Method and apparatus for application of a fluid

• US 9,028,457 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2013
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Biologics LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Leach, Michael D., Hecker, Barry F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcetich, Adam
• Application Number:
  US13/899,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20130324913A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 239/416.4, 239/303, 239/304, 239/398, 239/407, 239/413, 239/418, 239/420, 239/429, 239/549, 239/550
• US Class Current: 604/290
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/02 Blood transfusion apparatus blood infusion by syringes A61M5/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3693 using separation based on different densities of components, e.g. centrifuging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/00 Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes in general B05B; aerosol containers B65D83/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/028 Pistons separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1011 without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1084 each liquid or other fluent material being pumped by a separate pump
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/28 Nozzles, nozzle fittings or accessories specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/68 Dispensing two or more contents , e.g. sequential dispensing or simultaneous dispensing of two or more products without mixing them
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/682 the products being first separated, but finally mixed, e.g. in a dispensing head mixing in general B01F
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/685 with one product being located in a chamber within, or forming part of, the dispensing head, e.g. for admixture during dispensing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for separation, concentration, and/or applying a biological or bio-engineered fluid. Generally, the fluid application device includes a sprayer body to enable the application of the fluid and a container adaptable to enable the separation of the fluid into at least a first component and a second component. The container is releasably coupled to the nozzle. The nozzle is adapted to withdraw at least one of the first component or the second component from the container after the fluid has been separated to apply the fluid to a selected site.

Claims

1. A nozzle assembly for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

a member defining an opening operable to communicate with a first fluid, the member defining a passage operable to communicate with a second fluid;

wherein the opening is operable to direct a discharge of the first fluid as an aerosol and said passage directs the flow of the second fluid into the aerosol as a non-aerosol;

wherein the opening terminates at an outer face of the member, and the passage extends beyond the outer face; and

wherein the first fluid is at least a portion of a first component or second component of a bodily fluid.

2. The nozzle assembly of claim 1 wherein the opening further comprises an interior section operable to aerosolize the first fluid.

3. The nozzle assembly of claim 1 wherein the passage is operable to drip the second fluid onto the aerosol of the first fluid.

4. The nozzle assembly of claim 3 wherein the second fluid is a coagulant.

5. The nozzle assembly of claim 4 wherein the coagulant is selected from a group comprising thrombin, calcium chloride or combinations thereof.

6. The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the passage extends towards a longitudinal axis extending through and out from within the opening.

7. The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the passage is included with a first nozzle of the assembly and the opening is included with a second nozzle of the assembly;

and

wherein the passage extends at an angle non-parallel to the second nozzle of the assembly.

8. A nozzle assembly for dispensing a fluid comprising:

a first nozzle including a sloped portion defining a passage;

a second nozzle defining an opening at a terminal end thereof; and

an outer face from which the sloped portion extends, the outer face including the opening at the terminal end of the second nozzle;

wherein;

the opening is configured to discharge a first fluid therefrom as an aerosol;

the passage is configured to discharge a second fluid therefrom as non-aerosol droplets; and

the passage is configured to discharge the non-aerosol droplets of the second fluid into the aerosol of the first fluid; and

wherein the first fluid is a bodily fluid and the second fluid is a coagulant.

9. The nozzle assembly of claim 8, wherein the sloped portion is angled towards a longitudinal axis extending through and out from within the second nozzle.

10. The nozzle assembly of claim 8, wherein the passage is configured to drip the second fluid onto the aerosol of the first fluid.

11. A nozzle assembly for dispensing a fluid comprising:

a first nozzle including a sloped portion defining a passage; and

a second nozzle defining an opening at a terminal end thereof, the first nozzle extending further than the second nozzle; and

wherein;

the opening is configured to discharge a first fluid therefrom as an aerosol;

the passage is configured to discharge a second fluid therefrom as non-aerosol droplets; and

the passage is configured to discharge the non-aerosol droplets of the second fluid into the aerosol of the first fluid; and

wherein the first fluid is a bodily fluid and the second fluid is a coagulant.

12. The nozzle assembly of claim 11, further comprising an outer face from which the sloped portion extends, the outer face defining the terminal end of the second nozzle.

13. The nozzle assembly of claim 11, wherein the sloped portion extends towards a longitudinal axis extending through and out from within the second nozzle.

14. The nozzle assembly of claim 11, wherein the first nozzle is longer than the second nozzle.

15. The nozzle assembly of claim 11, wherein the second nozzle extends linearly along an entire length of the second nozzle.

16. The nozzle assembly of claim 15, wherein the sloped portion extends non-parallel to a remainder of the first nozzle.

17. The nozzle assembly of claim 11, wherein the coagulant is selected from a group comprising thrombin, calcium chloride or combinations thereof.