Medical applicator
An applicator used for spreading compositions such as ointments, creams, lotions, or foams to a subject's skin or other external part of the body. The applicator includes a handle, an extendable and retractable telescopic shaft and a rectangular, diamond shaped head. In one embodiment, the rectangular, diamond shaped head includes a center ridge which serves to define three separate flexible wedge like surfaces on each side of the head.
1 . An applicator which is used for spreading a composition onto the skin of a subject, comprising: a handle, a telescopic shaft and a rectangular, diamond surface head, wherein the handle is configured to completely contain the telescopic shaft when the shaft is in its retracted state and where the telescopic shaft can be extended longitudinally outward from a distal opening on the handle through a connection collar on the head when the applicator is in its extended state, wherein the rectangular, diamond surface head includes a center ridge projecting outward from the head and extending along the length of the head, the ridge physically separating three flexible wedge-like skin-contact spreading surfaces, including an inverted triangular spreading surface at a tip of the head and two opposing wedge-shaped spreading surfaces extending along opposite sides of the center ridge.
2 . The applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the rectangular, diamond surface head includes a serrated or rounded serrated edge along one of its lengths.
3 . The applicator according to claim 1 , wherein one of the opposing flexible wedge-like surfaces includes an embossed area is configured to hold an approximate volume of the composition for topical application to the skin.
4 . The applicator according to claim 3 , wherein the embossed area includes the embossed marking “1 FTU”.
5 . The applicator according to claim 4 , wherein the 1 FTU embossed area is configured to measure one fingertip unit of composition.
6 . The applicator according to claim 3 , wherein an opposing flexible wedge-like surface includes a serrated edge, a rounded serrated edge, or a wavy edge.
7 . The applicator according to claim 6 , wherein the wavy edge is configured for easy spreading of the composition onto different surfaces of skin, wherein the surfaces are selected from a cracked, psoriatic or bumpy surface.
8 . The applicator according to claim 3 , wherein the head is composed of silicone.
9 . The applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the telescopic shaft of the applicator includes 2-5 sections, wherein each shaft section includes a diameter which is slightly wider than the diameter of the proximate shaft so that the smaller diameter shaft lodges firmly inside the larger diameter shaft.
10 . The applicator according to claim 9 , wherein the telescopic shaft is extendable and includes three sections which includes a base telescopic section which is configured to fit inside the handle of the applicator, a middle section of the telescopic shaft which is configured to fit inside the base shaft section, and a top shaft portion which is configured to fit inside the middle base section and which includes an upper portion that fits through a neck collar up to a pinnacle of an inverted triangle on the head of the applicator.
11 . The applicator according to claim 10 , wherein the base telescopic section is secured to the handle and the upper portion of the top portion shaft is secured to the central ridge extending along the length of the head.
12 . The applicator according to claim 10 , wherein the telescopic shafts are composed of stainless steel.
13 . The applicator according to claim 10 , wherein the handle of the applicator includes raised ridges which are spaced a distance of 1 cm along the length of the handle for use in measuring the size of lesions pre-m and post-treatment on the skin.
14 . The applicator according to claim 10 , wherein the handle is connected at its proximal end to a base tool which is in the shape of a question mark or hook or to an enclosed oval or loop for hanging and/or otherwise securing the applicator.
15 . The applicator according to claim 10 , wherein the handle is connected at its proximal end to a base tool which is in the shape of a fin, which when pressed against the skin conforms to the nature of the skin for improved topical application.
16 . The applicator according to claim 15 , where the fin includes a thinner front surface and thicker rear edges which provides for less irritation during topical application.
17 . The applicator according to claim 10 , wherein the applicator is part of a kit that includes (a) the applicator, (b) a composition in the form of a cream, lotion, gel, or foam, (c) instructions for use of the applicator, and (d) a box which is configured to fit the applicator and its components.
18 . An applicator which is used for spreading a composition onto the skin of a subject, comprising: a rectangular, diamond surface head, wherein the rectangular, diamond surface head includes a center ridge projecting outward from the head and extending along the length of the head, the ridge physically separating three flexible wedge-like skin-contact spreading surfaces, including an inverted triangular spreading surface at a tip of the head and two opposing wedge-shaped spreading surfaces extending along opposite sides of the center ridge, a handle, wherein the handle includes raised ridges which are spaced along the length of the handle for use in measuring the size of lesions on the skin, and a telescopic shaft, wherein the telescopic shaft is extendable and includes three sections which includes a base telescopic section which is configured to fit inside the handle of the applicator, a middle shaft section which is configured to fit inside the base shaft section, and a top shaft portion which is configured to fit inside the middle shaft section and wherein the top shaft portion includes an upper portion that fits through a neck collar connected to the head up to a pinnacle of an inverted triangle on the head of the applicator, wherein the handle is configured to completely contain the telescopic shaft when the shaft is in its retracted state and where the telescopic shaft can be extended longitudinally outward from a distal opening on the handle through the connection collar on the head when the applicator is in its extended state.
19 . The applicator according to claim 18 , wherein the handle is connected at its proximal end to a base tool in the shape of a hook, a loop, a fin or a palmate foot.
20 . A method of applying a composition to the skin or other external part of the body of a subject for the treatment of a skin disorder, which includes the steps of: a) grasping the handle of an applicator, wherein the applicator includes a handle, a telescopic shaft and a rectangular, diamond surface head, wherein the rectangular, diamond surface head includes a center ridge projecting outward from the head and extending along the length of the head, the ridge physically separating three flexible wedge-like skin-contact spreading surfaces, including an inverted triangular spreading surface at a tip of the head and two opposing wedge-shaped spreading surfaces extending along opposite sides of the center ridge and wherein the handle is configured to completely contain the telescopic shaft when the shaft is in its retracted state and where the telescopic shaft can be extended longitudinally outward from a distal opening on the handle through a connection collar on the head when the applicator is in its extended state, b) extending the telescopic shaft to a desired length, (c) dispensing an amount of the composition to fill an embossed area located on one of the opposing flexible wedge-like surfaces of the rectangular, diamond head surface, and (d) manipulating the applicator to apply the composition onto the bodily surface for the treatment of a skin disorder.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the skin disorder is selected from the group of acne, eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, rosacea, contact dermatitis, and other dry skin conditions and other conditions such as but not limited to infections (viral, bacterial, yeast, and fungal), pruritic (itch), sunburn, and metabolic, autoimmune, inflammatory, and cancerous skin conditions.