System and method for automatic needle change warning

• US 6,406,460 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verilogik Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Agecom Incorporated
• Inventors: Hogan, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, CRIS LOIREN
• Application Number:
  US09/621,097
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 604/240, 604/65, 604/67, 604/121, 604/156, 604/186, 604/164.04, 604/187, 604/207, 604/208, 604/255, 604/241-243, 604/245-247, 604/131, 604/118, 128/912, 128/DIG.13, 128/DIG.12, 128/DIG.1, 222/36, 222/38, 222/46
• US Class Current: 604/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/20 Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically A61M5/142 , A61M5/46 take precedence; hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/204 connected to external reservoirs for multiple refilling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/344 using additional parts, e.g. clamping rings or collets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/347 rotatable, e.g. bayonet or screw A61M5/344 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 Infusion monitoring

Abstract

A syringe has a sensor for sensing physical contact between a syringe needle and the syringe. As the sensor detects that a syringe needle has just been installed into the syringe, a counter is set to “zero”, indicating the number of injections given with the installed needle. The counter automatically and cumulatively counts each injection given to the animal during a period of continuous physical contact between the syringe and the syringe needle. When the number of cumulatively counted injections equals a predetermined maximum number of injections, a syringe needle change warning mechanism delivers a needle change warning to the operator of the syringe.

Claims

1. A system for automatic needle change warning, comprising:

a. a syringe having a syringe needle, the syringe being functional to deliver an injection to an animal, the syringe further having a sensor for sensing physical contact between the syringe needle and the syringe;

b. a counter for automatically cumulatively counting each injection given to the animal during a period of continuous physical contact between the syringe needle and the syringe; and

c. responsive to the number of cumulatively counted injections given during the period of continuous physical contact between the syringe needle and the syringe equaling a predetermined maximum number of injections, a syringe needle change warning mechanism functional to deliver to an operator of the syringe a needle change warning.

2. The system of claim 1, whereby the syringe needle change warning mechanism is functional to disable the syringe.

3. The system of claim 1, whereby the counter is operative to record the cumulative number associated with each injection.

4. The system of claim 1, whereby the counter is operative to, in response to the sensor detecting a termination of continuous physical contact between the syringe needle and the syringe, automatically re-set the cumulative count of each injection given to zero.

5. A system for automatic needle change warning, comprising:

a. a syringe having a syringe needle, the syringe being functional to deliver an injection to an animal, the syringe further having an electrical sensor proximal to a position of complete and proper installation of the syringe needle into the syringe for sensing physical contact between a head end of the syringe needle and the sensor,

b. a counter for, upon initially sensing the complete and proper installation of the syringe needle into the syringe, re-setting itself to a value of zero, then automatically cumulatively counting each injection given to the animal during a period of continuous physical contact between the syringe needle and the syringe; and

c. responsive to the number of cumulatively counted injections given during the period of continuous physical contact between the syringe needle and the sensor equaling a predetermined maximum number of injections, a syringe needle change warning mechanism delivering to an operator of the syringe a needle change warning.

6. The system of claim 5, whereby the syringe needle change warning mechanism is functional to disable the syringe.

7. The system of claim 5, whereby the counter is operative to record the cumulative number associated with each injection.

8. The system of claim 5, whereby the counter is operative to, in response to the sensor detecting a termination of continuous physical contact between the syringe needle and the sensor, automatically re-set the cumulative count of each injection given to zero.