Dispensing head for a tissue sealant applicator and process of use
First Claim
1. A dispensing head for a handheld applicator for dispensing a multicomponent sealant from the applicator, the applicator comprising an applicator body, the dispensing head comprising:
- a) respective multiple fluid passageways connectable, one to each, with sources of multiple fluid sealant components in the applicator, to receive pressurized flows of fluid sealant components;
b) at least one sealant dispensing cannula to dispense the sealant components;
c) a flexible manifold defining a mixing volume wherein the mixing volume is provided with a closable opening to permit clearing of the mixing volume and wherein the manifold can convey the sealant components from the sources to the at least one dispensing cannula, said flexible manifold formed of a resilient material and having;
i) multiple inlet ports sealingly engageable one with each fluid source to receive a respective sealant component; and
ii) at least one outlet port sealingly engageable downstream of the inlet ports to supply the sealant components to the at least one dispensing cannula; and
d) a suction conduit connectable with a suction source and a clearing valve communicating with the suction conduit and with the mixing volume closable opening, the clearing valve being selectively operable to close the closable opening and to connect the closable opening with the suction conduit to apply suction to the mixing volume for clearing purposes.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a handheld, manually operable fluid applicator, particularly suited to the needs of surgeons, for dispensing a multi-component fluid applicator, for example fibrin and thrombin components of a tissue adhesive. A preferred applicator has a body containing reservoirs for the sealants and a detachable dispensing head which can be removed to refill the reservoirs. In the mixing head, the sealant components undergo turbulent mixing, for mixing efficacy, in a mixing chamber provided in a one-piece flexible and resilient manifold have “self-sealing” inlet and outlet ports. To enhance mixing, the mixing chamber has an increased cross-sectional area over the combined areas of the component supply passages and the fluid flows are directly opposed to impinge on each other in the mixing chamber. The applicator body and mixing head each have a housing with an ergonomic, streamlined or otherwise smoothly contoured shape and esthetic appearance.
217 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A dispensing head for a handheld applicator for dispensing a multicomponent sealant from the applicator, the applicator comprising an applicator body, the dispensing head comprising:
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a) respective multiple fluid passageways connectable, one to each, with sources of multiple fluid sealant components in the applicator, to receive pressurized flows of fluid sealant components;
b) at least one sealant dispensing cannula to dispense the sealant components;
c) a flexible manifold defining a mixing volume wherein the mixing volume is provided with a closable opening to permit clearing of the mixing volume and wherein the manifold can convey the sealant components from the sources to the at least one dispensing cannula, said flexible manifold formed of a resilient material and having;
i) multiple inlet ports sealingly engageable one with each fluid source to receive a respective sealant component; and
ii) at least one outlet port sealingly engageable downstream of the inlet ports to supply the sealant components to the at least one dispensing cannula; and
d) a suction conduit connectable with a suction source and a clearing valve communicating with the suction conduit and with the mixing volume closable opening, the clearing valve being selectively operable to close the closable opening and to connect the closable opening with the suction conduit to apply suction to the mixing volume for clearing purposes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A dispensing head for a handheld applicator for dispensing a multicomponent sealant from the applicator, the applicator comprising an applicator body, the dispensing head comprising:
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a) respective multiple fluid passageways connectable, one to each, with sources of multiple fluid sealant components in the applicator, to receive pressurized flows of fluid sealant components;
b) at least one sealant dispensing cannula to dispense the sealant components;
c) a flexible manifold capable of coveying the sealant components from the sources to the at least one dispensing cannula, the manifold formed of a resilient material and having;
i) multiple inlet ports sealingly engageable one with each fluid source to receive a respective sealant component; and
ii) at least one outlet port sealingly engageable downstream of the inlet ports to supply the sealant components to the at least one dispensing cannula; and
d) a connector plate to connect the dispensing head to the applicator body, the connector plate being matingly engageable with cooperative structure on the applicator body and having at least one opening through which the dispensing head fluid passageways can communicate with the applicator fluid sources, wherein the mixing head is releasably attachable to the applicator body and wherein the connector plate carries a resiliently biased latch to releasably lock the mixing head to the applicator body. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A dispensing head for a handheld applicator for dispensing a multicomponent sealant from the applicator, the applicator comprising an applicator body, the dispensing head comprising:
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a) respective multiple fluid passageways connectable, one to each, with sources of multiple fluid sealant components in the applicator, to receive pressurized flows of fluid sealant components;
b) a single dispensing cannula to dispense the sealant components;
c) a flexible manifold capable of coveying the sealant components from the sources to the at least one dispensing cannula, the manifold formed of a resilient material and having;
i) multiple inlet ports sealingly engageable one with each fluid source to receive a respective sealant component; and
ii) a single outlet port sealingly engageable downstream of the inlet ports to supply the sealant components to the at least one dispensing cannula; and
d) a connector plate to connect the dispensing head to the applicator body, the connector plate being matingly engageable with cooperative structure on the applicator body and having at least one opening through which the dispensing head fluid passageways communicate with the applicator fluid sources, wherein the mixing head is releasably attachable to the applicator body;
wherein the manifold comprises a mixing volume for mixing the multiple sealant components and wherein the mixing volume can receive fluid sealant components from the fluid passageways through the inlet ports and discharge mixed sealant through the outlet port, and further comprising a manifold support member supported by the connector plate, the manifold support member embracing the manifold and supporting the mixing volume and the dispensing cannula, wherein the mixing volume is provided with a closable opening to permit clearing of the mixing volume, and wherein the dispensing head comprises a suction clearing pathway extending through the connector plate and the manifold support member to the closable opening in the mixing volume to apply suction to the mixing volume to clear the mixing volume. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A dispensing head for a handheld applicator, comprising:
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a) multiple fluid passageways each connectable with multiple sources of fluid sealant components in the applicator;
b) at least one sealant dispensing cannula to dispense the sealant components from the applicator; and
c) a flexible manifold defining a resilient mixing chamber and having;
i) multiple inlet ports each sealingly engageable with a source to receive a respective sealant component;
ii) at least one outlet port sealingly engageable with the inlet ports to supply the sealant components to the at least one dispensing cannula; and
d) a suction conduit in communication with the mixing chamber and a suction source and configured to apply suction to the mixing chamber for clearing. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification