Rotary plunger lock

Abstract

A rotary plunger lock is provided with: a base comprising a first through-hole and a socket; and a rotary lock including a third through-hole smaller than the first through-hole, the rotary lock assembled to the socket and fixed by the cap, where the rotary lock is configured to rotate in the socket between a first state in which the rotary lock shields a portion of the first through-hole and a second state in which the rotary lock avoids the first through-hole.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 400,955, filed on August 25, 2022, entitled “ROTARY PLUNGER LOCK,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] Negative pressure syringes can be used to provide a vacuum (e.g., for aspirating bodily fluids or emboli), and the plunger is pulled upward and outward and held in place to create and maintain a vacuum for surgery. Depending on the negative pressure to be applied, manually pulling the plunger may be difficult for some users, as is maintaining pressure during surgery. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure generally relates to an improved rotary plunger lock for use as part of an aspiration device with a syringe and plunger system. The system includes a rotary lock that enables a user to secure the plunger in a known position within the syringe, thereby maintaining a vacuum more easily and accurately. When the plunger is pulled back, the ribs on the plunger bypass the locking teeth, and when the plunger reaches the maximum position, the locking teeth rotate to hold the plunger in place. In addition, in some embodiments, the movement applied by the user is only a translation (e.g., pulling back the plunger), and the described mechanism automatically rotates and locks the plunger in place, thereby further simplifying the use of the described syringe and plunger system. The improvements described herein have multiple benefits, including but not limited to: easier use of the associated equipment, more precise control of the suction generated by the manual aspiration system, and improved or simplified manufacturing techniques.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a device comprising: a syringe body; a plunger comprising a shaft having a first end that forms a seal with an inner surface of the syringe body, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of ribs included between the first end and the second end; a rotation lock through which the shaft extends, the rotation lock comprising teeth that selectively engage with the plunger through the plurality of ribs; and a base through which the shaft extends, the base allowing the rotation lock to rotate between a first state and a second state, wherein the first state positions the teeth to contact a given rib of the plurality of ribs and prevent the plunger from translating relative to the syringe body, and wherein the second state positions the teeth to not contact the plurality of ribs to allow the plunger to translate relative to the syringe body.

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a device, comprising: a base, which includes a first through hole and a socket; and a rotary lock, which includes a third through hole smaller than the first through hole, wherein the rotary lock is assembled to the socket and is configured to rotate in the socket between a first state and a second state, in which in the first state the rotary lock blocks a portion of the first through hole, and in the second state the rotary lock avoids the first through hole.

[0007] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a syringe, comprising: a syringe body; a plunger, which is sealingly engaged with the inner cavity of the syringe body and slides along the longitudinal axis of the syringe body; and a selective locking device, which is used to selectively engage the plunger in a first position that restricts the sliding of the plunger along the longitudinal axis, and selectively disengage the plunger in a second position that allows the plunger to slide along the longitudinal axis.

[0008] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a syringe comprising: a syringe body having an inner cavity with a longitudinal axis; a plunger at least partially located within the syringe body and sealingly engaged with the inner cavity of the syringe body, wherein the plunger has a plurality of ribs protruding outward from the plunger; and a selective locking mechanism having at least one tooth, wherein, in a locked configuration, the at least one tooth engages with at least one of the plurality of ribs so that the plunger resists sliding along the longitudinal axis, and in an unlocked configuration, the at least one tooth disengages from the plurality of ribs so that the plunger can slide along the longitudinal axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings depict various elements of one or more embodiments of the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of the scope of the disclosure.

[0010] In the drawings, some elements may not be drawn to scale with other elements in order to more clearly show details. In addition, where possible, the same reference numerals are used in several drawings to indicate the same elements.

[0011] It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated into other embodiments without further description or explanation. For example, because the figures may show alternative views and time periods, various elements shown in a first figure may be omitted from the illustration shown in a second figure without precluding the inclusion of these elements in the embodiment shown or discussed with respect to the second figure.

[0012] Figure 1A-Figure 1D Exploded views of several configurations of aspiration systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure are provided.

[0013] Figure 2A-2C Views of a suction system in various withdrawal states are provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A plunger lock using a compression spring based biasing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0015] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A plunger lock using two compression spring based biasing mechanisms according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A plunger lock using a bending spring based biasing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0017] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B A plunger lock using a magnet-based biasing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0018] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The operation of a travel stop on a rotary lock according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0019] Fig. 8A - Figure 8C illustrates the operation of the teeth of the rotary lock and the ribs of the plunger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure generally relates to an improved rotary plunger lock for use with a syringe and plunger system as part of an aspiration or suction device. The improvements described herein provide a variety of benefits, including, but not limited to, easier use of the associated device, more precise control of the aspiration produced by a manual aspiration system, and improved or simplified manufacturing techniques.

[0021] The described system includes a rotary lock to secure the plunger in a known position in the syringe, making it easier and more accurate to maintain a vacuum. Ribs on the plunger can bypass the locking teeth on the rotary lock when pulled outward and prevent the plunger from moving into the syringe due to the negative pressure generated until the user manually releases the lock.

[0022] Figure 1A-Figure 1D Exploded views of several configurations of the suction system 100 are provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1A-Figure 1D Each aspiration system 100 in EMBODIMENTS includes a syringe body 110 , a plunger 160 , a rotation lock 140 with a corresponding base 130 , and a handle 170 .

[0023] When assembled, the aspiration system 100 allows a user to generate negative pressure (e.g., suction) to a fluid target (e.g., a blood vessel) to pull fluid and any entrained or obstructing solids (e.g., blood clots) from the fluid target. Negative pressure is generated by pulling the inserted plunger 160 outward while maintaining a seal between the plunger 160 and the inner wall of the syringe body 110, creating a local vacuum or low pressure area within the syringe body 110. As used herein, "outward travel" and similar terms refer to the direction of travel of the inserted plunger 160 away from the distal end 112 of the syringe body 110, while "inward travel" and similar terms refer to the direction of travel of the inserted plunger 160 toward the distal end 112 of the syringe body 110.

[0024] Depending on the volume of the syringe body 110 and the amount of outward travel applied by the user to the plunger 160, different degrees of negative pressure can be applied to the fluid target. For example, the suction system 100 can apply a pressure of ±20 or ±30 pounds per square inch (psi). These pressures are transmitted to the fluid target through the port 114 defined in the end 112 of the syringe body 110, and can be transmitted to the fluid target through various intermediate tubes, conduits, flow control devices (such as stopcocks) and ports. In order to help the user apply the desired amount of pressure to the fluid target, the syringe body 110 can include various scales on the originally transparent or translucent inner cavity so that the position of the plunger 160 (and the amount of pull of the plunger 160) can be monitored. In addition, in order to help the user maintain the negative pressure once it is applied, the base 130, the rotation lock 140 and one or more biasing mechanisms 150a-e (generally or collectively referred to as the biasing mechanism 150) can interact with the plunger 160 to keep the plunger 160 in the appropriate position during operation. These components (base 130, rotation lock 140, and biasing mechanism 150) may be referred to as a plunger lock 180, and provide a selective locking arrangement for the assembled syringe.

[0025] In various embodiments, the plunger lock 180 is secured to the syringe body 110 by the cap 120, which is connected to the base 130 around a portion of the syringe body 110 (e.g., the finger guard) by various fasteners, adhesives, or integrated connectors. In some embodiments, the plunger lock 180 is secured directly to the syringe body 110 not by the cap 120 but by various fasteners, adhesives, or integrated snap-on connectors (on the syringe body 110 and / or the base 130). The cap 120 includes a through hole that is substantially circular in cross-section and has a diameter designed to accommodate the syringe body 110 inserted therein, while the base 130 and the rotation lock 140 have through holes that are sized and shaped to allow the plunger 160 to pass therethrough (at least in the unlocked configuration).

[0026] Figure 1A-Figure 1DEach of the aspiration systems 100 in the embodiment of the present invention includes various biasing mechanisms 150a-d that interact with the base 130 and the rotation lock 140 to bias the rotation lock 140 to a first state or a second state, wherein the first state prevents or resists the plunger 160 from being further drawn into the syringe body 110, or withdrawn from the syringe body 110, or drawn into and withdrawn from the syringe body 110, and the second state allows the plunger 160 to be freely further drawn into and withdrawn from the syringe body 110. When the plunger lock 180 is in the unlocked configuration, the plunger 160 can slide inwardly or outwardly within the syringe body 110; and when the plunger lock 180 is in the locked configuration, the plunger lock 180 prevents the plunger 160 from sliding inwardly. The various biasing mechanisms 150 interface with elements of the base 130 and the rotation lock 140 to provide a biasing device that switches the plunger lock 180 back to the preferred or positive biased configuration when an external force switches the plunger lock 180 to a non-preferred or reverse biased configuration.

[0027] Figure 1A A first biasing mechanism 150a in the form of a compression spring is shown, while Figure 1B A first biasing mechanism 150a and a second biasing mechanism 150b are illustrated, both being compression springs. The compression springs are capable of biasing the rotary lock 140 such that when a user manually rotates the rotary lock 140 to one state, the springs compress, such that when the user releases pressure from the rotary lock 140, the springs expand to push the rotary lock back to the biased state. Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4A and Figure 4B The compression spring will be discussed in more detail.

[0028] Figure 1CA third biasing mechanism 150c in the form of a curved spring is illustrated, which can operate in one of three ways. In the first way, the curved spring is placed in the base 130 and pushes against a protrusion on the rotary lock 140 to bias the rotary lock 140 to a first configuration in the locked configuration or the unlocked configuration, and resists rotation toward a neutral or intermediate configuration until the rotation exceeds the neutral or intermediate configuration, after which the curved spring pushes against the protrusion on the rotary lock 140 in a second direction to bias the rotary lock 140 to a second configuration in the locked configuration or the unlocked configuration (and against the neutral or intermediate configuration). In the second way, the curved spring resists movement of the rotary lock 140 from the first state to the second state and from the second state to the first state, and deflects when sufficient force is applied to move the rotary lock 140 from the initial state to the subsequent state to allow the rotary lock 140 to be redirected to the other side of the curved spring, and returns to the neutral position to resist the rotary lock returning to the first state until sufficient force is applied again. In a third manner, the bending spring does not allow the rotary lock 140 to reach the other side of the bending spring, and resists movement from the initial biased state to the unbiased state, and returns the rotary lock 140 to the biased state after reaching the unbiased state. In various embodiments, the bending spring may include a coil spring, a leaf spring, or a metal sheet.

[0029] Figure 1D A fourth biasing mechanism 150d and a fifth biasing mechanism 150e in the form of a pair of magnets are illustrated. The first magnet and the second magnet are included in the rotary lock 140 and the base 130, respectively, so that they face each other with the same polarity. Therefore, the magnets push against each other to rotate the rotary lock 140 to the first state or the second state and away from any intermediate state.

[0030] Figure 1D It is also illustrated that the rotation lock 140 and the base 130 can be constructed of multiple parts. For example, the rotation lock 140 can include a first part 140a and a second part 140b joined together by various fasteners, adhesives, or integrated snap-on connectors. Similarly, the base 130 can include a first part 140a and a second part 140b joined together by various fasteners (such as Figure 1D The first and second components 130a, 130b are joined together by the pins 190a-b shown in FIG. 1 , an adhesive, or an integrated snap-fit ​​connector.

[0031] The plunger 160 includes a shaft having a first end that forms a seal with the inner surface of the syringe body 110 and a second end opposite the first end to which the handle 170 can be attached. In various embodiments, the handle 170 can take on different form factors and can be attached to the second end of the plunger 160 by various fasteners, adhesives, or an integrated snap-on connector.

[0032] When the plunger lock 180 is in the unlocked configuration, the plunger 160 can slide along the inner cavity of the syringe body 110 in both the inward direction (to place more of the plunger 160 in the syringe body 110) and the outward direction (to expose more of the plunger 160 from the syringe body 110); when the plunger lock 180 is in the locked configuration, the movement of the plunger 160 is restricted. The rotation lock 140 rotates between the first state and the second state to cover or expose the through hole in the base 130 through which the plunger 160 slides by aligning a portion of the rotation lock 140, thereby placing the plunger lock 180 in the locked configuration or the unlocked configuration.

[0033] As shown, the plunger 160 is divided into a plurality of sections and includes a plurality of ribs 162 that protrude outwardly from the plunger 160 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plunger 160. The ribs 162 interact with the rotation lock 140 when the plunger lock 180 is in the locked configuration. The ribs 162 are parallel to one another and are disposed in a first section that is aligned with a portion of the through hole in the base 130 that is blocked by the rotation lock 140 in the locked configuration. The guide ribs 162 that are closest to the end of the plunger 160 that forms a seal with the syringe body 110 may optionally extend into an adjacent second section that is aligned with a portion of the plunger lock 180 that is always blocked, thereby retaining the plunger 160 within the syringe body 110 (e.g., to mitigate excessive operation resulting from breaking the seal). Additionally, in some embodiments (e.g., with respect to Fig. 7A and 7B In those embodiments described in more detail, the guide ribs 162 interact with features of the rotary lock 140 to convert translational motion of the plunger 160 into rotational motion of the rotary lock 140, thereby moving the plunger lock 180 from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration when the plunger 160 reaches the end of its stroke.

[0034] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C Views of the suction system 100 in various withdrawal states are provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2A The aspiration system 100 is shown in a zero-draw state, wherein the plunger 160 is fully inserted into the syringe body 110 and Figure 2B The aspiration system 100 is shown in a fully withdrawn state, wherein the plunger 160 is fully retracted or exposed from the syringe body 110. A plunger lock 180 is secured to the syringe body 110 and surrounds the plunger 160 such that the plunger 160 cannot be pulled outward beyond the fully withdrawn state.

[0035] In various embodiments, depending on the length of the plunger 160 relative to the syringe body 110, the plunger lock 180 can prevent the plunger 160 from reaching the end 112 of the syringe body 110 when in the zero-draw state, thereby leaving a gap 210a (generally or collectively referred to as gap 210). In addition or alternatively, the user can leave a gap 210 of a predetermined size before connecting the suction system 100 to the fluid target to affect the pressure level applied to the fluid target by the user in the fully drawn state. By reducing the potential change of the gap 210 from the initial state to the final state, the user can reduce the absolute change in the pressure applied between the initial state and the final state. In various other embodiments, the gap 210 / 210a can have a predetermined size of zero or close to zero, thereby effectively eliminating the gap 210 / 210a.

[0036] In addition to or in lieu of setting the size of the initial gap 210, the user may withdraw the plunger less than fully withdrawn to affect the applied pressure by the difference between the initial gap 210 and the final gap 210. For example, Figure 2C As shown, the user can pull the plunger 160 outward to an intermediate pulled-out state between the zero-pulled-out state and the fully-pulled-out state, wherein in the intermediate pulled-out state, the plunger 160 can be further pushed inward or further pulled outward.

[0037] When using a manual suction system, negative pressure applied to the fluid target pulls on the plunger 160; attempting to pull the plunger 160 inward to relieve the negative pressure. Therefore, a plunger lock 180 is provided to hold the plunger 160 in place once it has been pulled to the desired pulling distance.

[0038] As about Figure 3A-3B , Figure 4A-4B , Figure 5A-Figure 5B and Figure 6A-6B As further described, various biasing mechanisms 150 can be used to automatically move the rotary lock 140, thereby placing the plunger lock 180 in a locked configuration without requiring a user to manually set the configuration. Additionally or alternatively, a selected biasing mechanism 150 can be used to automatically move the rotary lock 140, thereby placing the plunger lock 180 in an unlocked configuration without requiring a user to manually set the configuration.

[0039] As about Figure 7A-7B and Fig. 8AAs further described in FIG. 8C , various configuration switching mechanisms may be employed to automatically move the rotary lock 140 to switch the plunger lock 180 from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration when the user pulls the plunger 160 outward. When combined with the biasing mechanism 150 that returns the plunger lock 180 to the locked configuration, these features allow the user of the suction system 100 to focus on pulling the plunger 160 to the desired withdrawal distance without having to manually set the locking configuration for the suction system 100, thereby improving ergonomics, simplifying operation, and allowing the user to apply greater force when pulling the plunger 160 outward compared to designs that require the user to manually set the locking configuration.

[0040] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A plunger lock 180 is illustrated using a compression spring based biasing mechanism 150 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3A The plunger lock 180 is shown in an unlocked configuration, while Figure 3B The plunger lock 180 is shown in a locked configuration. The base 130 includes a cavity 132 that allows the rotary lock 140 to be inserted and allows the rotary lock 140 to be rotated between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In some embodiments, the handle 142 of the rotary lock 140 extends outside the cavity 132 to allow a user to manually control whether the plunger lock 180 is in a locked configuration or an unlocked configuration by rotating the rotary lock 140.

[0041] exist Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the embodiment, the base 130 includes a cavity 134, the biasing mechanism 150 is disposed in the cavity, and the biasing arm 144 of the rotary lock 140 extends into the cavity. When the biasing mechanism 150 in the form of a compression spring is used, the biasing mechanism 150 is placed on one side of the biasing arm 144 to reversely rotate the rotary lock 140 in the opposite direction. For example, in Figure 3A , it is shown that when the plunger lock 180 is in the unlocked configuration, the compression spring is in a compressed state, and the compression spring pushes the biasing arm 144 to rotate the rotation lock 140 clockwise, thereby returning the plunger lock 180 to the locked configuration. Figure 3A The biasing arm 144 is shown located on the opposite side thereof so that when in the locked configuration, the compression spring urges the biasing arm 144 to rotate the rotary lock 140 counterclockwise, thereby returning the plunger lock 180 to the unlocked configuration.

[0042] Although a compression spring is shown as the biasing mechanism 150, Figure 3A and Figure 3B The design of the rotary lock 140 and base 130 shown may also use magnets (with the same or opposite polarity) on the end faces of the biasing arm 144 and the cavity 134 to push / pull the rotary lock 140 by electromagnetic force to bias it to a locked configuration or an unlocked configuration. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 3A and Figure 3B The design of the rotary lock 140 and base 130 shown may also use an extension spring connected to the biasing arm 144 and the end surface of the cavity 134 instead of a compression spring to pull the rotary lock 140 to bias into a locked or unlocked configuration rather than push the rotary lock 140.

[0043] Plunger 160 Figure 3A and Figure 3B 160 is shown as having a first rib 162a (generally or collectively referred to as rib 162) in the lower right section and a second rib 162b in the upper left section (not adjacent to the lower right section), although in other embodiments, the plunger 160 may include ribs 162 in more or fewer sections. For example, at least one guide rib 162 may occupy two adjacent sections to prevent the plunger 160 from being pulled through the base 130. In another example, the plunger 160 may be divided into more or fewer sections, wherein the ribs 162 are provided in one or more sections corresponding to the openings in the base 130.

[0044] The rotation lock 140 includes one or more teeth 146a-b (generally or collectively referred to as teeth 146) that rotate into or out of the path of the rib 162 when the plunger 160 is pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly relative to the syringe body 110. Figure 3B In the locking configuration shown, the first tooth 146a contacts the first rib 162a and the second tooth 146b contacts the second rib 162b to prevent the plunger 160 from being pulled into the syringe body 110 when negative pressure is applied. Figure 3A In the unlocked configuration shown, the teeth 146 are not in contact with the respective ribs 162 , thereby allowing the plunger 160 to move freely into the syringe body 110 .

[0045] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A plunger lock 180 is illustrated that uses two compression spring based biasing mechanisms 150a - b in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4A The plunger lock 180 is shown in an unlocked configuration, while Figure 4B The plunger lock 180 is shown in a locked configuration. The base 130 includes a cavity 132 that allows the rotary lock 140 to be inserted and allows the rotary lock 140 to be rotated between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In some embodiments, the handle 142 of the rotary lock 140 extends outside the cavity 132 to allow a user to manually control whether the plunger lock 180 is in a locked configuration or an unlocked configuration by rotating the rotary lock 140.

[0046] When two or more biasing mechanisms 150 in the form of compression springs are used, the first biasing mechanism 150a is placed on one side of the first biasing arm 144a and the second biasing mechanism 150b is placed on the same side of the second biasing arm 144b to reversely rotate the rotary lock 140 in opposite directions. Figure 4A , it is shown that when the plunger lock 180 is in the unlocked configuration, the compression spring is in a compressed state, and the compression spring pushes the respective biasing arms 144a-b to rotate the rotary lock 140 clockwise, thereby returning the plunger lock 180 to the locked configuration. Figure 4A The biasing arms 144a-b are shown positioned on opposite sides thereof so that when in the locked configuration, the compression springs push the biasing arms 144a-b to rotate the rotary lock 140 counterclockwise, thereby returning the plunger lock 180 to the unlocked configuration. In various embodiments, two or more biasing mechanisms 150 may be incorporated at different locations in the plunger lock 180 to increase the biasing force compared to using a smaller number of similarly designed biasing mechanisms 150. Although illustrated with two compression springs, different embodiments of the plunger lock 180 may include multiple bending springs, extension springs, magnets, or a combination of compression springs, extension springs, bending springs, and magnets.

[0047] and Figure 3A and Figure 3B Similarly, plunger 160 is Figure 4A and Figure 4B 160 is shown as having a first rib 162a in the lower right section and a second rib 162b in the upper left section (not adjacent to the lower right section), but in other embodiments, the plunger 160 may include ribs 162 in more or fewer sections. For example, at least one guide rib 162 may occupy two adjacent sections to prevent the plunger 160 from being pulled through the base 130. In another example, the plunger 160 may be divided into more or fewer sections, wherein the ribs 162 are provided in one or more sections corresponding to the openings in the base 130.

[0048] The rotation lock 140 includes one or more teeth 146a-b that rotate into or out of the path of the rib 162 as the plunger 160 is pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly relative to the syringe body 110. Figure 4B In the locking configuration shown, the first tooth 146a contacts the first rib 162a and the second tooth 146b contacts the second rib 162b to prevent the plunger 160 from being pulled into the syringe body 110 when negative pressure is applied. Figure 4A In the unlocked configuration shown, the teeth 146 are not in contact with the respective ribs 162 , thereby allowing the plunger 160 to move freely into the syringe body 110 .

[0049] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A plunger lock 180 is illustrated using a bending spring based biasing mechanism 150 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5A The plunger lock 180 is shown in an unlocked configuration, while Figure 5B The plunger lock 180 is shown in a locked configuration. The base 130 includes a cavity 132 that allows the rotary lock 140 to be inserted and allows the rotary lock 140 to be rotated between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In some embodiments, the handle 142 of the rotary lock 140 extends outside the cavity 132 to allow a user to manually control whether the plunger lock 180 is in a locked configuration or an unlocked configuration by rotating the rotary lock 140.

[0050] exist Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the embodiment, the base 130 includes a cavity 134, the biasing mechanism 150 is disposed in the cavity, and a biasing arm 144 of the rotary lock 140 extends into the cavity. When the biasing mechanism 150 in the form of a bending spring is used, the biasing mechanism 150 is centrally placed in the cavity 134, and the biasing arm 144 is placed in contact with the bending spring to bias the rotary lock 140 to one side of the cavity 134. For example, Figure 5A The orientation shown shows that the biasing arm 144 is positioned clockwise relative to the biasing mechanism 150, which biases the plunger lock 180 to the unlocked configuration by resisting clockwise rotation. Figure 5B The illustrated orientation shows the biasing arm 144 positioned counterclockwise relative to the biasing mechanism 150 , which biases the plunger lock 180 to the locked configuration by resisting counterclockwise rotation.

[0051] In various embodiments, the bending spring operates in a fixed biased manner, wherein the bias arm 144 remains on one side relative to the bending spring after being positioned. In other embodiments, the bending spring operates in a variable biased manner, wherein the bending spring resists rotation of the bias arm 144 within a threshold rotation amount (e.g., +x degrees), but once the user rotates the bias arm 144 beyond the threshold rotation amount, the bending spring allows the bias arm 144 to reach the other side of the bending spring, or allows the bending spring to redirect the direction of the force applied to the bias arm 144. For example, when the rotation lock 140 is rotated, the bias arm 144 deflects the bending spring, which allows the bias arm 144 to reach the other side of the bending spring once a sufficient amount of deflection is applied, at which time the bending spring returns to the neutral position. In another example, when the rotation lock 140 is rotated, the bias arm 144 compresses the bending spring, which allows the bias arm 144 to reach the other side of the bending spring once a sufficient amount of deflection is applied, at which time the bending spring redirects to resist returning to the neutral position and the initial bias state. Once on the other side, the bend spring then resists rotation of the bias arm 144 within a threshold rotation amount (e.g., -x degrees) in the other direction, but once the user rotates the bias arm 144 beyond the threshold rotation amount, the bend spring allows the bias arm 144 to slide to the original side of the bend spring, thereby resetting the bias direction.

[0052] In some embodiments, the bending spring is a compression spring that is disposed in the base 130 and in contact with the rotation lock 140 to push the rotation lock 140 toward the fully locked configuration or the fully unlocked configuration, and once the user rotates the rotation lock 140 beyond the center or neutral orientation between the fully locked configuration or the fully unlocked configuration, the bending spring can be reoriented relative to the rotation lock 140 to push the rotation lock 140 toward the other of the fully locked configuration or the fully unlocked configuration. In various embodiments, the bending spring is a compression spring that is radially positioned relative to the axis of rotation of the rotation lock 140 and is pressed into the base 130 and the rotation lock 140 to hold it in place. In some embodiments, the bending spring is a leaf spring or a metal strip that is deflected and pushed back when the biasing arm 144 is pushed into the bending spring.

[0053] and Figure 3A and Figure 3B Similarly, plunger 160 is Figure 5A and Figure 5B160 is shown as having a first rib 162a in the lower right section and a second rib 162b in the upper left section (not adjacent to the lower right section), but in other embodiments, the plunger 160 may include ribs 162 in more or fewer sections. For example, at least one guide rib 162 may occupy two adjacent sections to prevent the plunger 160 from being pulled through the base 130. In another example, the plunger 160 may be divided into more or fewer sections, wherein the ribs 162 are provided in one or more sections corresponding to the openings in the base 130.

[0054] The rotation lock 140 includes one or more teeth 146a-b that rotate into or out of the path of the rib 162 as the plunger 160 is pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly relative to the syringe body 110. Figure 5B In the locking configuration shown, the first tooth 146a contacts the first rib 162a and the second tooth 146b contacts the second rib 162b to prevent the plunger 160 from being pulled into the syringe body 110 when negative pressure is applied. Figure 5A In the unlocked configuration shown, the teeth 146 are not in contact with the respective ribs 162 , thereby allowing the plunger 160 to move freely into the syringe body 110 .

[0055] Figure 5A and Figure 5B The rotary lock 140 is further illustrated to include one or more travel stops 148a-b (generally or collectively referred to as travel stops 148). Figure 7A-7B These travel stops will be described in greater detail.The travel stops 148 are positioned to interact with guide ribs 162 that extend across more than one section of the plunger 160 to utilize translation of the plunger 160 outward from the syringe body 110 to rotate the rotation lock 140 to the locked configuration.

[0056] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B A plunger lock 180 is illustrated that uses a magnet-based biasing mechanism 150a - b according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6A The plunger lock 180 is shown in an unlocked configuration, while Figure 6B The plunger lock 180 is shown in a locked configuration. The base 130 includes a cavity 132 that allows the rotary lock 140 to be inserted and allows the rotary lock 140 to be rotated between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In some embodiments, the handle 142 of the rotary lock 140 extends outside the cavity 132 to allow a user to manually control whether the plunger lock 180 is in a locked configuration or an unlocked configuration by rotating the rotary lock 140.

[0057] When using a pair of magnets (e.g. Figure 1DWhen a biasing mechanism 150a-b is provided in the form of a biasing mechanism 150d and 150e) shown in FIG. 1 , a first magnet (150a) is placed in a cavity of the rotary lock 140 or otherwise incorporated into the rotary lock 140, and a second magnet (150b) is placed in a cavity of the base 130 or otherwise incorporated into the base 130 to interact with the first magnet (150a) to bias the plunger lock 180.

[0058] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the second magnet (150b) is centrally located in the rotational path of the rotary lock 140 between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration, and can be oriented so that the first magnet and the second magnet face each other with the same polarity (e.g., north pole to north pole or south pole to south pole). Therefore, the first magnet (150a) is urged toward one of the locked configuration or the unlocked configuration by the second magnet (150b), and when the user initially places it in one configuration, the first magnet resists the second magnet from moving toward the other configuration unless sufficient external force is applied (e.g., by the handle 142).

[0059] In addition to or alternatively to having a central magnet with the same polarity facing the magnet (150a) in the rotary lock 140, the base 130 also includes magnets with opposite polarity to the magnet (150a) in the rotary lock 140, which are arranged at the ends of the rotation path to pull the rotary lock 140 to one of the fully locked configuration or the fully unlocked configuration, rather than pushing the rotary lock 140 out from the intermediate configuration.

[0060] and Figure 3A and Figure 3B Similarly, plunger 160 is Fig. 6A and Figure 6B 160 is shown as having a first rib 162a in the lower right section and a second rib 162b in the upper left section (not adjacent to the lower right section), but in other embodiments, the plunger 160 may include ribs 162 in more or fewer sections. For example, at least one guide rib 162 may occupy two adjacent sections to prevent the plunger 160 from being pulled through the base 130. In another example, the plunger 160 may be divided into more or fewer sections, wherein the ribs 162 are provided in one or more sections corresponding to the openings in the base 130.

[0061] The rotation lock 140 includes one or more teeth 146a-b that rotate into or out of the path of the rib 162 as the plunger 160 is pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly relative to the syringe body 110. Figure 6BIn the locking configuration shown, the first tooth 146a contacts the first rib 162a and the second tooth 146b contacts the second rib 162b to prevent the plunger 160 from being pulled into the syringe body 110 when negative pressure is applied. Fig. 6A In the unlocked configuration shown, the teeth 146 are not in contact with the respective ribs 162 , thereby allowing the plunger 160 to move freely into the syringe body 110 .

[0062] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B It is further illustrated that the rotation lock 140 may include one or more travel stops 148a-b. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B These travel stops will be described in more detail.The travel stops 148 are arranged to interact with guide ribs 162 extending across more than one section of the plunger 160 to utilize translation of the plunger 160 outwardly from the syringe body 110 to rotate the rotation lock 140 to the locked configuration.

[0063] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The operation of the travel stop 148 on the rotation lock 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, the plunger 160 is shown having a first section 164a and a second section 164b adjacent to the first section 164a, the first section including a series of ribs 162 having guide ribs 162a included in both the first section 164a and the second section 164b.

[0064] The travel stop 148 is part of or connected to the rotation lock 140 and extends toward the sealing end of the plunger 160 aligned with the second section 164b. The travel stop 148 includes a base 710 that extends a first distance from the base of the rotation lock 140 and interacts with the guide rib 162a to prevent the plunger 160 from moving beyond a certain withdrawal distance (e.g., a fully withdrawn state). The travel stop 148 also includes a ramp 720 that extends a second distance (greater than the first distance) from the base of the rotation lock 140 and interacts with the guide rib 162a to rotate the rotation lock 140 when the plunger 160 is pulled outward. When the ramp 720 contacts the guide rib 162a and the user continues to pull the plunger 160, the guide rib 162a pushes the ramp 720, thereby moving the rotation lock 140 from the unlocked configuration (which allows the plunger 160 to be pulled outward, such as Fig. 7A As shown) rotated to a locked configuration and in contact with the base 710, as Figure 7B shown.

[0065] Fig. 8A - FIG. 8C illustrates the operation of the teeth 146 of the rotary lock 140 and the ribs 162 of the plunger 160 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8A and Figure 8B As illustrated, the plunger 160 is shown as having a series of ribs 162a-c that interact with the teeth 146 when the plunger 160 is pulled outwardly from a first perspective. Fig. 8A and Figure 8B The first perspective view shown illustrates the bottom surface of the teeth 146 to provide additional detail regarding the operation of the teeth 146 and the ribs 162 .

[0066] The teeth 146 are part of or connected to the rotation lock 140 and extend inwardly into the through hole through which the plunger 160 is sized and shaped to travel. The ribs 162 are part of or connected to the plunger 160 and project radially from the longitudinal axis of the plunger 160 and are configured to reduce or prevent inward movement of the plunger 160 when interacting with the teeth 146. However, the teeth 146 include a bevel 810 on one side (e.g., the side facing inwardly) so that when the plunger lock 180 is in the locked configuration (e.g., as Fig. 8A 146, this outward movement imparts rotational movement to the rotary lock 140, thereby placing the plunger lock 180 in an unlocked configuration. This rotation allows the ribs 162 to push the teeth 146 apart, allowing the plunger 160 to move further outward from the syringe body 110. Although the ramp 810 is Fig. 8A and Figure 8B Although shown as being substantially planar, in various embodiments, the sloped surface 810 may include curved or radial portions.

[0067] In various embodiments, when the plunger lock 180 is biased to resist the unlocked configuration, once the rib 162 passes the teeth 146, rotation of the rotary lock 140 engages the biasing mechanism 150 to return to the locked configuration. Figure 8B In the embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the rotary lock 140 compresses the biasing mechanism 150 in the form of a compression spring, which is released when the rib 162 moves past the teeth 146, thereby returning the plunger lock 180 to the locked configuration. Figure 5B A compression spring is illustrated as the biasing mechanism 150 , but other biasing mechanisms 150 and multiple biasing mechanisms 150 may be used in other embodiments.

[0068] To prevent the plunger 160 from returning into the syringe body 110 when the plunger lock 180 is in the locked configuration (e.g., due to negative pressure applied to the fluid target), as shown in FIG8C , the tooth 146 includes a ratchet stop 820 on one side (e.g., the side facing outward). Unlike the opposite (e.g., inwardly facing) side, the side containing the ratchet stop 820 does not include a bevel 810, so that when the rib 162 contacts the ratchet stop 820 of the tooth 146, the inward force is not converted into a rotational force applied to the rotation lock 140. Although the stop 820 is shown as being substantially planar (in a plane perpendicular to the axis of travel of the plunger 160) and is described as not including a bevel, it should be understood that the edge of the tooth 146 surrounding the ratchet stop 820 may include a bevel or chamfer that is not considered part of the ratchet stop 820.

[0069] Therefore, the rotation lock 140 can include a ramp 810 on one side of the tooth 146 and a ratchet stop 820 on the other side, so that when the user pulls the plunger 160 outward, the plunger lock 180 can be temporarily switched between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration without manually setting the configuration through the handle 142, thereby making the withdrawal state of the plunger 160 ratchet-like and limiting the accidental inward movement of the plunger 160 until the user wishes to release the negative pressure.

[0070] This disclosure may also be understood by reference to the following numbered clauses.

[0071] Item 1: A device comprising: a syringe body; a plunger comprising a shaft having a first end that forms a seal with an inner surface of the syringe body, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of ribs included between the first end and the second end; a rotational lock through which the shaft extends, the rotational lock comprising teeth that selectively engage with the plunger through the plurality of ribs; and a base through which the shaft extends, the base allowing the rotational lock to rotate between a first state and a second state, wherein the first state positions the teeth to contact a given rib of the plurality of ribs and prevents the plunger from translating relative to the syringe body, and wherein the second state positions the teeth to contact the plurality of ribs to allow the plunger to translate relative to the syringe body.

[0072] Clause 2: The device of any of clauses 1 and 3-9, wherein the rotary lock comprises a handle for rotating the rotary lock between the first state and the second state.

[0073] Clause 3: The apparatus of any one of clauses 1, 2, and 3-9, further comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the rotary lock to return to one of the first state and the second state when the rotary lock is moved out of the first state or the second state by an external force.

[0074] Clause 4: An apparatus as described in Clause 3, wherein the biasing mechanism is one of the following: a return spring that contacts the rotary lock and the base, and when the rotary lock is in one of the first state and the second state, the return spring is compressed to return the rotary lock to the other of the first state and the second state when the external force is removed; a bending spring that contacts the base and contacts the rotary lock through a protrusion extending from the outer diameter of the rotary lock to bias the rotary lock to return to one of the first state and the second state when the external force is removed; or a first magnet included in the rotary lock and a second magnet included in the base, the first magnet is aligned with a first polarity facing outward toward the central axis, and the second magnet is aligned with a first polarity facing inward toward the central axis, wherein the first magnet is located at a first location when the rotary lock is in the first state, and is located at a second location when the rotary lock is in the second state, and the second magnet is located at a midpoint of a travel path between the first location and the second location to bias the rotary lock to the first state and the second state when rotating.

[0075] Clause 5: An apparatus as described in Clause 4, wherein the bending spring operates according to one of the following: a first mode, wherein the bending spring is disposed in the base and pushes against a first side or a second side of the protrusion to bias the rotary lock to return to the first state or the second state, respectively, until an external force rotates the rotary lock beyond the neutral configuration; a second mode, wherein the bending spring resists movement of the rotary lock from the first state to the second state and from the second state to the first state, and deflects when sufficient force is applied to rotate the rotary lock past the neutral position to redirect the rotary lock to the other side of the bending spring; and a third mode, wherein the protrusion is located on one side of the bending spring and the bending spring does not allow the protrusion to reach the other side of the bending spring.

[0076] Clause 6: A device as described in any of clauses 1-5 and 7-9, wherein: the axis of the plunger is divided into four segments; each of the plurality of ribs occupies a first portion of a first segment in a corresponding plane, the corresponding plane being perpendicular to the direction in which the plunger moves relative to the syringe body when translated; and the size of the teeth is designed to be equal to or smaller than the size of the remaining portion of the first segment in the corresponding plane not occupied by each rib.

[0077] Clause 7: A device as described in Clause 6, wherein: the guide rib of the plurality of ribs that is closest to the end of the plunger that forms a seal with the syringe body occupies a second portion of a second segment adjacent to the first segment; and the rotary lock includes a travel stop that selectively engages with the guide rib in the second segment to rotate the rotary lock from the second state to the first state when the shaft translates outward relative to the syringe body.

[0078] Clause 8: The device of any of clauses 1-7 and 9, wherein the tooth includes a ramp on one side that allows the plurality of ribs to rotate the rotation lock from the first state to the second state when the plunger translates outwardly relative to the syringe body.

[0079] Clause 9: The device of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the base is secured to a finger guard of the syringe and the rotation lock is secured between the base and the finger guard.

[0080] Item 10: A device comprising: a base including a first through hole and a socket; and a rotary lock including a third through hole smaller than the first through hole, wherein the rotary lock is assembled into the socket and is configured to rotate between a first state and a second state in the socket, in which the rotary lock blocks a portion of the first through hole in the first state and avoids the first through hole in the second state.

[0081] Clause 11: The device of any of clauses 10 and 12-16, wherein the rotary lock includes a handle for rotating the rotary lock between the first state and the second state, wherein the handle protrudes from the base.

[0082] Clause 12: The device as described in any one of Clauses 10, 11 and 13-16, further comprising: a cap comprising a second through hole aligned with the first through hole along an axis, the cap being connected to a side of the base perpendicular to the axis, wherein the rotary lock is fixed in the socket by the cap.

[0083] Clause 13: The apparatus of clause 12, wherein: the second through hole is substantially circular in cross-section and is configured to fit the diameter of a syringe; and the first through hole and the third through hole are configured to fit the cross-section of an axis of a plunger associated with the syringe, wherein the plunger includes a plurality of ribs on the axis, and when in the first state and the plunger translates along the axis, the plurality of ribs engage the rotary lock.

[0084] Clause 14: The device of any one of clauses 10-13, 15 and 16, further comprising a return spring in contact with the rotary lock and the base, the return spring being compressed when the rotary lock is in the second state to bias the rotary lock back to the first state.

[0085] Clause 15: An apparatus as described in any one of Clauses 10-14 and 16, further comprising a bias spring that contacts the base and contacts the rotary lock on one side of a protrusion extending from an outer diameter of the rotary lock to bias the rotary lock to return to the other of the first state and the second state when the rotary lock is moved to one of the first state and the second state by an external force.

[0086] Clause 16: An apparatus as described in any of clauses 10-15, wherein: the rotary lock includes a first magnet, which is aligned with a first polarity facing outward toward the central axis; the first magnet is located at a first position when the rotary lock is in the first state, and is located at a second position when the rotary lock is in the second state; the base includes a second magnet, which is aligned with a first polarity facing inward toward the central axis; and the second magnet is located at a midpoint of a travel path between the first position and the second position to bias the rotary lock to the first state and the second state when rotating.

[0087] Item 17: A syringe comprising: a syringe body; a plunger that is sealingly engaged with an inner cavity of the syringe body and slides along the longitudinal axis of the syringe body; and a selective locking device that selectively engages the plunger in a first position that restricts the plunger from sliding along the longitudinal axis and selectively disengages the plunger in a second position that allows the plunger to slide along the longitudinal axis.

[0088] Clause 18: The syringe of any one of clauses 17 and 19-21, further comprising a biasing device that biases the selective locking device to return to one of the first position and the second position when the selective locking device is moved out of the first position or the second position by an external force.

[0089] Clause 19: A syringe as described in clause 18, wherein the biasing device is one of the following items: a compression spring that contacts the selective locking device and compresses when the selective locking device is in the second position to return the selective locking device to the first position when the external force is removed; a bending spring that contacts the selective locking device through a protrusion extending from the outer diameter of the selective locking device to bias the selective locking device to return to one of the first position and the second position when the external force is removed; or a first magnet included in the selective locking device and a second magnet included in the base of the selective locking device, the first magnet being aligned with a first polarity facing outwardly toward the central axis and the second magnet being aligned with the first polarity facing inwardly toward the central axis, wherein the first magnet is located at a first location when the selective locking device is in the first position and is located at a second location when the selective locking device is in the second position, and the second magnet is located at a midpoint of a travel path between the first location and the second location to bias the selective locking device to the first position and the second position when rotated.

[0090] Clause 20: A syringe as described in any of clauses 17-19 and 21, wherein: the axis of the plunger is divided into four sections and includes a rib, which occupies a first part of the first section in a corresponding plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and the selective locking device includes teeth, which engage with the rib when the selective locking device is in the first position and disengage from the rib when the selective locking device is in the second position.

[0091] Item 21: The syringe as described in Item 20 further includes a second rib, which is closer to the position where the plunger is sealed and engaged with the inner cavity of the syringe body than the rib, wherein the second rib occupies a second portion of a second segment adjacent to the first segment; and the selective locking device includes a biasing arm, which is abutted against the second rib in the second segment to rotate the selective locking device from the second position to the first position when the plunger slides outward relative to the syringe body.

[0092] Item 22: A syringe comprising: a syringe body having an inner cavity with a longitudinal axis; a plunger at least partially located within the syringe body and sealingly engaged with the inner cavity of the syringe body, wherein the plunger has a plurality of ribs protruding outward from the plunger; and a selective locking mechanism having at least one tooth, wherein, in a locked configuration, the at least one tooth engages with at least one of the plurality of ribs so that the plunger resists sliding along the longitudinal axis, and wherein, in an unlocked configuration, the at least one tooth disengages from the plurality of ribs so that the plunger is able to slide along the longitudinal axis.

[0093] Clause 23: The syringe of clause 22, wherein the selective locking mechanism switches from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration when the plunger reaches a first selected withdrawn state within the syringe body.

[0094] The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in the present disclosure are intended to provide a comprehensive and complete disclosure of the full scope of the subject matter to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art, and are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the subject matter claimed in any way. The aspects, examples and details provided in the present disclosure are considered to be sufficient to convey possession, and enable those of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the best mode of the subject matter claimed. The description of the structure, resources, operations and actions that are considered to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may be brief or omitted to avoid obscuring the little-known or unique aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The subject matter claimed for protection should not be interpreted as being limited to any one of the embodiments, aspects, examples or details provided in the present disclosure, unless explicitly stated herein. Whether uniformly or individually shown or described, various features (structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a specific feature set. In addition, any or all functions and actions shown or described may be performed in any order or simultaneously.

[0095] Having provided the description and illustration of the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art may conceive of variations, modifications and alternative embodiments that fall within the spirit of the broader aspects of the overall inventive concept provided in the present disclosure without departing from the broader scope of the present disclosure.

[0096] As used in this disclosure, a phrase referring to "at least one" of a list of items refers to any set of those items, including sets with a single component and every potential combination thereof. For example, when referring to "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C", the phrase is intended to cover the following sets: A, B, C, AB, BC, and ABC, wherein these sets may include one or more instances of a given component (e.g., AA, AAA, AAB, AABBCCC, etc.) and any ordering thereof.

[0097] As used in this disclosure, the term "determining" encompasses various actions that may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, searching (e.g., via a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), retrieving, parsing, selecting, choosing, and establishing, etc.

[0098] As used in this disclosure, the terms "substantially," "approximately," "about," and other relative terms encompass values ​​within ±5% of a stated amount, percentage, or range, unless a different approximation is explicitly stated with respect to the stated amount, percentage, or range, or the context of the value indicates that a different approximation would be more appropriate. For example, a value identified as about X% may be understood to include values ​​between 0.95*X% and 1.05*X% or values ​​between X-0.05X and X+0.05X%, but may stop at zero or one hundred percent in various cases. In another example, a feature described as being substantially parallel or perpendicular to another feature should be understood to be within ±9 degrees of parallel or perpendicular. Any value stated in relative terms should be understood to include the stated value and any range or subrange between the indicated or implied extremes.

[0099] As used in this disclosure, all numbers given in the examples (whether indicated as approximate values ​​or otherwise) inherently include values ​​within the precision and rounding error range of the number. For example, the number 4.5 should be understood to include values ​​from 4.45 to 4.54, and the number 4.50 should be understood to include values ​​from 4.495 to 4.504. In addition, any number or range that explicitly or by context refers to an integer amount (e.g., approximately X users, between approximately Y and Z states) should be understood to be rounded down or up to the next integer value (e.g., X ± 1 users, Y-1 states, and Z + 1 states).

[0100] The claims below are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but should be given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. In the claims, unless otherwise specified, references to singular elements are not intended to mean "one and only one", but "one or more" or "at least one". Unless otherwise specifically stated, the term "some" refers to one or more. Unless the term "device" or "step" is explicitly used to state a claim element, no claim element shall be interpreted according to the provisions of 35 U.SC § 112 (f). All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described in this disclosure that are known or will be known later to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be included in these claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether the disclosure is explicitly stated in the claims.

Claims

1. A device comprising: Syringe body; a plunger including a shaft having a first end that forms a seal with an inner surface of the syringe body, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of ribs included between the first end and the second end; a rotary lock through which the shaft extends, the rotary lock including teeth that selectively engage the plunger via the plurality of ribs; as well as a base through which the shaft extends, the base allowing the rotation lock to rotate between a first state and a second state, wherein the first state positions the tooth to contact a given rib of the plurality of ribs and prevent the plunger from translating relative to the syringe body, and wherein the second state positions the tooth to contact the plurality of ribs to allow the plunger to translate relative to the syringe body.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The rotary lock includes a handle for rotating the rotary lock between the first state and the second state. 3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the rotation lock to return to one of the first state and the second state when the rotation lock is moved out of the first state or the second state by an external force.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The biasing mechanism is one of: a return spring in contact with the rotary lock and the base, the return spring being compressed when the rotary lock is in one of the first state and the second state to return the rotary lock to the other of the first state and the second state when the external force is removed; a bending spring in contact with the base and in contact with the rotary lock through a protrusion extending from an outer diameter of the rotary lock to bias the rotary lock to return to one of the first state and the second state when the external force is removed; or A first magnet included in the rotary lock and a second magnet included in the base, the first magnet being aligned so that a first polarity faces outwardly toward a central axis, and the second magnet being aligned so that the first polarity faces inwardly toward the central axis, wherein the first magnet is located in a first position when the rotary lock is in the first state, and is located in a second position when the rotary lock is in the second state, and the second magnet is located at a midpoint of a travel path between the first position and the second position to bias the rotary lock to the first state and the second state when rotating.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The shaft of the plunger is divided into four sections; Each rib of the plurality of ribs occupies a first portion of a first segment in a respective plane that is perpendicular to a direction in which the plunger moves relative to the syringe body in translation; and The size of the teeth is designed to be equal to or smaller than the size of the remaining portion of the first section not occupied by each rib in the corresponding plane.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: A guide rib of the plurality of ribs that is closest to the end of the plunger that forms a seal with the syringe body occupies a second portion of a second section adjacent to the first section; and the rotation lock includes a travel stop that selectively engages the guide rib in the second section to rotate the rotation lock from the second state to the first state when the shaft translates outwardly relative to the syringe body.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The tooth includes a ramp on one side that allows the plurality of ribs to rotate the rotation lock from the first state to the second state when the plunger translates outwardly relative to the syringe body.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The base is secured to a finger guard of the syringe and the rotation lock is secured between the base and the finger guard.

9. A device comprising: a base including a first through hole and a socket; as well as A rotation lock comprising a third through hole smaller than the first through hole, wherein the rotation lock is assembled to the socket and is configured to rotate in the socket between a first state and a second state, in which the rotation lock blocks a portion of the first through hole and in which the rotation lock avoids the first through hole.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The rotary lock includes a handle for rotating the rotary lock between the first state and the second state, wherein the handle protrudes from the base.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: A cover cap comprises a second through hole aligned with the first through hole along an axis, the cover cap is connected to a side of the base perpendicular to the axis, wherein the rotary lock is fixed in the socket by the cover cap.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: The second through hole is substantially circular in cross-section and is configured to fit the diameter of the syringe; and The first and third through holes are configured to fit a cross-section of a shaft of a plunger associated with the syringe, wherein the plunger includes a plurality of ribs on the shaft that interface with the rotation lock when in the first state and the plunger translates along the axis.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a return spring in contact with the rotary lock and the base, the return spring being compressed when the rotary lock is in the second state to bias the rotary lock back to the first state.

14. The device according to claim 9 further includes a bending spring which contacts the base and contacts the rotary lock on one side of a protrusion extending from the outer diameter of the rotary lock to bias the rotary lock to return to the other of the first state and the second state when the rotary lock is moved to one of the first state and the second state by an external force.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: The rotary lock includes a first magnet aligned with a first polarity facing outwardly toward a central axis; The first magnet is located at a first position when the rotary lock is in the first state, and is located at a second position when the rotary lock is in the second state; the base comprising a second magnet aligned with the first polarity facing inwardly toward the central axis; and The second magnet is located at a midpoint of a travel path between the first position and the second position to bias the rotary lock into the first state and the second state when rotated.

16. A syringe comprising: Syringe body; a plunger sealingly engaged with the interior cavity of the syringe body and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the syringe body; as well as A selective locking device selectively engages the plunger in a first position that restricts sliding movement of the plunger along the longitudinal axis and selectively disengages the plunger in a second position that allows sliding movement of the plunger along the longitudinal axis.

17. The syringe according to claim 16, further comprising a biasing device that biases the selective locking device to return to one of the first position and the second position when the selective locking device is moved out of the first position or the second position by an external force.

18. The syringe according to claim 17, wherein The biasing means is one of: a compression spring in contact with the selective locking device, the compression spring compressing when the selective locking device is in the second position to return the selective locking device to the first position when the external force is removed; a bending spring contacting the selective locking device via a protrusion extending from an outer diameter of the selective locking device to bias the selective locking device to return to one of the first position and the second position when the external force is removed; or A first magnet included in the selective locking device and a second magnet included in the base of the selective locking device, the first magnet being aligned so that a first polarity faces outwardly toward a central axis, and the second magnet being aligned so that the first polarity faces inwardly toward the central axis, wherein the first magnet is located at a first location when the selective locking device is in the first position and is located at a second location when the selective locking device is in the second position, and the second magnet is located at a midpoint of a travel path between the first location and the second location to bias the selective locking device to the first position and the second position when rotated.

19. The syringe of claim 16, wherein: The shaft of the plunger is divided into four sections and includes a rib occupying a first portion of a first section in a respective plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and The selective locking device includes a tooth that engages the rib when the selective locking device is in the first position and disengages the rib when the selective locking device is in the second position.

20. The syringe of claim 19, further comprising a second rib located closer to where the plunger seals with the interior cavity of the syringe body than the first rib, wherein The second rib occupies a second portion of a second segment adjacent to the first segment; as well as The selective locking device includes a biasing arm that interfaces with the second rib in the second section to rotate the selective locking device from the second position to the first position when the plunger slides outwardly relative to the syringe body.

21. A syringe comprising: a syringe body having an interior cavity with a longitudinal axis; a plunger at least partially disposed within the syringe body and sealingly engaged with the interior cavity of the syringe body, wherein the plunger has a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from the plunger; and A selective locking mechanism having at least one tooth, wherein, in a locked configuration, the at least one tooth engages with at least one of the plurality of ribs such that the plunger resists sliding along the longitudinal axis, and wherein, in an unlocked configuration, the at least one tooth disengages from the plurality of ribs such that the plunger is able to slide along the longitudinal axis.

22. The syringe according to claim 21, wherein The selective locking mechanism switches from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration when the plunger reaches a first selected withdrawn state within the syringe body.

Images