APPLICATOR

Abstract

An applicator (1) for topical application of an acidic liquid (30) includes a container (3) containing the acidic liquid. The container has an opening (31) in fluid contact with a nib (2) for a controlled release of the acidic liquid, wherein the nib includes a plurality of fibers (20) and an adhesive material (21) adhering the fibers. A kit of parts (100) for topical application of an acidic liquid is also provided and includes (a) a liquid release unit (40) provided with a nib for a controlled release of the acidic liquid, and (b) a container unit (50) which includes a container configured to contain the acidic liquid. The container unit further includes a liquid release element for application of the acidic liquid to the nib, wherein the nib has a plurality of fibers and an adhesive material adhering the fibers.

Claims

1. An applicator for topical application of an acidic liquid, the applicator comprising: an acidic liquid having a pH less than 6 and comprising an aqueous liquid comprised of trichloro acetic acid and/or formic acid; and a polymeric container containing the acidic liquid, the container comprising: (i) a nib for a controlled release of the acidic liquid, wherein the nib comprises an elongated bundle of a plurality of fibers comprised of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene extending parallel to an axis of elongation, and an adhesive material adhering the fibers, and (ii) an opening in fluid contact with the nib.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric container is comprised of a polymer selected from a group consisting of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, enhanced polytetrafluoroethylene, high-density poly ethylene, polyether ether ketone, polypropylene, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide-imide, and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the nib is in the range of 1-6 mm.

4. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein the nib comprises a narrowed end for contacting a topical area to be treated with the narrowed end.

5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein a length of the nib is in the range of 20-50 mm.

6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein capillary passages between the plurality of fibers provide a porosity of the nib, wherein the porosity of the nib is in the range of 60-70 vol. %.

7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive material circumferentially surrounds the bundle of fibers over at least a part of a length of the bundle, and wherein the nib comprises solvent welding connections between the fibers.

8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the acidic liquid at least comprises trichloro acetic acid, wherein (i) a diameter of the nib is in the range of 1-6 mm and (ii) a length of the nib is in the range of 20-50 mm, wherein the nib comprises a narrowed end for contacting a topical area to be treated with the narrowed end, wherein the nib comprises solvent welding connections between the fibers, and wherein the polymeric container is comprised of polypropylene.

9. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the acidic liquid has a pH of 4 or smaller, and wherein the acidic liquid comprises an acid at a concentration in the range of 1-85 wt. %.

10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the acidic liquid further comprises at least one acid selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, monochloro acetic acid, dichloro acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, boric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid, and hydrochloric acid.

11. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the acidic liquid further comprises water and at least one liquid selected from a group consisting of an azone, a dimethylisosorbide, an oxazolidinone, a pyrrolidone, a terpene, and urea.

12. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the nib is configured to provide a flow of the acidic liquid in a range of 0.1-10 ml/h when the applicator is vertically oriented with the nib down.

13. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is configured for applying the treatment liquid to a topical area to be treated over a plurality of consecutive treatments.

14. A kit of parts for topical application of an acidic liquid, the kit of parts comprising: (a) an acidic liquid having a pH less than 6 and comprising an aqueous liquid comprised of trichloro acetic acid and/or formic acid; (b) a liquid release unit comprising a nib configured for topical application of the acidic liquid and for a controlled release of the acidic liquid; and (c) a container unit comprising a polymeric container which contains the acidic liquid and a liquid release element for application of the acidic liquid to the nib, wherein the nib comprises an elongated bundle of a plurality of fibers comprised of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene extending parallel to an axis of elongation, and an adhesive material adhering the fibers.

15. A method for treating a topical lesion selected from a group consisting of a superficial lesion, a skin lesion, a mucous membrane lesion, a nail lesion, a viral wart, verrucae, a water wart, a corn, a callus, an age spot, a solar lentigo, a senial lentigo, acne, keratosis pilaris, actinic keratosis, ingrown toenails, onychomycosis, eyelid xanthelasma, psoriasis, a fungal nail infection, a mouth ulcer, a canker sore, a cold sore, a hemorrhoid, a genital wart, epidermodysplasia veruciformis, a human papillomavirus (HPV) caused skin disorder, scars, wrinkles, melisma, a tattoo, and a skin tag, wherein the method comprises topically contacting a topical area in need of treatment with the nib of the applicator according to claim 1 to thereby topically apply the acidic liquid to the topical area in need of treatment.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the topical area in need of treatment includes a wart or a corn.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the acidic liquid at least comprises trichloro acetic acid, wherein the topical area in need of treatment includes a skin disorder selected from a group consisting of a epidermodysplasia veruciformis-skin disorder, an acne scar, a wrinkles, a tattoo, an eyelid xanthelasma, an age spot, a senial lentigo, a solar lentigo, or a melasma.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

[0075] FIGS. 1a and 1b schematically depict an embodiment and some aspects of the applicator;

[0076] FIG. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the kit of parts;

[0077] FIG. 3 schematically depicts an embodiment of a patch as liquid release unit; and

[0078] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an embodiment of a pen applicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0079] The invention especially provides a nib as part of a medical device (an applicator for applying the treatment liquid to the treatment tissue/area) for the treatment of superficial lesions, in particular skin lesions, mucous membrane lesions and/or nail lesions, an applicator comprising a treatment liquid/active ingredient(s) and the configuration of the nib enables the use of the treatment liquid/active ingredient(s) onto tissue in a controlled way. The configuration of the nib enables a capillary effect, by comprising air channels in longitudinal direction in which a plurality of treatment liquid/active ingredient(s) passages. The configuration of the nib is chemically resistant to the active ingredients used in the treatment liquid/active ingredient(s); the materials used are selected based on the treatment liquid, especially regarding the acidity of the acidic treatment liquid. The treatment liquid(s) comprises an effective amount of active ingredient/acid, and an acceptable solvent, and is effective against a plethora of superficial lesions selected from the group consisting of viral warts, verrucae, water warts (molluscum contagiosum), corns and calluses, skin hyperpigmentation (age spots, solar lentigo, senile lentigo), acne, keratosis pilaris, actinic keratosis, mouth ulcers (canker sores), cold sores, ingrown toenails, onychomycosis, eyelid xanthelasma.

[0080] FIG. 1a schematically depicts an embodiment of an applicator 1. This embodiment of the applicator is especially a pen applicator, wherein a nib 2 is in arranged extending from the container 3. This is just one possible embodiment; in other embodiments the nib may for instance also be curved or the container may be configured in a complete different way. Also embodiments having a flexible connection between the container 3 and the nib 2 are anticipated. In the (pen) applicator 1, the nib 2 is in fluid connection with the acidic liquid 30 comprised (or contained) in the container. For this, the nib 2 is arranged through opening 31 of the container 3. The nib is made up from many fibers 20 adhered together by an adhesive material 21, such as a resin. In the production process of the nib 2 especially a bundle of fibers 20 is contacted with the adhesive material in such a way that the adhesive material substantially only covers the outer surface (see also FIG. 1b, showing a cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 1a) of the bundle of fibers, and the adhesive material substantially does not fill the voids or capillaries between the fibers. Based on these capillaries the acidic liquid 30 in the container 3 may be transported to the tip of the nib 2, especially the surface 25 of the tip of the nib. By contacting a body part 8, especially a lesion 81, such as a wart 82, an age spot, or a fungal nail, etc., a controlled (and targeted) release of acidic fluid 30 is provided, and the topical lesion may be treated (and eventually cured).

[0081] FIG. 1b schematically depicts a cross section of (part of) the applicator 1 also depicted in FIG. 1a. Schematically the fibers 20 are depicted (actually only a very small portion of all fibers are depicted for clarity reasons) in the nib 2. The fibers are kept together by the adhesive material 21, basically providing the outer surface of the nib 2. The acidic liquid 30 is contained in the container 3, wherein optionally a matrix 35, such as a sponge type matrix, is placed to hold the liquid. The nib 2 is in fluid contact with the acidic liquid 30, wherein the nib 2 is arranged in the container via an opening 31. Especially the acidic liquid is continuously in contact with the container and with the fibers (and the adhesive material). Therefore, especially the materials have to be selected to be compatible with the acidic liquid. For instance, formic acid in the acidic liquid may negatively affect polypropylene, while polyethylene terephthalate is more resistant to formic acid. In contrast to that, polypropylene may chemically be resistant towards trichloroacetic acid. Hence, if the acidic liquid only comprises trichloroacetic acid the fibers the container may be made of polypropylene, whereas it may be advantageous to use fibers and a container made from polyethylene terephthalate if the acidic liquid is substantially formic acid. Of course, also the adhesive material has to be selected depending on the properties (composition) of the acidic liquid to prevent the nib to fall apart (because of a (slow) reaction between the acidic liquid and the adhesive material).

[0082] FIG. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the kit of parts 100 for topical application of the acidic liquid 30. The kit comprises a liquid release unit 40 and a container unit 50. The acidic liquid 30 is contained in the container 3. The liquid release unit 40 comprises the nib 2. In the figure, the nib 2 may be dipped in the acidic liquid 30, such as to completely fill (saturate) the nib, especially the cavities between the fibers 20 of the nib. After filling the nib 2, the liquid release unit 40, especially the nib 2 can be used for topical application of the acidic liquid, e.g. by placing the tip surface 25 on a wart or a callus, etc. Surface 25 may be configured to the topical region to be treated. For instance the oblique tip surface 25 in the embodiment given in FIG. 1a-1b may be easier to use on toenails, whereas the flat surface 25 in FIG. 2 may be more appropriate to treat callus. It should be remarked that in the given embodiment, the liquid release element 51 comprised by container unit 50, especially comprises the container opening 31. In another embodiment, a specific liquid release element may be present. For instance, in an embodiment where the container unit comprises an aerosol pump and the acidic liquid is sprayed at the nib, the liquid release element may essentially comprise a nozzle.

[0083] FIG. 3 schematically depicts an applicator 1, especially a liquid release unit 40 for topical application of the acidic liquid. The embodiment of the liquid release unit 40 is configured as a patch 140 that can be easily positioned at a body part, especially at a topical area to be treated, by means of two adhesive parts 141. The patch 140 further comprises a bandage part 142, in the center of the bandage part provided with the nib 2. The (fibers 20 of the) nib 2 may have been contacted with an acidic liquid before contacting a topical area, and thus may contain the acidic liquid. The liquid release unit 40, especially the nib 2, may release the acidic liquid at a topical area to be treated at the moment the patch 140 is applied to the area. The patch type embodiment especially is configured to be applied for a longer period. Therefore, especially the acidic liquid may be diluted (more) resulting in a higher pH of the acidic liquid, and the contact surface between the nib and the topical area may be selected to be relatively large (e.g. with respect to an embodiment of a pen type applicator as schematically shown in FIG. 4).

[0084] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an embodiment of the applicator 1, configured like a pen type embodiment. The pen 1 comprising a cover part 151 especially arranged to cover the nib 2 when the applicator is not in use, for instance to prevent the acidic liquid from (slowly) evaporating. However, in the schematically depicted embodiment the cover part 151 may be configured to prevent a child from removing the cover part from applicator 1. This may be especially advantageous to prevent children from getting in contact the acidic liquid. The second part 152 (or main part, to which the nib in this embodiment is associated) comprises a grip part 158. The grip part 158 especially has been configured to comfort handling the applicator 1 during topical application of the acidic liquid. The grip part 158 in combination with the facers 161 configured at the covering part 151 also support removing the cover part 151 from the second part 152, especially if the applicator 1 is designed to obstruct (in case of an infant opening protection) removing the cover part 151 from second part 152 of the applicator 1. Here, the grip part 158 shows another cross-section than the remaining part(s) of the applicator 1. For instance, the grip part 158 comprises a triangular type cross-section, whereas the remainder comprises a circular type cross-section. Especially, there is a gradual change between the types of cross-sections. The cross-sections are schematically depicted below the pen applicator 1.