US6422778B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Surgical prep solution applicator system and methods
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
•
Filing: 2001-01-12
•
Granted: 2002-07-23
•
Expires: 2021-01-12
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods for applying or dispensing surgical prep solution. The applicator system includes a spreader element and a container of surgical prep solution. The spreader element includes a body with an orifice covered by a pad. The orifice is in fluid communication with a passage through an elongated stem connected to the body. The container may be collapsible with only limited recovery. The spreader element may include a receptacle for receiving the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas R. Baumann
- 👤 Matthew T. Scholz
- 👤 Robert P. Zaspel
- 👤 Kent E. Lageson
- 👤 Claude E. Cybulski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D35/00; B65D35/24; B65D35/36; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/20; A61M; A61M35/00; A61M35/003; A61M35/006; B65D35/56; B65D47/00; B65D47/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An applicator system for surgical prep solution, the system comprising: a spreader element comprising: a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice; a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; a collapsible container comprising: surgical prep solution; a spout adapted to attach to the proximal end of the stem, wherein the surgical prep solution can be delivered to the passage for delivery to the pad; wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing of the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An applicator system for surgical prep solution, the system comprising: a spreader element comprising: a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice; a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; a collapsible container comprising: surgical prep solution; a spout adapted to attach to the proximal end of the stem, wherein the surgical prep solution can be delivered to the passage for delivery to the pad; wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing of the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible container recovers about 25% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the surgical prep solution comprises iodine or chlorhexidine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the collapsible container is substantially impermeable to ethylene oxide gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the spreader element further comprises a pad seal between the pad and the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein the pad seal comprises a weld such that the pad is welded to the body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the spreader seal comprises a seal ridge formed on the body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the seal ridge extends continuously about the periphery of the body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the spreader seal comprises a seal ridge formed on the body, the seal ridge extending continuously about the periphery of the body, and further wherein the weld comprises the seal ridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the spout comprises a container seal, and further wherein the spreader element comprises a piercing element adapted to open the container seal when the spout is attached to the stem.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the piercing element comprises an annular die.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the annular die comprises one or more protrusions or notches adapted to initiate tearing of the container seal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a flow restrictor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises the passage, and further wherein the passage comprises a ratio of length of the passage between the distal and proximal ends to a minimum cross-sectional dimension of the passage of about 20:1 or more.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises the orifice.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the spreader element and the container comprise sterile exterior surfaces.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of applying surgical prep solution, the method comprising: providing a spreader element comprising a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice, a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; providing surgical prep solution in a collapsible container; attaching the collapsible container to the proximal end of the stem, wherein the surgical prep solution is in fluid communication with the passage of the stem; and dispensing the surgical prep solution into the passage by compressing the collapsible container, wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing of the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of applying surgical prep solution, the method comprising: providing a spreader element comprising a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice, a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; providing surgical prep solution in a collapsible container; attaching the collapsible container to the proximal end of the stem, wherein the surgical prep solution is in fluid communication with the passage of the stem; and dispensing the surgical prep solution into the passage by compressing the collapsible container, wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing of the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the collapsible container comprises a container seal and the spreader element comprises a piercing element, and further wherein attaching the collapsible container to the proximal end of the stem comprises piercing the container seal with the piercing element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the piercing element comprises an annular die comprising one or more protrusions or notches to initiate tearing of the container seal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the container comprises a container seal and the spreader element comprises a piercing element, and further wherein attaching the container to the stem comprises piercing the container seal with the piercing element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the surgical prep solution comprises iodine or chlorhexidine, and further wherein the collapsible container is substantially impermeable to ethylene oxide gas before the dispensing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the spreader element further comprises a pad seal between the pad and the body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein providing the spreader element comprises welding the pad to the body to form the pad seal.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of manufacturing an applicator system for surgical prep solution, the method comprising: providing a spreader element comprising a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice; a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; providing a collapsible container comprising surgical prep solution and a spout adapted to attach to the stem of the spreader element, wherein the surgical prep solution can be delivered to the passage for delivery to the pad; wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing of the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container spontaneously recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of manufacturing an applicator system for surgical prep solution, the method comprising: providing a spreader element comprising a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice; a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; providing a collapsible container comprising surgical prep solution and a spout adapted to attach to the stem of the spreader element, wherein the surgical prep solution can be delivered to the passage for delivery to the pad; wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing of the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container spontaneously recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the surgical prep solution comprises iodine or chlorhexidine, and further wherein the collapsible container is substantially impermeable to ethylene oxide gas.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the spreader element further comprises a pad seal between the pad and the body.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein providing the spreader element comprises welding the pad to the body to form the pad seal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the body comprises a seal ridge, and further wherein the welding comprises welding the seal ridge to the pad.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the body comprises a seal ridge extending continuously about the periphery of the body, and further wherein the welding comprises welding the seal ridge to the pad.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
145 words
An applicator system for surgical prep solution, the system comprising: a spreader element comprising: a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice; a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; a collapsible container attached to the proximal end of the stem, the collapsible container retaining surgical prep solution therein; wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing of the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
145 words
An applicator system for surgical prep solution, the system comprising: a spreader element comprising: a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice; a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; a collapsible container attached to the proximal end of the stem, the collapsible container retaining surgical prep solution therein; wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing of the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the container comprises a container seal retaining the surgical prep solution within the collapsible container.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
167 words
An applicator system for surgical prep solution, the system comprising: a collapsible container retaining surgical prep solution therein; and a spreader element comprising: a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice; a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; and a receptacle at the proximal end of the stem, the receptacle extending around at least a portion of a circumference of the container when the container is attached to the spreader element; wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
167 words
An applicator system for surgical prep solution, the system comprising: a collapsible container retaining surgical prep solution therein; and a spreader element comprising: a body comprising an orifice; a pad attached to the body over the orifice; a stem comprising a distal end attached to the body and a passage extending between the distal end of the stem and a proximal end of the stem, wherein the passage is in fluid communication with the orifice at the distal end of the stem; and a receptacle at the proximal end of the stem, the receptacle extending around at least a portion of a circumference of the container when the container is attached to the spreader element; wherein the collapsible container comprises an original volume and a collapsed volume after dispensing the surgical prep solution, and further wherein the collapsible container recovers about 50% or less of a difference between the original volume and the collapsed volume within 30 seconds of dispensing a majority of the surgical prep solution.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the receptacle extends around only a portion of the circumference of the container when the container is attached to the spreader element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-01-21 | 2006-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-22 | 2010-01-21 | 2010-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-22 | 2014-01-21 | 2014-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |