Airflow applicators and related treatment methods

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of airflow applicators used for delivering directional, heated air to, for example, the scalp and hair of humans and/or animals to eliminate ectoparasites, such as lice and lice eggs. In preferred embodiments, the applicators are configured to deliver heated airflow (from a separate device, or from another portion of a single device, that generates heated airflow) efficiently right to where ectoparasites and their eggs most frequently reside. Also disclosed are treatment methods, including preferred treatment patterns, for delivering heated airflows for use in eliminating ectoparasites and their eggs on an animal.

1 . An applicator for delivering airflow to treat an animal having a lice infestation to substantially eliminate both lice and lice eggs from the animal, the applicator comprising:
 an applicator base configured to be coupled with a blower;   an applicator tip connected with the applicator base; and   a plurality of elongated fingers on the applicator tip, wherein at least a subset of the fingers comprise ports for delivering an airflow, and wherein at least substantially all of the ports open on the same side of the fingers such that the applicator tip delivers at least substantially all of the airflow laterally of the applicator on only a delivery side of the applicator.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator tip is configured to be removed from the applicator base. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the applicator comprises at least one of tabs, hinges, snap rings, detents, clasps, and tongue-and-groove elements to detachably couple the applicator tip with the applicator base. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the applicator tip is disposable. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the applicator is configured to deter a user from using the applicator tip more than once. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 5 , wherein the applicator is configured to provide for at least one of thermal failure and mechanical failure in at least one component of the applicator after one or more treatment sessions. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the applicator is configured to provide an indication that the applicator tip has already been used in one or more treatment sessions. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the applicator tip is configured to change colors after being used in one or more treatment sessions. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 2 , further comprising a tab and a corresponding tab recess, wherein the tab is configured to be received in the tab recess to couple the applicator tip to the applicator base. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 9 , wherein the tab is positioned on the applicator tip and the tab recess is positioned on the applicator base. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the tab is configured to snap-fit within the tab recess. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein each of the elongated fingers has a conical shape. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator base comprises a cylindrical opening configured to be coupled to a hose of a blower. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the applicator tip comprises four sides, wherein one of the four sides comprises the delivery side, and wherein the ports are configured such that airflow is substantially directed towards only the delivery side of the four sides. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated fingers comprise tips, and wherein the tips of the elongated fingers are substantially solid. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the ports are configured such that, during use, when the elongated fingers are positioned in contact with the skin of an animal, a substantial portion of the airflow is directed at an angle towards the skin. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein at least a subset of the elongated fingers comprise ports that are angled inwardly towards one another. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the outward extent of the elongated fingers cumulatively define an imaginary surface which is substantially concave along at least one cross-sectional plane through the imaginary surface. 
     
     
         19 . An applicator for delivering airflow to treat an animal having a lice infestation to substantially eliminate both lice and lice eggs from the animal, the applicator comprising:
 an applicator base configured to be coupled with a blower;   an applicator tip coupled with the applicator base, wherein the applicator tip is disposable, and wherein the applicator tip is removably coupled with the applicator base; and   a plurality of elongated fingers on the applicator tip, wherein at least a subset of the fingers comprise ports for delivering an airflow.   
     
     
         20 . An applicator for delivering airflow to treat an animal having a lice infestation to substantially eliminate both lice and lice eggs from the animal, the applicator comprising:
 an applicator base configured to be coupled with a blower;   an applicator tip connected with the applicator base; and   a plurality of elongated fingers on the applicator tip, wherein at least a subset of the fingers comprise ports for delivering an airflow, wherein at least a subset of the ports are configured such that, during use, when the elongated fingers are positioned in contact with the skin of an animal, a substantial portion of the airflow is directed at an angle towards the skin, and wherein at least a subset of the fingers comprise only a single port for delivering airflow.