WO2016053959A1

WO2016053959A1 - Aspiration and injection syringe and method of using

Info

Publication number: WO2016053959A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/052821
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark H. BASKIN; Mark J. Allen
Original assignee: Indiana University Research And Technology Corporation
Priority date: 2014-09-29
Filing date: 2015-09-29
Publication date: 2016-04-07

Abstract

An aspiration/injection syringe is provided. The syringe includes a syringe body, a syringe plunger, an actuator coupled to the plunger, and a track disposed externally to the syringe body and coupled thereto, the actuator slidingly received within the track.

Description

ASPIRATION AND INJECTION SYRINGE AND METHOD OF USING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.

62/056,962, filed on September 29, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure is related to methods and devices to provide for aspiration and/or injection with a syringe. The disclosure is more particularly directed to methods and devices that provide for aspiration and injection with a syringe where such aspiration and injection can be achieved using only one hand.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many medical procedures involve syringes coupled to needles. Many of these medical procedures are performed with the aid of imaging guidance. Imaging guidance involves realtime images of anatomy and medical devices showing their relative placement. Common examples of imaging systems suitable for providing imaging guidance include those operating using ultrasound, CT, X-ray (fluoroscopic), or MRI. Imaging guidance finds greatest utility when the anatomy that is being treated is not visible to the clinician via direct observation. Exemplary procedures include those where an internal anatomical structure is sampled and/or drained of fluid for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes (aspirated). Such draining and/or sampling is often done via a needle and syringe.

[0004] In certain situations, the anatomy being treated is located among other sensitive anatomical entities. Accordingly, knowing the location of the needle and precise placement thereof is associated with positive outcomes for such procedures. Upon achieving a desired placement of a needle, to maintain such placement while obtaining the sample and/or draining the structure, traditional syringes involve a user holding two different parts of the syringe (the body and the plunger) in opposing hands and then applying a force to pull the two apart. Such syringes do not always provide a consistent amount of friction therebetween. Still further, the opposing forces and inconsistent frictional engagement between body and plunger present the possibility of force being pulled on the plunger being transmitted to the body and/or other forces causing movement of the body (and by extension the needle). As previously noted, some procedures are performed amidst other sensitive anatomical structures. Accordingly, forces that cause undesired movement of the syringe body and needle have the potential to cause incursion of the needle into anatomy other than that which is desired. Generally, movement associated with the sampling and/or draining has the potential to direct the needle into undesired areas of the anatomy.

[0005] Spring loaded syringes have been designed that allow for one-handed operation of a syringe which reduce needed hand movement by an operating medical professional. However, such spring-loaded syringes are generally bulky and not designed to also provide injection. Still further, such spring-loaded syringes often require a "re-cocking" between each activation. Accordingly, what is needed is a syringe that can provide aspiration and injection while reducing the amount of hand movement (intentional and accidental) incurred during use thereof. Still further, what is needed is a syringe that can provide multiple aspiration instances while reducing the amount of hand movement (intentional and accidental) incurred during use thereof.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first embodiment, an aspiration/injection syringe is provided. The syringe includes a syringe body, a syringe plunger, an actuator coupled to the plunger, and a track disposed externally to the syringe body and coupled thereto, the actuator slidingly received within the track.

[0007] In some embodiments, the track may be integral with the syringe body.

[0008] In various embodiments, the track may be releasably coupled to the syringe body.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the syringe actuator may be integral with the syringe plunger.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the syringe the actuator may be removably coupled to the plunger.

[0011] In some embodiments, the syringe the actuator is located on the syringe body such that the actuator is operable by a user's index finger when the syringe body is held in a pencil grip. [0012] Also, the syringe the actuator may be coupled to the plunger such that a first wall of the actuator is located distally of a plunger plate, the first wall abutting the plunger plate and communicating proximal movement of the actuator to the plunger, the actuator further coupled to the plunger such that a second wall of the actuator is located distally of the plunger plate, the second wall abutting the plunger plate and communicating distal movement of the actuator to the plunger.

[0013] In some embodiments, the movement of the actuator in the track causes movement of the plunger within the body. According to various embodiment, the track may have a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plunger.

[0014] According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, an aspiration/injection syringe is provided including a syringe body, a syringe plunger, and an actuator coupled to the plunger, the actuator located radially outward of the syringe body, the actuator having a first operational mode that provides for movement of the syringe plunger in a first axial direction, the actuator having a second operational mode that provides for movement of the syringe plunger in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction

[0015] In various embodiment, the actuator is disposed in a track coupled to the syringe body.

[0016] Also, the syringe track is integral with the syringe body within some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] Also, the track may be releasably coupled to the syringe body.

[0018] The syringe track may also have a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plunger.

[0019] Regarding the actuator, this disclosure envisions various embodiments where actuator is integral with the syringe plunger. Also some embodiments envision the syringe actuator being removably coupled to the plunger.

[0020] Moreover, in some embodiments, the actuator may have a fixed relationship with the plunger. In some embodiments, the actuator may be located on the syringe body such that the actuator is operable by a user's index finger when the syringe body is held in a pencil grip.

[0021] Furthermore, syringes wherein axial movement of the actuator along the syringe body causes axial movement of the plunger within the syringe body are within the scope of this disclosure. [0022] Also, the syringe actuator may be coupled to the plunger such that a first wall of the actuator is located distally of a plunger plate, the first wall abutting the plunger plate and communicating proximal movement of the actuator to the plunger, the actuator further coupled to the plunger such that a second wall of the actuator is located distally of the plunger plate, the second wall abutting the plunger plate and communicating distal movement of the actuator to the plunger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above-mentioned aspects of the present teachings and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the teachings will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 A is an end plan view of a syringe body of a first embodiment device of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. IB is a side plan view of the syringe body of FIG. 1A;

[0026] FIG. 2A is an end plan view of a plunger used with the syringe body of FIGs. 1A and IB;

[0027] FIG. 2B is a side plan view of the plunger of FIG. 2A;

[0028] FIG. 3A is an end plan view of the combined plunger and body of FIGs. 1A, IB,

2A, and 2B;

[0029] FIG. 3B is a side plan view of the syringe of FIG. 3 A;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the attachment of FIG. 4; and

[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a finger force surface within a track of the attachment of FIGs. 4 and 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments were chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

[0034] FIGs. 3 A and 3B show an assembled first embodiment syringe 10 of the present disclosure. Syringe 10 includes body 12 (shown in FIGs. 1A and IB) and plunger 14 (shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B). Body 12 includes a proximal end 16, distal end 20, cylindrical wall 24 extending between the proximal end 16 and distal end 20, and track 26. Body 12 is illustratively constructed from a translucent (or transparent) plastic, glass, or other material. Body 12 often has gradations or other measurement marks thereon.

[0035] Proximal end 16 includes bearing surface 18 and a plunger receiving opening 19.

Bearing surface 18 generally extends perpendicularly to longitudinal axis 28. Bearing surface 18 provides a surface on its distal side that is commonly engaged by a user's fingers to allow for pressure to be applied. Plunger receiving opening 19 is sized, shaped, and located to receive plunger 14.

[0036] Distal end 20 includes inlet/outlet nose 22. Distal end 20 includes transition portion 36 that proximally has a diameter equal to that of cylindrical wall 24 and transitions to a smaller diameter of inlet/outlet nose 22. Inlet/outlet nose 22 is a generally cylindrical portion that includes an opening 38 defined by an inner diameter thereof. Opening 38 is in communication with the interior of cylindrical wall 24. Outer diameter of inlet/outlet nose 22 may be chosen to mate with common attachment sizings and or common interfaces. Embodiments are envisioned where inlet/outlet nose 22 is centrally aligned on body 12 (as shown) and where inlet/outlet nose 22 is offset relative to the center of body 12 (not shown).

[0037] Cylindrical wall 24 along with distal end 20 (and plunger 14) defines a variable payload space therein. Cylindrical wall 24 includes an inner diameter that is sized to interface with plunger 14 with very tight tolerance therebetween.

[0038] Track 26 is disposed along cylindrical wall 24 and extends from proximal end 16 nearly all the way to distal end 20. Track 26 includes longitudinal axis 27 that extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis 28 of body 12. Track 26 includes a bottom wall 30, side walls 32, and upper wall 34 that cooperate to define a longitudinally extending opening. Bottom wall 30 is either integral with or abuts and is coupled to cylindrical wall 24. Side walls 32 are illustratively parallel to each other and extend outward from bottom wall 30. Upper wall 34 is actually two pieces that are each cantilevered from respective side walls 32. In the illustrated example, track 26 presents a rectangular cross section with a gap in the middle of the top. It should be appreciated that other shaped cross-sections can be used and are envisioned by this disclosure. The opening defined by track 26 extends through bearing surface 18. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment track 126 that is discussed more fully below, but the shape thereof is illustrative of the shape of track 26.

[0039] Plunger 14 includes proximal end 40, plunger body 42, distal end 44, actuator 46, and actuator connector 48. Proximal end 40 includes substantially circular plunger plate 50 that is conventional. Plunger plate 50 provides grasping surfaces (proximal and distal) that allow a user to apply force thereto to cause movement of plunger 14 within body 12. Plunger plate 50 is illustratively a substantially flat disc. Plunger body 42 is illustratively comprised of four flat ribs 49 that extend longitudinally from the plunger plate 50 to distal end 44. Distal end 44 of plunger 14 includes connection structures (not shown) sized, shaped, and located to engage internal structures of resilient plunger tip 52. Plunger body 42 and distal end 44 are largely conventional. Plunger body 42 has a longitudinal axis 43.

[0040] Plunger body 42 is unconventional near the proximal end 40 where a spacing portion 54 is provided on one of the ribs 49. Actuator connector 48 is coupled to spacing portion 54 and extends along (but is spaced apart from) the rib 49 that includes the spacing portion 54. At the distal end of actuator connector 48 is located actuator 46. Actuator connector 48 has a longitudinal axis 51 that is parallel with longitudinal axis 43 of plunger body 42 (and longitudinal axis 28).

[0041] Actuator connector 48 is illustratively constructed from a plastic or other material that is substantially rigid an uncompressible such that movement of plunger body 42 is directly correlated with movement of actuator 46 due to the substantially rigid connection provided by actuator connector 48. As shown, actuator connector 48 is spaced apart from rib 49 by the height of spacing portion 54 along almost all of the length of plunger 14. Overall, the size and shape of actuator connector 48 is made to snugly fit within track 26 and allow relative movement of actuator connector 48 within track 26. [0042] Actuator 46 includes distal surface 56, proximal surface 58, and side surfaces 60.

Side surfaces 60 are shown as parallel and define a width that is less than the width defined by the gap in the upper wall 34 of the track 26. It should be appreciated that the shape of actuator 46 is exemplary only and many different shapes of actuator 46 are envisioned. Indeed, actuators 46 are envisioned having a textured surface, having a saddle profile, having rings, or triggers. Actuator 46 has a height greater than the width of upper wall 34 such that actuator 46 extends upward out of track 26 and able to be engaged by a user.

[0043] FIGs. 3A and 3B show the body 12 and plunger 14 combined to form syringe 10.

Plunger body 42 is received within plunger receiving opening 19. Actuator connector 48 is received within track 26. In such placement, actuator 46 is located radially outward of body 12 and distally of bearing surface 18.

[0044] FIGs. 4-6 show a second embodiment syringe 110 and actuator adapter 111.

Syringe 110 includes a conventional body 112 and plunger 114. Conventional body 112 includes bearing surface 118 and inlet/outlet nose 122. Conventional plunger 114 includes plunger plate 150, ribs 149, and plunger tip 152. Plunger plate 150 includes proximal surface 151 and distal surface 153. Distal surface 153 abuts ribs 149. It should be appreciated that ribs 149 do not extend to the full outer edge of plunger plate 150.

[0045] Actuator adapter 111 includes track 126, track couplers 127, actuator 146, actuator connector 148, and plunger coupler 154. It should be appreciated that track 126 is sized and shaped similarly to track 26 with the exception that track 126 is not integral with body 112. Similarly, actuator 146 and actuator connector 148 are sized and shaped similarly to actuator 46 and actuator connector 48 with the exception that actuator connector 148 is not integral with plunger 114.

[0046] Track couplers 127 operate to partially encircle body 112 to releasably couple track 126 thereto. In operation, track 126 and track couplers 127 slide over distal end of body 112 or track couplers 127 distort to provide for attachment to body 112. Once attached, track couplers 127 place force upon body 112 which tends to resist relative movement of track 126 relative to body 112.

[0047] Plunger coupler 154 is generally U-shaped and includes proximal wall 156, distal wall 158, and outer wall 160. Proximal wall 156, outer wall 160, and distal wall 158 cooperate to define a U-shaped cross section where the opening of the "U" faces radially inward. Distal wall 158 and proximal wall 156 are spaced apart by outer wall 160. The spacing between proximal and distal walls 156, 158 is slightly larger than the width of plunger plate 150. Plunger coupler 154 is sized and shaped such that it can be slid over plunger plate 150 such that proximal wall 156 is proximal of plunger plate 150 and distal wall 158 is distal of plunger plate 150.

[0048] As previously noted, plunger coupler 154 is coupled to actuator connector 148.

Accordingly, actuator connector 148 is aligned with track 126 when plunger 114 is to be placed within body 112. When then assembled, plunger 114 is within body 112 and actuator connector 148 is within track 126.

[0049] Both embodiments of syringe 10, 110 operate substantially similarly. A user grasping body 12 or body 112 is able to place a finger of the same hand that is grasping body 12, 112 on actuator 46, 146. The user can use that finger to place pressure on the proximal or distal surfaces 58, 56 of actuator 46, 146. In this way, a user need not use a second hand, need not move a second hand, and need not remove either hand from whatever that hand was previously engaging in order to move plunger 14, 114. In this way, one handed injection and/or aspiration is achieved. Still further, multiple injections and aspirations can be achieved without a user's hands otherwise disengaging from what they were previously engaging. Also, the amount of injection and/or aspiration is able to be controlled at the instant of such aspiration/injection and need not be set to a pre-defined amount. It should further be appreciated that the location of actuators 46, 146 allows syringe 10, 110 to be held in a "pencil grip" and have a user's index finger located on actuator 46, 146 to enact movement of plunger 14, 114 while the balance of the user's fingers/hand is able to hold body 12, 112 steady. Such embodiments also find utility in drawing medicines into a syringe where the use needs to use one hand to hold the medicine container and the second hand to hold the syringe. It should be appreciated that a third hand is often not available to then move a syringe plunger relative to the syringe body. Furthermore, when drawing medicines from inverted containers into syringe 10, 110 it is often convenient to utilize a "cylinder grip" (a.k.a. "power grip") where a user's thumb would be located proximate actuator 46, 146 while the balance of the fingers encircle body 12, 112.

[0050] Embodiments are further envisioned where actuator 46, 146 is biased toward movement in one direction, such as by a spring or otherwise. Embodiments are further envisioned where the track 26, 126 provides multiple discrete locations for actuator 46, 146. Such embodiments can provide a ratcheting type movement where pressure from a user's finger can allow movement to an adjacent discrete location in track 26, 126. Still further, pressure from a user's finger may serve to overcome a lock that prevents the biasing member from moving the actuator 46, 146. Overcoming the lock allows the biasing member to move actuator 46, 146, such as to said next adjacent discrete location or to a terminal location that fully injects, aspirates, or ejects aspirated material. In one embodiment, the discrete locations are uniformly spaced and movement from one to the other defines a consistent amount of injection or aspiration.

[0051] While the syringes discussed herein have been described with respect to the medical field, it is expected that the disclosure herein would find utility in non-medical uses such as but not limited to cooking, printer ink refilling, animal husbandry, and automotive/construction materials (adhesives, caulks, lubricants).

[0052] In one embodiment an adjustable hard stop is provided along track 26, 126 that limits travel of actuator 46, 146 to specify a maximum injection/aspiration. Also, while syringe body 12, 112 is described herein as largely conventional, embodiments are envisioned having placement indicies for a user's hand and having one or more indentations made therein that allow for placement of a user's hand and for increased traction by a user's hand.

[0053] The above detailed description and the examples described therein have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description only and not for limitation. For example, the operations described may be done in any suitable manner. The method may be done in any suitable order still providing the described operation and results. It is therefore contemplated that the present embodiments cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed above and claimed herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An aspiration/injection syringe including:

a syringe body;

a syringe plunger;

an actuator coupled to the plunger; and

a track disposed externally to the syringe body and coupled thereto, the actuator slidingly received within the track.

2. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the track is integral with the syringe body.

3. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the track is releasably coupled to the syringe body.

4. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the actuator is integral with the syringe plunger.

5. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the actuator is removably coupled to the plunger.

6. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the actuator is located on the syringe body such that the actuator is operable by a user's index finger when the syringe body is held in a pencil grip.

7. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to the plunger such that a first wall of the actuator is located distally of a plunger plate, the first wall abutting the plunger plate and communicating proximal movement of the actuator to the plunger, the actuator further coupled to the plunger such that a second wall of the actuator is located distally of the plunger plate, the second wall abutting the plunger plate and communicating distal movement of the actuator to the plunger.

8. The syringe of claim 1, wherein movement of the actuator in the track causes movement of the plunger within the body.

9. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the track has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a

longitudinal axis of the plunger.

10. An aspiration/injection syringe including:

a syringe body;

a syringe plunger; and

an actuator coupled to the plunger, the actuator located radially outward of the syringe body, the actuator having a first operational mode that provides for movement of the syringe plunger in a first axial direction, the actuator having a second operational mode that provides for movement of the syringe plunger in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction.

11. The syringe of claim 10, wherein the actuator is disposed in a track coupled to the syringe body.

12. The syringe of claim 11, wherein the track is integral with the syringe body.

13. The syringe of claim 11 , wherein the track is releasably coupled to the syringe body.

14. The syringe of claim 11, wherein the track has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a

longitudinal axis of the plunger.

15. The syringe of claim 10, wherein the actuator is integral with the syringe plunger.

16. The syringe of claim 10, wherein the actuator is removably coupled to the plunger.

17. The syringe of claim 10, wherein the actuator has a fixed relationship with the plunger.

18. The syringe of claim 10, wherein the actuator is located on the syringe body such that the actuator is operable by a user's index finger when the syringe body is held in a pencil grip.

19. The syringe of claim 10, wherein axial movement of the actuator along the syringe body causes axial movement of the plunger within the syringe body.

20. The syringe of claim 10, wherein the actuator is coupled to the plunger such that a first wall of the actuator is located distally of a plunger plate, the first wall abutting the plunger plate and communicating proximal movement of the actuator to the plunger, the actuator further coupled to the plunger such that a second wall of the actuator is located distally of the plunger plate, the second wall abutting the plunger plate and communicating distal movement of the actuator to the plunger.