U.S. patent application number 13/622378 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-04 for syringe assembly having a rotatably advanceable plunger rod.
This patent application is currently assigned to BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE, S.A.S.. The applicant listed for this patent is Becton Dickinson France, S.A.S.. Invention is credited to John Depler Coleman, Antonio Gatta, David Robert Schiff, Mathieu Dominic Turpault.
Application Number | 20130085452 13/622378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47993282 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130085452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schiff; David Robert ; et
al. |
April 4, 2013 |
Syringe Assembly Having a Rotatably Advanceable Plunger Rod
Abstract
A syringe assembly for use as a pre-filled syringe is disclosed.
The syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel defining a chamber
and having a stopper disposed therein. A plunger rod includes an
inner member engaged with a portion of the stopper and an outer
member adapted for rotational advancement with respect to the inner
member to axially displace the outer member with respect to the
inner member. The plunger rod is transitionable from a collapsed
position in which a portion of the inner member is nested within
the outer member, to an extended position in which the same portion
of the inner member extends outside the outer member. The inner
member includes a radial extension and the outer member defines a
helical track adapted to receive the radial extension therein.
Inventors: |
Schiff; David Robert;
(Highland Park, NJ) ; Turpault; Mathieu Dominic;
(Pennington, NJ) ; Gatta; Antonio; (Philadelphia,
PA) ; Coleman; John Depler; (Philadelphia,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Becton Dickinson France, S.A.S.; |
Le Pont-de-Claix |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE,
S.A.S.
Le Pont-de-Claix
FR
|
Family ID: |
47993282 |
Appl. No.: |
13/622378 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61541370 |
Sep 30, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/31511 20130101;
A61M 2005/31518 20130101; A61M 2005/3118 20130101; A61M 2005/3121
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/218 |
International
Class: |
A61M 5/315 20060101
A61M005/315 |
Claims
1. A syringe assembly, comprising: a syringe barrel having a first
end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a
chamber; a stopper slideably disposed at least partially within the
chamber; and a plunger rod having an inner member engaged with a
portion of the stopper and an outer member adapted for rotational
advancement with respect to the inner member to axially displace
the outer member with respect to the inner member, wherein the
plunger rod is transitionable from a collapsed position in which a
portion of the inner member is nested within the outer member, to
an extended position in which the same portion of the inner member
extends outside the outer member.
2. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner member
comprises a radial extension and the outer member defines a track
adapted to receive the radial extension therein.
3. The syringe assembly of claim 2, wherein the track is at least
partially helical about an outer surface of the outer member.
4. The syringe assembly of claim 2, wherein the radial extension
remains substantially stationary during transition of the plunger
rod from the collapsed position to the extended position.
5. The syringe assembly of claim 4, wherein the outer member is
rotated about the inner member to axially displace the outer member
with respect to the inner member.
6. The syringe assembly of claim 2, wherein the track extends
between a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising
a restraint for locking the radial extension therein in the
extended position.
7. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein the stopper remains
substantially stationary during transition of the plunger rod from
the collapsed position to the extended position.
8. The syringe assembly of claim 1, further comprising a medication
or drug disposed within the chamber.
9. A plunger rod assembly comprising a plunger rod for use with a
syringe assembly, the plunger rod comprising: an inner member
having a distal end configured for securement to a stopper disposed
within a syringe barrel; an outer member having an open portion
configured for rotational advancement with respect to the inner
member to axially displace the outer member with respect to the
inner member, wherein the plunger rod is transitionable from a
collapsed position in which a portion of the inner member is nested
within the outer member, to an extended position in which the same
portion of the inner member extends outside the outer member; and a
restraint configured to limit axial advancement of the outer member
with respect to the inner member in the extended position.
10. The plunger rod assembly of claim 9, wherein the restraint is
configured to limit axial advancement of the outer member in both a
proximal direction and a distal direction in the extended
position.
11. The plunger rod assembly of claim 9, wherein the inner member
comprises a radial extension and the outer member defines a track
adapted to receive the radial extension therein.
12. The plunger rod assembly of claim 11, wherein the track is at
least partially helical about an outer surface of the outer
member.
13. The plunger rod assembly of claim 11, wherein the radial
extension remains substantially stationary during transition of the
plunger rod from the collapsed position to the extended
position.
14. The plunger rod assembly of claim 11, wherein the track extends
between a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising
the restraint wherein the restraint locks the radial extension
therein in the extended position.
15. A syringe assembly, comprising: a syringe barrel having a first
end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defiling a
chamber; a stopper slideably disposed at least partially within the
chamber; and a plunger rod comprising: an inner member engaged with
a portion of the stopper and comprising a radial extension; and an
outer member defining a track adapted to receive the radial
extension therein, wherein rotation of the outer member about the
inner member axially displaces the track about the radial extension
to transition the plunger rod from a collapsed position in which a
portion of the inner member is nested within the outer member, to
an extended position in which the same portion of the inner member
extends outside the outer member.
16. The syringe assembly of claim 15, wherein the track is at least
partially helical about an outer surface of the outer member.
17. The syringe assembly of claim 15, wherein an initial portion of
the inner member and an initial portion of the outer member are
disposed within the syringe barrel in the collapsed position.
18. The syringe assembly of claim 17, wherein the initial portion
of the outer member is external to the syringe barrel in the
extended position.
19. The syringe assembly of claim 15, wherein the track extends
between a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising
a restraint for locking the radial extension therein in the
extended position.
20. The syringe assembly of claim 15, further comprising a
medication or a drug disposed within the chamber of the syringe
barrel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/541,370 filed Sep. 30, 2011, the entire
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to a pre-filled syringe
assembly adapted for the dispensing and delivery of a fluid. More
particularly, the present invention is directed to a pre-filled
syringe assembly having a rotatably advanceable plunger rod which
results in a smaller packaging footprint allowing for reduced
storage space.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Syringe assemblies, and in particular hypodermic syringes,
are well known in the medical field for dispensing fluids, such as
medication. A conventional syringe typically includes a syringe
barrel with an opening at one end and a plunger mechanism disposed
through the other end. The plunger mechanism typically includes a
plunger rod extending through the barrel, with a plunger head or
stopper at the end of the plunger rod within the barrel and with a
finger flange at the other end of the plunger rod extending out of
the barrel. In use, the plunger rod is retracted through the
syringe barrel to fill the syringe barrel with a fluid, such as a
medication, with the plunger rod extending out from the rear end of
the syringe barrel. For delivery of the medication to a patient,
the opening of the syringe barrel is adapted for fluid
communication with a patient, such as through a hypodermic needle
fitted at the front end of the syringe barrel or through a
luer-type fitting extending from the front end of the syringe
barrel for attachment with a fluid line of a patient. Upon
depression of the plunger rod, the plunger rod and stopper travel
through the syringe barrel, thereby forcing the contents of the
syringe out through the opening at the front end for delivery to
the patient. Such an operation is well known in the medical field,
and medical practitioners have become well accustomed to the use of
such common fluid delivery procedures through standard
syringes.
[0006] Conventional syringes are well known to be used in
connection with a vial of a medication, where the user draws the
fluid into the syringe immediately prior to injection and delivery
of the fluid to the patient. Oftentimes, hypodermic syringes may be
packaged as "pre-filled" devices, wherein the syringe is pre-filled
with medication prior to being packaged and delivered to the end
user. In this manner, there is no need for the user to fill the
device prior to injection, thereby saving time for the end user and
maintaining consistent volumes for delivery.
[0007] Pre-filled syringes and pre-filled metered dose syringes are
often filled with narcotics or other drugs at a production
facility, packaged, and then shipped to a medical facility. Once at
the facility, these syringes are often placed in controlled storage
and/or locked cabinets to reduce theft of the syringes themselves
and/or theft of the contents of these syringes. The space within
these controlled storage locations is often limited, thus there is
a need for a syringe assembly that has a smaller packaging
footprint to reduce the storage space required for containing this
syringe. It is also desirable to produce syringes that are uniform
in terms of an outer surface shape to allow for stacking of the
syringes within the storage cabinet. There is a further need for
syringe assemblies having a smaller packaging footprint that
include tamper-evident indicators to allow medical practitioners to
determine whether the contents of a syringe assembly have been
compromised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel having a first end, a
second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a
chamber. A stopper is slideably disposed at least partially within
the chamber. A plunger rod for advancing the stopper includes an
inner member engaged with a portion of the stopper and an outer
member adapted for rotational advancement with respect to the inner
member to axially displace the outer member with respect to the
inner member. The plunger rod is transitionable from a collapsed
position in which a portion of the inner member is nested within
the outer member, to an extended position in which the same portion
of the inner member extends outside the outer member.
[0009] In certain configurations, the inner member includes a
radial extension and the outer member defines a track adapted to
receive the radial extension therein. The track may be at least
partially helical about an outer surface of the outer member. The
radial extension may remain substantially stationary during
transition of the plunger rod from the collapsed position to the
extended position, and the outer member may be rotated about the
inner member to axially displace the outer member with respect to
the inner member. In certain configurations, the track extends
between a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end
including a restraint for locking the radial extension therein in
the extended position. The stopper may remain substantially
stationary during transition of the plunger rod from the collapsed
position to the extended position. The syringe assembly may also
include a medication or drug disposed within the chamber.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a plunger rod assembly for use with a syringe assembly
includes an inner member having a distal end configured for
securement to a stopper disposed within a syringe barrel. The
plunger rod assembly also includes an outer member having an open
portion configured for rotational advancement with respect to the
inner member to axially displace the outer member with respect to
the inner member. The plunger rod assembly is transitionable from a
collapsed position in which a portion of the inner member is nested
within the outer member, to an extended position in which the same
portion of the inner member extends outside the outer member. The
plunger rod assembly also includes a restraint configured to limit
axial advancement of the outer member with respect to the inner
member in the extended position.
[0011] The restraint may be configured to limit axial advancement
of the outer member in both the proximal direction and the distal
direction in the extended position. The inner member may include a
radial extension and the outer member may define a track adapted to
receive the radial extension therein. The track may be at least
partially helical about an outer surface of the outer member. In
certain configurations, the radial extension remains substantially
stationary during transition of the plunger rod assembly from the
collapsed position to the extended position. In other
configurations, the track may extend between a proximal end and a
distal end, with the distal end including a restraint for locking
the radial extension therein in the extended position.
[0012] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention, a syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel having a
first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween
defining a chamber. The syringe assembly also includes a stopper
slideably disposed at least partially within the chamber, and a
plunger rod. The plunger rod includes an inner member engaged with
a portion of the stopper and includes a radial extension, and an
outer member defining a track adapted to receive the radial
extension therein. Rotation of the outer member about the inner
member axially displaces the track about the radial extension to
transition the plunger rod from a collapsed position in which a
portion of the inner member is nested within the outer member, to
an extended position in which the same portion of the inner member
extends outside the outer member.
[0013] In certain configurations, the track is at least partially
helical about an outer surface of the outer member. In other
configurations, an initial portion of the inner member and an
initial portion of the outer member are disposed within the syringe
barrel in the collapsed position. The initial portion of the outer
member may, however, be external to the syringe barrel in the
extended position. Optionally, the track extends between a proximal
end and a distal end, with the distal end including a restraint for
locking the radial extension therein in the extended position. In a
further configuration, a medication or a drug is disposed within
the chamber of the syringe barrel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a syringe assembly including
a rotatably advanceable plunger rod in an initial collapsed
position in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the syringe assembly of FIG. 1
showing a locking tab of the plunger rod in a first position in the
initial collapsed position in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the syringe assembly of
FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of the syringe assembly of FIG. 1
showing the locking tab of the plunger rod in the extended
ready-to-use position in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the syringe assembly of
FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a front view of the syringe assembly of FIG. 1
showing the locking tab of the plunger rod in the extended
ready-to-use position and the plunger rod deployed within the
syringe barrel in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the syringe assembly of
FIG. 1 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the syringe assembly of
FIG. 1 taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the syringe assembly of FIG.
1 including a tamper-evident packaging disposed thereover in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the syringe assembly of
FIG. 9 having the tamper-evident packaging partially removed
therefrom in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms
"upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top",
"bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal", and derivatives thereof shall
relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures.
However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume
various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to
the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the
following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the
invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical
characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not
to be considered as limiting.
[0025] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-8, which depict a syringe
assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention,
generally indicated as 10, adapted for the dispensing and delivery
of a fluid. FIGS. 9-10 depict a packaging assembly, generally
indicated as 200, and the operational steps for removing the
packaging assembly, which can be used for packaging the syringe
assembly of the invention.
[0026] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-8, the syringe assembly
10 is intended for use for injection or infusion of fluid, such as
a medication, directly into a patient, and is generally shown and
described for purposes of the present description as a hypodermic
syringe. Syringe assembly 10 is contemplated for use in connection
with a needle such as by connecting syringe assembly 10 to a
separate needle assembly (not shown), or alternatively for
connection with a separate intravenous (IV) connection assembly
(not shown).
[0027] The syringe assembly 10 includes a syringe barrel 12 having
a first or distal end 14, a second or proximal end 16, and a
sidewall 18 extending between the distal end 14 and proximal end 16
defining an interior chamber 20 of the syringe barrel 12. A stopper
22 is slidably disposed within the chamber 20 of the syringe barrel
12. The syringe barrel 12 may be in the general form of an
elongated cylindrical barrel as is known in the art for the general
shape of a hypodermic syringe, although other forms for containing
a fluid for delivery are also contemplated by the present
invention. Additionally, the syringe barrel 12 may be formed of
glass, or may be injection molded from thermoplastic material such
as polypropylene and polyethylene according to techniques known to
those of ordinary skill in the art, though it is to be appreciated
that the syringe barrel 12 may be made from other suitable
materials and according to other applicable techniques. In certain
configurations, the syringe barrel 12 may include an outwardly
extending flange 21 about at least a portion of the proximal end
16. The flange 21 may be configured for easy grasping by a medical
practitioner, as will be discussed herein.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the distal end 14 of the syringe
barrel 12 terminates in a tip 24 having an outlet opening 26. The
proximal end 16 is generally open-ended, but is intended to be
closed off to the external environment, via the stopper 22, as will
be discussed herein. According to one non-limiting embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 3, the syringe assembly 10 can include a tip cap 28,
an interface member 27 interfacing between the tip cap 28 and the
tip 24 of the syringe barrel 12, and a plug 29, for sealing the
outlet opening 26.
[0029] The syringe barrel 12 may include markings, such as
graduations on the sidewall 18 thereof, for providing an indication
as to the level or amount of fluid contained within the syringe
barrel 12. Such markings may be provided on the external wall, the
internal wall, or integrally formed or otherwise within the wall of
syringe barrel 12. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the
markings may provide a description of the contents of the syringe,
or other identifying information, as may be known in the art.
[0030] As noted, distal end 14 of syringe barrel 12 includes an
outlet opening 26. The profile of outlet opening 26 may be adapted
for engagement with a separate dispensing device, such as a needle
assembly or IV connection assembly, and therefore may include a
mechanism for such engagement, for example, a generally tapered
luer tip, for engagement with a separate tapered luer mating
surface (not shown) of such a separate device for attachment
therewith. In addition, a mechanism for locking engagement
therebetween may also be provided, such as a luer collar or luer
lock including interior threads. Such luer connections and luer
locking mechanisms are well known in the art.
[0031] All of the components of syringe assembly 10 may be
constructed of any known material, and are desirably constructed of
medical grade polymers. As stated above, the syringe assembly 10 is
particularly useful as a pre-filled syringe, and therefore may be
provided for end use with a fluid, such as a medication, contained
within interior chamber 20 of syringe barrel 12, pre-filled by the
manufacturer. In this manner, syringe assembly 10 can be
manufactured, pre-filled with a medication, sterilized, and
packaged in appropriate packaging for delivery, storage, and use by
the end user, without the need for the end user to fill the syringe
with medication from a separate vial prior to use.
[0032] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-8, the syringe assembly
10 includes a plunger rod assembly, generally indicated as 30, for
controlling movement of the stopper 22 slideably through the
syringe barrel 12 to either expel the syringe contents of a
pre-filled type of syringe assembly 10 or, depending upon the
desired use of the syringe assembly, to aspirate or withdraw a
fluid into the syringe barrel 12. The plunger rod assembly 30
includes an inner member 32, as shown clearly in FIG. 3, including
a distal end 34 secured to the stopper 22. In one embodiment, the
distal end 34 of the inner member 32 may be secured to the stopper
22 by way of a threaded engagement formed therebetween. In another
embodiment, the distal end 34 of the inner member 32 may be
co-formed with the stopper 22, such as by a two-shot molding
process. In still a further embodiment, the distal end 34 of the
inner member 32 may include an engagement plate 35 for receiving a
portion of the stopper 22, such as the flange 21 of the stopper 22,
therewith. The inner member 32 may be substantially cylindrical,
although it is contemplated herein that other shapes may also be
included in the present invention.
[0033] In one configuration, the inner member 32 includes a radial
extension 41 extending radially outward from a portion of a
sidewall 43 thereof. The radial extension 41 may include a
protrusion or other extension extending outwardly from the sidewall
43.
[0034] The plunger rod assembly 30 also includes an outer member 36
which is adapted for rotational advancement with respect to the
inner member 32. The outer member 36 may also be substantially
cylindrical and may include a hollow core 39, as shown in FIG. 5,
although it is contemplated herein that other shapes corresponding
to the shape of the inner member 32 may also be included in the
present invention. A sidewall 45 of the outer member 36 may include
a track 47 disposed therein extending from the external environment
into the hollow core 39. In one configuration, the track extends
within the sidewall 45 of the outer member 36 from a proximal end
49 of the outer member 36 to a distal end 51 of the outer member
36, as shown clearly in FIG. 4. In a further configuration, the
track is at least partially helically disposed within the sidewall
45 about an outer surface circumference of the outer member 36. The
track 47 is dimensioned to receive the radial extension 41 of the
inner member 32 therein.
[0035] The plunger rod assembly 30 can include a thumb press
portion 64 or any other type of well-known member, upon which a
user can apply a distally directed force to cause the plunger rod
30 to move the stopper 22, disposed within the syringe barrel 12,
toward the distal end 14 of the syringe barrel 12 to expel the
syringe contents during operation of the syringe assembly 10. This
thumb press portion 64 can include a roughened or serrated surface,
as is known in the art, to provide a frictional surface for
assisting the user in movement or actuation of the plunger rod. In
one embodiment, the thumb press portion 64 may be disposed adjacent
a proximal end 33 of the outer member 36.
[0036] The plunger rod assembly 30 is transitionable from a
collapsed pre-use position, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, to an extended
ready-to-use position, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, to a used position,
as shown in FIGS. 6-7.
[0037] In the collapsed pre-use position, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, at
least a portion of the inner member 32 is nested within a portion
of the outer member 36. In this configuration, at least a portion
of the outer member 36 includes an inner diameter D.sub.1, as shown
in FIG. 3, that is greater than the external diameter D.sub.2 of at
least a portion of the inner member 32. Accordingly, outer member
36 is adapted to encompass at least a portion of inner member 32 in
the collapsed pre-use position, such that the inner member 32 is
nested within the outer member 36. In the collapsed position, the
stopper 22 may be disposed within the chamber 20 at a substantially
proximal location 57, and the inner member 32 connected thereto may
extend outwardly of the syringe barrel 12 within the hollow core 39
of the outer member 36. The radial extension 41 of the inner member
32 is disposed within the track 47 of the outer member 36 at a
first location adjacent the proximal end 49 of the outer member
36.
[0038] In order to transition the plunger rod assembly 30 from the
collapsed pre-use position to the extended ready-to-use position, a
medical practitioner may rotate the outer member 36 about the inner
member 32, such as by twisting the outer member 36 in the direction
shown by arrow A of FIG. 4. The medical practitioner may grasp any
portion of the outer member 36, such as the thumb press 64, to
effectuate this rotation. Rotation of the outer member 36 with
respect to the inner member 32 causes the outer member 36 to be
axially displaced from the inner member 32 along a longitudinal
axis L, as shown in FIG. 4, of the syringe assembly 10 from a
distal orientation, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, to a proximal location,
as shown in FIGS. 4-5. Once the plunger rod assembly 30 is
transitioned from the collapsed pre-use position to the extended
ready-to-use position, at least a portion of the inner member 32
that was nested within the outer member 36 in the collapsed
position, extends outside the outer member 36 in the extended
position.
[0039] In one configuration, the inner member 32 is disposed in
substantially the same position during the transition from the
collapsed position to the extended position. Specifically, the
radial extension 41 of the inner member 32 may be disposed in
substantially the same position during the transition from the
collapsed position to the extended position. In a further
configuration, the stopper 22 remains substantially stationary
within the chamber 20 of the syringe barrel 12 during transition of
the plunger rod assembly 30 from the collapsed position to the
extended position. In a further configuration, an initial portion
66 of the inner member 32 and an initial portion 68 of the outer
member 36 are disposed within a portion of the syringe barrel 12,
as shown in FIG. 3, in the collapsed position. In the extended
position, the initial portion 66 of the inner member 32 may remain
disposed within a portion of the syringe barrel 12, however, the
initial portion 68 of the outer member 36 is disposed external to
the syringe barrel 12.
[0040] As shown specifically in FIG. 4, the track 47 adjacent the
distal end 51 of the outer member 36 may include a restraint 70 for
locking the radial extension 41 therein in the extended position.
In one configuration, the restraint 70 may include a flattened
recess 72 such that the radial extension 41 is secured within the
recess 72 to prevent further axial movement of the outer member 36
with respect to the inner member 32. In one configuration, the
restraint 70 is configured to limit further axial movement of the
outer member 36 with respect to the inner member 32 in the proximal
direction once the plunger rod assembly 30 has been transitioned to
the extended position. Accordingly, the application of force in the
direction of arrow B, as shown in FIG. 4, does not allow for
further displacement of the outer member 36 with respect to the
inner member 32 once the plunger rod assembly 30 has been
transitioned to the extended position. In still a further
configuration, the restraint 70, shown in FIGS. 4-5, also limits
relative movement between the outer member 36 and the inner member
32 in the direction shown by arrow C of FIG. 6. Accordingly, once
the plunger rod assembly 30 has been transitioned to the extended
position, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, application of a downward force in
the direction of arrow C allows the locked outer member 36 and
inner member 32 to advance the stopper 22 within the chamber 20,
and does not allow for relative movement between the outer member
36 and the inner member 32. FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of the
track 47A adjacent the proximal end 49 of the outer member 36 for
receiving the radial extension 41 in the collapsed position, and a
portion of the track 47B adjacent the distal end 51 of the outer
member 36 receiving the radial extension 41 therein in the extended
position.
[0041] With the plunger rod assembly 30 locked in position such
that the outer member 36 and the inner member 32 move together, the
syringe assembly 10 may be transitioned to the used position, as
shown in FIGS. 6-7. During transition of the plunger rod assembly
30 from the extended position to the used position, a medication or
drug disposed within the chamber 20 may be expelled therefrom by
the advancement of the stopper 22, as is conventionally known.
[0042] It is noted herein that the radial extension 41 may extend
outwardly from the inner member 32 into a portion of the outer
member 36 in any suitable dimension that allows the combined
plunger assembly 30 to be deployed into the interior of the syringe
barrel 12 without obstruction.
[0043] Reference is now made to FIGS. 9-10, which depict a
packaging assembly, generally indicated as 200, and the sequential
operational steps for removing the packaging assembly 200 from the
syringe assembly 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The packaging assembly 200 includes a molded
cover 202 configured for placement about a portion of the syringe
barrel 12, the plunger rod assembly 30, and the tip cap 28. A tear
tab 204 can be associated with one end 206 of the molded cover 202.
The tear tab 204 is configured, such as by the inclusion of a
frangible portion 207, to facilitate removal of the molded cover
202 from the syringe assembly 10, and can be positioned adjacent a
top surface or thumb press 64 of the plunger rod assembly 30. The
tear tab 204 can include a roughened or serrated surface, as is
known in the art, to provide a frictional surface for assisting the
user in grasping of the tear tab 204. The cover 202 is configured
for placement about the syringe assembly 10 to constrain the
plunger rod assembly 30 from inadvertent transition from the
collapsed position to the extended position and to prevent
tampering of the syringe assembly 10.
[0044] It can be appreciated that each of the syringe assemblies of
the present invention includes a reduced footprint which is
desirable in the packaging of the syringe assemblies as it requires
less packaging. This reduced footprint provides for syringe
assemblies having consistently sized profiles which allow for easy
stacking and require less storage space, both of these features
being desirable in a controlled storage environment.
[0045] While specific embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that various modifications and alternatives to those details
could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are
meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of
invention.
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