U.S. patent application number 14/195081 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-29 for hand-held, hand-operated power syringe and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is MALLINCKRODT LLC. Invention is credited to Shawn P. Fojtik.
Application Number | 20150032081 14/195081 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25344422 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150032081 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fojtik; Shawn P. |
January 29, 2015 |
HAND-HELD, HAND-OPERATED POWER SYRINGE AND METHODS
Abstract
A hand-held syringe includes a handle configured for suspending
and using the syringe with a single hand. The handle includes
pivotally connected first and second members. The members of the
handle may be pivotally connected at intermediate positions along
the lengths thereof or at or near ends thereof. The first member is
associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe
barrel, while the second member is associated with, and may be
pivotally connected to, a syringe plunger. The syringe may be
configured for a single-use (i.e., it may be disposable).
Applications of use and methods of using a hand-held syringe are
also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Fojtik; Shawn P.; (Park
City, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MALLINCKRODT LLC |
Hazelwood |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
25344422 |
Appl. No.: |
14/195081 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13102028 |
May 5, 2011 |
8672900 |
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14195081 |
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11431377 |
May 9, 2006 |
7988677 |
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13102028 |
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09864967 |
May 24, 2001 |
7041084 |
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11431377 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/500 ;
604/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/31511 20130101;
A61M 2005/3114 20130101; A61M 5/204 20130101; A61M 5/1782 20130101;
A61M 5/3137 20130101; A61M 5/31581 20130101; A61M 5/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/500 ;
604/223 |
International
Class: |
A61M 5/315 20060101
A61M005/315; A61M 5/178 20060101 A61M005/178 |
Claims
1. A single-use syringe, comprising: a syringe barrel including a
receptacle for receiving fluid; a plunger insertable into the
receptacle and moveable longitudinally therethrough; and a handle,
including: a first member configured to be held by a first part of
a user's hand, the first member including an end that terminates in
association with the syringe barrel; and a second member configured
to be held by a second part of the user's hand, the second member
including an end that terminates in association with the plunger,
the first and second members being connected to one another in
pivotal relation at intermediate locations thereof.
2. The single-use syringe of claim 1, wherein the first and second
members cross one another.
3. The single-use syringe of claim 1, wherein the end of the first
member is pivotally connected to the syringe barrel.
4. The single-use syringe of claim 3, wherein a pivotal connection
between the first member and the syringe barrel is located along an
axis of the barrel.
5. The single-use syringe of claim 1, wherein the end of the second
member is pivotally connected to the plunger.
6. The single-use syringe of claim 1, configured to be suspended by
and operated with a single hand of a user.
7. The single-use syringe of claim 1, wherein the at least one of
the first and second members is angled.
8. The single-use syringe of claim 1, wherein the handle is
configured to simultaneously move the syringe barrel and the
plunger.
9. A hand-held syringe, comprising: a syringe including: a barrel;
and a plunger disposable within the barrel and moveable along a
length of the barrel; and a handle including: a first member
associated with the barrel to facilitate movement of the barrel
relative to the plunger; and a second member associated with the
plunger to facilitate movement of the plunger relative to the
barrel, the first and second members of the handle being pivotally
connected to one another at ends thereof and configured to
facilitate suspension by and use of the syringe with a single hand
of a user.
10. The hand-held syringe of claim 9, wherein the syringe and
handles are configured for disposability.
11. The hand-held syringe of claim 9, wherein the barrel extends
through the first member of the handle.
12. The hand-held syringe of claim 11, wherein the barrel is
longitudinally fixed relative to the first member.
13. The hand-held syringe of claim 11, wherein the second member
includes a capture element for receiving an end of the plunger of
the syringe.
14. The hand-held syringe of claim 9, wherein the barrel of the
syringe and the first member of the handle are pivotally associated
with one another.
15. The hand-held syringe of claim 9, wherein the plunger of the
syringe and the second member of the handle are pivotally
associated with one another.
16. The hand-held syringe of claim 9, wherein intermediate portions
of the first and second members of the handle are associated with
the barrel and plunger, respectively, of the syringe.
17. The hand-held syringe of claim 9, wherein the handle further
includes: a connection element for securing the first and second
members to one another, the connection element including a
plurality of pivot points.
18. A method for introducing a fluid into a body, comprising:
coupling one of an injection apparatus and an infusion apparatus to
a syringe barrel in communication with a receptacle of the syringe
barrel; and grasping a first handle pivotally associated with the
syringe barrel and a second handle pivotally associated with a
syringe plunger with a single hand to pivot the first handle and
the second handle toward one another to force the syringe plunger
into the receptacle of the syringe barrel, the first handle
pivoting relative to the syringe barrel, the second handle pivoting
relative to the syringe plunger, the syringe plunger displacing
fluid within the receptacle to force the fluid through the
injection apparatus or the infusion apparatus and into the
body.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: pivoting the first
handle and the second handle away from one another to create a
negative pressure within the receptacle.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the negative pressure draws a
fluid into the receptacle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/102,028, filed on May 5, 2011, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,672,900 on Mar. 18, 2014 ("the '028 Application"). The '028
application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/431,377, filed on May 9, 2006, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,988,677 on Aug. 2, 2011 ("the '377 Application"). The '377
application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
09/864,967, filed on May 24, 2001, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,041,084 on May 9, 2006 ("the '967 Application"). The disclosures
of each of the '028 Application, the '377 Application and the '967
Application are incorporated herein, in their entireties, by this
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to apparatus for
facilitating the movement of a plunger of a syringe through a
barrel of the syringe and, more particularly, to hand-held, hand
operated apparatus that facilitate the movement of a plunger
through a syringe barrel. More specifically, the present invention
relates to hand-held apparatus with scissor grip type leveraged
triggering systems that force a plunger of a syringe through the
length of the barrel of the syringe.
[0004] 2. Background of Related Art
[0005] Apparatus that facilitate the ejection of fluids from
syringes are well known. Such apparatus are often referred to as
"fluid delivery devices" or "power syringes."
[0006] Conventionally, fluid delivery devices have been used to
inject liquids, such as contrasting media (e.g., dyes, carbon
dioxide, etc.) and medicines into patients. With many fluid
delivery devices, the rate at which a fluid is injected into a
patient's body may be controlled. While some of these devices are
automated, others may be manually operated.
[0007] Due to the increase in delivery force provided by fluid
delivery devices, such devices are particularly useful for
injecting high viscosity fluids, which would otherwise be
difficult, if not impossible, to inject by forcing one's thumb
against the plunger of a conventional hand-held syringe.
[0008] Some hand-held power syringes, such as that disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,074, issued to Wirsig et al. (hereinafter "the
'074 patent"), include ratcheting type mechanisms to assist a user
in applying force to a plunger of the syringe. Ratcheting
mechanisms are, however, often complex and, consequently, add to
the manufacturing costs of such hand-held power syringes.
[0009] Other hand-held fluid delivery devices include handles with
a fixed member and a movable member associated therewith. In one
example of such a syringe, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,759,
issued to Lampropoulos et al. (hereinafter "the '759 patent"), the
movable member may be slidingly secured to the fixed member. A
plunger is forced into a syringe barrel as a user squeezes the
handle members toward one another. Nonetheless, such a syringe only
assists the user in forcing the plunger into the syringe barrel by
transferring the location where force must be applied and
increasing the area of a member to which force must be applied.
Alternatively, the ends of the movable member and the fixed member
of the handle may be pivotally secured to one another, as described
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,728, issued to Schulz (hereinafter "the '728
patent"). In either event, an upper end of the movable member
either directly or indirectly engages a plunger of the syringe.
Upon squeezing the two members of the handle, the movable member
moves toward the fixed member and forces the plunger into the
barrel of the syringe. Thus, the handle of such a syringe allows
the force provided by a hand squeeze to be applied to the plunger
of the syringe rather than the lesser amount of force that would
otherwise be provided by use of a thumb to force the plunger into
the syringe. Nonetheless, these fluid delivery devices may be
difficult to use when the injection of high viscosity fluids is
required, which may cause physical or mental discomfort to a
patient into whom the fluid is being injected.
[0010] Some fluid delivery devices provide leverage to assist a
user in forcing a plunger into or out of a syringe barrel. Examples
of such devices are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,368, issued to
Anwar et al. (hereinafter "the '368 patent") and U.S. Pat. No.
4,737,151, issued to Clement et al. (hereinafter "the '151
patent"). The devices of the '368 and '151 patents each include
three pivot points to provide the desired amount of leverage: a
first pivot point connecting a handle member to a plunger; a second
pivot point connecting the handle member to a base member; and a
third pivot point connecting the base member to a syringe barrel.
While the base members of these devices are configured to be
supported upon a table top or other flat surface, the generally
straight handle members of these devices are configured to receive
a downward force by a user, which is transferred to the plunger. As
a user need only grip and move the handle member of such a device
to move the plunger, the user can apply more force to the handle
than that provided by a squeeze of the hand. Nonetheless, due to
the manner in which the increased amount of force is applied, it is
difficult for a user to make fine adjustments when injecting fluid
into a body or extracting fluid therefrom.
[0011] Accordingly, there is a need for a fluid delivery apparatus
that converts a small amount of controllable force, such as that
provided by a squeeze of a hand, to a syringe plunger to facilitate
movement of the plunger through a syringe barrel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A fluid delivery apparatus incorporating teachings of the
present invention is a hand-held type power syringe which includes
a handle that is leveraged in such a manner as to apply an
increased amount of pressure to the plunger of the syringe. The
fluid delivery apparatus of the present invention may also include
a syringe barrel with a fluid receptacle formed therethrough, as
well as a plunger that inserts into a large end of the receptacle
and that may be moved through at least a portion of the length of
the receptacle. Fluid delivery apparatus according to the present
invention may be configured such that the barrel and plunger of a
syringe move simultaneously.
[0013] In one aspect, the present invention includes fluid delivery
apparatus with a handle that includes pivotally connected members,
one of which is secured in relation to a barrel of a syringe, the
other of which is secured in relation to a plunger of the syringe.
The members of the handle are configured and oriented relative to
one another in such a way as to facilitate manipulation and use of
the fluid delivery apparatus with one hand. A first member may be
rigidly, flexibly, or pivotally associated with the syringe barrel,
while the second member may be rigidly, flexibly, or pivotally
associated with the syringe plunger.
[0014] In an example of an embodiment of a handle that includes
three pivot points, the handle may resemble a scissors and includes
two members, a first of which is configured to be held by the
fingers of an individual and the second of which is configured to
be held by the individual's thumb or positioned against the palm of
the individual. The members of the handle are oriented so as to
cross one another at the pivot point therebetween. One or both of
the first and second handle members may enable the user to grip
both members with one hand while having a configuration (e.g., a
shape, bend, etc.) that provides a user with a mechanical advantage
while maximizing the amount of leverage provided as the handle
members are forced toward one another. The two members of the
handle are pivotally connected at intermediate, or somewhat
central, locations along the lengths thereof. When the first and
second members of the handle are moved toward or away from one
another, the first pivot point may remain in a substantially fixed
position along the lengths of both the first and second members.
Alternatively, the first pivot point may move in an elongate path
relative to one or both of the first and second members of the
handle as the positions of the first and second members are changed
relative to one another. By way of example only, the first pivot
point may move either eccentrically or in a linear fashion relative
to one of the handle members as the positions of the members change
while remaining substantially stationary relative to the other
handle member.
[0015] In another embodiment, in which handles are also arranged to
facilitate holding and use of the fluid delivery apparatus with a
single hand, the handles may be pivotally connected to one another
at or near the ends thereof. A forward (finger) handle is
associated with a barrel of a syringe, which may be secured to that
handle or allowed to slide therethrough, while a rearward (thumb)
handle captures the end of a plunger of the syringe. One or both of
these relationships, or "connection points," between the handles
and the members of a plunger may include a pivot or include
sufficient tolerance to accommodate arcuate movement of the
connection points relative to one another as the handles are moved
together or apart from each other.
[0016] In both reusable and single-use variations of a fluid
delivery apparatus of the present invention, the aforementioned
elements may be part of a single, integral syringe, or the handles
may be configured for association with a separate, disposable
syringe.
[0017] As an example of the use of a fluid delivery apparatus
incorporating teachings of the present invention, a fluid to be
injected into a patient may be drawn into the receptacle of the
syringe barrel by moving the first and second members away from one
another. Air may then be removed from a catheter or needle (e.g., a
hypodermic needle or biopsy needle) that communicates with an end
of the receptacle by squeezing the first and second members of the
handle toward one another and the consequent movement of the
plunger partially into the receptacle of the syringe barrel. If a
catheter is coupled to the syringe, the catheter may be introduced
into the patient or coupled with a catheter that has already been
introduced into the patient. The fluid may then be injected into
the patient through the needle or one or more catheters by further
squeezing of the first and second handle members, which results in
the plunger being moved further into the receptacle of the syringe
barrel and displacement of fluid located in the receptacle and the
catheter.
[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through
consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying
drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of
fluid delivery apparatus incorporating teachings of the present
invention and features thereof:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of a power syringe incorporating
teachings of the present invention, including a syringe barrel, a
plunger that is longitudinally movable within a receptacle of the
syringe barrel, and a scissor-grip handle that includes two members
with three pivotal connection points, a first between a first
member of the handle and the syringe barrel, a second between the
second member of the handle and the plunger, and a third between
the two handle members;
[0021] FIGS. 1A-1C are cross-sections taken along lines 1A-1A,
1B-1B, and 1C-1C, respectively, of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 1D illustrates a variation on the manner in which a
member of a handle of the syringe of FIG. 1 may be connected to the
barrel of that syringe;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional representation of the syringe
barrel of the power syringe of FIG. 1, illustrating the syringe
barrel in an assembled relationship with a catheter;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional representation of a variation of
the syringe barrel illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which includes an
aspiration port that may communicate with a source or reservoir for
introducing fluid into the syringe barrel upon appropriate movement
of the plunger to increase the available volume within the syringe
barrel;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a side view that depicts a variation of the handle
of FIG. 1, with one of the first and second members including an
arcuate slot through which a movable connection member on the other
of the two members moves when the handle members are moved relative
to one another;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view that depicts another variation of the
handle of FIG. 1, wherein one of the first and second handle
members includes a partial gear member and the other of the first
and second handle members includes an elongated slot with teeth
along an edge thereof for receiving teeth of the partial gear
member upon movement of the two handle members relative to one
another;
[0027] FIG. 6A depicts a power syringe with a fixed connection
between a barrel and its corresponding handle;
[0028] FIG. 6B illustrates a power syringe with a fixed connection
between a plunger and its corresponding handle;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a
power syringe incorporating teachings of the present invention,
wherein a disposable syringe barrel and plunger may be assembled
and used with a reusable injection/aspiration handle;
[0030] FIGS. 8 and 9 show alternative embodiments of syringes that
incorporate teachings of the present invention; and
[0031] FIGS. 10-10B are schematic representations of use of a power
syringe incorporating teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fluid
delivery apparatus, or power syringe 10, incorporating teachings of
the present invention. Power syringe 10 includes a barrel 20, a
plunger 30 associated with barrel 20, and a scissor-grip handle 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 40 to facilitate the replacement of these elements and the
reuse of handle 40.
[0033] Barrel 20 of power syringe 10 is an elongate member with a
hollow interior extending through the length thereof. Along the
majority of its length, barrel 20 is 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 syringe tip 25 is located on the opposite side of
tapered section 24, at the distal end 21d of barrel 20.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1-1C, the distances across opposed points
of various cross-sections taken transverse to longitudinal axis
A.sub.B of barrel 20 on the outer surface of barrel 20 or the outer
diameter of barrel 20 are collectively referred to herein as OD20.
The corresponding distances across opposed points of various
cross-sections taken transverse to longitudinal axis A.sub.B on the
inner surface of barrel 20 or the inner diameter of barrel 20 are
collectively referred to herein as ID20.
[0035] As is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 1A, both OD20A and ID20A
remain substantially the same along the substantial length of a
body 22 of barrel 20. At tapered region 24, OD20 and ID20, which
are respectively depicted at one location along the length of
tapered region 24 as OD20B and ID20B, gradually (either linearly or
along a curve) decrease from the sizes of OD20A and ID20A of body
22 to the much smaller sizes OD20C and ID20C of syringe tip 25. At
syringe tip 25, the sizes of OD20C and ID20C are again
substantially constant.
[0036] It is preferred that the taper of tapered region 24 occur at
an angle of about 15.degree. to longitudinal axis A.sub.B of barrel
20. Other taper angles are, however, also within the scope of the
present invention.
[0037] Turning now to FIG. 2, 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 power syringe 10 (FIG. 1). For example, in applications
where only small volumes of materials will be injected or aspirated
with power syringe 10, barrel 20 may include a receptacle 23 with a
relative small volume (e.g., 5 cubic centimeters ("cc"), 10 cc,
etc.). When power syringe 10 is to be used to inject or aspirate
larger volumes of materials, 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 power syringe
10.
[0038] The hollow interior of syringe tip 25 is 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, syringe tips 25 with
different sizes of lumens 26 are within the scope of the present
invention, as the size of a lumen 26 depends at least partially
upon the gauge of a needle or the lumen size of a catheter to be
coupled with syringe tip 25.
[0039] In addition, in order to facilitate the coupling of a needle
or catheter with syringe tip 25, syringe tip 25 includes a coupling
member 27 at or near the distal end 21d of barrel 20. Although FIG.
1 depicts coupling member 27 as including a cylindrically shaped
recess that extends partially into syringe tip 25, coupling members
of other configurations, including, without limitation, threaded or
nonthreaded coupling members that facilitate the coupling of a
needle, catheter, or other member to an outer surface of syringe
tip 25, are also within the scope of the present invention.
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a variation of barrel 20' may
include an aspiration port 80 proximate syringe tip 25. Aspiration
port 80 facilitates the introduction of a fluid, such as a saline
solution, medicine, anesthetic, indicator solution (e.g., dye,
radioactive solution, radioopaque solution or x-ray contrast media,
etc.), other chemical compound, or the like from an external source
into receptacle 23 of barrel 20. Aspiration port 80 is depicted as
comprising a cylindrical protrusion 81, which is configured to have
a length of tubing coupled thereto, and a lumen 82 that extends
through protrusion 81 and communicates with lumen 26 of syringe tip
25. In addition, aspiration port 80 may include a valve 83, such as
a stop cock type valve, which opens and closes lumen 82. Of course,
other configurations of aspiration ports are also within the scope
of the present invention.
[0041] Referring again to FIG. 1, 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 40 to barrel 20.
[0042] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1D, a handle connection
element 28'' may include features on opposite sides of barrel 20.
Such a connection point arrangement places the pivotal points that
are established by connection elements 59 and 69'' that are
associated with handle 40 members 50 and 60, respectively,
substantially in-line with axes A.sub.B of barrel 20 and A.sub.p of
plunger 30.
[0043] 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.) are also within the
scope of the present invention.
[0044] With continued reference to FIG. 1, 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 the 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.
[0045] Head 34 of plunger 30 preferably comprises a somewhat
deformable, resilient member. By way of example, head 34 may be
formed from silicone or any other resilient polymer (i.e., rubber)
that is suitable for use in medical applications. The shape of head
34 is preferably 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 preferably 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.
[0046] Preferably, in order to facilitate movement of head 34 of
plunger 30 along the full length of receptacle 23, the length of
plunger 30 is 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 is preferably formed from a
more rigid material than that of head 34. Accordingly, head 34
preferably includes a receptacle (not shown) that is configured to
receive a corresponding head connection protrusion (not shown) at
the distal end of body 32, as known in the art.
[0047] 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 40 thereto by way of a
hinge element 70.
[0048] 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.
[0049] Still referring to FIG. 1, handle 40 includes two elongate
members, a first member 50 and a second member 60. First member 50
and second member 60 are pivotally connected with one another in a
manner that, along with the shapes of first and second members 50
and 60, provides 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.
[0050] First member 50, which is configured to be held with an
individual's fingers, includes a gripping end 52 and a plunger
attachment end 58. In addition, first member 50 includes pivotal
connection element 56 positioned at a central region 55 thereof,
which is located substantially centrally along the length thereof,
to facilitate connection of first member 50 to second member 60 of
handle 40. Pivotal connection element 56 includes an aperture that
has a circular shape and that receives a hinge element 70, or pivot
pin, which, in turn, connects first member 50 and second member 60
to one another.
[0051] As shown, first 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.
[0052] Plunger attachment end 58 includes (e.g., terminates at) a
plunger connection element 59 that facilitates the pivotal
connection of first 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 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 aperture of handle connection
element 38. Hinge element 70 preferably includes an enlarged head
71 at each end thereof to maintain the assembled, pivotal
relationship of plunger 30 and first member 50. Of course, other
known types of pivotal connection arrangements between plunger 30
and first member 50 and their corresponding elements are also
within the scope of the present invention.
[0053] First 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 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 are also within the scope of the present invention.
[0054] Still referring to FIG. 1, second member 60 of handle 40 is
an elongate member that is configured to be held by an individual's
palm or thumb. Second 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.
[0055] Gripping end 62 of second member 60 may include a thumb loop
63 through which the thumb of an individual using power syringe 10
may be inserted.
[0056] Central region 65 of second member 60 includes a pivotal
connection element 66 that corresponds to pivotal connection
element 56 of first 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 member 50 and second member 60 relative to one another in an
assembled relationship thereof and aligning the aperture of first
member 50 with the aperture of second 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
preferably includes an enlarged head 71 at each end thereof to
maintain the assembled, pivotal relationship of first member 50 and
second member 60.
[0057] Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 4, a variation of pivotal
connection element 66' may comprise an arcuate slot 67', along the
length of which pivotal connection element 56 may move as first and
second members 50 and 60 are moved toward or apart from one
another.
[0058] As another alternative, shown in FIG. 5, a handle 40'' of a
power syringe according to the present invention includes another
embodiment of connection element 56'' on central region 55'' of
first member 50'' and another, corresponding embodiment of pivotal
connection element 66'' on central region 65'' of second member
60''. Connection element 56'', which protrudes from central region
55'' and is fixed in relation thereto, includes a cylindrical
section 56a'', a series of adjacent teeth 56b'' protruding from at
least a portion of the curved surface of cylindrical section 56a'',
and an enlarged retention head 56c'' adjacent cylindrical section
56a'', opposite from the remainder of first member 50''. The
distance that cylindrical section 56a'' protrudes from central
region 55'' of first member 50'' is preferably slightly larger than
the thickness of second member 60''.
[0059] The corresponding pivotal connection element 66'' of second
member 60'' comprises an elongated slot 66a'' with a series of
adjacent teeth 66b'' protruding from at least a portion of an edge
along the length of slot 66a''. Teeth 66b'' are configured and
positioned complementarily to teeth 56b'' of connection element
56'' such that teeth 56b'' and teeth 66b'' cooperate by mutually
engaging each other upon rotation of cylindrical section 56a''
relative to slot 66a''. The width of slot 66a'' is preferably
slightly larger than the diameter of cylindrical section 56a'' of
pivotal connection element 56'' so as to substantially prevent
side-to-side movement of pivotal connection element 56'' relative
to pivotal connection element 66''. Consequently, the relative
movement of pivotal connection elements 56'' and 66'' with respect
to one another is substantially confined on the direction in which
pivotal connection element 66'' extends, which, as illustrated, is
along the length of second member 60''. Thus, when first and second
handle members 50'' and 60'' are forced toward one another, pivotal
connection element 56'' rotates relative to pivotal connection
element 66'' and moves downward through slot 66a'' of pivotal
connection element 66''. Conversely, when first and second handle
members 50'' and 60'' are forced apart from one another, pivotal
connection element 56'' rotates and moves in the opposite direction
relative to pivotal connection element 66''.
[0060] Referring again to FIG. 1, handle 40 may additionally
include a resilient element (e.g., a spring) may be associated with
first and second members 50 and 60 (e.g., at or near hinge element
70) in such a way as to force first and second members 50 and 60
apart from one another when they are not being held together.
[0061] When first and second members 50 and 60, or variations
thereof, have been properly assembled with one another, it is
preferred that practically any adult user be able to properly
position their fingers on gripping end 52 and their thumb or palm
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 proximal end 21p of barrel 20.
[0062] Barrel attachment end 68 includes (e.g., terminates at) a
barrel connection element 69 that facilitates the pivotal
connection of second 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 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 preferably includes an
enlarged head 71 at each end thereof to maintain the assembled,
pivotal relationship of barrel 20 and second member 60. Of course,
other known types of pivotal connection arrangements between barrel
20 and second member 60 and their corresponding elements are also
within the scope of the present invention.
[0063] Second member 60 of handle 40 may be bent, or angled, to
increase the leverage provided by first member 50 and the
scissor-like arrangement of first member 50 and second member 60.
As illustrated, second member 60 is bent at central region 65
thereof to position gripping end 62 in proximity to gripping end 52
of first member 50 when first member 50 and second member 60 are in
an appropriate assembled relationship. With further regard to the
noted scissor-like arrangement between the first member 50 and the
second 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 member 50 and the second 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 the plunger 30. Both plunger
attachment end 58 of first member 50 and barrel attachment end 68
of second member 60 extend from hinge element 70, which is located
between first member 50 and second member 60, to one side of
reference axis R.sub.A (on the side that is "above" the reference
axis R.sub.A in the side view of FIG. 1). Both gripping end 52 of
the first member 50 and gripping end 62 of second member 60 extend
from hinge element 70 to the opposite side of reference axis
R.sub.A (on the side that is "below" the reference axis R.sub.A
from plunger attachment end 58 and barrel attachment end 68 on the
side view of FIG. 1). With further regard to the scissor-like
arrangement between the first member 50 and second member 60, the
side view of FIG. 1 shows a reference axis R.sub.B that extends
through the hinge element 70 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.
[0064] Of course, one or both of first member 50 and second 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 member 50 and second member 60. Reinforcement ribs 72 may be
positioned to prevent side-to-side bending of first member 50 or
second member 60 during use of handle 40 to move plunger 30
relative to barrel 20.
[0065] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate variations of power syringe 10
(FIG. 1), in which first member 50 and second member 60 of handle
40 are pivotally connected to one another, but at least one
connection point between an end of a member 50, 60 of handle 40 and
barrel 20 or plunger 30 does not pivot. In FIG. 6A, a connection
point 61 between an end of member 60 and barrel 20 does not pivot.
In FIG. 6B, a connection point 51 between an end of member 50 and
plunger 30 does not pivot. While connection points 61 and 51 do not
pivot, the ends of members 60 and 50 may still be nonrigidly (e.g.,
flexibly) connected with barrel 20 and plunger 30, respectively
(e.g., by way of a flexible connecting material, an integral region
of reduced thickness 79, etc.). Alternatively, at least one
connection point 61, 51 may be substantially rigid. Although FIGS.
6A and 6B illustrate only a single non-pivoting connection point
61, 51, a power syringe may include two non-pivoting connection
points 61, 51.
[0066] Turning to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a power syringe 110
according to the present invention is illustrated. Power syringe
110 includes a scissor-grip handle 40, a barrel retaining member
120 pivotally secured to a second member 60 of handle 40, and a
plunger biasing member 130 pivotally secured to a first member 50
of handle 40.
[0067] Barrel retaining member 120 is configured to engage and
retain at least a portion of the barrel 220 of a syringe 200. The
depicted, exemplary embodiment of barrel retaining member 120
includes a flexible, elongate member 121 with a receptacle 124 at
one end 122 thereof. Receptacle 124 is configured to receive the
other end 123 of elongate member 121, as well as to facilitate the
movement of a received portion of elongate member 121 therethrough.
When receiving end 123 of elongate member 121 has been inserted
into or through receptacle 124, barrel retaining member 120 takes
on an annular configuration, forming a barrel receptacle 125 that
may receive a portion of barrel 220 of syringe 200. As elongate
member 121 moves through receptacle 124, the size of barrel
receptacle 125 changes. The position of a portion of elongate
member 121 extending through receptacle 124 may be maintained by
way of a size adjustment member 126 (e.g., a screw, a spring-biased
pin, etc.) that protrudes into receptacle 124 to engage the portion
of elongate member 121 therein. Elongate member 121 may also
include retention recesses 127 (e.g., grooves, slots, etc.) that
are oriented along the length of elongate member 121 and that are
configured to receive an interior end of size adjustment member 126
so as to further maintain the position of elongate member 121
relative to receptacle 124 and, thus, the size of barrel receptacle
125.
[0068] Barrel retaining member 120 also includes a handle
connection element 128 which extends from elongate member 121 and
includes an aperture 129 therethrough. Aperture 129 is sized and
configured to receive a hinge element 70 and, thus, to facilitate
connection of a member of handle 40 to barrel retaining member
120.
[0069] Of course, other embodiments of barrel retaining members,
which may be configured to receive a variety of different sizes of
syringes or single syringe sizes, are also within the scope of the
present invention.
[0070] With continued reference to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment
of plunger biasing member 130 is configured to receive, retain, and
apply force to a proximal end 231p of a plunger 230 of syringe 200.
Accordingly, the illustrated plunger biasing retaining member 130
includes a plunger receiving portion 131 that is configured to
receive and apply pressure to proximal end 231p of plunger 230. As
illustrated, plunger receiving portion 131 includes a receptacle
132 that is configured to receive at least a portion of the
disk-shaped proximal end 231p of a conventionally configured
syringe plunger 230. In addition, plunger biasing retaining member
130 includes a slot 134 that is continuous with receptacle 132 and
that is positioned and sized to receive a portion of at least one
of the support ribs 234 of a conventionally configured syringe
plunger 230. As depicted, proximal end 231p is substantially
completely received within receptacle 132. Accordingly, slot 134
may include a narrow bottom section that receives a single,
vertically oriented support rib 234 and a wider top section that
receives opposed, horizontally oriented support ribs 234.
[0071] A handle connection element 138 is positioned adjacent to
(beneath) plunger receiving portion 131 and includes an aperture
139 that is configured to receive a portion of a hinge element 70
and to pivotally connect plunger biasing member 130 to first member
50 of handle 40.
[0072] Handle 40 of power syringe 110 may be configured as
described previously herein.
[0073] Examples of another embodiment of power syringe 310
according to the present invention are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
Power syringe 310 includes a handle 340 with two members 350 and
360 that include ends 358 and 368 that are pivotally connected to
one another, such as with the illustrated pivot hinge 370. As
shown, pivot hinge 370 is located on an opposite side of a barrel
320 and plunger 330 of power syringe 310 than gripping ends 352 and
362 of members 350 and 360, respectively.
[0074] An intermediate portion 355 of member 350, which is the
member of handle 340 that is proximal relative to a user of power
syringe 310, is associated with plunger 330. As shown, member 350
may include a capture element 356, or connection point, associated
with (e.g., connected to) a proximal end 331p of plunger 330.
Capture element 356 may be pivotally (see FIG. 8) or nonpivotally
secured to proximal end 331p. Alternatively, capture element 356
may be configured to receive proximal end 331p of plunger 330 (see
FIG. 9), in which case the configuration (e.g., have dimensions, a
shape, a compressible and resilient element, etc.) of capture
element 356 may allow for at least some movement, or "play," of
proximal end 331p as members 350 and 360 of handle 340 are moved
toward or away from one another.
[0075] An intermediate portion 365 of member 360, which is the
member that is distal relative to a user of power syringe 310, is
associated with barrel 320 at capture element 366. Capture element
366 receives at least a proximal end 321p of barrel 320, which may
be in a longitudinally or axially fixed position relative to
capture element 366, or may slide through capture element 366.
Capture element 366 may be configured (e.g., have dimensions, a
shape, a compressible and resilient element, etc.) that
accommodates some movement of barrel 320 relative to member 360
(see FIG. 9). Alternatively, or in addition, capture element 366
may pivot (see FIG. 8) or facilitate pivoting of barrel 320
relative to member 360 as members 350 and 360 of handle 340 are
moved toward or away from one another.
[0076] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, a connection element 380
between members 350 and 360 of handle 340 may include two or more
pivot points 370''. Such arrangement may facilitate a more rigid
connection between at least one of member 350 and plunger 330 and
member 360 and barrel 320.
[0077] While the various elements of a power syringe according to
the present invention (e.g., power syringe 10) may be manufactured
from any suitable material or materials, it is preferred that each
of the elements of the power syringe be formed by injection molding
processes so as to afford low manufacturing cost and, consequently,
to facilitate single-use, or disposability, of the power syringe.
For the more rigid elements, which, in power syringe 10 (FIG. 1)
include substantially all of the elements thereof with the
exception of head 34 of plunger 30, polycarbonates, such as
LEXAN.RTM., manufactured by General Electric, or MAKROLON.RTM.,
manufactured by Miles Chemicals, may be used. Of course, other
medical grade plastics having properties (strength, rigidity,
structural integrity, ability to be adequately sterilized while
maintaining other desired properties, etc.) that are suitable for
the desired functions of the various elements of a power syringe
may be used to form those elements. Alternatively, suitable metals,
such as stainless steel, which have the desired properties may be
used to form one or more of the elements of a power syringe that
incorporates teachings of the present invention. These
configurations are not, however, requirements, nor are the
materials or method of fabrication are not critical to any
inventive aspect disclosed herein.
[0078] Turning now to FIGS. 10-10B, an example of the use of a
power catheter incorporating teachings of the present invention is
illustrated.
[0079] FIG. 10 illustrates the introduction of a fluid 300 into
receptacle 23 of barrel 20 through either lumen 26 of syringe tip
25 (FIGS. 1 and 2) or lumen 82 of aspiration port 80 (FIG. 3) by
drawing plunger 30 outwardly (proximally) through receptacle 23.
Plunger connection element 59 (between plunger 30 and first member
50) may be spaced apart from barrel connection element 69 (between
barrel 20 and second member 60) along an axis that is parallel to
the longitudinal axis A.sub.B of barrel 20. Gripping end 52 of
first member 50 and gripping end 62 of second member 60 may also be
spaced apart from one another along an axis that is parallel to the
longitudinal axis A.sub.B of barrel 20. Plunger 30 may be drawn
outwardly through receptacle 23 by a user U forcing first and
second members 50 and 60 of handle 40 apart from one another, as
shown in FIG. 10A. 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 is a liquid, such as a medicine, an anesthetic, a dye, or
another chemical compound. Alternatively, fluid 300 may comprise a
gas, air, or another mixture of gases. When plunger 30 is drawn
outwardly (i.e., proximally) the spacing between plunger connection
element 59 and barrel connection element 69 increases along an axis
that is parallel to longitudinal axis A.sub.B of the barrel 20, as
illustrated by the progression from the positions shown in FIG. 10
to the positions shown in FIG. 10A. Also, spacing between gripping
end 52 of first member 50 and gripping end 62 of second member 60,
along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis A.sub.B of
barrel 20, also increases, as illustrated by the progression from
the positions shown in FIG. 10 to the positions shown in FIG.
10A.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 10A, syringe 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 comprises a conduit which facilitates the
introduction of fluid 300 into the body of an individual.
[0081] In FIG. 10B, as user U forces first member 50 and second
member 60 toward one another, 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 syringe tip 25, through
infusion or injection apparatus 302, and into the body of the
individual. With valve 83 in a closed position or orientation,
fluid 300 is prevented from escaping through lumen 82 of aspiration
port 80 as the pressure within receptacle 23 is being increased.
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. When plunger 30 moves inwardly (i.e.,
distally), the spacing between plunger connection element 59 and
barrel connection element 69 along an axis that is parallel to the
longitudinal axis A.sub.B of barrel 20 decreases, as illustrated by
the progression from the positions shown in FIG. 10A to the
positions shown in FIG. 10B. Additionally, inward, or distal,
movement of plunger 30 decreases the spacing between gripping end
52 and gripping end 62 along an axis that is parallel to the
longitudinal axis A.sub.B of barrel 20, as illustrated by the
progression from the positions shown in FIG. 10A to the positions
shown in FIG. 10B.
[0082] Returning reference to FIG. 1, the three-pivot-point
configuration of handle 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 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.
[0083] Power catheters incorporating teachings of the present
invention may be used in a variety of different procedures,
including, without limitation, injecting medicines or drugs into an
individual, either through a hypodermic needle into the
individual's tissues or intravenously (i.e., into a vein of an
individual), introducing dyes or other indicator solutions into the
bloodstream of a particular location of individual's body (e.g., in
angiography), introducing a gas, air, or another gas mixture into
an angioplasty balloon to inflate the same in a process which is
typically referred to as percutaneous transluminal coronary
angioplasty ("PTCA"), or obtaining samples of blood, other fluids,
or tissues (e.g., with a biopsy needle or other biopsy instrument).
A power syringe according to the present invention may also be used
to remove air or gas from such a balloon or to obtain samples from
the body of an individual, as well as in other applications where
syringes have been used.
[0084] Although the foregoing description contains many specifics,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present
invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some exemplary
embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be
devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present
invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in
combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated
and limited only by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All
additions, deletions, and modifications to the invention, as
disclosed herein, which fall within the meaning and scope of the
claims are to be embraced thereby.
* * * * *