US3062212A - Vaccinating devices - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 6, 1962 H. KRAVITZ ETAL VACCINATING DEVICES Filed Aug. 8. 1960 3,062,212 Patented Nov. 6, 1962,

3,062,212 VACCINATING DEVICES Harvey Kravitz, 9243 Avers Ave., Skokie, 111., and Norman Lettvin, 527 Roscoe St, Chicago 13, Iii. Filed Aug. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 48,240 Claims. (1. 128-253) This invention relates to an improved device for vaccinating and more particularly this invention is an improvement over our issued Patent No. 2,817,336.

In the said Patent No. 2,817,336, there is disclosed the desirability of obtaining as uniform and small a scar as possible resulting from a vaccination, such as for smallpox and the like. The device of the said patent produces multiple simultaneous punctures or scarifications in a vaccinating operation. In the copending application of Harvey Kravitz, Serial No. 46,730, filed August 1, 1960, which application is commonly owned by the inventors and owners of this application, there is disclosed a particular mechanical construction that includes a cluster of specific puncture points which has been created and designed to produce satisfactory multiple punctures in a vaccinating operation. There is also disclosed in said copending appli-v cation a novel and greatly improved method of utilizing the specific vaccinator, which method comprises loading the cluster of points of the vaccinator with vaccine prior to pressing the cluster of points against the skin of a vaccinee.

Now, the principal object of the instant invention is to provide an improved vaccinating device that readily lends itself to manual manipulation in the effecting of vaccinations and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thumbactuated vaccinator which particularly takes advantage of the desirable features attendant with loading of vaccine on the vaccinator prior to effecting a vaccinating operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a vaccinating device which may be readily carried by the thumb to permit the vaccinating device to be conveniently slipped on, then used, and thereafter discarded.

As will become apparent hereinafter, this invention resolves about the concept of removably securing the vaccinating device to the thumb of one hand of the person administering the vaccination. This leaves the remainder of the hand free, thereby permitting said hand to grasp a portion of the body of the vaccinee immediately adjacent the area where the vaccination is to be efiected. This grasping of the body steadies the thumb-carried vaccinator and permits its use in a carefully controlled operation without having to attach the vaccinator to the vaccinee prior to effecting the multiple punctures required in a vaccinating operation. The mechanism herein thus provides for quick, effective and efficient vaccinations. The mechanism here disclosed is particularly useful with the method which utilizes the loading of the vaccine onto the multiple puncture points, as disclosed in the said copending application of Harvey Kravitz, Serial No. 46,730.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming of this specification.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of the vaccinating device that may be utilized in a thumb-actuated vaccinating operation;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the manner in which the vaccinator of FIGURE 1 is secured to a persons thumb;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating use of the vaccinator of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of thumb-actuated vaccinating device; and

FIGURE 5 shows still another form of thumb-actuated vaccinating device.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 a first form of vaccinator embodying the invention herein and which is generally indicated at 10. The vaccinator it includes an elongated flexble strip 12 that may be of plastic or fabric, as known in the art of packaged bandages, and which has a pair of pressure-sensitive, adhesive-carrying portions 14 on one side of strip 12 which are spaced on opposite sides of a central portion of strip 1.2 which carries a scarifying, or multiple puncture, means, generally indicated at 15. The pressure-sensitive-adhesive portions 14 of tape 12 are desirably protected by removable protector strips 16. The scarifying means 15 includes a square, thin but rigid, pressure base 18, a raised platform 20 extending outwardly therefrom, and a plurality of closely clustered pressure points 22 on platform 20. The specific details of construction of such a scarifier are more fully disclosed and described in the said copending application, Serial No. 46,730. The scarifying means 15 are retained on strip 12 by overlying retainer strips 23 or the like. The scarifying means 15, which includes base 18, platform 20 and points 22 is unitarily formed from stainless steel or from an acrylic plastic such as Lucite.

In the use of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1, the adhesive-protecting strips 16 are first removed and the flexible strip 12 is then wrapped around the extended end of a thumb T, as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 2, so that the central portion of strip 12 with pressure base 18 thereon is positioned against the thumb pad. The thumb pad is that portion of the thumb that is located opposite the thumbnail. The length of the strip 12 is such that there are overlapping portions, as seen in FIGURE 2, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive part 14 that is positioned between the overlapping portions of the strip 12 will operate to hold the strip 12 in its wrapped condition and will securely position the vaccinator 10 on the thumb T, with the pressure base 18 held securely against the thumb pad and with the pressure points 22 extending outwardly.

With the points 22 extending from the thumb unit thus defined, it will be seen that the points 22 may be lined up with an amount of vaccine previously deposited on the skin of a person and by forcing the points against the skin through the vaccine, simultaneous multiple punctures will be effected to complete a vaccinating operation.

However, in the preferable use of the device shown in FIGURES l and 2, after the vaccinator is secured to the thumb T, the tips of the pressure points 22 being closely clustered adjacent each other are first loaded with a preselected amount of vaccine, or other biological substance, in the manner as disclosed in the said copending application, Serial No. 46,730, and then it is only necessary to grasp the upper arm of the vaccinee with the fingers of the hand H, and, with the thumb slightly bent back-- wardly, until it is desired to effect the vaccination, whereupon the thumb T is thrust forwardly and operates to simultaneously efiect multiple punctures in the skin While delivering the biological substance, such as vaccine, simultaneously to the punctured skin area so as to obtain the desired reactive association between the biological substance and the skin. The biological substance that is loaded on the points 22 is preferably in viscous liquid form, but in some instances it may be in the form of a dried film that is deposited on the points, or it may even be in powdered form.

The use of the thumb unit, as disclosed in FIGURES 1-3, is very desirable because it permits the doctor, nurse, or other technician, to removably mount, or assemble, the

vaccinator on one thumb, thereby leaving the other hand free to load the pucture points with the vaccine or other biological substance. The close cluster of points 22 cooperates with the surface tension of the viscous liquid vaccine to retain the vaccine on the points 22 at all attitudes, including when the points 22 point straight down. Thereafter, the vaccinating procedure is very simple and merely comprises grasping the arm, or other body portion, of the individual adjacent the area where it is desired to vaccinate, with the ramainder of the hand that carries the vaccinator so as to steady the thumb, and then pressing with thumb pad toward the vaccinees upper arm. This action will press the puncture points 22 loaded with vaccine against the selected skin area to simultaneously eifect multiple punctures in the skin, without drawing blood, while simultaneously applying the vaccine to the punctured skin area for reaction therewith. The foregoing operation may be done in a very swift motion; and, particularly with infants and children, the operation is so rapid that these young people never realize that they have been vaccinated. Inasmuch as present methods of vaccinating require a substantial amount of preparation of a child or infant and, since these young people are frequently terrified by the proceedings, the rapidity with which vaccinating can be done with the instrument here described, and the fact that much of the preparation occurs on the thumb unit itself rather than on the vaccinee, completely eliminates the many psychological problems associated with previous vaccinating procedures. After the vaccination has been effected, the thumb unit may be easily removed and discarded, so that a fresh thumb unit may be utilized with the next vaccinee.

In the modified form of construction shown in FIG- URE 4, there is provided an elongated, rigid body 30 that has an arcuate inner side 32 designed and shaped to receive the pad portion of the thumb. The said inner side 32 preferably is serrated or roughened to prevent slipping between the body 30 and the thumb positioned thereagainst. The length of the elongated body 30 is such that the ends extend beyond the width of the average thumb and the ends of the rigid body 30 are provided with headed connectors 34 having reduced connecting stems 35 between the headed connector 34 and the main portion of body 30. The outer surface of the rigid body 30 carries a raised platform 36 upon which is positioned a plurality of puncture points 38. Preferably, the body 30, the platform 36, and points 38 are molded integrally from plastic such as an acrylic or the like so as to provide an inexpensive and discardable unit.

A flexible rubber band 40 is provided of a length to require slight stretching to hook over the headed connectors 34. This combination provides in effect an expansible ring-type unit, because a doctor or other technician may then grip the ends of the body 30 between thumb and finger of the one hand, and may then force the thumb of the other hand between the rubber band 40 and arcuate inner side 32 of the body 34, thereby attaching the thumb unit of FIGURE 4 to his thumb without touching the sterile points 38. When the vaccinator of FIGURE 4 is on the thumb, then the rubber band 40 is stretched across the thumb nail and the thumb pad is behind the portion of the body 30 upon which the platform 36 is located.

The operation with the device of FIGURE 4 is the same as with the device of FIGURES 1-3, and the points 38 may preferably be loaded with vaccine and may be utilized to effect a vaccination, a shown in FIGURE 3. After use, the thumb unit of FIGURE 4 may be easily removed and discarded.

In FIGURE 5, there is shown a third form of thumb unit for eifecting vaccination, and in this unit there is provided a thumb-embracing ring 50 that is molded to the shape illustrated in FIGURE 5. The ring 50 is incomplete, having spaced edges 51, to accommodate expansion for thumbs of different thickness, and the material of which the ring 50 is made may be slightly flexible adjacent the ends 51 to accommodate spreading movement. The center portion of the ring 50 opposite the free edges 51 is fairly rigid as it serves as a pressure base and carries thereon a raised platform 52 with a plurality of puncture points 54 extending from the platform. Preferably, the ring 50, platform 52, and points 54 are molded integrally from an acrylic plastic, such as Lucite, or the like to define an inexpensive and discardable thumb-carried vaccinating unit.

The inner periphery 56 of the ring 50 is generally frustoconical, thereby providing a taper for easily receiving the thumb, and the taper provides a simple means for accommodating thumbs of various sizes.

While the devices herein have been disclosed as useful in a vaccinating operation, it will be understood that such devices may be used wherever multiple puncture operations may be used or are required. Thus, such devices may be used in administering tuberculin tests, in virus inoculations, in administering BCG inoculations and the like. The device is particularly adaptable for use where a biological substance in liquid, dry, or dehydrated form is to be loaded onto the points and is to be then administered simultaneously with the effecting of multiple punctures under thumb pressure.

Although the multiple points herein are shown arranged in a rectangular arrangement it will be understood that the spaced points may be disposed in any pre-determined pattern, such as circularly, triangularly, or the like. While the device herein is, disclosed for mounting on the thumb, it may also be conveniently mounted on any other finger.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A device for providing simultaneous multiple punctures for use in a procedure wherein a biological substance is to be reactingly applied on the skin of a person; said device comprising in combination: thumb-embracing ring means having a central portion whose inner surface is adapted to be positioned against a thumb pad to receive operative pressure therefrom, a cluster of elongated substantially parallel puncture points on said central portion of the ring means and extending transversely out- Wardly therefrom, the inner periphery of said ring means being generally frusto-conical to define a tapering thumbreceiving interior recess adapted to removably and wedgingly secure the multiple puncture device onto only the thumb of one hand of a person with said central portion of the ring means positioned against the thumb pad, whereby to leave the fingers of the one hand free to grasp While the thumb remains free to selectively and controlledly manipulate said puncture points to a selected attitude and position from whence a single action by the thumb is operative to effect simultaneous multiple punctures by the puncture points, and said tapering thumbreceiving recess operating to effect wedging securement of the ring means onto thumbs of different sizes.

2. A device for providing simultaneous multiple punctures for use in a procedure wherein a biological substance is to be reactingly applied on the skin of a person; said device comprising in combination: thumb-embracing ring means having a central portion whose inner surface is adapted to be positioned against a thumb pad to receive operative pressure therefrom, a cluster of elongated substantially parallel puncture points on said central portion of the ring means and extending transversely outwardly therefrom, the inner periphery of said ring means being generally frusto-conical to define a tapering thumbreceiving interior recess adapted to removably and wedg-v ingly secure the multiple puncture device onto only the thumb of one hand of a person with said central portion of the ring means positioned against the thumb pad, whereby to leave the fingers of the one hand free to grasp while the thumb remains free to selectively and con trolledly manipulate said puncture points to a selected attitude and position from whence a single action by the thumb is operative to efiect simultaneous multiple punctures by the puncture points, said tapering thumb-receiving recess operating to efiect wedging securement of the ring means onto thumbs of diiferent sizes, and said ring means and puncture points being molded integrally of a plastic to provide an inexpensive, single-use instrument.

3. A device for providing simultaneous multiple punctures for use in a procedure wherein a biological substance is to be reactingly applied on the skin of a person; said device comprising in combination: thumb-embracing ring means having a central portion whose inner surface is adapted to be positioned against a thumb pad to receive operative pressure therefrom, a cluster of elongated substantially parallel puncture points on said central portion of the ring means and extending transversely outwardly therefrom, the inner periphery of said ring means being generally frusto-conical to define a tapering thumb-receiving interior recess adapted to removably and wedgingly secure the multiple puncture device onto only the thumb of one hand of a person with said central portion of the ring means positioned against the thumb pad, whereby to leave the fingers of the one hand free to grasp while the thumb remains free to selectively and controlledly manipulate said puncture points to a selected attitude and position from whence a single action by the thumb is operative to effect simultaneous multiple punctures by the puncture points, said tapering thumb-receiving recess operating to effect wedging securement of the ring means onto thumbs of different sizes, and said thumbembracing ring means being formed of slightly flexible material and defining spaced edges which may be spread apart to accommodate Wedging insertion therein of thumbs of different thickness.

4. A device for providing simultaneous multiple punctures for use in a procedure wherein a biological substance is to be reactingly applied on the skin of a person; said device comprising in combination: thumb-embracing ring means having a central portion whose inner surface is adapted to be positioned against a thumb pad to receive operative pressure therefrom, a raised platform on the outer side of said central portion of the ring means, a cluster of elongated substantially parallel puncture points on said raised platform and extending transversely outwardly therefrom, the inner periphery of said ring means being generally frusto-conical to define a tapering thumbreceiving interior recess adapted to removably and Wedgingly secure the multipe puncture device onto only the thumb of one hand of a person with said central portion of the ring means positioned against the thumb pad, whereby to leave the fingers of the one hand free to grasp while the thumb remains free to selectively and controlledly manipulate said puncture points to a selected attitude and position from whence a single action by the thumb is operative to effect simultaneous multiple punctures by the puncture points, and said tapering thumbreceiving recess operating to effect wedging securement of the ring means onto thumbs of difierent sizes.

5. A method of applying a biological substance to the skin of an applicatee in a reactive association with the skin, said method comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a plurality of puncture points whose tips are clustered closely adjacent each other, removably mounting the cluster of puncture points solely on the thumb of one hand so that said puncture points are manipulable only by action of the thumb, whereby to leave the entire remainder of the one hand free to grasp a portion of the body adjacent the area of the skin to which the biological substance is to be applied, loading the cluster of points with an amount of the biological substnace that will be retained on the points at all attitudes of the points, and then pressing the puncture points loaded with biological substance by single thumb pressure only against a selected skin area to simultaneously effect multiple punctures in the skin while simultaneously applying the biological substance to the punctured skin area in reactive association with the skin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 585,007 Rambaud June 22, 1897 1,675,240 Asher June 26, 1928 2,151,846 Greneker Mar. 28, 1939 2,619,962 Rosenthal Dec. 2, 1952 2,801,633 Ehrlich Aug. 6, 1957 2,811,969 Shubert Nov. 5, 1957 2,817,336 Kravitz et a1 Dec. 24, 1957 2,858,830 Robins Nov. 4, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES The Lancet, A Knife for Mitral Valvotomy, vol. 266, No. 6814, April 3, 1954, page 710.

Images