ITPD20120074A1 - DISPENSER DEVICE FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS FOR THE APPLICATION OF REFRIGERANT CRIOGENIC FLUID - Google Patents

Description

DISPENSER DEVICE FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS FOR THE APPLICATION OF REFRIGERANT CRYOGENIC FLUID

DESCRIPTION

This patent relates to medical devices for cryotherapy in the treatment of skin lesions and warts and in particular concerns a new dispensing device, for pressurized containers, for the application of cryogenic refrigerant fluid.

Cryotherapy is a therapeutic procedure that uses fluids at extremely low temperatures for the localized treatment of skin lesions, such as warts or other more or less serious dermatological diseases.

The controlled and punctual application of the cooling fluid on the lesion causes the freezing of intracellular water and the alteration of proteins and enzymes, causing, during the therapeutic application and subsequent thawing, a dermal-epidermal detachment without damage to the dermis .

The advantages deriving from the use of cryotherapy are very numerous. First of all, anesthesia of the area to be treated is not usually required and moreover, in most cases, no scars appear and no complex post-operative medications or treatments are required.

One of the fluids most used in cryotherapy is liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196 ° C, while freon, as a halogenated gas, has recently undergone restrictions because it is considered a pollutant.

The use of other fluids is also known, such as carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide, which however require more complex and expensive preparation and storage procedures and measures.

Currently, the refrigerant fluid to be used in cryotherapy is stored in pressurized containers with spray-type dispensers with pressure opening / closing valve.

Known containers also comprise a removable application duct or straw, at the end of which there is a sponge or applicator pad suitable for absorbing and conducting the refrigerant fluid leaking from the container.

Said sponge or applicator pad soaked in the cooling fluid is applied to the part to be treated, which is thus frozen, causing the cell membranes to rupture and subsequent dermal-epidermal detachment.

In known containers, said duct or straw is applied to the dispenser of the container in a removable way at the time of use, i.e. the user must first apply the straw, then position the pad and finally perform the dispensing and application of the fluid.

One of the drawbacks of known devices consists in the fact that uncontrolled spills of the cooling fluid can occur, for example during the application or removal of the straw, consequently involving a waste of material and, above all, the possibility of producing wounds and injuries to the operator or patient.

In addition, the operator must act quickly from the moment of dispensing to the moment of application of the refrigerant fluid, to prevent the temperature of the fluid from changing excessively compared to the optimal values, which reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.

Using known containers, including removable parts such as straws and pads, the operation often becomes laborious and therefore the operator acts less promptly.

In addition, he must wait for the technical times to make sure that the pad is completely and sufficiently soaked in coolant before being able to proceed with the application.

To overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, a new type of dispensing device has been studied and implemented, for pressurized containers, for the application of cryogenic refrigerant gas in the therapeutic treatment of dermatological lesions.

The main aim of the present invention is to be able to be used with maximum safety for the operator and for the patient, since uncontrolled leakage of the refrigerant fluid is prevented, thanks to an activator cap or cap, with which the fluid is dispensed. a closed space to soak the sponge or filter applicator.

Another object of the present invention is to be usable in a simple, quick and immediate way, since the straw or duct of the dispensed coolant fluid is integrated and integral with the dispensing body and it is therefore not necessary to proceed with the preliminary assembly of the straw, which inevitably leads to leakage of time and possible uncontrolled fluid leaks.

The hygienic conditions are in any case guaranteed by the possibility of replacing the sponge or filter partially housed within said straw at each application.

Another purpose of the present invention is to speed up the application procedure, thus also minimizing the temperature variation of the fluid itself before its application on the skin and thus increasing the efficiency of cryotherapy, to the benefit of the patient.

One of the advantages of the present invention, consequent to the fact of using sponges or filters made of a material with a high absorption and conduction capacity of the cooling fluid, consists in the possibility of obtaining an immediate cooling of the pad.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows the operator to be able to identify with safety and timeliness the moment in which the sponge or filter is adequately soaked in refrigerant fluid and therefore ready for immediate application.

A further advantage consists in the fact that it is made with materials having adequate characteristics of mechanical and chemical resistance to the substances used, as well as resistant to low operating temperatures. These and other direct and complementary purposes are achieved by the new dispensing device, for pressurized containers with pressure dispensing valve, for the application of cryogenic refrigerant gas in the cryotherapy treatment, comprising a dispensing body with integrated and integral straw, in the which can be partially inserted a sponge or removable cylindrical application filter, able to absorb and conduct the cooling fluid, and where a cap or safety activating cap is able to close the dispenser body, preventing accidental leakage of the fluid, and also to cause the opening of the valve, causing the controlled delivery of the fluid which, conveyed through said straw, is immediately absorbed by said sponge or filter.

Said activating cap comprises a casing adapted to be placed to close the dispensing body, to which it can be removably fastened, and an internal duct, integral with the upper internal part of the cap, able to house said straw or duct of the dispensing body.

The cylindrical wall of said internal duct of the cap comprises, on the lower edge, one or more teeth or projections adapted to be inserted in corresponding slots or through holes made on said dispensing body. To dispense the fluid, the cap must be correctly positioned on the container and the container turned upside down, orienting it with the cap facing downwards.

Then, by acting on said cap with a force directed towards the dispensing body, said teeth or protrusions of the cap are totally or partially inserted into said slots and insist on an element, hereinafter called valve opening element, placed between said dispensing body and the upper edge of the container, connected to said container valve.

The pressure exerted on said valve-opening element, with the container overturned, causes the opening of said valve and, due to the force of gravity as well as the pressure of the fluid inside said pressurized container, causes the fluid to escape through said straw or duct integral with the dispenser body.

The sponge or filter partially inserted inside said straw absorbs the fluid and conducts it up to the top, completely soaking up said fluid.

Therefore, thanks to the combination of the forces of gravity and the pressure inside the container, the outflow of the fluid occurs more quickly, thus considerably reducing the time required for the complete inhibition of the sponge or filter.

Thanks to this, the ideal application temperature is reached in a shorter time.

To maximize the absorption and conduction capacities of the refrigerant fluid, it is envisaged that said sponge or filter is made of cellulose or open cell foam, preferably S518 polyurethane.

The internal duct of the cap, which completely contains said straw, holds the inserted sponge or filter in the correct position, preventing it from being expelled due to the pressure of the gas.

Since the fluid is dispensed only with the container turned upside down, with the cap pointing downwards, there is no risk of uncontrolled spilling of any excess fluid not retained by the sponge or filter.

This possible excess fluid, in fact, accumulates inside the overturned cap, where it gradually evaporates without being spread outside.

Said cap or cap is made of plastic material, with adequate characteristics of mechanical, chemical and thermal resistance, and preferably transparent, so that the user, once the cap has been activated causing the fluid to leak, can see from the outside whether the sponge is soaked and if it is then ready to be used.

In fact, the leakage of the fluid and the absorption of this by the sponge causes the deposit of condensation on the internal surface of the cap next to the sponge itself, thus making it clear that the sponge is soaked and ready for use.

Ribs and / or grooves are provided on said cap and / or on said dispensing body and / or on said container for correct alignment and positioning of the cap.

In particular, it is envisaged that said cap can be aligned and positioned on said dispensing body in two different positions. In the "OFF" closed position, the cap inserted on said dispensing body is rotated so that said teeth do not fit into the corresponding slots on the dispensing body and therefore it is not possible to cause the fluid to be dispensed.

In the "ON" activation position, the cap is rotated for example by 180 ° with respect to the closing "OFF" position, so that said teeth are aligned on said slots, so that the user can, by pressing the cap towards the container, insert said teeth into the slots and act on said valve-opening element causing fluid delivery.

To guide the operator to the correct alignment of the cap in the closed position or in the activation position, it is expected that the two correct positions are indicated on said cap by means of engravings, symbols or other.

The characteristics of the new dispensing device will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawing tables, attached by way of non-limiting example.

Figures la-ld show only the dispensing body (A).

Figures 2a-2c show only the valve opening element (B).

Figure 3 shows only the valve (Cl) of the pressurized container (C).

Figure 4a shows a three-dimensional view of the activator cap (T) alone, while figures 4b-4e represent a side view, a section, a bottom view and a top view respectively.

Figures 5a-5b schematically show the operation of the activator cap (T), which is in the closed position "OFF" in figure 5a and in the activation position "ON" in figure 5b.

Figures 5c-5e schematically show a section of the cap (A) inserted on said dispensing body (A) in the various closing and activation positions. The new dispensing device can be applied integrally on pressurized containers (C) with pressure valve (Cl), of the spray type and comprises a dispensing body (A) adapted to be connected to said container (C). Said dispensing body (A) substantially comprises a convex or domed part (A2) adapted to contain the upper end of the container and at least one straw or duct (A1) integrated and integral with said domed part (A2), for the escape of the refrigerant fluid stored. in the container (C).

Said straw (A1) is internally shaped or includes ribs (All) to hold at least one cylindrical sponge or filter (S) partially inserted therein and indicated in Figures 5c-5e.

In the preferred solution, to ensure effective absorption and conduction of the refrigerant fluid, said cylindrical sponge or filter (S) is made of S518 polyurethane, with a diameter of about 7 mm and a length of 18 mm.

A valve opening element (B), shown in Figures 2a-2c, is interposed and constrained between said dispensing body (A) and said container (C).

The new dispensing device also comprises at least one cap or activator cap (T), schematized in figures 4a-4e, comprising a casing (Tl) suitable for closing the dispensing body (A), to which it can be releasably fastened, and an internal duct (T2), integral with the upper part of the cap (T), adapted to house said straw (A1) of the dispensing body (A).

The cylindrical wall of said internal duct (T2) of the cap (T) comprises, on the lower edge, one or more teeth or projections (T21) suitable to be inserted into corresponding slots or through holes (A21) made on said cup-shaped part (A2) of said dispensing body (A), so as to insist on part (B3) of said valve opening element (B), causing the opening of the valve (Cl) of the container (C), schematized in detail in figure 3, and therefore Γ fluid delivery.

The fluid can only be dispensed with the container (C) turned upside down, i.e. with the cap (T) facing downwards, and therefore the dispensing takes place, after activation by means of said cap (T), due to the force of gravity and the pressure inside the container (C).

The outflow of the fluid and its absorption by the sponge (S) causes the condensation to deposit on the internal surface of the cap (T), near the top (T22) next to the sponge (S) itself, thus making it evident to the operator or user that the sponge is soaked.

It is also envisaged that on the internal surface of said casing (T1) of the cap (T) there are one or more ribs (T3), suitable for inserting into corresponding grooves (A3) made on said dispensing body (A), which guide to the correct alignment and positioning of the cap (T) itself.

In particular, it is envisaged that said cap can be aligned and positioned on said dispensing body in two different positions. In the "OFF" closed position (figures 5a, 5c) the cap (T) inserted on said dispensing body is rotated so that said teeth (T21) are not aligned with said corresponding slots (A21) obtained on the dispensing body (A) and therefore they cannot be inserted there to act on said valve opening element (B).

In this way, the delivery of the fluid is prevented. When said cap (T) is in the closing "OFF" position, therefore, the device cannot be accidentally activated, thus also avoiding improper use by children or people in general.

Furthermore, in said "OFF" position, said cap (T) is in any case bound to the dispensing body (A) and therefore also has a pre and post-use hygienic protection function, i.e. it protects the device from dust, germs and pollutants, guaranteeing adequate hygienic conditions until next use.

In the activation position "ON" (figure 5b, 5e), the cap (T) is rotated by 180 ° with respect to the closing position "OFF", so that said teeth (T21) are aligned correspondingly to said slots (A21) .

If a force directed towards the container (C) is exerted on said cap (T), said teeth (T21) are inserted into the slots (A21) and, insisting on said valve-opening element (B), cause the valve to open (Cl ) and fluid delivery.

To guide the operator to the correct alignment of the cap in the closed position or in the activation position, on said cap (T) and on said dispenser body (A) it is indicated how to correctly align the cap (T) to identify the two positions of closing "OFF" and activation "ON".

In particular, it is envisaged that on said cap (T) there is an arrow and / or an indicator section (T4) of the "ON" position and an arrow and / or an indicator section (T5) of the "OFF" position, to be aligned with the portion (A3) indicated on said dispensing body (A).

To open said container valve and therefore cause the fluid to open, it is necessary to position said cap (T) in said "ON" activation position and orient the container with the cap facing downwards, so that the fluid flows out of the container also due to the force of gravity. To guide the user to the correct positioning of the container for dispensing the fluid and to facilitate the operation of activating the cap (T), said cap (T) comprises on its top (T22) one or more ribs, protrusions or ridges generally (T61), for example arranged along a circumference with a center coinciding with said top (T22) of the cap (T), suitable for identifying a substantially flat surface (T62) for the stable support of the cap (T) on a flat surface .

Thus, after the activation of the cap (T) to deliver the fluid, the container can be left in the upside down position, with the cap (T) down to allow the complete soaking of the sponge or filter (S). Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached tables, the following claims are expressed.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Dispensing device for pressurized containers (C) of refrigerant fluids for cryotherapy, comprising at least one pressure opening / closing valve (Cl), characterized in that it comprises: • at least one dispensing body (A) able to be stably fastened to said container (C); • at least one valve-opening element (B) placed between said dispensing body (A) and said container (C) and insisting on said valve (Cl); • at least one plug (T) or closing cap able to be placed and constrained in a removable way on said dispensing body (A) and comprising one or more teeth or projections (T21) insisting on said valve-opening element (B) to cause valve opening (Cl); • at least one straw or duct (A1) integrated and integral with said dispensing body (A) and at one end of which at least one sponge or filter (S) applicator is partially inserted in a removable way, characterized in that said cap (T ) on the top (T5) opposite said container (C) comprises one or more protrusions, ribs or reliefs in general (T61) identifying a substantially flat surface (T62) for the stable support of the cap (T) on a flat surface, and where, with the container turned downwards, acting on said cap (T) with a force directed towards the dispensing body (A), said teeth or projections (T21) of the cap (T) insist on said valve-opening element (B), causing it opening, and allowing the fluid to escape from the container due to the force of gravity and / or the pressure in the pressurized container. 2. Dispensing device, as per claim 1, characterized in that said cap (T) comprises an external casing (Tl) for winding and closing said dispensing body (A) and at least one internal duct (T2), integral with the upper part of the casing (Tl) itself, suitable for housing said straw (A1), and where the upper part (T22) of said cap (T) is close to said sponge or filter (S), partially inserted in said straw ( Al), which is held in the correct position during the delivery of the refrigerant fluid. 3. Dispensing device, as per claims 1, 2, characterized by the fact that said cap (T) is made in whole or in part of transparent plastic material for viewing from the outside of the condensation forming at the time of dispensing the coolant. 4. Dispensing device, as per the preceding claims, characterized in that said valve-opening element (B) comprises at least one duct (B2) communicating with the opening of said valve (Cl), at least partially inserted within said straw (A1) and adapted to conduct said coolant dispensed up to said sponge (S) partially inserted in said straw (A1). 5. Dispensing device, as per the preceding claims, characterized in that said sponge or filter (S) is made of cellulose or open-cell foam or other material with high absorption and conduction capacity of refrigerant fluid. 6. Dispensing device, as per the preceding claims, characterized in that on said cap (T) and / or on said dispensing body (A) and / or on said container (C) there are one or more ribs (T3) and / or or grooves (A3) for guided insertion with correct alignment of said cap (T) on said dispensing body (A). 7. Dispensing device, as per the preceding claims, characterized in that said dispensing body (A) comprises one or more slots or through holes (A21) for the insertion of one or more of said teeth or protrusions (T21) made on the lower edge of the internal duct (T2) of said plug (T), and where one or more of said teeth (T21), inserted through said slots (A21), insists on said valve-opening element (B) to cause the opening of the valve (Cl) and the delivery of the refrigerant fluid. 8. Dispensing device, as per the preceding claims, characterized in that said ribs (T3) and / or grooves (A3) allow the insertion and alignment of said cap (T) on said dispensing element (A) in the position of activation, so that said teeth (T21) are aligned with said slots (A21) and can therefore be inserted into them by pressing the cap (T) towards the container (C). 9. Dispensing device, as per the preceding claims, characterized in that said ribs (T3) and / or grooves (A3) allow the guided insertion and alignment of said cap (T) on said dispensing element (A) in the position of closure, rotated by a determined angle with respect to said activation position, so that said teeth (T21) in the closed position are not aligned with said slots (A21) and therefore cannot be inserted in them, and where in said closed position, said cap (T) is constrained to said dispensing body (A), to protect it. 10. Dispensing device, as per the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap (T) and / or said dispensing body (A) and / or said container (C) carry one or more engravings or symbols or other types of indications (A3 , T4, T5) for the correct alignment and positioning of the cap (T) in the closed or activated position.