Self-destructing hypodermic syringes and hypodermic plunger devices

• US 4,816,021 A
• Filed: 03/25/1987
• Issued: 03/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott Allen Johnson
• Original Assignee: Scott Allen Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Larry
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAMEN, NOAH P
• Application Number:
  US07/029,781
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 604/110, 604/187
• US Class Current: 604/110
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/5093 including soluble mechanical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/50 having means for preventing re-use, or for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile retractable needles or needle protectors with means for preventing re-use A61M5/321

Abstract

A self-destructing hypodermic device to allow one-time use only of the device. The device includes a syringe casing, a syringe tip, and a syringe plunger; all cooperating and functioning to allow solutions or medications to be drawn into the casing, and then intravenously injected into a user. At least some part or portion of the casing, plunger, and tip is comprised of a material which self destructs, at least partially, upon contact with the medication or solution intravenously injected, rendering the device unusable after one use. In one embodiment, the self-destructing portion of the casing, plunger, or tip is comprised of a material which is at least partially soluble in the medications or solutions intravenously injected by the device. Optionally, a tip cover can be used which can grip the syringe tip after use, to assist in disabilitating the device after one use.

Claims

1. A self-destructing hypodermic syringe means comprising:

a generally tubular hypodermic syringe casing consisting at least in part of a material solvable in atleast water and alcohol, the syringe casing having a distal end and a proximal end;

a hypodermic syringe plunger means translatably movable through the syringe casing, including a tip means for sealing against interior surfaces of the syringe casing;

tip means sealingly positioned in the proximal end of the syringe casing.

2. The means of claim 1 wherein a syringe casing is comprised at least partially of material soluble in substances from the set of water and alcohol based intraveneous medications.

3. The means of claim 1 wherein the syringe casing is made at least in part of collagen material.

4. The means of claim 1 wherein the syringe casing is made at least partially from L. Gelare material.

5. The means of claim 1 wherein the syringe plunger is made at least partially from self-destructing material.

6. The means of claim 5 wherein the self-destructing material is soluble in the solutions from the set of water and alcohol based intravenous based medications.

7. The means of claim 1 wherein the tip of the syringe plunger is made of elastomeric material.

8. The means of claim 7 wherein the elastomeric material is rubber.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the tip includes a needle means for penetration of a user'"'"'s skin or musculature.

12. The means of claim 1 wherein the needle consists of selfdestructing material.

13. The means of claim 12 wherein the self-destructing material of the needle is soluble in the set of solutions of water and alcohol based intravenous medications.

14. The means of claim 12 wherein the needle is comprised of metal.

9. The means of claimn 1 wherein the tip consists at least partially of self-destructing material.

10. The means of claim 9 wherein the self-destructing material in the tip is soluble in solutions from the set of water and alcohol based intravenous medications.

15. A self-destructing hypodermic device for one-time use with a solution comprised atleast in part by a degrading, debasing or solvent substance selected from the set of water and alcohol, comprising:

a hypodermic syringe casing means for receiving and holding the solution, a tip disposed in one end of the casing and including a needle means for allowing passage of the solution and penetration in a user'"'"'s skin; and

a hypodermic syringe plunger means movable in the casing for drawing solution into the casing and dispelling solution from the casing through the tip means;

any portion of the syringe casing, tip, and plunger being at least partially degradable, debaseable, or when contacted by the solution.

16. The means of claim 15 wherein any part of the syringe casing, tip and plunger is made of collagen.

17. A method for limiting hypodermic injections and withdrawals from a hypodermic syringe to one-time use comprising:

making at least a portion of a hypodermic syringe means from a material which is self-destructing in the presence of the solution comprising the set of water and alcohol being intravenously injected or withdrawn.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of selecting the portion of the hypodermic syringe means which is at least partially self-destructable in the presence of the solution being intravenously injected or withdrawn to prevent a second use of the syringe means.