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 invention relates to an attachment for controlling the operation of a syringe and to a method of controlling the syringe operation using the attachment. The syringe includes a barrel and a plunger, and the attachment includes a main body, a syringe plunger engaging end adapted to releasably secure the attachment to the syringe plunger, and a guide adapted to secure the attachment to the syringe barrel while allowing sliding movement of the attachment relative to the syringe barrel.

An assist feature is disposed on the attachment between the guide and the syringe plunger engaging end, and a user operates the assist feature to cause sliding movement of the main body and corresponding movement of the plunger relative to the syringe barrel. The assist feature is adapted to provide the user with a mechanical advantage in moving the main body relative to the syringe, including mechanical structures that engage the syringe barrel while the attachment moves relative to the syringe barrel.

The described system further includes tactile indicator(s) for generating tactile event(s) as the main body moves relative to the syringe barrel, and an optical element to enhance viewing of syringe gradations, including a magnifying element, and reference/zero-indication structures that support reading syringe gradations and plunger position. In the described motion-generating assist feature, rotating elements may include at least one pinion gear moved on a rack on the syringe barrel to cause relative movement.

Claims Coverage

Independent claims cover an attachment and methods that control relative motion between a syringe plunger and syringe barrel using a guided attachment and an assist feature providing mechanical advantage. Across the independent claims, inventive features include a sliding guide with a plunger-engaging end, an assist feature disposed between them to drive relative movement, and assist-feature operation using frictional rotation or pinion-and-rack movement, with optional refinements such as tactile indicators and optical elements referenced in the claim set.

The independent claim coverage is centered on a guided attachment that slides along the syringe barrel while a plunger-engaging end drives corresponding plunger movement, with an assist feature providing mechanical advantage. The method claims specify operation of the assist feature via frictionally engaging rotation and, in a further method refinement, pinion gears moved on a rack to produce the relative movement.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications