Abstrict A disposable syringe apparatus with retractable body entering conduit
which reduces the frequency of accidental needle strikes to health
care workers and prevents health-threatening reuse of the syringe
by drug abusers. The device includes a cylinder having an open proximal
end, a closed distal end, and a body entering conduit projecting
through the distal end. A piston assembly is included having a member
at its distal end for engaging the aperture at the proximal end
of the body entering conduit following expulsion of fluid materials.
The piston is then withdrawn proximally through the cylinder relocating
the body entering conduit fully within the interior of the cylinder.
The body entering conduit and piston are locked in place by a member
for a tapering cam on the exterior of the piston and retainers on
the interior of the cylinder. The distal end of cylinder is then
frictionally engaged in the syringe cap as it awaits on a plane
surface thereby rendering the body entering conduit permanently
irretrievable and the cylinder aperture safely locked closed.
Claims What is claimed as invention is:
1. A syringe apparatus which comprises:
a) a substantially cylindrical hollow barrel portion herein described
as cylinder having a substantially closed distal end and an open
proximal end and having flange shoulder portions extending outwardly
form the cylinder surface at the proximal end as a gripping means;
b) a body entering conduit at least partially contained within
said hollow cylinder portion and at times partially extruding therefrom;
c) a means for the frictional sealing at the distal end of the
cylinder so that the distal end remains closed after retraction
of the body entering conduit;
d) a piston assembly movable reciprocally and axially through said
cylinder;
e) means for detachably connecting the proximal end of the body
entering conduit to said piston assembly distal end so that when
said conduit and said assembly are connected said piston moves in
unison with said body entering conduit;
f) means for detachably connecting the distal end of the piston
assembly to said proximal end of the body entering conduit so that
when said conduit and said assembly are connected said conduit moves
in unison with said piston;
g) means for anchoring said detachable piston connecting means
at said piston assembly distal end;
h) means for locking the piston assembly and the attached body
entering conduit within the cylinder following retraction of the
body entering conduit within the cylinder by reciprocal and axial
movement thereof, said means comprising a tapering spiral ribbed
cam on the piston;
i) said means for locking the piston assembly and the detachably
connected body entering conduit within the cylinder following retraction
of the body entering conduit within the cylinder further comprising
ribbed retainers on the interior of the cylinder allowing for only
one way, one time use of the syringe apparatus when engaged with
said cam.
2. The syringe apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
a cap for said syringe, said cap comprising:
a) a hollow cylindrical portion having a flared, open distal end
and a closed proximal end for mounting said device on a plane surface;
b) means at the distal end of said cap for frictionally connecting
with the most proximal end of the syringe piston assembly prior
to use of the syringe;
c) means around the circumference of the distal end of the cap
for frictionally connecting with the distal end of the syringe;
d) said cap distal end frictionally connecting means comprising
a plurality of locking tabs around the interior circumference of
the cylindrical cap.
3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said body entering conduit
comprises a means for an aperture at its proximal end;
a. said means detachably connecting with the distal end of the
piston so that the body entering conduit moves in unison with said
piston reciprocally through said syringe cylinder toward the proximal
end of the cylinder such that the conduit extends completely within
the interior of the cylinder.
4. The apparatus in, claim 1 wherein said piston comprises a hooking
means and an attached anchoring device for anchoring said hooking
means at the distal end of said piston;
a. said hooking means detachably connecting with the proximal end
of the body entering conduit so that the conduit moves in unison
with said piston reciprocally through said cylinder toward the proximal
end of the cylinder such that the conduit extends completely within
the interior of the cylinder.
5. A method of retracting a body entering conduit of a syringe
following injection and capping said syringe comprising the following
steps:
a. providing a syringe cap apparatus having a substantially cylindrical
hollow portion with means to attach to and detach from the proximal
end of the syringe piston;
b. detaching said cap;
c. placing said cap on a plane surface awaiting receipt of the
cylinder;
d. providing a syringe apparatus having a substantially cylindrical
hollow barrel portion open at the proximal end and substantially
closed at the distal end;
e. providing a body entering conduit protruding through a sealing
device at the distal end of the cylinder and movable to a retracted
position within the cylinder:
f. providing a piston portion insertable into the hollow of said
cylinder portion and movable within said cylinder;
g. providing a means for engaging the body entering conduit to
the distal end of the piston;
h. inserting said piston portion into said cylinder;
i. preparing said body entering conduit and piston for injecting
fluid to be administered;
j. inserting said body entering conduit into the fluid to be administered;
k. retracting said piston thus drawing fluid into the area between
said body entering conduit and said piston within the cylinder;
l. inserting the conduit into patient;
m. plunging piston into a position adjacent to body entering conduit
thus forcing said fluid into said patient;
n. withdrawing body entering conduit from patient;
o. engaging devices connecting proximal end of body entering conduit
to distal end of piston;
p. retracting said conduit until entire body entering conduit is
within interior syringe cylinder;
q. engaging means comprising a tapering spiral ribbed cam on said
piston and ribbed retainers on interior cylinder wall as a means
for locking the body entering conduit and piston within the cylinder;
r. engaging distal end of cylinder to syringe cap by frictional
pressure.
6. The method in claim 5 further comprising the step of disposing
of said apparatus following the retraction of said body entering
conduit into said cylinder and capping of said cylinder.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The apparatus of the present embodiment of the invention relates
to syringes. More particularly, the apparatus of the present embodiment
of the invention relates to syringes having a body entering conduit
which is retractable prior to or after injection, having a piston
movable reciprocally and axially within a cylinder portion, having
a piston locking device and a cap device providing protection for
the aperture for the body entering conduit following retraction.
2. Prior Art
Syringes are used for the injection or removal of fluent material
for a variety of necessary medical procedures. However, after the
injection procedure is completed, problems may arise as a consequence
of contamination of the needles. By way of example, the syringe
may be used to treat a patient having a communicable disease. Due
to improper disposal of these syringes and/or through general use
or misuse of them, health care workers themselves have been infected
with the diseases they have attempted to treat, such as AIDS, due
to accidental needle strikes. Also, by way of example, drug users
have been able to obtain previously used and infected syringes.
It is known that such syringes have been used in an illicit capacity
thereby furthering the spread of contagious diseases.
The following U.S. Pat. No. provide examples of syringes having
a needle which may be retracted into the syringe cylinder after
use:
U.S. Pat. No. 4804370; Feb. 14 1989
U.S. Pat. No. 4826484; May 2 1989
U.S. Pat. No. 4826489; May 2 1989
U.S. Pat. No. 4836373; Jun. 6 1989
Whatever the precise merits, features and advantages of the above
cited references, none of them have the means by which the needle
may be retracted within and shielded by the syringe cylinder by
means of a hooking device, a piston locking device and cylinder
capping device as hereinafter described so as to lessen the number
of accidental needle strikes and the possible spread of disease.
Moreover, with respect to the capping device, little is available
providing free standing, finger protecting syringe cylinder aperture
covering following needle retraction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed is a disposable syringe and capping device which overcomes
the problems inherent in conventional syringes by providing health
care workers a reliable means of injecting fluent materials which
is safe not only for the patient but also for those giving the injection.
This is accomplished by providing a means to prevent disease transmission
from accidental needle strikes while also preventing reuse of the
needle by drug users.
The apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention solves
the problems of the current state of the art in a simple manner.
What is provided is a syringe apparatus comprising a syringe cylinder
or barrel with an open proximal end and a substantially closed distal
end with a means for frictional sealing at the distal end. Also
provided is a piston adapted for reciprocal and axial movement through
the syringe cylinder having a means for detachable connection to
the proximal end of the body entering conduit by a means for a hooking
device, a body entering conduit projecting from the distal end of
the cylinder with a means for an aperture at the proximal end as
a means for detachable connection to the distal end of the piston
providing for the retraction of the body entering conduit within
the cylinder. Also provided is a means for locking the piston with
the attached retracted body entering conduit within the cylinder
by reciprocal and axial movement of a tapering spiral ribbed cam
on the exterior of the piston and ribbed retainers on the interior
of the cylinder, and a syringe cylinder cap with a flat closed base
at the proximal end and an open distal end for receiving and frictionally
engaging the cylinder following retraction of the body entering
conduit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of a typical 1 cc syringe comprising an example
of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section showing the preferred embodiment
of a body entering conduit projecting from the distal end of the
cylinder and the preferred embodiment of the means for the detachable
connection of the conduit to the distal end of the piston and its
anchoring device.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the piston and needle releasable
connection means.
FIG. 2.1. illustrates the operational step of the preferred embodiment
moving the piston axially within the cylinder to engage the connection
of the conduit to the piston.
FIG. 2.2. illustrates the operational step of the preferred embodiment
moving the piston proximally through the cylinder for retracting
the body entering conduit within the cylinder.
FIG. 2.3 illustrates the operational step of the preferred embodiment
moving the piston axially and reciprocally within the cylinder to
engage the piston locking device.
FIG. 2.4 illustrates the operational step of the preferred embodiment
moving the entire syringe unit with the body entering conduit in
the retracted position so that the distal end can be received and
frictionally engaged by the cylinder cap.
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the means for
the preferred embodiment of the piston locking device.
FIG. 3.1 is a sectional view of the tapering spiral rib cam shown
on line 3.1--3.1 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-section of the preferred embodiment
of the cylinder cap as it is positioned for storage on the proximal
end of the piston prior to use.
FIG. 4A shows an overall view of the preferred embodiment of the
syringe unit with the cylinder cap in place in the stored position.
FIG. 4B shows an overall view of the preferred embodiment of the
syringe unit with the body entering conduit in the retracted position
and the cylinder cap engaged in the locked position on the distal
end of the cylinder.
All measurements on drawings provided are approximate and intended
only to aid in understanding the drawings. All language in the drawings
similarly is only intended for a better understanding and not intended
as necessary to the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment of the disease control syringe apparatus
having a retractable body entering conduit, piston locking device
and capping device which forms the present invention is best described
while referring to the drawings.
In FIG. 1 there is shown an overall view of one type of syringe,
a typical 1 cc, of which could comprise the preferred embodiment
of the present invention. There is shown a generally cylindrical
barrel or cylinder having an open proximal end and a substantially
closed distal end. The cylinder portion would also comprise flange
shoulder portions extending outwardly from the surface to provide
a gripping means for fingers of the health care workers during use
of the apparatus.
In FIG. 2 a means for frictional sealing of the distal end is disposed
within the distal end of the cylinder. This sealing means is shown
as a self sealing rubber sleeve around the needle. A body entering
conduit is shown in FIG. 2 which extends through the frictional
sealing means for use and is moved proximally through and out of
the sealing means after use. The proximal end of the body entering
conduit is shown having an aperture for reciprocal connection with
the distal end of the piston. Thus, the piston has a crescent shaped
hook element secured in its face for releasably engaging the eye
portion of the syringe needle as suggested in FIG. 2A. As shown
the distal end of the piston has a semi-circular means for releasable
connection with the proximal end of the body entering conduit and
a means for anchoring at its more distal end within the piston this
means being shown as a hook anchored into the plastic plunger shaft,
as required.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3.1 the piston can be locked in place within
the cylinder as a result of twisting the piston relative to the
cylinder as suggested in FIG. 2.3. Formed around the proximal end
of the piston is a tapering spiral cam. Formed around the interior
of the cylinder are retainers used as a means for reciprocal connection
with the tapering cam. Both the piston cam and the cylinder retainers
are shown as formed with a plural ribbing means allowing for only
one way, one time use of the syringe apparatus when engaged.
FIG. 4 shows the enlarged detail of the interior of the Preferred
embodiment of the syringe cylinder cap. The distal end of the cap
is open to receive the syringe cylinder after conduit use and retraction
and piston locking. The most distal aspect of the cap is formed
to frictionally connect with and snap onto the most proximal end
of the piston prior to use of the syringe apparatus. The adjacent
circumference of the most distal aspect of the cap is formed to
frictionally engage with the distal end of the cylinder after use
of the syringe apparatus also utilizing a means for a plurality
of locking tabs within the cap. The base at the proximal end of
the cap is closed and is formed flat so as to be positioned freely
on a plane surface to await receipt of the distal end of the cylinder.
FIG. 4B shows the preferred embodiment of the syringe apparatus
prior to use with the syringe cap affixed to the proximal end of
the piston on the thumb of the plunger.
FIG. 4B shows the preferred embodiment of the syringe apparatus
with the body entering conduit in the retracted position, the piston
in the locked position and the syringe cap engaged at the distal
end of the cylinder.
FIG. 2.1., FIG. 2.2 FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate the operational
use of the preferred embodiment of the syringe apparatus. FIG. 2.1.
shows the rotational movement of the piston within the cylinder
to engage the means for connection at the distal end of the piston
and the proximal end of the body entering conduit following injection
of the fluent material. This is done by twisting the plunger to
hook the eye of needle FIG. 2.2 shows the piston and engaged body
entering conduit being moved toward the proximal end of the cylinder
until the conduit is completely retracted inside the cylinder and
the means for sealing the distal end of the cylinder has been activated.
FIG. 3 shows the piston being rotationally moved so that the means
for the piston tapering cam and the interior cylinder retainers
are engaged locking the shaft and the body entering conduit irretrievably
within the cylinder. FIG. 4B shows the insertion of the locked cylinder
into the distal end of the syringe cap frictionally engaging its
locking means and rendering the syringe apparatus safe for handling
and disposal.
It will be apparent that while a preferred embodiment of the invention
has been shown and described, various modifications and changes
may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of
the invention. It is to be understood, then, that the details herein
are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. |