U.S. patent application number 12/016318 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for ultrasonic syringe.
Invention is credited to Eilaz Babaev.
Application Number | 20090187135 12/016318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40885892 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090187135 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Babaev; Eilaz |
July 23, 2009 |
ULTRASONIC SYRINGE
Abstract
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic syringe for
delivery and withdrawal of fluids from a human and/or animal
patient. The ultrasonic syringe apparatus comprises a generator, a
movable ultrasound transducer, a barrel, an ultrasound transducer
tip, a radiation surface, an orifice located at the front end of
the barrel, and a syringe head. The apparatus may further comprise
a channel, a valve located on the distal end of the channel, and an
orifice within the side wall which enables fluids to be delivered
into the barrel. Ultrasonic waves emitting from the radiation
surface induce vibrations within the fluids, sonicating the fluids,
thereby eliminating the pain and discomfort associated with
receiving injections, reducing and/or eliminating the force
required to administer the injection, decreasing delivery time of
the fluids into the body, and delivering ultrasonic energy to the
tissue via the sonicated fluids.
Inventors: |
Babaev; Eilaz; (Minnetonka,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bacoustics, LLC
5929 BAKER ROAD, SUITE 470
MINNETONKA
MN
55345
US
|
Family ID: |
40885892 |
Appl. No.: |
12/016318 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/204 20130101;
A61N 7/00 20130101; A61M 5/31511 20130101; A61M 37/0092 20130101;
A61M 2205/3693 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/22 |
International
Class: |
A61M 5/31 20060101
A61M005/31 |
Claims
1. An ultrasonic syringe for delivery or withdrawal of a fluid
comprising: an ultrasound generator; an ultrasound transducer
connected to the ultrasound generator; a transducer tip attached to
the ultrasound transducer; a radiation surface formed at the distal
end of the transducer tip, wherein ultrasound waves assist the
movement of the radiation surface within a barrel; and an orifice
at the distal end of the barrel.
2. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 also having a cavity within
the barrel between the orifice and the radiation surface for
holding the fluid.
3. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 2 wherein the fluid is
ultrasonically activated.
4. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound
transducer is moveable within the barrel.
5. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound
transducer is removably affixed in the barrel.
6. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 also having a seal between the
transducer tip and the barrel.
7. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 also having a hypodermic
needle removably fastened to the distal end of the barrel.
8. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a
therapeutic agent.
9. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface
is flat.
10. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface
is concave.
11. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface
is convex.
12. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface
is flat.
13. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 also having a means for
focusing ultrasound waves.
14. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the fluid is in
transferred from the barrel to a hypodermic needle through the
orifice.
15. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein ultrasound waves
assist the transfer of the fluid from the barrel to a hypodermic
needle through the orifice.
16. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface
emits ultrasound waves at a wavelength within a range of 1 micron
to 300 microns.
17. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 1 wherein the radiation surface
emits ultrasound waves at a frequency between 20 kHz and 20
mHz.
18. An ultrasonic syringe for delivery or withdrawal of a fluid
comprising: an ultrasound generator; an ultrasound transducer
connected to the ultrasound generator; a transducer tip attached to
the ultrasound transducer; a radiation surface formed at the distal
end of the transducer tip, wherein ultrasound waves assist the
movement of the radiation surface within a barrel; an orifice at
the distal end of the barrel; and an attachment stub located on the
barrel radial surface.
19. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 also having a cavity within
the barrel between the orifice and the radiation surface for
holding the fluid.
20. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 having a valve portion of
the attachment stub.
21. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 wherein the fluid is in
communication from the attachment stub to a hypodermic needle
through the orifice.
22. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 wherein the cavity receives
the fluid through the attachment stub.
23. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 wherein the fluid is a
therapeutic agent activated by ultrasound waves.
24. The ultrasonic syringe of claim 18 also having a means for
focusing ultrasound waves.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a medical apparatus for the
delivery or withdrawal of fluids from a patient, and more
particularly, to an ultrasonic syringe.
[0002] Various infections, conditions, and diseases of the body can
be difficult to treat with out the administering of medications via
transdermal injections. Different types of fluids, such as, but not
limited to, medications, vaccines, water, saline solutions, and
blood products can be injected into the body or withdrawn from the
body. In medical practice, such fluids are administered in several
ways, such as, but not limited to subcutaneously, intravenously,
and/or intramuscularly depending on an identified treatment
purpose. Also, injections are the best way to deliver a precise
dose of medication quickly. When given, fluids such as drugs are
immediately delivered to the blood stream, and tend to take effect
more quickly than when given by any other route.
[0003] The fluids are typically administered to the patient or
withdrawn from the patient by a practitioner, who may be a
physician, nurse, orderly, nurse practitioner, or other such
individual.
[0004] A typical manual syringe is a device for introducing and/or
injecting fluids into or withdrawing them from the body. Generally,
a syringe consists of a hypodermic needle attached to a hollow
cylinder that is fitted with a sliding plunger. Fluid is expelled
from the syringe when the plunger is depressed. Physical force is
needed to push in the plunger in order to discharge fluid into the
patient's body. The practitioner administering the injection is
required to use physical force to discharge the fluid from the
syringe into the body. Such use of physical force can cause injury
not only to the patient but also to the practitioner administering
the injections.
[0005] The physical force required to administer the injection
causes tension and/or pain on the practitioner's arms, shoulders,
fingers and/or thumb, especially since several injections are
administered to different patients each day. Furthermore, it is
very painful for the patient when the hypodermic needle is inserted
into the body with such physical force. The patient is typically
already in pain and receiving the injection should not increase the
pain.
[0006] These manual syringe devices provide uneven thumb and/or
finger pressure when injection is being, delivered, the
practitioner has very little control over the flow rate of the
fluid exiting the hypodermic needle, there is also very poor
control of hypodermic needle tip which can lead to damage to skin,
tissue and/or veins, and generally unnecessary pain and discomfort
in patient.
[0007] Various powered and/or electrical syringes are also present
in the prior art. These devices were developed to overcome the
problems associated with manual syringes, however, these
electronically and/or mechanically powered syringes are not without
problems. These devices do not reduce and/or eliminate the pain and
discomfort associated with receiving injections, sonicate fluids
prior to and during delivery into the body, and are sometimes
cumbersome to use.
[0008] Current syringes fail to eliminate the pain and/or
discomfort associated with administering an injection to the body
of a patient. Additionally, such syringes fail to decrease drug
delivery time and force required in administering the injection.
Hence, there is a need for a syringe with faster administration
time, eliminating the pressure on the practitioner's arms,
shoulders, fingers and/or thumb, especially since several
injections are administered to different patients each day,
therefore increasing the quality of work life for the practitioner,
and reducing the time spent delivering drugs via injections to the
body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Apparatus and methods in accordance with the present
inventions may resolve many of the needs and shortcomings discussed
above and will provide additional improvements and advantages as
will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the
present disclosure.
[0010] The present inventions provide an ultrasonic syringe for
delivering and withdrawing fluids from the body. The ultrasonic
syringe apparatus comprises an ultrasound generator, a movable
ultrasound transducer, a transducer tip at the distal end of the
ultrasound transducer, a radiation surface at distal end of
transducer tip, a barrel, and a syringe head.
[0011] The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise
an attachment stub configured into the barrel. The attachment stub
may include a valve for the regulation of the flow of fluid into
the barrel. Ultrasonic waves emitting through the transducer tip at
the radiation surface may sonicate fluid contained within the
cavity defined by the barrel and the transducer tip by inducing
vibrations within these fluids. The sonicated fluids may then be
injected into the body through a hypodermic needle that may be
attached to the syringe head. This use in sonodynamic therapy
provides for the activation of therapeutic agents by the ultrasound
essentially at the same time it is being administered to the
body.
[0012] Sonicating fluids prior and during delivery to the body
provides several advantages to the patient, such as, but not
limited to, elimination and/or reduction of pain and discomfort
from receiving the injection, elimination of tissue damage during
injection, and reduction of infection in the patient as a result of
the anesthetic and antimicrobial properties of ultrasound.
[0013] The ultrasonic syringe may enable the practitioner
administering the injection to do so without applying physical
force, therefore, physical force may be decreased and/or
eliminated. The ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiation surface
within the barrel may push the fluids through the hypodermic needle
into the body.
[0014] Injecting fluids subcutaneously, intravenously,
intramuscularly, and/or through catheters into the body with the
present invention may entail filling the cavity portion of the
ultrasonic syringe barrel with the selected fluids, activating the
transducer and depressing the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound
transducer may be depressed manually or mechanically. When
depressed manually, minimal force may be required to push the
transducer down because the ultrasonic waves emitting from the
radiation surface reduces the physical force required by the
practitioner to depress the transducer. The ultrasound waves
emitting through the radiation surface at the distal end of the
ultrasound tip induce vibrations within the barrel causing the
fluids to be sonicated. The pumping action provided by the
ultrasound energy emitted from the ultrasound transducer may also
be controlled by adjusting the amplitude of the ultrasonic
vibrations. Sonicated fluids may move through the orifice located
at the front end of the barrel to the syringe head, and may be
injected into the patient's body.
[0015] The ultrasonic syringe also has the ability of enhancing
therapeutic effects and reducing the force required for injection
by changing the viscosity of the fluid being injected through the
action of the ultrasound energy on the fluid physical
properties.
[0016] The present invention may be used to introduce and/or
deliver fluids into the body. Activating the ultrasound transducer
creates vibrations within the transducer tip resulting in the
emission of ultrasonic waves from the radiation surface. The
ultrasonic waves induce vibrations within the fluids in the barrel.
Ultrasonic waves coming in contact with the fluids sonicate and
activate the fluids as they are delivered into the body.
[0017] The barrel of the present invention holds the fluid before
it may be injected into the body of a patient. The width of the
barrel may be variable and depends on the use; such as use on a
human body, or use on an animal, and/or on the amount of fluids
needed. The barrel may be fabricated from a disposable and/or
autoclavable plastic material, polymer, metal, glass, and/or any
combination thereof. Material selection may be based on the desired
effect of the barrel on the emitted ultrasound waves. Depending on
the particular application, it may be desirable for the barrel to
reflect ultrasound waves, adsorb ultrasound waves or transmit
ultrasound waves and materials of construction would be selected
accordingly. The barrel may be formed in a variety of shapes such
as, but not limited to cylindrical, oval and/or rectangular. The
back end may be the area opposite and away from the syringe head.
The front end of the barrel may be located at the proximal end of
the syringe head. An orifice located at the front end of the barrel
serves to transport the fluids out of the barrel. An orifice
located at the back end of the barrel receives the transducer tip
within the barrel.
[0018] The ultrasound transducer of the present invention may be
located at the back end of the barrel. The ultrasound transducer
may be imbedded into the barrel and/or detachable from the barrel.
An ultrasound generator may be connected to the ultrasound
transducer. The ultrasound generator and transducer may be a single
piece imbedded into each other. Alternatively, the ultrasound
transducer may be battery operated. The ultrasound transducer may
be a movable part that slides forward and backwards within the
barrel. Sliding forward, the ultrasound transducer pushes the
fluids in the barrel towards an orifice located at the front end of
the barrel. Emitted ultrasonic energy eases the push of the fluids,
consequently, the fluids in the barrel exit the orifice moving
through the hypodermic needle into the patient's body.
[0019] The present invention may also be used to withdraw fluids,
such as, but not limited to blood samples, from the body of a human
and/or animal patient. After the hypodermic needle may be
introduced into the body from which the fluid sample may be to be
withdrawn, the ultrasound transducer may be activated creating a
vacuum within the barrel. The ultrasound transducer may be pulled
back away from the front end of the barrel manually and/or by
mechanical means. As the transducer may be pulled back away from
the front end of the barrel towards the back end, ultrasonic waves
induce vibrations within the drawn fluids in the barrel.
[0020] Alternatively, fluids may be introduced into the barrel
through one or multiple orifices within the side wall of the
barrel. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention may
comprise an orifice located within the side wall of the barrel, and
a valve. The orifice may further comprise a channel originating
from the orifice located within the side wall of the barrel and
terminating at a valve. The valve may be located at the distal end
of the channel. Fluids may be delivered to the barrel through the
valve. The valve further prevents fluids from flowing back out from
the orifice within the side wall of the barrel into the channel.
The valve may be manually and/or mechanically controlled.
[0021] At least one of the materials may, but need not, be a
carrier for at least one of the other materials utilized.
Acceptable carriers may include, but are not limited to, water, a
saline solution, and/or alcohol. At least one of the materials may,
but need not, be a pharmaceutical or therapeutic agent. Preferably,
at least one of the materials is preferably capable of eliciting a
positive therapeutic effect, such as, but not limited to
oxygen.
[0022] The vibrations induced by the ultrasound energy in the
barrel, and the sonicated fluids reduce patient pain during the
administration of the injection. Penetration force may be also
decreased. The ultrasonic waves reduce the physical force required
to administer the injection, hence, reducing the tension and/or
eliminating the pain in the practitioner's arms, shoulders, fingers
and/or thumb. Ultrasonic waves may be also delivered to the tissue
via sonicated fluids providing therapeutic benefits to the
patient.
[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a dimensional schematic view of aspects
of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrasonic syringe according to
the present inventions.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of aspects of an
embodiment of an ultrasonic syringe according to the present
inventions;
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of aspects of an exemplary
embodiment of an ultrasonic syringe according to the present
invention including an attachment stub.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The figures generally illustrate embodiments of an
ultrasonic syringe 10 including aspects of the present inventions.
The particular exemplary embodiments of the ultrasonic syringe 10
illustrated in the figures have been chosen for ease of explanation
and understanding of various aspects of the present inventions.
These illustrated embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of
coverage but instead to assist in understanding the context of the
language used in this specification and the appended claims.
Accordingly, many variations from the illustrated embodiments may
be encompassed by the appended claims.
[0028] The present inventions provide an ultrasonic syringe 10 for
the delivery of fluids 25 to a patient or the withdrawal of fluids
25 from a patient. The ultrasonic syringe 10 according to the
present invention may provide increased comfort to the patient as
well as to the practitioner administering the fluid 25. The
effectiveness of the delivery of the fluid 25 may also be increased
by the ultrasonic syringe 10 according to the present
inventions.
[0029] As generally illustrated throughout the Figures, the
ultrasonic syringe 10 generally includes an ultrasound generator 15
connected to a movable ultrasound transducer 20. A transducer tip
30 may be located at the distal end of the ultrasound transducer
20. The distal end of the transducer tip 30 may be configured as a
radiation surface 40. At least portions of the transducer tip may
be slideably received inside a barrel 50. An orifice 60 located at
the front end of barrel 50 defines a passage 56 to syringe head 70.
Hypodermic needle 140 may be affixed to syringe head 70. Fluid 25
may be loaded into the barrel of the ultrasonic syringe 10 and
sonicated by the radiation surface of the transducer tip 30 as the
fluid is injected from the barrel 50 through the hypodermic needle
140 into a patient. Similarly, fluid may be sonicated by the
radiation surface 40 of the transducer tip 30 while the fluid 25 is
withdrawn through the hypodermic needle 140 into the barrel 50 of
the ultrasonic syringe 10 from the patient.
[0030] The ultrasound generator 15 may produce an electrical signal
having various frequencies. The electrical signal may be then
supplied to the ultrasound transducer 20 to drive the ultrasound
transducer 20. A power source such as a battery or mains electric
may be connected to the ultrasound generator 15 to provide
electrical power to the ultrasound generator 15 for generation of
the electrical signal. The ultrasound generator 15 may be
configured to produce an electrical signal having a constant signal
frequency or may be configured to produce an electrical signal
having a variable signal frequency controllable by, for example,
the practitioner.
[0031] In some embodiments, the signal frequency may be controlled
automatically by the ultrasound generator 15. Such embodiments of
the ultrasound generator may include feedback from the ultrasound
transducer 20 and/or the transducer tip 30 so that the ultrasound
generator 10 may detect resonance of the transducer tip 30. The
ultrasound generator 10 may then adjust the frequency of the
electrical signal in order to resonate the transducer tip 30.
[0032] The ultrasound transducer 20 converts the electrical signal
supplied by the ultrasound generator 15 into a mechanical
oscillation. The transducer tip 30 maybe mechanically connected to
the ultrasound transducer 20 so that the mechanical oscillation may
be transmitted to the transducer tip 30 by the ultrasound
transducer 20 to excite the transducer tip 30. The mechanical
oscillation has an oscillation frequency that generally corresponds
to the signal frequency supplied to the ultrasound transducer 20 by
the ultrasound generator 15. Thus, the transducer tip 30 may be
excited by the ultrasound transducer 20 at an oscillation frequency
that generally corresponds to the signal frequency supplied to the
ultrasound transducer 20 by the ultrasound generator 15.
[0033] The signal driving the ultrasound transducer may be a
sinusoidal wave, square wave, triangular wave, trapezoidal wave, or
any combination thereof.
[0034] The ultrasound transducer 20 may use piezoelectric crystals
which have the property of changing size in response to changes in
voltage to excite the transducer tip 30. Alternatively, the
ultrasound transducer 20 may employ magnetostrictive materials or
may be configured in other ways that would be recognized by those
skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure.
[0035] The transducer tip 30 may be excited at an oscillation
frequency by the ultrasound transducer 20, which may induce a
corresponding tip vibration in the transducer tip 30. The tip
frequency, meaning the frequency at which the transducer tip 30
vibrates, may generally approximate the oscillation frequency and
harmonics of the oscillation frequency of the ultrasound transducer
20. Accordingly, the tip frequency of the transducer tip 30 may be
controlled by adjusting the signal frequency produced by the
ultrasound generator 15 and, hence, the oscillation frequency of
the ultrasound transducer 20.
[0036] The horn utilized may be capable of vibrating in resonance
at a frequency of approximately 16 kHz or greater. The ultrasonic
vibrations traveling down the horn may have an amplitude of
approximately 1 micron or greater. It is preferred that the horn
utilized be capable of vibrating in resonance at a frequency
between approximately 20 kHz and approximately 200 kHz.
[0037] The transducer tip 30 may be configured to resonate
generally at the signal frequency of range of signal frequencies
produced by the ultrasound generator 15 so that the transducer tip
30 resonates when exited by the ultrasound transducer 20. The
transducer tip 30 may be configured with a radiation surface 40
which may be generally a distal portion of the transducer tip 30.
Ultrasonic waves 90 generated by excitation of the transducer tip
30 may then emanate from the radiation surface 40.
[0038] The barrel 50 of the ultrasonic syringe 10 defines an
interior barrel surface 52 and an exterior barrel surface 54, and
the interior barrel surface 52 defines a passage 56. Portions of
the transducer tip 30 including the radiation surface 40 may extend
into the passage 56 and may be sealably and slideably received
within said passage 56 so that the portions of the transducer tip
30 including the radiation surface 40 in combination with the
interior barrel surface 52 define a cavity 58 capable of containing
the fluid 25 with the passage 56. A seal 80 or combination of seals
80 may be provided in some embodiments such that the transducer tip
30 may be sealably received within the passage 56. The seal may be
constructed of a resilient elastomer to reduce the transmission of
vibrations from the transducer tip to the barrel and the hypodermic
needle 140. A portion of the cavity 58 may be defined by the
radiation surface 40 so that ultrasonic waves emitted from the
radiation surface would be directed into the fluid 25 contained
within the cavity 58 to sonicate the fluid 25.
[0039] The barrel 50 may also be configured with a syringe head,
which may be a point of attachment for a hypodermic needle 140. The
syringe head 70 may be formed in portions of the exterior barrel
surface 54. Various features may be included in the syringe head 70
for the attachment of a hypodermic needle 140 such as seals and
threading. In some embodiments, a portion of the interior barrel
surface 52 may be configured as an orifice 60 to form a path of
fluid communication between the cavity 58 and the syringe head 70
so that fluid 25 may pass between the cavity 58 and the hypodermic
needle 140 attached at the syringe head through the orifice 60 for
delivery to or withdrawal from the patient.
[0040] The hypodermic needle 140 may be a hollow needle that
defines a needle lumen 146 from a proximal needle end 144 to a
distal needle end 142 through which the fluid 25 may pass for
delivery to or from a patient. The hypodermic needle 140 may be
mack* of stainless steel or other suitable materials. The proximal
needle end 144 may be configured for attachment to the ultrasonic
syringe 10 at the syringe head 70. When attached to the ultrasonic
syringe 10, the needle lumen 146 may be in fluid communication with
the cavity 58 so that fluid 25 may pass between the cavity 58 and
the distal needle end 142. The distal needle end 142 may be formed
into a point, may include a sharpened edge, and otherwise
configured to readily puncture skin and other bodily tissues. The
hypodermic needle 140 may be of various sizes which may be selected
by the practitioner depending upon the particular application.
[0041] In some embodiments, the volume of the cavity 58 may be
adjusted by sliding the transducer tip 30 within the passage 56. By
sliding the transducer within the passage 56, fluid 25 may be
forced from the cavity 58 through die orifice 60 and through the
hypodermic needle 140 and delivered to the patient. Similarly, by
sliding the transducer tip 30 within the passage 56, fluid 25 may
be withdrawn from the patient through the hypodermic needle 140
attached at the syringe head 70, through the orifice 60 and into
the cavity 58. Such embodiments would be useful, for example, for
the delivery of a single measured dose of fluid 25 to a patient.
Accordingly, the barrel may include various marking indicative of
the volume of the cavity 58 passed upon the position of the
transducer tip 30 within the passage 56.
[0042] In other embodiments, the volume of the cavity 58 may remain
relatively constant. In these embodiments, the barrel 50 may
further include an attachment stub 130 configured, for example, to
allow fluid communication between a reservoir and the ultrasonic
syringe 10 so that the ultrasonic syringe could be used to deliver,
for example, saline solution to the patient. The attachment stub
130 may be configured in various ways to enable connection of the
ultrasonic syringe 10 to the reservoir of fluid 25 and may include
various attachment mechanisms as would be understood by those
skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure. A tube, for
example, may be attached to the reservoir and to the attachment
stub 130. The tube may be attached to a reservoir to form a path of
fluid communication between the reservoir and the cavity 58 which
passes through the tube and through the attachment stub 130. The
attachment feature may include a valve 110 configured to control
the flux of fluid 25 through the attachment stub 130. Such
embodiments may be useful for a more continuous delivery of fluid
25 to or from the patient.
[0043] The ultrasound energy may be used to activate the
therapeutic agent either directly or indirectly through
oxygenation, the production of free radicals and/or ozone. The
potential for ultrasound to produce cavitation and micro-streaming
can be utilized for some embodiments.
[0044] Turning now to the Figures aspects of the present inventions
including the ultrasonic syringe 10 may he depicted in FIG. 1. The
ultrasonic syringe 10 comprises an ultrasound generator 15
connected to a movable ultrasound transducer 20, a transducer tip
30 located at the distal end of the ultrasound transducer 20, a
radiation surface 40 at the distal end of the transducer tip 30, a
barrel 50, an orifice 60 located at the front end of barrel 50 and
a syringe head 70. The ultrasound transducer 20 may be integral
with the transducer tip 30 as to form a single part. Alternatively,
the ultrasound transducer 20 may be a separate piece attached to
the transducer tip 30 by mechanical or other means. The means of
attaching the ultrasound transducer 20 to the transducer tip 30 may
be such as to allow the ultrasound transducer 20 to be removed and
replaced by the practitioner. Transducer tip 30 may be formed in a
variety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, flat, round, and/or
any combination thereof. Ultrasound transducer 20 may be integral
with the barrel 50 so as to form a Single part. Alternatively, the
ultrasound transducer 20 may be a separate piece attached to barrel
50 by mechanical or other means. It may be preferable to have
ultrasound transducer 20 detachable from barrel 50. A detachable
and/or removable ultrasound transducer 20 from the barrel 50
enables the practitioner to change barrel 50, clean and/or sanitize
ultrasound transducer 20 and/or barrel 50. Furthermore, the ability
to change barrel 50 reduces the spread of diseases. Ultrasound
transducer 20 may be connected to ultrasound generator 15.
Alternatively, ultrasound transducer 20 may be battery operated
whereby the battery (not shown) is inserted and/or imbedded into
the ultrasound transducer 20.
[0045] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the
ultrasonic syringe 10 apparatus of the present invention where
ultrasound transducer 20 may be slideably disposed inside the
barrel 50. As illustrated in this embodiment, a portion of the
barrel may be configured to define an aperture 100 configured so
that the transducer tip 30 may slideably pass through the aperture
100.
[0046] As the ultrasound transducer 20 may be activated, ultrasonic
waves 90 traveling at a preselected frequency, amplitude, intensity
and/or signal form may be sent through the ultrasound transducer 20
to the transducer tip 30 and emitted from the radiation surface 40.
Radiation surface 40 of the present invention may be formed in a
variety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, flat, conical,
rounded and/or any combination thereof. A flat surface may be
preferred for embodiments that do not prefer focusing of the
ultrasound waves. The proximal end of barrel 50 may be the area in
which the ultrasound transducer 20 may be either attached
permanently and/or detachable from the barrel 50. The syringe head
70 may be located at the distal end of barrel 50. Alternatively,
barrel 50 may have an opening or orifice 60 located at the back end
that receives a detachable and/or removable ultrasound transducer
20.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, a seal 80 prevents fluid 25 from
exiting the cavity 58 by passing around portions of the transducer
tip 30. Seal 80 also prevents air from entering into the cavity 58.
Barrel 50 may be pre-filled with fluid 25 to be injected or the
ultrasonic syringe 10 may be filled by mechanically and/or manually
pulling back ultrasound transducer 20. Ultrasound transducer 20
imbedded and/or attached to barrel 50 may be activated with fluid
25 present within barrel 50. Ultrasound transducer 20 may be then
depressed either mechanically by a motor (not pictured) and/or
manually by pushing down ultrasound transducer 20. Ultrasonic
energy at a pre-selected frequency may be sent through transducer
tip 30 as ultrasound transducer 20 may be being depressed.
Depressing ultrasound transducer 20 pushes the fluid 25 in the
barrel 50 forward towards center orifice 60.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasound transducer 20 may
be movable, and depresses forward towards the front end of the
barrel 50 when pushed, mechanically and/or manually, and moves
backwards towards the back end of barrel 50 when fluid 25 may be
being withdrawn from the patient. When ultrasound transducer 20 may
be pulled back towards the back end of the barrel 50, it creates a
vacuum which enables fluid 25 to be withdrawn from the patient
through center orifice 60 into the barrel 50. Ultrasound transducer
20 moves forwards and backwards within barrel 50. Radiation surface
40 emits ultrasonic waves 90 inducing vibrations and sonicating the
fluid 25 within the barrel 50 prior and during delivery to patient.
The adjustability of the cavity 58 portion of the barrel 50 allows
for the optimization of standing waves to be generated in the
cavity 58. This allows the enhancement of micro cavitation and
micro-streaming as desired. Furthermore disinfection properties of
the apparatus may be enhanced. Adjustability of the barrel also
allows control of the ultrasonic interaction of the ultrasound
transducer 20 with hypodermic needle 140. This permits focusing of
ultrasound at or through the needle if desired.
[0049] Ultrasound transducer 20 may be fully depressed with
radiation surface 40 pushing out the sonicated fluid 25 through
center orifice 60 into the body via hypodermic needle 140.
Hypodermic needle 140 may be affixed to syringe head 70 by
mechanical mean or other means. Hypodermic needle 140 may be
variable in size depending on the designated use, such as, but not
limited to use on large farm animals, such as cows, and horses.
[0050] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the ultrasonic syringe 10 apparatus of the present
invention comprising a port 120 within the side wall of barrel 50,
a attachment stub 130, and a valve 110 at the distal end of
attachment stub 130. Attachment stub 130 originates from port 120
and terminates at valve 110. The valve 110 depicted may be manually
controlled, although mechanically and/or automatically controlled
valves including check valves may also be used with the present
invention. Fluid 25 may be introduced through valve 110 into
attachment stub 130. Fluid 25 may flow through attachment stub 130,
entering through port 120 into barrel 50. Valve 110 prevents fluid
25 entering into barrel 50 through port 120 on the side wall of
barrel 50 from flowing back out of port 120 on side wall of barrel
50 into attachment stub 130. Preferably, this alternative
embodiment may be used for delivery of fluid 25 to the patient.
Activating ultrasound transducer 20 creates ultrasound vibrations
within the fluid 25 in barrel 50. Ultrasonic waves 90 coming in
contact with fluid 25 within the barrel 50 sonicate the fluid 25
prior and during delivery to patients. Sonicated fluid 25 may be
pushed through orifice 60 by a combination of the ultrasonic waves
90 and the depressing of ultrasound transducer 20.
[0051] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the
same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments. It is
to be understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive. The disclosed steps of the
methods are not intended to be restricted to the order listed.
Combinations of the above embodiments and; other embodiments will
be apparent to those having skill in the art upon review of the
present disclosure. The scope of the present invention should be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
* * * * *