DEVICE FOR PRODUCING SCLEROSING MICROFOAM
This invention relates to apparatus and devices that generate sclerosing microfoams for the treatment of venous disorders, such as varicose veins. The invention includes adaptors which provide fluid connections to microfoam generating devices, to enable filling with gas and/or dispensing of the microfoam produced. The adaptors are generally cylindrical elements with open ends to enable attachment to pressurisable container on one end and are configured to enable rapid and easy attachment of a filling means or a dispensing means through the other end of the adaptor. A particular configuration comprises three or more circumferentially and downward extending cam tracks which cooperate with corresponding cams on the filling means or dispensing means and which connect a pressurisable container to a fluid path of a filling or dispensing means when the pressurisable container and filling or dispensing means are rotated relative to each other.
1 . An adaptor for a pressurisable container including a valve, said adaptor comprising:
a cylindrical element with open ends and an inner wall and an outer wall therebetween, said open ends comprising a lower open end configured to enable attachment to the pressurisable container and an upper open end;
an inner bore to accommodate the valve of the pressurisable container;
wherein the outer wall of the adaptor comprises three or more evenly spaced cam tracks which circumferentially and downwardly extend from a top initial portion to a bottom terminal end wall at a terminal end of each cam track.
2 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the three or more cam tracks includes a detent.
3 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the detent is provided in the top initial portion of the at least one cam track.
4 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the three or more cam tracks includes two detents therein.
5 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the three or more cam tracks includes a mechanical click-stop at the terminal end.
6 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the three or more evenly spaced cam tracks define three parallel pathways that extend around an entire circumference of the adaptor.
7 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein three or more evenly spaced cam tracks define three parallel pathways at least a portion of which includes a gradient in the range of 20 and 50 degrees relative to the lower end of the adaptor.
8 . The adaptor according to claim 7 , wherein the gradient is approximately 35 degrees.
9 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the three or more evenly spaced cam tracks define three parallel pathways each characterized by an initial and a final portion with gradient between 0 and 5 degrees, and a central portion with a gradient in the range of 20 to 40 degrees.
10 . The adaptor according to claim 9 , wherein the central portion has a gradient of 35 degrees.
11 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the adaptor further includes a release disposed within at least one of the cam tracks.
12 . The adaptor according to claim 11 , wherein the release comprises a snap release.
13 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the lower open end includes structure configured for snap fit attachment to the pressurisable container.
14 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the adaptor includes structure configured to snap fit on to the top of an aerosol canister.
15 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the cam tracks are configured to cooperate with one or more corresponding cams on a separate device.
16 . The adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the cam tracks are configured to cooperate with one or more corresponding cams on a separate device to connect the separate device to the pressurisable container via the adaptor.
17 . The adaptor according to claim 16 , wherein the separate device is a filling device for filling the pressurisable container.
18 . The adaptor according to claim 16 , wherein the separate device is a dispensing device.
19 . An adaptor for a pressurisable container including a valve, said adaptor comprising:
a cylindrical element with an inner bore extending between an upper open end and a lower open end, the lower open end configured for attachment to the pressurisable container, and the inner bore configured for accommodating the valve of the pressurisable container;
three or more evenly spaced cam tracks defined in an outer surface of the cylindrical element, the three or more evenly spaced cam tracks each extending circumferentially and downwardly from a top initial portion to a bottom terminal end wall at a terminal end of each cam track.
20 . An adaptor for a pressurisable container, said adaptor comprising:
a hollow element with a wall defining an outer surface and an inner bore extending between an upper end having an opening and a lower end having an opening, the lower end configured for snap fit attachment to the pressurisable container;
three or more evenly spaced cam tracks defined in the outer surface of the hollow element, the three or more evenly spaced cam tracks each extending around and down from the upper end of the hollow element.