Directly engaged syringe driver system

• US 7,338,472 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2003
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Cardinal Health 303 Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shearn, James G. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US10/657,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20040049161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,638 Days
• Field of Search: 604/65, 604/66, 604/67, 604/131, 604/132, 604/134, 604/135, 604/152, 604/154, 604/155, 604/156, 604/208, 604/211
• US Class Current: 604/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14573 with a replaceable reservoir for quick connection/disconnection with a driving system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• 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: A61M 5/1684 by detecting the amount of infusate remaining, e.g. signalling end of infusion

Abstract

A syringe driver system comprises a rotatable threaded lead screw shaft and a plunger which directly engages the threaded shaft such that rotation of the shaft drives the plunger into the syringe body. The plunger is formed with a threaded shaft engaging portion in the form of a half nut to engage with and follow the threaded shaft. The syringe driver system further comprises a guide system to secure the plunger in direct engagement with the threaded shaft and to prevent rotation of the plunger. An arm of the plunger stem carries markers useful in determining the near end of infusion. The syringe body carries a marker or markers useful in determining a characteristic about the syringe, such as its volume.

Claims

1. A syringe for use in a fluid delivery apparatus having a threaded shaft, said syringe comprising:

a syringe body;

a plunger stem having a distal end and a proximal end;

a stopper positioned at the distal end of the stem, the stopper sized to fit within the syringe body; and

a flange positioned at the proximal end of the stem and outside of the syringe body, the flange extending radially outwardly from the stem and having a threaded portion sized to engage the threaded shaft, wherein the flange has radially outwardly facing edges, the threaded portion being adjacent the edges, the edges formed to guide the threaded portion onto the threaded shaft;

wherein the plunger stem comprises an open area in the area extending from the threaded portion to the stopper to receive the threaded shaft.

2. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the threaded portion is molded into the flange.

3. The syringe of claim 1 wherein a guide slot is provided on the plunger substantially opposite the threaded portion, the guide slot configured to receive a guide rail to securely seat the threaded portion on the threaded shaft.

4. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the plunger stem comprises a plurality of markers adapted to indicate the movement and position of the plunger within the syringe body.

5. The syringe of claim 4 wherein the plurality of markers comprise a linear grid.

6. The syringe of claim 4 wherein an area of the plunger between the markers is substantially opaque and the markers comprise substantially transparent portions.

7. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the plunger includes a marker indicative of the position of the plunger, the marker mounted so as to move with the plunger.

8. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the syringe body includes a syringe identification marker indicative of a characteristic of the syringe;

and

the system further comprising a syringe detection system including a detector for detecting the identification marking of the syringe, the syringe detector system adapted to provide a signal in accordance with the identification marking detected.

9. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the flange includes a cut-out within which the threaded portion is disposed and the edges of the flange flare away from the cut-out to give the cut-out a non-clamping rounded V-shape wherein the V-shape guides the flange over the threaded shaft to engage the threaded portion with the threaded shaft but does not exert a clamping force to the threaded shaft.

10. A syringe for use in a fluid delivery apparatus having a threaded shaft, said syringe comprising:

a syringe body;

a plunger stem having a distal end and a proximal end;

a stopper positioned at the distal end of the stem, the stopper sized to fit within the syringe body; and

a flange positioned at the proximal end of the stem and outside of the syringe body, the flange extending radially outwardly from the stem, the flange having a thread facing outwardly, the thread sized to engage the threaded shaft, wherein the flange includes a cut-out within which the thread is disposed, the flange having edges that flare away from the cut-out to give the cut-out a non-clamping rounded V-shape wherein the V-shape guides the flange over the threaded shaft to engage the thread with the threaded shaft but does not exert a clamping force to the threaded shaft;

wherein a guide slot is provided on the plunger substantially opposite the thread, the guide slot configured to receive a guide rail to securely seat the thread on the threaded shaft.

11. The syringe of claim 10 wherein the thread is molded into the flange.

12. The syringe of claim 10 wherein the plunger stem comprises an open area in the area extending from the thread to the stopper to receive the threaded shaft.

13. The syringe of claim 10 wherein the plunger comprises a plurality of markers adapted to indicate the movement and position of the plunger within the syringe body.

14. The syringe of claim 13 wherein the plurality of markers comprise a linear grid.

15. The syringe of claim 13 wherein an area of the plunger between the markers is substantially opaque and the markers comprise substantially transparent portions.

16. The syringe of claim 10 wherein the plunger includes a marker indicative of the position of the plunger, the marker mounted so as to move with the plunger.

17. The syringe of claim 10 wherein the syringe includes a syringe identification marker indicative of a characteristic of the syringe.

18. A syringe for use in a fluid delivery apparatus having a threaded shaft, said syringe comprising:

a syringe body;

a plunger stem having a distal end and a proximal end;

a stopper positioned at the distal end of the stem, the stopper sized to fit within the syringe body; and

a flange positioned at the proximal end of the stem and outside of the syringe body, the flange comprising radially outwardly facing edges and a threaded portion adjacent the edges, the threaded portion sized to engage the threaded shaft, wherein the flange includes a cut-out within which the threaded portion is disposed and edges of the flange flare away from the cut-out to give the cut-out a non-clamping rounded V-shape wherein the V-shape guides the flange over the threaded shaft to engage the threaded portion with the threaded shaft but does not exert a clamping force to the threaded shaft;

wherein the plunger stem comprises an open area in the area extending from the threaded portion to the stopper to receive the threaded shaft.

19. The syringe of claim 18 wherein the threaded portion is molded into the flange.

20. The syringe of claim 18 wherein a guide slot is provided on the plunger substantially opposite the threaded portion, the guide slot configured to receive a guide rail to securely seat the threaded portion of the flange on the threaded shaft.

21. The syringe of claim 18 wherein the plunger comprises a plurality of markers adapted to indicate the movement and position of the plunger within the syringe body.

22. The syringe of claim 21 wherein the plurality of markers comprise a linear grid.

23. The syringe of claim 21 wherein an area of the plunger between the markers is substantially opaque and the markers comprise substantially transparent portions.

24. The syringe of claim 18 wherein the plunger includes a marker indicative of the position of the plunger, the marker mounted so as to move with the plunger.

25. The syringe of claim 18 wherein the syringe includes a syringe identification marker indicative of a characteristic of the syringe.