CA2150404A1

CA2150404A1 - Autodiscardable hypodermic syringe

Info

Publication number: CA2150404A1
Application number: CA002150404A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Carlos Maria Baron
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-30
Filing date: 1995-05-29
Publication date: 1995-12-01
Also published as: ITTO950432A1; BR9502149A; GB9510788D0; ES2101648B1; DE19518807A1; IT1302556B1; GB2301035A; ES2101648A1; ITTO950432A0

Abstract

The present invention is related to instruments that are not used twice, for the application of injections, blood extraction, etc., and more particularly it refers to an autodiscardable hypodermic syringe.
To the specified ends, and such as it has been claimed, said hypodermic auto-discardable syringe is of the type consisting in a hollow barrel (a) in which a plunger (16) is guided in a shifting manner, the same conforming chamber of compression of variable capacity, communicated with the outside through a coupling nozzle (3) to a needle; and said plunger (16), is connected to a rod (b), that, at the rear end part (2) of the hollow barrel (a) it ends in a command header (10);
characterized because the rod (b), being rotative, has, at least, one longitudinal guiding helix (4') that, on one part, goes across a guiding eyelet (6-6') practised in a rear end stopper (5) of said hollow barrel, to end in an end (8) in which the command header (10) is mounted rotatively; while at the other end (12), said rod (b) finishes in a terminal (13) which can be vinculated with the plunger (16) through the coupling means (c) provided by the own plunger (16); and these coupling means (c) consist of: an alternative coupling and uncoupling passage (14) of the terminal (13), retention means (15) combined with an opposite first supporting set (15') of the same terminal (13) coupled with the plunger (16) -which correspond to the normal run of aspiration and gyration in the receding way of the helix (4'), and a second set of opposite supports of the terminal (13) -that opposed to the ones of the first set (15') and corresponding to the normal run of compression the aligns with the referred uncoupling passage (14) (of blood, biopsy puncture, etc.).

Description

21~0404 ._ AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC
SYRING E

The present invention is related to instruments that are not used twice, for the application of injections, blood extraction, etc., and more particularly it refers to an autodiscardable hypodermic syringe.
Yet, more particularly, the object of the invention is to put forward a new type of syringe that, once having been employed, o guarantees its operative destruction automatically, with no possibility of it being used again.
Conventional syringes consist in a hollow barrel that, open at the back part and closed at the front part with a header wall that ends in a tubular coupling spout of the needle, guides inside it to a plunger bonded to a piston that, ending in a head of command, produces the alternative shifting of said plunger inside the cylinder defining, respecting the header wall a chamber of alternative aspiration and expulsion, of variable capacity.
For many years the syringes, after each use, were used again after undergoing a process of sterilization.
But, due to several reasons (lack of sterilization, inadequate sterilization, virosical resistance upon some methods for sterilization, etc.), and as reported by the Council for World Health, a worrying increase in the illnesses caught has been observed in the last decades, due to -amongst other reasons-contagion through medical or surgical instruments and, in particular, through syringes and needles for injections.
This gave rise to the introduction of the so-called "discardable" syringes which, although reducing those 5 percentages, they all the same maintained the worrying.
proportions of contagion; having been verified that the quality of "discardable" was not enough, since the production of that discarding depended on the will and good faith of the operator;
being common the cases of unscrupulous practices by which the o "discardable" syringes, after being used are not only not eliminated but, on the contrary, they are cleaned and used again several times.
The invention object of the present invention contributes with another type of syringe, extremely effective, that prevents 15 its use more than once, as, from then on, it automatically auto-disables itself; that is, without the intervention of the will of an operator in this destruction.
Due to all this, the acceptance that said invention wi~l have when put into practice is to be imagined, whichever the 20 category and destination given to it is, as, due to the characteristics defining it, it can be used for the application of medical injections as well as for blood extraction and biopsy punction, etc.

2lsn40 1 Il- MAIN OBJECT
To the specified ends, and such as it has been claimed, said hypodermic auto-discardable syringe is of the type consisting in a hollow barrel (a) in which a plunger (16) is guided 5 in a shifting manner, the same conforming chamber of compression of variable capacity, communicated with the outside through a coupling nozzle (3) to a needle; and said plunger (16), is connected to a rod (b), that, at the rear end part (2) of the hollow barrel (a) it ends in a command header (10);
o characterized because the rod (b), being rotative, has, at least, one longitudinal guiding helix (4') that, on one part, goes across a guiding eyelet (6-6') practised in a rear end stopper (5) of said hollow barrel, to end in an end (8) in which the command header (10) is mounted rotatively; while at the other end (12), said rod 15 (b) finishes in a terminal (13) which can be vinculated with the plunger (16) through the coupling means (c) provided by the own plunger (16); and these coupling means (c) consist of: an alternative coupling and uncoupling passage (14) of the terminal (13), retention means (15) combined with an opposite first 20 supporting set (15') of the same terminal (13) coupled with the plunger (16) -which correspond to the normal run of aspiration and gyration in the receding way of the helix (4'), and a second set of opposite supports of the terminal (13) -that opposed to the ones of the first set (15') and corresponding to the normal run of 25 compression the aligns with the referred uncoupling passage (14) (of blood, biopsy puncture, etc.).

For a better clarity and comprehension of the object of the invention, it is illustrated with various figures, in which it has been represented in some of the preferred embodiments; all as 5 an example, not limiting, being: .
Figure 1, a longitudinal section of the syringe with a view of the helicoidal rod and the coupling means to the plunger -in some of the preferred embodiments of the same- permitting the appreciation of its general constitution and the disposition of the o different parts integrating it; showing in this figure the referred syringe in the starting position for the extraction in which the terminal of the rod hooks in the stopping means provided to that effect.
Figure 2, a cross section of the syringe, according to a plan 15 indicated as II-II in figure 1, that shows the way in which the rod is inserted through an eyelet compatible with a fixed stopper of the rear part; with which when enabled for aspiration or compression, this straight actioning from the puller of the rod, is transformed into a rotative one through the action of the helix 20 obligatorily passed through the referred eyelet.
Figure 3, another cross section of the set of the syringe in figure 1, according to the plan indicated as III-III in said figure, and that shows the way in which the terminal stops against the support means opposite to the rear part of the plunger, during 25 the rotation of said rod.

- 21~0404 Figure 4, another cross section of the syringe, according to the plan that is indicated as IV-IV in figure 1, shows the way in which the terminal of the rod, -on the indicated runs- remained held between the retention means of the connecting means with 5 the hollow barrel, preventing its uncoupling during said.initial run of aspiration.
Figure 5, a view in perspective of the plunger with its coupling/uncoupling means with the rod, clearly showing the way in which the same are constituted in one of the preferred o embodiments according to which said means consists in "L"
projections confronted at a distance that defines the inlet and outlet passage of the terminal.
Figure 6, another partial longitudinal section of the hollow barrel, indicating the way in which it works to the aspiration, 15 with the shifting and rotation according to the arrows.
Figure 7, is another cross section of the syringe, according to the plan indicated as VII-VII in figure 6, which shows how the terminal settles with its hooking teeth against the supports opposite to the coupling means, rotating according to the 20 arrows.
Figure 8, a detail in longitudinal section corresponding to the rear part area of the syringe, showing the way in which -in the compression run- the rod rotates according to the arrows in a way in which the terminal separates from the opposed 25 supports.

215040~

Figure 9, a cross section of the syringe, according to a plan indicated as IX-IX in figure 8.
Figure 10, a detail of the syringe in longitudinal section, from the phase of compression and expulsion of the liquid 5 contained in the compression chamber (that is, after the. proper injection being produced) in which the terminal of the rod remains finally aligned respecting the passage of the coupling means with the plunger, in a way that when intended to aspire again with the syringe -according to the arrows- an automatic o uncoupling between the plunger and the rod is produced, in accordance to what is illustrated.
Figure 11, a cross section of the syringe according to a plan indicated XI-XI in figure 10, being the positioning of the terminal of the rod clearly observed, aligned with the passage 15 towards its uncoupling.
Figure 12, a view in elevation of the rod, in one preferred embodiment that constitutes a flat sheet, lightly buckled forming the helix.
Figure 13, another longitudinal elevational view of the rod, 20 in a new way of embodiment according to which said rod has a cylindrical format with a helicoidal groove; and finally, Figure 14, another longitudinal elevational view of the rod in a new way of embodiment according to which the hollow barrel has a nerve in the form of a helicoidal thread.

In the different figures, the same reference nurnbers indicate same parts or corresponding ones, having been marked with letters the group of various elements.
Said references correspond to the following detail, being:
(a) hollow barrel (b) rod (version figures 1 and 6) (b') rod (version figure 12) (b") rod (version figure 13) (b"') rod (version figure 14) o (c) coupling means between the rod and the plunger (d) rotational guide of the rod (e) command header of the rod (l) injectable liquid by the syringe and its needle (1) side walls of the hollow barrel (2) holder of the rear part in (1) (3) coupling nozzle or spout with the needle (4) leaf of the rod buckled in helicoid (figs. 1 and 6) (4') leaf buckled in helicoid, according to figure 12 (4") groove in helicoid (4"') helicoidal thread (5) stopper of the rear part (6-6') eyelet of (5) (7) back neck of the rod according to figures 1, 6 and 12 (7') neck of the rod according to figures 13 and 14 (8) end of the rod (b), for the rotative mounting of the cube (9) (8') end of the rod (b'), for the rotative mounting of the cube (9') (8") end of the rod (b'), for the rotative mounting of the cube (9') (9) cube of the command header (e), figures 1 and 6 (9') cube of the command header (e), figures 12 and 14 (10) puller, figures 1 and 6 (10') puller, figures 12 and 14 (11) annular fin (disc) as guiding means of (b) in o (11') annular fin (disc) as guiding means of (b'), (b") and (b"') (12) front neck of the rod, figures 1 and 6 (12') front neck of the rod, figures 12 to 14 (13) terminal of (b) (13') terminal of (b') and (b"') (13") terminal of (b") (14) passage for the coupling and uncoupling of (13) (14') base for the fixing of the means of (c) to the plunger (15) retention means of (13) (15') limit projections (16) plunger IV- DESCRIPTION
In general terms, the reference syringe consists of a hollow barrel (a) closed on an end through a header wall that ends in a coupling tubular spout (3) to a needle (not illustrated), while, on the opposite rear end, said hollow barrel (a) is open and delimited by a surrounding rim conforming a holder (2); the walls (1) of the referred hollow barrel, giving internally a channeling guided to a plunger (16) with rings with hermetic 5 adjusting, which, respecting the header wall provided from the spout (3) defines an aspiration/compression chamber of variable capacity (in relation to the position that the referred plunger adopts along the hollow barrel) and that vinculates to a rod (b) which, going across the opening of the rear end of the hollow o barrel (a) ends in a command header (e).
More particularly, and according to what can be seen in the drawings, in the present case the rod (a) has at least one guiding longitudinal helix (4') that, going across a rotational guide (d) fixed to the rear end of the hollow barrel (a), by its 15 external end to the hollow barrel (a) ends in a neck (7) which, through a head (10) rotatively mounts a comm~nd puller (10), figures 1 and 6; while the internal end of the same rod (12), ends in a front neck (12) -figures 1 and 6- with a terminal (13) that is disposed in a "T" form and is vinculated with a plunger (16) 20 through coupling means (c).
These coupling means (c) -that begin in a base (14') joined to the face of the rear part of the plunger (16)- consist of: an alternative coupling/uncoupling passage (14) of terminal (13), retention means (15) combined with a first set of opposed 25 supports (15') of the same terminal (13) coupled to the plunger (16) -that correspond to the normal aspiration and rotation run in " ~ 21S0~04 the receding way of the helix- and a second set of opposed supports of terminal (13) that, opposite to the ones of the first set (15') and corresponding to the normal run of compression, align with the referred uncoupling passage (14).
In the particular case of the example in the drawings, the coupling means (c) provided by the base (14') joined to the wall of the rear part of the plunger (16), consist in two "L" shaped projections, distanced between themselves in a magnitude that, being lightly bigger than the width of the terminal (13) of the rod o (b) constitutes the alternative coupling and uncoupling passage of said rod (b) through it (figures 4 and 5). And both projections, on one part define retention rims (15) of terminal (13) in coupling position, while on the other part they conform two sets of projections in the form of rotative support stoppers (15') of the same terminal (13), in the advancing way and in the receding way of its helix (4'), respectively; being the support stoppers that compose a same set, distributed in one and the other projection, in diametrically opposed disposition (figures 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11).
As it is shown in the drawings that illustrate the invention, in its diverse forms of embodiment, the rod (b) can be a sheet (4) of a constant width, affected by a light torsion in the longitudinal sense, that defines an ample helicoidal conformation (4') (figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 or even 12 indicated as (b') and shows a minor buckle).
But all the same, and with analogous principle, said rod can be the one represented as (b") in figure 13 or the (4"') in 215û404 figure 14, in both cases formed by a cylinder, but provided with one or more grooves (4") or threads (4"').
In the corresponding way, the guider (d) of the rod (b) is a stopper of the rear part (5) that closes the back opening of the hollow barrel (a), and is affected by an eyelet (6-6') being its section equal to -although it is shghtly bigger- the cross section and configuration of the own rod (b).
Thus, and according to what figures 2 to 4 show, for the flat rod (b) of figures 1, 6, 8, and 10, the mentioned guiding eyelet (6'6') has a rectangular configuration equivalent to the cross section of the sheet (4); while in the case of the rods (b") and (b"') of figures 13 and 14, said eyelet is round, in a case, provided of teeth to fit in the helicoidal groove or grooves (4"), and in others it has notches to admit the fitting of the thread or threads (4").
The device works as follows: when liquid is aspired in the chamber of the hollow barrel, the plunger (16) recedes tractioned by the rod (b) -figures 6- which is at the same time shifted through command in the puller (10). When said rod (b) passes through the eyelet (6-6') of the stopper of the rear part (d), is forced to rotate unrestrained with its header (8) in cube (9) of the puller (10), while in the coupling (c), the terminal (13) leans against the projections of the opposed stopper (15'), as shown in figure 7.
This produces the rotation of the coupling means (c) in a group respecting to the anchoring of (14') in the center of the plunger (16), the rims (15) preventing the terminal (13) from uncoupling from (c).
When the plunger (16) shifts in the opposite way, in the compression run -or injection- given that it is "pushed" by the 5 rod (b), it slides easily towards the head of the hollow barrel (a), channeling the liquid contained through the spout (3).
But, if there is an attempt to use the syringe once more -that is, to aspiring a second time (figure 9)- as soon as the rod (b) slightly rotates, its terminal (13) ends aligning with passage o (14) -figure 11- and ends uncoupling as it is shown in figures 10 and 11; the syringe being automatically disabled, as it is not possible to continue the aspiration or using it in any way.
Finally, it must be noted that in the present embodiment, amongst others, the spout (3) has been defined in an oblicuous 15 disposition forming an angle comprehended between 30 and 40 respecting the longitudinal geometrical axis of the syringe, which greatly facilitates its use in some applications, such as blood extraction, for example.
There is no doubt that, when put into practice, the present 20 inventlon can suffer modifications respecting certain details in its construction and shape, which does not imply that it is getting apart from the fundamental principles which are clearly substantiated in the following claims:

Claims

1- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE; of the type consisting of a hollow barrel in which a plunger is guided in a shifting way, conforming a compression chamber of variable capacity, communicated with the outside through a coupling nozzle to a needle; and said plunger, being connected to a rod that, on the rear end of the hollow barrel ends in a command header; characterized because the rod, being rotative, has at least one longitudinal guiding helix that, on one part, goes through a guiding eyelet practices in one stopper of the rear end of the cylinder, to finish in an end in which the command header mounts in a rotative way; while on the opposite end, said rod ends in a terminal that can be vinculated with the plunger through the coupling means provided by the own plunger; and these coupling means consist of: an alternative coupling and uncoupling passage of the terminal, retention means combined with a first set of opposed support of the same terminal coupled with the plunger (that correspond to the normal run of aspiration and rotation in the receding sense of the helix), and a second set of opposed supports of the terminal (which, opposite to the ones of the first set and corresponding to the normal run of compression, align with the mentioned uncoupling passage).

2- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 1, characterized because the terminal of the rod is a piece that, starting at a neck of a smaller diameter than that of the main body of said rod, is disposed transversely in a "T" way respecting the same, defining two hooking teeth in a diametrically opposed disposition; having this terminal a constant width which is slightly smaller than that of the passage of the coupling means with the plunger.

3- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 1, characterized because in the end near its coupling terminal, the rod has shifting means of support against the internal surfaces of the hollow barrel.

4- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 3, characterized because the shifting means of support are given by the periphery of an annular fin that, starting in the same rod, projects ending in contact with the internal surfaces of the hollow barrel.

5- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 1, characterized because the coupling means provided by the rear part of the plunger consist in two "L"-shaped projections, distanced in between in a magnitude that, being slightly bigger than the width of the terminal of the rod, constitutes the alternative coupling or uncoupling passage of said rod through it; and both projections, on one part define retention rims of the terminal in a coupling position, while on the other part they conform two sets of stoppers of rotative support of the same terminal, in the advancing and receding sense of its helix, respectively; being the stoppers of support that compose a same set distributed in one and another projection, in a diametrically opposed disposition.

6- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 1, characterized because the rod is a sheet of constant thickness, affected by a slight torsion in the longitudinal sense that defines an ample helicoidal conformation.

7- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 1, characterized because the rod is a cylindrical body, provided with a helicoidal guide slightly displaced from the generator of said hollow barrel and segmented between its bases.

8- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 7, characterized because the helicoidal guide is a salient in the form of a thread.

9- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 7, characterized because the helicoidal guide is a recess in the form of a groove.

10- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 7, characterized because the helicoidal guide is a salient in the form of a thread.

11- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claims 1 and 6, characterized because the guiding eyelet of the rod has a rectangular configuration equal to the cross section of the sheet conforming said rod.

12- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claims 1 and 9, characterized because the guiding eyelet has a round configuration provided with a notch coincident with the cross section of the hollow barrel, as well as with the projection and disposition of its groove.

13- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claims 1 and 10, characterized because the guiding eyelet of the rod has a round configuration provided with a salient coincident with the cross section of the hollow barrel, as well as with the depth and disposition of its thread.

14- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 1, characterized because the rod is a cylinder with various lateral helicoidal guides, distributed in equal distances in its periphery; being the configuration of the cross section of said rod, equal to that of the eyelet that guides it in the stopper of the rear part.

15- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
according to claim 1, characterized because the coupling nozzle of the needle is not centered respecting the longitudinal geometrical axis of the hollow barrel and slanted between 20°
and 30° respecting the same axis.

16- AUTODISCARDABLE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE;
all in accordance with the mentioned claims, and substantially such as it has been described and illustrated in the annexed documents.

17