One-piece Multiple Hypodermic Syringe Arrangement

Abstract

A dual hypodermic syringe device utilizing a pair of laterally spaced barrels with an interconnecting portion occupying the space between the barrels. The interconnecting portion extends for a substantial portion of the length of the barrels. The barrels are disposed in essentially parallel relationship, and a needle is associated with each barrel. The barrels and interconnecting portion are made from a common piece of material, and in each barrel a movable plunger is disposed. The spacing of the needles is less than 68 mm. such that an injection may be given to a patient that involves only a single sensation of pain.

Parent Case Text

RELATIONSHIP TO PRIOR INVENTION

This invention is a division of my earlier patent application entitled "Multiple Hypodermic Syringe Arrangement," filed Apr. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 541,995, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,467,096.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention can be categorized with multiple syringe arrangements, some hand operated and some motor driven, which are concerned with the injection (or removal of) more than one fluid or increment of fluid at a time.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The pertinent prior art is believed to principally involve apparatus concerned with the injection or removal of fluid from a human being or animal, and certain biological or industrial apparatus, such as that applicable to the curing of meat, or the delivery of microvolumes of fluid over an extended period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based upon the same unique characteristics defined in my earlier invention, involving a pair of needles disposed in essentially parallel relationship and operatively connected to respective laterally spaced, interconnected barrels equipped with independently movable plungers, with the spacing of the needles being sufficiently close that a double injection may be given to a person or animal while involving only a single sensation of pain. The present invention may be distinguished from the parent case by virtue of the fact that the two barrels and interconnecting portion are here made from a common piece of material, thus amounting to a low-cost device which can be used quite effectively for multiplicity of purposes, yet be produced very economically.

As is well known, hypodermic syringes are in wide use in all parts of the world, being used for the injection of many different types of drugs and medications, as well as for the extraction on occasion of body fluids, such as in injured areas. The needle size utilized in a given instance depends for example upon the age and condition of the patient, and the type liquid to be injected, or the sample of body fluid to be removed. Typically, a comparatively short needle is used if the patient is to receive a subcutaneous injection, whereas a considerably longer needle is usually involved if the patient is to receive an intramuscular injection.

Many patients have an innate dread of receiving injections and the situation involved in such instances is always compounded if the patient is to receive two different drugs that are not compatible if mixed prior to injection, or if one drug is to be injected subcutaneously and the other intramuscularly. In instances of this general type, it has been at all uncommon for a patient to receive injections in say both arms, and almost invariably in such instances the patient is made more uncomfortable than if only a single infection were in order.

In accordance with this invention, I provide a novel, double-needle syringe configuration enabling the nurse or doctor to give two or more injections contemporaneously, with only a single injection ordeal on the part of the patient, and a single sensation of pain being involved.

This invention is grounded on the phenomena known as the two-point threshold of pain or pressure, which may be defined as the distance at which the surface pain sensors of the human body cannot distinguish between single and multiple locations of pain. This is to say, depending at the location on the body, a person cannot ascertain if he or she is receiving one needle or a plurality of needles if these needles are disposed comparatively close together. Although the tongue can distinguish between one sharp point and two sharp points unless the two points are approximately 1 mm. apart, in some parts of the back, thigh, and upper arm, the two-point threshold of pain often involves a distance of 68 mm. (EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY by Woolworth & Schlosberg; Henry Holt & Co., N.Y.). By taking cognizance of the pressure and pain receptor characteristics of the planned injection area, with the use of my invention the nurse or doctor can, when the circumstances warrant, give two or possibly more injections to a patient in one application.

My invention is not limited to any one particular configuration of hypodermic syringe, for by sizing the needles in a desired manner, the injection of two different types of drugs is enabled, such as one drug that needs to be injected subdurally or subcutaneously while the other drug is injected intramuscularly. This latter circumstance of course obtains when the two drugs being injected are not compatible with each other and are to be injected into the flesh separately yet concurrently at two different locations depthwise.

This particular invention involves a low-cost syringe device, which may or may not be comparable to the single-use syringes currently on the market, which syringe may be made from one piece of plastic and arranged to receive two closely disposed needles and separate plunger arrangements.

It is therefore an object of my invention to make possible a low-cost, multiple injection technique enabling injections to be given with minimum anguish being involved on the part of the patient and minimum time required on the part of the nurse or doctor.

It is another object of my invention to provide a novel one-piece fixture by the use of which a medically trained person can inject the needles of two syringes simultaneously into an injection area of the body, yet cause the recipient only a single sensation of pain.

It is another object of my invention to provide a multiple syringe fixture with which various needle arrangements may be used, such that injections at two different depths may be simultaneously made.

My invention may also have great value in instances in which large amounts of fluid or drugs are required to be administered, for by the use of my invention, a massive dose may be divided into two smaller doses that can be dispersed into a comparatively large area of tissue, thus reducing the possibility of the formation of abscesses which tend to form as a result of an overconcentration of fluids in one area.

These and other objects, features and advantages will be more apparent from a study of the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my novel one-piece syringe device as it is grasped in a preferred manner preparatory to injecting fluids into a patient;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating in a simplified manner and to a larger scale how the needles of a pair of needles can be sized to penetrate to varying skin levels in the patient;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view to a larger scale than FIG. 1 of the low-cost, one-piece embodiment of my dual hypodermic syringe device, with one of the plungers removed in the interests of clarity; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view to the same approximate scale as FIG. 2 and showing how by the use of two different types of needles of approximately the same length, two different drugs can be administered at different levels in the body although the depthwise penetration of the two needles is essentially identical.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, it is there revealed how my novel one-piece dual hypodermic syringe is grasped at the time of injection, with it being obvious that the needles 33 and 34 thereof are disposed in essentially parallel relationship. It is optional whether I use needles of two different lengths such as needles 33 and 34, or alternatively whether needles of essentially the same lengths, such as needles 43 and 44 of FIG. 4 are employed with my device. Separate fluid containing barrels 45, 46 (See FIG. 3) are utilized in connection with each of the needles, although in accordance with the present, both syringe bodies are formed from a common piece 40 of plastic or glass. The bodies thereafter are drilled to form barrel portions that receive the plungers 41 and 42.

As previously indicated, the ends of the syringes opposite the plungers are configured to receive a pair of needles, which needles are not movable with respect to each other as was possible in accordance with my earlier cited invention. It is important to note that while the spacings between the needles may vary from syringe to syringe manufactured in accordance with this invention, in no instance is the spacing between needles greater than 68 mm. This is to say, I am concerned with providing dual syringes such that when used properly, only a single sensation of pain results, and in almost all instances, the spacing between needles must be 68 mm. or less.

When the needles are sized as shown in FIG. 2 to penetrate to different depths in the flesh, the flat portions of the needles may be oppositely oriented so that the drugs being administered will flow in generally opposite directions in the tissues of the patient.

FIG. 4 reveals how the pair of needles may be of essentially the same length, but a different style construction. As will be apparent, the hole of needle 43 is located a substantial distance above the point or tip of the needle, and thus this needle is designed to inject fluid into a less deep layer of flesh, whereas needle 44 is designed to inject into a deeper layer.

FIG. 3 reveals other details of my low-cost, one-piece embodiment, such as for example the use of an interconnecting reinforcing portion 47 molded or otherwise formed between the barrels 45, 46, and also the use of calibrations on the barrels such that a carefully measured dose of drug can be administered by the nurse or doctor utilizing same.

Claims

I claim:

1. A dual hypodermic syringe device comprising a pair of laterally spaced barrels with an interconnecting portion occupying the space between said barrels and extending for a substantial portion of the length of the barrels, said barrels adapted to contain fluid said barrels and said interconnecting portion constructed from a single piece of material, an independent plunger provided in each of said barrels, said barrels having means thereon upon which a pair of needles can be operatively disposed in essentially parallel, spaced relationship and extend in the same direction, said barrels forming an integral unit and being spaced apart a distance such that the needles, when in the operative position, are spaced apart less than 68 mm., whereby an injection can be given to a patient involving only a single sensation of pain.

2. The dual hypodermic syringe arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which said needles are approximately of the same length.

3. The dual hypodermic syringe arrangement as defined in claim 2 in which said needles are of different styles, such that one needle injects into a deeper layer of flesh than the other.

4. The dual hypodermic syringe arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which said needles are of different lengths, thus enabling injections to be made to different depths in a patient.