Safety syringe abstract
A safety syringe with a hollow barrel housing and a retraction
trunk coaxially formed within the housing to forming an annular
chamber between the inner surfaces of said outer elongated hollow
barrel and the outer surface of said retraction trunk. A needle
cannula carriage is held within the distal end of the retraction
trunk by a latching means and a biasing means. A needle cannula
module is suitably fixed to the distal end of the needle cannula
carriage wherein a cannula or passage provides fluid communication
from the needle cannula module, through the needle cannula carriage,
through the retraction trunk and into the annular chamber. An annular
plunger is provided between the inner surfaces of the outer elongated
hollow barrel and the outer surface of the retraction trunk, wherein
said annular plunger forces fluid through said annulus and into
a body. When it is desired, a button may be pushed causing the latching
means to release said needle cannula carriage, thereby allowing
said biasing means to thrust said needle cannula carriage with said
needle cannula into said retraction trunk, thereby preventing said
needle cannula from accidentally pricking others or from being reused.
Safety syringe claims
What is claimed is:
1. A retractable safety syringe module, comprising: (a) a syringe
housing having a syringe barrel and a retraction trunk formed together
at a distal end of the syringe housing to form an annular chamber,
wherein the distal end of the retraction trunk forms a sealing collar
having a port in fluid communication with the annular chamber; (b)
an annular plunger extending through a proximal end of the annular
chamber, the annular plunger having a sliding gasket formed along
the distal end of the annular plunger for sealing against the interior
of the annular chamber; (c) a biased needle cannula carriage releasably
secured against the sealing collar, the biased needle cannula carriage
having a connector for selectively receiving a needle cannula, a
passage providing fluid communication between the sealing collar
port and the connector; and (d) a bar stop secured within the retraction
trunk, the bar stop having a distal end releasably securing the
biased needle cannula carriage against the sealing collar and a
proximal end secured to a stop cross bar, wherein the stop cross
bar slideably extends through a side of the syringe barrel and through
diagonal sides of the retraction trunk.
2. The safety syringe of claim 1 wherein needle cannula carriage
is biased by a spring disposed within the retraction trunk.
3. The safety syringe of claim 2 wherein the needle cannula carriage
is biased in the proximal direction.
4. The safety syringe of claim 2 wherein the needle cannula carriage
is biased into the retraction trunk.
5. The safety syringe of claim 1 wherein the needle cannula carriage
has smaller cross-sectional dimensions than the interior of the
retraction trunk.
6. The safety syringe of claim 1 wherein the biased needle cannula
carriage comprises a carriage base and a needle cannula disconnectably
connected to the distal end of the carriage base.
7. The syringe of claim 6 wherein the needle cannula is disconnectably
connected by a connector selected from threads, luer-loks, or snap-on
fittings.
8. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the sealing collar has an interior
surface that mates with an exterior surface of the carriage, and
wherein the mating surfaces are selected from steps and cones.
9. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the syringe barrel and the retraction
trunk are concentric cylinders.
10. The syringe of claim 1 wherein the length of the retraction
trunk is greater than the length of the biased needle cannula carriage.
11. The syringe of claim 1 further comprising one or more O-rings
disposed to form a seal between the carriage base and the sealing
collar.
12. The syringe of claim 1 characterized in that fluids present
in the annular chamber can be delivered to a body through the needle
cannula by actuating the plunger.
13. A retractable safety syringe, comprising: (a) a syringe housing
having a syringe barrel and a retraction trunk formed together at
a distal end of the syringe housing to form an annular chamber,
wherein the distal end of the retraction trunk forms a sealing collar
having a port in fluid communication with the annular chamber; (b)
an annular plunger extending through a proximal end of the annular
chamber, the annular plunger having a sliding gasket formed along
the distal end of the annular plunger for sealing against the interior
of the annular chamber and a plunger flat pivotally securing a release
plate; (c) a biased needle cannula carriage releasably secured against
the sealing collar, the biased needle cannula carriage having a
needle cannula, a passage providing fluid communication between
the needle cannula and the sealing collar port; and (d) a pivot
trunk pivotally secured within the retraction trunk for releasably
securing the biased needle cannula carriage against the sealing
collar, wherein the pivot trunk and the release plate become pivotally
coupled only upon full depression of the plunger.
14. The syringe of claim 13 wherein fully depressing the plunger
and pivoting the release plate cause rotation of the pivot trunk
and retraction of the biased needle cannula carriage.
15. A retractable safety syringe, comprising: (a) a syringe housing
having a syringe barrel and a retraction trunk formed together at
a distal end of the syringe housing to form an annular chamber,
wherein the distal end of the retraction trunk forms a sealing collar
having a port in fluid communication with the annular chamber; (b)
an annular plunger extending through a proximal end of the annular
chamber, the annular plunger having a sliding gasket formed along
the distal end of the annular plunger for sealing against the interior
of the annular chamber; (c) a biased needle cannula carriage releasably
secured against the sealing collar, the biased needle cannula carriage
having a needle cannula, a passage providing fluid communication
between the needle cannula and the sealing collar port; and (d)
a bar stop pivotally secured within the retraction trunk, the bar
stop having a distal end releasably securing the biased needle cannula
carriage against the sealing collar and a proximal end that extends
through a plunger flat hole upon full depression of the plunger
to allow pivoting actuation of the bar stop and release of the biased
needle cannula carriage.
16. A kit of components for assembling safety syringes, comprising:
(a) two or more safety syringe modules having different diameters,
each safety syringe module having: (1) a syringe housing having
a syringe barrel and a retraction trunk formed together at a distal
end of the syringe housing to form an annular chamber, wherein the
distal end of the retraction trunk forms a sealing collar having
a port in fluid communication with the annular chamber; (2) an annular
plunger extending through a proximal end of the annular chamber,
the annular plunger having a sliding gasket formed along the distal
end of the annular plunger for sealing against the interior of the
annular chamber and a plunger flat pivotally securing a release
plate; (3) a biased needle cannula carriage base releasably secured
against the sealing collar, the biased needle cannula carriage having
a needle cannula, a passage providing fluid communication between
the needle cannula and the sealing collar port; and (4) a pivot
trunk pivotally secured within the retraction trunk for releasably
securing the biased needle cannula carriage against the sealing
collar, wherein the pivot trunk and the release plate become pivotally
coupled only upon full depression of the plunger; and (b) two or
more needle cannula modules, each needle cannula module having a
needle cannula coupled to a connector, wherein the connectors in
any of the two or more safety syringe modules are sealably securable
to any of the connectors in the two or more needle cannula modules
to provide fluid communication between the needle cannula and the
passage in the carnage base.
17. The kit of claim 16 wherein the connectors are selected from
threads, luer-loks, snap-on fittings, or slip on fittings.
18. The kit of claim 16 wherein the needle cannulas of the two
or more needle cannula modules are different sizes.
Safety syringe description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to safety syringes having retractable
needle cannulas.
2. Background of the Related Art
There are safety syringe devices of various designs that will allow
the needle to retract into either the barrel or plunger of the syringe.
Some of these devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4973316 (Dysarz),
U.S. Pat. No. 4978343 (Dysarz), U.S. Pat. No. 5180369 (Dysarz),
U.S. Pat. No. 5267961 (Shaw), U.S. Pat. No. 5019044 (Tsao),
U.S. Pat. No. 5084018 (Tsao), U.S. Pat. No. 5385551 (Shaw),
U.S. Pat. No. 5389076 (Shaw), U.S. Pat. No. 5201710 (Caselli),
U.S. Pat. No. 6010486 (Carteret al), U.S. Pat. No. 5120310 (Shaw),
U.S. Pat. No. 5188613 (Shaw), and U.S. Pat. No. 6033385 (Liu).
Although these devices reduce accidental needle sticks, an operator
of the devices may cause the needle to prematurely retract during
the process of filling the syringe (aspiration) or while medication
is being injected into a body.
For example, during aspiration the plunger is pushed in as far
as it will go into the syringe (just prior to pulling the plunger
back to draw the medication or other fluid from a container or body)
such that the plunger may trigger the retraction mechanism and cause
the needle to prematurely retract, thereby resulting in the loss
of the needle cannula, an expensive syringe, more expensive medication,
and even more expensive labor (doctor, nurse, etc). Usually the
operator of the device does not know at what precise point to stop
pressing the plunger into the syringe prior to or during aspiration.
Other types of safety syringes are devices with a sleeve or a sheath
that will cover the needle after it has been used. To aspirate or
fill this type of syringe, one must sight the medication through
two layers of plastic or glass; if a clear fluid is being drawn
into the syringe it may not be possible to see the necessary dosage.
Most of the devices mentioned above are not modular wherein a needle
cannula of any size may be used with a syringe of any size. Rather,
the needle cannula is made as part of the syringe and the two are
not interchangeable with other needle cannulas or syringes of different
sizes or capacities. Other safety syringes that are modular, include
the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5891093 (Dysarz), U.S.
Pat. No. 6016595 (Dysarz), U.S. Pat. No. 5935113 (Dysarz), and
U.S. Pat. No. 6010486 (Carter et al).
However, there remains a need for a safety syringe that is modular,
wherein various needle cannulas are interchangeable with various
syringes. It would be desirable if the modular safety syringe were
compatible with existing inventories of needles. Furthermore, there
remains a need for a safety syringe with a positive latching device
that will remain latched during aspiration and that can only be
released with a positive release means when the user desires to
release the needle latching devise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a retractable safety syringe module,
comprising a syringe housing having a syringe barrel and a retraction
trunk formed together at a distal end of the syringe housing to
form an annular chamber between the syringe barrel and the retraction
trunk, wherein the distal end of the retraction trunk forms a sealing
collar having a port in fluid communication with the annular chamber.
The syringe module also comprises an annular plunger extending through
a proximal end of the annular chamber, the annular plunger having
a sliding gasket formed along the distal end of the annular plunger
for sealing against the interior of the annular chamber. A biased
needle cannula carriage is releasably secured against the sealing
collar, the biased needle cannula carriage having a connector for
selectively receiving a needle cannula and a passage providing fluid
communication between the sealing collar port and the connector.
A retaining member releasably secures the biased needle cannula
carriage against the sealing collar.
The needle cannula carriage is biased in the proximal direction
into the retraction trunk and has dimensions allowing it to retract
into the retraction trunk without restriction. A needle cannula
is selectively and/or disconnectably connectable to the carriage,
preferably by a connector selected from screw threads, luer-loks,
or snap-on fittings. An exterior surface of the carriage mates with
the interior surface of the sealing collar, wherein the mating surfaces
are preferably selected from steps and cones. A retaining member,
such as a carriage stop arm, is provided to secure the carriage
base against the sealing collar.
One aspect of the invention provides a kit of components for assembling
safety syringes, comprising two or more safety syringe modules,
optionally having different diameters, and two or more needle cannula
modules, optionally having different sizes. Each safety syringe
module and each needle cannula module are provided in accordance
with any embodiment described herein. The connectors in any of the
two or more safety syringe modules are sealably securable to any
of the connectors in the two or more needle cannula modules to provide
fluid communication between the needle cannula and the passage in
the carriage base. Specifically, the connectors are preferably selected
from threads, luer-loks, snap-on fittings, or slip on fittings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention can best be understood by
reference to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals indicate like parts.
FIG. 1 is a section elevation of the syringe of the first preferred
embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a section plan view of the needle cannula carriage as
taken through FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a section plan view of the needle cannula carriage.
FIG. 4 is a section plan view of the syringe, the needle cannula
carriage and the retraction trunk.
FIG. 5 is a section plan view of the retraction trunk, the syringe
and the proximal end of the needle cannula carriage.
FIG. 6 is a section plan view of the syringe, the plunger, and
the retraction trunk.
FIG. 7 is a section plan view of the syringe, the latching means,
the retraction trunk, and the plunger.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged section elevation of the connection between
the needle cannula carriage and the distal end of the retraction
trunk.
FIG. 9 is a section elevation of the plunger forcing medication
into a body.
FIG. 10 is a section elevation of the release means being actuated.
FIG. 11 is a section elevation of the needle cannula carriage and
the cannula released and thrust into the retraction trunk.
FIG. 12 is a section elevation of the second preferred embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged section plan view of the needle cannula
module connection with the needle cannula carriage.
FIG. 14 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 12.
FIG. 16 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 12.
FIG. 17 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 12.
FIG. 18 is a section elevation view showing the means of disengagement.
FIG. 19 is a section elevation of the device of the second preferred
embodiment showing the plunger depressed.
FIG. 20 is a section elevation showing the needle cannula inside
of the retraction trunk.
FIG. 21 is a section elevation of the device of the third preferred
embodiment.
FIG. 21 A is an enlarged section of FIG. 21.
FIG. 22 is a section plan view of the needle cannula carriage in
the syringe body closure.
FIG. 23 is a section plan view of the syringe body, the retraction
trunk and the needle carnage.
FIG. 24 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 23.
FIG. 25 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 23.
FIG. 26 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 23.
FIG. 27 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 23.
FIG. 28 is a section plan view as taken through FIG. 23.
FIG. 29 is a section elevation view of the plunger being depressed
with a thumb or finger.
FIG. 30 is a section plan elevation view of the release bar and
the pivot trunk being rotated.
FIG. 31 is a section elevation of needle carriage and needle cannula
inside the pivot trunk.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a section elevation of a first
preferred embodiment of a syringe 1 with a retraction trunk 15 that
is preferably an elongated hollow cylinder essentially coaxially
formed in the center of the syringe body or housing 34. The combination
of the syringe body 34 the retraction trunk 15 a plunger, a needle
carriage, and a selective releasing mechanism form a syringe module
or subassembly.
The syringe body is preferably an elongated hollow tube with a
distal end (the end with the needle), a proximal end (the end with
a plunger flat), an inside surface, an outside surface, a syringe
body closure 84 and a syringe collar 32 that is formed on, in or
fixed to the distal end of the retraction trunk or syringe body
closure. Preferably, the syringe collar has anti rotation slots
33 formed on its inner surface.
A needle cannula 39 is shown with a point at the distal end. The
proximal end of the needle cannula is shown suitably fixed to the
distal end of a needle cannula foundation 2 with adhesive, plastic
welding or other suitable means by design choice. The proximal end
of the needle cannula foundation is shown forming a fastening member
or means with the distal end of the needle carriage 3. The fastening
member 31 shown here as threads formed on the outside surface of
the needle cannula foundation 2 suitably couple, fasten or attach
the foundation 2 to the needle carriage 3 to form a fluid tight
and gas tight connection there between. The fastening member of
the needle carriage 3 is made to mate with the fastening member
of foundation 2. The two fastening members may form any suitable
connection type, including threads, luer-lok threads, and a slip
on connection, or a fixed connection by design choice.
One preferred connection type includes an outer hub 36 shown formed
in the proximal end of the needle cannula foundation, and an inner
hub 37 shown formed near the distal end of the needle carriage
3. Both the outer hub and the inner hub have a taper that allows
them to be pressed together as the cannula foundation is being threaded
or fixed to the needle carriage, thereby forming a pressed fitting
which is fluid tight and gas tight. The fluid tight and gas tight
fitting between the outer hub and the inner hub prevent any medication
from escaping as the medication flows under pressure though the
retraction trunk cannula or passage 20 into the carriage cannula
or passage 4 and into the needle cannula 39.
The retraction trunk cannula 20 is a passage that provides fluid
communication between the annular chamber 48 and the needle cannula
39. In FIG. 1 the retraction trunk cannula 20 is shown extending
between the inside surface and the outside surface of the retraction
trunk or collar. The carriage cannula 4 formed in the needle carriage
3 extends from the side of the needle carriage to the inner hub
so that fluids may flow from the annular chamber 48 of the syringe
body 34 through the retraction trunk cannula through the carriage
cannula and through the needle cannula 39 and into a body 49 or
other member. The interface between the outside surface of the needle
carriage and the inside surface of the retraction trunk or collar
is fluid tight and gas tight, at least around the junction of the
retraction trunk cannula 20 and the carriage cannula 4. However,
a first seal 5 and a second seal 6 are shown to achieve gas tight
integrity or fluid tight integrity if required by design choice.
Other types of seals or gaskets may be placed in this location by
design choice.
Part of the needle carriage 3 is shown with a carriage extension
8. The carriage extension is shown extending towards the proximal
end of the needle carriage. The carriage extension is preferably
an elongated tube suitably fixed or formed integrally on the proximal
end of the needle carriage. The proximal end of the carriage extension
8 is shown held in place or stopped by the carriage stop 10. A carriage
shoulder 40 is shown formed on the outside surface of the carriage
extension wherein a biased spring 7 is thrusting or urging the carriage
extension, the needle carriage in a proximal direction 41. Only
the stop notch 42 at the distal end of the carriage stop restrains
the needle carriage from allowing the biased spring to thrust the
needle carriage into the proximal end of the retraction trunk. It
should be recognized that the biased spring must urge the needle
carriage in the proximal direction relative to the retraction trunk
or collar, but many spring locations and configurations are possible
within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be recognized
that the exact lengths of the carriage extension and the carriage
stop are not critical, but it is preferred that their lengths be
substantially equal since the needle carriage can only travel proximally
until either the proximal end of the carriage extension hits the
pin 12 or the carriage itself hits the distal end of the carriage
stop.
The plunger seal 23 is shown as forming a fluid tight and gas tight
seal around the exterior surface of the retraction trunk and the
interior surface of the syringe body 34. The plunger seal moves
in a distal direction 44 and a proximal direction 41 while pushing
and or pulling medication out of or into the syringe annulus or
annular chamber 48 formed between the inside surface of the syringe
body and the outside surface of the retraction trunk. Medication
or other fluid is in fluid communication with the distal end of
the plunger seal.
The distal end of the plunger flat 24 is shown suitably fixed to
the proximal end of the plunger seal 23 by adhesive or other suitable
means by design choice. The distal end of the plunger bars 25 are
shown suitably fixed to the proximal end of the plunger flat 24.
While four plunger bars are shown, there could be as few as one
or more plunger bars applied to the plunger by design choice. The
length of the plunger bars is determined by the length of the syringe
body's annular chamber and by design choice. The thumb flat 18 is
shown suitably fixed at the proximal end of the thumb bars. The
finger extension 19 is shown formed at the proximal end of the syringe
body.
The carriage stop 10 is shown restraining the carriage extension
8 from being thrust into the proximal end of the retraction trunk
by the biased spring 7. The stop cross bar 11 is shown in a preferred
configuration extending across the retraction trunk and the first
end of the stop cross bar is inserted in the first cross bar hole
13 formed near the proximal end of the retraction trunk and the
second end of the stop cross bar is shown in the second cross bar
hole 14 also formed near the proximal end of the retraction trunk.
The second end of the stop cross bar also extends through the syringe
body hole 43 formed near the proximal end of the syringe body. A
cross bar button 12 is preferably provided at the second end of
the stop cross bar 11 to form a surface that can be easily pushed
with the thumb or a finger as will be shown in other views. The
exact configuration of the cross bar button is a matter of design
choice.
The needle cannula module is comprised of the needle cannula foundation
2 and the needle cannula 39 and can be interchangeable with the
syringe module when a needle cannula of greater length or gauge
is required or whenever a needle cannula of a lesser gauge or length
is required or when a syringe of a greater or lesser capacity is
required. The connection between the needle cannula and the needle
carriage provides alignment between the carriage cannula and the
needle cannula to assure fluid communication there between.
After drawing medication into the annular chamber 48 the medication
is delivered by pushing the plunger seal and the plunger into annular
chamber, thereby forcing the medication through the retraction trunk
cannula, through the carriage cannula, into the needle cannula and,
typically, into a body. The retraction trunk cannula, the carriage
cannula and the needle cannula are all in fluid communication with
each other though fluid tight and gas tight connections.
The carriage may optionally include a locking mechanism to secure
a retracted needle carriage at the proximal end of the retraction
trunk. One preferred locking mechanism includes an apron 53 formed
on the carriage extension 8 that will catch on a carriage stop barb
52 formed on the distal end of the carriage stop 10 when the biased
spring pushes the needle carriage into the proximal end of the retraction
trunk.
Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a section elevation as taken
through FIG. 1 showing the syringe collar 32. An optional feature
of the invention provides anti rotation splines 30 formed on the
inside periphery of the syringe extension for sliding communication
with the anti rotation slots 33 formed on the outer periphery of
the distal end of the needle carriage. The anti rotation splines
and the anti rotation slots prevent the needle carriage 3 from rotating
while a needle cannula foundation is being threaded or screwed or
rotated on or off of the needle carriage and the anti rotation splines
and anti rotation slots will still allow the needle carriage and
the needle cannula foundation to move or retract uninterrupted into
the inside of the retraction trunk. Part of the inner hub 37 and
the carriage cannula 4 are shown. Although there are four sets of
anti rotation slots and splines shown, there may be any number of
sets could be as few as one or more than 8 by design choice. To
further prevent rotation, the needle carriage could also be a square
or triangular and the inside surface of the syringe extension could
also be square or triangular to suit design choice.
Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a section elevation of the distal
end of the syringe body 34. The carriage cannula 4 is shown formed
inside of the needle carriage 3. The first seal 5 is shown disposed
between the outer periphery of the needle carriage and the inner
periphery formed on the distal end of the syringe body 34 or collar
32. The outer periphery of the syringe collar 32 is shown with hidden
lines for reference.
Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a section elevation of the distal
end of the syringe body or housing 34 the distal end of the retraction
trunk 15 and the proximal end of the needle carriage 3 as taken
through FIG. 1. A carriage annulus 46 is shown between the exterior
surface of the needle carriage and the interior or inside surface
of the retraction trunk. The second seal 6 is shown between the
needle carriage and the retraction trunk. All of these seals could
be used or only one seal could be used or if the interface between
the inside surface of the retraction trunk and the needle carriage
were close enough or sufficiently tight, a seal may not be required
or used by design choice. Part of the carriage cannula 4 and the
retraction trunk cannula 20 are shown with hidden lines for reference
purpose.
Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a section elevation of the syringe
body 34 the retraction trunk 15 and the carriage extension 8. Part
of the carriage extension 8 is an elongated bar 35 that extends
into the carriage stop 10.
Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a section elevation of the plunger
flat 24 in the syringe annulus 48 near the inside surface of the
syringe body 34 and the outside surface of the retraction trunk
15. Although there are four plunger bars 25 shown, there could be
as few as one plunger bar or as many as ten or more plunger bars
by design choice. The plunger bar could also be one solid bar or
it could be one or more elongated hollow tubes by design choice.
If an elongated hollow tube were used, there would be at least one
slot formed in the tube for the passage of the stop cross bar.
Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown a section elevation of the stop
cross bar 11 and the carriage stop 10 as taken through FIG. 1. The
first end of the stop cross bar is shown extending through the first
cross bar hole 13 the second cross bar hole 14 in the retraction
trunk 15 and the second end of the stop cross bar is extending through
the syringe body hole 43 formed in the syringe body 34. The cross
bar button 12 is shown suitably fixed to the second end of the stop
cross bar. The proximal end of the carriage stop 10 is shown fixed
to the stop cross bar with rivets or bolts or adhesive, however
the carriage stop could be integral with the stop cross bar. The
stop cross bar could be designed wherein the stop cross bar ends
at the carriage stop and does not continue into the first cross
bar hole by design choice.
Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown an enlarged section elevation
of the syringe collar 32 as taken through FIG. 1. The anti rotation
spline 30 is shown in the anti rotation slot 33 to prevent the needle
carriage 3 from rotating while the needle cannula foundation 2 is
being assembled to the needle carriage with any suitable connection,
such as the threads 49 or a Leur-Lok type connection, not shown.
The anti rotation spline will easily slip past the remainder of
the inside surface of the syringe collar as the needle carriage
is retracting in a proximal direction 41. Optionally, the first
seal 5 and the second seal 6 may be provided by design choice.
Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown a section elevation of the syringe
1 being held by two fingers 29 and a thumb 28 injecting medication
into a body 50. The thumb is thrusting on the thumb flat 18 that
further thrusts on the plunger bar 25 that thrusts on the plunger
flat 24 that thrusts on the plunger seal 23 that is urging medication
into the body. The plunger seal 23 pushes the medication out of
the syringe body 34 or the syringe annulus 48 into the retraction
trunk cannula 20 through the carriage cannula 4 through the needle
cannula 39 and into the body.
Referring to FIG. 10 there is shown a section elevation of the
cross bar button 12 being actuated or depressed thereby releasing
the needle carriage 3. Depressing the cross bar button, thrusts
on the stop cross bar 11 in a transverse direction 51 wherein the
proximal end of the carriage stop 10 that is fixed to the stop cross
bar 11 is moved in a transverse direction thereby moving the stop
notch 42 off of the proximal end of the elongated bar 35 wherein
the needle carriage 3 and the carriage extension are released allowing
the biased spring 7 to thrust or urge the needle carriage, the carriage
extension and the needle cannula 39 in the proximal direction 41.
Referring to FIG. 11 there is shown a section elevation of the
needle carriage 3 the carriage extension 8 and the needle cannula
39 thrust into the proximal end of the retraction trunk 15. As the
stop cross bar 11 is urged in a transverse direction 51 the stop
cross bar barb 54 is forced through the first cross bar hole 13
wherein the stop cross bar barb is caught and locked on the outside
surface of the retraction trunk 15. As the needle carriage 3 and
the carriage extension 8 are thrust into the proximal end of the
retraction trunk 15 the carriage stop barb 52 at the distal end
of the carriage stop moves over the locking apron 53 wherein the
needle carriage and the carriage extension are locked in the proximal
end of the retraction trunk. The distal end of the needle cannula
39 is thereby safely contained in the inside of the retraction trunk
15 and the inside surface of the syringe collar 32 wherein the needle
cannula cannot accidentally injure anyone.
Referring to FIG. 12 there is shown a second preferred embodiment
of the syringe 1 with a retraction trunk 15 suitably fixed to the
inside distal end of the syringe. Most parts of the syringe of FIG.
12 are similar to FIG. 1. The needle cannula 39 the needle cannula
foundation 2 the carriage cannula 4 the biased spring 7 the syringe
body 34 the retraction trunk 15 the plunger seal 23 the plunger
flat 24 the plunger bars 25 the outer hub 36 the inner hub 37
the syringe collar 32 and the anti rotation slots 33 are all the
same as in FIG. 1.
The needle carriage 55 is shown in an optional conical configuration
with a sloping gasket 56 that could be an O-ring or any other type
of sealing device by design choice. The carriage is made with a
sloping surface relative to the centerline 57 to allow the conical
needle carriage to be pulled out of the inner surface 58 formed
in the syringe collar 32 with no obstruction or restriction. If
the syringe extension were not used, the conical inner surface would
be formed on the syringe body closure 84 by design choice. The sloping
gasket is on the conical outer surface 59 formed on the conical
needle carriage that extends from near the distal end toward the
proximal end of the conical needle carriage. The sloping gasket
is so placed to form a fluid tight connection or interface between
the inner surface of the retraction trunk or collar and the outside
surface of the conical needle carriage while allowing fluid to flow
under pressure through the retraction trunk cannula 20 and into
the carriage cannula 4 without allowing any fluid or gas to escape
from the syringe or into the interior of the retraction trunk. There
could be more than one retraction trunk cannula 20 more than one
carriage cannula 4 and more than one sloping gasket by design choice.
As the plunger seal 23 is being thrust in a distal direction 44
the medication is being thrust under pressure from the syringe annular
chamber 48 into the retraction trunk cannula 20 through and past
the fluid tight sloping gasket without loosing medication or fluid,
into the carriage cannula and into the needle cannula without loosing
any medication or fluid in the interface between the outer hub 37
and into a body 50. It should also be noted that the conical outer
surface and the conical inner surface could be made to fit sufficiently
tight thus forming a fluid tight seal or a gas tight seal under
pressure wherein a gasket will not be required or a soft material
could be used in this area by design choice.
The distal end of the carriage bar 61 is shown fixed to the proximal
end of the conical needle carriage 55. The proximal end of the carriage
bar selectively engages the distal end of the bar stop 62. The bar
stop is suitably held in place by the pivot pin 63 that extend from
one side of the retraction trunk to the other side of the retraction
trunk. The pivot pin-also extends through the bar stop near the
proximal end to allow the bar stop to pivot or rotate about the
pivot pin. The proximal end of the bar stop is shown with a gnarled
surface 64 to allow a finger or thumb to move the bar stop. When
the plunger is depressed the proximal end of the bar stop will extend
through the plunger flat hole 65 and expose the gnarled surface
to the thumb. The gnarled surface is to allow the thumb or even
perhaps a finger to move the bar stop from one side to the other
side thus causing the bar stop to pivot or rotate about the pivot
pin in a first rotation direction 68 or a second rotation direction
69 and to further move the bar stop out of engagement with the proximal
end of the carriage bar in a third rotation direction 70 or a fourth
rotation direction 71 and thus allow the biased spring to thrust
the conical needle carriage into the proximal end of the retraction
trunk. The finger extension 19 and the slotted plunger flat 67 are
shown at the proximal end of the syringe 1.
Referring to FIG. 13 there is shown an enlarged section elevation
of the syringe collar 32 area and the distal end of the conical
needle carriage 55. The sloping gasket 56 is shown sealing off the
area on the exterior surface of the gasket for fluid tight and gas
tight integrity thereby preventing the loss of fluid such as medication
while at the same time allowing fluid such as medication to pass
through the retraction trunk cannulas through the inside surface
of the sloping gasket 56 into the carriage cannula 4. The sloping
gasket 56 is on a slope to form a fluid tight and gas tight seal
on the outside surface of the retraction trunk 15 or the inside
surface of the syringe body and the outside surface of the conical
needle carriage and still allow the conical needle carriage to move
into the proximal end of the retraction trunk without causing any
resistance from the sloping gasket 56 while the conical needle carriage
55 is moving.
The biased spring 7 is shown in an annulus formed between the inside
surface of the retraction trunk 15 and the outside surface of the
conical needle carriage 55. The conical outer surface 59 and the
conical inner surface 58 are shown formed on the distal end of the
conical needle carriage and the syringe collar 32. The carriage
bar 61 is shown on the inside of the conical needle carriage. The
carriage cannula 4 is shown formed on the inside of the conical
needle carriage to further form a channel for the flow of the medication,
or other fluid or gas under pressure from the retraction trunk cannula
through the carriage cannula and into the needle cannula 39. The
outer hub 36 is shown forming a fluid tight and gas tight seal with
the inner hub 37 wherein both are conical in configuration are compressed
together as the threads 49 formed at the distal end of the conical
needle carriage are meshed and tightened with the threads formed
on the proximal end of the needle cannula foundation 2. The anti
rotation splines 30 are shown in the anti rotation slots 33 to prevent
the conical needle carriage from rotating while the needle cannula
foundation is being tightened.
Referring to FIG. 14 there is shown a section plan view of the
proximal end of the bar stop 62. The bar stop 62 is held in place
by the pivot pin 63 that will also allow the bar stop to rotate
about the pivot pin. The pivot pin is disposed in a hole formed
in the bar stop. The first end of the pivot pin is shown suitably
fixed to the retraction trunk 15 and the second end of the pivot
pin is shown fixed to the retraction trunk. The syringe body 34
is shown on the outside of the retraction trunk. The pivot pin could
also be made to rotate in the retraction trunk by design choice.
Referring to FIG. 15 there is shown a section plan view of the
slotted plunger flat 67 as taken from FIG. 12. The plunger flat
hole 65 is shown as a slot however it could be round, square, or
any other shape by design choice so as to match the configuration
of the proximal end of the bar stop 62 also by design choice. The
plunger bars 25 are shown suitably fixed to the distal end of the
slotted plunger flat 67.
Referring to FIG. 16 there is shown a section plan view of the
device as taken through FIG. 12. The carriage bar 61 is shown crossing
the stop bar 62 in such a manner to allow the stop bar to be moved
off of the carriage bar. The retraction trunk 15 is shown suitably
disposed in the syringe annulus 48 formed between the inside surface
of the syringe body 34 and the outside surface of the retraction
trunk. The plunger flat 24 is shown with the plunger bars 25 fixed
to the plunger flat.
Referring to FIG. 17 there is shown a section plan view of the
device as taken through FIG. 12. The carriage bar 61 is shown fixed
to the conical needle carriage 55 and the conical needle carriage
is shown disposed in the retraction trunk 15. The syringe body 34
is shown on the outer periphery.
Referring to FIG. 18 there is shown another section elevation of
the syringe 1 of the second preferred embodiment as it would be
used and retracted. The syringe is shown being held by several fingers
29 near the finger extensions 19. The thumb 28 is shown pressing
down on the slotted plunger flat 67 urging or thrusting down on
the plunger flat, the plunger bars 25 the plunger flat 24 and
the plunger seal 23 forming a fluid tight seal in the syringe annulus
between the inside surface of the syringe body 34 and the outside
surface of the retraction trunk 15. Fluid or gas is being urged
or thrust into the retraction trunk cannula 20 into the carriage
cannula 4 into the needle cannula 39 and into a body 50. The retraction
trunk cannula is in communication with the carriage cannula and
the carriage cannula is in communication with the needle cannula.
Referring to FIG. 19 there is shown a section elevation of the
second preferred embodiment with a conical carriage 55 in a release
mode. The slotted plunger flat 67 has been depressed to a predetermined
position. All of the medication has been urged or thrust out of
the syringe annulus 48. The depression of the slotted plunger flat
67 has allowed the proximal end of the bar stop 62 to pass through
the plunger flat hole 65 and the proximal end of the bar stop on
the gnarled surface 64 is now under the thumb 28 or possibly a finger
by user choice wherein the thumb is moved in a first direction 68
or in a second rotation direction 69 thereby moving the proximal
end of the bar stop in a first rotation direction or a second rotation
direction further causing the stop bar to rotate about the pivot
pin 63 and cause the distal end of the stop bar to rotated or move
in a third rotation direction 70 or a fourth rotation direction
71 thus moving the distal end of the bar stop off of the proximal
end of the carriage bar 61 wherein the conical needle carriage 55
is released of any restraints so that the biased spring 7 is now
able to thrust the conical needle carriage 55 into the proximal
end of the retraction trunk 15.
Referring to FIG. 20 there is shown a section elevation of the
syringe 1 of the second preferred embodiment showing the needle
cannula 39 safely contained in the inside of the retraction trunk
15. The proximal end of the biased spring 7 has thrust on the carriage
shoulder 40 while the distal end of the biased spring is thrusting
on the trunk shoulder 60 thereby thrusting the conical needle carriage
55 into the proximal end of the retraction trunk while the needle
cannula 39 is safely contained in the distal end of the retraction
trunk or syringe collar 32 thus preventing the needle cannula point
from injuring another person.
Referring to FIG. 21 and FIG. 21A there is shown a section elevation
of the syringe 1 of a third preferred embodiment. The syringe body
34 the retraction trunk 15 the plunger seal 23 the plunger flat
24 the plunger bars 25 finger extensions 19 the thumb flat 18
the syringe annulus 48 the syringe body closure 84 the retraction
trunk cannula 20 the carriage cannula 4 and the needle cannula
39 are essentially the same as in the first two preferred embodiments.
The needle cannula 39 is shown suitably fixed to a needle cannula
foundation referred to as a Leur-Lok 86. This particular luer-lok
is a standard needle cannula foundation in the industry and it connects
to luer-lok threads 90 a luer-lok inner hub 91 with the luer-lok
outer hub 92 creating a fluid tight and gas tight seal between the
needle cannula 39 and the carriage cannula 4. This particular type
of luer-lok connection could also be applied to the two other preferred
embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 12 and the other two threaded needle
cannula foundations of FIGS. 1 and 12 could be applied to this preferred
embodiment.
The hollow needle carriage 73 is shown with a luer-lok fitting
at the distal end and a stop flange formed at the proximal end.
Anti rotation splines 30 are formed near the distal end of the hollow
needle carriage and are disposed in the anti rotation slots 33 to
prevent the hollow needle carriage from rotating while the luer-lok
is being threaded into the distal end of the hollow needle carriage.
A biased spring 7 is shown with the distal end thrusting on the
trunk shoulder 60 and the proximal end thrusting on the distal end
of the stop flange 75. The stop flange is restrained from being
thrust in the proximal direction 41 by the carriage stops 74 formed
on the inside surface of the pivot trunk 72.
The pivot trunk 72 extends from near the trunk shoulder 60 to near
the proximal end of the retraction trunk 15. The distal end of the
pivot trunk may be near the trunk shoulder by design choice. The
proximal end of the pivot trunk is shown with a pivot trunk gear
77 that will suitably mesh with the release gears 80 near the thumb
flat 18. The pivot trunk gears could only be comprised with one
tooth or two with one root or recess between the teeth to allow
only one release gear to turn the pivot trunk 72; the release gears
80 could be comprised of only one tooth or two teeth with only one
root or recess by design choice. There could also be many teeth
as shown.
The pivot trunk 72 is allowed to pivot or rotate inside of the
retraction trunk while being held in place by the rotate pin 88.
The distal end of the rotate pin is suitably fixed to or formed
near the proximal end of the retraction trunk. The rotate pin has
a lesser width than the width of the elongated pivot slot 87 wherein
the elongated pivot slot 87 is formed near the proximal end of the
pivot trunk and extends from the inside surface to the outside surface
of the pivot trunk. A pivot cap 89 is shown on the proximal end
of the rotate pin.
The release gears 80 are shown suitably fixed to or formed on the
release plate 94. The release plate has a release hole 85 formed
near the center that extends from the distal end to the proximal
end of the release plate. A release pin 81 is shown with the proximal
end formed on or suitably fixed to the distal end of the thumb flat
18. The distal end of the release pin is shown suitably fixed or
formed on the proximal end of the release cap 83. The release pin
is a lesser diameter than the release hole 85 and is disposed in
the release hole in such a manner as to allow the release plate
to rotate about the release pin relative to the thumb flat.
The first end of the release bar 78 is shown formed on or suitably
fixed to the side of the release plate and the second end of the
release bar is shown formed with or fixed to the release tab 79
wherein a thumb or finger may rotate the release tab thereby rotating
the release gears wherein when the thumb flat is sufficiently depressed,
the release gears will mesh or cooperate with the pivot trunk gears
thereby rotating the pivot trunk within the retraction trunk thereby
aligning the carriage stop or stops with the release notch or notches
formed in the stop flange 75 at the proximal end of the hollow needle
carriage thereby releasing the hollow needle carriage from any restraints
and thereby allowing the biased spring to thrust the hollow needle
carriage with the needle cannula in a proximal direction 41 wherein
the needle cannula is suitably contained in the inside of the pivot
trunk safely out of the way wherein the point of the needle cannula
may not injure anyone.
Referring to FIG. 22 there is shown a section plan view of the
distal end of the hollow needle carriage 73. The distal end of the
syringe body 34 is shown with anti rotation slots 33 formed to allow
anti rotation splines 30 to be inserted into the anti rotation slots.
The anti rotation splines in the anti rotation slots allow the needle
cannula hub to be threaded onto the hollow needle carriage without
rotating while still allowing the needle cannula that is fixed to
the hollow needle carriage to be moved in a proximal direction into
the retraction trunk or the pivot trunk. The carriage cannula 4
is also shown in FIG. 22.
Referring to FIG. 23 there is shown a section plan view of the
distal end of the hollow needle carriage 73. The carriage cannula
4 is shown extending from the retraction trunk cannula 20 and into
the needle cannula 39. The anti rotation splines 30 are shown in
the anti rotation slots 33. The syringe body 34 is shown on the
outer periphery.
Referring to FIG. 24 there is shown a section plan view near the
proximal end of the hollow needle carriage 73. The syringe body
34 is shown on the outer periphery, the retraction trunk 15 is shown
on the outside of the pivot trunk 72 and the biased spring 7 is
shown between the inside surface of the pivot trunk and the outside
surface of the hollow needle carriage.
Referring to FIG. 25 there is shown another section plan view of
the proximal end of the hollow needle carriage 73. The stop flange
75 is shown with various release notches 76 formed in the stop flange.
These are four (4) carriage stops 74 shown, however, there could
be as few as one or more than four carriage stops by design choice.
The syringe body 34 is shown on the outer periphery with the retraction
trunk 15 and the pivot trunk 72 inside of the retraction trunk.
Referring to FIG. 26 there is shown a section plan view of the
plunger flat 24 as taken through FIG. 21. The plunger flat is shown
in the annulus between the syringe body 34 and the outer surface
of the retraction trunk 15. There are four plunger bars 25 shown
in the view however there could be as few as one plunger bar or
more than four plunger bars; the plunger bar could also be an elongated
cylinder that is a greater diameter than the retraction trunk. The
pivot trunk 72 is shown inside of the retraction trunk. The pivot
trunk is shown as a cylinder, however it could be a partial cylinder
for example it could be only a quarter of a cylinder in section.
The pivot trunk could also be square or any other shape in section
by design choice.
Referring to FIG. 27 there is shown a section plan view of the
proximal end of the syringe body 34. The finger extensions 19 are
shown suitably formed on the outside surface of the syringe body.
The plunger bars 25 are shown inside of the syringe body and are
outside of the retraction trunk 15. The pivot trunk gears 77 are
shown at the proximal end of the pivot trunk 72. The rotate pin
88 and the rotate cap 89 are shown loosely holding pivot trunk 72
to the retraction trunk to allow the pivot trunk to rotate 82 within
the retraction trunk.
Referring to FIG. 28 there is shown a section plan view of the
plunger bars 25 suitably fixed to the distal end of the thumb flat
18. The release plate 94 is shown rotatably held in place by the
release cap 83. The release cap 83 is formed on the distal end of
the release pin 81 that is disposed in the release hole 85 formed
in the release plate. The proximal end of the release pin is suitably
fixed to the distal end of the thumb flat. The release gears 80
are shown suitably formed or fixed on the outer perimeter of the
release plate. The distal end of the release bar 78 is shown formed
or fixed to the release plate and the distal end of the release
tab 79 is shown suitably formed or fixed to the proximal end of
the release bar. The release tab could be rotated in a clockwise
direction 95 or a counter clockwise direction 96 by the thumb or
finger to rotate the release gears in a clockwise or counter clockwise
direction 96 by users choice.
Referring to FIG. 29 there is shown a section elevation of the
plunger 9 being depressed with the thumb 28 pressing on the thumb
flat 18. The syringe body 34 is being held between two fingers 29
with the finger extensions 19. The needle cannula 39 is in a body
50 and medication is being thrust or urged through the syringe annulus
48 into the trunk cannula 20 the carriage cannula 4 into the needle
cannula 39 and into a body 50.
Referring to FIG. 30 there is shown a section elevation of the
release bar 78 and the release tab 79 being rotated by a finger
29 or a thumb. When the plunger 9 is depressed all the way and wherein
all or most of the medication has been injected into a body the
thumb flat 18 is now as close to the finger extension 19 or the
proximal end of the syringe body 34 as possible causing the release
gears 80 to mesh with the pivot trunk gears 72 wherein the gears
mesh in a suitable manner. The gears have a sloping face so that
each gear will go into the valley between the two opposite gears.
The gears could also have a vertical face by design choice. When
the gears combine or mesh, the release tab 79 and the release bar
78 are rotated by a finger or thumb further causing the release
plate 94 to rotate which will cause the release gears 80 to rotate
which will cause the pivot trunk 72 to rotate within the retraction
trunk 15 further causing the carriage stops 74 to rotate relative
to the release notches 76 formed in the stop flange 75 of the hollow
needle carriage and wherein the hollow needle carriage is unable
to rotate at this point because it is being held in place by the
anti rotation splines 30 in the anti rotation slots 33. As the carriage
stops 74 are rotated, they are turned or rotated off of the stop
flanges 75 and onto or in alignment of the release notches 76 thus
releasing the hollow needle carriage 73 from the restraints of the
carriage stops thereby allowing the biased spring 7 to thrust the
hollow needle carriage and the needle cannula 39 into the proximal
end of the pivot trunk and the retraction trunk 15 thus covering
the distal end of the needle cannula 39 thereby preventing the distal
end of the needle cannula 39 from accidentally pricking or injecting
a disease etc. into another person.
Referring to FIG. 31 there is shown a section elevation of the
hollow needle carriage 73 and the needle cannula 39 safely inside
the retraction trunk 15 and the pivot trunk 72. The biased spring
7 is holding the hollow needle carriage and the needle cannula completely
inside of the pivot trunk thereby protecting the sharp end of the
needle cannula, thereby preventing an accidental needle stick.
Although the syringes and syringe systems described in detail above
have been found to be most satisfactory and preferred, many variations
of the invention are possible within the scope of the present invention.
For example the retraction trunk may be located in the center of
the syringe body or it may be axially offset.
Although the invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art, that additions, modifications, substitutions, deletions
and other changes not specifically described, may be made in the
embodiment herein. It should be understood that the details herein
are to be interpreted as illustrations and are not in a liming sense. |