U.S. patent application number 15/075277 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for anesthetic syringe.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to Edward Brundidge, III, Mark Callahan, Jeffrey Delnickas, Teshtar Elavia, Melvin Finke, Viviana Guerriero, Loredana Jinga, David Selvitelli, Brian Sharp, Kathleen Tremblay.
Application Number | 20160271328 15/075277 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46000785 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160271328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Selvitelli; David ; et
al. |
September 22, 2016 |
Anesthetic Syringe
Abstract
A syringe assembly for dispensing medicine from a cartridge
having a diaphragm and a piston opposite the diaphragm. The
assembly includes a barrel having a hollow interior, an open
proximal end, a closed distal end, and an outlet. The assembly also
includes a cartridge receiver slidably receivable in the hollow
interior of the barrel. The receiver includes an interior space for
receiving the cartridge, an access needle extending into the
interior space for puncturing the diaphragm of the cartridge. The
access needle directs fluid to the barrel outlet. The cartridge
receiver includes a plunger rod movable into the interior space of
the cartridge receiver for engaging the piston of the cartridge to
selectively force medicine in the cartridge through the access
needle.
Inventors: |
Selvitelli; David;
(Suffield, CT) ; Brundidge, III; Edward;
(Cumberland, RI) ; Callahan; Mark; (Medway,
MA) ; Delnickas; Jeffrey; (Kingston, MA) ;
Elavia; Teshtar; (Weymouth, MA) ; Finke; Melvin;
(Deland, FL) ; Guerriero; Viviana; (Braintree,
MA) ; Jinga; Loredana; (North Attleboro, MA) ;
Sharp; Brian; (Johnston, RI) ; Tremblay;
Kathleen; (Westfield, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46000785 |
Appl. No.: |
15/075277 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13438853 |
Apr 4, 2012 |
9289272 |
|
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15075277 |
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|
61471903 |
Apr 5, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/3286 20130101;
A61M 5/488 20130101; A61M 2005/341 20130101; A61M 5/3205 20130101;
A61M 2205/585 20130101; A61M 5/3298 20130101; A61M 5/344 20130101;
A61M 2005/247 20130101; A61M 5/3129 20130101; A61M 2005/31598
20130101; A61M 5/31591 20130101; A61M 5/3216 20130101; A61M 5/19
20130101; A61M 2205/59 20130101; A61M 2202/048 20130101; A61C 5/62
20170201; A61M 2205/587 20130101; A61M 2005/3139 20130101; A61M
5/31511 20130101; A61M 5/24 20130101; A61M 5/3159 20130101; A61M
5/3243 20130101; A61M 2205/586 20130101; A61M 2005/3267 20130101;
A61M 5/34 20130101; A61M 5/3137 20130101; A61M 5/484 20130101; A61M
5/3291 20130101; A61M 5/3134 20130101; A61M 5/3148 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 5/315 20060101
A61M005/315; A61M 5/31 20060101 A61M005/31 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A syringe assembly comprising: a barrel having an interior
wall, an exterior wall, a proximal end, a distal end, the interior
wall, exterior wall, proximal end, and distal end defining an
interior volume of the barrel, and an annular magnification element
surrounding the exterior wall of the barrel; a delivery needle
extending distally from the distal end of the barrel; and a plunger
rod movable within the interior volume defined by the barrel to
eject a liquid through the delivery needle.
22. The syringe assembly of claim 21, further comprising a
cartridge receiver within the interior volume of the barrel, the
cartridge receiver including an interior for receiving a cartridge
having a diaphragm and a piston.
23. The syringe assembly of claim 22, further comprising an access
needle having a proximal delivery point to penetrate the diaphragm
of the cartridge, and a distal delivery point extending into a
barrel outlet adaptor for dispensing the liquid.
24. The syringe assembly of claim 22, wherein the plunger rod
extends into an interior of the cartridge receiver for engagement
with the piston of the cartridge.
25. The syringe assembly of claim 22, wherein the cartridge
receiver includes an opening for loading the cartridge into the
interior of the cartridge receiver and a cover for selectively
covering the opening to retain the cartridge in the interior
space.
26. The syringe assembly of claim 22, further comprising an access
adapter within the cartridge for engaging the delivery needle.
27. The syringe assembly of claim 21, wherein the plunger rod
includes a thumb ring for manipulating the syringe assembly.
28. The syringe assembly of claim 21, wherein the barrel further
comprises a finger flange extending outward from the exterior wall
of the barrel.
29. The syringe assembly of claim 28, wherein the finger flange
extends radially outward from the proximal end of the barrel.
30. The syringe assembly of claim 21, wherein the annular
magnification element is polished for magnifying the contents of
the barrel.
31. The syringe assembly of claim 21, wherein the annular
magnification element is convex for magnifying the contents of the
barrel.
32. The syringe assembly of claim 23, further comprising a quick
release coupling to engage or disengage the delivery needle to the
barrel.
33. The syringe assembly of claim 21, wherein the annular
magnification element surrounds the barrel adjacent to the delivery
needle for monitoring flashback flowing backward through the
delivery needle.
34. The syringe assembly of claim 31, wherein the convex annular
magnification element surrounds the barrel adjacent to the
cartridge and the diaphragm for monitoring flashback flowing
backward through the delivery needle.
35. The syringe assembly of claim 21, wherein the barrel is formed
of a transparent material.
36. The syringe assembly of claim 22, wherein the cartridge is
formed of a transparent material.
37. The syringe assembly of claim 22, wherein the diaphragm is
formed of a transparent material.
38. The syringe assembly of claim 21, wherein the annular
magnification element is molded integrally with the barrel.
39. The syringe assembly of claim 22, wherein the cartridge
receiver further comprises an exterior having a plurality of spaced
ribs for engaging the interior wall of the barrel.
40. The syringe assembly of claim 22, wherein the piston is
positioned at a proximal end of the cartridge.
41. The syringe assembly of claim 22, wherein the diaphragm is
positioned at a distal end of the cartridge.
42. The syringe assembly of claim 22, wherein the cartridge
receiver further comprises a cap for sealably engaging the interior
wall of the barrel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application
61/471,903 filed Apr. 5, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention generally relates to devices for
injecting liquid medications from prefilled cartridges and more
particularly to single use disposable syringe assemblies for
injecting local anesthetics.
[0003] Many dental procedures use anesthetic to numb an area of a
patient's mouth to reduce pain and discomfort a patient may feel.
Conventionally, a re-usable breech-loading, metallic,
cartridge-type syringe assembly is used to inject the anesthetic.
The dental syringe assembly includes a syringe, a cartridge, and a
needle. The syringe may be constructed of chrome-plated brass and
stainless steel and may include a needle adapter, a syringe barrel,
a plunger rod, a finger grip, and a thumb ring. Typically, the
syringe must be sterilized before each use.
[0004] Generally, the cartridge or carpule is a vial containing a
local anesthetic among other ingredients. The cartridge may include
a glass cylinder, a piston, and a rubber diaphragm held in position
by an aluminum band. The cartridge is usually wiped with alcohol
prior to being loaded into the syringe.
[0005] The needle of the dental syringe permits local anesthetic to
travel from the dental cartridge into tissue surrounding the needle
tip. Needles may be pre-sterilized and disposable. The needle may
consist of a single piece of metal tubing surrounded by a plastic
or a metal needle hub attached to the needle adapter of the
syringe.
[0006] Assembly of a dental syringe often requires removing a
sterilized syringe from its container and placing an alcohol wiped
cartridge into the syringe with the plunger rod of the syringe
fully retracted. The rubber diaphragm on a distal end of the
cartridge is inserted into the syringe first and the plunger rod
engages the piston positioned at a proximal end of the cartridge.
The syringe includes an access needle for puncturing the cartridge.
As the plunger rod advances, anesthetic is forced out of the
cartridge toward a need assembly. The needle assembly including a
needle and protective cap may be secured to the syringe. The
protective cap is removed from the needle and the syringe is ready
for use
[0007] After the assembled dental syringe is used, the needle
assembly must be recapped, disconnected from the syringe and
disposed in a sharps container, and the cartridge must be removed
and disposed in a biohazard bag or sharps container. Thereafter,
the syringe may be sterilized for its next use.
SUMMARY
[0008] In one aspect, the present invention includes a syringe
assembly for dispensing medicine from a cartridge having a
diaphragm and a piston opposite the diaphragm. The assembly
comprises a barrel having a hollow interior, an open proximal end
extending into the hollow interior, a closed distal end opposite
the proximal end, and an outlet adapted for fluid communication
with a delivery needle for delivering medicine to tissue of a
subject. The assembly also includes a cartridge receiver slidably
receivable in the hollow interior of the barrel. The cartridge
receiver includes an interior space sized and shaped for receiving
the cartridge, an access needle extending into the interior space
of the cartridge receiver for puncturing the diaphragm of the
cartridge received in the interior space to access medicine. The
access needle directs fluid to the barrel outlet when the cartridge
receiver is received in the hollow interior of the barrel. The
cartridge receiver further comprises a plunger rod movable into the
interior space of the cartridge receiver for engaging the piston of
the cartridge received in the receiver to selectively force
medicine in the cartridge through the access needle.
[0009] Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent in
view of the following description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1a is a side elevation in partial section of a syringe
assembly of a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a
first position;
[0011] FIG. 1b is a side elevation in partial section of the
syringe assembly of FIG. 1a shown in a second position;
[0012] FIG. 1c is a side elevation in partial section of the
syringe assembly of FIG. 1a shown in a third position;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevation in partial section of the syringe
assembly of a second embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side elevation in partial section of the syringe
assembly of a third and fourth embodiment;
[0015] FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic cross sections of the
assemblies of the third and fourth embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side elevation a syringe assembly of a fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a syringe assembly of a sixth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 7-10, 11a-d, 12, and 13 are side elevations of various
alternative embodiments of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 14a-c are perspectives of a syringe assembly having a
needle guard;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a side elevation of a needle of one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a side elevation of a needle of an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 17 is a side elevation of a syringe assembly of another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a thumb ring of a syringe
assembly of another embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 19 is a side elevation of a syringe assembly of yet
another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 20 is a schematic elevation of a portion of a syringe
assembly of the present invention.
[0026] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1a, a syringe assembly of a first
embodiment is designated in its entirety by the reference number
30. The syringe assembly 30 includes a barrel 32 having an inner
wall 34 defining a hollow interior 36 having a closed distal end 38
and an open proximal end (not shown) opposite the closed end. An
outlet 42 is provided in the closed end 38 of the barrel 32. A
conventional deliver needle may be attached to the outlet 42.
[0028] In addition, the syringe assembly 30 includes a cartridge
receiver, generally designated by 50, slidably received in the
barrel 32. The cartridge receiver 50 includes an interior wall 52
defining a interior space 54 sized and shaped for receiving a
conventional cartridge C containing medicine (e.g., anesthetic).
The cartridge receiver 50 includes a removable distal cap or cover
56 having an access needle 58. The access needle 58 includes a
distal delivery point 60 and a sharp proximal access point 62
adapted to penetrate a diaphragm D of the cartridge C. An
elastomeric seal 64 surrounds the cap 56 for sealingly engaging the
inner wall 34 of the barrel 32. An outer surface 70 of the
cartridge receiver 50 includes spaced ribs 72 for guiding the
receiver as it reciprocates in the barrel 32. A proximal end of the
receiver 50 includes scalloped sides 74 for receiving fingers of
the user. Further, the proximal end of the receiver 50 includes an
outer thumb ring 76 that is used when the syringe assembly 30 is
readied for injection as will be explained in detail below.
[0029] A plunger rod 80 extends inside the cartridge receiver and
engages a piston P on the cartridge C. A proximal end of the
plunger rod 80 includes a thumb ring 82. The plunger rod 80 extends
through an opening 84 in the thumb ring 76 of the cartridge
receiver 50. As shown in FIG. 1b, a user prepares the cartridge C
for use by pushing the plunger rod 80 distally to engage the access
tip 60 of the access needle 58 with the diaphragm D of the
cartridge C. Once in this position, the cartridge receiver 50 may
be drawn proximally relative to the plunger rod 80 until the thumb
rings 82, 76 of the plunger rod 80 and cartridge receiver 50,
respectively, overlap as shown in FIG. 1c. This action drives the
piston P distally in the cartridge C, forcing medicine through the
access needle 58 and into the hollow interior 36 of the barrel 32.
Once in this position, the cartridge receiver 50 and plunger rod 80
are moved together in a distal direction to eject the medicine from
the barrel 32 through the outlet 42 and into a delivery needle (not
shown).
[0030] A second embodiment of a syringe assembly 30' of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 2. Rather than having a separate cap 56,
the cartridge receiver 50 has a unitary cap and seal 64. Further,
an access adapter 90 having an access needle 58 is positioned on
the cartridge C. The barrel 32 is provided with a finger flange 92
and a luer lock tip 94. Because other physical characteristics of
this embodiment are similar to those previously described, they
will not be described in further detail.
[0031] In a third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
3, the cartridge receiver 50 is adapted for receiving two
cartridges C simultaneously. Further, the third embodiment has two
rods 80. Other features of the third embodiment are similar to
those of the first embodiment described above and will not be
described in further detail. A schematic cross section of the
syringe assembly of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 4a. As
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the cartridge
receiver 50 may be adapted to receive three cartridges C as shown
in a schematic cross section of the syringe assembly of a fourth
embodiment shown in FIG. 4b. This embodiment includes three access
needles (not shown) extending through the cap of the receiver and
three plunger rods (not shown) adapted to engage the respective
seals of the cartridges C. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that still other embodiments adapted for receiving still more
cartridges are also within the scope of the present invention.
[0032] In a fifth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a syringe
assembly 30'' includes a polished or convex annular ring 100
surrounding an exterior wall of the barrel 32''. This convex ring
100 magnifies the contents of the barrel 32''. Thus, a user can
more readily identify aspirate or flashback flowing backward
through the delivery needle 102 and into the syringe assembly 30''.
As other aspects of this embodiment are generally similar to those
described above, they will not be described.
[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a syringe assembly
30''' of the present invention. In some instances patients become
anxious upon seeing a needle of the syringe. To prevent the patient
from seeing the needle 102, an elastomeric sleeve 110 is fastened
over the delivery needle of the syringe assembly 30'''. When the
syringe assembly 30''' is armed, the plunger rod 80''' forces the
delivery needle 102 through the elastomeric sheath 110, exposing
the needle for use. Other aspects of this embodiment are similar to
those described above and will not be described.
[0034] Various portions of the syringe assembly may be made
reusable to minimize waste. By selectively choosing the portions of
the syringe assembly that are disposable, the need for
sterilization may be minimized or eliminated. For example, in one
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, a seventh embodiment of a syringe
assembly, generally designated by 120, includes a quick release
coupling 122 that holds the needle 102 in place. When a user is
finished using the syringe assembly 120, the coupling 122 is
disconnected so the needle 102 can be discarded. In some alternate
embodiments having the needle and cartridge joined as a
sub-assembly, releasing the coupling 122 can operate to eject the
entire sub-assembly. It is envisioned that an element could be
included on a sharps container for disconnecting the coupling
122.
[0035] In another embodiment of a syringe assembly, generally
designated by 130 in FIG. 8, a barrel 132 separates so the needle
102 and cartridge C can be discarded. Likewise, in another
embodiment of a syringe assembly, generally designated by 140 in
FIG. 9, a plunger rod 142 separates to release the needle and
cartridge C. In an embodiment of a syringe assembly, generally
designated by 150 in FIG. 10, a sub-assembly, generally designated
by 152, comprising the needle and a cartridge (not shown) separates
from the barrel 154 so the needle 102 and cartridge C can be
discarded. The sub-assembly 152 may be fastened to the barrel 154
in any conventional way, such as by a press fit connection as shown
in FIG. 10. Alternatively, the sub-assembly 152 may be fastened to
the barrel 154 by a pin 156 that can be removed as shown in FIGS.
11a-d. In still another embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the
sub-assembly 152 is threadably connected to the barrel 154 of the
syringe assembly 150. As will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art, the disposable portion need not only include a distal
portion of a barrel, but may also include a longer portion of the
barrel 160 as in a syringe assembly, generally designated by 162 in
FIG. 13. In another embodiment (not shown), a distal end of the
barrel may include flexible leaves (similar to the leaves described
below with respect to FIG. 18) so the sub-assembly can be ejected
through the barrel by pushing the plunger rod. It is envisioned
that a spring could be incorporated in the syringe assembly to aid
ejection of the sub-assembly.
[0036] The syringe assembly designated by 162 in FIG. 13 also
includes other features of interest. In particular, the syringe
assembly 162 includes a needle guard 164 extending from the barrel
160 to a position beyond the needle 102. It is envisioned that this
guard 164 can be folded so its distal end lies adjacent a finger
flange 166 when the assembly is ready to use. When injection is
complete, the guard 164 could be released permitting it to return
to the unfolded configuration in which it could provide protection
against inadvertent needle sticks. Further, the guard 164 may be
made in a contrasting color so that flashback or aspirate is more
apparent. The contrasting colors may include phosphorescent
coloring. Alternatively, the barrel may be light transmitting or
include back lighting or front lighting to further improve
visibility of aspirate or flashback.
[0037] FIGS. 14a-c illustrate an alternate embodiment of a syringe
assembly, generally designated by 170, having a needle guard 172.
Before use, the guard 172 is pulled proximally onto the syringe
body 174. After use, the guard is pushed distally over the needle
102 as shown in FIG. 14c. As will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art, needle guards aid in preventing inadvertent needle
stabs.
[0038] In some dental operations, anesthetic is desired over a
broad area of tissue. Pulling a needle out of tissue and
repositioning it to inject anesthetic in a different area can be
painful for the patient. Thus, there is a need for a dental syringe
that is capable of spreading anesthetic from a single injection
site. FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of a delivery needle 180
having multiple openings 182 along its length for spreading the
anesthetic over a broader area of tissue. FIG. 16 illustrates yet
another embodiment, in which thin fibers 184 are extended from the
needle 186. The fibers 184 fan out and cause multiple punctures in
the patient's tissue that may be flooded with anesthetic so the
tissue receives anesthetic over a broad area. It is envisioned that
the fibers 184 may be made more flexible than the delivery needle
but have sufficient rigidity to allow them to penetrate the tissue
as they extend out of the needle 186. In one embodiment, the fibers
are solid rather than hollow, leaving puncture holes that can be
flooded with anesthetic. It is believed that multiple injection
sites could reduce discomfort by reducing forces applied to each
site.
[0039] As previously mentioned, some patients become agitated or
anxious at the sight of a conventional aspirating syringe. In order
to provide less intimidating form factors for syringe assemblies,
various modifications can be made to their configurations and
appearance. For example, the syringe assembly may be colored to
blend with the user's gloves, thereby camouflaging the syringe
assembly. Alternately, the delivery needle 102 may be configured to
extend perpendicular to a primary axis A of the syringe assembly,
generally designated by 190, as illustrated in FIG. 17. This form
factor may mimic other dental tools, such as water syringes, to
reduce a likelihood recognition by the patient.
[0040] FIG. 18 illustrates an automatically sizing thumb ring 200
that may be incorporated in any of the embodiments described above.
The thumb ring 200 includes an elastomeric panel 202 extending
across its central opening 204. The panel 202 includes spaced
radially extending slots 206, forming leaves 208 in the panel that
are separately deformed when the user's thumb is inserted in the
ring 200. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the
leaves 208 of the panel 202 are biased toward the thumb, providing
an appropriate fit. Alternatively, the thumb ring may be comprised
of two halves ratcheted together. In one embodiment, ratchet teeth
on one half operatively engage ratchet teeth on the other half of
the thumb ring. The two halves may be compressed toward one another
and locked via the ratchets to reduce the internal size of the
thumb ring. Similarly, the two halves may be expanded and locked
via ratchets to increase the internal size of the thumb ring. This
automatically sizing thumb ring permits users having smaller and
weaker hands to use the syringe. The ratchet locking mechanism of
the thumb ring allows the user to both advance and retract the
plunger rod without repositioning the hand.
[0041] An alternate embodiment of a syringe assembly, designated
generally by 210 in FIG. 19, includes a plunger rod 212 having an
elastomeric foam ball 214 in place of the conventional thumb ring.
Elastomeric ball 214 may have any size and shape to conform to a
user's hand, such as round or oval. It is believed such a
configuration would provide a less intimidating form factor and
provide a more universal fit for users. In an alternate embodiment,
the elastomeric foam ball and plunger rod are replaced with an
elastomeric hollow bulb that is squeezed to pressurize the
anesthetic so that it is ejected from the delivery needle 102. It
is believed this alternate embodiment would provide a smooth and
continuous flow of anesthetic to the patient because the bulb would
dampen pressure changes, as well as provide a less intimidating
form factor and a more universal fit for users.
[0042] FIG. 20 shows an accumulator element, generally designated
by 220, that could be incorporated in different locations of a
syringe assembly. The element 220 is used along a hollow passage to
minimize pressure changes. A hole 222 is provided along the passage
and an elastomeric balloon or bulb 224 is positioned around the
area of the passage having the hole. The balloon or bulb 224
provides an elastomeric fluid accumulator. As anesthetic is
delivered through the passage, the accumulator expands and
contracts to absorb and release fluid as pressure varies in the
passage. Thus, anesthetic may be delivered at a more constant
pressure, thereby potentially reducing discomfort of the patient.
It is envisioned that a damper could be formed along the plunger
rod to accomplish a similar result.
[0043] Having described the invention in detail, it will be
apparent that modifications and variations are possible without
departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended
claims.
[0044] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the", and
"said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the
elements. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements.
[0045] As various changes could be made in the above constructions,
products, and methods without departing from the scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *