Syringe systems and methods for multi-stage fluid delivery
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11826550-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A syringe-based device includes a housing and an actuator mechanism including a first member and a second member. The first member includes a syringe body and a plunger, the plunger being movably disposed within the syringe body. The second member includes a second member plunger seal and a valve operably and selectively coupled to the second member plunger seal such that the valve is positioned proximal of the second member plunger seal. The device also includes a first fluid reservoir and a second fluid reservoir. The device transitions from a first configuration to a second configuration in which the first type of fluid is expelled from the first fluid reservoir, to a third configuration in which the second type of fluid is expelled from the second fluid reservoir through the valve.
Core Innovation
The syringe-based device provides a housing with an inner volume and an actuator mechanism movably disposed within the housing. The actuator mechanism includes a first member comprising a syringe body and a plunger, and a second member comprising a second member plunger seal. The second member includes a valve operably and selectively coupled to the second member plunger seal, with the valve positioned proximal of the second member plunger seal.
The device defines a first fluid reservoir configured to contain a first type of fluid, where the first fluid reservoir is defined at least partially by the housing and the second member plunger seal. A second fluid reservoir is defined at least partially by the syringe body and the plunger, and is configured to retain a second type of fluid. The disclosed arrangement supports fluidic isolation such that the syringe-based device transitions from a first configuration to a second configuration to expel the first type of fluid, and then to a third configuration to expel the second type of fluid through the valve.
A locking mechanism selectively prevents relative movement between the plunger and the syringe body. In the disclosed configuration, the locking mechanism comprises a radial projection pivotably coupled to the plunger, with the radial projection having a locked position that engages the syringe body. This gating behavior enables staged transitions that prevent premature expulsion of the second type of fluid prior to the transition to the third configuration, including embodiments with multiple actuator configurations and mechanical engagement between components.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim (clm-00001) covers a syringe-based device with an actuator mechanism that transitions through multiple configurations to expel a first fluid and then expel a second fluid through a valve, under control of a locking mechanism. It includes at least five core inventive concepts: a specific two-member actuator arrangement with a proximal valve relative to a second-member plunger seal, two separately defined fluid reservoirs, and a particular locking mechanism using a pivotably coupled radial projection that engages the syringe body, enabling the staged configuration transitions.
Two-member actuator with proximal valve and second-member plunger seal
An actuator mechanism configured to be movably disposed within the housing, comprising a first member having a syringe body and a plunger, and a second member having a second member plunger seal and a valve operably and selectively coupled to the second member plunger seal such that the valve is positioned proximal of the second member plunger seal.
First and second fluid reservoirs defined by housing/seal and syringe body/plunger
A first fluid reservoir configured to contain a first type of fluid, the first fluid reservoir being defined at least partially by the housing and the second member plunger seal, and a second fluid reservoir configured to retain a second type of fluid, the second fluid reservoir being defined at least partially by the syringe body and the plunger.
Configuration transitions that first expel first fluid then expel second fluid through the valve
The syringe-based device transitions from a first configuration to a second configuration in which the first type of fluid is expelled from the first fluid reservoir, to a third configuration in which the second type of fluid is expelled from the second fluid reservoir through the valve.
Locking mechanism with pivotably coupled radial projection
A locking mechanism to selectively prevent relative movement between the plunger and the syringe body, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a radial projection pivotably coupled to the plunger, the radial projection having a locked position in which the radial projection engages the syringe body.
Overall, the claim set is anchored by a staged syringe-based expulsion sequence driven by a two-member actuator in which a valve is positioned proximal of a second-member plunger seal, two separately defined fluid reservoirs are maintained, and a locking mechanism with a pivotably coupled radial projection gates relative movement so the device transitions through configurations to expel a first fluid and then expel a second fluid through the valve.
Stated Advantages
Prevents premature expulsion of the second type of fluid prior to transitioning to the third configuration.
Documented Applications
Use in drug administration sequences where a rapid flush is needed after medicament delivery, including supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) requiring saline flush after adenosine [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Use in multi-stage flush/medication/flush sequences, including variants with priming and additional stages [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Administration in central venous catheter (CVC) and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line contexts [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Neonatal dosing and flush-volume examples for staged fluid delivery sequences [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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