Patent ID: 7658305

Claim:
An adhesive applier, comprising: (a) a handle portion having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the handle portion is configured to be gripped by a user, wherein the handle portion comprises a barrel and a plunger, wherein the plunger extends proximally from the barrel; (b) a liquid substance within the barrel; (c) a shaft portion having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the shaft portion defines an inner lumen; (d) a first ball and socket joint coupling the distal end of the handle portion with the proximal end of the shaft portion, such that the handle portion is pivotable relative to the shaft portion, wherein the first ball and socket joint comprises a first ball and a first socket, wherein the first ball has an interior funnel-shaped portion in communication with the lumen; (e) a tip portion having a proximal end and a distal end; (f) a second ball and socket joint coupling the distal end of the shaft portion with the proximal end of the tip portion, such that the tip portion is pivotable relative to the shaft portion, wherein the second ball and socket joint comprises a second ball and a second socket, wherein the second ball has an interior funnel-shaped portion in communication with the lumen; (g) a conduit in fluid communication with the barrel, wherein the conduit extends through the interior funnel-shaped portion of the first ball, through the lumen, through the interior funnel-shaped portion of the second ball, and through the tip portion, wherein the handle portion is operable to cause dispensation of the liquid substance via the conduit at the distal end of the tip portion in response to actuation of the plunger by a user; and (h) at least one cable connecting the handle portion with the tip portion, such that the at least one cable is configured to cause the tip portion to pivot relative the shaft portion in response to pivoting of the handle portion relative to the shaft portion; wherein the interior funnel-shaped portion of the first ball is configured to permit the conduit to flex to reduce interference between the conduit and the first ball and the first socket during pivoting of the handle portion relative to the shaft portion at the first ball and socket joint; wherein the interior funnel-shaped portion of the second ball is configured to permit the conduit to flex to reduce interference between the conduit and the second ball and the second socket during pivoting of the tip portion relative to the shaft portion at the second ball and socket joint.