Front loading medical injector and syringe for use therewith

• US 6,562,008 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Reilly, David M., Gelblum, Eugene A., Havrilla, Joseph B., Kazousky, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, CRIS LOIREN
• Application Number:
  US09/440,029
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 604/187, 604/131, 604/218, 604/227, 604/228, 604/189, 604/317, 604/318, 604/68, 604/72, 604/65, 604/67, 604/154, 604/181, 128/DIG.1, 128/DIG.12, 222/386
• US Class Current: 604/218
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14553 comprising a pressure jacket
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/01 Motorized syringe

Abstract

A front-loading syringe which comprises a movable plunger for injecting liquid contrast media, is rotatably mountable on a front wall of an injector housing with an interference fit and in sealed relationship with respect thereto, with or without a pressure jacket, by a first-quick release mechanism. At the same time, the plunger is connected to an injector drive mechanism by a second readily releasable mechanism. During the mounting operation, a sensor reads injection information from an indicator device on the syringe and feeds it to an injector control. An audible-and-tactile indicating mechanism also is activated when the syringe is essentially in the desired mounted position. The syringe may include reinforcing ribs which also function as volumetric gradations, and liquid media presence-or-absence indicating dots which appear circular against a liquid media background and oval-shaped against an air background. An injection end of the syringe comprises an injector portion of reduced diameter inside a screw-threaded attachment portion of larger diameter, and may include loop-shaped reinforcing handle portions.

Claims

1. A syringe for use with an injector, the syringe comprising:

a main body having a longitudinal axis and comprising a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body, the plunger comprising one or more hook members extending rearward therefrom; and

at least one retaining flange monolithic with the main body, the at least one retaining flange comprising a wall member extending outward from the main body along a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the main body and one or more rib members monolithic with and extending rearward from the-wall member for reinforcing the wall member.

2. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the at least one retaining flange is located on the rearward end of the main body.

3. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the at least one retaining flange comprises two retaining flanges.

4. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the one or more rib members comprises a plurality of rib members.

5. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of rib members.

6. The syringe of claim 5 wherein the plurality of rib members are longitudinally spaced from one another on the main body.

7. The syringe of claim 5 wherein the plurality of rib members are operable to reinforce the main body.

8. The syringe of claim 1 wherein each of the one or more hook members comprises engagement portions extending radially inward.

9. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the at least one retaining flange further comprises a taper to facilitate mounting of the syringe to the injector.

10. The syringe of claim 1, further comprising a sealing ring associated with the main body.

11. The syringe of claim 10 wherein the sealing ring is associated with the main body at a location forward from the at least one retaining flange.

12. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the fluid discharge section comprises a forward connector section formed with internal screw threads.

13. The syringe of claim 12 wherein the forward connector section comprises an injection nozzle.

14. A syringe for use with an injector, the syringe comprising:

a main body comprising a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body; and

at least one retaining flange associated with the main body, the at least one retaining flange comprising a taper to facilitate mounting of the syringe to the injector.

15. The syringe of claim 14 wherein the at least one retraining flange further comprises one or more rib members for reinforcing the at least one retaining flange.

16. The syringe of claim 15 wherein the one or more rib members comprises a plurality of rib members.

17. The syringe of claim 14 wherein the at least one retaining flange is associated with the rearward end of the main body.

18. The syringe of claim 14 wherein the at least one retaining flange comprises two retaining flanges.

19. The syringe of claim 14 wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of rib members.

20. The syringe of claim 14 wherein the plunger comprises one or more hook members extending rearwardly therefrom.

21. The syringe of claim 20 wherein the one or more hook members comprise engagement portions extending radially inward in opposed relationship.

22. The syringe of claim 14, further comprising a sealing ring associated with the main body.

23. The syringe of claim 22 wherein the sealing ring is associated with the main body at a location forward from the at least one retaining flange.

24. The syringe of claim 14 wherein the fluid discharge section comprises a forward connector section formed with internal screw threads.

25. The syringe of claim 24 wherein the forward connector section comprises an injection nozzle.

26. A syringe comprising:

a main body having a longitudinal axis and comprising a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body; and

two retaining flanges monolithic with the main body, the two retaining flanges each comprising a wall member extending outward from the main body along a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the main body and one or more rib members monolithic with and extending rearward from the wall member for reinforcing the wall member.

27. The syringe of claim 26 wherein the two retaining flanges are located on the rearward end of the main body.

28. The syringe of claim 26 wherein the one or more rib members comprises a plurality of rib members.

29. The syringe of claim 26 wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of rib members.

30. The syringe of claim 29 wherein the plurality of rib members are longitudinally spaced from one another on the main body.

31. The syringe of claim 29 wherein the plurality of rib members are operable to reinforce the main body.

32. The syringe of claim 26 wherein the plunger comprises one or more hook members.

33. The syringe of claim 32 wherein the one or more hook members comprise engagement portions extending radially inward in opposed relationship.

34. The syringe of claim 26 wherein each of the two retaining flanges further comprises a taper to facilitate mounting of the syringe to an injector.

35. The syringe of claim 26, further comprising a sealing ring associated with the main body.

36. The syringe of claim 35 wherein the sealing ring is associated with the main body at a location forward from the two retaining flanges.

37. The syringe of claim 26 wherein the fluid discharge section comprises a forward connector section formed with internal screw threads.

38. The syringe of claims 37 wherein the forward connector section comprises an injection nozzle.

39. A syringe comprising:

a main body comprising a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body; and

at least two retaining flanges associated with the main body, the at least two retaining flanges each comprising one or more rib members for reinforcing the at least two retaining flanges and a taper to facilitate mounting of the syringe to an injector.

40. The syringe of claim 39 wherein the at least two retaining flanges are associated with the rearward end of the main body.

41. The syringe of claim 39 wherein the at least two retaining flanges are integrally formed with the main body.

42. The syringe of claim 39 wherein the one or more rib members comprises a plurality of rib members.

43. The syringe of claim 39 wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of rib members.

44. The syringe of claim 43 wherein the plurality of rib members are longitudinally spaced from one another on the main body.

45. The syringe of claim 44 wherein the plurality of rib members are operable to reinforce the main body.

46. The syringe of claim 39 wherein the plunger comprises one or more hook members extending rearwardly therefrom.

47. The syringe of claim 46 wherein each of the one or more hook members comprises engagement portions extending radially inward.

48. The syringe of claim 39, further comprising a sealing ring associated with the main body.

49. The syringe of claim 48 wherein the sealing ring is associated with the main body at a location forward from the at least one retaining flange.

50. The syringe of claim 39 wherein the fluid discharge section comprises a forward connector section formed with internal screw threads.

51. The syringe of claim 50 wherein the forward connector section comprises an injection nozzle.

52. A syringe comprising:

a main body comprising a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body; and

at least one retaining flange associated with the main body, the at least one retaining flange comprising a plurality of rib members for reinforcing the at least one retaining flange and a taper to facilitate mounting of the syringe to an injector.

53. The syringe of claim 52 wherein the at least one retaining flange is integrally formed with the main body.

54. The syringe of claim 52 wherein the at least one retaining flange comprises two retaining flanges.

55. The syringe of claim 52 wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of rib members.

56. The syringe of claim 55 wherein the plurality of rib members are longitudinally spaced from one another on the main body.

57. The syringe of claim 55 wherein the plurality of rib members are operable to reinforce the main body.

58. The syringe of claim 52 wherein the plunger comprises one or more hook members extending rearwardly therefrom.

59. The syringe of claim 58 wherein each of the one or more hook members comprises engagement portions extending radially inward.

60. The syringe of claim 52, further comprising a sealing ring associated with the main body.

61. The syringe of claim 52 wherein the fluid discharge section comprises a forward connector section formed with internal screw threads.

62. The syringe of claim 61 wherein the forward connector section comprises an injection nozzle.

63. A syringe comprising:

a main body having a longitudinal axis and comprising a forward end, a rearward end and a plurality of first rib members, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body; and

two retaining flanges monolithic with the main body, each of the two retaining flanges comprising a wall member extending outward from the main body along a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the main body and one or more second rib members monolithic with and extending rearward from the wall member for reinforcing the wall member.

65. The syringe of claim 63 wherein the plurality of first rib members are longitudinally spaced from one another on the main body.

66. The syringe of claim 63 wherein the plurality of first rib members are operable to reinforce the main body.

67. The syringe of claim 63 wherein the plunger comprises one or more hook members extending rearwardly therefrom.

68. The syringe of claim 67 wherein each of the one or more hook members comprises engagement portions extending radially inward.

69. The syringe of claim 63 wherein each of the two retaining flanges further comprises a taper to facilitate mounting of the syringe to an injector.

70. The syringe of claim 63, further comprising a sealing ring associated with the main body.

71. The syringe of claim 70 wherein the sealing ring is associated with the main body at a location forward from the two retaining flanges.

72. The syringe of claim 63 wherein the fluid discharge section comprises a forward connector section formed with internal screw threads.

73. The syringe of claim 72 wherein the forward connector section comprises an injection nozzle.

64. The syringe of 63 wherein the two retaining flanges are located on the rearward end of the main body.

74. A syringe comprising:

a main body comprising a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body; and

at least one retaining flange associated with the main body, the at least one retaining flange comprising one or more rib members for reinforcing the at least one retaining flange and a taper to facilitate mounting of the syringe to an injector.

75. The syringe of claim 74 wherein the at least one retaining flange is associated with the rearward end of the main body.

76. The syringe of claim 74 wherein the at least one retaining flange is integrally formed with the main body.

77. The syringe of claim 74 wherein the at least one retaining flange comprises two retaining flanges.

78. The syringe of claim 74 wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of rib members.

79. The syringe of claim 78 wherein the plurality of rib members are longitudinally spaced from one another on the main body.

80. The syringe of claim 78 wherein the plurality of rib members are operable to reinforce the main body.

81. The syringe of claim 74 wherein the plunger comprises one or more hook members extending rearwardly therefrom.

82. The syringe of claim 81 wherein each of the one or more hook members comprises engagement portions extending radially inward.

83. The syringe of claims 74, further comprising a sealing ring associated with the main body.

84. The syringe of claim 74 wherein the fluid discharge section comprises a forward connector section formed with internal screw threads.

85. The syringe of claim 84 wherein the forward connector section comprises an injection nozzle.

86. A syringe for use with an injector, the syringe comprising:

a main body comprising a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body;

at least one retaining flange associated with the main body, the at least one retaining flange comprising one or more rib members for reinforcing the at least one retaining flange; and

a sealing ring associated with the main body at a location forward from the at least one retaining flange.

87. The syringe of claim 86 wherein the at least one retaining flange is associated with the rearward end of the main body.

88. The syringe of claim 86 wherein the at least one retaining flange is integrally formed with the main body.

89. The syringe of claim 86 wherein the at least one retaining flange comprises two retaining flanges.

90. The syringe of claim 86 wherein the plunger comprises one or more hook members extending rearwardly therefrom.

91. The syringe of claim 86 wherein the fluid discharge section comprises a forward connector section formed with internal screw threads.

92. The syringe of claim 91 wherein the forward connector section comprises an injection nozzle.

93. A syringe for use with an injector, the syringe comprising:

a main body comprising a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end defining a fluid discharge section;

a plunger movably disposed in the main body; and

at least one tapered retaining flange associated with the main body, the at least one tapered retaining flange operable to facilitate mounting of the syringe to the injector.

94. The syringe of claim 93 wherein the at least one tapered retaining flange further comprises one or more rib members for reinforcing the at least one tapered retaining flange.

95. The syringe of claim 94 wherein the one or more rib members comprises a plurality of rib members.

96. The syringe of claim 93 wherein the at least one tapered retaining flange is associated with the rearward end of the main body.

97. The syringe of claim 93 wherein the at least one tapered retaining flange comprises two tapered retaining flanges.

98. The syringe of claim 93 wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of rib members.

99. The syringe of claim 93 wherein the plunger comprises one or more hook members extending rearward therefrom.

100. The syringe of claim 99 wherein the one or more hook members comprise engagement portions extending radially inward in opposed relationship.

101. The syringe of claim 93, further comprising a sealing ring associated with the main body.