Methods and devices for autoflush syringes

• US 8,936,577 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2012
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bee Sight LLC
• Original Assignee: Shi Zi Technology, Ltd.
• Inventors: Christian, Jeffrey J., Laufer, Michael D., Lee, Martin N., Willis, Geoffrey H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Nathan R
• Application Number:
  US13/356,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20120197232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 604 82- 92, 604/191, 604/197, 604/198, 604/220, 604/231, 604/232, 604236-238
• US Class Current: 604/191
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1787 Syringes for sequential delivery of fluids, e.g. first medicament and then flushing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3106 Plugs for syringes without needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3123 having air entrapping or venting means, e.g. purging channels in pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3128 Incorporating one-way valves, e.g. pressure-relief or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31508 provided on the piston-rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31598 having multiple telescopically sliding coaxial pistons encompassing volumes for components to be mixed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• 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 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3146 Priming, e.g. purging, reducing backlash or clearance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/315 Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31596 comprising means for injection of two or more media, e.g. by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/502 for blocking the piston

Abstract

Described herein are syringe devices, systems and methods. In general, the syringe may include a first chamber and a cartridge movable within the first chamber. The cartridge may include a cartridge chamber and a valve in fluid communication with the cartridge chamber and the first chamber and having an open configuration and a closed configuration. The valve may allow movement of a liquid out of the cartridge chamber while in a open configuration. The cartridge may also include a second end, movable within the cartridge chamber, and a locking mechanism having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the locking mechanism preventing movement of the second end within the cartridge chamber while in the locked configuration.

Claims

1. A syringe comprising:

a first chamber;

a cartridge movable within the first chamber, wherein the cartridge comprises;

a cartridge chamber comprising a liquid disposed within the cartridge chamber and a fluid gap located in the cartridge chamber and adjacent to the liquid and retained adjacent to the liquid until displaced by a change in volume of the cartridge chamber,

a valve in fluid communication with the cartridge chamber and immediately adjacent to the fluid gap where the fluid gap separates the liquid disposed within the cartridge chamber from the first chamber, the first chamber and having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the valve allowing movement of a liquid out of the cartridge chamber while in an open configuration,

a second end, movable within the cartridge chamber, and

a locking mechanism having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the locking mechanism preventing movement of the second end within the cartridge chamber while in the locked configuration.

2. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises about 1 to 10 ml of liquid disposed within the cartridge chamber.

3. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises about 2 to 3 ml of liquid disposed within the cartridge chamber.

4. The syringe of claim 1, further comprising a second liquid disposed within the first chamber.

5. The syringe of claim 4, the valve preventing movement of the second liquid into the cartridge chamber.

6. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the volume of the cartridge chamber is constant while the valve is in the closed configuration.

7. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the valve is a one-way valve.

8. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the valve is a duckbill valve.

9. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a flexible arm having a first end and a second free end,

a tab coupled to the second free end, and

a groove configured to receive the tab.

10. The syringe of claim 9, wherein the first end of the flexible arm is coupled to the second end of the cartridge and the groove is defined by the inner surface of the cartridge.

11. The syringe of claim 9, wherein the flexible arm has an equilibrium configuration wherein the tab extends beyond the outer surface of the second end and a bent configuration wherein the tab does not extend beyond the outer surface of the second end.

12. The syringe of claim 11, wherein the tab includes a ramped surface, such that when the second end is rotated within the inner surface of the cartridge, the ramped surface interacts with the groove such that the flexible arm is moved from the equilibrium configuration to the bent configuration.

13. The syringe of claim 12, wherein the tab includes two ramped surfaces such that the second end may be rotated in two directions within the inner surface of the cartridge.

14. The syringe of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration when the flexible arm is in the equilibrium configuration and the tab is within the groove, and wherein the locking mechanism is in an unlocked configuration when the flexible arm is in the bent configuration and the tab is released from the groove.

15. The syringe of claim 14 above, further comprising an adjacent groove adapted to receive the tab when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked configuration.

16. The syringe of claim 9, wherein the tab is substantially triangular shaped.

17. The syringe of claim 9, wherein the tab is substantially semi-circular shaped.

18. The syringe of claim 9, further comprising a second groove configured to receive the tab when the second end is in the second distal position.

19. The syringe of claim 18 above, wherein the second groove extends around the circumference of the cartridge.

20. The syringe of claim 9, further comprising a first ridge on the inner surface of the cartridge, wherein the ridge is configured to prevent the withdrawal of the second end from the cartridge.

21. The syringe of claim 9, wherein the cartridge further comprises a first end that defines a channel in fluid communication with the cartridge chamber and the first chamber.

22. The syringe of claim 21 above, wherein the first end of the cartridge is coupled to the first chamber, such that when the second end of the cartridge is rotated within the cartridge the first end is not rotated.

23. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the first chamber has an oval cross section.

24. The syringe of claim 9, further comprising indicia that signify when the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked configuration.

25. The syringe of claim 9, further comprising a ridge coupled to an end of the groove, wherein the ridge is configured to prevent the tab from reentering the groove after it has been released.

26. The syringe of claim 9, wherein the second end of the cartridge further comprises a handle sized and configured to move the second end within the cartridge.

27. The syringe of claim 26 above, wherein the first end of the flexible arm is coupled to the handle.