Malleable tip for applying an agent to a target site

Abstract

An applicator device for applying an agent to a target site with a malleable tip that can be cut to length with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar type of scissors and a malleable tip with a formable tube that can be cut to length with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar type of scissors. The malleable tip is configured for passage of fluid therethrough and includes a malleable member. The malleable member is made of a soft metal that is strong enough to retain the shape of the tip after it has been bent into configuration, but soft and weak enough to be easily cut with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or the like. A method for preparing an applicator device that is suitable for applying an agent to a target site during or before an operation, comprising providing an applicator device with a formable tip, forming said tip to a desired configuration and cutting said formable tip to a desired length with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar type of scissors.

1 . An applicator device for applying an agent to a target site, comprising a formable tip configured for the passage of fluid therethrough, the formable tip having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion configured for communication with at least one fluid reservoir, the formable tip configured to be shaped into a desired configuration and the formable tip is configured to be cut to a desired length with a common pair of nursing dressing scissors. 
     
     
         2 . An applicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip comprises a formable or malleable tube that is provided with a lumen for transport of the agent and at least one lumen in which a malleable member is received. 
     
     
         3 . An applicator device according to  claim 2 , wherein the malleable member is made of a soft metal that is strong enough to maintain the desired configuration after bending, but at the same time soft and weak enough to be cut with nursing dressing scissors or similar scissors. 
     
     
         4 . An applicator device according to  claim 3 , wherein the malleable member is made of nearly pure Aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . An applicator device according to  claim 3 , wherein the malleable member is an aluminum wire extending substantially in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the tube member. 
     
     
         6 . An applicator device according to any of  claims 2 , wherein the malleable member is provided with a surface that improves adhesion with the tube material. 
     
     
         7 . An applicator device according to  claim 6 , wherein the surface of the malleable member is provided with serrations and preferably the serrations are substantially circumferentially directed grooves. 
     
     
         8 . An applicator device according to any of  claims 2 , wherein the malleable member has a circular cross-sectional shape and a diameter between approximately 0.8 and approximately 2.0 mm if there is one malleable member and the malleable members have a diameter between approximately 0.3 mm and 1.0 mm when the tip is provided with more than one malleable member. 
     
     
         9 . An applicator device according to any of  claims 1 , wherein the formable tip can be cut with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar pair of scissors by applying a force to the handles or finger holes that does not exceed 80 Newton. 
     
     
         10 . A tip for use with an applicator device for applying an agent to a target site, said tip comprising a formable tube configured for the passage of fluid therethrough, said formable tube being configured to be able to be trimmed to length by cutting the formable tube with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar type of scissors. 
     
     
         11 . A tip according to  claim 10 , wherein said formable or malleable tube with a lumen for fluid passage and at least one lumen wherein a malleable member is received. 
     
     
         12 . A tip according to  claim 11 , wherein the malleable member is made of a soft metal that is strong enough to maintain the desired configuration after bending, but at the same time soft and weak enough to be cut with nursing dressing scissors or similar scissors. 
     
     
         13 . A tip according to  claim 12 , wherein the malleable member is made of nearly pure aluminum 
     
     
         14 . A tip according to  claim 10 , wherein the malleable member is an aluminum wire extending substantially in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the tube member. 
     
     
         15 . A tip according to any of  claims 11 , wherein the malleable member is provided with a surface that improves adhesion with the tube material. 
     
     
         16 . A tip according to  claim 15 , wherein the surface of the malleable member is provided with serrations and preferably the serrations are substantially circumferentially directed grooves. 
     
     
         17 . A tip according to any of  claims 11 , wherein the malleable member or members have a circular cross-sectional shape and a diameter between approximately 0.3 mm and approximately 2.0 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A tip according to any of  claims 10 , wherein the formable tip can be cut with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar pair of scissors by applying a force to the handles or finger holes that does not exceed 80 Newton. 
     
     
         19 . A method for preparing an applicator device that is suitable for applying an agent to a target site before or during an operation, comprising providing an applicator device with a formable tip, forming said tip to a desired configuration and cutting said formable tip to a desired length with a pair of nursing dressing scissors or similar type of scissors. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , further comprising attaching said tip to the applicator device before cutting the tip to length. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 19 , further comprising attaching said tip to the applicator device after cutting the tip to length. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to any of  claims 19 , further comprising handing over the applicator device to a surgeon performing said operation.