Sequential delivery syringe

• US 5,102,388 A
• Filed: 07/15/1991
• Issued: 04/07/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John E. Richmond
• Original Assignee: John E. Richmond
• Inventors: Richmond, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/731,134
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 604/82, 604/86, 604/87, 604/88-92, 604/191, 604/201, 604/203, 604/244, 604/416
• US Class Current: 604/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1787 Syringes for sequential delivery of fluids, e.g. first medicament and then flushing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/286 upon internal pressure increase, e.g. pierced or burst A61M5/283 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31596 comprising means for injection of two or more media, e.g. by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/508 Means for preventing re-use by disrupting the piston seal, e.g. by puncturing

Abstract

The syringe of the invention segregates various fluids or solutions within separate compartments of its barrel, to be delivered in a specific sequence as they are expelled from the delivery tip by actuation of its plunger. A plurality of stoppers are incorporated within the barrel, with all but the one adjacent to the plunger includng a piercing device to penetrate each following stopper in sequence. The length of the piercing shaft of each such device is selected sufficient to pierce the stopper advancing towards it, yet not so long as to reach the piercing shaft of that advancing stopper.

Claims

1. A syringe comprising:

a barrel, having a delivery end;

a plunger;

a first stopper coupled to said plunger and inserted within said barrel;

a second stopper inserted within said barrel, positioned between said first stopper and the delivery end of said barrel; and

at least two additional stoppers inserted within said barrel, positioned between the delivery end of said barrel and said second stopper, each being coupled with a piercing device having a piercing shaft facing in the direction of said second stopper, and with each piercing shaft being of sufficient length to pierce the stopper advancing towards it upon actuation by said plunger.

2. The syringe of claim 1 wherein said delivery end of said barrel also includes a piercing device facing in the direction of said additional stopper(s).

3. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the piercing shaft of each piercing device is also selected of a length insufficient to reach the piercing shaft of that piercing device coupled with the stopper nearest advancing towards it.

4. The syringe of claim 3 wherein each of said first, second and said additional of stoppers are composed of a pliable material to create substantially fluid-tight seals around the outer peripheries thereof.

5. The syringe of claim 4 wherein individual ones of a plurality of fluids and solutions are included between adjacent stoppers within said barrel.

6. A syringe comprising:

a barrel, having a delivery end;

a plunger;

a first stopper coupled to said plunger and inserted within said barrel;

a second stopper inserted within said barrel, positioned between said first stopper and the delivery end of said barrel;

a third stopper inserted within said barrel, positioned between said second stopper and the delivery end of said barrel; and

a piercing device coupled with said third stopper, having a piercing shaft facing in the direction of said second stopper; and

with said shaft being of sufficient length to pierce said second stopper when said plunger is actuated to advance said first stopper towards said second stopper;

a fourth stopper inserted within said barrel, positioned between the delivery end of said barrel and said third stopper, and being coupled with a piercing device having a piercing shaft facing in the direction of said third stopper, and with the piercing shaft coupled with said forth stopper being of sufficient length to pierce said third stopper advancing towards it upon actuation by said plunger.

7. The syringe of claim 6 wherein said delivery end of said barrel also includes a piercing device facing in the direction of said fourth stopper.

8. The syringe of claim 6 wherein the piercing shaft of said piercing device coupled to said fourth stopper is also selected of a length insufficient to reach the piercing shaft of said third stopper, and wherein the piercing shaft of said piercing device coupled to said third stopper is also selected of a length insufficient to reach the piercing shaft of said second stopper.

9. The syringe of claim 8 wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth stoppers are composed of a pliable material to create substantially fluid-type seals around the outer peripheries thereof.

10. The syringe of claim 9 wherein individual ones of a plurality of fluids and solutions are included between adjacent stoppers within said barrel.