Apparatus for preparing and administering a dose of a fluid mixture for injection into body tissue
First Claim
1. An apparatus for preparing and administering a dose of a fluid mixture for injection into an eye during a medical procedure;
- the apparatus comprising;
(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end and a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel;
(b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end;
(c) a valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the proximal end of the cannula, a third passageway connected to receive a first fluid, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between two of the different passageways, and blocking flow in the remaining passageway, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with a second fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of the syringe to the distal end of the cannula to thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the eye by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel; and
(d) a vessel which is connected to the third passageway, the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure, wherein the second fluid is air which is drawn into the hollow barrel by travel of the plunger toward the first end of the hollow barrel and the first fluid is an inert gas.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for preparing and administering a dose of a fluid mixture for injection into body tissue includes a syringe assembly (20), a valve (30), a vessel (60) containing a pressurized fluid, and an infusion cannula (70). The valve (30) has a first passageway (98), a second passageway (99), a third passageway (100), and a fluid flow director (96). The fluid flow director (96) selectively directs fluid flow between any two of the passageways, and simultaneously shuts off flow to the third. The first passageway (98) is connected to a fluid receiving reservoir with the syringe assembly (20), the second passageway is removably connected to the infusion cannula (70), and the third passageway (100) is connected to the vessel (60). By use of the fluid flow director (96), a predetermined volume of the pressurized fluid is directed into the fluid receiving reservoir within the syringe assembly (20), through the third passageway (100) and a predetermined volume of air is drawn into the fluid receiving reservoir through the second passageway (99) when the cannula (20) is removed from the fluid mixture. The cannula (70) is then attached for injection of the fluid mixture into the desired body tissue.
234 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for preparing and administering a dose of a fluid mixture for injection into an eye during a medical procedure;
- the apparatus comprising;
(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end and a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel; (b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) a valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the proximal end of the cannula, a third passageway connected to receive a first fluid, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between two of the different passageways, and blocking flow in the remaining passageway, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with a second fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of the syringe to the distal end of the cannula to thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the eye by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel; and (d) a vessel which is connected to the third passageway, the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure, wherein the second fluid is air which is drawn into the hollow barrel by travel of the plunger toward the first end of the hollow barrel and the first fluid is an inert gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- the apparatus comprising;
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7. An apparatus for preparing and administering a dose of fluid mixture for injection into body tissue during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end ad a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel; (b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) a valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the proximate end of the cannula, a third passageway connected to receive a first fluid, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between the different passageways, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with a second fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, wherein the first fluid is sulfur hexafluoride, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of the syringe to the distal end of the cannula to thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the body tissue by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel; and (d) a vessel which is connected to the third passageway, the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure.
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8. An apparatus for preparing and administering a dose of fluid mixture for injection into body tissue during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end and a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel; (b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) A valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the proximate end of the cannula, a third passageway connected to receive a first fluid, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between the different passageways, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with a second fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, wherein the first fluid is perfluoropropane, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of the syringe to the distal end of the cannula to thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the body tissue by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel; and (d) a vessel which is connected to the third passageway, the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure.
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9. An apparatus for preparing and administering a dose of a fluid mixture for injection into an eye during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end and a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel, and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel; (b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) a vessel containing a first fluid under pressure; and (d) a valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway connected to be in fluid communication to the proximal end of the cannula, a third passageway connected to the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between two of the different passageways and simultaneously blocking flow to the remaining passageway, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the second passageway to the first passageway upon removal of the cannula to introduce the second fluid at the second passageway into the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with the first fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of the syringe to the distal end of the cannula and thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the eye by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel, wherein the second fluid is air which is drawn into the hollow barrel by travel of the plunger toward the first end of the hollow barrel and the first fluid is an inert gas. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for preparing and administering a dose of fluid mixture for injection into body tissue during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end and a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel, and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel; (b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) a vessel containing a first fluid under pressure; and (d) a valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway connected to be in fluid communication to the proximal end of the cannula, a third passageway connected to the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between the different passageways, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the second passageway to the first passageway upon removal of the cannula to introduce a second fluid at the second passageway into the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with the first fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, wherein the first fluid is sulfur hexafluoride, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of the syringe to the distal end of the cannula and thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the body tissue by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel.
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15. An apparatus for preparing and administering a does of fluid mixture for injection into body tissue during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end and a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel, and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel; (b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) a vessel containing a first fluid under pressure; and (d) a valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway connected to be in fluid communication to the proximal end of the cannula, a third passageway connected to the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between the different passageways, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the second passageway to the first passageway upon removal of the cannula to introduce a second fluid at the second passageway into the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with the first fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, wherein the first fluid is perfluoropropane, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of the syringe to the distal end of the cannula and thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the body tissue by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel.
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16. An apparatus for preparing and administering a dose of a fluid mixture for injection into an eye during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising,
(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end and a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel, and wherein the barrel includes a means for measuring a volume of fluid contained within; -
(b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) a vessel containing a first fluid under pressure; (d) a valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway connected to be in fluid communication with the proximal end of the cannula, a third passageway connected to the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between two of the means for selectively directing fluid flow between two of the different passageways and simultaneously blocking flow to the remaining passageway, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel, wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the second passageway to the first passageway upon removal of the cannula to introduce the second fluid at the second passageway into the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with the first fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of th syringe to the distal end of the cannula and thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the eye by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel; (e) a first filter located intermediate the vessel and the third passageway, the filter having pores of a size to prevent passage of contaminants or microbes; (f) a second filter located intermediate the cannula and the second passageway, the filter having pores of a size to prevent passage of contaminants or microbes; and (g) an adapter intermediate the first filter and the vessel to form a fluid connection therebetween, the adapter including a pin which punctures the vessel upon making the fluid connection to form a hole in the vessel, the hole rendering the vessel unusable for subsequent refilling of the vessel, wherein the second fluid is air which is drawn into the hollow barrel by travel of the plunger toward the first end of the hollow barrel and the first fluid is an inert gas.
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17. A method for preparing and administering a dose of a fluid mixture for injection into an eye by use of a syringe and a cannula, the syringe including a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) directing flow of an inert gas from a pressurized source to the hollow barrel of the syringe; (b) discontinuing the flow of the inert gas when a predetermined volume of the inert gas fills the hollow barrel; (c) directing flow of air to the hollow barrel of the syringe to form the fluid mixture; (d) discontinuing flow of the air when a predetermined volume of the air fills the hollow barrel to form a fluid mixture with desired ratios of the inert gas and air; and (e) injecting the fluid mixture into the eye.
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18. A kit for preparing and administering a dose of a fluid mixture for injection into an eye during a medical procedure, the kit comprising:
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(a) a syringe having a hollow barrel and a plunger which travels within the hollow barrel to regulate fluid flow within, the hollow barrel having a first end and a second end that oppose each other such that travel of the plunger toward the second end forces fluid from the hollow barrel and travel toward the first end draws fluid into the hollow barrel; (b) a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the cannula defining a conduit therethrough which extends from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) a valve positioned intermediate the syringe and the cannula, the valve having a first passageway which is adapted to be connected in fluid communication with the hollow barrel, a second passageway which is adapted to be connected in fluid communication to the proximal end of cannula, a third passageway which is adapted to receive a first fluid, and a means for selectively directing fluid flow between two of the different passageways and simultaneously blocking flow to the remaining passageway, and wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the third passageway to the hollow barrel to introduce the first fluid to the hollow barrel of the syringe for mixing with a second fluid to form the dose of the fluid mixture, and further wherein the fluid flow is selectively directed from the first passageway to the second passageway to permit fluid flow from the hollow barrel of the syringe to the distal end of the cannula and thereby administer the dose of the fluid into the eye by injection upon travel of the plunger toward the second end of the hollow barrel; and (d) a vessel which is connected to the third passageway, the vessel containing the first fluid under pressure, wherein the second fluid is air which is drawn into the hollow barrel by travel of the plunger toward the first end of the hollow barrel and the first fluid is an inert gas.
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Specification