Multi-mode syringe

• US 9,504,816 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2009
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Syringetech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Syringetech, LLC
• Inventors: Bunch, Jesse, Ingber, Abraham
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhisma
• Assistant Examiner(s): STILES, AMBER R.
• Application Number:
  US12/405,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20090234323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,814 Days
• Field of Search: 604/167.02, 604/110, 604/192, 604/198, 604/237, 604/207, 604186-187, 604246-247, 604/201, 604/95.04, 604 9902- 9904
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/242 designed to open when a predetermined pressure or flow rate has been reached, e.g. check valve actuated by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/244 Hinged closure member, e.g. flap valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/2493 Check valve with complex design, e.g. several inlets and outlets and several check valves in one body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• 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 5/3293 characterised by features of the needle hub
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion

Abstract

A syringe cartridge includes a multi-mode device that defines at least two flow regimes having flow rates that differ in response to the same value of a variable. The multi-mode device defines three flow paths. The first flow path allows flow in only a first direction. The second flow path is configured to allow flow below a predetermined rate in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a variable having a value below a threshold. The third path is configured to allow flow in the second direction at a rate higher than the predetermined rate in response to the variable reaching a value at or above the threshold.

Claims

1. A multi-mode, syringe device, comprising:

a body sized for placement within a syringe assembly, the syringe assembly including a plunger assembly, the body defining three flow paths, the body configured to form flow in only a first direction through a first flow path of the three flow paths, the body configured to automatically form flow below a predetermined rate in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a variable having a value below a threshold through a second flow path of the three flow paths, the body configured to automatically form flow in the second direction at a rate higher than the predetermined rate in response to the variable reaching a value at or above the threshold through a third flow path of the three flow paths, wherein the variable is a force in the second direction applied to the plunger assembly of the syringe assembly.

2. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 1, wherein the second and third flow paths are configured to have flow rates that differ in response to the same value of the variable.

3. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 1, wherein the body defines a first through hole forming the first flow path, a second through hole forming the second flow path, and a third through hole forming the third flow path.

4. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 3, further comprising a first valve located at an end of the first through hole, a second valve located at an end of the second through hole, and a third valve located at an end of the third through hole.

5. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 3, wherein the first through hole is smaller than the second through hole, and the second through hole is smaller than the third through hole.

6. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 1, wherein the body defines a first through hole forming the second flow path, and at least one second through hole forming the third flow path.

7. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 6, wherein the first through hole is smaller than the second through hole.

8. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 6, further comprising a flow restriction member located at an end of the second through hole, wherein the flow restriction member is configured to be removed in response to the variable reaching a value at or above the threshold.

9. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 6, wherein the body defines multiple second through holes forming the third flow path.

10. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 6, wherein the body defines a one-way valve forming the first flow path, the one-way valve forming flow only in the first direction.

11. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be received within a needle hilt of the syringe assembly.

12. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be received within a housing of the syringe assembly.

13. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be attached to a plunger of the syringe assembly.

14. A syringe assembly, comprising:

a syringe including a plunger assembly; and

a body sized for placement within the syringe, the body defining three flow paths, the body configured to form flow in only a first direction through a first flow path of the three flow paths, the body configured to automatically form flow below a predetermined rate in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a variable having a value below a threshold through a second flow path of the three flow paths, the body configured to automatically form flow in the second direction at a rate higher than the predetermined rate in response to the variable reaching a value at or above the threshold through a third flow path of the three flow paths, wherein the variable is a force in the second direction applied to the plunger assembly of the syringe.

15. A multi-mode, syringe device comprising:

a body sized for placement within a syringe assembly, the syringe assembly including a plunger assembly and the body including;

a first flow path including a flow regulation assembly configured to permit flow in only a first direction through the first flow path,

a second flow path including a flow regulation assembly configured to automatically restrict flow through the second flow path below a predetermined rate in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a variable having a value below a threshold, and

a third flow path including a flow regulation assembly configured to automatically permit flow through the third flow path in the second direction at a rate higher than the predetermined rate in response to the variable reaching a value at or above the threshold,

wherein the variable is a force in the second direction applied to the plunger assembly of the syringe.

16. The multi-mode, syringe device of claim 15, wherein the flow regulation assembly of the second flow path and the flow regulation assembly of the third flow path together comprise a single valve configured to open a first amount in response to the variable having a value below the threshold and to open a second amount greater than the first amount in response to the variable reaching a value at or above the threshold.