SELF-CLEANING SPRAY TIP

• US 20100096481A1
• Filed: 10/16/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Confluent Surgical, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Confluent Surgical, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Driscoll, Art, Hull, Les, Fortier, Jason, Rissman, Derek
• Granted Patent: US 8,408,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/600
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00495 for two-component glue
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/10 Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/4314 with helical baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/431972 Mounted on an axial support member, e.g. a rod or bar
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5011 portable during use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/50114 of the hand-held gun type
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/522 comprising compartments keeping the materials to be mixed separated until the mixing is initiated containers or packages for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture B65D81/32
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3436 the interface being a plane perpendicular to the outlet axis
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/528 by resilient deformation of the nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/652 whereby the jet can be oriented
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0408 with arrangements for mixing two or more liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/10 producing a swirling discharge

Abstract

A spray tip assembly capable of self-clearing is provided. The spray tip assembly includes a distal end including an outlet. The outlet defines at least a first configuration during a first condition and at least a second configuration during a second condition. The distal end may be configured to at least one of flex and expand such that the outlet changes from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Claims

1. A spray tip assembly comprising:

a distal end including an outlet, the outlet defining at least a first configuration during a first condition and at least a second configuration during a second condition.

2. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end is configured to flex such that the outlet changes from the first configuration to the second configuration.

3. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end is configured to expand such that the outlet changes from the first configuration to the second configuration.

4. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, further including a proximal end configured for operable engagement with a dispensing assembly.

5. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end comprises a material that permits at least one of flexion and expansion.

6. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the distal end comprises silicone.

7. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet defines the first configuration during normal operation and the second configuration when the outlet is at least partially obstructed.

8. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end at least one of flexes and expands radially to change from the first configuration to the second configuration.

9. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end at least one of flexes and expands distally to change from the first configuration to the second configuration.

10. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end at least one of flexes and expands both radially and distally to change from the first configuration to the second configuration.

11. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet defines a substantially elliptical opening having a first diameter in the first configuration and a second diameter in the second configuration.

12. The spray tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet defines an opening have a first diameter in the first configuration and a larger diameter in the second configuration.

13. A self-clearing applicator comprising:

a spray tip assembly having a distal end including an outlet, the outlet defining at least a first configuration during normal operation and at least a second configuration when the outlet is at least partially obstructed.

14. A self-clearing applicator comprising:

a spray tip assembly including an outlet, the spray tip assembly being capable of clearing an obstruction from the outlet.

15. A self-clearing applicator comprising:

a spray tip assembly defining an outlet, the spray tip assembly capable of undergoing a change in cross-sectional geometry to clear an obstruction from the outlet.