Precision low-dose, low-waste syringes and ergonomic attachments therefor

Inventors

Joseph, John H. • Bui, Minh • Peterson, Rod

Assignees

Innomed Technologies Inc

Abstract

Precision low-dose, low-waste syringe configurations have a reduced diameter lumen for dispensing 0.01 ml increments of contents. Plunger and lumen configurations and a needle interface eliminate dead space. Ergonomic attachments improve the control and precision of delivery of syringes. An attachment main body includes a gripping surface to permit a user to engage the attachment and move the attachment main body, and thus the syringe plunger relative to the syringe barrel using sliding movement. Optical enhancement features are provided on the attachment to improve the readability of gradations and plunger position. The attachment may be provided with an assist feature, which may be a traction wheel mounted on the attachment body. An alternative configuration suitable for syringe contents of higher viscosity may include a pair of toothed pinion gears on a wheel and which cooperate with respective toothed racks formed on or fastened to the syringe body.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention provides precision controlled movement of a syringe plunger by an attachment that moves relative to the syringe barrel. The attachment includes a main body with a syringe plunger engaging end, a guide that supports movement relative to the syringe barrel, and a rolling element mounted for rotation relative to the main body. Rotation of the rolling element causes the attachment to move relative to the syringe barrel, whereby a user may actuate the plunger by rotation of the rolling element.

In precision controlled delivery, a syringe with a plunger and a barrel is used together with the attachment to control movement of the plunger relative to the barrel. The rolling element engages an outer surface of the syringe barrel such that rotation of the rolling element causes attachment movement, enabling user actuation of the plunger by rotation of the rolling element. The invention also includes an assist feature having a wheel that engages the syringe barrel outer surface and moves incrementally with rolling motion.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims cover three related aspects: an attachment that translates rotational motion of a rolling element into syringe plunger actuation, a precision controlled delivery system for a therapeutic composition that incorporates that attachment, and an attachment variant using a wheel assist feature to enhance control of incremental movement and plunger actuation. Across the independent claims, the core inventive concept is rotation-to-plunger actuation via a barrel-engaging rolling element or wheel, supported by a guide and a plunger-engaging end.

Overall, the claim set provides coverage for syringe control attachments in which a barrel-engaging rotating rolling element or an incrementally moving wheel drives movement of an attachment, which in turn enables a user to actuate the syringe plunger.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications