Syringe plunger driver system

• US 7,150,724 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2002
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Cardinal Health 303 Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kasvikis, Spyros, Schwartz, Donald F., Morris, Matthew G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeSanto, Matthew F.
• Application Number:
  US10/164,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20030229311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,658 Days
• Field of Search: 604/65, 604/67, 604/151, 604/155, 604/246, 604/152, 604/154, 604/131, 604/134, 125/DIG.1, 125/DIG.12, 125/DIG.13
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1458 Means for capture of the plunger flange
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49769 Using optical instrument [excludes mere human eyeballing]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49771 Quantitative measuring or gauging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49776 Pressure, force, or weight determining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A syringe plunger driver system capable of capturing syringes of widely varying sizes comprises a pair of asymmetric plunger retainer arms pivotally mounted to a plunger driver. The system includes a low profile driver having a length that exceeds its width so that it may be mounted adjacent control modules and other operational modules. The arms are biased toward each other and one arm is longer than the other with a notch on an inside edge to receive the tip of the shorter arm when capturing small syringe flanges. A rotation knob mounted to the front surface of the low profile driver forces the arms apart when rotated to a first rotation position. A force sensor is mounted in the driver to detect occlusions in the fluid line. A processor monitors the force sensed by the force sensor and provides an alarm if the force exceeds a threshold. The driver includes a force concentrator that defines a pushing surface adapted to press against a plunger flange so that the force applied to the plunger flange is concentrated at a defined location for more accurate measurement.

Claims

1. A syringe plunger driver system for engaging syringe plungers of different sizes, each plunger having a plunger piston, a plunger flange having an outer diameter, and a plunger stem interconnecting the piston with the flange, and each plunger forming a part of a syringe, each syringe having a barrel in which the plunger moves, each plunger flange having an inner side facing the syringe barrel and an outer side, the syringe plunger driver system having a plunger driver adapted to move the syringe plunger into the syringe barrel in an operation mode, the syringe plunger driver system comprising:

a pushing surface located on the plunger driver adapted to press against the outer side of the plunger flange to move the flange toward the barrel during the operation mode wherein the pushing surface has a size that is large enough to engage plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters;

a plunger retainer located on the plunger driver adapted to capture adjacent the pushing surface of the plunger driver syringe plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters, the plunger retainer comprising;

a first arm having a first length and an inner edge, the first arm being movably mounted on the plunger driver to engage a plunger flange at a first location thereof;

a second arm movably mounted on the plunger driver having a second length shorter than the first length of the first arm to engage a plunger flange at a different location than the first arm such that the first and second arms apply force towards each other to the plunger flange to capture the flange;

wherein the ranges of movement of the first and second arms are selected so that the first and second arms engage plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters and in the operation mode, the plunger retainer having a plurality of operating configurations at least one of which comprises a tip of the second arm contacting the inner edge of the first arm when engaging a plunger flange that is relatively small and a second of which comprises the first and second arms not touching each other when engaging a plunger flange that is relatively large; and

a bias device connected with the first and second arms to bias the arms toward each other to capture the plunger flange between the first and second arms.

2. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 1 further comprising a force detector located in the plunger driver and adapted to sense force exerted by the pushing surface against the plunger flange, the force detector outputting a force signal representative of the force exerted against the plunger flange.

3. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 2 wherein the force detector is in contact with the pushing surface.

4. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 3 wherein the pushing surface comprises a movable flange contact plate.

5. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 4 wherein the movable flange contact plate is pivotally mounted.

6. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 2 further comprising a processor in communication with the force signal that compares the force signal against a threshold and provides an alarm signal if the force signal exceeds the threshold.

7. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 2 wherein the plunger driver includes a force concentrator that defines the pushing surface, whereby the force exerted against the plunger flange is concentrated on the pushing surface of the force concentrator so that the force detector can accurately sense the force exerted.

8. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms have inside edges facing each other and the first arm comprises a notch on its inside edge for receiving the tip of the second arm.

9. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 8 wherein the arms are pivotally mounted to the plunger driver in selected locations such that the bias device will move the tip of the second arm into the notch of the first arm when no flange is present between the first and second arms.

10. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 9 wherein the first and second arms are pivotally mounted to the plunger driver such that when a flange is properly positioned at the plunger driver in preparation for the operation mode the arms will be equidistantly spaced from the flange on either side of the flange.

11. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 8 wherein the inside edge of at least one of the first and second arms comprises an anti-siphon ledge configured to engage the inner side of the plunger flange to restrain the plunger flange from movement toward the syringe barrel.

12. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 1 wherein the plunger driver has a rear surface that is mounted to a guide device that controls the movement of the plunger driver to be parallel with the plunger stem, the plunger driver having a front surface opposite the rear surface and defining a length of the plunger driver between the front and rear surfaces, and two lateral surfaces located between the front and rear surfaces, the lateral surfaces defining a width of the plunger driver, the length of the plunger driver being longer than the width.

13. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 12 further comprising a control device mounted to the front surface of the plunger driver and interconnected with the first and second arms, the control device having a first position at which it moves the first and second arms outwardly into a syringe plunger non-engagement position in opposition to the bias device to permit easy loading of the syringe plunger flange to the plunger driver, and a second position at which the control device permits the first and second arms to capture the syringe plunger flange.

14. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 13 wherein the control device comprises a rotation knob having a first rotation position at which it moves the first and second arms outwardly into the syringe plunger non-engagement position in opposition to the first bias device, and a second rotation position at which the rotation knob does not prevent the first and second arms from capturing the syringe plunger flange.

15. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms are pivotally mounted to the plunger driver at positions that are equidistant from a location where a syringe plunger flange would be properly mounted to the plunger driver in the operation mode, the first and second arms having different lengths with the longer arm having a notch formed on its inside edge for receiving the tip of the shorter arm when the first and second arms are brought toward each other by the bias device.

16. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 15 wherein the first and second arms are curved inwardly, whereby the first and second arms are adapted to capture syringe plunger flanges of different sizes.

17. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 1 wherein the bias device comprises a spring connected with the plunger retainer that biases the arms pivotally inward towards each other, the spring having enough force to retain a plunger flange in between the arms during the operation mode.

18. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 1 wherein the arms are asymmetric.

19. A syringe plunger driver system for engaging syringe plungers of different sizes, each plunger having a plunger piston, a plunger flange having an outer diameter, and a plunger stem interconnecting the piston with the flange, and each plunger forming a part of a syringe, each syringe having a barrel in which the plunger moves, each plunger flange having an inner side facing the syringe barrel and an outer side, the syringe plunger driver system having a plunger driver adapted to move the syringe plunger into the syringe barrel in an operation mode, the syringe plunger driver system comprising:

a pushing surface located on the plunger driver adapted to press against the outer side of the plunger flange to move the flange toward the barrel during the operation mode wherein the pushing surface has a size that is large enough to engage plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters;

a plunger retainer located on the plunger driver adapted to capture adjacent the pushing surface of the plunger driver syringe plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters, the plunger retainer comprising;

a first arm having a first length and an inner edge, the first arm being movably mounted on the plunger driver to engage a plunger flange at a first location thereof;

a second arm movably mounted on the plunger driver having a second length shorter than the first length of the first arm to engage a plunger flange at a different location than the first arm such that the first and second arms apply force towards each other to the plunger flange to capture the flange;

wherein the ranges of movement of the first and second arms are selected so that the first and second arms engage plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters and in the operation mode, the plunger retainer having a plurality of operating configurations at least one of which comprises a tip of the second arm contacting the inner edge of the first arm when engaging a plunger flange that is relatively small and a second of which comprises the first and second arms not touching each other when engaging a plunger flange that is relatively large;

wherein the first and second arms have inside edges facing each other and the first arm comprises a notch on its inside edge for receiving the tip of the second arm and the arms are pivotally mounted to the plunger driver in selected locations such that the bias device will move the tip of the second arm into the notch of the first arm when no flange is present between the first and second arms;

wherein the inside edge of at least one of the first and second arms comprises an anti-siphon ledge configured to engage the inner side of the plunger flange to restrain the plunger flange from movement toward the syringe barrel; and

a bias device connected with the first and second arms to bias the arms toward each other to capture the plunger flange between the first and second arms.

20. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 19 further comprising a force detector located in the plunger driver and adapted to sense force exerted by the pushing surface against the plunger flange, the force detector outputting a force signal representative of the force exerted against the plunger flange.

21. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 20 wherein the plunger driver includes a force concentrator that defines the pushing surface, whereby the force exerted against the plunger flange is concentrated on the pushing surface of the force concentrator so that the force detector can accurately sense the force exerted.

22. A syringe plunger driver system for engaging syringe plungers of different sizes, each plunger having a plunger piston, a plunger flange having an outer diameter, and a plunger stem interconnecting the piston with the flange, and each plunger forming a part of a syringe, each syringe having a barrel in which the plunger moves, each plunger flange having an inner side facing the syringe barrel and an outer side, the syringe plunger driver system having a plunger driver adapted to move the syringe plunger into the syringe barrel in an operation mode, the syringe plunger driver system comprising:

a pushing surface located on the plunger driver adapted to press against the outer side of the plunger flange to move the flange toward the barrel during the operation mode wherein the pushing surface has a size that is large enough to engage plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters;

a plunger retainer located on the plunger driver adapted to capture adjacent the pushing surface of the plunger driver syringe plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters, the plunger retainer comprising;

a first arm having a first length and an inner edge, the first arm being movably mounted on the plunger driver to engage a plunger flange at a first location thereof;

a second arm movably mounted on the plunger driver having a second length shorter than the first length of the first arm to engage a plunger flange at a different location than the first arm such that the first and second arms apply force towards each other to the plunger flange to capture the flange;

wherein the ranges of movement of the first and second arms are selected so that the first and second arms engage plunger flanges ranging from relatively small to relatively large outer diameters and in the operation mode, the plunger retainer having a plurality of operating configurations at least one of which comprises a tip of the second arm contacting the inner edge of the first arm when engaging a plunger flange that is relatively small and a second of which comprises the first and second arms not touching each other when engaging a plunger flange that is relatively large;

wherein the first and second arms have inside edges facing each other and the first arm comprises a notch on its inside edge for receiving the tip of the second arm and the arms are pivotally mounted to the plunger driver in selected locations such that the bias device will move the tip of the second arm into the notch of the first arm when no flange is present between the first and second arms;

wherein the inside edge of at least one of the first and second arms comprises an anti-siphon ledge configured to engage the inner side of the plunger flange to restrain the plunger flange from movement toward the syringe barrel;

wherein the first and second arms are curved inwardly, whereby the first and second arms are adapted to capture syringe plunger flanges of different sizes; and

a bias device connected with the first and second arms to bias the arms toward each other to capture the plunger flange between the first and second arms.

23. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 22 further comprising a force detector located in the plunger driver and adapted to sense force exerted by the pushing surface against the plunger flange, the force detector outputting a force signal representative of the force exerted against the plunger flange.

24. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 23 wherein the plunger driver includes a force concentrator that defines the pushing surface, whereby the force exerted against the plunger flange is concentrated on the pushing surface of the force concentrator so that the force detector can accurately sense the force exerted.

25. A syringe plunger driver system for engaging syringe plungers of different sizes, each plunger having a plunger piston, a plunger flange, and a plunger stem interconnecting the piston with the flange, and each plunger forming a part of a syringe, each syringe having a barrel in which the plunger moves, each plunger flange having an inner side facing the syringe barrel and an outer side, the syringe plunger driver system having a plunger driver adapted to move the syringe plunger into the syringe barrel in an operation mode, the syringe plunger driver system comprising:

a pushing surface located on the plunger driver adapted to press against the outer side of the plunger flange to move the flange toward the barrel during the operation mode;

a plunger retainer located on the plunger driver adapted to capture the plunger of the syringe, the plunger retainer comprising;

a first arm mounted on the plunger driver; and

a second arm mounted on the plunger driver at a location spaced-apart from the first arm, said first and second arms being asymmetric;

a bias device connected with the first and second arms to bias the arms toward each other to capture the plunger flange between the first and second arms; and

a control device mounted to a front surface of the plunger driver and interconnected with the first and second arms, the front surface being perpendicular to the pushing surface, the control device including a rotation knob comprising an exposed surface for manual manipulation, the rotation knob having a first rotation position at which the knob moves the first and second arms outwardly into a syringe plunger non-engagement position in opposition to the bias device, and a second rotation position at which the knob does not prevent the first and second arms from capturing the syringe plunger flange;

wherein rotational movement of the rotation knob is substantially parallel to the front surface.

26. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 25 wherein the exposed surface being substantially parallel to the pushing surface when the rotation knob is in the first rotation position, thereby permitting the rotation knob to be used as a handle for moving the pushing surface so that it presses against the outer side of the plunger flange, and the exposed surface being non-parallel to the pushing surface when the rotation knob is in the second rotation position.

27. The syringe plunger driver system of claim 25 wherein the control knob comprises a raised flange for manual maniipulation of the control knob.