Syringe device with resistive ridges and methods of use

• US 6,972,006 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2002
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: G6 Science Corp.
• Original Assignee: G6 Science Corp.
• Inventors: Ferguson, Gary William
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/246,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20040054332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 604/82, 604/218, 604/220, 604/221, 604/230, 604/186, 604/191, 604/208, 604/209, 604/210
• US Class Current: 604/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31506 formed as a single piece, e.g. moulded
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence

Abstract

A syringe device incorporating ridges that cause resistive changes to the movement of the syringe gasket or plunger, thereby providing user feedback as to the position and speed of plunger movement. Such user feedback may be useful in stressful situations, under poor lighting conditions or in other unfavorable circumstances. Additionally, in certain embodiments these ridges may aid in accurate dispension or allow the syringe to derive additional functionality, such as performing as a vacuum source. Ridges can be protrusions such as tabs, bubbles or continuous rings for single or repeated use or these ridges may be formed as indentations. Ridges may be formed in patterns, in various sizes and shapes or these ridges may be mixed and matched as required or desired. Ridges may also be formed from a soluble material and the resistive change may itself provide indication that the material has been substantially dissolved and dispensed. In some embodiments these ridges are formed primarily within the barrel portion of the syringe. In other embodiments these ridges may be formed on the plunger stem of the syringe. Ridges may be constructed to provide one type of resistive change during the aspiration stroke and a different resistive change to motion in the opposite direction.

Claims

1. A syringe device comprising:

a hollow member having an inner wall,

a sealing gasket disposed within said member,

a plunger connected to said scaling gasket, said plunger implemented to produce movement of said sealing gasket within said member along a path defined by a first position and a second position, in a first direction and in a second direction,

at least one ridge formed on said inner wall between said first position and said second position, each said at least one ridge providing a change in resistance to said movement of said sealing gasket along said path and said sealing gasket being configured to maintain a seal between said sealing gasket and said inner wall during said movement.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one ridge comprises at least one tab.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one ridge comprises a continuous ring.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one ridge comprises a collapsible bubble.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said change provided by at least one of said at least one ridge is an increase.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said change provided by at least one of said at least one ridge is a decrease.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one ridge is made of a material that dissolves when a solvent is aspirated.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said change in resistance provides an indication of a continued presence of a material, not yet dissolved in said solvent.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one ridge comprises a plurality of ridges.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said plurality of ridges are arranged in a sequence.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said plurality of ridges comprises ridges of at least two different sizes, wherein said change in resistance depends on the size of said ridge.

12. The syringe device of claim 1 wherein said at least one ridge provides a first change in said resistance to said movement in said first direction and a second change in said resistance to said movement in said second direction.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said at least one ridge comprises at least one tab.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said at least one ridge comprises a continuous ring.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein said at least one ridge comprises a collapsible bubble.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein said change provided by at least one of said at least one ridge is an increase.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein said chance provided by at least one of said at least one ridge is a decrease.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein said at least one ridge is made of a material that dissolves when said gasket moves over said ridge.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein said at least one ridge comprises a plurality of ridges.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein said plurality of ridges are arranged in a sequence.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein said plurality of ridges comprises ridges of at least two different sizes, wherein said change in resistance depends on the size of said ridge.

26. The device of claim 9, wherein said plurality of ridges comprises ridges of at least two different shapes, wherein said change in resistance depends on the shape of said ridge.

27. The device of claim 19, wherein said plurality of ridges comprises ridges of at least two different shapes, wherein said change in resistance depends on the shape of said ridge.

22. A syringe device comprising:

a member defining a passageway through said member, said passageway having a first region and a second region, said first region having an inner diameter tapering from a first inner diameter at a first end distal to said second region to a second inner diameter at a second end proximal to said second region;

said second region having said second inner diameter throughout;

a sealing gasket disposed within said cylindrical member; and

a plunger to cause a movement of said gasket within said passageway in a first direction and in a second direction;

said gasket maintaining a seal between said gasket and said passageway during said movement; and

a resistance to said movement is constant in said second region and is variable in said first region.

23. The syringe device of claim 22, wherein said second inner diameter is smaller than said first inner diameter.

24. The syringe device of claim 23, further comprising a third region proximal to said first region and having said first inner diameter throughout and wherein said resistance is constant in said third region.

25. The syringe device of claim 22, further comprising a third region proximal to said first region and having said first inner diameter throughout and wherein said resistance is constant in said third region.