U.S. patent application number 12/914202 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for enteral-only syringe and method of manufacturing same.
This patent application is currently assigned to BENLAN, INC.. Invention is credited to Thomas Frederick Enns, Adnan Stetieh.
Application Number | 20110046568 12/914202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43605919 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110046568 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Enns; Thomas Frederick ; et
al. |
February 24, 2011 |
Enteral-Only Syringe and Method of Manufacturing Same
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a syringe for use in enteral feeding
includes providing a premolded syringe body having a plunger end
and an outlet end, loading the premolded syringe body into a mold
having a core pin extending into the outlet end of the premolded
syringe body, closing the mold to thereby retain the premolded
syringe therein and to close a mold cavity around the outlet end of
the syringe body, injection molding by injecting plastic molding
material into the mold cavity and cooling to thereby form a tip at
the outlet end of the premolded syringe body, and opening the mold
and extracting the syringe body and the tip.
Inventors: |
Enns; Thomas Frederick;
(Mississauga, CA) ; Stetieh; Adnan; (Mississauga,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt;PACWEST CENTER, SUITE 1900
1211 SW FIFTH AVENUE
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
BENLAN, INC.
Oakville
CA
|
Family ID: |
43605919 |
Appl. No.: |
12/914202 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11692703 |
Mar 28, 2007 |
7842217 |
|
|
12914202 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
B29C 45/14598 20130101; A61J 15/00 20130101; B29L 2031/7544
20130101; A61M 5/3134 20130101; B29C 45/14065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/218 |
International
Class: |
A61M 5/31 20060101
A61M005/31; A61M 5/315 20060101 A61M005/315 |
Claims
1. A syringe for use in enteral feeding, comprising: a syringe body
having a plunger and an outlet end; an enteral tip overmolded on
the outlet end of the syringe body and sized for insertion into an
enteral connector; and a plunger for insertion into the syringe
body for delivery of fluid feed from the syringe body and through
the enteral tip.
2. The syringe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enteral tip
diameter is tapered to about 0.183 inches at an end thereof.
3. The syringe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enteral tip is
free of a mold parting line.
4. The syringe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enteral tip
comprises a cover portion and a extension portion.
5. The syringe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cover portion of
the enteral tip covers the outlet end of the syringe body.
6. The syringe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the extension portion
of the enteral tip is sized for insertion into an enteral
connector.
7. The syringe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the extension portion
is about 0.287 inches in length.
8. The syringe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the extension portion
diameter is tapered from about 0.193 inches to about 0.183 inches
at an end thereof.
9. The syringe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the enteral tip
portion is free of a mold parting line between the cover portion
and the extension portion.
10. The syringe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cover portion of
the enteral tip is concentric with the outlet end of syringe body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a divisional of and claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/692,703, filed Mar.
28, 2007, entitled "Enteral-Only Syringe and Method of
Manufacturing Same," the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to enteral feeding syringes
for use with enteral feeding tubes and feeding sets for the
delivery of food or medication to a patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Enteral tube feeding is known for feeding patients such as
infants or children who are unable to ingest foods orally. The
enteral tube is inserted either orally or nasally, through the
oesophagus and into the stomach and is used to deliver nutritive
liquid feed to the stomach of the infant or child for digestion.
One end of the tube remains external to the patient and is used for
connecting an enteral feeding syringe for delivery of the liquid
feed. The opposing end of the tube is located in the stomach of the
patient to which the liquid feed is delivered.
[0004] A variety of enteral feeding tubes including polyurethane
and silicone tubes are used for more than a single delivery of
liquid feed to the patient to avoid problems associated with
frequent insertion and extraction of feeding tubes. For example,
polyurethane feeding tubes are generally used for up to about 30
days while silicone feeding tubes can be used even longer.
[0005] A connector at the end of the feeding tube that is external
to the patient is used for connecting the enteral feeding syringe
to the feeding tube. Alternatively, a connector at the end of an
enteral feeding extension set is used for connecting the enteral
feeding tube to an enteral feeding syringe.
[0006] Improvements in enteral feeding syringes are driven by the
desire for increased safety, usability and improved
performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to one aspect, there is provided a method of
manufacturing a syringe for use in enteral feeding includes
providing a premolded syringe body having a plunger end and an
outlet end, loading the premolded syringe body into a mold having a
core pin extending into the outlet end of the premolded syringe
body, closing the mold to thereby retain the premolded syringe
therein and to close a mold cavity around the outlet end of the
syringe body, injection molding by injecting plastic molding
material into the mold cavity and cooling to thereby form a tip at
the outlet end of the premolded syringe body, and opening the mold
and extracting the syringe body and the tip.
[0008] According to another aspect, there is provided a syringe for
use in enteral feeding. The syringe includes a syringe body having
a plunger end and an outlet end, an enteral tip overmolded on the
outlet end of the syringe body and sized for insertion into an
enteral connector, and a plunger for insertion into the syringe
body for delivery of fluid feed from the syringe body and through
the enteral tip.
[0009] According to another aspect, there is provided a mold for
injection molding a syringe body for use in enteral feeding. The
mold includes a first side having a slot for receiving a premolded
syringe body that has a plunger end and an outlet end, and a core
pin for extending into the outlet end of the premolded syringe
body. The mold also includes a second side for mating with the
first side to close a mold cavity around the outlet end of the
syringe body when inserted therein.
[0010] The syringe is manufactured using a standard syringe and
overmolding a tip on the pre-molded syringe body, thereby providing
a bonded tip on the syringe body. The tip is suitably sized and
shaped for enteral-only connection. Thus, a tip is added to form an
enteral-only syringe. The overmolding permits use of a different
tip colour, such as orange, for identification of the syringe as an
enteral-only syringe while the remainder of the body has a
desirable clear or natural colour for viewing the contents of the
syringe. Further, the overmolded tip inhibits connection to a
non-enteral connector, thereby reducing the chance of mistakenly
delivering enteral feeding fluid to, for example, an intravenous
line. Use of a cavity block within the mold for overmolding the tip
provides a smooth tip end. Thus, no line is left at the end of the
tip where the two mold halves meet, which allows for a better seal
when connecting to an enteral connector at an enteral feeding line
or enteral extension set.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention will be better understood with
reference to the drawings and to the following description in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a standard syringe;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a mold for
injection molding an enteral tip on a syringe and showing a
standard syringe for insertion into the open mold, according to an
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the mold of
FIG. 2 drawn to a larger scale and showing a portion of a cavity
block cut away;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the mold in a closed position
with an molded enteral tip on a syringe body;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the mold and the
molded enteral tip on the syringe body of FIG. 6, drawn to a larger
scale;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an enteral
syringe according to an embodiment; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the enteral
syringe of FIG. 4, drawn to a larger scale and showing a portion of
an enteral tip cut away.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 to describe a syringe for
use in manufacturing an enteral-feeding syringe and indicated
generally by the numeral 20. The syringe shown in FIG. 1 is
referred to herein as the premolded syringe 20 as the parts,
including the body, are premolded and preassembled. The premolded
syringe 20 includes a syringe body 22 and a plunger 24 for
insertion into the syringe body 22. The syringe body 22 is a
generally hollow, tubular barrel 26 extending between a tapered end
wall 28 and an open plunger end 30 into which the plunger 24 is
inserted, thereby defining a reservoir for receiving fluid. A tip
32 extends from the end wall 28 and defines an outlet end 34 that
is in fluid connection with the reservoir for delivery of the fluid
from the reservoir. The open plunger end 30 of the body 22 includes
a flange 36 extending radially outwardly from the exterior of the
barrel 26.
[0020] The plunger 24 includes an exterior end 38 for depressing
with the thumb to express the contents in the reservoir and an
interior end 40 for mating with the interior of the tubular barrel
26 to form a seal for pushing the contents from the reservoir and
through the tip 32 when the exterior end 38 is depressed. A
generally X-shaped cross-sectional shank 42 extends between the
exterior end 38 and the interior end 40. An O-ring 44 is seated in
a groove around the circumference of the interior end 40 to aid in
forming the seal with the interior of the tubular barrel 26.
[0021] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 to 5 to describe a mold 50
that is used for overmolding in manufacturing an enteral-feeding
syringe. The mold 50 includes a first side 52 and a second side 54
that mate together to form the mold cavity. The first side 52 has a
slot 56 that is sized and shaped to receive the premolded syringe
20 therein. Similarly, the second side 54 has a slot 58 that is
sized and shaped to receive the premolded syringe 20 therein and to
mate with the first side 54 during molding. Each of the slots 56,
58, includes a respective recess 60, 62 for receiving the flange 36
of the premolded body, and a respective semi-circular edge 64, 66
located proximal the end wall 28 of the premolded syringe 20 during
molding. Each slot 56 also includes a respective tip seat 68, 69
adjacent the semi-circular edge 64, 66. The tip seat 68, 69 is
sized and shaped to fit a portion of the tip 32 closest to the end
wall 28 such that when the mold 50 is closed, the tip seats 68, 69
form a tight fit with a portion of the tip 32 to close off the mold
cavity. Each slot also includes respective grooves 70, 71 adjacent
the respective tip seats 68, 69 such that the end portion of the
tip 32 is located between the grooves 70, 71 and spaced therefrom
when the premolded syringe 20 is located in the mold 50 during
overmolding. The end of the tip is spaced from the grooves 70, 71,
thereby providing a portion of the mold cavity.
[0022] The first side 52 of the mold includes an enteral tip cavity
block 72 that includes a generally conical cavity for the formation
of an enteral tip segment. A core pin 74 extends from a back 76 of
the enteral tip cavity block 72, through and concentric with the
conical cavity. The core pin 74 has a first cylindrical segment 78
located within the cavity block 72 and a second cylindrical segment
80 of reduced diameter that extends out from the cavity block 72
and is concentric with the groove 70. Thus, a step 82 is provided
between the first cylindrical segment 78 and the second cylindrical
segment 80 that acts as a stopper. It will be appreciated that the
second side 54 of the mold 50 includes a complementary void for
receiving the cavity block 72 of the first side 52 of the mold 50
therein.
[0023] To load the premolded syringe 20 into the mold 50 for
overmolding, the syringe 20 is located in the first side 52 of the
mold 50 such that the second cylindrical segment 80 of the core pin
74 is located inside the tip 32. The second cylindrical segment 80
is sized and shaped to closely fit the interior diameter of the tip
32 and the outlet end 34 of the tip 32 abuts the step 82 of the
core pin 74, thereby inhibiting the ingress of melted plastic into
the tip 32 during molding. When located in the first side 52 of the
mold 50, the flange 36 of the premolded syringe 20 is located in
the recess 60 and the end wall 28 is proximal the edge 64. The mold
50 is then closed by mating the first side 52 and second side 54
together. The premolded syringe 20 is retained with the flange 36
located in the recesses 60, 62 and the end wall 28 proximal the
edges 64, 66. The mold cavity is defined within the cavity block 72
and between the grooves 70, 71 for overmolding.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a portion of
an enteral syringe for use in enteral feeding according to one
embodiment. The numerals used previously in describing the
premolded syringe 20 will now be raised by 100 to describe the
present embodiment and thus, the enteral syringe of FIG. 4 is
indicated generally by the numeral 120. The enteral syringe 120
includes many similar features to that described above with
reference to FIG. 1. The enteral syringe, however, includes an
enteral tip 190 that is overmolded on the outlet end 134 of the
syringe body 122 and sized for insertion into an enteral
connector.
[0025] The enteral tip 190 includes a cover portion 192 that
overlaps with and covers the tip 132, as best shown in the cut-away
view of FIG. 5, and an extension portion 194 that extends axially
from the tip 132. A step 194 is formed in the enteral tip 190,
between the cover portion 192 and the extension portion 194. The
extension portion 194 is sized for enteral-only use. The extension
portion 194 is approximately 0.287 inches (.about.7.29 mm) in
length and is tapered from a diameter of about 0.193 inches
(.about.4.902 mm) adjacent the step 194 to about 0.183 inches
(.about.4.648 mm) at the end for enteral-only use. As shown, the
enteral tip 190 is concentric with the tip 132 and provides a
passageway in fluid communication with the tip 132 and thus, with
the reservoir. The enteral tip 190 is bonded to the tip 132 by
overmolding.
[0026] A method of manufacturing the enteral syringe 120 for use in
enteral feeding will now be described with reference to the
Figures.
[0027] The premolded syringe 20 is first loaded into the open mold
50 for overmolding. As described above, the second cylindrical
segment 80 of the core pin 74 is located in the tip 32 of the
premolded syringe 20 and the outlet end 34 of the tip 32 abuts the
step 82 of the core pin 74. The flange 36 of the premolded syringe
20 is located in the recess 60 and the end wall 28 is proximal the
edge 64.
[0028] Next, the mold 50 is closed by mating the first side 52 and
second side 54 together, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As
described above, the premolded syringe 20 is retained with the
flange 36 located in the recesses 60, 62 and the end wall 28
proximal the edges 64, 66. Movement of the premolded syringe 20
within the mold 50 is thereby inhibited. Thus, the premolded
syringe 20 is inhibited from sliding away from the cavity block 72
when plastic melt is introduced into the mold cavity at high
pressure as the flange 36 is located in the recesses 60, 62.
[0029] Molding then proceeds with the injection of plastic melt
into the mold cavity that is defined by cavity block 72 and between
the grooves 70, 71 for overmolding. The plastic used for injection
molding can be any suitable plastic that is compatible with the
material of the premolded syringe body 22 for bonding therewith
during injection molding.
[0030] The mold 50 is then cooled, followed by opening of the mold
and removal of the enteral syringe 120 including the enteral tip
190.
[0031] It will be appreciated that the extension portion 194 of the
enteral tip 190 is formed inside the enteral tip cavity block 72
while the cover portion 192 of the enteral tip 190 is formed within
the portion of the mold cavity defined by the grooves 70, 71,
outside the cavity block 72. The extension portion 194 is therefore
free of a parting line formed where two mold parts meet. Thus,
there is no parting line on the extension portion 194 that
interferes with the operation of the enteral tip 190.
[0032] While the embodiments described herein are directed to
particular implementations of the present invention, it will be
understood that modifications and variations to these embodiments
are within the scope and sphere of the present application. For
example, the size and shape of many of the features of the
above-described embodiments can vary while still performing the
same function. The flange described above, for example, can be a
pair of grip wings. Also, it is possible that only the premolded
syringe body is placed in the mold during overmolding, rather than
the syringe and the plunger. Many other modifications and
variations may occur to those skilled in the art. All such
modifications and variations are believed to be within the sphere
and scope of the present application.
* * * * *