Summary of the Invention
The invention broadly relates to devices for applying disinfectants and similar pharmaceutical preparations to incisions, wounds and the like, and is specifically directed to a rolling swab applicator for the purpose of applying tinctures and ointments, or as a dry swab for use as a pickup, to aid healing and to treat infection.
Surgical incisions and other tissue wounds must be carefully treated to prevent infection. For example, after surgery surgical incisions must be dressed and redressed periodically to facilitate healing. An important part of wound dressing is applying a disinfectant such as iodine, hydrogen peroxide or sterile normal saline to prevent infection. This is typically accomplished with the use of a swab applicator which may either be dipped in the disinfectant before application, or which may be prepackaged with the solution saturating the swab.
Conventional swab applicators typically include a handle and an applicator portion connected to the handle that is absorbent and capable of holding a quantity of the disinfectant. The disinfectant is applied by direct engagement of the applicator with the incision or wound.
As prescribed, the applicator is wiped or dragged directly over the wound to apply the disinfectant. If the applicator head is circular, an alternative approach is to manually roll the applicator head over the wound. This avoids the transfer of the infection from one portion of the wound to the other. However, conventional swab heads are typically small in circumference, non-rotating and fixed to the handle of the device. A person can manually rotate the handle and cause the swab to rotate as well, but the dexterity required to match the surface speed of the head to that of the handle is difficult and cumbersome.
The invention is directed to a rolling swab applicator in which the applicator head is capable of being rotated relative to the handle. Three embodiments are disclosed. In each case, the simple controlled pressure of the swab on the wound allows the swab to travel with the length of the wound as the handle is moved laterally. Controlling the pressure on the swab head on the wound determines the amount of solution wetting the wound, from minimal to flooding the wound with solution as the swab rolls.
In the first embodiment, a handle includes an applicator support in the form of an axially projecting split hub. The applicator consists of a spool that can be inserted over the hub for rotation thereon. An absorbent material such as cotton or open cell urethane is wound around the outer periphery of the spool to receive the disinfectant.
The second embodiment includes an elongated handle that is formed with an elongated central bore. The applicator includes a small elongated rod that is inserted into the bore for rotation relative to the handle. The rod is preferably retained in the bore by one or more detents. One end of the rod projects beyond the handle and carries an applicator head that is circular in cross section and which has absorbent material placed thereon.
The third embodiment is similar to the second in that it includes an elongated hollow handle that receives a shaft with a plurality of axially spaced bearings enabling the shaft to rotate relative to the handle. The shaft is held in place within the handle by a plug member that is inserted into one end of the shaft and which bears against the handle end in a retaining fashion. The opposite end of the shaft projects beyond the handle and carries an applicator head. An absorbent material is wound around or otherwise affixed on the applicator head.
In all three of the preferred embodiments, the applicator head rotates relative to a stationary handle, enabling a user to grasp the handle and roll the applicator head over the incision or wound. The absorbent material may first be dipped into a disinfecting solution, or the disinfectant may be applied directly to the absorbent material. Alternatively, the absorbent material may be pre-saturated with disinfectant, sterile normal saline, or ointment.
The assembled rolling swab applicator may be provided in different sizes and individually packaged, enabling the user to choose the correct size of the applicator based on the size of the incision or wound. In either case, the absorbent material directly engages the wound in a pressing rather than a wiping manner, depositing or irrigating disinfectant or other solutions directly onto the wound.
Use of the inventive rolling swab applicator is simple, easy and fast, requiring only opening of the package of an applicator of the appropriate size and rolling the disinfectant onto the incision or wound. The applicator is then discarded.
The structure and features of the inventive rolling swab applicator will be more fully appreciated from the drawings and specification.