Medication cartridge injection assembly

• US 8,932,268 B1
• Filed: 09/23/2013
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward D. Struzinski
• Original Assignee: Edward D. Struzinski
• Inventors: Struzinski, Edward D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, ANH T
• Application Number:
  US14/033,873
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 604/27, 604/36, 604/38, 604/59, 604/60, 604/61, 604/62, 604/63, 604/64, 604/71, 604/72, 604/93.01, 604/181, 604/187, 604/19, 604/200, 604/201, 604/205, 604/218, 604/220, 604/223, 604/227, 604/228, 604232-235
• US Class Current: 604/218
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/005 Magazines with multiple ampoules directly inserted into an injection or infusion device, e.g. revolver-like magazines containing ampoules with or without needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3125 specific display means, e.g. to indicate dose setting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/19 having more than one chamber , e.g. including a manifold coupling two parallelly aligned syringes through separate channels to a common discharge assembly surgical glue applicators A61B17/00491
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2448 comprising means for injection of two or more media, e.g. by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3137 Specially designed finger grip means, e.g. for easy manipulation of the syringe rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31568 Means keeping track of the total dose administered, e.g. since the cartridge was inserted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3157 Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed A61M5/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/026 of the gun type hand operated grease guns F16N3/12

Abstract

A medication cartridge injection assembly facilitates and tracks dispensation of medication such as epinephrine during a heart attack. The assembly includes a frame and a housing having a plurality of chambers holding cartridges of medication. A barrel is coupled to the frame and selectively alignable with each chamber. A plunger is aligned with the barrel to engage the cartridge positioned in an aligned chamber. An actuator engages the cartridge upon manipulation of the actuator. A processor is operationally coupled to a timer actuated by manipulation of the actuator. An alert mechanism is operationally coupled to the processor to provide an alert related to a time expired since a most recent dispensing of medication.

Claims

1. A medication cartridge injection assembly comprising:

a frame;

a housing rotatably coupled to said frame;

a plurality of chambers extending through said housing, each chamber being configured for receiving and holding a cartridge of a dose of medication;

a barrel coupled to said frame, each said chamber being selectively alignable with said barrel;

an intravenous connection port coupled to a distal end of said barrel relative to said frame;

a plunger coupled to said frame, said plunger being aligned with said barrel wherein said plunger is configured to engage and dispense the dose of medication from the cartridge positioned in an aligned one of said chambers through said barrel;

an actuator coupled to said frame, said plunger being operationally coupled to said actuator wherein said plunger engages the cartridge upon manipulation of said actuator;

a processor coupled to said frame;

a timer operationally coupled to said processor, said timer being actuated by manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication;

an alert mechanism coupled to said frame, said alert mechanism being operationally coupled to said processor wherein said alert mechanism provides an alert related to a time expired since a most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from the aligned cartridge;

said plunger extending into said aligned chamber wherein said plunger is configured to urge the cartridge in said aligned chamber into said barrel; and

a needle coupled to and positioned in said barrel wherein said needle is configured to pierce the cartridge dispensing the dose of medication through said intravenous connection port.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member coupled to and positioned in said barrel wherein said biasing member is configured to urge the cartridge back into said aligned chamber when said plunger is withdrawn from said aligned chamber.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising said alert mechanism comprising a speaker operationally coupled to said processor, said processor being programmed to selectively broadcast an audible sound from said speaker relevant to the time expired since the most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from the aligned cartridge.

4. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising said alert mechanism comprising a first indicator light, said first indicator light being illuminated when said actuator is not being manipulated.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising said alert mechanism comprising a second indicator light, said second indicator light being illuminated immediately upon manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from the aligned cartridge and remaining illuminated while said actuator is being manipulated.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising said alert mechanism comprising a third indicator light, said third indicator light being illuminated a pre-determined time after the most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from an aligned cartridge.

7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising said first indicator light being a first color, said second indicator light being a second color distinguishable from said first color, and said third indicator light being a third color distinguishable from said first color and said second color.

8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a proximal end of said barrel being threadingly coupled to said frame.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to said frame, said display being operationally coupled to said processor and said timer for displaying an elapsed time since the most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from an aligned cartridge.

10. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising said processor being operationally coupled to said display to display a number of doses administered from said housing.

11. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising said processor being operationally coupled to said display to display a number of doses remaining in said housing.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hammer coupled to said frame wherein manipulation of said hammer engages said housing such that said housing is rotated to align said barrel from a first one of said chambers into alignment with an adjacently positioned one of said chambers.

13. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising said processor being operationally coupled to said actuator such that said actuator is prevented from being actuated until after a selected time expired since the most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from an aligned cartridge.

14. A medication cartridge injection assembly comprising:

a frame;

a housing rotatably coupled to said frame, said housing being transparent;

a plurality of chambers extending through said housing, each chamber being configured for receiving and holding a cartridge of a dose of medication;

a barrel coupled to said frame, each said chamber being selectively alignable with said barrel;

an intravenous connection port coupled to a distal end of said barrel relative to said frame;

a plunger coupled to said frame, said plunger being aligned with said barrel wherein said plunger is configured to engage and dispense the dose of medication from the cartridge positioned in an aligned one of said chambers through said barrel, said plunger extending into said aligned chamber wherein said plunger is configured to urge the cartridge in said aligned chamber into said barrel;

an actuator coupled to said frame, said plunger being operationally coupled to said actuator wherein said plunger engages the cartridge upon manipulation of said actuator;

a processor coupled to said frame;

a timer operationally coupled to said processor, said timer being actuated by manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication;

an alert mechanism coupled to said frame, said alert mechanism being operationally coupled to said processor wherein said alert mechanism provides an alert related to a time expired since a most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from the aligned cartridge, said alert mechanism comprising a speaker operationally coupled to said processor, said processor being programmed to selectively broadcast an audible sound from said speaker relevant to the time expired since the most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from the aligned cartridge, said alert mechanism comprising a first indicator light, said first indicator light being illuminated when said actuator is not being manipulated, said alert mechanism comprising a second indicator light, said second indicator light being illuminated immediately upon manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from the aligned cartridge and remaining illuminated while said actuator is being manipulated, said alert mechanism comprising a third indicator light, said third indicator light being illuminated a pre-determined time after the most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from an aligned cartridge, said first indicator light being a first color, said second indicator light being a second color distinguishable from said first color, and said third indicator light being a third color distinguishable from said first color and said second color;

a needle coupled to and positioned in said barrel wherein said needle is configured to pierce the cartridge dispensing the dose of medication through an intravenous connection port;

a biasing member coupled to and positioned in said barrel wherein said biasing member is configured to urge the cartridge back into said aligned chamber when said plunger is withdrawn from said aligned chamber;

a proximal end of said barrel being threadingly coupled to said frame;

a display coupled to said frame, said display being operationally coupled to said processor and said timer for displaying an elapsed time since the most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from an aligned cartridge, said processor being operationally coupled to said display to display a number of doses administered from said housing, said processor being operationally coupled to said display to display a number of doses remaining in said housing;

a hammer coupled to said frame wherein manipulation of said hammer engages said housing such that said housing is rotated to align said barrel from a first one of said chambers into alignment with an adjacently positioned one of said chambers;

a transparent panel being coupled to said frame, said transparent panel being positioned adjacent to said housing and aligned with said barrel permitting visual inspection of said cartridge aligned with said barrel; and

indicia being positioned on opposite sides of said transparent panel indicating dosage levels.

15. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising said processor being operationally coupled to said actuator such that said actuator is prevented from being actuated until after a selected time expired since the most recent manipulation of said actuator dispensing the dose of medication from an aligned cartridge.