Antiseptic applicator

Abstract

An applicator assembly includes a plurality of ampoules formed of a frangible material and containing liquid to be applied, a container having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a chamber adapted to receive the plurality of ampoules, an application member attached to the distal end of the container; and at least one actuator projecting from the container, wherein the at least one actuator is actuatable to independently fracture the plurality of ampoules, thereby independently releasing the liquid into the application member. The at least one actuator may be moveable from a first position to a second position, the applicator having a smaller profile when the actuator is in the second position than when the actuator is in the first position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An applicator assembly comprising:
 a plurality of ampoules formed of a frangible material and containing liquid to be applied;   a container having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a chamber adapted to receive the plurality of ampoules;   an application member attached to the distal end of the container; and   at least one actuator projecting from the container, wherein the at least one actuator is actuatable to independently fracture the plurality of ampoules, thereby independently releasing the liquid into the application member.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises at least two subactuators, and wherein each of the at least two subactuators is independently acuatable. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two subactuators are contemporaneously actuable. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein each of the at least two subactuators is aligned with one of the plurality of ampoules. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the subactuators abut each other. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein each of the subactuators comprise a contact point, and wherein each contact point is aligned with one of the ampoules. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a pivot mechanism, wherein the at least one actuator is pivotable via the pivot mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one actuator is pivotable to a first position aligned with a first ampoule of the plurality of ampoules and to a second position aligned with a second ampoule of the plurality of ampoules. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises a first contact point aligned with a first ampoule of the plurality of ampoules and a second contact point aligned with a second ampoule of the plurality of ampoules, and wherein the second contact point is spaced from the body prior to actuation of the actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured such that the first contact point imparts compressive force on the first ampoule prior to the second contact point imparting compressive first on the second ampoule during actuation of the actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is moveable from a first position to a second position, the applicator having a smaller profile when the actuator is in the second position than when the actuator is in the first position. 
     
     
         12 . An applicator assembly comprising:
 at least one ampoule formed of a frangible material and containing liquid to be applied;   a container having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a chamber adapted to receive the at least one of ampoule;   an application member attached to the distal end of the container; and   at least one actuator projecting from the container and actuatable to fracture the at least one ampoule, thereby releasing the liquid into the application member,   wherein the at least one actuator is moveable from a first position to a second position, the applicator having a smaller profile when the actuator is in the second position than when the actuator is in the first position.   
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 12 , wherein in the second position the at least one actuator extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 12 , further comprising a hinge mechanism configured to enable movement of the at least one actuator from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises rotation elements coupled with a pair of opposing retaining posts, and wherein the rotation elements and the opposing posts form the hinge mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one projection member disposed between the rotation elements, wherein the at least one projection imparts compressive force on the at least one ampoule when the actuator is rotated from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 12 , wherein the second position is external to body. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 12 , further comprising a coupling mechanism configured to enable removal of the at least one actuator from the body. 
     
     
         19 . The applicator of  claim 18 , wherein the actuator comprises a first mating feature, wherein the container comprises a second mating feature, and wherein first and second mating features form the coupling mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The applicator of  claim 19 , wherein the first mating feature comprises a plurality of ribs, and wherein the second mating feature comprises a plurality of lips for receiving the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         21 . The applicator of  claim 20 , wherein the first mating feature further comprising a projection member and the second mating feature comprising a receiving member for receiving the projection member. 
     
     
         22 . The applicator of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one ampoule comprises a plurality of ampoules, and wherein the at least one actuator is actuatable to independently fracture the plurality of ampoules, thereby independently releasing the liquid into the application member.