solution.

Optionally, the durable portion <NUM>, for instance, the circuitry thereof, can include at least one distance sensor (not expressly shown). For example, each at least one distance sensor can be a time of flight (TOF) sensor. In one or more embodiments, the distance sensor may be deemed a separate component or components from the circuitry. The one or more distance sensors according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be offset in the tangential direction from the high voltage line <NUM>. For example, each at least one distance can be offset from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees, preferably about <NUM> degrees, from the high voltage line <NUM>.

Generally, the distance sensor can determine distance of the hand-held device <NUM>, for instance, the nozzle tip <NUM>, from a deposit surface. Signals from the distance sensor can be provided to control operations of the hand-held device <NUM>. For example, signals from the distance sensor can be provided to the circuitry to control, for instance, disable, the motor <NUM> and/or the user control interface <NUM>. That is, optionally, based on signals from the distance sensor, the hand-held device <NUM> can be automatically shut off the high voltage supply to the electrode <NUM>. Such control may be performed when signals from the distance sensor indicate that the hand-held device <NUM> is positioned too far away from and/or too close to the deposit surface. The signals from the distance sensor can also be processed by the circuitry to identify whether the hand-held device <NUM> is suitably positioned relative to the deposit surface and therefore allow operation of the hand-held device <NUM> to output electrospun or electrosprayed solution to the deposit surface.

Generally, too far away may be defined as greater than about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> or greater. For example, about <NUM> to about <NUM> may be deemed too far away, and greater than <NUM> may be deemed unacceptably too far away, for instance, where substandard or defective electrospraying or electrospinning can occur. Generally, too close may be defined as closer than about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> or closer. For example, about <NUM> to about <NUM> may be deemed too close, and closer than about <NUM> may be deemed unacceptably too close, for instance, in terms of the high voltage relative to the deposit surface. Thus, an acceptable threshold may be from about <NUM> to about <NUM> to about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for instance.

The circuitry may be comprised of a solution fill level detector (not expressly shown) configured to detect an amount of solution in the consumable portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the solution fill level detector may be deemed a separate component or components from the circuitry. The solution fill level detector may include or may be implemented using a Hall effect sensor array. The solution fill level detector may send signals regarding an amount or fill level of solution in the container <NUM> to a processor of the circuitry, which may send the signals to the base station <NUM>. Alternatively, the signals can be sent directly from the solution fill level detector to the base station <NUM>. As yet another alternative, the signals may be processed by the processor and not sent to a base station (e.g., when a base station is not implemented).

A detector may be provided to detect proper connection of the semi-durable portion <NUM> to the durable portion <NUM>. Additionally, the detector may detect proper connection of the consumable. Such detector may be provided in the durable portion <NUM>. For example, when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is properly connected to the durable portion <NUM>, the detector may output a signal or signals to indicate that the semi-durable portion <NUM> is coupled to the durable portion <NUM>. Optionally, such signal(s) may control a feedback indicator on the durable portion <NUM> to output an indication of such proper coupling. Additionally or alternatively, such signal(s) may allow activation of the user control interface <NUM> and/or the high voltage to the electrode <NUM>. Conversely, absence of the signal(s) may cause deactivation of the user control interface <NUM> and/or the high voltage to the electrode <NUM>. Thus, proper connection can mean that power from the high voltage line <NUM> can be provided to the electrode <NUM> and that such connection can perform electrospinning or electrospraying of solution from the consumable portion <NUM> from the nozzle tip <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the detector may be a detection switch in the form of a lever switch, whereby the semi-durable portion <NUM> can activate the switch when properly inserted into the durable portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the detection switch may be in the form of a push switch, whereby the semi-durable portion <NUM> can activate the switch when properly inserted into the durable portion <NUM>.

Additionally or alternatively, the durable portion <NUM> may have a detector configured to detect when the consumable portion <NUM> is removably coupled to the semi-durable portion <NUM> when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is removably coupled to the durable portion <NUM>. Such detector may be in the form of a push or lever switch, whereby the consumable portion <NUM> can activate the switch when the consumable portion <NUM> is inserted in the consumable portion housing <NUM>, when the consumable portion housing <NUM> is inserted in the nozzle <NUM>, and when the semi-durable is properly inserted in the durable portion <NUM>. Thus, the hand-held device <NUM> can determine whether or not the consumable portion <NUM> is provided in the semi-durable portion <NUM> when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is properly connected to the durable portion <NUM>.

Optionally, the hand-held device <NUM> can have a collar <NUM>, which may be considered part of the durable portion <NUM>. Though not expressly shown in the figures, the color of the collar <NUM> may be a dark, relatively less reflective color, black, for instance, to prevent or minimize unwanted feedback to a distance sensor, such as a TOF sensor, when implemented. The collar <NUM> can be rotatable by a predetermined amount about an end of the body of the durable portion <NUM> to lock or unlock the collar <NUM> to the semi-durable portion <NUM>, particularly the nozzle <NUM>. To insert and remove the semi-consumable portion <NUM> from the durable portion <NUM>, the collar <NUM> can be rotated by a predetermined amount, for instance, about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees, preferably about <NUM> degrees, to an open or unlocked position (if it was not already in this position). To lock the durable portion <NUM> to the semi-durable portion <NUM>, the collar <NUM> may be rotated in the opposite direction by a predetermined amount, for instance, about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees, preferably about <NUM> degrees (if it was not already in this position). In one or more embodiments, the collar <NUM> may be biased, for example, spring-loaded, to a normally closed position. Thus, to insert and remove the semi-consumable portion <NUM> from the durable portion <NUM>, the collar <NUM> may have to be rotated to an open or unlocked position. Further, the collar <NUM> may have one or more undercuts, preferably at least two undercuts or fittings <NUM>. Such undercuts <NUM> may be configured to lock the collar <NUM> to the semi-durable portion <NUM> when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is inserted into an open end of the durable portion <NUM>. Further, such undercuts can engage with corresponding undercuts or fittings <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>. In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the undercuts <NUM> of the collar <NUM> can be located at different axes as compared to the high voltage line <NUM>.

<FIG> show various views of the semi-durable portion <NUM> removably connected to the consumable portion <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Put another way, the semi-durable portion <NUM> can hold the consumable portion <NUM>. Notably, the consumable portion housing <NUM> is inside the nozzle <NUM>. Optionally, as shown, a portion of the consumable portion housing <NUM> may extend from an end of the nozzle <NUM>. These figures also show the consumable portion <NUM> being inside the consumable portion housing <NUM> (and the nozzle <NUM>). That is, the consumable portion housing <NUM> can be configured to hold the consumable portion <NUM>. Optionally, as shown, a portion of the consumable portion <NUM> may extend from the consumable portion housing <NUM> (and the nozzle <NUM>). In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a length of the consumable portion <NUM> inside the consumable portion housing <NUM> can be greater than a length of the consumable portion <NUM> that extends from the consumable portion housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the length of the consumable portion <NUM> inside the consumable portion housing <NUM> can be less than a length of the consumable portion <NUM> that extends from the consumable portion housing <NUM>.

<FIG> also show that one end of a tube <NUM> of the electrode <NUM>, which may be hollow in whole or in part, can extend into the container <NUM> of the consumable portion when the consumable portion <NUM> is received by the semi-durable portion <NUM>. Further, the one end of the tube <NUM> can be pointed or sharp or otherwise configured to piece a closure <NUM> of the container <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>, when extending into an inner volume of the container <NUM>. Such a configuration can be to facilitate providing solution from the container <NUM> to the tube <NUM>. The tube <NUM> may be made of a conductive material, such as a conductive metal.

<FIG> show various views of the semi-durable portion <NUM> without the consumable portion <NUM>. As noted above, the cap <NUM> can be optional and may even be considered part of the durable portion <NUM>. Generally, the semi-durable portion <NUM> can be configured to provide high voltage from the high voltage line <NUM> to the electrode <NUM>. The high voltage of the electrode <NUM> can be applied to create an electric field that is applied to solution as the solution from the consumable portion <NUM> travels through the tube <NUM> of the electrode <NUM> and toward the nozzle tip <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> and output from the nozzle tip <NUM>. Though not expressly shown in the figures, the color of the collar nozzle <NUM> may be a dark, relatively less reflective color, black, for instance, to prevent or minimize unwanted feedback to a distance sensor, such as a TOF sensor, when implemented.

The semi-durable portion <NUM> can be comprised of the nozzle <NUM>, the consumable portion housing <NUM>, and the electrode (or electrodes) <NUM>. Optionally, the electrode <NUM>, or a portion thereof, such as conductive base <NUM>, can be considered part of the nozzle <NUM>. Of course, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the nozzle <NUM>, the electrode <NUM>, and the consumable portion housing <NUM> may be separate components. As shown in <FIG>, an end of the tube <NUM> may be provided at or adjacent to (i.e., recessed from) the nozzle tip <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, a kit may be provided with a plurality of consumable portion housings <NUM> of different configurations (e.g., different sizes), each configured to be individually and securely received by the nozzle <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> also shows differently configured (e.g., different sizes) consumable portions <NUM> to be received by corresponding consumable portion housings <NUM>.

The nozzle <NUM>, which in some instances may be interpreted as a housing, for instance, to house or hold the consumable portion housing <NUM>, can be configured to guide the semi-durable portion <NUM> to a proper connection with the durable portion <NUM>, such that the semi-durable portion <NUM> can receive high voltage to the electrode <NUM> to create an electric field for application to the solution to electrospin or electrospray the solution from the nozzle tip <NUM> toward the deposit surface. As noted above, the nozzle <NUM> may also be configured to hold or provide an electrical connection, or portion thereof, to provide the high voltage to the electrode <NUM>. Also as noted above, in one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the nozzle <NUM> may provide insulation for a portion of the high voltage path to the electrode <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> may be thermal plastic in one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Additionally or alternatively, the nozzle <NUM> may be hydrophobic plastic.

Discussed above, the consumable portion housing <NUM> can receive and hold the consumable portion <NUM>. The consumable portion housing <NUM> can receive and hold the consumable portion <NUM> when the consumable portion housing <NUM> is already received by the nozzle <NUM> or when the consumable portion housing <NUM> has not yet been received by the nozzle <NUM>.

The consumable portion housing <NUM> may include at least one fitting <NUM>(<NUM>). <FIG>, for instance, shows two fittings <NUM>(<NUM>). Each fitting <NUM>(<NUM>) can be configured to engage with a corresponding fitting <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>. Such fitting engagement can ensure that the consumable portion housing <NUM> is properly inserted into the nozzle <NUM>. Further, such fitting engagement can form a lock to lock the consumable portion housing <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>. The lock can be released by actuation of the fitting <NUM>(<NUM>) and/or the side fitting <NUM>. For example, <FIG> shows "H-shaped" fittings <NUM>(<NUM>) with vertical projections. As shown in <FIG>, when the consumable portion housing <NUM> is properly inserted into the nozzle <NUM>, the vertical projection of the fitting <NUM>(<NUM>) can be received into a vertical opening of the fitting <NUM>. Such engagement can lock the consumable portion housing <NUM> in the nozzle <NUM>. To release the lock, the vertical projections of the fittings <NUM>(<NUM>) can be depressed, using a tool, for instance, to disengage the vertical projections from their respective vertical openings of the fittings <NUM>. The consumable portion housing <NUM> may then be removed from the nozzle <NUM>. Of course, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not limited to the fittings <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG>. Other fitting configurations can be employed to lock and/or ensure proper insertion of the consumable portion housing <NUM> into the nozzle <NUM>. As one example of an alternative fitting arrangement, the fittings on the consumable portion housing <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> may be horizontal projections and openings, respectively. As another example of an alternative side fitting arrangement, the consumable portion housing <NUM> may have one or more side longitudinal tracks that align with respective side track recesses of the nozzle <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the consumable portion housing <NUM> may have at least one fitting <NUM>(<NUM>). <FIG> show two fittings <NUM>(<NUM>), for example. The fittings <NUM>(<NUM>) can be received by fittings <NUM> of electrode <NUM>. Thus, the electrode <NUM>, particularly the conductive base <NUM> and the arm <NUM>, can be held to and against the consumable portion housing <NUM>. Put another way, the electrode <NUM> can be removably coupled to the consumable portion housing <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the fittings <NUM>(<NUM>) each can have a radially inward projection that extends over a surface of the conductive base <NUM> when engaged in the fitting <NUM>. Thus, the electrode <NUM> can be locked to the consumable portion housing <NUM>. To unlock the electrode <NUM>, the fittings <NUM>(<NUM>) may be pulled apart (i.e., radially outward) until the fittings <NUM>(<NUM>) disengage the conductive base <NUM> and the electrode <NUM> is able to be pulled apart from the consumable portion housing <NUM>.

The electrode <NUM> may be comprised of the tube <NUM> and the conductive base <NUM>. Optionally, the tube <NUM> and the conductive base <NUM> may be made of dissimilar materials. For example, the tube <NUM> may be a conductive metal and the conductive base <NUM> may be a conductive plastic. In one or more embodiments, the tube <NUM> may be a hollow needle, a hollow electrode, or an elongate tube. Thus, the tube <NUM> may serve as both a fluid path for the solution and a conductive surface to allow charge created by an electric field caused by the high voltage to be injected into the solution. More specifically, the tube <NUM> may be hollow so as to receive solution from the container <NUM> and output the solution at or just before the nozzle tip <NUM>. Generally, the flow path formed by the tube <NUM> and the nozzle tip <NUM> may be formed of materials that do not or do not substantially chemically or physio-chemically react with the solution in any substantial way.

As noted above, a first end of the tube <NUM> may be pointed. A second end opposite the first end, for instance, adjacent the nozzle tip <NUM>, may not be pointed. The tube <NUM> may be generally arranged in a center of the conductive base <NUM>. The conductive base <NUM> can have the same polarity as the tube <NUM>. The electric field created by the conductive base <NUM>, which may be viewed as a separate electric field from the electric field of the tube <NUM>, may reduce lateral dispersion of the electrospun solution, which may make the web of electrospun fibers more targeted. Thus, the tube <NUM> may be a first electrode, for instance, a primary electrode, and the conductive base <NUM> may be deemed a second electrode, for instance, a secondary electrode.

The conductive base <NUM> may be in the form of a disc, plate-shaped, or a flange. Thus, in one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the conductive base <NUM> may not be completely symmetrical. For example, <FIG>, <FIG> show conductive base <NUM> having an arm <NUM>. As shown, the arm <NUM> may extend at least radially outward from a longitudinal opening though which the tube <NUM> is provided. The arm <NUM> may also extend rearward, toward the durable portion <NUM>, particularly toward the high voltage line <NUM>. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the arm <NUM> can physically contact the contact <NUM> when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is removably coupled (properly) to the durable portion <NUM>. Thus, the arm <NUM> forms a part of the electrical connection for the high voltage from the high voltage line <NUM> to reach the electrode <NUM> (including the tube <NUM>). Optionally, the conductive base <NUM> may have a holding sleeve or sleeves extending from opposite surfaces of the conductive base <NUM>. The holding sleeve or sleeves may increase a friction fit with the tube <NUM>, which optionally may be removable from the conductive base <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the conductive base <NUM> may not be made entirely from conductive plastic. For example, conductive plastic may surround an underlying metal portion, in the form of a disc or plate, for instance, and the conductive plastic may extend <NUM> bars outward from an underlying metal portion. Such extending can strengthen the electric field pushing the fiber forward and so as to connect the electrode <NUM> with the high voltage line, for instance, via arm <NUM>.

Turning to the consumable portion <NUM>, <FIG> shows a non-limiting example according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and <FIG> shows another non-limiting example according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

Generally, the consumable portion <NUM> can include the closure <NUM>, the container <NUM>, and a piston or plunger <NUM>. The solution in the container <NUM> may also be considered part of the consumable portion <NUM>.

As noted above, a boss of the actuator <NUM> may be received in a recess of the container <NUM>, such that the boss abuts the plunger <NUM>. The boss can act on the plunger <NUM>, by way of movement of the actuator <NUM>, to cause the plunger <NUM> to move inside the container <NUM> and cause solution to be pushed toward and into the tube <NUM> and ultimately output from the nozzle tip <NUM>. The solution can be stored in the container <NUM> in a manner that limits atmospheric exposure until usage. For example, when the solution is to be used, the consumable portion <NUM> can be inserted into the semi-durable portion <NUM> such that a rear portion or end of the tube <NUM> can puncture the closure <NUM>, which may be or include an airtight film or membrane over an opening to the container <NUM> to form a fluid path between the bulk of the solution and an output at the nozzle tip <NUM> via the tube <NUM>.

Alternatively, the closure <NUM> may be in the form of a valve, such as shown in <FIG>. The valve may operate so as to open upon connection of the consumable portion <NUM> to the semi-durable portion <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the valve can regulate output of the solution to the nozzle tip <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG> and the embodiment of <FIG>, a seal cap <NUM> may be provided. Optionally, the embodiment of <FIG> can have a conductive plastic portion <NUM> below the closure <NUM>, inserted into the neck of the container <NUM>. Further, in the embodiment of <FIG> and the embodiment of <FIG>, the semi-durable portion <NUM> may have a first seal at the nozzle tip <NUM> and a second seal at a portion of the flow path adjacent the conductive base <NUM>. For example, the first seal may be provided by the cap <NUM>, wherein a portion of the cap extends into the opening at the nozzle tip <NUM>,and the second seal may be provided by a closure <NUM> in the form of a valve inside a tube opening adjacent the conductive base <NUM>.

The container <NUM>, which can be made of glass or plastic, can be configured to contain a predetermined maximum volume of the solution and output the solution to the electrode <NUM> of the semi-durable portion <NUM>. For example, container <NUM> can be sized to hold either <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> as a maximum amount of solution. In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the container <NUM> may be a cartridge.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the semi-durable portion <NUM> particularly showing the interchangeability of different consumable portion housings <NUM> or holders for the semi-durable portion <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> illustrates that multiple different consumable portion housings <NUM> can be used with the same nozzle <NUM> and the same electrode <NUM>. More specifically, a first consumable portion housing <NUM>(<NUM>) may be provided for the nozzle <NUM> and electrode <NUM>. Such consumable portion housing <NUM>(<NUM>) may be sized to receive a first consumable portion <NUM> of a first size, for instance, a <NUM> size. The first consumable portion <NUM> may be replaced in the consumable portion housing <NUM>(<NUM>) when empty or when the user simply wants to change to a different solution. The consumable portion housing <NUM>(<NUM>) may itself be replaced with a second consumable portion housing <NUM>(<NUM>), which may be sized to receive a second consumable portion <NUM> of a second size, for instance, a <NUM> size. In one or more embodiments, a kit for the hand-held device <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of consumable portion housings <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>). Optionally, a plurality of different consumable portions <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) may be provided as part of the kit or in any case usable with corresponding consumable portion housings <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), respectively, such as shown in <FIG>. Note also that the consumable portion housings <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) of <FIG> have an insulating rod portion configured to receive an insulate a portion of the conductive rod <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate insertion and locking aspects of the semi-durable portion <NUM> and the durable portion <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Note that the semi-durable portion <NUM> in <FIG> is not identical to the semi-durable portion <NUM> from previous figures.

As shown in <FIG>, the semi-durable portion <NUM> can be longitudinally slid (i.e., right to left in <FIG>) into an open end of the durable portion <NUM>. Depending upon the configuration or current setting of the collar <NUM>, to insert the semi-durable portion <NUM> into the durable portion <NUM>, the collar <NUM> may need to be rotated to an open or unlocked position. Further, each of the at least one undercut or fitting <NUM> may need to be aligned with a corresponding undercut or fitting <NUM> of the collar <NUM> in order to insert the semi-durable portion <NUM> into the durable portion <NUM>. As noted above, as an example, the collar <NUM> can be rotated by a predetermined amount, for instance, about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees, preferably about <NUM> degrees, to the open or unlocked position (if it was not already in this position). In the embodiment shown, the conductive rod <NUM> may extend from the nozzle <NUM> and into and through a high voltage line opening at the open end of the durable portion <NUM>.

When the semi-durable portion <NUM> is properly and fully seated in the durable portion <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>, the conductive rod <NUM> can high voltage contact an electrical contact of the durable portion <NUM>. Further, when the semi-durable portion <NUM> is properly and fully seated in the durable portion <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>, the collar <NUM> may be rotated to a closed or locked position. As noted above, as an example, the collar <NUM> can be rotated by a predetermined amount, for instance, about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees, more preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees, and most preferably about <NUM> degrees, to the closed or locked position. Though the figures show a twist-lock using collar <NUM>, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not so limited. For example, the semi-durable portion <NUM> may be inserted into and releasably locked with the durable portion <NUM> via a slide-in snap lock configuration.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Similar to the discussion above, the system <NUM> can be comprised of a base station <NUM> and a hand-held device <NUM>. A transmission medium <NUM> can connect the base station <NUM> to the hand-held device <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, a wireless transmission medium may be provided between the base station <NUM> and the hand-held device <NUM>.

<FIG> show various views of the base station <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may be configured and/or operate generally the same as the base stations discussed above. The base station <NUM> can also have a receptacle <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> can be a recessed portion that extends entirely around the base station <NUM>, and can be configured to stow a power cable <NUM>, for instance. <FIG>, for instance, shows the power cable <NUM> being wrapped around the base station <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM>. The base station <NUM> can also include an insulation box <NUM> therein, which can insulate the power supply and/or electrical components inside the base station <NUM>.

The base station <NUM> can also include a control panel <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> can receive inputs to control the hand-held device <NUM>. For instance, the control panel <NUM> can provide panel buttons (e.g., four shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) to receive inputs from a user to control the hand-held device <NUM>. As used herein, such control can include the base station <NUM> sending signals to the hand-held device <NUM> based on one or more inputs received at the control panel <NUM>. Optionally, power for the base station <NUM> may be turned on and off via a switch <NUM>, which may be provided on a back side of the base station <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. In that the switch <NUM> can turn off power to the base station <NUM>, the switch <NUM> can turn off at least some of the power supplied to the hand-held device <NUM> via the transmission medium <NUM>. Likewise, turning on the switch <NUM> can provide at least some of the power supplied to the hand-held device <NUM> from the base station <NUM>.

The control panel <NUM> can also include a display <NUM>, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) display, which may be a touch screen or panel. The display <NUM> may output information corresponding to operating characteristics of the hand-held device <NUM>, such as flow rate, an amount of high voltage received by the hand-held device <NUM> or otherwise applied to the solution to perform electrospinning or electrospraying, a status of the hand-held device <NUM>, a direction of the motor of the handset, and/or whether appropriate grounding of the user is provided. Additionally or alternatively, the display <NUM> may output information corresponding to operating characteristics of the base station <NUM>, such as an amount of high voltage supplied to the hand-held device <NUM>, the on/off state, whether the hand-held device <NUM> is detected by the base station <NUM> to be docked in a hand-held device receptacle, and/or whether power is supplied to the base station <NUM> by an internal or external power source via the power cable <NUM>.

<FIG> show various views of the hand-held device <NUM>. The hand-held device <NUM> may be configured and/or operate generally the same as the hand-held device discussed above. The hand-held device <NUM>, particularly a durable portion <NUM> thereof, can include a body with a user control interface <NUM> configured to receive manual input from the user to control output of the hand-held device <NUM>.

The durable portion <NUM> can have the drive mechanism, which can be configured to cause the solution within a container of a consumable portion to be output to an electrode. The drive mechanism can include a motor and an actuator <NUM>. The motor of the drive mechanism may be a stepper motor, for instance, that drives the actuator <NUM>. Optionally, the actuator <NUM> may be a linear actuator. The motor and actuator <NUM> can be controlled based on operation of the user control interface <NUM>. Generally speaking, actuation of the actuator <NUM>, which may be in response to activation of the user control interface <NUM>, can drive a boss thereof against a plunger relative to a container that contains the solution to cause the plunger to move inside the container and cause solution in the container to be output from the container to the nozzle for application of high voltage and output from a nozzle tip as electrospun or electrosprayed solution. The double arrows in <FIG> (which is a cut-away view) shows exemplary forward and backward movement of the actuator <NUM>.

According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the hand-held device <NUM>, for instance, the durable portion <NUM>, can include an electrically conductive portion <NUM>. The electrically conductive portion <NUM> can be provided on a side of the durable portion <NUM> different from a side at which the user control interface <NUM> is provided, such as on the opposite side as shown in <FIG>. Additionally, according to one or more embodiments, the electrically conductive portion <NUM> can be longitudinally offset from the user control interface <NUM>. For instance, the electrically conductive portion <NUM> can be closer to a distal end of the hand-held device <NUM> than the user control interface <NUM> and/or farther from the proximal end of the hand-held device <NUM> than the user control interface <NUM>. The electrically conductive portion <NUM> can also be a different shape as compared to the user control interface <NUM>. For instance, <FIG> show, as non-limiting examples, the electrically conductive portion <NUM> being elongate and the user control interface <NUM> being circular.

The electrically conductive portion <NUM> can be made of metal or metal- or metallic-plated resin. During operation of the hand-held device <NUM>, a user's hand can come into contact with the electrically conductive portion <NUM>. The user's hand can also operate the user control interface <NUM>. Thus, the user can hold the durable portion <NUM> with one hand and contact both the user control interface <NUM> and the electrically conductive portion <NUM>. In general, the electrically conductive portion <NUM> can be configured to pass relatively weak electricity to ground via the user's body when the user operates the hand-held device <NUM> via the user control interface <NUM> and contacts the electrically conductive portion <NUM>. According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the electrically conductive portion <NUM> is not connected to a high voltage source that applies a high voltage to the nozzle of the hand-held device <NUM>. For example, the electrically conductive portion <NUM> and the high voltage source may have "false grounds," but the ground or neutral of the power supply may not be directly connected to the electrically conductive portion <NUM>.

The durable portion <NUM> can also include a light source <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be comprised of one or more lights, such as one or more LEDs. The one or more lights can individually or separately be controlled to change colors and/or flash. For instance, a color or colors of the light(s) of the light source <NUM> can change colors and/or flash to indicate a status of the system <NUM>, such as a status of the hand-held device <NUM> and/or the base station <NUM>. According to one or more embodiments, the light source <NUM> can be in the form of a light ring, such as shown in <FIG>.

The durable portion <NUM> can also include one or more sensors <NUM>. The one or more sensors <NUM> can be configured to determine distance from the hand-held device <NUM> to an application surface, such as a user's skin. Optionally, the one or more sensors <NUM> can be time-of-flight (TOF) sensors. Signals from the one or more sensors <NUM> can be used to control the hand-held device <NUM>. For instance, the feedback from the one or more sensors <NUM> can cause the light source <NUM> to change characteristics (e.g., blink, change colors) to indicate proper and/or improper distance. In one or more embodiment, the feedback from the one or more sensors <NUM> can be used to control output of the solution from the hand-held device <NUM>. For instance, if the hand-held device <NUM> is detected to be too close and/or too far away from the application surface, control circuitry of the hand-held device <NUM> can stop or prevent the output of electrospray or electrospun solution.

The durable portion <NUM> can include a guide <NUM> for attachment of the semi-durable portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, for instance, the guide <NUM> can have a projection that extends from an end of the durable portion <NUM>. A recess associated with the guide may be provided at a radially outward bottom portion of the guide <NUM>. The semi-durable portion <NUM> can have a sidewall configured to receive the projection of the guide <NUM>. A bottom portion of the sidewall of the semi-durable portion <NUM> can be configured to be seated in the recess. <FIG> shows an example of the semi-durable portion <NUM> removably coupled to the durable portion <NUM>, wherein the semi-durable portion <NUM> is positioned relative to the guide <NUM> and the recess. Note also that the guide <NUM> can be between a portion of the sidewall of the semi-durable portion <NUM> and an outer wall of a consumable portion housing <NUM> configured to house a consumable portion. The guide <NUM> and corresponding portion of the semi-durable portion <NUM> can be used to reliably align and connect the semi-durable portion <NUM> to the durable portion <NUM>. Optionally, the guide <NUM> can be an anti-rotation projection (e.g., bar) configured to prevent rotation of the semi-durable portion <NUM> relative to the durable portion <NUM>. In particular, the guide <NUM> can be provided in a slot of the sidewall of the semi-durable portion <NUM> such that lateral sides of the guide <NUM> abut the sidewall and prevent the semi-durable portion <NUM> from rotating.

An electrode connection rod <NUM>, which may be made of insulation material (e.g., plastic), can also extend from the durable portion <NUM>. Generally, the electrode connection rod <NUM>, via internal electrically conductive components thereof, can provide a voltage source (e.g., high voltage) from the durable portion <NUM> to the semi-durable portion <NUM>, particularly an electrode <NUM> thereof. The electrode connection rod <NUM> can include a an elastic member (e.g., spring) <NUM> therein. As shown in <FIG>, the elastic member <NUM> can extend in a same direction as the body of the semi-durable portion <NUM>. Moreover, the elastic member <NUM> can be provided radially inward of the sidewall of the semi-durable portion <NUM> and inside of a collar <NUM>, which can be rotatable to lock or release the semi-durable portion <NUM> from connection with the durable portion <NUM>. Thus, the connection and corresponding pathway for the voltage from the durable portion <NUM> to the semi-durable portion <NUM> can be provided so as to minimize a thickness of the outputting end of the hand-held device <NUM>. Additionally, the bias of the elastic member <NUM> can ensure a reliable mechanical and hence electrical connection between an arm <NUM> of the electrode <NUM> and an electrical connector (e.g., conducting rod, contact) at the other side of the elastic member <NUM> for providing the voltage to the electrode <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electrode <NUM> can have a conductive base <NUM> and the arm <NUM>, as noted above. Optionally, the conductive base <NUM> can have one or more fittings for mating with other portions of the semi-durable portion <NUM>, such as the consumable portion housing <NUM>. <FIG>, for instance, show two fittings <NUM>.

Generally, the electrode <NUM> can provide an electrical connection between the hollow elongate portion <NUM> and the voltage from the durable portion <NUM> via the elastic member <NUM> and other electrically conductive components associated with the electrode connection rod <NUM>. The configuration of the electrode <NUM> can assist with the spraying or spinning of fiber relatively straight by creating a relatively even electric field.

According to one or more embodiments, the electrode <NUM>, or the conductive base <NUM> thereof, can be referred to as a disc electrode. Moreover, according to one or more embodiments, the conductive base <NUM> has one or more plate or planar portions. Thus, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can have one or more disc electrode portions. For instance, <FIG> show the conductive base <NUM> having a first planar portion <NUM> and a second planar portion <NUM>. A hollow elongate portion <NUM>, for instance, a needle or tube electrode, can extend through the center of the conductive base <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. Optionally, the hollow elongate portion <NUM> can extend from only one side of the electrode <NUM>, for instance, from the outward-facing face of the first planar portion <NUM> (i.e., face intended to face toward the consumable portion housing <NUM>), whereas the other end of the hollow elongate portion <NUM> can be flush, for instance, with the (i.e., face intended to face away from the consumable portion housing <NUM>). The electrode <NUM>, with the exception of the hollow elongate portion <NUM>, can be formed in one piece (e.g., a single-molded component). Thus, the conductive base <NUM>, including the first planar portion <NUM>, the second planar portion <NUM>, and the body portion therebetween, can be integral with each other. Moreover, the conductive base <NUM> can be made from a same material.

In that the outward-facing face of the first planar portion <NUM> (i.e., face intended to face toward the consumable portion housing <NUM>) can be flat, such as particularly shown in <FIG>, the electrode <NUM> can prevent leakage of the solution from the consumable portion when the consumable portion is properly installed relative to the consumable portion housing <NUM>. That is, the flat face of the outward-facing face of the first planar portion <NUM> can create a seal around the hollow elongate portion <NUM> at an interface between the first planar portion <NUM> and the consumable portion housing <NUM>. Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, a sealing structure <NUM> can be provided on the outward-facing face of the second planar portion <NUM>, around the hollow elongate portion <NUM>. In general, the sealing structure <NUM> can operate as a gasket, for instance, to seal around the hollow elongate portion <NUM> and a hollow projection of the nozzle that interfaces with the hollow elongate portion <NUM>. According to one or more embodiments, the sealing structure <NUM> can be flexible and can also provide cushioning or padding around the hollow elongate portion <NUM>, for instance, for the hollow projection of the nozzle.

The first planar portion <NUM> and the second planar portion <NUM> can be cylindrical/generally cylindrical or circular/generally circular in front or rear views of the electrode <NUM>. According to one or more embodiments, the first planar portion <NUM> and the second planar portion <NUM> can be different configurations (e.g., size, shape, etc.). For instance, <FIG> show the second planar portion <NUM> being smaller in size (e.g., diameter, circumference, etc.) than the first planar portion <NUM>. Optionally, the body portion between the first planar portion <NUM> and the second planar portion <NUM> can be smaller in size (e.g., diameter, circumference, etc.) than the first planar portion <NUM> and/or the second planar portion <NUM>. Additionally, as noted above, the outward-facing face of the first planar portion <NUM> (i.e., face intended to face toward the consumable portion housing <NUM>) can be flat, whereas the outward-facing face of the second planar portion <NUM> (i.e., face intended to face away from the consumable portion housing <NUM>) can have one or more surface features.

The arm <NUM> can extend radially outward from at least the first planar portion <NUM>. For instance, <FIG> show the arm <NUM> extending radially outward from the first planar portion <NUM> and the body portion between the first planar portion <NUM> and the second planar portion <NUM>. The arm <NUM> may also extend in a longitudinal direction of the electrode <NUM>. For example, <FIG> shows the arm <NUM> extending longitudinally in a same direction as the outward-facing face of the first planar portion <NUM>.

For instance, the second planar portion <NUM> has one or more projections <NUM> extending from the outward-facing face thereof. <FIG>, for instance, show two projections <NUM>, though other embodiments may have a different number, such as four. Optionally, the projections <NUM> may be symmetrically arranged on the outer face of the second planar portion <NUM>. For example, <FIG> shows the projections <NUM> being offset from each other by <NUM> degrees, on opposite sides of the outer face of the second planar portion <NUM>. The projections <NUM> can be of the same configuration or different. For example, according to one or more embodiments the projections <NUM> can be cylindrical or rectangular (including generally rectangular), such as shown in <FIG>. In one or more embodiments the projections <NUM> may taper slightly away from the outer face of the second planar portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a method <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

The method <NUM> can be comprised of providing an electrospraying or electrospinning device or system or a portion or portions thereof according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter <NUM>. The providing can constitute the entirety of the method <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, the provided portion may be a solution, for instance, in spraying format, for the electrospraying or electrospinning device or system or portion thereof. For example, a spinning formulation for the solution can be comprised of a volatile solvent selected from alcohol and ketone, polymer with fiber forming ability, and water, preferably alcohol, water insoluble polymer, and water, more preferably ethanol, polymer with fiber forming ability selected from polyvinyl butyral, polyurethane, and partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol, and water. The water insoluble polymer with fiber forming ability can be selected from one or more of completely saponified polyvinyl alcohol, which can be insolubilized after the fiber formation; partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol, which can be crosslinked after the fiber formation when used in combination with a cross-linking agent; oxazoline modified silicone, such as a poly(N-propanoylethyleneimine)-grafted dimethylsiloxane/γ-aminopropylmethylsiloxane copolymer; polyvinylacetal diethylamino acetate; zein (main component of corn proteins); polyester; polylactic acid (PLA); an acrylic resin such as a polyacrylonitrile resin or a polymethacrylic acid resin; a polystyrene resin; a polyvinyl butyral resin; a polyurethane resin; a polyethylene terephthalate resin; a polybutylene terephthalate resin; a polyurethane resin; a polyamide resin; a polyimide resin; and a polyamideimide resin, and the like. Of course, this is but one non-limiting example of a spinning formulation for the solution.

Polymers having fiber formation ability are roughly classified into watersoluble polymers and water insoluble polymers. The term "water soluble polymer" as used herein refers to a polymer having a property such that when <NUM> of the polymer is weighed out and immersed in <NUM> of ion-exchanged water in an environment at a pressure of <NUM> atmosphere and a temperature of <NUM>° C for <NUM> hours, <NUM> or more of the immersed polymer dissolves in the water. On the other hand, the term "water insoluble polymer" as used herein refers to a polymer having a property such that when <NUM> of the polymer is weighed out and immersed in <NUM> of ion-exchanged water in an environment at a pressure of <NUM> atmosphere and a temperature of <NUM>° C for <NUM> hours, more than <NUM> of the immersed polymer does not dissolve in the water.

From the viewpoint of improving fiber forming ability, the content of the polymer of the spinning formulation for the solution is preferably <NUM> mass% or more, and even more preferably <NUM> mass% or more, and preferably <NUM> mass% or less. The content of sum of alcohol, ketone, and water is preferably <NUM> mass% or more and preferably <NUM> mass% or less.

The method <NUM> can additionally or alternatively be comprised of using an electrospraying or electrospinning device or system according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter <NUM>. Using the electrospraying or electrospinning device or system can constitute the entire method <NUM>. Alternatively, using the electrospraying or electrospinning device or system can be performed in conjunction with the provided electrospraying or electrospinning device or system according to <NUM>.

The method <NUM> may also be comprised of replacing the solution of the electrospraying or electrospinning device or system or portion thereof. Such replacing can involve replacing a consumable portion in a consumable portion housing with another consumable portion of a same configuration (e.g., size and/or shape), but not necessarily with the same type of solution. Alternatively, replacing can involve replacing a consumable portion and a consumable portion housing and with another set of consumable portion and consumable portion housing of a different configuration (e.g., size and/or shape), but not necessarily with different solutions. For example, a <NUM> consumable portion container may be replaced with a <NUM> consumable portion container. The replacing can be performed prior to and/or after the using of the electrospraying or electrospinning device or system or portion thereof at <NUM>.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may provide for an electrospinning or electrospraying process that may be functionally independent of orientation of a solution output device, particularly a portable, hand-held solution output device, and may be positioned to output solution on a deposit surface in relatively difficult areas, such as a particularly difficult area of a human's body. Also, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can implement a modular construction, allowing multiple physical configurations, types of solution, and/or solution output characteristics. Additionally, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can allow for solution to be readily replaced without contamination between samples.

Claim 1:
A portable, hand-held device (<NUM>) for electrospinning or electrospraying toward a deposit surface a predetermined solution formulated for the device (<NUM>), the device (<NUM>) comprising:
a durable portion (<NUM>); and
a semi-durable portion (<NUM>) configured to removably receive therein a consumable portion,
wherein the semi-durable portion (<NUM>) is configured to be removably coupled to the durable portion (<NUM>),
wherein the durable portion (<NUM>) is configured to provide a high voltage to the semi-durable portion (<NUM>) and includes:
a user control interface (<NUM>) configured to receive manual input from a user to control a drive mechanism and application of the high voltage to at least one electrode (<NUM>) to create an electric field for application to the solution to electrospin or electrospray the solution from a nozzle of the semi-durable portion (<NUM>) toward the deposit surface,
wherein the semi-durable portion (<NUM>) is configured to provide the high voltage to the at least one electrode (<NUM>) and includes:
the nozzle, which is configured to output the solution from a nozzle tip thereof, and
the at least one electrode (<NUM>), which is inside the nozzle,
wherein the at least one electrode (<NUM>) includes:
a conductive body portion (<NUM>) surrounding at least one first electrode (<NUM>) such that a portion of the at least one first electrode (<NUM>) extends from a first side of the conductive body portion (<NUM>), wherein the at least one first electrode (<NUM>) is a hollow tube,
wherein the conductive body portion (<NUM>) forms at least one secondary electrode (<NUM>), wherein the conductive body portion (<NUM>) comprises a first planar portion and a second planar portion (<NUM>), and
wherein a second side of the conductive body portion (<NUM>) opposite the first side corresponds to an outward-facing side of the second planar portion (<NUM>), the second side having one or more projections (<NUM>) extending therefrom,
wherein the first side is configured to face towards the consumable portion and the second side is configured to face away from the consumable portion.