Pre-dosed applicator and applicator system

Abstract

An applicator for applying a material such as a chemical or a medicament. A material to be applied is placed on an absorbent portion of the applicator, such as a flocked end, sponge or foam, brush, or other equivalent absorbent substance. After drying, the material is in an inactive stable state on the applicator. When desired, the inactive stable material is activated by water or other solvent. In another embodiment, a package containing an applicator end having a pre-dosed dry inactive stable material is combined with a second material so that a two-part or multi-component material may be easily dispensed and activated. The package containing the first and second component may be a tray, a capsule, or a tip end syringe. The pre-dosed single use applicator may be used to apply a variety of materials, such as chemicals or medicaments, to the surface or site desired without complicated and messy mixing or cross-contamination.

1 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material comprising: 
 an applicator, said applicator pre-dosed with the material in a stable state ready to be activated.    
   
   
       2 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the material is selected from the group consisting of flavor substance, caries detection agent, astringent, abrasive, antiseptic, antibiotics, and analgesic.    
   
   
       3 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said applicator comprises a pre-dosed flocked portion.    
   
   
       4 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said applicator comprises a pre-dosed foam portion    
   
   
       5 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said applicator comprises a pre-dosed bristle portion.    
   
   
       6 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said applicator comprises a pre-dosed cotton portion.    
   
   
       7 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material comprising: 
 an elongated handle;    a tapered end;    an absorbent substance placed on said tapered end; and    a dry material formed on the absorbent substance,    whereby said dry material is capable of being re-activated and applied.    
   
   
       8 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 7  wherein: 
 said absorbent substance is selected from the group consisting of flock, foam, cotton, and bristles.    
   
   
       9 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 7  wherein: 
 said dry material is selected from the group consisting of flavor substance, caries detection agent, astringent, abrasive, antibiotic, analgesic, and antiseptic.    
   
   
       10 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 7  wherein: 
 said absorbent substance extends along said tapered end approximately between 0.25 and 2.00 centimeters.    
   
   
       11 . A pre-dosed applicator for applying a material as in  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a ball formed on said tapered end.    
   
   
       12 . An device for detecting decay or caries in a tooth comprising: 
 an elongated handle;    an absorbent substance placed on one end of said handle; and    a caries detection agent dried on said absorbent substance,    whereby the caries detection agent dried on said absorbent substance is capable of being re-activated and applied to a tooth.    
   
   
       13 . A method of making an applicator comprising the steps of: 
 forming an absorbent substance on a handle;    placing a wet material on the absorbent substance on the handle; and    drying the wet material, wherein the wet material becomes a dry and inactive material,    whereby the applicator is capable of being easily handled and stored before re-activation of the dry and inactive material.    
   
   
       14 . A method of making an applicator as in  claim 13  wherein: 
 the absorbent substance comprises flock.    
   
   
       15 . A method of applying a material with an applicator comprising the steps of: 
 re-activating a dry and inactive material on a handle, wherein the dry and inactive material becomes a re-activated material; and    applying the re-activated material to a surface.    
   
   
       16 . A method of making an applicator as in  claim 15  wherein: 
 the dry and inactive material comprises a caries detection agent.    
   
   
       17 . A pre-dosed application system for dispensing material with multiple components comprising: 
 a pre-dosed applicator having a handle and an attached absorbent substance pre-dosed with a first dry inactive material; and    a tray having an applicator well and a material well, said material well containing a second activating material, whereby when the first dry inactive material is combined with the second activating material a desired material is formed.    
   
   
       18 . A pre-dosed application system for dispensing material with multiple components as in  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a cover placed on the tray covering the applicator well and the material well.    
   
   
       19 . A pre-dosed application system for dispensing material with multiple components comprising: 
 a tip having an open rear end;    a cannula having an applicator end attached to one end of said tip;    an absorbent substance placed on the applicator end of said cannula;    a first dry inactive material contained within said absorbent substance; and    a syringe containing a second activating material adapted to receive the open rear end of said tip,    whereby when the first dry inactive material is combined with the second activating material a desired material is formed.    
   
   
       20 . A pre-dosed application system for dispensing material with multiple components as in  claim 19  wherein: 
 said absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of flock, foam, bristles, and cotton.    
   
   
       21 . A dental tooth cleaner and gingival stimulator comprising: 
 an elongated handle;    a tapered end formed on one end of said elongated handle having a distal end;    a ball placed on the distal end of said tapered end;    a neck formed between said elongated handle and said tapered end; and    flock attached to said tapered end,    whereby said tapered end is capable of being inserted between and around a tooth cleaning the tooth and stimulating gingival or gums.    
   
   
       22 . A dental tooth cleaner and gingival stimulator as in  claim 21  wherein: 
 said flock extends along said tapered end from the distal end to said neck.    
   
   
       23 . A dental tooth cleaner and gingival stimulator as in  claim 21  wherein: 
 said flock extends between one and two centimeters along said tapered end.    
   
   
       24 . A dental tooth cleaner and gingival stimulator as in  claim 21  further comprising: 
 dry material placed on said flock selected from the group consisting of flavor substance, astringent, abrasive, antibiotic, analgesic, and antiseptic.