WO2007014428A1

WO2007014428A1 - Photoluminescent syringe

Info

Publication number: WO2007014428A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001094
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Jock Mikosic
Original assignee: John Jock Mikosic
Priority date: 2005-08-03
Filing date: 2006-08-03
Publication date: 2007-02-08

Abstract

A syringe (10) has a barrel (12) and plunger (14). One or both of the barrel and plunger are fabricated of material that includes a photoluminescent pigment to allows the syringe to glow in the dark.

Description

PHOTOLUMINESCENT SYRINGE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to syringes and, in particular, to a photoluminescent syringe that emits a fluorescent or other light and can be readily viewed in the dark. In the present specification and claims, the term "fluorescent" is intended to refer to the light emitted by photoluminescence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Syringes having luminescent features to enhance readability of demarcations on the barrel thereof are known. US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0080384 discloses one such syringe. That syringe includes a light emitting diode (LED) powered by a battery such that the LED can illuminate the barrel to make measurement of liquid inside the barrel easier to perform and to enhance the readability of the demarcations thereon. However, the usefulness of that device is dependent on operation of the battery. When the battery loses its effective voltage and becomes inoperative, luminescence of the syringe is lost. Furthermore, luminescence of the syringe requires that the circuit from the battery to the LED be closed (ie. ON) by operation of a switch. Failure to so operate the switch will mean that the syringe is not illuminated.

In circumstances where used syringes are discarded inappropriately, say, in parks, beaches, streets, and public toilets, the inability to see the syringe may cause needle stick injury and threat to life by viral or other infection. These problems are exacerbated at night or in unlit areas, where the syringe is not clearly visible.

In circumstances where syringes are to be used as weapons in violent acts against people, the increased visibility of the syringe arising from its photoluminescence will likely alert a potential victim to the danger in enough time to enable them to take evasive action or defend themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate the problems and shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

According to the invention there is provided a syringe including a barrel and plunger, wherein one or both of the barrel and plunger are fabricated of material that includes a photoluminescent pigment.

Preferably, both the barrel and plunger include a photoluminescent pigment.

In a preferred form, the photoluminescent pigment in the barrel emits light of the same colour as that in the plunger.

It is preferred that the photoluminescent pigment is a phosphate based pigment. The syringe may be disposable.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be better understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing of Fig. 1, which is a perspective view of a photo luminescent syringe according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The syringe 10 shown in Fig. 1 has a barrel 12 and a plunger 14 which are shaped and cooperate in a conventional manner. A needle of the syringe is not shown.

The syringe 10 (but not including the rubber seal 16) is made by injection moulding of a mixture of medical grade polypropylene and a photoluminescent (phosphate based) pigment or dye that allows it to glow in the dark or fluoresce without the aid of an artificial power source.

In one approach (Example 1), polypropylene beads containing photoluminescent pigment are melted and subject to a conventional injection moulding process. In another approach (Example 2), polypropylene beads are mixed with a photoluminescent powder, the mixture is suitably melted and then subject to the injection moulding process. EXAMPLE 1

Polypropylene plastic pellets or beads pre-mixed with a photoluminescent pigment in powder form (Type PP7D-50 from Pete's Luminous Creations, USA) were obtained having 50% content of photoluminescent pigment, a fluorescent or glow colour of green, and a glow period of up to 15 hours.

The beads were melted to a temperature whereby the molten plastic was placed into injection moulds for a barrel and a plunger in a conventional manner. Upon cooling and hardening, the barrel and plunger were released from their moulds, and exhibited photoluminescent properties. They were then sterilized and, together with a rubber seal and any other useful component, assembled into a syringe for use.

EXAMPLE 2

Photoluminescent powder (Type GM-MB-50-G from Glow Mania International, USA) was obtained having a crystal content of 40%, an initial brightness of 14,904 mcd/m2, an afterglow or fluorescent time of at least 12 hours, and a night shine or fluorescent colour of yellow green. The powder was mixed with medical grade polypropylene (although other general plastics could be used, such as ABS, AS, PS, PC and PET) at a suitable melting temperature for the plastic and injection moulded in a conventional manner to form both the barrel and the plunger of the syringe. The syringe so produced was a 10 ml size syringe, although the process is equally able to produce syringes and other needle holding plastic devices of other sizes, such as from 1 ml to 100 ml syringes.

The syringe has a central nozzle, and includes a latex gasket, a lure lock, and was EO sterilized.

During daylight hours or in well lit surroundings, the colours of the syringes of the present invention allow people, such as those working in the medical field, to easily identify the syringes of the present invention and, more particularly, the type of syringe (and/or its contents) by reference to a colour coding system.

During night hours or in poorly lit or unlit surroundings, these colours, emitted by photoluminescence, allow people to spot the syringes of the present invention and take measures to avoid them or collect them for safe disposal.

The invention has particular benefit in needle exchange programs where a single colour may be used, or colour coding of the syringes may cover a range that includes red, yellow, green, blue and a brilliant white. These colours may be utilized by the medical profession to identify what type of medication or liquid the syringes contain.

It will be apparent to person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of design or construction of the photoluminescent syringes described above without departing from the scope or ambit of the present invention. For example, the invention may extend to different sizes, shapes and uses of syringes.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A syringe including a barrel and plunger, wherein one or both of the barrel and plunger are fabricated of material that includes a photoluminescent pigment.

2. The syringe of claim 1 wherein both the barrel and plunger include a photoluminescent pigment.

3. The syringe of claim 2 wherein the photoluminescent pigment in the barrel emits light of the same colour as that in the plunger.

4. The syringe of claim 3 wherein the photoluminescent pigment is a phosphate based pigment.

5. The syringe of claim 4 wherein the syringe is disposable.