Disposable syringe with syringe lock

Abstract

A disposable medical syringe has a syringe lock that prevents repeated syringe aspiration and dispensing fluid to a patient. A pivoting syringe lock is coupled to the proximal open end of the syringe barrel. The syringe lock has one or more cantilevered latches in continuous, biased, sliding, abutting contact with the plunger. Upon full advancement of the plunger within the syringe barrel, each latch engages a corresponding plunger stop that is oriented on a proximal end of the syringe plunger. When each latch is engaged in its corresponding plunger stop, the plunger remains locked in an advanced position within the syringe barrel. In some embodiments, a removable plunger clip is coupled to the syringe to prevent inadvertent advancement of the plunger into the syringe barrel and premature locking of the syringe prior to administration of a medicament to a patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to medical syringes and, more particularly, to disposable medical syringes with syringe locks, including disposable hypodermic medical infusion syringes with syringe locks. Background Art

[0002] Hypodermic syringes and other types of medical syringes are typically intended for single use only, in part to address the problems of disease transmission and bloodstream infections associated with the reuse of such devices. For example, hypodermic syringes are typically used to inject medications subcutaneously directly into a patient, but syringes are also used to administer medications to and flush catheters and other vascular access devices (VADs) in patients. After flushing a patient's VAD with a first syringe, removing the syringe exposes its needle to a non-sterile external environment. Thereafter, administering a dose of medication or other medical fluid to the same patient with the same first syringe introduces the possibility of introducing a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) to the patient. To reduce cases of CRBSI and ensure the proper use and maintenance of VADs, practice guidelines have been established that include discarding previously used syringes and using a new, sterile syringe for each subsequent VAD access or direct patient infusion. Another concern is that accidentally reusing a used syringe on another patient—whether for subcutaneous infusion or via a VAD—risks the spread of disease and infection. In addition to the problem of disease and infection transmission, there is also the problem of inadvertent mixing of residual medication in a previously used syringe with another medication intended for a different patient.

[0003] In the past, single-use syringes have been developed that require active locking or other procedures to permanently disable the syringe, thereby preventing reuse. Actively locking syringes assume and require the medical professional to commit to rendering the syringe inoperable, either by actuating a lock or destroying one or more of the syringe's components. Active syringe locking or destruction devices do not prevent the syringe from being reused when the medical professional intends to reuse it. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The disposable medical syringe of the present invention does not require medical personnel to take any active steps to prevent syringe reuse, and its automatic, passive locking feature prevents intentional syringe reuse. More specifically, the disposable medical syringe of the present invention has a self-actuated passive syringe lock that prevents repeated syringe aspiration and dispensing of fluid to the patient. During the dispensing of the medication, the syringe lock is automatically activated by the forward movement of the plunger in the syringe barrel. The pivoting syringe lock is coupled to the proximal open end of the syringe barrel. The syringe lock has one or more cantilevered locking forks that are continuous with the plunger, biased, sliding, and in abutment contact. After the plunger has fully moved forward in the syringe barrel, each locking fork engages a corresponding plunger stop, which is oriented on the proximal end of the syringe plunger. The plunger remains locked in the forward position in the syringe barrel, while each locking fork engages its corresponding plunger stop, making the syringe non-reusable. In some embodiments, the syringe lock is incorporated into a modular housing that is coupled to a standard, known syringe barrel. In other embodiments, the syringe lock is compatible with standard, known syringe plungers.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a medical syringe comprising a hollow syringe barrel defining a central bore axis. The syringe barrel has a distal end and an open proximal end. The syringe includes a reciprocating plunger inserted into the open proximal end of the hollow syringe barrel. The plunger has a stopper on its distal end, oriented opposite the distal end of the syringe barrel. At least one plunger stop is formed on the proximal end of the plunger. In some embodiments, the plunger stop is a through-hole, while in other embodiments, the plunger stop is a recess formed in the plunger. In other embodiments, the plunger stop is a ridge protruding outwardly away from the plunger. In still other embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned plunger stops is incorporated into the plunger. The syringe has a pivoting syringe lock coupled to the open proximal end of the syringe barrel. The syringe lock includes at least one cantilevered locking fork in continuous, biased, sliding, and abutting contact with the plunger. After the plunger has fully advanced within the syringe barrel, the locking fork engages the plunger stop. When at least one locking fork is engaged in its corresponding plunger stop, the plunger remains locked in its advanced position within the syringe barrel.

[0006] In some embodiments, a removable plunger clamp is coupled to the syringe to prevent inadvertent advancement of the plunger into the syringe barrel and to prematurely lock the syringe prior to administering the medicament to the patient.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a medical syringe comprising a hollow syringe barrel defining a central bore axis. The syringe barrel has a distal end and an open proximal end. A reciprocating plunger is inserted into the open proximal end of the hollow syringe barrel. The plunger has a stopper on its distal end, oriented opposite the distal end of the syringe barrel. The plunger defines a central axis concentric with the central bore axis. A pair of plunger stops are formed on the proximal end of the plunger. Each plunger stop is laterally spaced outward from and flanks the bore axis. In some embodiments, each plunger stop is a through hole, while in other embodiments, each plunger stop is a recess formed in the plunger. In other embodiments, each plunger stop is a ridge protruding outwardly away from the plunger. In still other embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned types of plunger stops are incorporated into the plunger. A housing is coupled to and surrounds the proximal end of the syringe barrel. The housing defines a pair of journal bearings concentrically aligned along a bearing axis perpendicular to and offset from the syringe's bore axis. The journal bearings are laterally spaced outboard of and flanking the syringe's bore axis. The syringe includes a pivoting syringe lock having a pair of concentrically aligned, opposed shafts, each oriented in a corresponding journal bearing. The shafts establish a pivot axis for the syringe lock that is concentric with the journal bearing axis. The syringe lock incorporates a pair of locking forks coupled to the shafts and laterally flanking the syringe's central bore axis. The locking forks have respective distal tips that project tangentially relative to the syringe lock's pivot axis. A locking spring is coupled to the shafts and in abutting contact with the housing, for continuously biasing each distal tip of each locking fork into sliding abutting contact with the plunger. After the plunger has fully advanced within the syringe barrel, the biasing force applied by the lock springs further engages each distal tip of the locking forks in its corresponding plunger stop. When each locking fork tip is engaged in its corresponding plunger stop, the plunger remains locked in its advanced position within the syringe barrel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a disposable medical syringe of the present disclosure with a syringe lock and attached plunger clip, without an attached hypodermic needle, prior to administering a medication or other medical fluid to a patient;

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial axial cross-sectional view of a disposable medical syringe;

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of a disposable medical syringe;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a plunger clip of a disposable medical syringe;

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a syringe lock for a disposable medical syringe;

[0014] Figure 6 and Figure 6A yes Figure 1 an isometric partial axial cross-sectional view of a disposable medical syringe of FIG. 1 during advancement of the syringe thereof when administering a medication or other medical fluid to a patient, showing the hypodermic needle without the syringe;

[0015] Figure 6A The plunger is shown unlocked within the syringe barrel and can be physically withdrawn to Figure 6 An isometric partial axial cross-sectional view of the syringe barrel of the invention drawing the added medical fluid into the barrel cavity until the distal end of each locking prong engages its corresponding stop opening in the plunger;

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An isometric view of a disposable medical syringe without a hypodermic needle attached after administering a medication or other medical fluid to a patient, showing engagement of the syringe lock with the plunger;

[0017] Figure 7A yes Figure 7 An enlarged partial axial cross-sectional view of a disposable medical syringe showing the engagement of the syringe lock with the plunger;

[0018] Figure 8 is an alternative embodiment syringe having a syringe lock and plunger stop similar to Figure 7A A partial axial cross-sectional view of FIG, showing the engagement of the syringe lock with the plunger; and

[0019] Figure 9 is similar to Figure 7A A partial axial cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a syringe having a syringe lock and a plunger stop showing engagement of the syringe lock with the plunger.

[0020] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.The figures are not drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The disposable medical syringe of the present disclosure does not require medical personnel to take any active steps to prevent syringe reuse. The syringe lock embodiments disclosed herein also inhibit intentional syringe reuse. More specifically, the disposable medical syringe of the present disclosure has a self-actuated passive syringe lock that prevents repeated syringe aspiration and dispensing of fluid to a patient. During dispensing of a medicament, the syringe lock is automatically activated by the forward movement of the plunger within the syringe barrel.

[0022] Disposable medical syringe of the present disclosure has the automatically actuated pivoting syringe lock that is coupled to the proximal open end of syringe barrel.Syringe lock has one or more cantilever lock forks that are continuously biased, slide, abut contact with plunger.After plunger fully moves forward in syringe barrel, each lock fork engages corresponding plunger stop, and corresponding plunger stop is oriented on the proximal end of syringe plunger.When each lock fork is engaged in its corresponding plunger stop, plunger keeps being locked in the forward position in syringe barrel.In certain embodiments, removable plunger clamp is coupled to syringe, to prevent plunger from accidentally moving forward in syringe barrel and locking syringe prematurely before administering medicament to patient.

[0023] Before describing several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details of construction or process steps set forth in the following description, and the present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0024] In this disclosure, a convention is followed in which the distal end of the device is the end closest to the patient, while the proximal end of the device is the end away from the patient and closest to the practitioner.

[0025] With respect to terms used in this disclosure, the following definitions are provided: As used herein, the use of "a," "an," and "the" includes both the singular and the plural.

[0026] As used herein, the term "Luer connector" refers to a connecting collar that is a standard method of attaching syringes, catheters, hub needles, IV tubing, etc. to each other. A Luer connector consists of male and female interlocking tubes that are slightly tapered so that they stay together better even with just a simple press / twist fit. A Luer connector may optionally include an additional threaded outer rim to make it more secure. The male end of the Luer connector is generally associated with a hypodermic syringe or an infusion syringe or an irrigation syringe and can interlock and connect to the female end located on a vascular access device (VAD). The Luer connector also has a distal end channel that releasably attaches the Luer connector to the hub of the VAD, and a proximal end channel that releasably attaches the Luer connector to the syringe barrel.

[0027] As used herein, ISO 80369-7:2016 defines the specifications of standard Luer connectors, including a 6% taper between the distal and proximal ends. Male standard Luer connectors increase in diameter from the open distal end to the proximal end. Female standard Luer connectors decrease in diameter from the open proximal end to the distal end. According to ISO 80369-7:2016, the outer cross-sectional diameter of a male standard Luer connector measured 0.75 mm from the distal end of the end is between 3.970 mm and 4.072 mm. The length of the male standard Luer taper is between 7.500 mm and 10.500 mm. The outer cross-sectional diameter measured 7.500 mm from the distal end of the end is between 4.376 mm and 4.476 mm. As used herein, the phrases "male standard Luer connector" and "female standard Luer connector" shall refer to connectors with the dimensions described in ISO 80369-7 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0028] As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art, although descriptive terms such as "end," "hub," "thread," "protrusion / plug," "tab," "ramp," "wall," "top," "side," "bottom," etc. are used throughout the specification to facilitate understanding, they are not intended to limit any components used to implement various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and these components may be used in combination or individually.

[0029] The matters illustrated in this specification are provided to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and structures have been omitted for clarity and brevity.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 3 A syringe 10 is depicted, comprising a hollow syringe barrel 12 defining a central bore axis. While the syringe barrel 12 has a cylindrical profile, in other embodiments, the syringe barrel has other profiles, including rectangular and triangular cross-sectional profiles as non-limiting examples. The syringe barrel 12 has a distal end 14 incorporating a threaded Luer needle fitting 16 and an outlet 18. The outlet 18 is intended for fluid communication with a needle hub and syringe needle (not shown). In some embodiments, the Luer needle fitting is a sliding Luer fitting. The syringe barrel 12 has an open proximal end 20 with a finger grip flange 22. In some embodiments, the syringe barrel does not have a finger grip flange on the open proximal end. The hollow syringe barrel 12 defines a barrel cavity 24.

[0031] A reciprocating syringe plunger 26 is inserted into the open proximal end 20 of the hollow syringe barrel 12. The plunger has a first and second pair of vertically oriented opposing ribs that define a cross-shaped cross-section. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the upper surfaces 27 of the first pair of opposing ribs are oriented at the 3:00 and 9:00 o'clock positions, while the second pair of opposing ribs are oriented at the 12:00 and 6:00 o'clock positions. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional plunger, the first pair of ribs, and the second pair of ribs are positioned at other o'clock positions, and in still other embodiments, the plunger has different cross-sectional profiles, including tubular, rectangular, and triangular cross-sectional profiles as non-limiting examples. The proximal end 28 of the plunger 26 has a finger tab 30 that, when pressed, advances the plunger within the syringe barrel cavity 24. The distal end 32 of the plunger 26 engages a stopper 34. The distal tip 36 of the stopper 34 is in an opposing orientation with the distal end 14 of the syringe barrel 12.

[0032] The plunger 26 defines a plunger center axis that is concentric with the center bore axis of the syringe barrel 12. A pair of plunger stops 38 including through holes are formed on the proximal end 28 of the plunger 26. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the through hole stops are cut or molded into a plunger of existing design, thereby eliminating the need to design and manufacture an entirely new plunger. In some embodiments, each plunger stop is a recess formed in the plunger. In other embodiments, each plunger stop is a ridge that protrudes outwardly away from the plunger. In still other embodiments, one or more plunger stops of the foregoing types are incorporated into the same plunger. Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 Each plunger stop 38 is laterally spaced apart and flanked by the central axis of the plunger 26 and the concentric bore axis.

[0033] refer to Figures 1 to 3, the syringe 10 includes a housing 39, which includes a housing lower half 40 and a housing upper half 42, which are coupled to the proximal end 20 of the syringe barrel 12 and surround the proximal end 20. A pivoting syringe lock 44 and a removable plunger clip 46 are respectively coupled to the housing 39. The housing 39 structure is a collar that surrounds and captures the finger grip flange 22 formed on the proximal end 20 of the syringe barrel 12. In this way, various embodiments of the housing 39 have a modular construction and are sized to be coupled to existing types of syringe barrels so that those existing barrels can be used for passively locked disposable syringes without the need to make new types of syringe barrels. The housing lower half 40 incorporates a lower snap fitting 48, which engages a corresponding upper snap fitting 50 of the housing upper half 42 to form the assembled housing 39. The housing upper half 40 defines a pair of elongated slotted journal bearings 52 concentrically aligned along a bearing axis that is perpendicular to and offset from the bore axis of the syringe 12. The slotted journal bearings 52 provide movement flexibility and tolerance to allow the syringe lock 44 to pivot freely within its range of motion. In other embodiments, the journal bearings have other profiles, including cylindrical or elliptical profiles. Each of the pair of journal bearings 52 is also laterally spaced outboard of and flanking the bore axis of the syringe 12.

[0034] In other embodiments, the housing is integrally formed into the syringe barrel. In additional embodiments, the housing is sized to couple to a syringe barrel that does not have a finger grip flange. In other embodiments, the housing halves 40 and 42 are coupled together using an adhesive, by ultrasonic welding, friction or heat bonding methods, or circumferential strapping.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in FIG, the syringe 10 includes a removable plunger clip 46 for preventing the plunger 26 from being moved forward inadvertently or otherwise within the syringe barrel 12 until the plunger clip 46 is removed from the syringe. The plunger clip 46 is coupled to the upper half 42 of the housing 39, but can also be coupled to the lower half 40 of the same housing. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in detail in FIG, the plunger clamp 46 has a pair of forked tines 54 that engage within corresponding plunger stop apertures 38. Tine hooks 55 extend through and engage the edges of their corresponding apertures 38 to prevent the plunger clamp 46 from being separated from the syringe 10. When the plunger clamp 46 is coupled to the housing upper half 42, the engaged tines 54 within the plunger aperture 38 prevent the plunger 26 from reciprocating. After the plunger clamp 46 is removed, the plunger 26 can reciprocate within the syringe barrel 12. In some embodiments, the syringe does not include a plunger clamp 46.

[0036] refer to Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5, the syringe lock 44 is a biased pivot fork structure. The syringe lock 44 has a pair of concentrically aligned opposed shafts 56, which are each oriented in a corresponding corresponding journal bearing 52 in the upper housing half 42. The shafts 56 establish a pivot axis of the syringe lock that is concentric with the axis of the journal bearing 52. The syringe lock 44 incorporates a pair of locking forks 58 that are coupled to the shafts 56 and are laterally located to the sides of the central bore axis of the syringe barrel 12. The locking forks 58 are also referred to as locking keys or tines. As shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the locking fork 58 has a respective distal tip 60 that projects tangentially relative to the pivot axis of the syringe lock 44 and is oriented toward the distal end 14 of the syringe barrel 12. The lock spring 62 comprises a cantilevered leaf spring having a base coupled to the shaft 56 and a protruding end in abutting contact with the inner surface of the upper housing half 42. Figure 2 and Figure 5 , the biasing force F applied by the lock spring 62 continuously biases each distal tip 60 of each lock fork 58 into sliding, abutting contact with the upper surface 27 of the first pair of opposing ribs of the plunger 26, as shown by the torque-force vector R.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 6A 、 Figure 7 and Figure 7A , the fork distal end 60 maintains a biased abutment contact with the plunger upper surface 27 throughout the forward movement range of the plunger 26, Figure 1 of its unused position, after Figure 6 The syringe is moved forward to the mid-range position until the syringe is fully advanced within the syringe barrel 12 such that the distal tip 36 of the stopper 34 abuts the distal end 14 of the plunger barrel 12 ( Figure 7 and Figure 7A ).like Figure 6A As shown in FIG, the plunger 26 remains unlocked within the syringe barrel 12 and can be physically withdrawn to draw additional medical fluid within the barrel cavity 24 of the syringe barrel 12 until each locking fork tip 60 engages its corresponding plunger stop aperture 38. Figure 5 、 Figure 7 and Figure 7A As shown in FIG, after the plunger 26 is fully advanced within the syringe barrel 12, the biasing force F applied by the lock spring 62 translates and engages each respective distal tip 60 of the locking fork 44 in its corresponding plunger stop aperture 38. Figure 7A, the plunger 26 remains locked in its forward position within the syringe barrel 12, and when each locking fork tip 60 is engaged in its corresponding plunger stop aperture 38, the plunger 26 cannot be physically withdrawn to aspirate additional medical fluid within the barrel cavity 24 of the syringe barrel 12. Thus, during administration of a medicament to a patient, the syringe lock 44 is passively actuated by the forward movement of the plunger 26. When the plunger 26 reaches the dead-end fully advanced position, the distal tip 60 of the locking fork / key 58 slides into the corresponding stop aperture 38 on the plunger, after which the plunger is locked and the syringe 10 becomes non-reusable.

[0038] Figure 8 is another embodiment of the syringe 110 similar to Figure 7A 1, a partial axial cross-sectional view of the syringe 110 having a syringe plunger 126 wherein the plunger stop comprises a recess 138 and a ridge 138 formed in the plunger. The remainder of the syringe 110 components and their functional cooperation (including the syringe lock 44 and the upper housing half 42) are similar to the syringe 110 components. Figure 1 The functional cooperation of the corresponding parts of the syringe 10 is the same.

[0039] Figure 9 is another embodiment of the syringe 210 similar to Figure 8 A partial axial section of the view, wherein Figure 1 Compared to the syringe lock 44, the syringe lock 144 is in a transposed, inverted orientation. The syringe lock 144 has a pair of concentrically aligned, opposed shafts 156, each oriented in a corresponding corresponding journal bearing in the upper housing half 42. The shafts 156 establish a pivot axis for the syringe lock 144 that is concentric with the axis of the journal bearing 52. The syringe lock 144 incorporates a pair of locking forks 158 that are coupled to the shafts 156 and laterally flank the axis of the central bore of the syringe barrel. The locking forks 158 are also referred to as locking keys or tines. The locking forks 158 have corresponding hooked distal tips 160 that project tangentially relative to the pivot axis of the syringe lock 144 and are oriented toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel when they are in abutting contact with the upper surface 27 of the plunger 26. The lock spring 162 comprises a cantilevered leaf spring having a base connected to the shaft 156 and a protruding end in abutting contact with the inner surface of the upper housing half 42. The biasing force F applied by the lock spring 162 continuously biases each distal hooked end 160 of each lock fork 158 into sliding abutting contact with the upper surface 27 of the first pair of opposing ribs of the plunger 26, as shown by the torque force vector R. Figure 1In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , after the plunger 26 is fully advanced into the syringe in the direction of arrow A, the hooked tips 160 of the syringe lock 144 are captured within their respective plunger apertures 38, such that the plunger remains locked in the fully advanced position. The remainder of the syringe 210 components and their functional cooperation (including the plunger 26 and the upper housing half 42) are similar to the embodiment of FIG. Figure 1 The functional cooperation of the corresponding parts of the syringe 10 is the same.

[0040] In some embodiments, the syringe includes a syringe lock having only a single shaft, fork, and distal tip and a plunger having only a single corresponding plunger stop. In other embodiments, the syringe includes a syringe lock having more than two forks and distal tips and a plunger having more than two corresponding numbers of plunger stops.

[0041] In some embodiments, the syringe advantageously incorporates an existing stock design syringe barrel and plunger stopper. The existing stock type of corresponding plunger is modified to incorporate a plunger stop, such as by molding, piercing, or cutting a through-hole stop into the plunger. The existing stock design syringe components are used to create a disposable syringe with a passive plunger lock by adding a modular housing and a pivoting syringe lock to the proximal end of the syringe barrel. Advantageously, the modular housing includes a snap-fit ​​two-piece housing collar that surrounds an existing finger-operated flange on the proximal end of the syringe barrel.

[0042] The disposable syringe embodiments disclosed herein are made of medical grade materials known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the syringe barrel, plunger, syringe lock, and syringe lock housing described are made of polypropylene polymers. In some embodiments, the stopper is made of polyisoprene polymers or other known elastomers.

[0043] Example

[0044] 18. The syringe of claim 17, wherein the syringe comprises a proximal end of the syringe and a distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the syringe comprises a proximal end of the syringe and a distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the syringe comprises a proximal end of the syringe and a distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the syringe comprises a proximal end of the syringe and a distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the syringe comprises a proximal end of the syringe and a distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the syringe comprises a proximal end of the syringe and a distal end of the syringe.

[0045] Embodiment (b): The syringe according to embodiment (a), further comprising: the syringe barrel defining a journal bearing; and the pivoting syringe lock having a shaft and a lock spring coupled to the shaft, the shaft being oriented within the journal bearing of the syringe barrel, the shaft establishing a pivot axis of the syringe lock, the at least one cantilevered lock fork coupled to the shaft and having a distal end protruding tangentially to the pivot axis, the lock spring coupled to the shaft for biasing the distal end of the at least one lock fork into abutting contact with the plunger and for engaging the end with the plunger stop.

[0046] Embodiment (c): The syringe of embodiment (b), further comprising: the syringe barrel defining a pair of opposed, spaced-apart journal bearings, the journal bearings being oriented concentrically with the pivot axis of the syringe lock, the journal bearings being laterally located to the sides of the central bore axis of the syringe; and the syringe lock having a pair of concentrically aligned opposed shafts, the shafts being oriented in respective journal bearings, a pair of locking forks being laterally located to the sides of the central bore axis of the syringe, wherein respective distal tips protrude tangentially to the pivot axis of the syringe lock; and the syringe plunger having a pair of plunger stops, the pair of plunger stops being laterally located to the sides of the central bore axis of the syringe for receiving respective distal tips of respective locking forks.

[0047] Embodiment (d): The syringe according to embodiment (c) further includes the plunger having a first pair and a second pair of opposing ribs oriented vertically, the first pair and the second pair of opposing ribs defining a cross-shaped cross-section, the cross-shaped cross-section having a central axis concentrically aligned with the bore axis of the syringe barrel, and each of the first pair of plunger ribs defining a corresponding plunger stop located on the side of the second pair of plunger ribs.

[0048] Embodiment (e): The syringe of embodiment (d), each of the plunger stops comprising a recess within its respective first pair of plunger ribs.

[0049] Embodiment (f): The syringe of embodiment (d), wherein each of the plunger stops comprises a through-hole within its respective first pair of plunger ribs.

[0050] Embodiment (g): The syringe according to embodiment (f) further includes distal ends of the pair of locking forks directed toward the distal end of the syringe barrel, and after the plunger is fully moved forward in the syringe barrel, the distal ends of the pair of locking forks are captured in their corresponding orifices.

[0051] Embodiment (h): The syringe according to embodiment (f) further includes the distal ends of the pair of locking forks forming a hook, the hook being oriented toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel, and when the plunger moves fully forward in the syringe barrel, the hook is captured in the corresponding orifice of the device.

[0052] Embodiment (e): The syringe of embodiment (b), further comprising the housing coupled to and surrounding the proximal end of the syringe barrel, the housing defining the journal bearing.

[0053] Embodiment (j): The syringe of embodiment (i), wherein the housing comprises upper and lower housing halves coupled together by corresponding snap fittings.

[0054] Embodiment (k): The syringe of embodiment (i), wherein the housing includes a collar that surrounds and captures a finger grip flange formed on the proximal end of the syringe barrel.

[0055] Embodiment (1): The syringe according to embodiment (i) further comprises the lock spring abutting against the housing.

[0056] Embodiment (m): The syringe according to embodiment (i) further includes a removable plunger clamp connected to the housing, the plunger clamp having at least one sharp tooth engaging a corresponding plunger stop portion for preventing the plunger from moving forward in the syringe until the plunger clamp is removed from the syringe.

[0057] Embodiment (n): The syringe of embodiment (m), the plunger stop comprising a through-hole, and the at least one tine of the plunger clip defines a hook that passes through and contacts the through-hole.

[0058] 14. The syringe as claimed in claim 13, wherein the syringe has an axially extending end portion and an axially extending end portion of the syringe being inserted into the syringe barrel and having an axially extending end portion thereof. and a lever, having a lock spring and a lever, having two stoppers, each of which has a first end fixed to the side of the lever and a second end fixed to the side of the lever, wherein the lever has a first end fixed to the side of the lever and a second end fixed to the side of the lever.

[0059] Embodiment (p): The syringe of embodiment (o), wherein the housing further comprises an upper housing half and a lower housing half coupled together by corresponding snap fittings.

[0060] Embodiment (q): The syringe of embodiment (p), wherein the housing includes a collar that surrounds and captures a finger grip flange formed on the proximal end of the syringe barrel.

[0061] Embodiment (r): According to the syringe embodiment described in embodiment (a), it also includes that each of the plunger stops is a through hole; and the distal tips of the pair of locking forks are oriented toward the distal end of the syringe barrel, and after the plunger is fully moved forward in the syringe barrel, the distal tips of the locking forks are captured in their corresponding through holes.

[0062] Embodiment (s): The syringe according to embodiment (a) further includes each of the plunger stops being a through hole; and the distal ends of the pair of locking forks form hooks, which are oriented toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel, and after the plunger is fully moved forward in the syringe barrel, the hooks are confined in their respective corresponding through holes.

[0063] Embodiment (t): The syringe according to embodiment (a) further includes the plunger having a first pair and a second pair of opposing ribs oriented vertically, the first pair and the second pair of opposing ribs defining a cross-shaped cross-section, the cross-shaped cross-section having a central axis concentrically aligned with the hole axis of the syringe barrel, each of the first pair of plunger ribs defining a corresponding through hole and a plunger stop located on the side of the second pair of plunger ribs.

[0064] Embodiment (u): The syringe according to embodiment (t) further includes a removable plunger clamp connected to the housing, the plunger clamp having at least one sharp tooth engaging a corresponding through hole and a plunger stop portion for preventing the plunger from moving forward in the syringe until the plunger clamp is removed from the syringe.

[0065] Embodiment (v): The syringe according to embodiment (a) further includes a removable plunger clamp connected to the housing, the plunger clamp having at least one sharp tooth engaging a corresponding plunger stop portion for preventing the plunger from moving forward in the syringe until the plunger clamp is removed from the syringe.

[0066] Embodiment (w): The syringe of embodiment (v), wherein the plunger stop comprises a through-hole, and each tine of the plunger clip defines a hook that passes through and contacts the through-hole.

[0067] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "certain embodiments," "various embodiments," "one or more embodiments," or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of phrases such as "in one or more embodiments," "in certain embodiments," "in various embodiments," "in one embodiment," or "in an embodiment" throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0068] Although the disclosure herein provides a description with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrations of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to include modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A syringe comprising: a hollow syringe barrel defining a central bore axis, the syringe barrel having a distal end and an open proximal end; a reciprocating plunger inserted into the open proximal end of the hollow syringe barrel, having a stopper on a distal end of the reciprocating plunger oriented opposite the distal end of the syringe barrel; a plunger stop formed on a proximal end of the plunger; a pivoting syringe lock coupled to the syringe barrel near an open proximal end thereof, the syringe lock having at least one cantilevered yoke in continuous, biased, sliding, abutting contact with the plunger, the yoke engaging the plunger stop after the plunger is fully advanced within the syringe barrel; and When at least one locking fork is engaged in its corresponding plunger stop, the plunger remains locked in its advanced position within the syringe barrel.

2. The syringe according to claim 1, further comprising: The syringe barrel defines a journal bearing; and The pivoting syringe lock has a shaft and a lock spring coupled to the shaft, the shaft being oriented within a journal bearing of the syringe barrel, the shaft establishing a pivot axis of the syringe lock, the at least one cantilevered locking fork coupled to the shaft and having a distal tip projecting tangentially from the pivot axis, the lock spring for biasing the distal tip of the at least one locking fork into abutting contact with the plunger and for engaging the tip with the plunger stop.

3. The syringe according to claim 2, further comprising: the syringe barrel defining a pair of opposed, spaced-apart journal bearings oriented concentrically with the pivot axis of the syringe lock, the journal bearings laterally flanking the central bore axis of the syringe; and the syringe lock having a pair of concentrically aligned opposed shafts, the opposed shafts each oriented in a respective journal bearing, a pair of locking prongs laterally flanking the central bore axis of the syringe with respective distal tips projecting tangentially from the pivot axis of the syringe lock; and The syringe plunger has a pair of plunger stops laterally flanking the axis of the central bore of the syringe for receiving respective distal tips of corresponding locking forks.

4. The syringe of claim 3 further comprising the plunger having first and second pairs of vertically oriented opposing ribs, the first and second pairs of opposing ribs defining a cross-shaped cross-section having a central axis concentrically aligned with the bore axis of the syringe barrel, each of the first pair of plunger ribs defining a respective plunger stop flanking the second pair of plunger ribs.

5. The syringe of claim 4, each of the plunger stops comprising a recess within its respective first pair of plunger ribs.

6. The syringe of claim 4, each of the plunger stops comprising a through-hole within its respective first pair of plunger ribs.

7. The syringe according to claim 6 further includes distal tips of the pair of locking forks oriented toward the distal end of the syringe barrel, and after the plunger is fully moved forward in the syringe barrel, the distal tips of the pair of locking forks are captured in their corresponding orifices.

8. The syringe according to claim 6 further includes distal tips of the pair of locking forks forming hooks, the hooks being oriented toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel, and the hooks being captured in their corresponding orifices when the plunger is fully moved forward in the syringe barrel.

9. The syringe of claim 2, further comprising a housing coupled to and surrounding the proximal end of the syringe barrel, the housing defining the journal bearing.

10. The syringe of claim 9, the housing comprising upper and lower housing halves coupled together by corresponding snap fittings.

11. The syringe of claim 10, the housing including a collar that surrounds and captures a finger grip flange formed on a proximal side of the syringe barrel.

12. The syringe of claim 9, further comprising the lock spring abutting the housing.

13. The syringe of claim 9, further comprising a removable plunger clip coupled to the housing, the plunger clip having at least one tine that engages a corresponding plunger stop for preventing advancement of the plunger within the syringe until the plunger clip is removed from the syringe.

14. The syringe of claim 13, the plunger stop comprising a through-hole, and the at least one tine of the plunger clip defining a hook that passes through and contacts the through-hole.

15. A syringe comprising: a hollow syringe barrel defining a central bore axis, the syringe barrel having a distal end, an open proximal end; a reciprocating plunger inserted into the open proximal end of the hollow syringe barrel, the reciprocating plunger having a stopper on its distal end oriented opposite the distal end of the syringe barrel, the plunger defining a central axis concentric with the central bore axis; a pair of plunger stops formed on the proximal end of the plunger, each stop laterally spaced outboard of and flanking the bore axis; a housing coupled to and surrounding the proximal end of the syringe barrel, the housing defining a pair of journal bearings concentrically aligned along a bearing axis perpendicular to and offset from a bore axis of the syringe, the journal bearings laterally spaced outboard of and flanking the bore axis; a pivoting syringe lock having a pair of concentrically aligned opposed shafts, the opposed shafts each oriented in a corresponding journal bearing, the opposed shafts establishing a pivot axis of the syringe lock concentric with the axis of the journal bearings; a pair of locking forks coupled to the shafts and laterally flanking the axis of the central bore of the syringe, with respective distal tips projecting tangentially relative to the pivot axis of the syringe lock; and a lock spring coupled to the shaft and in abutting contact with the housing for continuously biasing each distal tip of each locking fork into sliding abutting contact with the plunger and for engaging each respective distal tip in its corresponding plunger stop after full advancement of the plunger within the syringe barrel; and When each locking fork tip is engaged in its corresponding plunger stop, the plunger remains locked in its advanced position within the syringe barrel.

16. The syringe of claim 15, the housing further comprising upper and lower housing halves coupled together by corresponding snap fittings.

17. The syringe of claim 16, the housing including a collar that surrounds and captures a finger grip flange formed on the proximal side of the syringe barrel.

18. The syringe of claim 15, further comprising: Each of the plunger stops is a through hole; and the distal tips of the pair of locking forks are oriented toward the distal end of the syringe barrel, and after the plunger is fully moved forward in the syringe barrel, the distal tips of the pair of locking forks are captured in their corresponding through holes.

19. The syringe of claim 15, further comprising: Each of the plunger stops is a through hole; and the distal tips of the pair of locking forks form hooks that are oriented toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel. After the plunger is fully moved forward in the syringe barrel, the hooks are captured in their respective corresponding through holes.

20. The syringe of claim 15 further comprising the plunger having first and second pairs of opposing ribs oriented vertically, the first and second pairs of opposing ribs defining a cruciform cross-section having a central axis concentrically aligned with the bore axis of the syringe barrel, each of the first pair of plunger ribs defining a corresponding through-hole, a plunger stop, located on a side of the second pair of plunger ribs.

21. The syringe of claim 20 further comprising a removable plunger clip coupled to the housing, the plunger clip having at least one tine engaging a corresponding through-hole, a plunger stop for preventing the plunger from moving forward within the syringe until the plunger clip is removed from the syringe.

22. The syringe of claim 15, further comprising a removable plunger clip coupled to the housing, the plunger clip having at least one tine that engages a corresponding plunger stop for preventing advancement of the plunger within the syringe until the plunger clip is removed from the syringe.

23. The syringe of claim 22, the plunger stop comprising a through-hole, and each tine of the plunger clip defines a hook that passes through and contacts the through-hole.

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