U.S. patent application number 14/357644 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for hand-actuated fluid delivery device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mallinckrodt LLC. Invention is credited to Frank M. Fago.
Application Number | 20140291355 14/357644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47279130 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140291355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fago; Frank M. |
October 2, 2014 |
Hand-Actuated Fluid Delivery Device
Abstract
A handle assembly (100) for a hand-actuated fluid delivery
device (10) is disclosed. The handle assembly (100) includes a
first handle member (110) that is mounted on a pivot (126) fixed to
a second handle member (120). A locking spring (130) is mounted on
this pivot (126). This locking spring (130), together with a
corresponding actuator (140), cooperate to selectively provide
resistance to movement of a plunger (30) in an aspiration direction
in at least certain conditions. Disposing the actuator (140) in a
locking position disposes the locking spring (130) in a locking
configuration. Sliding friction or sliding friction forces between
the locking spring (130) and the pivot (126), with the locking
spring (130) being in its locking configuration, provides
resistance to movement of the first handle member (110) relative to
the second handle member (120) in a manner that would move the
plunger (30) in an aspiration direction.
Inventors: |
Fago; Frank M.; (Mason,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mallinckrodt LLC |
Hazelwood |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47279130 |
Appl. No.: |
14/357644 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 20, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2012/066008 |
371 Date: |
May 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61562538 |
Nov 22, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/153.13 ;
222/324; 222/386 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/31511 20130101;
A61M 5/3137 20130101; A61M 5/31581 20130101; B65D 83/0033
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/153.13 ;
222/386; 222/324 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00; G01F 11/00 20060101 G01F011/00 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A hand-actuated fluid delivery device comprising: a barrel; a
plunger that is movable relative to said barrel; a handle assembly
interconnected with and operable to move said plunger relative to
said barrel in both a discharge direction and an aspiration
direction, wherein said handle assembly comprises a pivot, a first
handle member, and a second handle member, wherein said pivot is
fixed to said second handle member, and wherein said first handle
member is pivotable relative to said second handle member about
said pivot; a locking spring wrapped around said pivot and
comprising first and second end portions, wherein said first end
portion is anchored relative to said first handle member; and an
actuator mounted on said first handle member, movable between
locking and unlocking positions, and engaged with said second end
portion of said locking spring at least when in said locking
position.
12. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 11, wherein
disposing said actuator in said locking position tightens said
locking spring about said pivot, and wherein disposing said
actuator in said unlocking position loosens said locking spring
about said pivot.
13. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 11, wherein a
locking force provided by said locking spring is entirely sliding
friction between said locking spring and said pivot.
14. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 11, wherein
said actuator is movably mounted on said first handle member.
15. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 11, further
comprising at least one biasing element that biases said actuator
to said locking position.
16. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 11, wherein
said actuator is manually movable from said locking position to
said unlocking position.
17. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 11, wherein
said handle assembly is operable to move said plunger in said
aspiration direction with said actuator being in said unlocking
position.
18-27. (canceled)
28. A method of operating a hand-actuated fluid delivery device
comprising a plunger, a locking spring, a handle assembly
comprising first and second handle members that are pivotally
connected by a pivot that is fixed to said second handle member,
and an actuator, wherein said locking spring is mounted on said
pivot, said method comprising: executing a first handle operation
comprising moving said first and second handle members relative to
one another about said pivot in a manner to move said plunger in a
discharge direction; terminating said first handle operation;
resisting movement of said first and second handle members relative
to one another in a manner to move said plunger in an aspiration
direction, wherein at least part of said resisting step is executed
after said terminating step and comprises said locking spring being
in a locking configuration; moving said actuator to an unlocking
position; loosening said locking spring about said pivot in
response to said actuator being moved to said unlocking position,
wherein said loosening step comprises disposing said locking spring
in an unlocked configuration; and executing a second handle
operation comprising moving said first and second handle members
relative to one another about said pivot in a manner to move said
plunger in an aspiration direction, wherein said second handle
operation is executed after said loosening step.
29-39. (canceled)
40. A hand-actuated fluid delivery device comprising: a barrel; a
plunger that is movable relative to said barrel; a handle assembly
interconnected with and operable to move said plunger relative to
said barrel in both a discharge direction and an aspiration
direction, wherein said handle assembly comprises a pivot, a first
handle member, and a second handle member, wherein said pivot is
fixed to one of said first and second handle members, and wherein
the other of said first and second handle members is pivotable
about said pivot; and a locking spring wrapped around said pivot,
wherein said locking spring is selectively disposable in a locking
configuration to restrain movement of said plunger in said
aspiration direction.
41. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 40, further
comprising: an actuator movable between locking and unlocking
positions in relation to said locking spring.
42. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 41, wherein
said pivot is fixed to said second handle member, and wherein said
first handle member is pivotable relative to said second handle
member about said pivot.
43. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 42, wherein
said locking spring comprises first and second end portions,
wherein said first end portion is anchored relative to said first
handle member, and wherein said actuator is engaged with said
second end portion of said locking spring when disposed in said
locking position.
44. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 43, wherein
disposing said actuator in said locking position tightens said
locking spring about said pivot, and wherein disposing said
actuator in said unlocking position loosens said locking spring
about said pivot.
45. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 43, wherein a
locking force provided by said locking spring is entirely sliding
friction between said locking spring and said pivot.
46. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 43, wherein
said actuator is movably mounted on said first handle member.
47. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 41, further
comprising at least one biasing element that biases said actuator
to said locking position.
48. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device of claim 41, wherein
said actuator is manually movable from said locking position to
said unlocking position.
49. The hand-actuated fluid delivery device claim 41, wherein said
handle assembly is operable to move said plunger in said aspiration
direction with said actuator being in said unlocking position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a non-provisional patent
application of, and claims priority to, pending U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/562,538, that is entitled
"HAND-ACTUATED FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE," that was filed on 22 Nov.
2011, and the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of
fluid delivery devices that accommodate both injection and
aspiration operations.
BACKGROUND
[0003] "Powered" syringes of various types (e.g., syringes that are
driven by an appropriate power source) are used to inject various
types of medical fluid into a patient. In at least certain
situations, it remains desirable to manually inject medical fluid
into a patient. Some of these hand-actuated fluid delivery devices
are manually operable to not only inject medical fluid into a
patient, but to draw fluid into the device as well (e.g., to
aspirate bodily fluid into a barrel of a hand-actuated fluid
delivery device; to draw a medical fluid into a barrel of a
hand-actuated fluid delivery device for subsequent injection). A
first type of relative movement between a pair of handle members of
such a representative fluid delivery device may be used for a
discharge operation (e.g., to move a plunger of the fluid delivery
device in a discharge direction), and a second type of relative
movement between this same pair of handle members may be used for
an aspiration operation (e.g., to move a plunger of the fluid
delivery device in an aspiration direction). At least certain
hand-actuated fluid delivery devices actually bias a pair of handle
members in a direction to move the corresponding plunger in an
aspiration direction. Such an "automated" movement of a pair of
handle members, to in turn move a plunger of the fluid delivery
device in an aspiration direction, may not be desirable in all
circumstances.
SUMMARY
[0004] First, second, and third aspects of the present invention
are each generally directed to a hand-actuated fluid delivery
device (e.g., a hand-powered injector or syringe). This
hand-actuated fluid delivery device includes a barrel, a plunger,
and a handle assembly. The plunger is movable relative to the
barrel through operation of the handle assembly. That is, the
handle assembly is interconnected with and operable to move the
plunger relative to the barrel in both a discharge direction (e.g.,
where fluid may be discharged from the fluid delivery device, for
instance for injection into a patient) and an aspiration direction
(e.g., where fluid may be loaded into the interior of the barrel,
including by a suction action or by drawing fluid into the
barrel).
[0005] In the case of the first aspect, the hand-actuated fluid
delivery device includes a plunger lock and an actuator. An
entirety of a locking force that is provided by this plunger lock
is in the form of sliding friction or sliding friction forces. The
actuator is movable between locking and unlocking positions (e.g.,
to control the configuration or state of the plunger lock). The
sliding friction or sliding friction forces for the plunger lock is
in an active state with the actuator being in its locking position.
In this locking configuration for the plunger lock, the plunger
lock restrains movement of the plunger in the aspiration direction
for at least certain conditions.
[0006] In the case of the second aspect, the hand-actuated fluid
delivery device includes a locking spring. Moreover, the handle
assembly includes a pivot, a first handle member, and a second
handle member. This pivot is fixed to either the first or second
handle member, and the other handle member is pivotable about this
pivot to accommodate relative motion between the two handle
members. The locking spring is wrapped around the pivot and is
selectively disposable in a locking configuration to restrain
movement of the plunger in the aspiration direction for at least
certain conditions.
[0007] In the case of the third aspect, the hand-actuated fluid
delivery device includes a locking spring and an actuator.
Moreover, the handle assembly includes a pivot, a first handle
member, and a second handle member. This pivot is fixed to the
second handle member and the first handle member is pivotable
relative to the second handle member about this pivot. The locking
spring is wrapped around the pivot and includes first and second
end portions. The first end portion of the locking spring is
anchored relative to the first handle member. The second end
portion of the locking spring is engaged with the actuator at least
when the actuator is in its locking position. The actuator is
mounted on the first handle member and is movable between its
locking position and an unlocking position.
[0008] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
separately applicable to each of the first, second, and third
aspects of the present invention. These feature refinements and
additional features may be used individually or in any combination
in relation to each of the first, second, and third aspects of the
present invention. As such, each of the following features that
will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any
other feature or combination of features of each of the first,
second, and third aspects of the present invention. The following
discussion is separately applicable to each of the first, second,
and third aspects of the present invention, up to the start of the
discussion of a fourth aspect of the present invention.
[0009] The hand-actuated fluid delivery device may include what may
be characterized as a plunger lock. The plunger lock may be of a
configuration such that the entirety of the locking forces provided
by the plunger lock, where these locking forces resist movement of
the plunger in the aspiration direction, are in the form of sliding
friction or sliding friction forces. The plunger lock may be in the
form of a locking spring, such as a torsion spring. In one
embodiment, tightening the locking spring disposes the same in a
locking configuration, while unwinding or loosening the locking
spring disposes the same in an unlocked configuration.
[0010] The hand-actuated fluid delivery device may include an
actuator that is associated with a plunger lock or locking spring,
where the plunger lock/locking spring is disposable into a locking
configuration that resists movement of the plunger in the
aspiration direction for at least certain conditions. The actuator
may be movable between locking and unlocking positions in relation
to the plunger lock/locking spring. Moving the actuator to its
locking position may dispose the plunger lock/locking spring in its
locking configuration. Moving the actuator to its unlocking
position may allow the plunger lock/locking spring to change to an
unlocked configuration. In one embodiment, the actuator is movably
mounted on one of the handle members of the handle assembly, for
instance by a pivot pin or the like.
[0011] The handle assembly used by the hand-actuated fluid delivery
device may include a pivot, a first handle member, and a second
handle member. This pivot may be fixed to the second handle member
and the first handle member may be pivotable relative to the second
handle member about this pivot (e.g. the first handle member may be
movably mounted on this pivot so as to be able to move/pivot
relative to the second handle member). The locking spring may be
wrapped around the pivot and may include first and second end
portions. The first end portion of the locking spring may be
appropriately anchored in some fashion relative to the first handle
member, while the second end portion of the locking spring may be
engaged with the above-noted actuator at least when the actuator is
in its locking position. The locking spring could utilize its
spring forces to bias the first end portion against a stop or
fulcrum that is fixed relative to the first handle member. In this
case, the first end portion of the locking spring may be maintained
in a fixed position relative to the first handle member in at least
certain instances (e.g., the first end portion could be moved away
from such a stop or fulcrum against the biasing forces provided by
the locking spring). The first end portion of the locking spring
could be attached or fixed to the first handle member (e.g., so
that at least part of this first end portion remains stationary
relative to the first handle member at all times).
[0012] Disposing the actuator in its locking position may tighten
the locking spring about the pivot (that may be fixed to the second
handle member and on which the first handle member may be pivotally
mounted). Disposing the actuator in its unlocking position may be
characterized as loosening or unwinding the locking spring about
this pivot. As the first handle member is movable relative to the
second handle member, as the locking spring may move with the first
handle member, and as the pivot may move with the second handle
member, movement of the first handle member relative to the second
handle member may cause the locking spring to at least attempt to
slide about the pivot. Moving the actuator between its locking and
unlocking positions may be characterized as changing the magnitude
of the sliding friction or sliding friction forces between the
locking spring and the pivot. Disposing the actuator in its locking
position may be characterized as increasing the magnitude of the
sliding friction or sliding friction forces between the locking
spring and the pivot (e.g., by compressing the locking spring
against the pivot; by tightening the locking spring about the
pivot). Disposing the actuator in its unlocking position may be
characterized as decreasing the magnitude of the sliding friction
or sliding friction forces between the locking spring and the pivot
(e.g., by loosening or unwinding the locking spring about the
pivot).
[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to a
method of operating a hand-actuated fluid delivery device. A handle
assembly is operated in a first operational mode to move a plunger
in a discharge direction (e.g., where fluid may be discharged from
the fluid delivery device, for instance for injection into a
patient) and with a plunger lock being in a locking configuration.
Operation of the handle assembly in this first operational mode
causes a reduction in a magnitude of sliding friction or sliding
friction forces (e.g., this decrease in sliding friction is
responsive to or is realized based upon operation of the first
handle assembly in the first operational mode) being provided by
the plunger lock in its locking configuration. Operation of the
handle assembly in the first operational mode is at some point in
time terminated, which causes the magnitude of sliding friction or
sliding friction forces being provided by the plunger lock to
increase (e.g., this increase in sliding friction is responsive to
or is realized based upon termination of operation of the first
handle assembly in the first operational mode) so as to resist
movement of the plunger in an aspiration direction (e.g., where
fluid may be loaded into the fluid delivery device, including by a
suction action or by drawing fluid into the fluid delivery device)
for at least certain conditions.
[0014] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the fourth aspect of the present invention. These
feature refinements and additional features may be used
individually or in any combination. The following discussion is
applicable to the fourth aspect, up to the start of the discussion
of a fifth aspect of the present invention. Initially, the
hand-actuated fluid delivery device discussed above in relation to
the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect each may
be used in the method for the fourth aspect.
[0015] The plunger lock may be in the form of a torsion spring. The
reduction of the magnitude of the sliding friction provided by the
plunger lock may include unwinding or loosening this torsion
spring. The operation of the handle assembly in the first
operational mode may generate a force that is transmitted to the
torsion spring in a manner that unwinds or loosens the torsion
spring. Upon termination of the first operational mode, the sliding
friction or sliding friction forces may be increased by contracting
or tightening the torsion spring.
[0016] An actuator may be moved from an unlocking position to a
locking position in the case of the fourth aspect, with the
actuator possibly being biased to the locking position (e.g., so as
to not require user input or the application of a user-generated
force to move the same to the locking position). When the actuator
is in its locking position, the plunger lock may be in its locking
configuration. The actuator may be in its locking position when the
handle assembly is operated in the first operational mode to move
the plunger in the discharge direction. However, operation of the
handle assembly in its first operational mode may cause a reduction
of the magnitude of the sliding friction or sliding friction forces
used by the plunger lock to resist movement of the plunger in the
aspiration direction.
[0017] The noted actuator may be moved (e.g. manually by a user; by
a user exerting a manual force on the actuator) from its locking
position to its unlocking position. This movement of the actuator
may be opposed by biasing forces being exerted on the actuator. In
any case, this movement of the actuator to its unlocking position
may cause a reduction in the magnitude of the sliding friction or
sliding friction forces being provided by the plunger lock that
tends to resist movement of the plunger in the aspiration direction
(e.g., this reduction in sliding friction may be caused by,
responsive to, or realized based upon movement of the actuator to
its unlocking position). Thereafter, the handle assembly may be
operated in a second operational mode to move the plunger in the
aspiration direction.
[0018] A fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to a
method of operating a hand-actuated fluid delivery device. This
hand-actuated fluid delivery device includes a plunger, a locking
spring, first and second handle members that are pivotally
connected by a pivot that is fixed to the second handle member, and
an actuator, where the locking spring is mounted on the pivot. A
first handle operation entails moving the first and second handle
members relative to one another about the pivot in a manner so as
to move the plunger in a discharge direction (e.g., to where fluid
may be discharged from the fluid delivery device, for instance for
injection into a patient). The first handle operation is
terminated. A resistance is provided to movement of the first and
second handles relative to one another in a manner that would move
the plunger in an aspiration direction (e.g., where fluid may be
loaded into the fluid delivery device, including by a suction
action or by drawing fluid into the fluid delivery device). This
resistance is provided by having the locking spring being in a
locking configuration. The actuator may be moved to an unlocking
position, which causes the locking spring to loosen or unwind about
the pivot and which disposes the locking spring in an unlocked
configuration. Thereafter, a second handle operation may be
undertaken to move the plunger in the aspiration direction.
[0019] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the fifth aspect of the present invention. These
feature refinements and additional features may be used
individually or in any combination. The following discussion is
applicable to at least the fifth aspect. Initially, the
hand-actuated fluid delivery device discussed above in relation to
the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect each may
be used in the method for the fifth aspect.
[0020] The actuator may be moved to a locking position, which may
cause the locking spring to be disposed in its locking
configuration. In one embodiment, the actuator is biased to its
locking position to alleviate the need for an operator to exert a
force on the actuator to move the same to its locking position.
Disposing the locking spring in its locking configuration (e.g.,
caused by, responsive to, based upon, or as a result of moving the
actuator to its locking position) may include tightening the
locking spring about the pivot. This tightening of the locking
spring about the pivot may increase a magnitude of the sliding
friction or the sliding friction forces between the locking spring
and the pivot.
[0021] The first handle operation may be executed with the locking
spring being in its locking configuration. Execution of the first
handle operation may generate and exert a force on the locking
spring in a manner that tends to loosen or unwind the locking
spring from about the pivot. This loosening or unwinding the
locking spring may be used to reduce the magnitude of the sliding
friction or sliding friction forces between the locking spring and
the pivot.
[0022] Movement of the actuator to its unlocking position may be
done manually by a user, for instance by a user exerting a manual
force on the actuator (e.g., to pivot the same relative to the
first handle member). A user may need to overcome a biasing force
being exerted on the actuator to move the same from its locking
position to its unlocking position. One user hand may be used to
execute the second handle operation, and another user hand may be
used to move the actuator to its unlocking position.
[0023] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
separately applicable to each of above-noted first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention. These feature
refinements and additional features may be used individually or in
any combination in relation to each of the above-noted first,
second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention.
Any feature of any other various aspects of the present invention
that is intended to be limited to a "singular" context or the like
will be clearly set forth herein by terms such as "only," "single,"
"limited to," or the like. Merely introducing a feature in
accordance with commonly accepted antecedent basis practice does
not limit the corresponding feature to the singular (e.g.,
indicating that a handle assembly includes "a locking spring" alone
does not mean that handle assembly includes only a single locking
spring). Moreover, any failure to use phrases such as "at least
one" also does not limit the corresponding feature to the singular
(e.g., indicating that a handle assembly includes "a locking
spring" alone does not mean that the handle assembly includes only
a single locking spring). Use of the phrase "at least generally" or
the like in relation to a particular feature encompasses the
corresponding characteristic and insubstantial variations thereof
(e.g., indicating that a barrel is at least generally cylindrical
encompasses the barrel being cylindrical). Finally, a reference of
a feature in conjunction with the phrase "in one embodiment" does
not limit the use of the feature to a single embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art hand-actuated fluid
delivery device.
[0025] FIGS. 2A-C are schematic representations of use of the prior
art hand-actuated fluid delivery device of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a cutaway, side view of a handle assembly with an
aspiration lock, and that may be used by a hand-actuated fluid
delivery device.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a locking spring disposed on
a pivot of the handle assembly of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2A-C present a prior art hand-actuated fluid
delivery device 10. Hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10 includes
a barrel 20, a plunger 30 associated with barrel 20, and a
scissor-grip handle assembly 40 which causes plunger 30 to move
longitudinally relative to barrel 20. One or both of barrel 20 and
plunger 30 may be removable from handle assembly 40 to facilitate
the replacement of these components and the reuse of handle
assembly 40. Generally, the handle assembly 40 is sized so as to be
engaged and operated by a single hand of a user.
[0029] Barrel 20 of hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10 is an
elongate member with a hollow interior extending through the length
thereof. Along the majority of its length, barrel 20 may be
substantially uniform in both cross-sectional shape and
cross-sectional dimensions. The region of barrel 20 having such
substantial cross-sectional uniformity is referred to herein as
body 22. As depicted, body 22 extends from a proximal end 21p of
barrel 20 to a tapered section or region 24 thereof. A discharge
tip 25 is located on the opposite side of tapered section 24, at a
distal end 21d of barrel 20.
[0030] Within body 22 and tapered region 24 of barrel 20, the
hollow interior thereof forms a receptacle 23. The volume of
receptacle 23 is preferably suitable for the desired use of the
hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10. For example, in
applications where only small volumes of fluids will be injected or
aspirated with hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10, barrel 20
may include a receptacle 23 with a relative small volume (e.g., 5
cubic centimeters ("cc"), 10 cc, etc.). When hand-actuated fluid
delivery device 10 is to be used to inject or aspirate larger
volumes of fluids, the volume of receptacle 23 may also be larger
(e.g., 20 cc, 30 cc, 60 cc, etc.). Alternatively, receptacle 23 of
barrel 20 may have other standard syringe volumes or a volume that
is tailored to a specific use for hand-actuated fluid delivery
device 10.
[0031] The hollow interior of syringe tip 25 may be referred to
herein as a lumen 26. Lumen 26 may have a diameter of as small as
about 1 mm (0.40 inch) or smaller. Of course, discharge tips 25
with different sizes of lumens 26 may be utilized, as the size of a
lumen 26 may depend at least partially upon the gauge of a needle
or the lumen size of a catheter to be coupled with discharge tip
25. In order to facilitate the coupling of a needle or catheter
with discharge tip 25, discharge tip 25 may include a coupling
member at or near the distal end 21d of barrel 20.
[0032] Barrel 20 also includes a handle connection element 28. As
depicted, handle connection element 28 extends from body 22 at
proximal end 21p of barrel 20 and includes an aperture formed
therethrough. The aperture is sized and configured to receive a
hinge element 70 and, thus, to facilitate the connection of a
member of handle assembly 40 to barrel 20. While FIG. 1 depicts
barrel 20, receptacle 23, and lumen 26 as having substantially
cylindrical shapes with circular cross-sections taken transverse to
a longitudinal axis A.sub.B of barrel 20, syringe barrels with any
other suitable cross-sectional shapes (e.g., ovals, ellipses,
polygons, etc.) may also be utilized as appropriate.
[0033] Plunger 30 is an elongate member with dimensions that permit
plunger 30 to be inserted into receptacle 23 of barrel 20 through
proximal end 21p thereof. Plunger 30 includes a body 32 and a head
34 at a distal end 31d of body 32. The proximal end 31p of body 32,
and thus of plunger 30, is configured to have force applied thereto
to facilitate movement of plunger 30 in both directions along a
longitudinal axis A.sub.p of plunger 30. A "discharge direction" is
a movement of the head 34 toward the discharge tip 25. An
"aspiration direction" is a movement of the head 34 away from the
discharge tip 25.
[0034] Head 34 of plunger 30 may comprise a somewhat deformable,
resilient member. By way of example, head 34 may be formed from
silicone or any other resilient polymer (e.g., rubber) that is
suitable for use in medical applications. The shape of head 34 may
be substantially complementary to a shape of the portion of
receptacle 23 of barrel 20 that is located within tapered region 24
and a portion of body 22 adjacent thereto. The size of head 34 is
may be substantially the same as or somewhat larger than the
correspondingly shaped portion of receptacle 23 so as to facilitate
the substantial displacement of fluid from receptacle 23 as plunger
30 is fully inserted therein (e.g., to provide a sliding seal
between the head 34 and barrel 20 during relative movement
therebetween).
[0035] In order to facilitate movement of head 34 of plunger 30
along the full length of receptacle 23, the length of plunger 30
may be greater than the combined lengths of body 22 and tapered
region 24 of barrel 20. Of course, in order to apply the amount of
force necessary to move plunger 30 through the length of receptacle
23, body 32 of plunger 30 may be formed from a more rigid material
than that of head 34. Accordingly, head 34 may include a receptacle
(not shown) that is configured to receive a corresponding head
connection protrusion (not shown) at the distal end of body 32.
[0036] Proximal end 31p of plunger 30 includes a handle connection
element 38. Handle connection element 38 includes an aperture
formed through body 32 of plunger 30 at a location that facilitates
the pivotal connection of a member of handle assembly 40 thereto by
way of a hinge element 70. In addition, proximal end 31p of plunger
30 may include a secondary movement element 36, such as a loop or
another member by which an individual may cause plunger 30 to move
in one or both directions along longitudinal axis A.sub.p
thereof.
[0037] Handle assembly 40 includes two elongate members, a first
handle member 50 and a second handle member 60. The handle assembly
40 is sized such that the first handle member 50 and the second
handle member 60 may be engaged by a common, single hand of a user.
That is and for the condition shown in FIG. 1, one portion of a
users hand may engage the first handle member 50, and another
portion of this same users hand may engage the second handle member
60 to manually actuate the hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10
to discharge fluid therefrom. First handle member 50 and second
handle member 60 may also be pivotally connected with one another
in a manner such that, along with the shapes of first and second
handle members 50 and 60, it provides an increased leverage so as
to decrease the amount of force that must be exerted by an
individual's hand to move plunger 30 relative to barrel 20 on a
fluid discharge stroke.
[0038] First handle member 50, which may be configured to be held
primarily with an individual's fingers, includes a gripping end 52
and a plunger attachment end 58. In addition, first handle member
50 includes pivotal connection element 56 positioned at a central
region 55 thereof, which may be located substantially centrally
along the length thereof, to facilitate connection of first handle
member 50 to second handle member 60 of handle assembly 40. Pivotal
connection element 56 includes an aperture that may have a circular
shape and that receives a hinge element 70, or pivot pin, which, in
turn, connects first handle member 50 and second handle member 60
to one another. As shown, first handle member 50 includes an
elongated loop 53 along gripping end 52, through which an
individual's fingers may be inserted. Alternatively, or in addition
to loop 53, gripping end 52 may include a finger grip 54 that is
contoured so as to comfortably receive the fingers of an
individual.
[0039] Plunger attachment end 58 of first handle member 50 includes
(e.g., terminates at) a plunger connection element 59 that
facilitates the pivotal connection of first handle member 50 to the
corresponding handle connection element 38 of plunger 30. Plunger
connection element 59 may comprise an aperture that is configured
to receive hinge element 70. First handle member 50 and plunger 30
are pivotally connected to one another by positioning plunger
attachment end 58 against the appropriate location of plunger 30
with plunger connection element 59 and an aperture (not shown) of
handle connection element 38 in alignment. A single hinge element
70 is then inserted through both plunger connection element 59 and
the noted aperture of handle connection element 38. Hinge element
70 may include an enlarged head 71 at each end thereof to maintain
the assembled, pivotal relationship of plunger 30 and first handle
member 50. Of course, other known types of pivotal connection
arrangements between plunger 30 and first handle member 50 and
their corresponding elements may also be utilized.
[0040] First handle member 50 is bent, or angled, at some point
along the length thereof, between gripping end 52 and plunger
attachment end 58, to at least partially provide the desired amount
of leverage for forcing plunger 30 to move longitudinally through
receptacle 23 of barrel 20. As shown in FIG. 1, first handle member
50 is angled at two locations, a first of which is located between
gripping end 52 and central region 55, and a second of which is
located between central region 55 and plunger attachment end 58.
Although FIG. 1 depicts gripping end 52 and central region 55 as
being oriented at an angle of about 140.degree. relative to one
another, and central region 55 and plunger attachment end 58 as
being oriented at an angle of about 90.degree. relative to one
another, other angles and bend locations may be utilized, as
appropriate.
[0041] Second handle member 60 of handle assembly 40 is an elongate
member that is configured to be held by an individual's palm or
thumb. Second handle member 60 includes a gripping end 62 and a
barrel attachment end 68, as well as a central region 65 located
between gripping end 62 and barrel attachment end 68. Gripping end
62 of second handle member 60 may include a thumb loop 63 through
which the thumb of an individual using hand-actuated fluid delivery
device 10 may be inserted.
[0042] Central region 65 of second handle member 60 includes a
pivotal connection element 66 that corresponds to pivotal
connection element 56 of first handle member 50. Pivotal connection
element 66 may comprise an aperture formed through central region
65 and configured to receive hinge element 70. Upon properly
orienting first handle member 50 and second handle member 60
relative to one another in an assembled relationship thereof and
aligning the aperture of first handle member 50 with the aperture
of second handle member 60, hinge element 70 may be inserted
through the apertures to pivotally connect first and second members
50 and 60 to one another. Hinge element 70 again may include an
enlarged head 71 at each end thereof to maintain the assembled,
pivotal relationship of first handle member 50 and second handle
member 60.
[0043] Handle assembly 40 may additionally include a resilient
element (e.g., a spring may be associated with first and second
handle members 50 and 60, for instance at or near hinge element 70)
in such a way as to force first and second handle members 50 and 60
apart from one another when they are not being held together. That
is, the handle members 50, 60 may be biased to move the plunger 30
in the noted aspiration direction. When first and second handle
members 50 and 60 have been properly assembled with one another, it
is preferred that practically any adult user be able to properly
position their fingers of one hand on gripping end 52 and their
thumb or palm of this same hand against gripping end 62, while
gripping ends 52 and 62 are spaced a maximum distance apart from
one another with head 34 of plunger located at least generally at
proximal end 21p of barrel 20.
[0044] Barrel attachment end 68 of second handle member 60 includes
(e.g., terminates at) a barrel connection element 69 that
facilitates the pivotal connection of second handle member 60 to
the corresponding handle connection element 28 of barrel 20. As
depicted, barrel connection element 69 comprises an aperture that
is configured to receive a hinge element 70. Second handle member
60 and barrel 20 are pivotally connected to one another by properly
positioning barrel attachment end 68 and handle connection element
28 against one another, with the apertures thereof in alignment,
and inserting a single hinge element 70 through both barrel
connection element 69 and handle connection element 28. Hinge
element 70 again may include an enlarged head 71 at each end
thereof to maintain the assembled, pivotal relationship of barrel
20 and second handle member 60. Of course, other known types of
pivotal connection arrangements between barrel 20 and second handle
member 60 and their corresponding elements may be utilized, as
appropriate.
[0045] Second handle member 60 of handle assembly 40 may be bent,
or angled, to increase the leverage provided by first handle member
50 and the scissor-like arrangement of first handle member 50 and
second handle member 60. As illustrated, second handle member 60 is
bent at central region 65 thereof to position gripping end 62 in
proximity to gripping end 52 of first handle member 50 when first
handle member 50 and second handle member 60 are in an appropriate
assembled relationship. With further regard to the noted
scissor-like arrangement between the first handle member 50 and
second handle member 60, the side view of FIG. 1 shows a reference
axis R.sub.A that extends through the hinge element 70 (that
pivotally interconnects the first handle member 50 and the second
handle member 60) and that is parallel to both the longitudinal
axis A.sub.B of barrel 20 and the longitudinal axis A.sub.p of
plunger 30. Note that both plunger attachment end 58 (of first
handle member 50) and barrel attachment end 68 (of second handle
member 60) each extend relative to the hinge element 70 (between
first handle member 50 and second handle member 60) onto one side
of this reference axis R.sub.A (on the side that is "above" the
reference axis R.sub.A in the side view of FIG. 1), and that both
gripping end 52 (of first handle member 50) and gripping end 62 (of
second handle member 60) each extend relative to the hinge element
70 (between first handle member 50 and second handle member 60)
onto the opposite side of this reference axis R.sub.A (on the side
that is "below" the reference axis R.sub.A in the side view of FIG.
1). With further regard to the noted scissor-like arrangement
between the first handle member 50 and second handle member 60, the
side view of FIG. 1 shows a reference axis R.sub.B that extends
through the hinge element 70 (that pivotally interconnects the
first handle member 50 and the second handle member 60) and that is
perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis A.sub.B of barrel 20
and the longitudinal axis A.sub.p of plunger 30.
[0046] One or both of first handle member 50 and second handle
member 60 may include reinforcement ribs 72 or other reinforcement
structures along at least a portion of the length thereof. As
depicted, reinforcement ribs 72 are positioned along the edges of
first handle member 50 and second handle member 60. Reinforcement
ribs 72 may be positioned to prevent side-to-side bending of first
handle member 50 or second handle member 60 during use of handle
assembly 40 to move plunger 30 relative to barrel 20.
[0047] FIGS. 2A-C present an example of the use of the
hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10. FIG. 2A illustrates the
introduction of a fluid 300 into receptacle 23 of barrel 20 through
either lumen 26 of discharge tip 25 by drawing plunger 30 outwardly
(proximally) through receptacle 23. Plunger 30 may be drawn
outwardly through receptacle 23 by a user U forcing first and
second members 50 and 60 of handle assembly 40 apart from one
another (their respective free ends). As plunger 30 is drawn
outwardly through receptacle 23, the available volume of receptacle
23 (i.e., that located distally relative to head 34 of plunger 30)
increases and a negative pressure is created within receptacle 23.
This negative pressure forces fluid 300 to enter receptacle 23. As
depicted, fluid 300 may be any appropriate fluid, such as contrast
media, a medicine, an anesthetic, a dye, or another chemical
compound.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 2B, discharge tip 25 may be coupled to a
known infusion or injection apparatus 302, shown in phantom, such
as a catheter or a hypodermic needle. Infusion or injection
apparatus 302 may comprise a conduit which facilitates the
introduction of fluid 300 into the body of an individual. In FIG.
2C, as user U forces first handle member 50 and second handle
member 60 toward one another (one part of the user's hand engaging
the first handle member 50, and another portion of this same hand
engaging the second handle member 60), plunger 30 is forced
inwardly (i.e., distally) through receptacle 23, decreasing the
available volume within receptacle 23 and creating an increase in
pressure therein. This increase in pressure within receptacle 23
forces fluid 300 out of receptacle 23 through lumen 26 of discharge
tip 25, through infusion or injection apparatus 302, and into the
body of the individual. The amount of fluid introduced into the
individual's body may be controlled by controlling the distance
first and second members 50 and 60 are forced together.
[0049] The three-pivot-point configuration of handle assembly 40
provides sufficient leverage that the force applied by a single
hand of a user will be translated into an adequate amount of force
upon plunger 30 and within receptacle 23 to force even relatively
high viscosity fluids into and out of receptacle 23. Moreover, the
configurations of members 50 and 60 of handle assembly 40
facilitate gripping thereof with a single hand, the fine motor
skills of which can be used in such a way as to precisely control
the amount of fluid being introduced into or discharged from
receptacle 23 of syringe barrel 20.
[0050] One embodiment of a handle assembly for a hand-actuated
fluid delivery device is presented in FIG. 3 and is identified by
reference 100. The handle assembly 100 may be used by a
hand-actuated fluid delivery device that includes a barrel and
plunger that is movable relative to this barrel in both a discharge
direction (where fluid is discharged from the hand-actuated fluid
delivery device via manual operation by a user) and in an
aspiration direction (where fluid may be loaded (e.g., drawn) into
the hand-actuated fluid delivery device via manual operation by a
user). For instance, the handle assembly 100 may be used in place
of the handle assembly 40 in the case of the hand-actuated fluid
delivery device 10 discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1-20.
[0051] The handle assembly 100 of FIG. 3 includes a first handle
member 110 and a second handle member 120 that cross one another to
provide for a scissors-like actuation of the handle assembly 100.
The first handle member 110 includes a first free end 112 and a
plunger connection element 114. The plunger connection element 114
may be of any appropriate configuration to allow the first handle
member 110 to be interconnected with a plunger (e.g., plunger 30 of
hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10). In one embodiment, first
handle member 110 is pivotally connected to a plunger using the
plunger connection element 114. For instance, the plunger could
include an aperture that may be aligned with the plunger connection
element 114 to accommodate receipt of a pivot pin or the like. The
first handle member 110 may include a fulcrum or stop 116 that will
be addressed below in relation to a locking spring 130.
[0052] The second handle member 120 includes a first free end 122
and a body connection element 124. The body connection element 124
may be of any appropriate configuration to allow the second handle
member 120 to be interconnected with a body of the associated fluid
delivery device (e.g., barrel 20 of fluid delivery device 10; body
22 of fluid delivery device 10). In one embodiment, the second
handle member 120 is pivotally connected to another part of the
fluid delivery device (e.g., barrel 20 of fluid delivery device 10;
body 22 of fluid delivery device 10) using the body connection
element 124. For instance, the body/barrel could include an
aperture that may be aligned with the body connection element 124
of the second handle member 120 to accommodate receipt of a pivot
pin or the like.
[0053] The first handle member 110 and the second handle member 120
cross one another as noted above. In this regard, a pivot 126 is
fixed to the second handle member 120 in any appropriate manner
(e.g., separately attached; integrally formed). That is, the pivot
126 is not intended to move relative to the second handle member
120. The first handle member 110 is movably mounted on this pivot
126. As such, the first handle member 110 is able to pivot relative
to the second handle member 120 about the pivot 126. In other
embodiments, the pivot 126 may not be fixed to either of the first
or second handle members 110, 120 such that both the first and
second handle member 110, 120 are capable of movement about the
pivot 126.
[0054] With further regard to the noted scissor-like arrangement
between the first handle member 110 and second handle member 120,
the side view of FIG. 3 shows a reference axis R.sub.A that extends
through the pivot 126 (that pivotally interconnects the first
handle member 110 and the second handle member 120) and that is
parallel to the axis along which the associated plunger would move
when actuated by the handle assembly 100 (e.g., reference axis
R.sub.A may be parallel to longitudinal axis A.sub.p of plunger 30
when the handle assembly 100 is used by the hand-actuated fluid
delivery device 10). Note that part of the first handle member 110
and part of the second handle member 120 each extend relative to
the pivot 126 onto one side of this reference axis R.sub.A (on the
side that is "above" the reference axis R.sub.A in the side view of
FIG. 3), and that a different part of the first handle member 110
and a different part of the second handle member 120 each extend
relative to the pivot 126 onto the opposite side of this reference
axis R.sub.A (on the side that is "below" the reference axis
R.sub.A in the side view of FIG. 3).
[0055] With further regard to the noted scissor-like arrangement
between the first handle member 110 and the second handle member
120, the side view of FIG. 3 shows a reference axis R.sub.B that
extends through pivot 126 (again, that pivotally interconnects the
first handle member 110 and the second handle member 120) and that
is perpendicular to the above-noted reference axis R.sub.A (and
that would also then be perpendicular to longitudinal axis A.sub.p
of plunger 30 when the handle assembly 100 is used by the
hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10). The first free end 112 and
the plunger connection element 114 of the first handle member 110
are disposed on opposite sides of this reference axis R.sub.B in
the view shown in FIG. 3 (the first free end 112 being positioned
on the "left side" of this reference axis R.sub.B in the view shown
in FIG. 3, and the plunger connection element 114 being positioned
on the "right side" of this reference axis R.sub.B in the view
shown in FIG. 3). Similarly, the second free end 122 and the body
connection element 124 of the second handle member 120 are also
disposed on opposite sides of this reference axis R.sub.B in the
view shown in FIG. 3 (the second free end 122 being positioned on
the "right side" of this reference axis R.sub.B in the view shown
in FIG. 3, and the body connection element 124 being positioned on
the "left side" of this reference axis R.sub.B in the view shown in
FIG. 3).
[0056] Moving the first free end 112 of the first handle member 110
at least generally toward the second free end 122 of the second
handle member 120 causes the first handle member 110 to pivot
relative to the second handle member 120 about the pivot 126, to in
turn move the plunger connection element 114 of the first handle
member 110 at least generally toward the body connection element
124 of the second handle member 120, to in turn move the associated
plunger (e.g., plunger 30 of hand-actuated fluid delivery device
10) in a discharge direction (i.e., to the left in the view shown
in FIG. 3) relative to the barrel (e.g., barrel 20) of the fluid
delivery device (e.g., fluid delivery device 10). Moving the first
free end 112 of the first handle member 110 at least generally away
from the second free end 122 of the second handle member 120 causes
the first handle member 110 to pivot relative to the second handle
member 120 about the pivot 126, to in turn move the plunger
connection element 114 of the first handle member 110 at least
generally away from the body connection element 124 of the second
handle member 120, to in turn move the associated plunger (e.g.,
plunger 30 of the hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10) in an
aspiration direction (i.e., to the right in the view shown in FIG.
3) relative to the barrel (e.g., barrel 20) of the fluid delivery
device (e.g., fluid delivery device 10).
[0057] The handle assembly 100 of FIG. 3 includes what may be
characterized as a plunger lock--a device to lock the plunger
(e.g., fix/maintain the position of plunger 30 relative to a barrel
of hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10) associated with the
handle assembly 100 in a certain position or to at least restrain
movement of this plunger in at least one direction (e.g., an
aspiration direction). Referring now to both FIGS. 3 and 4, the
handle assembly 100 includes a locking spring 130. In the
illustrated embodiment, the locking spring 130 is in the form of a
torsion spring. In any case, the locking spring 130 is mounted on
the pivot 126. Generally, the sliding friction or sliding friction
forces between the locking spring 130 and the pivot 126 provides a
locking function that at least resists movement of the first free
end 112 of the first handle member 110 at least generally away from
the second free end 122 of the second handle member 120, which in
turn provides resistance to movement of the associated plunger
(e.g., plunger 30 of hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10) in an
aspiration direction. The sliding friction between the locking
spring 130 and the pivot 126 may be of a magnitude to preclude
movement of the associated plunger (e.g., plunger 30 of
hand-actuated fluid delivery device 10) in an aspiration direction
in at least certain conditions--the handle assembly 100 may be
biased in a manner that attempts to move the corresponding plunger
in an aspiration direction relative to the barrel.
[0058] The locking spring 130 includes a first end portion 134 and
a second end portion 136. The first end portion 134 may be
biased/seated against the above-noted fulcrum 116 that is
incorporated by the first handle member 110. The locking spring 130
then wraps at least once completely about the pivot 126 (a full 360
degrees about the pivot 126) and terminates at its second end
portion 136. The locking spring 130 may be wrapped any appropriate
number of times about the pivot 126. An individual wrap of the
locking spring 130 is identified by reference numeral 132 in FIG.
4. Increasing the number of wraps 132 on the pivot 126 should
enhance the locking function provided by the locking spring 130
(e.g., should increase the amount of sliding friction or sliding
friction forces between the locking spring 130 and the pivot 126
when the locking spring 130 is in its locking configuration).
[0059] The handle assembly 100 includes what may be characterized
as a trigger, a locking element, or actuator 140 ("actuating" in
the sense that the actuator 140 may be used in changing the locking
spring 130 from a locking configuration to an unlocked
configuration). The actuator 140 is shown as being movably
interconnected with the first handle member 110. In the illustrated
embodiment, the actuator 140 is pivotally connected to the first
handle member 110 by a pivot pin 146 such that the actuator 140 may
pivot relative to the first handle member 110 about this pivot pin
146, namely between a locking position (shown by the dashed line
for the actuator 140 in FIG. 3) and an unlocking position (shown by
the solid line for the actuator 140 in FIG. 3). The actuator 140
may be biased to the locking position in any appropriate manner
(e.g., by one or more biasing elements of any appropriate type
and/or configuration).
[0060] A user engagement section 142 of the actuator 140 and a
spring engagement section 144 of the actuator 140 may be
characterized as being disposed on opposite sides of the pivot pin
146. A user may engage the user engagement section 142 to exert a
manual force on the actuator 140 to pivot the actuator 140 relative
to the first handle member 110 and to an unlocking position. This
movement may be against a biasing force that may be continually
exerted on the actuator 140 (e.g., to bias the actuator 140 to the
locking position, as noted above). The spring engagement section
144 of the actuator 140 engages the second end portion 136 of the
locking spring 130 at least when the actuator 140 is in its locking
position. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring engagement
section 144 remains engaged with the second end portion 136 of the
locking spring 130 at all times (e.g., whether in the locking
position or the unlocking position).
[0061] The pivot pin 146 (the pivotal connection between the
actuator 140 and the first handle member 110) is offset from the
pivot pin 126 (the pivotal connection between the first handle
member 110 and the second handle member 120). In the illustrated
embodiment, the pivot pin 146 is offset from the pivot pin 126 in
both the vertical dimension (the up/down direction in the view
shown in FIG. 3) and the horizontal dimension (the left/right
direction in the view shown in FIG. 3). In the illustrated
embodiment, the pivot pin 146 is disposed at a higher elevation
(e.g., more upward) than the pivot pin 126 in the view shown in
FIG. 3, and is also disposed more rearwardly than the pivot pin 126
("rearwardly" being in the same direction as the movement of the
associated plunger (e.g., a plunger 30 in the hand-actuated fluid
delivery device 10) in an aspiration direction).
[0062] The locking function provided by the locking spring 130 may
be characterized as being associated with the degree to which the
locking spring 130 is compressed against or contracted onto the
pivot 126 (again, the pivotal connection between the first handle
member 110 and the second handle members 120). With the actuator
140 being disposed in its unlocking position (the solid line for
the actuator 140 shown in FIG. 3), the locking spring 130 is
allowed to "expand" or "loosen" about the pivot 126 (e.g., to
provide an unlocked configuration for the locking spring 130). This
reduces the magnitude of the sliding friction or sliding friction
forces between locking spring 130 (which may be viewed as being
movable along with the first handle member 110) and the pivot 126
(which again is fixed to the second handle member 120, and thereby
moves along with the second handle member 120). With the actuator
140 being disposed in its locking position (the dashed line for the
actuator 140 shown in FIG. 3), the locking spring 130 is allowed to
"contract" against or "tighten" onto the pivot 126 (e.g., to
provide a locking configuration for the locking spring 130). This
increases the magnitude of the sliding friction or sliding friction
forces between the locking spring 130 (which again may be viewed as
being movable in conjunction with the first handle member 110) and
the pivot 126 (which again is fixed to the second handle member
120). That is, as the first handle member 110 moves relative to the
second handle member 120, the locking spring 130 may move (by a
sliding action) relative to the pivot 126.
[0063] Operation of the locking function incorporated by the handle
assembly 100 will now be summarized. The actuator 140 again may be
biased to its locking position (shown by the dashed line for the
actuator 140 in FIG. 3). This in turn disposes the locking spring
130 in its locked configuration (e.g., such that it is compressed
against or contracts onto the pivot 126 that is fixed to the second
handle member 120). Movement of the first free end 112 of the first
handle member 110 at least generally toward the second free end 122
of the second handle member 120 (to produce movement of the
associated plunger (e.g., plunger 30 of hand-actuated fluid
delivery device 10) in a discharge direction) will exert a force on
the locking spring 130 that will tend to unwind the same from the
pivot 126. That is, this movement of the handle assembly 100 may be
characterized as actually reducing the magnitude of the sliding
friction or sliding friction forces between the locking spring 130
(which is movable along with the first handle member 110) and the
pivot 126 (which moves along with the second handle member 120),
which thereby allows the handle assembly 100 to be operated to
discharge fluid from the corresponding hand-actuated fluid delivery
device even with the actuator 140 being disposed in its locking
configuration.
[0064] When movement of the first free end 112 of the first handle
member 110 at least generally toward the second free end 122 of the
second handle member 120 is terminated (to terminate movement of
the associated plunger (e.g., plunger 30 of hand-actuated fluid
delivery device 10) in a discharge direction), the spring forces of
the locking spring 130 should automatically return the same to its
locked configuration. That is, when movement of the first free end
112 of the first handle member 110 at least generally toward the
second free end 122 of the second handle member 120 is terminated
(to again terminate movement of the associated plunger in a
discharge direction): 1) the locking spring 130 should compress
back against or further contract onto the pivot 126; and 2) the
magnitude of the sliding friction or sliding friction forces
between the locking spring 130 and the pivot 126 (while pivoting
the first handle member 110 relative to the second handle member
120) should be increased ("increased" being in comparison to the
sliding friction forces between the locking spring 130 and the
pivot 126 while the handle assembly 100 is being operated to move
the associated plunger in a discharge direction).
[0065] With the locking spring 130 remaining in its locking
configuration at the end of a discharge operation, the associated
plunger (e.g., plunger 30 of fluid delivery device 10) should
remain in a stationary position. More specifically, the magnitude
of the sliding friction forces between the locking spring 130 and
the pivot 126 should be sufficiently large such that any biasing
force being used by the handle assembly 100 (to bias the first free
end 112 of the first handle member 110 at least generally away from
the second free end 122 of the second handle member 120 to move the
associated plunger in an aspiration direction), should in fact be
unable to move the associated plunger in an aspiration direction.
If a user attempts to pull the free ends 112, 122 further apart
(with the actuator 140 remaining it is locking position), this
should actually further increase the magnitude of the sliding
friction forces between locking spring 130 (associated with the
first handle member 110) and the pivot 126 (associated with the
second handle member 120), which should further increase the
resistance to movement of the associated plunger in an aspiration
direction.
[0066] Based upon the foregoing, it should be appreciated that a
user need not take any action at the end of a discharge operation
to keep the associated plunger (e.g., plunger 30 of hand-actuated
fluid delivery device 10) from moving in an aspiration direction. A
user may simply release the handle assembly 100 and the associated
plunger should remain in a stationary position by the locking force
provided by the locking spring 130. When the user desires to
retract the corresponding plunger in relation to the associated
barrel (e.g., to move the corresponding plunger in an aspiration
direction), the actuator 140 may be moved from its locking position
(where the actuator 140 is shown by dashed lines in FIG. 3)10 its
unlocking position (where the actuator 140 is shown by solid lines
in FIG. 3). Again, this loosens or unwinds the locking spring 130
from the pivot 126, or disposes the locking spring 130 in its
unlocked configuration. Thereafter, the first free end 112 of the
first handle member 110 may be moved at least generally away from
the second free and 122 of the second handle member 120, to in turn
increase the spacing between the plunger connection element 114 of
the first handle member 110 and the body connection element 124 of
the second handle member 120, to in turn move the associated
plunger (e.g., plunger 30 of the hand-actuated fluid delivery
device 10) in an aspiration direction.
[0067] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention
to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and
modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and
knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present
invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further
intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention
and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in
such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required
by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present
invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to
include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
* * * * *