Patent Description:
Tools for surgical preparations generally may include a sponge which is used by medical personnel to apply an antiseptic solution to a patient's skin. The sponge can be dipped into an antiseptic solution in a container and swabbed onto the patient's skin to prevent live bacteria from entering an incision or wound of the skin. Other devices have been developed that contain an antiseptic solution contained in the device for dispensing the solution from an applicator associated with the device, like the one disclosed in <CIT>.

There is a continuing need for a dispensing device that can be configured for use to dispense a fluid, such as an antiseptic solution, to an applicator swab wherein required manipulation of the device prior to use may be minimized.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a liquid dispensing device is provided comprising an elongated member defining a handle having a hollow interior, the hollow interior defining a fluid reservoir having an opening at a lower end of the elongated member. A base member is affixed to the lower end of the elongated member and has a bottom surface facing in a direction away from the handle, and a frangible cover is secured over the bottom surface and forms a seal across the opening of the fluid reservoir. A swab head is provided comprising an absorbent sponge-like member and a button element, the sponge-like member having opposing outer and inner sides wherein the inner side is affixed to the bottom surface of the base member. The button element defines a longitudinal axis and includes a foot portion at a first longitudinal end of the button element adjacent to the outer side of the sponge-like member and a penetration end at an opposing second longitudinal end of the button element.

The penetration end of the button element may comprise a tapered end defining an angle with an apex at a point located at the second longitudinal end of the button element.

The button element may include a peripheral wall extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end toward the second longitudinal end, and a plurality of longitudinally elongated grooves may extend in from the peripheral wall toward the longitudinal axis.

The button element may be generally circular about the longitudinal axis and the plurality of grooves may be circumferentially spaced around the peripheral wall.

A cavity may be formed in the sponge-like member and the button element may be located within the cavity.

The penetration end of the bottom element may be conical.

Wells may be provided extending from the second longitudinal end toward the first longitudinal end for receiving liquid and for transferring liquid from the wells to the sponge-like member.

Each well may include an open end adjacent to the penetration end and may include a well floor adjacent to the first longitudinal end of the button element, the well floor restricting fluid from flowing through the first longitudinal end.

The sponge-like member may have a compressed state and an uncompressed state, and the second longitudinal end of the button element may be located between the inner and outer sides of the sponge-like member when the sponge-like member is in the uncompressed state.

The second longitudinal end of the button element may be located extending through the frangible cover when the sponge-like member is in the compressed state.

The first longitudinal end of the button element may be exposed adjacent to the outer side of the sponge-like member.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, a specific preferred embodiment in which the invention may be practiced.

Aspects of the invention are illustrated in a first configuration as shown in <FIG>. Referring initially to <FIG>, a liquid dispensing device <NUM> is shown and, in a particular useful configuration, is provided as an antiseptic swab such as may be implemented in medical applications, e.g., as a surgical scrub. The device <NUM> includes an elongated member defining a handle <NUM> having a hollow interior. As may be further seen in <FIG>, the hollow interior defines a fluid reservoir <NUM> having an opening <NUM> at a lower end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a base member <NUM> is affixed to the lower end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> and has a bottom surface <NUM> facing in a direction away from the handle <NUM>. A cover member comprising a frangible cover <NUM> is adhered or otherwise secured over at least a portion of the bottom surface <NUM> and forms a fluid tight seal across and surrounding the opening <NUM> of the fluid reservoir <NUM>. The frangible cover <NUM> is a part of the base member <NUM> that is capable of being broken. A swab head <NUM> is supported to the base member <NUM> and comprises an absorbent sponge-like member <NUM> and a button element <NUM>. The sponge-like member <NUM> is illustrated as having a cylindrical configuration including a generally planar outer side <NUM>, an opposing generally planar inner side <NUM>, and an outer peripheral surface <NUM> extending between the outer and inner sides <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein the inner side <NUM> is affixed to the bottom surface <NUM> of the base member <NUM>, such as by use of an adhesive.

A cavity <NUM> (<FIG>) is defined in the center of the sponge-like member <NUM>, and can be defined by a thru-hole extending between the outer and inner sides <NUM>, <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> can have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the opening <NUM>, e.g., a circular shape, and the cavity <NUM> is aligned with the opening <NUM>. The button element <NUM> is positioned in the cavity <NUM> and provides a membrane puncturing function and a flow control function, as is described further below.

In the illustrated embodiments, the handle <NUM> has a cylindrical configuration which is hollow at least in the region of the fluid reservoir <NUM> adjacent to the base member <NUM>, and can be hollow along the length of the handle <NUM> between the base member <NUM> and an outer end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> to form the fluid reservoir <NUM> for permitting the handle to be filled with a fluid, such as an antiseptic solution. The hollow interior of the handle <NUM> can be partitioned by a plug element <NUM> (<FIG>) that may be a hollow cylindrical element having a closed end positioned in an interference fit within the handle <NUM>. The plug element <NUM> can be positioned to define a predetermined reservoir volume between the base member <NUM> and the plug element <NUM> for containing a solution S within the handle <NUM>.

The base member <NUM> can be attached or integrally formed on the lower end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, and the base member <NUM> is oriented at an angle relative to the handle <NUM>. In a preferred construction of the device <NUM>, the device <NUM> may be formed of a molded construction and may be molded of, for example, polypropylene or ABS. In the illustrated configuration, as seen in <FIG>, the base member <NUM> is oriented with the plane of its bottom surface <NUM> oriented at a <NUM> degree angle α relative to a longitudinal axis AL of the handle <NUM>. It may be noted that the base member <NUM> may be formed as a plate-like planar member defined by the planar bottom surface <NUM> and having an opposing upper surface <NUM> extending laterally from the handle <NUM>. Also, the base member <NUM> may have a circular configuration centered on the axis AL of the handle <NUM>, as illustrated herein, or may comprise some other shape. However, the circular shape is preferred for providing a uniform distribution of fluid throughout the sponge-like member <NUM>.

The button element <NUM> is preferably a rigid or non-compressible member, and may be formed of a molded construction of, for example, polypropylene or ABS. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the button element <NUM> is illustrated as having a circular cross-section formed about a longitudinal axis AB and having a diameter d<NUM> that is the same as or slightly greater than the diameter of the thru-hole forming the cavity <NUM>. The button element <NUM> includes a circular foot portion <NUM> defining a planar outer surface <NUM> at a first longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM>. A second longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM> defines a penetration end for rupturing the frangible cover <NUM>. The planar outer surface <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the outer side <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM>, and may be co-planar, or substantially co-planar, with the outer side <NUM>, as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>. The second longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM> is located between the outer and inner sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM> and is preferably positioned adjacent to, but spaced inwardly from, the inner side <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM>.

The foot portion <NUM> comprises a cylindrical peripheral wall <NUM> extending from the first longitudinal end <NUM> toward the second longitudinal end <NUM>. The penetration end comprises a tapered end <NUM>, e.g., a conical surface, extending from the peripheral wall <NUM> and defining an angle with an apex <NUM> at a point located at the second longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM>.

A plurality of elongated fluid receiving grooves <NUM> extend longitudinally into the button element <NUM> from the second longitudinal end <NUM> toward the first longitudinal end <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, four grooves <NUM> are formed in the button element <NUM> and are uniformly spaced around the circumference of the button element <NUM>. The grooves <NUM> define wells <NUM> extending through at least a portion of the tapered end <NUM> and into the foot portion <NUM> for receiving solution S from the fluid reservoir <NUM>. Each well <NUM> includes an open end adjacent to the penetration end, i.e., the second longitudinal end <NUM>, and a well floor <NUM> adjacent to the first longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM>, the well floor <NUM> restricting fluid from flowing through the first longitudinal end <NUM>.

The grooves <NUM> shown in <FIG> are depicted as circular grooves, and are fully enclosed within the circumference of the peripheral wall <NUM>. The grooves <NUM> function as fluid conduits or passages for conveying the solution S down into the sponge-like member <NUM>, enabling a substantially uniform distribution of the solution S through the sponge-like member <NUM> for application of the solution S from the outer side <NUM>, i.e., an application side of the sponge-like member <NUM>, to a treatment area on a patient. The sponge-like member <NUM> can be formed of an open-cell foam that can permit controlled flow of fluid to the outer side <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM>. It should be understood that other materials may be provided for the sponge-like member <NUM> including sponges and fibrous materials.

The frangible cover <NUM> forms a seal over the opening <NUM> of the fluid reservoir <NUM> to seal in the antiseptic solution S (<FIG>). The frangible cover <NUM> is a thin membrane material and may be formed, for example, of aluminum foil or a plastic sheet. The device <NUM> may be supplied to a user, e.g., to medical personnel, with antiseptic solution S prepackaged in the fluid reservoir <NUM> and with a substantially rigid outer cover <NUM> positioned over the sponge-like member <NUM> preventing movement from an uncompressed state, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The outer cover <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material, such as ABS. The outer cover <NUM> includes an outer wall <NUM> extending along the outer peripheral surface <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM> between the outer and inner sides <NUM>, <NUM>.

The outer cover <NUM> also includes an end wall <NUM> formed integrally with one end of the outer wall <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> is formed with a height dimension d<NUM> (<FIG>) that is approximately equal to a height dimension d<NUM> between the outer and inner sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> can be formed with a dimension, e.g., a diameter, that is at least slightly less than a dimension, e.g., an outer diameter, of the base member <NUM> for engaging against the base member <NUM> to form a stop preventing the end wall <NUM> from compressing the sponge-like member <NUM>. Further, an inner diameter of the outer wall <NUM> can be slightly less than an outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the sponge-like member <NUM> to frictionally retain the outer cover <NUM> in position on the swab head <NUM>.

In preparation for use, the device <NUM> may be oriented by holding the handle <NUM> with the base member <NUM> located upward, and the outer cover <NUM> is removed from the swab head <NUM>. A user can then press on the planar outer surface <NUM> of the button element <NUM>, applying a force in the direction F, as illustrated in <FIG>. The force F applied to the button element <NUM> causes at least a portion of the sponge-like member <NUM>, e.g., a center portion, to move from an uncompressed state to a compressed state, depicted in <FIG>, as the button element <NUM> moves toward the base member <NUM>. Further, as the button element <NUM> moves toward the base member <NUM>, the second end <NUM> of the button element <NUM> is positioned beyond a plane P<NUM> defined by the frangible cover <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM> of the base member <NUM>. During movement of the button element <NUM>, the penetration end, i.e., the second longitudinal end <NUM>, of the button element <NUM> engages and ruptures or pierces the frangible cover <NUM>, placing the inner side <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM> in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir <NUM>. The fluid passages formed by the grooves <NUM> are also placed in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir <NUM>. Hence, the button element <NUM> operates as an activation button that provides a rigid surface for a user to engage to start the flow of fluid within the device <NUM>. The compressed state of the sponge-like member <NUM> corresponds to a position of the button element <NUM> where the second longitudinal end <NUM> extends beyond the plane P<NUM> at least a sufficient distance for the penetration end of the button element <NUM> to rupture the frangible cover <NUM>.

Hence, the button element <NUM> operates as an activation button that provides a rigid surface for a user to engage to start the flow of fluid within the device <NUM>. The planar outer surface <NUM> preferably has a substantial surface area similar to or greater than the surface area of a user's fingertip. Also, it should be noted that the swab head <NUM> may alternatively be configured with the planar outer surface <NUM> of the button element <NUM> embedded in the sponge-like member <NUM>, but located close to the outer side <NUM>, such that a thin layer of the sponge-like member <NUM> could cover the planar outer surface <NUM>.

Further, the button element <NUM> may be formed with a skirt portion <NUM> extending radially outward from the peripheral wall <NUM>, near the planar outer surface <NUM>, as depicted by dotted lines in <FIG> and <FIG>. When the button element <NUM> having the skirt portion <NUM> is in position on the sponge-like member <NUM>, the skirt portion <NUM> extends radially outward from the wall 38a defining the cavity <NUM>. The skirt portion <NUM> can form a broader base for engagement by a user's fingertip. Additionally, engagement of the skirt portion <NUM> with the outer side <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM> can facilitate maintaining the button element <NUM> in position longitudinally relative to the cavity <NUM> as the button element <NUM> is actuated to rupture the frangible cover <NUM>.

Orienting the handle <NUM> with the base member <NUM> located downward allows the solution S to flow out of the fluid reservoir <NUM> and into the sponge-like member <NUM>. Additionally, solution S flowing into the grooves <NUM> and associated wells <NUM> and flowing through the wall or surface 38a defining the cavity <NUM> facilitates flow of the solution S into the sponge-like member <NUM> by providing a reservoir of solution S in the button element <NUM> that can flow from the grooves <NUM> and enter the sponge-like member <NUM> through the cylindrical wall 38a of the cavity <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an alternative configuration of a button element is shown. Elements of the alternative configuration corresponding to elements described with reference to <FIG> are labeled with the same reference numerals increased by <NUM>, and in <FIG> the alternative configuration button element <NUM> is shown in relation to a sponge-like member <NUM> having a construction that is substantially similar to that described above for the sponge-like member <NUM>.

The button element <NUM> includes a circular foot portion <NUM> defining a planar outer surface <NUM> at a first longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM>. A second longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM> defines a penetration end for rupturing the frangible cover <NUM> (<FIG>). The planar outer surface <NUM> is positioned adjacent to an outer side <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM>, and may be co-planar, or substantially co-planar, with the outer side <NUM>. The second longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM> is located between the outer and inner sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM> and is preferably positioned adjacent to, but spaced inwardly from, the inner side <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM>.

A plurality of elongated fluid receiving grooves <NUM> extend longitudinally into the button element <NUM> from the second longitudinal end <NUM> toward the first longitudinal end <NUM>. Further, the elongated grooves <NUM> extend radially in from the peripheral wall <NUM> toward a longitudinal axis AB of the button element <NUM>. In particular, the grooves <NUM> can include a curved inner portion 158a, such as a semi-circular portion, and a pair of generally straight outer portions 158b wherein the outer portions 158b extend from the inner portion 158a to the peripheral wall <NUM>. The grooves <NUM> define wells <NUM> extending through at least a portion of the tapered end <NUM> and into the foot portion <NUM> for receiving solution S from the fluid reservoir <NUM> (<FIG>). Each well <NUM> includes an open end adjacent to the penetration end, i.e., the second longitudinal end <NUM>, and a well floor <NUM> adjacent to the first longitudinal end <NUM> of the button element <NUM>. The well floor <NUM> restricts fluid from flowing through the first longitudinal end <NUM>. Further, when the button element <NUM> is assembled into the sponge-like member <NUM>, a wall or surface 138a of the sponge-like member <NUM> defining the cavity <NUM> forms a radially outer boundary for the well <NUM> along at least the foot portion <NUM> of the button element <NUM>.

The grooves <NUM> function as fluid conduits or passages for conveying the solution S down into the sponge-like member <NUM>, enabling a substantially uniform distribution of the solution S through the sponge-like member <NUM> for application of the solution S from the outer side <NUM>, i.e., an application side, to a treatment area on a patient.

The configuration of <FIG> operates in a manner similar to that described for the configuration of <FIG>. As a user presses on the planar outer surface <NUM> of the button element <NUM>, the penetration end of the button element <NUM> moves into engagement with the frangible cover <NUM> to rupture the frangible cover <NUM>, placing the inner side <NUM> of the sponge-like member <NUM> in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir <NUM>. The fluid passages formed by the grooves <NUM> are also placed in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir <NUM> for distribution of the solution S to the surface 138a defining the cavity <NUM> in the sponge-like member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A liquid dispensing device (<NUM>) comprising:
an elongated member defining a handle (<NUM>) having a hollow interior, the hollow interior defining a fluid reservoir (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) at a lower end of the elongated member; and
a base member (<NUM>) affixed to the lower end (<NUM>) of the elongated member and having a bottom surface (<NUM>) facing in a direction away from the handle (<NUM>);
wherein the device (<NUM>) further comprises:
a frangible cover (<NUM>) secured over the bottom surface (<NUM>) and forming a seal across the opening (<NUM>) of the fluid reservoir (<NUM>);
a swab head (<NUM>) comprising an absorbent sponge-like member (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a button element (<NUM>. <NUM>), the sponge-like member (<NUM>, <NUM>) having opposing outer (<NUM>, <NUM>) and inner (<NUM>, <NUM>) sides wherein the inner side (<NUM>) is affixed to the bottom surface (<NUM>) of the base member (<NUM>); and
the button element (<NUM>, <NUM>) defining a longitudinal axis (AB), the button element (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a foot portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) at a first longitudinal end (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the button element (<NUM>, <NUM>) adjacent to the outer side (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the sponge-like member (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a penetration end at an opposing second longitudinal end (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the button element (<NUM>, <NUM>).