FR2632190A1 - Device preventing the reuse of a syringe and syringe incorporating the device - Google Patents

Abstract

Means preventing a second injection of fluid. The device according to the invention comprises: - a tubular body 11 intended to be interposed between the cylinder and the needle 4 and comprising a seat 14 delimiting a central opening 15 and making, in the body, a first chamber 16 which connects with the volume 8, and a second chamber 17 which connects with the needle 4, - a mobile shut-off device 12 which can be moved in the body by the flow of the fluid, - and a non-return element 13 for the shut-off device in the first chamber, comprising a flexible part 13a intended to interact with the seat 14 in order, in interaction with the shut-off device, to be interposed between the latter and the seat. Application to non-reusable syringes.

Description

DEVICE PROHIBITING REUSE OF A SYRINGE AND SYRINGE
INCORPORATING THE DEVICE
The present invention relates to the technical field of syringes, in the general sense, of all types, pre-filled or not with a fluid of various nature to be injected and each consisting of a hollow cylinder provided with a fitting adapter for a needle. and a piston slidingly controlled in the cylinder for injecting the fluid by the needle.

 The invention relates, more specifically, syringes comprising # means designed to try to prohibit a new injection of fluid, after a first use.

 In general, the use of a syringe requires implementing special hygiene measures to avoid, from one injection to another, the transmission, in particular, of a contagious disease.

 To assume such a function, the prior art has proposed subjecting the syringes, between two uses, to sterilization, in particular by the wet method. If such a method makes it possible to obtain completely aseptic syringes, it appears, in practice, that the implementation of this technique is relatively long and costly.

It was proposed, then, to use syringes manufactured at a relatively reduced cost to be discarded after
Their first use.

 However, it appears that the reusable and disposable syringes described above do not give satisfaction in practice, since they do not certainly make it possible to prohibit, after an injection, a new accidental or intentional use of syringes which do not have, by aLleurs, underwent a treatment of aseptisation.

 In an attempt to solve this problem, the prior art has proposed, by patent FR 2 204 429, a first type of syringe comprising a hollow cylinder provided with a longitudinal weakening groove intended to be cut, during the delivery of the fluid. by the piston, by a retractable knife mounted integral with the piston. This syringe, the cylinder of which is perforated, is not able to contain, subsequently, a fluid for a second use.

 The main disadvantage of this type of syringe is that relating to the significant modifications to be made to the cylinder and the piston of existing syringes.

A second type of syringe has been proposed by the patent
FR 2 298 340 comprising a piston provided with a tearable wall and a hollow cylinder equipped with a tip capable of perforating the piston at the end of the piston delivery stroke.

 In addition to the fact that this type of syringe requires modifying the syringes usually used, it appears that the means designed, to make them unusable after a first use, can be rendered inoperative if the plunger is not moved until its end race.

A third type of syringe is known from the patent
FR 2 419 074 comprising a hollow cylinder and a piston displaced by a control rod. The piston and the cylinder have means cooperating together to prevent the piston from returning to the suction position, when the latter occupies its position of maximum insertion into the cylinder.

 The means designed to make this type of syringe unusable also require a significant modification of the cylinder and of the piston and can be rendered ineffective by securing, before use, the piston and the control rod.

 The study of the state of the art shows the need to be able to have syringes equipped with means prohibiting, in a safe way, their re-use, without requiring major modifications of the syringes usually used.

 -The object of the invention aims, precisely, to meet this need by providing a device for achieving the objectives set out above.

 The invention also aims to provide a device designed to make it difficult, even impossible, to make it inoperative, without causing the destruction of the syringe.

 The invention also aims to offer a device easily adaptable to the syringes usually used, requiring only slight, or even no modification.

 The invention also aims to propose a device which can be produced simply during the manufacture of the syringes.

To achieve the above objectives, the device according to the invention comprises:
- a tubular body intended to be interposed between
the cylinder and the needle and comprising,
internally and transversely, a seat
delimiting a central and gentle opening,
in the body, a first chamber in relation
with capacity and a second bedroom
communicating with the needle,
- a movable shutter movable in the body by
circulation of the fluid, normally arranged
in The first room before
fluid delivery and able to pass through
the opening to be place in the second
chamber during the delivery of the fluid,
- and a non-return element of the shutter in the
first chamber, comprising a flexible part
intended to cooperate with headquarters to authorize
The passage of the shutter in the first direction-
second bedroom and for, in cooperation with
The shutter, to intervene between the latter and
the seat, so that it seals
The opening in the direction of solicitation of
The shutter second-first chamber during a
subsequent attempt to aspirate fluid by.

 the needle.

 Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below with reference to the appended drawings which show, a. by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

 Fig. 1 is a half-perspective showing the device according to the invention adapted to a syringe.

 Figs. 2 to 2E are sections, on a larger scale, showing the device according to the invention.

 Figs. 3 and 4 are cross sections taken, respectively, along lines 111-111 and IV-IV of FIG. 2.

 Fig. 5 is a half-section of a detail of the object of the invention.

 Figs. 6 and 7 are alternative embodiments of the device according to the invention.

 Fig. 8 is a view, in half-perspective, of a characteristic detail of the object of the invention.

 Fig. 1 illustrates a syringe 1, in the general sense, consisting, in a usual manner, of a hollow cylinder 2 provided with a tip or a nose 3 designed to allow the adaptation, by any suitable means, of a needle 4. The syringe also includes a piston 5, capable of being controlled to slide inside the cylinder by a rod 6 which is provided, at its end, with a gripping plate 7 protruding from the cylinder. The piston 5 delimits, with the cylinder 2, a capacity 8 with variable volume communicating through the end piece with the needle 4. The capacity 8 is intended to contain a fluid drawn or not through the needle and discharged through this last using the piston.

 According to the invention, the syringe 1 comprises a device 9 prohibiting the reuse of the syringe after a first injection of fluid through the needle. The device 9, according to the invention, comprises a tubular body 11, intended to be interposed between the cylinder 2 and the needle 4, a movable shutter 12 movable in the body by the circulation of the fluid, and a non-return element 13 of the shutter whose function will be better understood in the following.

 As can be seen more precisely from the variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the body 11 is disposed inside the end piece 3 of the cylinder and is formed from three parts 11a to lic. Of course, it should be considered that the body 11 can be produced by a different number of parts and, for example, by a one-piece element. The body can thus be formed, totally or partially, by the end piece of the cylinder or be attached completely or in part inside the end piece.

Likewise, provision may be made for the needle to form or receive, partially or entirely, the body 11. In the example illustrated, the parts 11a and 11b of the body are attached to the end piece 3, while the part lic is formed by the tip.

 The body 11 comprises, transversely and internally, a seat 14 delimiting a central opening 15 of a determined passage section. The seat 14 provides, in the body 11, a first chamber 16 communicating with the capacity 8 of the syringe and a second chamber 17 in relation to the needle 4.

 The chamber 16 communicates with the capacity 8 through a central hole 18 and includes a stop 19 Limiting the movement of the shutter 12 in the direction of biasing of the latter, second-first chamber, represented by the arrow fl. As shown more precisely in FIG. 3, the chamber 16 also includes at least one and, for example, three fluid passages 20 designed to allow the fluid to pass between the chamber 16 and the capacity 8, even when the shutter 12 is resting on the stop. 19. In the example illustrated, the passages 20 form equidistant channels angularly arranged in the body 11.

Chamber 17 communicates with the needle through a central lumen 21 and includes a stop 22 limiting the movement of
The shutter 12 in the biasing direction of the latter, first-second chamber and represented by the arrow f2. As can be seen more precisely from your fig. 4, the chamber 17 also comprises at least one and, for example, four orifices 23 for passage of the fluid, arranged to let the fluid pass between the needle and the chamber 17, even when the shutter 12 is in contact with the stop 22.

 Of course, it must be considered that each part of the body 11, defining the hole 18, the stop 19, the passage 20, the light 21, the stop 22 and the orifice 23, can be produced according to various profiles and in any number to assume their respective function.

 The movable shutter 12 is normally arranged for mounting in the first chamber 16 and has a maximum cross section less than the cross section through which the opening 15 passes, so that the shutter can pass through the opening to be placed in the second chamber 17. Preferably, the shutter is guided in displacement in the body 11 and has a cross section of profile complementary to that of the opening. In the variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the shutter 16 is guided freely in movement in the body 11 and is preferably formed by a ball. In the case of a ball-type shutter, the central opening 15 has a passage section of circular shape.

The non-return element 13 according to the invention comprises a flexible part 13a intended to cooperate with the seat 14. The non-return element 13 is designed to allow the passage of the shutter 12 from the first chamber 16 into the second chamber 17, on the one hand, and for, in cooperation with the shutter, to be interposed between the latter and the seat 14, so as to seal with tightness the central opening 15 under the effect of a stress from L shutter in the fl direction, on the other hand. To assume such functions, the flexible part 13a can be freely deformed in the direction f2 to present a passage section at least equal to that of the shutter. In addition, the flexible part has a transverse profile at least complementary in excess of the difference in cross section between
The opening 15 and the shutter 12 and have a thickness chosen to excessively fill the difference in section defined between the opening 15 and the shutter 12.

 In the example illustrated in fig. 2, the non-return element 13 is carried by the seat 14 on the side of the second chamber 17.

 In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the non-return element 13 is formed directly by the body 11 and is in the form of a lip.

 The operation of the device according to the invention follows directly from the above description.

The piston 5 of the syringe is actuated to create a vacuum in the capacity 8 of the cylinder, so as to draw the fluid to be injected through the needle 4. As it appears more precisely in FIG. 2A, the shutter 12, initially placed in the first chamber 16, is stressed by the circulation of the fluid in the direction f1 and is supported on the stop 19. The fluid thus circulates in the direction fi, from the needle 4 to the capacity 8 , passing, successively, through the second chamber 17,
The opening 15, the first chamber 16, the passage channels 20 and the central hole 18 of the body 11.

Of course, provision may be made to directly fill capacity 8 with a fluid introduced, for example, through the open end of the cylinder, opposite to that equipped with
The end piece or by the end piece prior to the adaptation of the device according to the invention.

 When the cylinder contains the chosen volume of the fluid to be injected, the piston is moved in sliding fashion to discharge the fluid from the capacity 8 towards the needle 4. The circulation of the fluid causes the displacement, in the direction f21 of the shutter 12 which deforms the flexible part 13a of the non-return element to pass through the opening 15 (FIG. 2B). The shutter 12 is then placed in the second chamber 17 while being supported on the stop 22 (fig. 2C). The fluid is thus discharged in the direction f2, from the capacity 8 towards the needle 4, by successively circulating through the first chamber 16, the opening 15, the second chamber 17, the orifices 23 and the # lumen 21 of the body. he.

 The device according to the invention therefore allows a suction of a fluid through the needle, if necessary, and an injection of the fluid contained in the cylinder. A syringe, equipped with the device according to the invention, can be used, conventionally, to ensure a first use.

However, during a subsequent attempt to draw a fluid through the needle 4 (fig. 2D), the shutter 12 is biased in the direction f1 and comes to bear on the seat 14, by the intermediate of the non-return element 13 which is interposed between the seat 14 and the shutter 12. The flexible part 13a of the non-return element is established at the periphery of
The opening 15 according to its thickness, to prevent the passage of the shutter in the first chamber 16 and to seal the opening. The device according to the invention therefore prohibits a second use of the syringe by preventing the aspiration of fluid through the needle.

 However, to avoid a second use of the syringe, in particular in the case where the fluid is introduced through the open end of the cylinder, the second chamber 17 may include a cage 25 intended to receive the obturator 12 for closing the needle 4 (fig. 2E). The cage 25 has a portion 25a, elastically deformable, allowing the passage of the shutter and its maintenance in the cage to close the lumen 21, whatever the direction of the stresses exerted on the shutter by the fluid. The shutter 12 is moved in the cage 25, preferably at the end of the piston stroke, by an extension 26 carried by the piston 5. The extension 26 also ensures maximum discharge of the fluid contained in the nozzle, so as to obtain maximum use of the dose of fluid included in the capacity.

 It should be noted that the cage 25 can be implemented without the presence of an extension carried by the piston, so that the shutter 12 can be trapped in the cage, during an attempt to destroy the device according to L invention, by an element introduced by the cylinder and comprising an end portion analogous to the extension 26 moving the shutter in the cage.

 Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device 9 according to the invention, in which the shutter 12 is of the valve type. In the example illustrated, the valve comprises a tail 30 guided in sliding in the body 11 and extended by a head 31 supported by the body in the first chamber 16. The valve normally occupies the first chamber 16 which has channels 20 ensuring, during the first suction, the passage of the fluid in the capacity 8. The valve is capable of being displaced by the fluid discharged through at least one hole 18, to come into the second chamber 17 through the opening of the seat 14.

The displacement of the valve is limited by a bead 32 carried by the tail 30 and intended to cooperate with the body 11. The valve carries, for example, the non-return element 13 whose flexible part can be elastically deformed to allow the passage of the valve through the opening. The non-return element 13 is provided, for interposing between the seat 14 and the head 31 and being established, depending on its thickness, on the periphery of the opening 15, so as to prevent the return of the valve in the first chamber and seal the opening.

 Fig. 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention in which the shutter 12 is of the valve type.

In the example illustrated, the valve is of the articulated type and is formed by a disc 33 carried by the non-return element 13 which is partially fixed to the body 11. The valve, which is normally arranged in the first chamber 16, is able to be moved by the circulation of the fluid in the second chamber 17.

During a subsequent aspiration of fluid by the needle, the valve comes to cooperate with the seat 14, so that the non-return element 13, interposed between the seat and the disc, is established according to its thickness at the outskirts of the opening.

 The device 9 according to the invention can be easily adapted on syringes conventionally used, requiring only slight, or even no modification. Furthermore, it can be envisaged to produce the device 9 during the manufacture of the syringes, so as to be constituted by the nose or the tip of the syringes. In addition, it appears difficult, if not impossible, to prevent the device from operating without causing the syringe to deteriorate completely. The device 9 therefore makes it possible to obtain non-reusable syringes in a safe manner.

 To prohibit a second use of the syringe, in the event that the fluid is not aspirated by the needle but is introduced by the open end of the cylinder, it can be provided to mount, on this end, means 35 prohibiting the complete extraction of the piston from the cylinder or destroying the piston during its extraction (fig. 1). By way of example, these means can be constituted by a ring 36 attached to the interior of the cylinder and comprising sharp notches 37 tfig. 8).

 The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown, since various modifications can be made thereto without departing from its scope.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:  1 - Device prohibiting the reuse of a syringe, of the type comprising a hollow cylinder C2) provided with a tip (3) for adapting a needle (4) and a piston (5) controlled to slide in the cylinder for determine, between the piston and the cylinder, a capacity (8) with variable volume, capable of containing a fluid intended to be discharged later through the needle,  characterized in that it includes  - a tubular body (11) intended to be interposed  between the cylinder (2) and the needle (4) and  comprising, internally and transversely,  a seat (14) defining a central opening  (15) and providing a first in the body  chamber (16) in relation to the capacity (8) and  a second chamber (17) communicating with  the needle (4),  - a movable shutter (12) movable in the  body by the circulation of the fluid, normally  arranged in the first chamber (16)  prior to the delivery of the fluid and suitable for  pass through the opening (15) to be placed in  the second chamber (17) during the delivery of the  fluid,  - and a non-return element (13) of the shutter  in the first room, comprising a part  flexible (13a) intended to cooperate with the seat  (14) to allow passage of the shutter  (12) in the first-second chamber direction and  for, in cooperation with the shutter,  come between the latter and the seat,  so as to seal the opening in  the direction of solicitation of the second shutter  first room On a subsequent attempt  fluid suction by the needle.  2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shutter is mounted free to move.  3 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the shutter is of the ball type.  4 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the shutter is of the valve type.  5 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shutter is of the valve type.  6 - Device according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the first chamber (16) comprises a stop (19) limiting the movement of the shutter in the direction (f1), while the second chamber (17) comprises at at least one stop (22) limiting the movement of the shutter in the direction (f2) and at least one orifice (23) for passage of the fluid in relation to the needle.  7 - Device according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that the second chamber comprises a cage (25) intended to receive the shutter which is moved, at the end of the delivery of the fluid, by an extension (26), of so that the shutter closes the needle.  8 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-return element (13) is carried by the seat (14) on the side of the second chamber.  9 - Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the shutter (12) carries the non-return element (13).  10 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body (11) is formed by the tip (3) of the syringe.  11 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body (11) is incorporated in the nozzle (3) of the syringe.  12 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body (11) is incorporated in the needle (4).  13 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body (11) is formed by the needle (4).  14 - Syringe characterized in that it comprises a device according to one of claims I to 13.  15 - Syringe according to claim 14, characterized in that the cylinder (2) comprises, at the opposite end from that provided with the nozzle, means (35) preventing complete extraction of the piston relative to the cylinder or destroying the piston during its extraction.