This invention relates to an antiseptic delivery device.

There are numerous medical procedures that require delivery of an antiseptic fluid to an anatomical target before carrying out the medical procedure. The delivery of an antiseptic fluid will decrease the likelihood of infection to the patient. An example of one such procedure that requires application of an antiseptic fluid is an epidural anaesthesia procedure. Although the present invention is not limited to use in an epidural anaesthesia procedure, for simplicity, the present invention will be described in terms of such a procedure.

Epidural anaesthesia is defined as the delivery of anaesthetic or pain blocking compounds directly into the vertebrae and spinal column. Common conditions indicating epidural anaesthesia include active labor in child birth and orthopedic abnormalities. Epidural anaesthesia is an interventional procedure in which a medical professional, usually an anaesthesiologist, delivers anaesthetic or pain relieving drugs or compounds directly into the spinal cord area, through the vertebrae. This is accomplished with the use of very fine and small injection needles. Typically a sterile tray of instruments is utilized as a source of the equipment necessary to perform this procedure. The source of the antiseptic agent is a standard storage container and the antiseptic is manually poured into a sterile bowl. As with many other procedures, it is essential that the area of injection be completely free of any potential contaminants which could possibly enter the body through the injection needle causing potential infection.

The current standard of care for delivery of the antiseptic agents to the skin of the patient is by means of gauze pads, or similar, soaked in antiseptic agent and manually delivered, sourced from the dispensed antiseptic agent in the sterile bowl, to the target anatomy (skin) in the area of the proposed injection. This method is conducted in the area of the tray of sterile instruments by the anaesthetic delivery medical professional, usually an anaesthesiologist, and is completely manual. Any contamination of the sterile tray of instruments, such as by any inadvertent spillage of antiseptic agent, requires that a new sterile tray of instruments be utilized in the procedure. To date, no prior art has been noted which improves the delivery of antiseptic agents to the anatomical target to be treated with epidural anaesthesia. The present invention proposes a method by which delivery of antiseptic agents prior to the commencement of a procedure, are delivered in a closed system manner which reduces the manual labor component of the procedure and assures highly reduced likelihood of contamination to the sterile tray.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an antiseptic delivery device, a kit of parts and a method of applying antiseptic fluid to an anatomical target that overcomes at least some of the problems with the known devices and methods.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides an antiseptic delivery device comprising a dome-shaped body having a charging aperture adjacent the apex of the dome-shaped body, the charging aperture being dimensioned to receive a nozzle of an antiseptic fluid dispenser and the charging aperture having an engagement member for sealing engagement of a complementary engagement member of the nozzle.

By having such an antiseptic delivery device, the antiseptic fluid can be targeted directly onto the treatment area without the risk of spillage onto or splashing of the sterile tray which would result in contamination of the sterile tray. The antiseptic delivery device will reduce the amount of manual labour required and will reduce the time and cost of carrying out the procedure as replacement trays of medical equipment will not have to be provided.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an antiseptic delivery device in which there is provided a diffusion grating at the base of the charging aperture. By having such an antiseptic delivery device, the antiseptic will be dispersed evenly over the target area thereby reducing the possibility of infection and reducing wastage of antiseptic fluid.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an antiseptic delivery device in which the diffusion grating comprises a permeable membrane.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an antiseptic delivery device in which the engagement member comprises a luer lock fitting. By having a luer lock fitting, the antiseptic delivery device can be used with standard syringes that are readily available in the medical environment. The syringes can be filled with antiseptic and then used to deliver antiseptic into the dome-shaped body.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an antiseptic delivery device in which the engagement member comprises a female luer lock fitting. In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an antiseptic delivery device in which the engagement member comprises a screw thread. A screw thread will provide a secure engagement between the syringe or other antiseptic fluid dispenser and the dome-shaped body.

Although a syringe with an antiseptic liquid has been described, a gaseous antiseptic fluid could be used instead of the liquid antiseptic fluid. In that case, a pressurized gas canister filed with gaseous antiseptic fluid could be used instead of the syringe.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an antiseptic delivery device in which there is provided a venting aperture in the dome shaped body.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an antiseptic delivery device in which the venting aperture is located adjacent the base of the dome-shaped body. Alternatively, the vent could be provided elsewhere on the dome-shaped body, for example adjacent to the charging aperture.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an antiseptic delivery device in which there is provided a circumferential flange around the periphery of the dome-shaped body. This may be outwardly depending or inwardly depending.

The dome-shaped body is preferably constructed from a plastics material, ideally a medical grade polycarbonate or equivalent material.

The dome-shaped body is typically substantially hemispherical in shape.

However, in one embodiment of the invention the dome-shaped body is elongated into a substantially oblong shape. An oblong shape is seen as desirable for many procedures including, but not limited to, epidural anaesthesia. By having an oblong shape, an elongate area will be provided with antiseptic fluid preparing a larger area for insertion of a needle. It is envisaged that the dome shaped body will be of the order of 0.20 to 0.30 metres long, 0.10 to 0.15 metres wide and of the order of 0.15 metres high at the apex. This will be particularly suited for an epidural anaesthetic procedure. However, other dimensions of dome-shaped body are readily envisaged for epidural anaesthesia and other procedures.

In one embodiment, the amount of antiseptic fluid that is required to ensure an adequate covering of the anatomical target could be displayed on the exterior of the dome-shaped body, as the amount of antiseptic fluid required may vary depending on the size of the dome-shaped body and whether a liquid or gas is used. According to a second aspect, the invention provides a kit of parts comprising an antiseptic delivery device comprising a dome-shaped body having a charging aperture adjacent the apex of the dome-shaped body, the charging aperture being dimensioned to receive a nozzle of an antiseptic fluid dispenser and the charging aperture having an engagement member for sealing engagement of a complementary engagement member of the nozzle; and in which the antiseptic fluid dispenser comprises a syringe, the syringe having a nozzle with a complementary engagement member for sealing engagement with the engagement member of the aperture.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided such a kit of parts in which there is further provided a supply of an antiseptic fluid.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided such a kit of parts in which the syringe is pre-loaded with the supply of antiseptic fluid.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided such a kit of parts in which the syringe comprises a discharge outlet, the discharge outlet comprising a diffusion grating.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method of applying antiseptic fluid to an anatomical target, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) placing a dome-shaped body having a charging aperture adjacent the apex of the dome-shaped body on the patient with the charging aperture located above the anatomical target;

(ii) connecting an antiseptic fluid dispenser with a supply of antiseptic fluid to the charging aperture;

(iii) delivering the supply of antiseptic fluid through the charging aperture into the dome-shaped body and onto the anatomical target therebelow.

By having such a method, the antiseptic fluid will be targeted directly onto the treatment area without the risk of splashing the sterile tray which in turn would result in contamination of the sterile tray. The method will therefore reduce the time and cost of carrying out the procedure as replacement trays of medical equipment will not have to be provided.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided such a method of applying antiseptic fluid to an anatomical target in which the step of delivering the supply of antiseptic fluid through the charging aperture into the dome-shaped body comprises passing the antiseptic fluid through a diffusion grating as it enters the dome-shaped body. By passing the antiseptic fluid through a diffusion grating as it enters the dome-shaped body, an even covering of antiseptic fluid over the anatomical target will be achieved, thereby reducing the possibility of infection and furthermore allowing a greater area on which the medical professional can operate.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an antiseptic delivery device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side cross sectional view of the antiseptic delivery device shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side cross sectional view of a second embodiment of an antiseptic delivery device according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a side cross sectional view of a third embodiment of an antiseptic delivery device according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a side cross sectional view of the third embodiment of an antiseptic delivery device shown in Figure 4 in operation; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a luer lock connection used according to one embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an antiseptic delivery device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 , comprising a dome-shaped body 3 having a charging aperture 5 adjacent the apex 7 of the dome-shaped body. The charging aperture 5 is dimensioned to receive a nozzle of an antiseptic fluid dispenser (not shown) and the charging aperture has an engagement member, in this case provided by way of an annular boss 9, for sealing engagement with a complementary engagement member of the nozzle of the antiseptic fluid dispenser. In the embodiment shown, the dome-shaped body has an annular flange 1 1 surrounding and flayed outwardly from its base 13.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a second embodiment of an antiseptic delivery device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 21 , where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The antiseptic delivery device 21 differs from the device shown in Figure 1 in that there is provided a venting aperture 23 formed in the dome-shaped body 3 adjacent the base 13. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a third embodiment of an antiseptic delivery device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 31 , where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The antiseptic delivery device 31 differs from the device shown in Figure 1 in that there is provided a diffusion grating 33 located internal the dome-shaped body adjacent the charging aperture 5. The diffusion grating 33 comprises a permeable membrane, in this case a sheet of material 35 having a plurality of apertures 37 formed therein. The purpose of the diffusion grating 33 is to evenly disperse the antiseptic fluid throughout the dome-shaped body as it passes through the diffusion grating.

Referring specifically to Figure 5, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of the antiseptic delivery device in operation. A syringe 39 having a fluid reservoir 41 , a plunger 43, and a nozzle 45 is brought into engagement with the antiseptic delivery device 31 . The nozzle 45 has a complementary engagement member 47 for sealing engagement of the engagement member 9 of the charging aperture 5 of the antiseptic delivery device 31 . In this case, the complementary engagement member 47 comprises an annular channel formed in and surrounding the nozzle. The engagement members 9, 47 form a seal around the nozzle and in use, once the nozzle is in the position shown in Figure 5, the plunger 43 of the syringe may be pushed downwards thereby forcing the antiseptic fluid out of the fluid reservoir 41 , through the nozzle 45 whereupon it impacts on the diffusion grating 33. The antiseptic fluid is forced through the diffusion grating 33 and is sprayed evenly on the anatomical target (not shown) below the dome-shaped body 3.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a male luer lock connector of a syringe, indicated generally by the reference 61 , engaging a female luer lock connector of the antiseptic delivery device 63. The female luer lock connector 63 comprises a threaded wall 65 for engagement with a complementary threaded wall portion 67 of the male luer lock connector 61. The male luer lock connector 61 further comprises an inner fluid conduit 69 substantially concentric with and surrounded by the complementary threaded wall portion 67 of the male luer lock connector 61 . Antiseptic fluid flows through the inner fluid conduit 69 and impacts against a diffusion grating of the female luer lock connector 63.

In the embodiments shown, the dome-shaped body is substantially hemispherical in shape. However, preferably, the dome-shaped body will be elongate and substantially oblong in shape. It is envisaged that the dome shaped body will be of the order of 0.20 to 0.30 metres long, 0.10 to .015 metres wide and of the order of 0.15 metres high at the apex 7. This will be particularly suited for an epidural anaesthetic procedure. However, other dimensions of dome-shaped body are readily envisaged for epidural anaesthesia and other procedures. If desired, the amount of antiseptic fluid that is required to ensure an adequate covering of the anatomical target could be displayed on the exterior of the dome-shaped body, as the amount of antiseptic fluid required may vary depending on the size of the dome-shaped body and whether a liquid or gas is used.

It will be understood that various modifications could be made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the venting aperture could be provided on any of the embodiments described herein. The position of the venting aperture in Figure 3 is adjacent the base however it is envisaged that the vent could be provided elsewhere on the dome-shaped body, for example adjacent to the charging aperture. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown, a syringe with an antiseptic liquid has been shown for exemplary purposes. However, a gaseous antiseptic fluid could be used instead of the liquid antiseptic fluid. In that case, a pressurized gas canister filed with gaseous antiseptic fluid could be used instead of the syringe. In addition to the foregoing, an annular flange 1 1 is provided however this may not be necessary. Similarly, the annular flange 1 1 , if provided, may be inwardly depending rather than outwardly depending as shown in the various embodiments. Finally, the dome- shaped body is preferably constructed from a plastics material, ideally a medical grade polycarbonate or equivalent material.

In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" and the terms "include, includes, included and including" are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.