US2952255A - Controlled dosage syringe - Google Patents

Description

P 1960 G. N. HEIN, JR 2,952,255

- CONTROLLED DOSAGE smmcs Filed Nov. 25. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEIIQTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 13," 1960 s. N. HEIN, JR

CONTROLLED DOSAGE SYRINGE 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 23, 1956 "A m 1 2 a 7 6% [L Z l L ll- KL M 2 My m I i H M m J 2 f 5 Km, Km

ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()fiice 2,952,255 Patented Sept. 13, 1960 2,952,255 CONTROLLED DOSAGE SYRINGE George N. Hein, Jr., San Carlos,

ton, Dickinson and Company, poration of New Jersey Calif., assignor to Bec- Rutherford, NJ., a cor- This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved syringe of the controlled dosage type.

By means of the present teachings an assembly is furnished which may readily be combined with a syringe of proper design to furnish a mechanism capable of being easily and rapidly operated termined amounts of fluid and in which a compact grouping of the mechanism will be effected.

Moreover by means of the present invention, the parts of the assembly may be'readily set to provide for a desired volumetric capacity and may be operated through a series of cycles with assurance that this capacity will be maintained.

Among additional objects are those of providing an assembly involving sterile syringe components which can easily be grouped together with other required parts of a non-sterile nature without contamination of the syringe resulting. Additionally, the assembly may be economically provided and will be extremely compact and of light weight; the dosage being readily set-up and the apparatus being capable of operation without any especially skilled technique being necessary.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheets of tical embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevation of a complete assembly of which the syringe may form in part;

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional edge view of the syringe in process of assembly;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of that syringe.

Fig. 4 is a sectional side view taken along the line 4-4 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts in a slightly different position;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 66 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end view of the syringe assembly.

Referring primarily to Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, the numeral 10 indicates the barrel of the syringe. The latter in accordance with conventional practice is provided with end defined by an outwardly extending flange The opposite end of the barrel presents an end wall from which a bored tip 12 extends. The latter is preferably tapered to provide a Luer type coupling to for example-engage the bore or inner surface of a hub or corresponding unit. Adjacent tip 12 the syringe may mount a fitting 13 also preferably of conventional type as part of a coupling structure. Reciprocal within the bore of barrel 10 is a plunger 15. The length of the latter is such that it may extend from a point in contact with the inner face of the end wall of the barrel to a point beyond the flanged end 11 of the latter. It terminates in an actuating portion 16. Both the plunger and syringe barrel are preferably formed of glass and the outer face of the barrel may present indicia 14, so that with the end of the plunger aligned therewith the to dispense precisely prede-v drawings illustrating one prac-' volume between the end of that element and the end wall of the barrel will be known.

As part of theassembly, a collar 17 may be furnished, the internal diameter of which corresponds to the exterior diameter of barrel 10. This collar is conveniently provided with an'outstanding flange portion 18 adjacent one end. At its opposite end it is furnished with screw threads which cooperate with threads formed in the inner face of a ring 20 having its free edge extending inwardly. Thus, an overlapping edge zone forms a part of this ring, and defines a diameter less than the diameter of flange 11 which may be received between the same and the adjacent edge of collar 17. If it is desired to incorporate in the assembly, front finger supports, these may be furnished as at 19 and secured to the flange portion 18 of collar 17.

Flange or extension 18 is provided with a transversely extending opening 21 in a plane beyond ring 20. A bar extends through this opening and includes oppositely flared portions 22 and 23. Secured to the end of the latter is a cup shaped unit 24 of arcuate configuration and extending throughout a Zone such as has been shown in Fig. 7. This member provides a seat for actuator 16 and the edges defining its ends or slot are separated for a distance at least equal to the diameter of plunger 15. Mounted upon the bar is a stop member 25 provided with the transverse opening of a diameter greater than the maximum width or thickness of the bar. This member supports the threaded shank of a stop screw 26. The latter has its end engageable with the adjacent bar surface which as especially shown in Fig. 6 should be flat for cooperation therewith.

A spring assembly preferably involving a pair of resilient strips 27 is interposed between collar 17 and cup 24. As shown, these springs are in the form of fiat bowed strips disposed at diametrically opposite points in the assembly and conveniently having their ends secured in position by screws or rivets. If finger supports, such as 19 are employed, they may also retain the latter in position. The proportioning and setting of the parts is preferably such that when the actuator 16 is not associated with cup 24, the latter shifts to a position slightly non-aligned with the bore of the barrel. This has been shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4, and also indicated in dot and dash lines in the latter figure. Accordingly, with the plunger 15 within the barrel bore, and the actuator in operative association with cup member 24, the latter is biased so that the actuator will not be accidentally displaced with respect to the cu However, when the actuator is once shifted in an axial direction, so as to clear member 24, the parts will remain in nonaligned position.

While an assembly of the type herein described may be combined with various forms of mechanism, it is especially useful when employed for example as part of a grouping such as has been shown in Fig. 1. In that view, it will be seen that there has been applied to the fitting and tip assembly of the syringe a casing 28 within which a pair of valves (not shown) are disposed. To the outer end of this casing the hub 29 of a cannula 30 has been applied. A branch 31 extends from casing 28 and connects with a tubing 32. To the outer end of the latter a sinker 33 is applied. When suction is exerted, within the bore of tube 32, fluid will flow into casing 28 and so into the interior of syringe barrel 10. No fluid will be drawn through the lumen of cannula 30 into the interior of casing 28. With pressure exerted within the casing, the valves associated with the latter will function to prevent a return flow of fluid through branch 31, but will permit such flow from the tip of the syringe barrel through the lumen of the cannula.

As is apparent, any number .of different groupings of parts might be applied to the syringe. According to such association the assembly would be of primary utility for one or another purpose. In connection with laboratory work, the apparatus might be employed to transfer exact amount of liquid (suchas diluent material), and reagents to test tubes. The device might alsobe employed in the veterinary field and in the pharmacuetical and druggist professions Where it could be employed in lieu of a filling machine to repeatedly dispense predetermined amounts in exact volume into vials, ampules and other receptacles. Used simply with a hypodermic needle, and free from the valve mechanism embraced within casing 28, injections might be achieved by blind diabetics with certainty that an exact dosage would be dispensed.

In connection with all of such uses, and referring merely to the syringe assembly, it would be understood that with a barrel and plunger of the general type described being available, the collar 17 may readily be applied to the barrel. Now by mounting ring 20 upon the collar, the flanged end of the syringe would be fixed with respect to these parts. Cup member 24 is moved laterally so that its recess is aligned with actuator portion 16 and the latter is seated therein. This will retain member 24 in association with the plunger. That unit is now projected from, for example, the position shown in Fig. 4 to that illustrated in Fig. 5. So projected, the end of the plunger will align with that graduation of indicia 14 which indicates the desired dosage to be dispensed. Under these circumstances, set screw 26 is loosened and stop 25 is slid along bar portion 22 to a point where it abuts the flange or extended portion 18 of collar 17. Thereupon set screw 26 is tightened to engage against the surface of bar part 22. Under those circumstances it is apparent that plunger 15 may not be retracted with respect to the barrel beyond a certain point determined by the elect-ed indicating mark 14.

With conditions such as the foregoing prevailing, springs 27 will obviously have been placed under tension. They will constantly urge plunger 15 to its extreme retracted position. Stop member 25 will not tend to move axially of the bar 2223 because of the wedge shaped structure incorporated in the latter which-when set screw 26 has once been tightenedwill prevent outward movement of the stop member along the bar. Therefore, an operator upon bringing pressure to bear against actuator 16 will cause plunger 15 to be projected to a position in contact with or immediately adjacent the end wall of the syringe barrel 10. Upon release of this pressure, plunger 15 will be retracted by springs 27 so that the syringe will perform an aspirating function. It is apparent that this cycle of projection and retraction may be quickly completed.

If it is desired to readjust the dose all that will be necessary will be for the operator to project the plunger to its full extent. Thereupon set screw 26 will be loosened and stop member 24 may be shifted to lightly bear against flange or extension 21. The setv screw is then caused to lightly engage the bar. Now by grasping the barrel and gradually loosening the screw the springs 27 will smoothly and slowly retract the plunger as the operator continues to loosen the set screw. When the plunger has retracted to a point where its inner end aligns with the desired graduation of the barrel, the set screw is fully tightened, and the new dosage volume will be established.

As will be understood, with apparatus of the present type, the diificulties inherent to earlier mechanisms are overcome. More particularly, where these mechanisms employed a circular or helical spring encircling the plunger or piston, theyv contacted the latter during operation of the apparatus. This resulted in unnecessary friction and frequently in a soilingof the side face of the piston. As will be understood, with the present apparatus, involving springs 27 which are maintainedout of contact with the.piston,'no difiiculties inthis connection will be p d.- or ve the overall len th of. the apparatus will be materially decreased by the use of the present structure.

Thus among others the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims,

I claim: 7

lfA syringe assembly including in combination a barrel having an open rear end, a plunger reciprocal within the bore of said barrel and extending beyond its end, an actuating portion at the outer end of said plunger, a mounting supported by said barrel and extending exteriorly thereof, a spring means to one side and also exteriorly of said barrel, said spring means extending between said mounting and actuating portion to urge said plunger to a retracted position and stop means connected with said portion and mounting to limit the distance of retraction of said plunger with respect to said barrel.

2. In a syringe assembly as defined in claim 1, said stop means including a bar connected for movement with said portion and said bar slidably engaging said mounting.

3. In a syringe assembly as defined element adjustably carried by said bar and said element cooperating with said mounting means to limit the movement of the bar with respect thereto.

4. In a syringe assembly as defined in claim 3, said bar being wedge shaped, said element having an opening through which said bar extends and a set screw carried by said element to project toward the face of said bar.

and to arrest sliding movement of the latter at a point in. its wedge configuration corresponding to that at which. said screw Wedges against its face.

5. In a syringe assembly as defined in claim 1, said spring means embracing a strip outwardly bo wed with respect to said plunger, one end of said spring being connected to said mounting and supporting means connected to the opposite spring end to bear against said actuating portion.

6. In a syringe assembly as defined in claim 1, supporting means interposed between said actuating portion and spring, and said supporting means tending to shift to an off-set position with respect to. the axis of said plunger.

7. In a syringe assembly as defined in claim 1-, the support between said barrel and mounting comprising a, flange forming a part of the former, andmeans at least partially enclosing said flange to retain said. mounting with respect to said barrel.

8. In a syringe assembly in combination abored barrel, a plunger-reciprocal within said bore and extending beyond the same, an actuating portion. forming a part of said plunger adjacent its outer end, a collar bearing againstsaid barrel, a pairof. outwardlybowedsprings at diametrically opposite .points in said assembly and secured.

at one of their ends to said collar, means connecting the opposite ends of said sprlngs with said actuating portion..

and means extending between the latter and said'collar to limit the amount of plungereretraction with respect to said barrel.

9. Fornsewitha syringe assembly, amountingmemw ber to be disposed adjacent-to the open endofa syringe.

barrel, means to engage the actuating portion of a syringe plunger, a pair of bowed'springs arranged in 0p-. posedrelationship and secured between saidlatter means.

and s aid mounting member and; stop means connecte to move with said portion and also to engage and cooperate with said mounting member to limit. the movement imparted by said spring to suchmeans.

in claim 2, a stop' said bar and engageable with said mounting and said bar lying intermediate said pair of springs.

11. In an assembly as defined in claim 9, said mounting member comprising separable elements and said elements furnishing at least a partial enclosure for a flange portion extending from the barrel of the syringe.

12. In an assembly as defined in claim 10, said bar being wedge shaped and a set screw canied by said element and engageable with a surface of said bar.

13. For use with a syringe assembly, in combination a mounting to be supported by the barrel of such an assembly, a support for engagement with the actuating portion at the outer end of the plunger of said assembly, a pair of outwardly bowed springs extending between said mounting and support and stop means also extending between said mounting and support to limit the distance by which said elements may be separated.

14 In the combination as defined in claim 13, the limiting means including a bar at least one surface of which extends angularly to its axis, said bar being secured against movement with respect to one of said means and slidable with respect to the other and a stop element mounted by the bar and engageable with said other means.

15. A mechanism to be attached to and control the dosage dispensed by a syringe assembly which includes a barrel and a plunger reciprocal within said barrel, said mechanism embracing in combination a mounting to be applied to the barrel of the assembly, a support for association with the outer end of the plunger forming a part of that assembly, a resilient means extending between and connected to said support and mounting to urge the same in opposite directions away from each other, and stop means also extending between and connected to said support and mounting for limiting the separative movements of the same.

16. In a mechanism as specified in claim 15, and said resilient means including a pair of bowed spring strips at substantially diametrically opposite points in said mechanism.

17. In a mechanism as specified in claim 15, said support comprising a member to receive the outer end of the plunger and said resilient means mounting said support in a position such that it is initially non-aligned with the bore of said barrel.

18. In a mechanism as specified in claim 15, said stop means including a rod slidably engaging said mounting and a stop element adjustably mounted on said rod.

19. In a mechanism as defined in claim 18, said rod being flared in a direction away from said mounting, said stop element being slidably supported by said rod and contactable with said mounting and clamping means carried by said element to engage said rod.

20. A syringe assembly including in combination a barrel having an open rear end, a plunger reciprocal within the bore of said barrel and extending beyond its end, an actuating portion at the outer end of said plunger, a mounting supported by said barrel and ex tending exteriorly thereof, supporting means connected to the actuating portion of said plunger, a spring embracing a strip outwardly bowed with respect to said plunger and means for connecting the opposite ends of said strip to said mounting and supporting means respectively.

21. For use with a syringe assembly, in combination a mounting member to be supported by the barrel of such an assembly, a supporting member for engagement with the actuating portion at the outer end of the plunger of said assembly, a bar at least one face of which extends at an incline with respect to its: axis to provide a Wedge-shaped body, means for connecting said bar for movement with one of said members, a stop element slidably mounted by said bar and engageable with the other member and adjustable means carried by said stop element and projectable into the inclined face of said bar to limit movement of said members with respect to each other at elected points.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,309,502 Douglas Jan. 26, 1943 2,705,494 Broadwin Apr. 5, 1955 2,739,590 Yochem Mar. 27, 1956 2,823,674 Yochem Feb. 18, 1958

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