Lockable tranquilizer bracelet

• US 20040092874A1
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George Mazidji, Vera M. Mansour
• Original Assignee: George Mazidji, Vera M. Mansour
• Inventors: Mansour, Vera M., Mazidji, George
• Granted Patent: US 6,800,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/136
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0023 for therapeutic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14252 with needle insertion means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1581 Right-angle needle-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/048 Anaesthetics see also A61M19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/049 Toxic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/083 Arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2053 Media being expelled from injector by pressurised fluid or vacuum for infusion A61M5/145, A61M5/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3234 Fully automatic needle retraction, i.e. in which triggering of the needle does not require a deliberate action by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45696 Requiring manual force thereon to interlock or disengage

Abstract

A tranquilizer bracelet which can be locked onto A wearer'"'"'s wrist. The bracelet contains A power source, an electronic control module, and means for injecting A tranquilizing agent into the wearer. Instructions can be sent to the control module remotely, such as by using radio transmissions. The bracelet is provided with A lock to secure it to the wrist. It can only be opened using A mechanical key or electronic code. Thus, once the bracelet is installed, it cannot be removed by the wearer. In the event that tranquilization is necessary, A remote signal is sent to the control module. The signal activates A mechanism within the bracelet which causes the injection of the tranquilizing agent. Anti-tampering mechanisms are also provided, which will produce an alert signal if the bracelet is somehow removed by the wearer.

Claims

1. A tranquilizer bracelet for administering a dose of tranquilizer to a wearer through said wearer'"'"'s wrist, comprising:

a. a tranquilizer assembly, positioned proximate said wrist, and containing a tranquilizing agent therein and means for injecting said tranquilizing agent into said wearer;

b. a band, attached to said tranquilizer assembly and configured to encircle said wrist of said wearer;

c. a lock assembly, located within said band, wherein said lock assembly can be unlocked in order to open said band and allow said tranquilizer bracelet to be placed on said wrist, and wherein said lock assembly can be locked in order to prevent said wearer from removing said tranquilizer bracelet; and

d. control means for actuating said means for injecting said tranquilizing agent.

2. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, wherein said lock assembly comprises a mechanical lock which can be opened by a separate key.

3. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, wherein said lock assembly comprises an electronically actuated lock which can be opened by the use of a magnetic encoder.

4. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, wherein said lock assembly comprises an electronically actuated lock which can be opened by the transmission of a numeric code.

5. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, wherein said band and said lock assembly include a conductor passing completely around said wrist, so that said control means can sense when said band and said lock assembly encircling said user'"'"'s wrist has been opened.

6. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor capable of detecting the presence of said wearer'"'"'s body heat, so that said control means can sense when said tranquilizer bracelet has been removed from said wearer.

7. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, wherein said band further comprises adjustment means allowing said band to be fitted tightly to said wrist, but wherein said adjustment means cannot be adjusted when said lock assembly is locked.

8. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises an electronic controller responsive to signals received from an external source.

9. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises an electronic controller capable of transmitting signals to an external source.

10. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for injecting said tranquilizing agent into said wearer comprises:

a. a hollow injector body, having an open upper end and a closed lower end, containing said tranquilizing agent therein;

b. a piercable seal located in said closed lower end of said injector body;

c. a piston, having an upper side and a lower side, slidably positioned within said hollow injector wherein said lower side is above said tranquilizing agent;

d. a hollow needle, having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said upper portion is connected to said lower side of said piston, wherein said upper portion is pierced by a plurality of inlet holes, and wherein said lower portion opens into a single injection hole; and

e. means for applying downward mechanical force to said upper side of said piston so that said piston descends, causing said lower portion of said needle to pierce said piercable seal and protrude downward from said injector body, thereby piercing the skin of said wearer, and causing said tranquilizing agent to flow into said upper portion of said needle through said plurality of inlet holes, downward through said needle, and out of said needle through said injection hole and from thence into said wearer.

11. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 10, wherein said means for applying downward mechanical force comprises an electrical solenoid positioned above said piston.

12. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 10, wherein said means for applying downward mechanical force comprises:

a. a gas cartridge, containing pressurized gas;

b. a solenoid valve, having a first side and a second side, fluidly connected to said gas cartridge on said first side, and fluidly connected to said injector body above said piston on said second side; and

c. control means for actuating said solenoid valve to allow said pressurized gas to flow through said solenoid valve and into said injector body.

13. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 10, further comprising a retractor spring, positioned to move said piston upward once said downward mechanical force on said piston is removed.

14. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 11, further comprising a retractor spring, positioned to move said piston upward once said downward mechanical force on said piston is removed.

15. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 12, further comprising a retractor spring, positioned to move said piston upward once said downward mechanical force on said piston is removed.

16. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 12, wherein said gas cartridge is easily removed from said tranquilizer bracelet and replaced by another of said gas cartridges, once said original gas cartridge is depleted.

17. A tranquilizer bracelet as recited in claim 10, wherein said hollow injector body, said tranquilizing agent, said piercable seal, said piston, and said hollow needle, are all contained within a modular injector assembly which can be easily removed from said tranquilizer bracelet and replaced by another of said modular injector assemblies, once said original modular injector assembly is depleted.