Automatic locking and unlocking of a vacuum syringe and associated systems and methods

Abstract

This document discloses an automatically locking and unlocking syringe, and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, the syringe may include a barrel, a plunger assembly slidably positioned within the barrel, and a locking assembly coupled to the barrel. The syringe is configured to: (i) automatically lock the plunger assembly to the locking assembly when the plunger assembly is withdrawn through the barrel with a vacuum in the barrel; (ii) automatically unlock the plunger assembly from the locking assembly when the barrel no longer experiences a vacuum and / or experiences a negligible vacuum; and / or (iii) suppress or even prevent the plunger assembly from automatically locking to the locking assembly when the plunger assembly is withdrawn through the barrel with no and / or a negligible vacuum in the barrel.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 599,648, filed November 16, 2023, entitled “AUTOMATIC LOCKING AND UNLOCKINGVACUUM SYRINGES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This technology as a whole relates to an automated locking and unlocking vacuum injector, and related systems and methods, for use in systems for treating obstructive (e.g., clotted) substances in human patients. Background Technology

[0004] Thromboembolic events are characterized by blood vessel blockage. Thromboembolic diseases such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, peripheral thrombosis, and atherosclerosis affect many people. These diseases are leading causes of morbidity and mortality.

[0005] When an artery is blocked by a substance such as a clot, localized tissue ischemia develops. If the blockage persists, the ischemia will progress into a tissue infarction. However, if blood flow is rapidly restored, the infarction will not develop or will be greatly restricted. Failure to restore blood flow can lead to limb loss, angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, or even death.

[0006] In the venous circulation, obstructions can also cause serious harm. Blood clots can form in the large veins of the legs and pelvis, a common condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT often occurs in places where there is a tendency for blood to stagnate (e.g., long-haul air travel, inactivity, etc.) and to clot (e.g., cancer; recent surgery such as orthopedic surgery, etc.). DVT can prevent venous blood from draining from the legs, leading to swelling, ulcers, pain, and infection. DVT can also create pools where blood clots can accumulate and then travel to other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, brain (which can lead to stroke), abdominal organs, and / or limbs.

[0007] In pulmonary circulation, obstructive substances can cause damage by blocking the pulmonary arteries, a condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE). If the blockage occurs upstream, in the main or major branches of the pulmonary arteries, it can severely impair overall blood flow within the lungs, thus damaging the entire body and leading to hypotension and shock. If the blockage occurs downstream, in large to medium-sized branches of the pulmonary arteries, it can prevent a significant portion of the lungs from participating in gas exchange into the blood, resulting in low blood oxygen levels and the buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.

[0008] Various systems exist for performing thrombectomy or removing obstructive material to restore blood flow in a patient. Some of these systems use (i) a syringe or other pressure source to generate and store a vacuum, and (ii) a fluid control device such as a stopcock to apply a vacuum to the catheter to aspirate the obstructive material. To maintain the vacuum pressure generated in the syringe before opening the fluid control device, the syringe plunger may be selectively or automatically locked in the withdrawal position. However, such syringes require user input to lock and / or unlock the plunger. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Many aspects of this technology can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, the focus is on clearly illustrating the principles of this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a partial schematic side view of a clot treatment system according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0011] Figure 2A and Figure 2B These are implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 1 Isometric view and exploded view of the syringe of the clot treatment system.

[0012] Figure 3 It is based on the implementation scheme of this technology. Figure 2A and Figure 2B A partially transparent side view of the plunger assembly of the syringe.

[0013] Figure 4A and Figure 5A These are implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 2A and Figure 2B A cross-sectional side view of the syringe in the first and second positions.

[0014] Figure 4B and Figure 5B These are implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 2A and Figure 2B An enlarged side view of the distal portion of the plunger assembly of the syringe in the first and second positions.

[0015] Figure 6 It is based on the implementation scheme of this technology. Figure 4B and Figure 5B An enlarged side view of the distal portion of the plunger assembly shown, positioned between the first and second positions.

[0016] Figure 7 It is based on the implementation scheme of this technology. Figure 2A and Figure 2B An isometric view of the locking component of the syringe.

[0017] Figure 8A and Figure 8B It is based on the implementation scheme of this technology. Figure 2A and Figure 2B An enlarged cross-sectional side view of the syringe, showing the plunger assembly in the withdrawn position and locked to and unlocked from the locking assembly.

[0018] Figure 9 This includes implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 2A and Figure 2B A table showing various views of the syringe at different vacuum levels.

[0019] Figure 10 This is an isometric view of a syringe according to an additional embodiment of the present technology.

[0020] Figure 11A and Figure 11B These are additional embodiments of the present technology that can be implemented according to the present technology. Figure 1 The side view of the syringe used in the clot treatment system in the first and second positions.

[0021] Figure 12A and Figure 13A These are implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 11A and Figure 11B A partially transparent side view of the plunger assembly of the syringe in the first and second positions.

[0022] Figure 12B and Figure 13B These are implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 12A and Figure 13A An enlarged side view of the distal portion of the plunger assembly of the syringe in the first and second positions.

[0023] Figure 14A and Figure 14B These are additional embodiments based on the present technology. Figure 11A and Figure 11B A cross-sectional side view of the syringe in the unlocked and locked positions.

[0024] Figure 15 It is based on the implementation scheme of this technology. Figure 11A and Figure 11B A cross-sectional view of the locking component of the syringe. Detailed Implementation

[0025] This technology relates generally to syringes used in clot removal systems, and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, the syringe according to this technology may include a barrel, a plunger assembly slidably positioned within the barrel, and a locking assembly coupled to the barrel. The syringe is configured to: (i) automatically lock the plunger assembly to the locking assembly when it is withdrawn through the barrel with a vacuum in the barrel; (ii) automatically unlock the plunger assembly from the locking assembly when the barrel no longer experiences a vacuum and / or experiences a negligible vacuum; and / or (iii) suppress or even prevent the plunger assembly from automatically locking to the locking assembly when it is withdrawn through the barrel with no and / or a negligible vacuum in the barrel. In some aspects of this technology, the automatically locking and unlocking syringe can simplify the clot removal process using the syringe by locking or unlocking the position of the plunger assembly relative to the barrel without user input during the clot removal process.

[0026] In some embodiments, the automatically locking and unlocking syringe includes a barrel, a plunger assembly slidably positioned within the barrel, and a locking assembly coupled to the barrel. The plunger assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. The plunger assembly may be configured to be withdrawn through the barrel to generate a vacuum pressure within the barrel. The plunger assembly may be configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to the vacuum pressure, and to move from the second position to the first position in response to the release of the vacuum pressure. The plunger assembly may be configured to lock to the locking assembly in the second position such that the locking assembly inhibits movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel, and to unlock from the locking assembly in the first position such that the locking assembly allows movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel.

[0027] In some embodiments, the auto-locking and auto-unlocking syringe includes a barrel and a plunger assembly slidably positioned within the barrel. The plunger assembly may include: (i) a handle assembly including a first shaft having a distal portion; (ii) a sealing assembly including a second shaft and a sealing head coupled to the second shaft and having a sealing member positioned to sealably engage the barrel; and (iii) a biasing member operatively coupling the first shaft to the second shaft. The handle assembly may be configured to withdraw relative to the barrel to withdraw the sealing assembly and sealing member through the barrel, thereby generating a vacuum pressure within the barrel. The vacuum pressure may generate a vacuum force on the sealing assembly greater than the biasing force of the biasing member, causing the biasing member to compress and the sealing head to move away from the distal portion of the first shaft.

[0028] In some embodiments, the auto-locking and auto-unlocking syringe includes a barrel and a plunger assembly slidably positioned within the barrel. The plunger assembly may include a handle assembly and a seal. The handle assembly may include a first shaft having a distal portion and a locking recess formed at the distal portion. The seal assembly may include a protective member. The seal assembly is movable relative to the handle assembly between (i) a first position and (ii) a second position, in which the protective member radially protects the locking recess, and in the second position, the protective member is axially spaced from the locking recess.

[0029] In the following description and in Figures 1 to 15 Certain details are set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present technology. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, operations, and / or systems commonly associated with intravascular processes, clot removal processes, clot handling systems, clot handling devices, fluid control devices, syringes, vacuum-locked syringes, blood viability syringes, catheters, etc., are not shown or described in detail in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of various embodiments of the present technology. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present technology can be practiced without one or more of the details set forth herein and / or with other structures, methods, components, etc. Furthermore, although many devices and systems are described herein in the context of removing and / or treating clot material, the present technology can be used to remove and / or treat other unwanted materials besides or alternative to clot material, such as thrombi, emboli, plaques, intimal hyperplasia, postthrombotic scar tissue, etc. Therefore, the terms “clot” and “clot material” as used herein may refer to any of the aforementioned substances, etc.

[0030] The terminology used below should be interpreted in its broadest and most reasonable manner, even as it is used in the detailed description of certain embodiments of implementations of this technology. In fact, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any limited manner will be disclosed and specifically defined in this Detailed Description section.

[0031] The accompanying drawings depict embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to limit its scope unless explicitly stated otherwise. The various depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these various elements may be enlarged to improve readability. Component details may be separated in the drawings to exclude details such as the location of components and certain precise connections between such components, which are not necessary for a full understanding of how the present technology is manufactured and used. Many details, dimensions, angles, and other features shown in the drawings are merely illustrative of specific embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, other embodiments may have different details, dimensions, angles, and features without departing from the present technology. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that other embodiments of the present technology may be implemented without several details described below.

[0032] Regarding the terms "distal" and "proximal" in this description, unless otherwise stated, these terms refer to the relative position of the parts of the tubular system with respect to the operator and / or their position within the vascular system. Furthermore, as used herein, the names "backward," "forward," "upward," "downward," etc., do not imply limitation of the referenced components to a particular orientation. It should be understood that such names refer to the orientation of the referenced components as illustrated in the accompanying drawings; systems of this technology can be used in any orientation suitable for the user.

[0033] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or at least substantially similar elements. For ease of discussion of any particular element, the most significant numeral of any reference numeral refers to the drawing in which that element is first introduced. For example, first refer to… Figure 1 Introduce and discuss piping components 1 10.

[0034] If any substance incorporated herein by reference conflicts with this disclosure, this disclosure shall prevail.

[0035] Figure 1This is a partial schematic side view of a clot removal system 100 (“System 100”) constructed according to embodiments of the present technology. System 100 may also be referred to as an aspiration assembly, a vascular access system, a clot removal system, and / or a thrombectomy system, etc. In an illustrated embodiment, System 100 includes a conduit assembly 110 fluidly coupled to a catheter 106 via a valve 102. In some embodiments, the catheter 106 is an elongated member (e.g., a sheath, shaft) configured to be inserted into and through a patient’s vascular structure and used, for example, to remove or otherwise treat clot material in the vascular structure. In other embodiments, the catheter 106 may be an introductory sheath configured to be inserted through the patient’s skin and tissue passages to provide an access site through which other components (e.g., other catheters for treating clot material) can pass to easily access the vascular structure. Therefore, when referred to as "catheter 106", catheter 106 may include a guide sheath, an entry sheath, and / or be configured to be inserted through the skin and tissue channels and / or be configured to traverse the patient's vascular system of another type of elongated member. Catheter 106 may be a large-bore catheter having a size equal to or greater than 16 Frenchies (Fr), such as 20Fr, 22Fr, 24Fr, 26Fr, 28Fr, 30Fr, 32Fr, etc. Generally speaking, system 100 (i) may include features that are substantially similar in structure and / or function to or identical in structure and / or function to those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 536,185 (now U.S. Patent No. 11,559,382, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) entitled “SYSTEM FOR TREATING EMBOLISM AND ASSOCIATEDDEVICES AND METHODS”, filed August 8, 2019, and / or (ii) may be used to treat clot material / remove clot material from a patient (e.g., a human patient) using any of the methods described therein.

[0036] The catheter 106 further defines a lumen 108 that extends completely through it (e.g., from valve 102 to the distal end 107 of catheter 106). Figure 1(shown as dashed lines in the image). The conduit 106 may have different lengths, flexibility, shapes, thicknesses and / or other characteristics along its length. For example, the conduit 106 may include one or more coils, braids and / or other structures positioned between one or more liner layers (e.g., an inner liner layer and an outer liner layer). In some embodiments, catheter 106 may include several features that are structurally and / or functionally similar to or identical to any of the catheters described in the following: (i) U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 529,018, filed November 17, 2021, entitled “CATHETERS HAVING SHAPED DISTAL PORTIONS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS”; (ii) U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 529,064, filed November 17, 2021, entitled “CATHETERSHAVING STEERABLE DISTAL PORTIONS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS”; and (iii) U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 529,064, filed January 25, 2023, entitled “ASPIRATION CATHETERS HAVING GROOVED INNER SURFACE, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS”. U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 159,507, entitled “System and Method of Suction Catheter with Grooved Inner Surface and Associated System and Method”; and / or (iv) U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 463,960, filed September 8, 2023, entitled “CATHETERS HAVING MULTIPLE COIL LAYERS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS”, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0037] Valve 102 is fluidly coupled to the lumen 108 of catheter 106 and may be integral with or coupled to catheter 106 such that these components move together. In some embodiments, valve 102 is a hemostatic valve configured to maintain hemostasis during clot treatment by preventing proximal flow of fluid through valve 102 as various components (such as dilators, delivery sheaths, traction members, guidewires, interventional instruments, other aspiration catheters, etc.) are inserted through valve 102 for delivery to the treatment site in the blood vessel via catheter 106. Valve 102 may include a branch port or side port 104 configured to fluidly couple the lumen 108 of catheter 106 to tubing assembly 110. In some embodiments, valve 102 may be a valve of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 536,185, filed August 30, 2018, entitled “HEMOSTASIS VALVES AND METHODS OF USE,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, conduit assembly 110 fluidly connects conduit 106 to syringe 120. Syringe 120 may be configured to generate (e.g., form, generate, fill, accumulate) a vacuum (e.g., negative relative pressure) and store this vacuum for subsequent application to conduit 106. Reference below... Figures 2A to 9Further details of syringe 120 are described below. The tubing assembly 110 may include one or more tubing segments 112 (each designated as first tubing segment 112a and second tubing segment 112b), at least one valve or fluid control device 114, and at least one connector 116 (e.g., a Toomey tip connector) for fluidly connecting the tubing assembly 110 to syringe 120 and / or other suitable components. In some embodiments, connector 116 is a quick-release connector (e.g., a quick-disconnect fitting) that allows the catheter 106 and fluid control device 114 to be quickly connected to and quickly disconnected from syringe 120. The tubing assembly 110 and catheter 106 have the same or substantially the same internal dimensions to define, for example, a lumen or flow path of uniform or substantially uniform diameter extending from the distal end 107 of the catheter to syringe 120. In some embodiments, the fluid control device 114 is (i) fluidly connected to a side port 104 of the valve 102 via a first conduit section 112a, and (ii) fluidly connected to a connector 116 via a second conduit section 112b. The fluid control device 114 can be operated externally by a user to regulate fluid flow through it, and specifically to regulate fluid flow from the lumen 108 of the conduit 106 to the syringe 120. For example, the fluid control device 114 can switch between (i) a first configuration or closed configuration and (ii) a second configuration or open configuration, in which the fluid control device 114 inhibits or even prevents fluid flow through it, and in the second configuration or open configuration, fluid can flow through the fluid control device 114.

[0039] During the clot removal process, at least a portion of system 100 (including at least a portion of catheter 106) may be inserted through the patient's vascular structures to treat the clotted material therein. In some embodiments, system 100 is inserted through a guide sheath adjacent to the target treatment site of the clotted material, the guide sheath traversing the patient's skin and tissue to provide access. During insertion of catheter 106, fluid control device 114 may be in a closed position. After catheter 106 is positioned at the treatment site and fluid control device 114 is in the closed position, the user / operator can create a vacuum in syringe 120 by, for example, fluidly coupling syringe 120 to connector 116 and withdrawing the plunger of syringe 120. In this way, syringe 120 is filled with a vacuum (e.g., maintained under negative pressure) before syringe 120 is fluidly connected to the lumen 108 of catheter 106. To aspirate the lumen 108 of conduit 106, a user may actuate (e.g., open) fluid control device 114 to fluidly connect syringe 120 to conduit 106, thereby applying or releasing a vacuum stored in syringe 120 to the lumen 108 of conduit 106. Opening fluid control device 114 momentarily or almost instantaneously applies the stored vacuum pressure to tubing assembly 110 and conduit 106, thereby generating a suction pulse across conduit 106 that can draw clotted material into conduit 106. In some embodiments, a vacuum is applied from syringe 120 (e.g., to provide a continuous vacuum) while fluid control device 114 is in the open position. That is, a user may generate a vacuum in syringe 120 when fluid control device 114 is open (e.g., when syringe 120 is fluidly connected to the lumen 108 of conduit 106), thereby aspirating clotted material while simultaneously generating a vacuum (i.e., without or substantially without storing a vacuum in syringe 120).

[0040] Figure 2A and Figure 2B These are implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 1Isometric view and exploded view of syringe 120. Syringe 120 may be referred to as a pressure source, vacuum syringe, auto-locking syringe, auto-unlocking syringe, filter syringe, auto-locking and auto-unlocking syringe, auto-locking and auto-unlocking vacuum syringe, vacuum-locking syringe, vacuum-unlocking syringe, etc. In some embodiments, syringe 120 may include features that are substantially similar in structure and / or function to, or identical in structure and / or function to, any of the syringes described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 396,426, filed August 8, 2021, entitled “AUTOMATICALLY-LOCKING VACUUM SYRINGES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS” and / or U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 192,855, filed March 30, 2023, entitled “BLOOD-FILTERING DEVICES FOR USE WITH CLOT TREATMENT SYSTEMS”, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0041] refer to Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the illustrated embodiment, the syringe 120 includes a plunger assembly 240 slidably positioned within a barrel 230. For clarity, the barrel 230 is... Figure 2A The middle part is shown as partially transparent. (See reference) Figure 2B The cylinder 230 may include a cylinder portion 232 (e.g., a cylindrical portion) extending between a proximal flange 231 (e.g., a proximal portion) and a distal head end 233 (e.g., a distal portion). In some embodiments, the cylinder portion 232 may have a volume of about 60 cc or greater. The head end 233 is configured to be releasably or permanently coupled to the adapter 235. Reference Figure 2A and Figure 2B In some embodiments, adapter 235 may define an aperture 236 having a size equal to or greater than 16Fr, 20Fr, 22Fr, 24Fr, 26Fr, 28Fr, 30Fr, 32Fr, etc. (e.g., and a corresponding inner diameter). In an illustrated embodiment, adapter 235 is one that extends around its outer surface for a sealably engaging (e.g., connecting to) a Toomey fitting or Toomey adapter (such as...). Figure 1 The connector 116) has a sealing member 277 (e.g., an O-ring) with a Toomey head adapter. In other embodiments, adapter 235 may be omitted, and the head end 233 of the barrel 230 ( Figure 2BIt can be directly connected to another device or system (not shown), and / or adapter 235 can be another type of adapter, such as, for example, a Luer lock, a lock slide, and / or a pin.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger assembly 240 includes a handle assembly 242 (also referred to as a first assembly, locking assembly, etc.) operably coupled to a sealing assembly 244 (which may also be referred to as a second assembly, filter assembly, sealing and filtering assembly, unlocking assembly, etc.). The syringe 120 also includes a flange 231 coupled to a barrel 230. Figure 2B The locking assembly 260 is configured to selectively lock the plunger assembly 240 in the withdrawn position under vacuum pressure, as described below. Figure 8A and Figure 9 As detailed above.

[0043] The handle assembly 242 includes extending between a proximal portion 251 and a distal portion 253 and defining a lumen 252. Figure 2B The first axis 250 of the syringe 120 is a plunger assembly 240 (e.g., an elongated member, tube, column). The proximal portion 251 may be configured (shaped and sized to) be gripped by a user for withdrawing (e.g., retracting, pulling) and / or pressing (e.g., pushing, advancing) the plunger assembly 240 through the barrel 230 during operation of the syringe 120. For example, in an illustrated embodiment, the proximal portion 251 includes a pair of opposing flanges 254 extending from the longitudinal axis L of the syringe 120. Figure 2A It extends radially outward and forms a handle that is configured to be gripped by the user's hand.

[0044] Sealing assembly 244 includes a second shaft 270 (in Figure 2A The middle part is obscured; for example, an elongated member, a tube, a column), the second shaft has a proximal portion 271 ( Figure 2B ) and remote part 273 ( Figure 2B The distal portion 273 of the second shaft 270 may be coupled to (e.g., integrally formed, releasably or permanently attached to) the sealing head 272. The second shaft 270 defines a lumen (in... Figure 2A and Figure 2B The lumen extends through it and has a proximal opening at the proximal portion 271 and a distal opening 274 at the sealing head 272. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing head 272 has an annular shape including a circumferential groove 275 and a distal side 276. The distal opening 274 is formed through the distal side 276 and may be, for example, along the longitudinal axis L ( Figure 2A The outlet tube 246 may extend partially from the proximal portion 251 of the first shaft 250 through the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250. Figure 2B ) and connected to the proximal portion 271 of the second shaft 270 ( Figure 2B (i) fluidly connect the lumen of the second shaft 270 to the outlet pipe 246, such that the fluid flow path extends through (i) the distal opening 274 in the sealing head 272, (ii) the lumen of the second shaft 270 and (iii) the outlet pipe 246.

[0045] A circumferential groove 275 in the sealing head 272 may receive a sealing member 277, such as an O-ring. The sealing member 277 is configured to sealably engage the inner surface of the cylinder portion 232 even as the plunger assembly 240 moves through the cylinder 230, to define a sealing volume (e.g., negative pressure / vacuum pressure) within the cylinder 230, for example.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing assembly 244 further includes a distal cap 278 and a filter 279 positioned between the cap 278 and the sealing head 272 (e.g., the distal side 276 of the sealing head 272). The cap 278 may have an annular shape and be impermeable to blood or other fluid flows. The filter 279 may have a circumferential shape and, in some embodiments, may include a plurality of folds or pleats arranged circumferentially therearound. The filter 279 and the cap 278 may extend completely around the distal side 276 of the sealing head 272 to enclose the distal opening 274. The filter 279, the cap 278, and the sealing head 272 may be coupled together (e.g., integrally formed, releasably, or permanently attached) such that these components are configured to move together through the cylinder 230.

[0047] Filter 279 can be permeable to blood but impermeable to clot material, for example by including multiple orifices sized to allow blood to pass through but inhibit clot material from passing through. When syringe 120 is used during a patient's clot removal procedure, as described above... Figure 1As detailed, clotted material and blood can be drawn into the cylinder 230. To filter clotted material from the blood, the plunger assembly 240 can be depressurized through the cylinder 230 to drive the sealing head 272 and sealing member 277 distally through the cylinder 230, thereby increasing the pressure within the cylinder 230. The increased pressure can drive blood (i) radially through the filter 279, (ii) proximally through the distal opening 274 in the sealing head 272, (iii) proximally through the lumen of the second shaft 270, and (iv) proximally through the outlet tube 246. Alternatively or additionally, a negative pressure source (e.g., another syringe) can be coupled to the outlet tube 246 and activated to generate a negative pressure used to draw blood (i) radially through the filter 279, (ii) proximally through the distal opening 274 in the sealing head 272, (iii) proximally through the lumen of the second shaft 270, and (iv) proximally through the outlet tube 246. The filtered blood can be collected in a reservoir, container, aspiration source, etc., for reintroduction into the patient, thereby minimizing blood loss during the clot removal process. In some embodiments, such a filtering component of syringe 120 may include features that are substantially similar in structure and / or function to, or identical in structure and / or function to, any of the features described in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 192855, filed March 30, 2023, entitled “BLOOD-FILTERING DEVICES FOR USE WITH CLOT TREATMENT SYSTEMS,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] In other embodiments, the lumen and / or outlet tube 246 in the filter 279, cap 278, and second shaft 270 may be omitted. That is, the syringe 120 may be a non-filtered syringe. For example, as described in detail below... Figures 11A to 1 Four examples illustrate non-filtered syringes according to embodiments of the present technology. In such embodiments, the sealing assembly 244 may consist only of a second shaft 270 (e.g., without a lumen therethrough), a sealing head 272 (e.g., without a distal opening therethrough), and a sealing member 277.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing assembly 244 further includes an unlocking member 280 coupled to the sealing head 272. More specifically, the unlocking member 280 (which may also be referred to as a protective member, unlocking and protective member, etc.) may include a distal side or end 281 coupled to (e.g., attached to, secured to, or integrally formed therewith) a proximal side or end 282 of the sealing head 272. Reference Figure 2BThe handle assembly 242 may further include an elongated annular insert member 283 configured to engage with the distal portion 253 of the first shaft 250 and extend at least partially through the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250. The sealing assembly 244 may further include an annular mounting member 284 slidably positioned within the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250 and engaged with the second shaft 270. A biasing member 285 (such as a compression spring) may be coupled between the insert member 283 and the mounting member 284 to operatively engage the sealing assembly 244 with the handle assembly 242. As detailed below, the insert member 283 constrains the travel (e.g., distal movement) of the mounting member 284. Therefore, in some embodiments, the insert member 283 does not need to extend through the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250 (e.g., where the biasing member 285 is configured to compress and bottom out to constrain the travel of the mounting member 284).

[0050] Figure 3 This is a partial transparent side view of the plunger assembly 240 according to an embodiment of the present technology. For clarity, the first shaft 250 of the handle assembly 242 and the unlocking member 280 of the sealing assembly 244 are shown. Figure 3 The middle part is shown as partially transparent. (See reference) Figure 2B and Figure 3 The insertion member 283 may have a proximal portion 286, a distal portion 287, and a lumen 288 extending between the proximal portion 286 and the distal portion 287. Figure 2B The first shaft 250 includes a flange 289 extending circumferentially around the distal portion 287. The flange 289 may be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to the distal portion 253 of the first shaft 250 via one or more tabs 290, which engage corresponding recesses or latches 291 at the distal portion 253 of the first shaft 250. In some embodiments, the flange 289 includes two tabs 290 (e.g., spaced approximately 180 degrees apart) on opposing circumferential portions of the flange 289, which engage with a corresponding pair of latches 291. In other embodiments, the flange 289 includes more or fewer tabs 290, and / or the insert member 283 may be coupled to the first shaft 250 in different ways (e.g., via fasteners, via adhesives, integrally formed).

[0051] refer to Figure 3 The insertion member 283 extends at least partially through the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250. The second shaft 270 of the sealing assembly 244 extends from the sealing head 272 through the annular unlocking member 280 and through the lumen 288 of the insertion member 283. Figure 2BThe mounting member 283 passes through the annular mounting member 284 and terminates within the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250 near the proximal portion 271 of the mounting member 284. The mounting member 284 is positioned within the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250 proximal to the proximal portion 286 of the insertion member 283 and is slidably positioned within the lumen 252. The mounting member 284 can be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) within the lumen 252 to the second shaft 270, such that these components are configured to move together. In some embodiments, the mounting member 284 includes one or more protrusions on its inner surface (in... Figure 3 (obscured in the middle), the one or more protrusions engage with corresponding one or more slots or tracks 306 formed in the second shaft 270 (also in Figure 2B (As shown in the diagram) to connect the mounting member 284 to the second shaft 270. The biasing member 285 extends (e.g., wound around) the second shaft 270 within the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250 and has a proximal portion secured to the mounting member 284 (in... Figure 3 (obscured in the middle) and the distal portion fixed to the insertion member 283 (in Figure 3 (The obstruction is in the middle). In some embodiments, the biasing member 285 extends at least partially through the lumen 288 of the insertion member 283 ( Figure 2B And it is fixed therein.

[0052] Figure 4A and Figure 5A According to the embodiments of this technology, the syringe 120 is in the first position (which may also be referred to as the protective position, non-vacuum position, etc.); such as Figure 2A and Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the second position (which may also be referred to as the locked position, vacuum position, etc.). Figure 4B and Figure 5B These are enlarged side views of the distal portion of the plunger assembly 240 in the first and second positions, respectively, according to the embodiments of this technology.

[0053] Let's refer to each other. Figures 4A to 5B The unlocking member 280 of the sealing assembly 244 may include one or more grooves or channels 492, which are formed in the unlocking member and extend at least partially from the proximal side or proximal portion 493 of the unlocking member toward its distal portion 281 parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Figure 2A Extending distally. In an illustrated embodiment, the insertion member 283 includes one or more protrusions or tabs 494 extending radially outward from the flange 289. The tabs 494 are alignable with corresponding channels in the channel 492 and are available in a first position ( Figure 4A and Figure 4B ) and the second position ( Figure 5A and Figure 5BIt slides between the two passages through channel 492.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the first shaft 250 includes one or more guide rails 495 extending along its outer surface and aligned with corresponding channels and tabs in the channel 492 and tab 494. One or more guide rails 495 may include a locking feature 496 at their distal portions. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking feature 496 includes (i) a ramp portion 497, (ii) a platform portion 498 extending from the ramp portion 497, and (iii) a stop surface 499 extending from the platform portion 498. The ramp portion 497 may be positioned relative to the longitudinal axis L in a direction (i) away from the longitudinal axis L and (ii) distally toward the unlocking member 280. Figure 2A The platform portion 498 may extend away from the ramp portion 497 in a direction toward the unlocking member 280 and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The stop surface 499 may extend away from the platform portion 498 in a direction generally perpendicular to the platform portion 498 and the longitudinal axis L. The stop surface 499 of the locking feature 496 and the corresponding tab in the tab 494 may together define a locking recess 405. In some embodiments, the tab 494 may be omitted, such that the locking recess 405 is defined distal to the stop surface 499 of the locking feature 496. In some embodiments, the locking feature 496 may include tabs, planes, semi-discs, and / or other features extending from the outer surface of the first shaft 250.

[0055] Unlocking member 280 may also include one or more unlocking features 401 aligned with the corresponding locking feature in locking feature 496 (in Figure 4A (The image is obscured). In the illustrated embodiment, the unlocking feature 401 includes a pair of spaced-apart tracks or protrusions 402 extending from the proximal portion 493 of the unlocking member 280 and each having a ramp portion 403 that extends / inclins at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis L (FIG. 2) in a manner similar to or the same as the ramp portion 497 of the locking feature 496. The protrusions 402 extend the channel 492 of the unlocking member 280. In other embodiments, the locking feature 496 and / or the unlocking feature 401 may have different arrangements / configurations. For example, the locking feature 496 may include a pair of spaced-apart tracks or protrusions extending from the unlocking member 280, and the unlocking feature 401 may include a ramp portion, a platform portion, and a stop surface. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the first position shown, the tab 494 and locking feature 496 of the handle assembly 242 are positioned within corresponding channels formed in the unlocking member 280 and unlocking feature 401 / in the channel 492 formed by them, such that the locking recess 405 is covered by the unlocking member 280 (e.g., radial protection). Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the second position shown, the tab 494 and locking feature 496 of the handle assembly 242 are translated to the outside of the channel 492, so that the locking recess 405 is exposed (e.g., radially unprotected) and accessible by the unlocking member 280.

[0056] In some embodiments, the unlocking member 280 includes only one channel in channel 492 and one unlocking feature in unlocking feature 401, and the handle assembly 242 includes only one track in track 495, one locking feature in locking feature 496, and one tab in tab 494 (collectively referred to as the “locking and unlocking mechanism”), each aligned with each other. In some embodiments, the plunger assembly 240 may include multiple locking and unlocking mechanisms in the locking and unlocking mechanism, such as a pair of locking and unlocking mechanisms (e.g., spaced approximately 180 degrees apart) on opposite circumferential portions of the plunger assembly 240. Figure 4A , Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown. In some embodiments, plunger assembly 240 may include one or more of channel 492, tab 494 and track 495 in an alignment configuration, without a corresponding locking feature 496 or unlocking feature 401.

[0057] refer to Figure 4A The biasing member 285 may be configured (e.g., shaped, sized, or formed) to allow the plunger assembly 240 to be in a first position based on (e.g., in response to) the amount of vacuum pressure within the cylinder 230. Figure 4A ) and the second position ( Figure 5A The movement between the plunger assembly 240 and the cylinder 230. This operation of the plunger assembly 240 will be best understood in consideration of the various forces acting on the plunger assembly 240 as it is withdrawn through the cylinder 230. For example, the retraction of the shank assembly 242 is generated via the engagement of the sealing member 277 with the cylinder 230: (i) a pull force F in the proximal direction. 拉力 ; and (ii) the frictional force F in the opposite distal direction. 摩擦 In order to retract the plunger assembly 240, the user must overcome the resistance of the sealing member 277 on the cylinder 230 (i.e., F). 拉力 > F 摩擦 Despite F 摩擦 It can act in two directions to resist movement of the plunger assembly 240 or to hold the plunger assembly 240 in place when not acting on it, but this illustration will strictly define it as the force of the user's pulling force F. 拉力 Opposite forces.

[0058] refer to Figure 5A When a vacuum is generated within the cylinder 230 (e.g., when the syringe 120 is connected to...) Figure 1The connector 116 and the plunger assembly 240 are in Figure 1 When the fluid control device 114 is in the closed position and retracts, the additional vacuum force F 真空 The force acts on the plunger assembly 240 (e.g., the sealing member 277) in the distal direction. To retract the plunger assembly 240 under vacuum, the user must overcome the resistance of the sealing member 277 on the cylinder 230 and the opposing vacuum force (i.e., F). 拉力 > F 摩擦 +F 真空 Vacuum force F 真空 It depends on both the amount of negative pressure generated and the cross-sectional area of ​​the plunger assembly 240 subjected to the negative pressure (pressure = force / area). When the pressure decreases as the plunger assembly 240 retracts (e.g., the magnitude of the negative pressure increases), F... 真空 It also increases, thus making a greater contribution at the end of the extraction stroke. Conversely, as the negative pressure approaches its minimum theoretical value (e.g., maximum value), F... 真空 It reaches a stable state before the end of the extraction process.

[0059] refer to Figure 4A and Figure 5A The biasing component 285 contributes biasing force F. 偏置 The biasing force acts on the sealing assembly 244 in the proximal direction via the biasing member 285 abutting against the mounting member 284, which is then connected to the second shaft 270. That is, the biasing member 285 biases the mounting member 284 proximally through the lumen 252 of the first shaft 250, thereby causing the second shaft 270 and the sealing head 272 to proximally pass through the cylinder 230.

[0060] refer to Figure 4A The biasing member 285 can be configured such that the biasing force F 偏置力 Greater than the frictional force F 摩擦 (that is, F) 偏置 >F 摩擦 For example, the biasing member 285 may be selected to have a force greater than the frictional force F. 摩擦力 A compression spring with a spring force (e.g., spring constant). Therefore, in Figure 4A and Figure 4B The first position shown is in the absence of vacuum force F. 真空力 In the case of ( Figure 5A The biasing member 285 is typically rigid and is driven / biased towards the proximal side of the cylinder 230 towards the mounting member 284 and the associated sealing assembly 244, such that the locking recess 405 is positioned together with the channel 492 (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 4B(Best viewed from the center). In this first position, the flange 289 of the handle assembly 242 may abut the proximal portion 493 of the unlocking member 280, and / or the tab 494 may abut the distal portion of the corresponding channel in the channel 492. Thus, during the retraction of the plunger assembly 240, the plunger assembly 240 functions as an integral plunger, wherein the handle assembly 242 and the sealing assembly 244 move one after the other through the cylinder 230, as the biasing member 285 provides a rigid connection therebetween.

[0061] refer to Figure 5A The biasing member 285 can be configured such that the biasing force F 偏置 Greater than the frictional force F 摩擦 But less than the combined frictional force F 摩擦 and vacuum force F 真空 (that is, F) 真空 + F 摩擦 > F 偏置 > F 摩擦 For example, the biasing member 285 may be selected to have a force greater than the frictional force F. 摩擦力 But less than the combined frictional force F 摩擦 and vacuum force F 真空 A compression spring with a spring force (e.g., spring constant). Therefore, in Figure 5A and Figure 5B The second position shown represents the combined frictional force F. 摩擦 and vacuum force F 真空 It can overcome the biasing force F of the biasing member 285. 偏置 This causes the biasing member 285 to compress the mounting member 284 and the coupled sealing assembly 244 and push them distally through the cylinder 230, such that the locking recess 405 is spaced apart from the channel 492 and at least partially positioned outside the channel (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 5B (Best viewed from the center). In this second position, the stop surface 499 of the locking feature 496 can be spaced apart from the proximal portion 493 of the unlocking member 280 by a gap G1 ( Figure 5B ).

[0062] In some implementations, the mounting component 284 is subjected to a vacuum force F 真空 Pull a predetermined distance to the far side (e.g., equal to) Figure 5B After the distance of the gap G1 shown, the mounting member 284 can contact / adjaculate / engage with the proximal portion 286 of the insertion member 283 within the cavity 252 of the first shaft 250. This engagement can suppress or even prevent vacuum force F. 真空 The mounting component 284 and the connected sealing assembly 244 are pulled further to the distal side through the cylinder 230. Therefore, when the plunger assembly 240 reaches... Figure 5A and Figure 5BFollowing the second position shown, the plunger assembly 240 again functions as a single plunger, wherein the shank assembly 242 and the sealing assembly 244 move sequentially through the barrel 230 as the insertion member 283 rigidly engages the mounting member 284. In other embodiments, the mounting member 284 does not need to engage the insertion member 283 to secure the plunger assembly 240 in the second position and inhibit further separation between the sealing assembly 244 and the shank assembly 242. For example, the biasing member 285 may be configured to fully compress (e.g., bottom out) to inhibit further movement of the sealing assembly 244 relative to the shank assembly 242 after a predetermined separation between the sealing assembly 244 and the shank assembly 242.

[0063] refer to Figure 4A and Figure 5A In some aspects of this technology, the plunger assembly 240 is configured based on vacuum force F 真空 The plunger assembly 240 moves between the first and second positions due to the presence of vacuum. That is, the plunger assembly 240 is vacuum-sensitive. In some embodiments, the vacuum force F... 真空 Significantly greater than the frictional force F 摩擦 (For example, 5 times larger, 10 times larger, 100 times larger, or more; that is, F) 真空 >> F 摩擦 For example, the distal side of the sealing assembly 244 may have a relatively large surface area and / or the cylinder 230 may have a relatively large volume, resulting in a high magnitude of negative pressure. The frictional force F on the sealing member 277... 摩擦 Possibly more than vacuum force F 真空 Furthermore, it is unpredictable and may vary due to the amount of silicone resin applied to the sealing member 277, the amount of compression of the sealing member 277, and / or the length of time since the sealing member 277 has moved. Therefore, if the vacuum force F 真空 There is no force more than friction F 摩擦 If the force is much larger, it may be difficult to select the bias member 285 to respond to only one force and not the other. Therefore, in some embodiments of this technology, the syringe 120 is configured such that the vacuum force F 真空 Significantly greater than the frictional force F 摩擦 This makes the response of the bias member 285 more predictable.

[0064] Although (i) in Figure 4A and Figure 4B The diagram shows discrete first positions where the sealing assembly 244 and the handle assembly 242 are positioned closest to each other (e.g., where the flange 289 of the handle assembly 242 abuts against the proximal portion 493 of the unlocking member 280 and / or the tab 494 abuts against the distal portion of the corresponding channel in the channel 492), and (ii) in Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe diagram shows a discrete second position (e.g., where the stop surface 499 of the locking feature 496 is spaced apart from the proximal portion 493 of the unlocking member 280 by a gap G1). Figure 5B And the mounting member 284 contacts the proximal portion 286 of the insertion member 283), but the plunger assembly 240 may have any intermediate position between the first position and the second position, depending on, for example, the vacuum force F. 真空 The magnitude of . That is, with the vacuum force F 真空 Increase (e.g., as the plunger assembly 240 is further withdrawn proximally through the cylinder 230), vacuum force F 真空 The biasing member 285 can be gradually compressed to drive the plunger assembly 240 along a series of consecutive positions between a first position and a second position. Conversely, with the vacuum force F... 真空 Reduce (e.g., as the plunger assembly 240 is further pressed distally through the cylinder 230 and / or when) Figure 1 When the fluid control device 114 is turned on after generating a negative pressure in the cylinder 230, the energy stored in the bias member 285 can be gradually extended to drive the plunger assembly 240 back along a series of consecutive positions between the second position and the first position.

[0065] For example, Figure 6 It is based on the implementation scheme of this technology. Figure 4B and Figure 5B The image shows an enlarged side view of the distal portion of the plunger assembly 240 in an intermediate position between the first and second positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop surface 499 of the locking feature 496 is spaced apart from the proximal portion 493 of the unlocking member 280 by a gap G2, which is smaller than the gap G1 in the second position. Figure 5B Similarly, the locking recess 405 and the locking feature 496 are at least partially exposed from and not covered by the channel 492 in the unlocking member 280 (e.g., not radially protected). Figure 6 As further shown, the insertion member 283 may include a flange 609 extending at least partially circumferentially around it and defining a distal surface 609. The distal surface 609 may be longitudinally aligned with the stop surface 499 of the locking feature 496. Thus, a gap G2 may be defined between the flange 609 and the proximal portion 493 of the unlocking member 280.

[0066] Figure 7 It is based on the implementation scheme of this technology. Figure 2A and Figure 2BAn isometric view of the locking assembly 260 of the syringe 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking assembly 260 includes a housing 761 (including separately identified first housing portion 761a and second housing portion 761b), which defines a recess 762 and has a housing opening 763 extending axially through it and defined by an edge portion 764. In some embodiments, the housing 761 includes multiple parts that can be interlocked or otherwise coupled together, such as the first housing portion 761a, the second housing portion 762b, and the third housing portion 762c (for clarity, in...). Figure 7 The middle part is omitted; for example Figure 2B (As shown). Reference Figure 2B and Figure 7 The housing 761 can be assembled by interlocking or otherwise connecting the first housing portion 761a and the second housing portion 761b to define the recess 762 and the housing opening 763, positioning the flange 231 of the cylinder 230 against the first housing portion 761a and the second housing portion 761b, and then attaching the third housing portion 761c to the flange 231 and connecting it to the first housing portion 761a and the second housing portion 761b. In other embodiments, the housing 761 may have different shapes, may be connected to the cylinder 230 in different ways, may include different numbers of discrete portions, and / or may be integrally formed.

[0067] refer to Figure 7 The locking assembly 260 also includes a locking member or locking plate 765 coupled to the housing 761 within the recess 762 via one or more biasing members 766 (e.g., a pair of biasing members 766). The locking plate 765 may include a locking plate opening 767 extending axially through the locking plate and defined by an edge including a locking guide 768 (which may also be referred to as a locking edge, locking edge portion, plunger engagement portion, etc.). Reference Figure 2A , Figures 4A to 5B and Figure 7 The locking assembly 260 can receive the plunger assembly 240 through the housing opening 763 and the locking plate opening 767. In some embodiments, the edge portion 764 of the locking plate 765 defining the housing opening 764 may include one or more channels 769 (e.g., cutouts, grooves) configured (e.g., shaped, sized, positioned) to slidably receive one or more guides 495 of the first axis 250 of the plunger assembly 240 passing therethrough, to, for example, facilitate and maintain the alignment of the plunger assembly 240 (more specifically, the locking feature 496 and the unlocking feature 401) relative to the locking assembly 260.

[0068] refer to Figure 7The recess 762 may have a first end portion 710 and a second end portion 711 opposite to the first end portion 710. A biasing member 766 may extend between the locking plate 765 and the housing 761 and operably connect the locking plate to the housing, near the first end portion 710 of the recess 762. The biasing member 766 may include, for example, a compression spring that biases the locking plate 765 away from the first end portion 710 of the recess 762 toward the second end portion 711 of the recess 762. Locking assembly 260 in Figure 7 The locking plate 765 is shown in a first position (e.g., a compressed position), in which the locking plate 765 is pushed against a force exerted by the biasing member 766 toward the first end portion 710 of the recess 762. In some embodiments, in the first position, the locking plate 765 may (i) abut against the housing 761 at the first end portion 710 of the recess 762, and (ii) be spaced apart from the housing 761 at the second end portion 711 of the recess 762. Without a force acting on the locking plate 765, the biasing member 766 may drive the locking plate 765 through the recess 762 to a second position (e.g., an extended position, a relaxed position), in which the locking plate 765 is pushed toward the second end portion 711 of the recess 762. That is, the locking plate 765 can be properly biased to the second position. In some embodiments, in the second position, the locking plate 765 may (i) abut the housing 761 at the second end portion 711 of the recess 762, and (ii) be spaced apart from the housing 761 at the first end portion 710 of the recess 762.

[0069] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a syringe 120 according to an embodiment of the present technology, wherein the plunger assembly 240 is withdrawn proximally through the barrel 230 to an withdrawn position and locked to and unlocked from the locking assembly 260. Reference Figure 8A The plunger assembly 240 is in reference position. Figure 5A and Figure 5B The first position is described in detail, where the vacuum force F 真空 Actuating plunger assembly 240 such that (i) the flange 289 of handle assembly 242 is spaced apart from the proximal portion 493 of unlocking member 280 by a gap G1. Figure 5B (ii) The locking recess 405 is spaced apart from and not covered by the unlocking member 280 (e.g., not radially protected). As the plunger assembly 240 is withdrawn proximally through the cylinder 230 with the plunger assembly 240 in the first position, the locking feature 496 is spaced apart from and exposed from the unlocking member 280 (e.g., spaced apart from the unlocking feature 401).

[0070] During the withdrawal of the plunger assembly 240, the locking feature 496 is configured to engage the locking guide 768 of the locking plate 765 of the locking assembly 260, causing the locking plate 765 to move from a normally biased second position toward a first position. More specifically, the ramp portion 497 of the locking feature 496 engages the locking guide 768 and drives the locking guide 768 and the locking plate 765 toward the first end portion 710 of the recess 762 in the housing 761 until the locking plate 765 reaches the platform portion 498 of the locking feature 496. That is, the ramp portion 497 of the locking feature 496 converts the longitudinal force of the handle assembly 242 during withdrawal into radial movement of the locking plate 765. Continued withdrawal of the plunger assembly 240 causes the locking guide 768 of the locking plate 765 to slide over / against the platform portion 498 until the locking guide 768 reaches the stop surface 499. When the locking guide rail 768 passes the end of the platform section 498, the biasing member 766 ( Figure 7 The locking plate 765 can be driven toward the second end portion 711 of the recess 762 (e.g., from a compressed first position toward a second position). During this stage, as... Figure 8A As shown, the locking guide 768 of the locking plate 765 is positioned within the locking recess 405 formed by the tab 494 and the locking feature 496, such that the plunger assembly 240 relative to the locking assembly 260 along the longitudinal axis L ( Figure 2A Locked in place (e.g., suppressed orientation) Figure 2A The pressed position shown moves / advances through locking plate 765. In some embodiments, locking guide 768 may be positioned distal to the distal surface 609 of flange 608 (in... Figure 8A and Figure 8B The middle is obscured; Figure 6 Therefore, the distal surface 609 of flange 608 and / or the stop surface 499 of locking feature 496 may abut locking guide 768 to suppress or even prevent distal movement of plunger assembly 240. In some embodiments, tab 494 may be omitted because locking plate 765 suppresses distal movement of plunger assembly 240 and housing 761 controls (e.g., suppresses or even prevents) further proximal movement of plunger assembly 240.

[0071] As long as the vacuum force F 真空 Maintain and hold the plunger assembly 240 in Figure 8A In the first position shown, plunger assembly 240 can remain locked to locking assembly 260. When vacuum is released or vacuum force F... 真空 Reduced to below the bias force F 偏置 At that time, the sealing assembly 244 of the plunger assembly 240 can automatically... Figure 8A The first position shown is moved to Figure 8BThe second position, as shown, unlocks the plunger assembly 240 from the locking assembly 260. More specifically, when the vacuum force F... 真空 When the bias force F of the bias member 285 is close to zero, 偏置 The mounting member 284 can be driven proximally via the first axis 250 to pull the unlocking member 280 proximally toward the locking recess 405 of the handle assembly 242. For example... Figure 6 As the unlocking member 280 moves proximally in the direction of arrow P, the unlocking feature 401 slides through the locking recess 405 as the tab 494 and locking feature 496 slide through and into the channel 492. (Reference) Figure 6 and Figure 8B Similar to the operation of the ramp portion 497 of the locking feature 496, the proximal movement of the unlocking member 280 drives the protrusion 402 of the unlocking member 280. Figure 6 ) slope section 403 ( Figure 6 The locking guide 768 abuts against the locking plate 765, causing the locking plate 765 to move from its normally biased second position toward a first position. More specifically, the inclined ramp portion 403 of the unlocking feature 401 engages the locking guide 768 and drives the locking guide 768 and the locking plate 765 toward the first end portion 710 of the recess 405 in the housing 761, disengaging them from the locking recess 762. When... Figure 8B As shown, when the locking plate 765 is removed from the locking recess 405, the plunger assembly 240 unlocks from the locking assembly 260 and becomes movable (e.g., pressed down by the cylinder 230). In some embodiments, the locking assembly 260 may include a button or other feature that can be actuated to manually remove the locking rail 768 from the locking recess 405 even when there is little or no vacuum within the cylinder 230, as referenced below. Figure 10 A more detailed description.

[0072] refer to Figure 8A and Figure 8B Only one locking recess in the locking recess 405 and one locking feature in the locking feature 496 at the lower side of the syringe 120 are configured to engage the locking plate 765. Therefore, the syringe 120 may include only one locking recess in the locking recess 405 and one locking feature in the locking feature 496 positioned to engage the locking plate 765. In the illustrated embodiment, one locking recess in the locking recess 405 and one locking feature in the locking feature 496 at the upper side of the barrel 120 can provide redundancy for the installation of the plunger assembly 240 within the barrel 230 and the locking assembly 260, for example, allowing the plunger assembly 240 to be installed in a flipped or rotated (e.g., 180-degree) configuration without losing functionality.

[0073] Let's refer to each other. Figures 2A to 8BIn some aspects of this technology, the syringe 120 is configured to: (i) automatically lock the plunger assembly 240 to the locking assembly 260 when the plunger assembly 240 is withdrawn through the barrel 230 under vacuum; (ii) automatically unlock the plunger assembly 240 from the locking assembly 260 when the barrel 230 no longer experiences vacuum; and (iii) suppress or even prevent the plunger assembly 240 from automatically locking to the locking assembly 260 when the plunger assembly 240 is withdrawn through the barrel 230 without and / or with negligible vacuum. For example, regarding (i) and as referenced above... Figure 8A As detailed, the vacuum force F acting on the plunger assembly 240 真空 It can overcome the biasing force F of the biasing member 285. 偏置 This causes the unlocking member 280 to move away from the locking recess 405 to expose the locking recess 405, allowing the locking plate 765 to be driven into the locking recess 405 (e.g., via the locking feature 496) to lock the position of the plunger assembly 240 relative to the locking assembly 260. Regarding (ii) and as referenced above... Figure 8B As detailed, vacuum force F 真空 The release allows the bias force F of the bias member 285 to be released. 偏置 The drive unlocking member 280 engages the locking plate 765 and drives the locking plate 765 out of the locking recess 405 (e.g., via unlocking feature 401) to unlock the position of the plunger assembly 240 relative to the locking assembly 260. Finally, regarding (iii), in the absence of vacuum force F... 真空 In this case, the unlocking member 280 surrounds and radially protects (e.g., covers) the locking recess 405 so that even when the plunger assembly 240 is pulled out by the locking member 260, the locking plate 765 cannot be inserted into the locking recess 405.

[0074] Therefore, the syringe 120 can be an automatically locking and unlocking syringe 120 in response to vacuum pressure in the barrel 230. Conversely, some conventional syringes can automatically lock upon plunger withdrawal, or be user-actuable to selectively lock the plunger position. However, these devices require user input to lock and / or unlock the plunger and allow further movement. In some aspects of this technology, the automatically locking and unlocking syringe 120 of this technology simplifies the clot removal process using the syringe 120. For example, see reference... Figures 1 to 2BDuring the clot removal process using system 100, plunger assembly 240 can be withdrawn with fluid control device 114 in the closed position to generate a vacuum pressure in cylinder 230. This vacuum pressure acts on plunger assembly 240 to allow it to lock into locking plate 765 without any user (e.g., physician) input when fully withdrawn through cylinder 230. Fluid control device 114 can then be opened to apply the vacuum pressure stored in cylinder 230 to catheter 106, thereby aspirating clotted material and blood into cylinder 230. When the vacuum pressure is released, plunger assembly 240 can be automatically unlocked from locking assembly 260 via bias member 285 without user input, the bias member pushing unlock feature 401 against locking plate 765. With the fluid control device 114 closed, the plunger assembly 240 can subsequently be depressed through the cylinder 230 to drive blood through the filter 279 and discharge the filtered blood through the outlet tube 246 (and / or the outlet tube 246 can be aspirated to draw blood through the filter 279 and discharge the filtered blood through the outlet tube 246). This automatic locking and unlocking of the syringe 120 simplifies the clot removal process.

[0075] In another aspect of this technology, when no vacuum is generated within the barrel 230, the syringe 120 can be used as a normal syringe (e.g., without automatic locking). For example, when the syringe 120 is used for process steps other than aspiration (such as contrast agent injection, saline flushing, etc.), the syringe 120 can be used as a standard syringe, and the standard syringe does not lock to the locking assembly 260 when the plunger assembly 240 is withdrawn during its stroke. More specifically, when little or no vacuum pressure is generated within the barrel 230 during the withdrawal of the plunger assembly 240, the biasing member 285 can bias the sealing assembly 244 to... Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the first position shown, the tab 494 and locking feature 496 of the handle assembly 242 are positioned within corresponding channels formed in the unlocking member 280 and the unlocking feature 401 / the channel 492 formed by them, such that the locking recess 405 is covered by the unlocking member 280 (e.g., radial protection). Therefore, when the plunger assembly 240 is withdrawn through / beyond the locking assembly 260, the locking plate 765 does not engage the locking recess 405, and the plunger assembly 240 can be freely withdrawn proximally and / or advanced distally without locking to the locking assembly 260.

[0076] refer to Figure 2A In some embodiments, syringe 120 may include an indicator 222 configured to provide the user with the barrel 230 and / or system 100 ( Figure 1The vacuum level is indicated in the [missing information]. In an illustrated embodiment, indicator 222 includes (i) a hole or window 223 in the first axis 250 of the handle assembly 242, and (ii) a visual indicator 224 on the second axis 270 and at least partially visible through the window 223. (Refer to the above) Figures 4A to 6 As detailed, as the sealing assembly 244 moves relative to the handle assembly 242 in response to the vacuum pressure within the cylinder 230, the second axis 270 translates within the first axis 250. This movement can position the visual indicator 224 differently relative to the window 223 based on the vacuum level within the cylinder 230.

[0077] refer to Figure 3 The visual indicator 224 may include color swatches, including, for example, a first color 225 (e.g., red) along a first portion of the second axis 270, a second color 226 (e.g., orange) along a second portion of the second axis 270 near the first portion, and a third color 227 (e.g., green) along a third portion of the second axis 270 near the second portion. (See reference) Figure 2A and Figure 3 When there is no vacuum in the cylinder 230 or the vacuum inside the cylinder 230 is negligible, the plunger assembly 240 is in the following state: Figure 2A and Figure 3 The first position, and the first color 225, visible through window 223, indicates that there is no vacuum or a negligible vacuum within the cylinder 230. When a maximum or substantially maximum vacuum exists within the cylinder 230, the plunger assembly 240 is in [position missing]. Figure 5A and Figure 5B The second position shown, and the third color 227 visible through window 223, indicates the presence of a maximum or substantially maximum vacuum within the cylinder 230. When the cylinder 230 is in an intermediate vacuum between no vacuum and maximum vacuum, the plunger assembly 240 is in the intermediate position (e.g., Figure 6 The first color 225 indicates that the plunger assembly 240 is in the middle position (as shown in the diagram), and the second color 226 is visible through window 223, indicating the presence of an intermediate vacuum within the cylinder 230. Similarly, when the plunger assembly 240 is in the withdrawn position, the first color 225 indicates that the plunger assembly 240 is unlocked from the locking assembly 260, the second color 226 indicates that the plunger assembly 240 is partially unlocked during the unlocking process and / or will soon be unlocked from the locking assembly 260, and the third color 227 indicates that the plunger assembly 240 is locked to the locking assembly 260. In other embodiments, the visual indicator 224 may include different icons, textures, values, markers, etc., indicating various vacuum and lock states, instead of different colors.

[0078] Figure 9 This is a table showing various views of the syringe 120 at different vacuum levels according to embodiments of the present technology. More specifically, refer to... Figures 2A to 9The views in the first column show syringe 120 with no vacuum or a negligible vacuum (e.g., less than 25% of 100% maximum vacuum), the views in the second column show syringe 120 at 50% maximum vacuum, the views in the third column show syringe 120 at 75% maximum vacuum, and the views in the fourth column show syringe 120 at 100% maximum vacuum. The view in row A is a partially transparent side view of syringe 120 near the locking assembly 260, where plunger assembly 240 is withdrawn to a position where plunger assembly 240 can lock locking assembly 260 (e.g., where the locking recess 405 of handle assembly 242 and / or the unlocking member 280 of sealing assembly 244 are near locking plate 765). The view in row B is a cross-sectional side view of syringe 120 at and near the locking assembly 260, where plunger assembly 240 is withdrawn to a position where plunger assembly 240 can lock locking assembly 260. The view in line C is a side view of the proximal portion of the handle assembly 242, including the indicator 222.

[0079] Figure 10 This is an isometric view of a syringe 1020 according to an additional embodiment of the present technology. The syringe 1020 may include components described above. Figures 1 to 9 The corresponding features of the syringe 120 described in detail are at least substantially similar in structure and function, or have some features that are identical in structure and function, and can operate in a substantially similar or identical manner to the syringe 120. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the syringe 1020 is an auto-locking and auto-unlocking syringe including a plunger assembly 1040 slidably positioned within a barrel 1030. For clarity, the barrel 1030 is... Figure 10 The portion shown is partially transparent. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger assembly 1040 includes a shank assembly 1042 operably coupled to the sealing assembly 1044, and a locking assembly 1060 coupled to the cylinder 1030. When the plunger assembly 1040 is withdrawn through the cylinder 1030 and a vacuum pressure is generated within the cylinder 1030, the sealing assembly 1044 is configured to move away from the shank assembly 1042 to allow the plunger assembly 1040 to lock into the locking assembly 1060, as referenced above. Figures 1 to 9 As detailed above.

[0080] The handle assembly 1042 includes a proximal portion 1051 configured (shaped and sized) for a user to grip for withdrawing (e.g., retracting, pulling) and / or depressing (e.g., pushing, advancing) the plunger assembly 1040 through the barrel 1030 during operation of the syringe 1020. For example, in an illustrated embodiment, the proximal portion 1051 includes a pair of opposing flanges 1054 (identified as a first flange 1054a and a second flange 1054b, respectively) extending radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the syringe 1020 and forming a handle configured for gripping by a user's hand. In some embodiments, the second flange 1054b is larger than the first flange 1054a. An outlet tube 1046 may extend at least partially through the handle assembly 1042 and through the second flange 1054b to a connector 1049, such as a multi-lumen connector 1049. Sealing assembly 1044 may include filter 1079, which is provided via, for example, a lumen extending at least partially through sealing assembly 1044 (e.g., referenced above). Figure 2A and Figure 2B The lumen in the second shaft 270 (described in detail) is fluidly connected to the outlet 1046. The connector 1049 can be connected to a reservoir / container for receiving blood filtered by the filter 1079 (e.g., as the plunger assembly 1040 is pressed down by clotted material and blood in the cylinder 1030), a fluid source for injecting fluid into the cylinder 1030, etc.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking assembly 1060 also includes an assembly operably coupled to the locking plate 1065 (in... Figure 10 Actuator 1062 (partially obscured in the middle). Locking plate 1065 can engage plunger assembly 1040 (e.g., locking recess formed therein) to selectively lock plunger assembly 1040 relative to cylinder 1030, as referenced above. Figures 2A to 9 As detailed above. Actuator 1062 may include a button and / or the like, configured to be actuated (e.g., pressed down) by a user to manually unlock locking plate 1065 from plunger assembly 1040, thereby allowing plunger assembly 1040 to move (e.g., be pressed down) through cylinder 1030, for example. In some aspects of the art, actuator 1062 may serve as a override feature to allow plunger assembly 1040 to unlock from locking assembly 1060 when a significant vacuum pressure is present within cylinder 1030. In addition to manual unlocking from locking assembly 1060 via actuator 1062, plunger assembly 1040 may be configured to automatically unlock from locking assembly 1060, as referenced above. Figures 2A to 9As detailed herein. In some embodiments, locking component 1060 and actuator 1062 may include features that are substantially similar in structure and / or function to or identical in structure and / or function to any of the locking components and / or actuators (e.g., buttons) described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 396,426, filed August 8, 2021, entitled “AUTOMATICALLY-LOCKING VACUUM SYRINGES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0082] Figure 11A and Figure 11B These are additional embodiments of the present technology that can be implemented according to the present technology. Figure 1 Side views of the syringe 1120 used in the clot treatment system in a first position (e.g., the depress position) and a second position (e.g., the withdrawal position). Reference Figure 11A and Figure 11B The syringe 1120 may include the same components as described above. Figures 1 to 10 The corresponding features of syringe 120 and / or syringe 1020 described in detail are at least substantially similar in structure and function, or have some features that are identical in structure and function, and can operate in a manner substantially similar to or identical to syringe 120 and / or syringe 1020. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, syringe 1120 is an auto-locking and auto-unlocking syringe including a plunger assembly 1140 slidably positioned within a barrel 1130.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, plunger assembly 1140 includes a handle assembly 1142 operably coupled to sealing assembly 1144. Injector 1120 also includes a locking assembly 1160 coupled to barrel 1130. Locking assembly 1160 is configured to selectively lock plunger assembly 1140 in the withdrawn position under vacuum pressure, as referenced above. Figures 8A to 10 As detailed above. When the plunger assembly 1140 is withdrawn through the cylinder 1130 (e.g. Figure 11B (As shown) and when a vacuum pressure is generated within the cylinder 1130, the sealing assembly 1144 is configured to move away from the handle assembly 1142 to allow the plunger assembly 1140 to lock into the locking assembly 1160, as referenced above. Figures 1 to 10 As detailed above. (See reference) Figure 11A The plunger assembly 1140 is in the first position and is fully pressed into the cylinder 1130. (Reference) Figure 11BThe plunger assembly 1140 is in the second position and is withdrawn through the barrel 1130 and locked to the locking assembly 1160. In the illustrated embodiment, the syringe 1120 is not a filtering syringe, and, for example, the sealing assembly 1144 does not include, as referenced above. Figure 2A and 2B The features of the filter 279, cap 278, and / or distal opening 274 are described in detail. Therefore, the handle assembly 1142 does not need to define a lumen therethrough for, for example, receiving filtered blood.

[0084] Figure 12A and Figure 13A These are implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 11A and 11B A partially transparent side view of the plunger assembly 1140 of the syringe 1120 in a first position (e.g., a non-vacuum position) and a second position (e.g., a vacuum position). Reference Figure 12A and Figure 13A In the illustrated embodiment, the handle assembly 1142 includes a first shaft 1250 extending between a proximal portion 1251 and a distal portion 1253. The proximal portion 1251 may be configured to be gripped by a user to withdraw and / or depress the plunger assembly 1140 through the barrel 1130 during operation of the syringe 1120, as referenced above. Figures 1 to 10 As detailed above. The sealing assembly 1144 includes a second shaft 1270 having a proximal portion 1271 and a distal portion 1273. Figure 12A The distal portion 1273 of the second shaft 1270 can be coupled to the sealing head 1272. A circumferential groove 1275 in the sealing head 1272 can receive a sealing member 1277, such as an O-ring, configured to sealably engage the inner surface of the cylinder 1130. Figure 11A and Figure 11B ).

[0085] The plunger assembly 1140 also includes a biasing member 1285 that operatively connects the first shaft 1250 to the second shaft 1270. The shank assembly 1142 can be configured relative to the cylinder 1130 ( Figure 11A and Figure 11B The sealing assembly 1244 and sealing member 1277 are extracted through the cylinder 1130, thereby generating a vacuum pressure within the cylinder 1130. This vacuum pressure generates a vacuum force on the sealing assembly 1144 greater than the biasing force of the biasing member 1285, causing the biasing member 1285 to compress and the sealing head 1272 to move away from the distal portion of the first shaft 1250, as... Figure 13A As shown.

[0086] Figure 12B and Figure 13B These are implementation schemes based on this technology. Figure 12Aand Figure 13A An enlarged side view of the distal portion of the plunger assembly 1140. (Reference) Figure 12B and Figure 13B In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing head 1272 is configured as an unlocking member (e.g., integrated / combined with, for example...). Figure 2A and Figure 2B The sealing head 1272 and the unlocking member 280 are an integral part. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing head 1272 includes one or more unlocking features 1201, and the first shaft 1250 includes one or more locking features 1296. The locking features 1296 are aligned with the corresponding unlocking features in the unlocking features 1201 and are configured in a first position ( Figure 12B Nested therein, the stop surface 1299 of the locking feature 1296 abuts the sealing head 1272. In the second position ( Figure 13B Vacuum pressure compression biasing member 1285 on sealing head 1272 ( Figure 12A and Figure 13A This spacees the locking feature 1296 from the unlocking feature 1201 to define the locking recess 1205. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 to 30, the locking feature 1296 is spaced apart from the unlocking feature 1201 to define the locking recess 1205. Figure 9 Compared to the previous implementation, the plunger assembly 1120 may include tabs (not shown; for example, Figures 4B to 6 (494) and channels (not shown; for example, Figures 4B to 6 The channel 492) configuration, with tabs and channels inside the first shaft 1250 and the sealing head 1272, facilitates continued alignment of these components.

[0087] refer to Figure 12A and Figure 13A The plunger assembly 1140 may include a hole or window 1223 located in a first shaft 1250 and a second shaft 1270 of the shank assembly 1142, the hole or window being configured to provide the user with access to the cylinder 1130 and / or the entire system 100. Figure 1 The vacuum level indication is shown in the reference above. Figures 4A to 6 As detailed, as the sealing assembly 1144 moves relative to the handle assembly 1142 in response to the vacuum pressure within the cylinder 1130, the second axis 1270 translates within the first axis 1250. This movement can position the visual indicator 1224 differently relative to the window 1223 based on the vacuum level in the cylinder 1130. Figure 11A and Figure 11B In other embodiments, the hole or window 1223 may include openings of different shapes located in the first axis 1250 and the second axis 1270 of the handle assembly 1142.

[0088] The visual indicator 1224 may include a solid color 1228. (See reference) Figure 12AWhen there is no vacuum in the cylinder 1130 or the vacuum within the cylinder 1130 is negligible, the plunger assembly 1140 is in the first position, and the solid color 1228 is not visible through the window 1223, indicating that there is no vacuum or the vacuum within the cylinder 1130 is negligible. When a vacuum is generated within the cylinder 1130, the plunger assembly 1140 is in the second position, and the solid color 1228 is visible through the window 1223, indicating that there is vacuum pressure within the cylinder 1130. Similarly, when the plunger assembly 1140 is in the withdrawn position, the invisibility of the solid color 1228 indicates that the plunger assembly 1140 is unlocked from the locking assembly 1160, and the visibility of the solid color 1228 indicates that the plunger assembly 1140 is locked to the locking assembly 1160. For example, the visual indicator 1224... Figure 11B The window 1223 is visible, indicating that the plunger assembly 1140 is locked to the locking assembly 1160. In other embodiments, the visual indicator 1224 may include different icons, textures, values, markers, etc., to indicate various vacuum and lock states, rather than different colors.

[0089] Figure 14A and Figure 14B These are additional embodiments based on the present technology. Figure 11A and Figure 11B A cross-sectional side view of syringe 1120 in the unlocked and locked positions. (Reference) Figure 14A and Figure 14B In the illustrated embodiment, the locking assembly 1160 includes a housing 1461 and a locking plate 1465. Figure 14B The locking position shown indicates that the plunger assembly 1140 is in the second position. Figure 12B and Figure 13B And locking plate 1465 can engage plunger assembly 1140 (e.g., locking recess 1205 formed therein) to selectively lock plunger assembly 1140 relative to cylinder 1130. Figure 14A The unlocked position shown indicates that the plunger assembly 1140 is in the first position. Figure 12A and Figure 13A This causes the locking recess 1205 to be obscured and the locking plate 1465 to not engage with the locking recess 1205. When the locking assembly 1160 is in the locked position, the button portion 1402 of the locking plate 1465 can protrude from the housing 1461. The button portion 1402 is configured to be actuated (e.g., pressed down) by a user to manually unlock the locking plate 1465 from the plunger assembly 1140, thereby allowing, for example, the plunger assembly 1140 to move (e.g., be pressed down) through the cylinder 1130. In some aspects of this art, the locking plate 1465 (e.g., the button portion 1402) can be used as a override feature to allow the plunger assembly 1140 to unlock from the locking assembly 1160 when a significant vacuum pressure is present within the cylinder 1130.

[0090] In addition to being manually unlocked from the locking assembly 1160 via the locking plate 1465, the plunger assembly 1140 can be configured to automatically unlock from the locking assembly 1160, as referenced above. Figures 2A to 9 As detailed herein. For example, when the vacuum pressure is released, the biasing member 1285 may move the sealing head 1272 toward the first axis 1250, such that the tilted unlocking feature 1201 drives the locking plate 1465 out of the locking recess 1205. In some embodiments, the locking assembly 1160 and the locking plate 1465 may include features that are substantially similar in structure and / or function or identical in structure and / or function to any of the locking assemblies and / or actuators (e.g., buttons) described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 396,426, filed August 8, 2021, entitled “AUTOMATICALLY-LOCKING VACUUM SYRINGES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0091] Figure 15 It is based on the implementation scheme of this technology. Figure 11A and Figure 11B A cross-sectional view of the locking assembly 1160 of the syringe 1120. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1461 defines a recess 1562 having a first end portion 1510 and a second end portion 1511 opposite the first end portion 1510. One or more biasing members 1566 may extend between the locking plate 1465 and the housing 1461 and operatively engage the locking plate to the housing, near the first end portion 1510 of the recess 1562. The biasing member 1566 may include, for example, a compression spring that biases the locking plate 1465 away from the first end portion 1510 of the recess 1562 toward the second end portion 1511 of the recess 1562. (See also...) Figures 14A to 15 In the locked position ( Figure 14B The biasing member 1566 forces the locking plate 1465 into the locking recess 1205. When the vacuum pressure is released within the cylinder 1130, the tilted unlocking feature 1201 engages the locking plate 1465 against the biasing force of the biasing member 1566 to move the locking plate 1465, thereby driving the locking plate 1465 out of the locking recess 1205, as shown. Figure 14A As shown. Similarly, actuation of button portion 1402 can resist the biasing force of biasing member 1566 to drive locking plate 1465 to release locking plate 1465 from locking recess 1205, thereby unlocking plunger assembly 1140 from locking assembly 1160.

[0092] The following examples illustrate several implementation schemes of this technology:

[0093] 1. An auto-locking and auto-unlocking syringe, the syringe comprising:

[0094] cylindrical body;

[0095] A plunger assembly, slidably positioned within the cylinder, wherein the plunger assembly is movable between a first position and a second position; and

[0096] Locking assembly, the locking assembly being coupled to the cylinder, wherein—

[0097] The plunger assembly is configured to be drawn through the cylinder to generate a vacuum pressure within the cylinder;

[0098] The plunger assembly is configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to the vacuum pressure.

[0099] The plunger assembly is configured to move from the second position to the first position in response to the release of the vacuum pressure.

[0100] The plunger assembly is configured to lock into the locking assembly in the second position, such that the locking assembly inhibits movement of the plunger assembly through the cylinder; and

[0101] The plunger assembly is configured to unlock from the locking assembly in the first position, such that the locking assembly allows the plunger assembly to move through the cylinder.

[0102] 2. The syringe according to embodiment 1, wherein the plunger assembly includes a sealing head, a shaft, and a biasing member operatively connecting the sealing head to the shaft.

[0103] 3. The syringe according to embodiment 2, wherein in the first position, the biasing member biases the sealing head to engage within the shaft.

[0104] 4. The syringe according to embodiment 3, wherein in the second position, the vacuum pressure causes the sealing head to move from the shaft against the biasing force of the biasing member to define a locking recess between the sealing head and the shaft.

[0105] 5. The syringe according to embodiment 4, wherein the locking assembly includes a locking plate configured to be positioned in the locking recess when the plunger assembly is in the second position, such that the locking plate inhibits movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel.

[0106] 6. The syringe according to embodiment 5, wherein the movement of the plunger assembly from the second position to the first position is configured to drive the locking plate from the locking recess, thereby allowing the plunger assembly to move through the barrel.

[0107] 7. The syringe according to Embodiment 5 or Embodiment 6, wherein the locking plate includes a button portion configured to be actuated by a user when the plunger assembly is in the second position to drive the locking plate out of the locking recess, thereby allowing the plunger assembly to move through the barrel.

[0108] 8. The syringe according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the locking assembly includes a housing, a locking plate at least partially located within the housing, and a biasing member operatively engaging the locking plate to the housing.

[0109] 9. The syringe according to embodiment 8, wherein the biasing member is configured to drive the locking plate into locking engagement with the plunger assembly when the plunger assembly is in the second position, and wherein the plunger assembly is configured to drive the locking plate against the biasing force of the biasing member when the plunger assembly is in the first position.

[0110] 10. The syringe according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the plunger assembly further includes a filter sealing assembly configured to separate clotted material from blood.

[0111] 11. A syringe, the syringe comprising:

[0112] cylinder; and

[0113] A plunger assembly, slidably positioned within the cylinder, wherein the plunger assembly includes—

[0114] A handle assembly, the handle assembly including a first shaft having a distal portion;

[0115] A sealing assembly, comprising a second shaft and a sealing head coupled to the second shaft, wherein the sealing head includes a sealing member positioned to sealably engage the cylinder; and

[0116] A biasing member that operably connects the first shaft to the second shaft, wherein the biasing member has a biasing force, and wherein—

[0117] The handle assembly is configured to be withdrawn relative to the cylinder to extract the sealing assembly and the sealing member through the cylinder, thereby generating a vacuum pressure within the cylinder; and

[0118] The vacuum pressure is configured to generate a vacuum force on the sealing assembly that is greater than the biasing force of the biasing member, causing the biasing member to compress and the sealing head to move away from the distal portion of the first shaft.

[0119] 12. The syringe according to embodiment 11, wherein the biasing member is a compression spring.

[0120] 13. The syringe according to Embodiment 11 or Embodiment 12, wherein in the absence of the vacuum pressure, the biasing force is configured to drive the sealing head to engage the distal portion of the first shaft.

[0121] 14. The syringe according to any one of embodiments 11 to 13, the syringe further comprising a locking assembly including a locking plate, wherein the vacuum pressure is configured to generate a vacuum force on the sealing assembly greater than the biasing force of the biasing member, such that the sealing head moves away from the distal portion of the first axis to define a locking recess therebetween, and wherein the locking plate is configured to be positioned in the locking recess to inhibit movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel.

[0122] 15. The syringe according to embodiment 14, wherein in the absence of the vacuum pressure, the biasing force is configured to drive the sealing head to engage the distal portion of the first shaft, thereby driving the locking plate from the locking recess.

[0123] 16. The syringe according to any one of embodiments 11 to 15, wherein the second axis includes a visual indicator, wherein the first axis includes an aperture, and wherein the visual indicator is at least partially visible through the aperture when the vacuum force on the sealing assembly is greater than the biasing force of the biasing member causing the sealing head to move away from the distal portion of the first axis.

[0124] 17. A syringe, the syringe comprising:

[0125] cylinder; and

[0126] A plunger assembly, slidably positioned within the cylinder, wherein the plunger assembly includes—

[0127] A handle assembly, the handle assembly including a first shaft having a distal portion and a locking recess formed at said distal portion; and

[0128] A sealing assembly including a protective member, wherein the sealing assembly is movable relative to the handle assembly between (a) a first position and (b) a second position, wherein in the first position the protective member radially protects the locking recess, and in the second position the protective member is axially spaced from the locking recess.

[0129] 18. The syringe according to embodiment 17, wherein the protective member further includes an inclined unlocking protrusion, wherein the first shaft further includes a locking protrusion, and wherein the locking protrusion is configured to engage with the unlocking protrusion in the first position.

[0130] 19. The syringe according to Embodiment 17 or Embodiment 18, the syringe further comprising a locking assembly including a locking plate configured to engage the locking recess to lock the plunger assembly in the barrel when the sealing assembly is in the second position.

[0131] 20. The syringe according to embodiment 19, wherein the protective member includes an inclined unlocking feature, and wherein the movement of the sealing assembly from the second position to the first position is configured to move the inclined unlocking feature relative to the locking recess to drive the locking plate from the locking recess, thereby allowing the plunger assembly to move through the barrel.

[0132] The above detailed description of the embodiments of this technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise forms disclosed above. Although specific embodiments and examples of this technology have been described above for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will recognize that various equivalent modifications can be made within the scope of this technology. For example, although the steps are given in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform the steps in a different order. The various embodiments described herein may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0133] Based on the foregoing, it should be understood that this document has described specific embodiments of the technology for illustrative purposes, but has not shown or described in detail well-known structures and functions to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of this technology. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include plural or singular terms respectively.

[0134] Furthermore, unless the word “or” is explicitly limited to referring only to a single item excluding other items in a list involving two or more items, its use in such lists should be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all items in the list, or (c) any combination of items in the list. Additionally, the term “comprising” means throughout that at least the mentioned features are included, without excluding any further number of the same features and / or other types of features. It should also be understood that specific embodiments have been described herein for illustrative purposes, but various modifications may be made without departing from the art. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the art have been described in the context of these embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments must exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the art. Therefore, this disclosure and related art may include other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

Claims

1. An auto-locking and auto-unlocking syringe, the syringe comprising: cylindrical body; A plunger assembly slidably positioned within the cylinder, wherein the plunger assembly is movable between a first position and a second position; and Locking assembly, the locking assembly being coupled to the cylinder, wherein— The plunger assembly is configured to be drawn through the cylinder to generate a vacuum pressure within the cylinder; The plunger assembly is configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to the vacuum pressure. The plunger assembly is configured to move from the second position to the first position in response to the release of the vacuum pressure. The plunger assembly is configured to lock into the locking assembly in the second position, such that the locking assembly inhibits movement of the plunger assembly through the cylinder; and The plunger assembly is configured to unlock from the locking assembly in the first position, such that the locking assembly allows the plunger assembly to move through the cylinder.

2. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the plunger assembly includes a sealing head, a shaft, and a biasing member operatively connecting the sealing head to the shaft.

3. The syringe of claim 2, wherein in the first position, the biasing member biases the sealing head to engage within the shaft.

4. The syringe of claim 3, wherein in the second position, the vacuum pressure causes the sealing head to move against the biasing force of the biasing member from the shaft to define a locking recess between the sealing head and the shaft.

5. The syringe of claim 4, wherein the locking assembly includes a locking plate configured to be positioned in the locking recess when the plunger assembly is in the second position, such that the locking plate inhibits movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel.

6. The syringe of claim 5, wherein movement of the plunger assembly from the second position to the first position is configured to drive the locking plate from the locking recess, thereby allowing movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel.

7. The syringe of claim 5, wherein the locking plate includes a button portion configured to be actuated by a user when the plunger assembly is in the second position to drive the locking plate out of the locking recess, thereby allowing movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel.

8. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly comprises a housing, a locking plate at least partially located within the housing, and a biasing member operatively engaging the locking plate to the housing.

9. The syringe of claim 8, wherein the biasing member is configured to drive the locking plate into lock engagement with the plunger assembly when the plunger assembly is in the second position, and wherein the plunger assembly is configured to drive the locking plate against the biasing force of the biasing member when the plunger assembly is in the first position.

10. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the plunger assembly further comprises a filter seal assembly configured to separate clotted material from the blood.

11. A syringe, the syringe comprising: cylindrical body; and A plunger assembly, slidably positioned within the cylinder, wherein the plunger assembly includes— A handle assembly, the handle assembly including a first shaft having a distal portion; A sealing assembly, the sealing assembly including a second shaft and a sealing head coupled to the second shaft, wherein the sealing head includes a sealing member positioned to sealably engage the cylinder; and A biasing member that operably connects the first shaft to the second shaft, wherein the biasing member has a biasing force, and wherein— The handle assembly is configured to be withdrawn relative to the cylinder to extract the sealing assembly and the sealing member through the cylinder, thereby generating a vacuum pressure within the cylinder. and The vacuum pressure is configured to generate a vacuum force on the sealing assembly that is greater than the biasing force of the biasing member, causing the biasing member to compress and the sealing head to move away from the distal portion of the first shaft.

12. The syringe of claim 11, wherein the biasing member is a compression spring.

13. The syringe of claim 11, wherein in the absence of the vacuum pressure, the biasing force is configured to drive the sealing head to engage the distal portion of the first shaft.

14. The syringe of claim 11, further comprising a locking assembly including a locking plate, wherein the vacuum pressure is configured to generate a vacuum force on the sealing assembly greater than the biasing force of the biasing member, such that the sealing head moves away from the distal portion of the first axis to define a locking recess therebetween, and wherein the locking plate is configured to be positioned in the locking recess to inhibit movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel.

15. The syringe of claim 14, wherein in the absence of the vacuum pressure, the biasing force is configured to drive the sealing head to engage the distal portion of the first shaft, thereby driving the locking plate from the locking recess.

16. The syringe of claim 11, wherein the second axis includes a visual indicator, wherein the first axis includes an aperture, and wherein the visual indicator is at least partially visible through the aperture when the vacuum force on the sealing assembly is greater than the biasing force of the biasing member causing the sealing head to move away from the distal portion of the first axis.

17. A syringe, the syringe comprising: cylindrical body; and A plunger assembly, slidably positioned within the cylinder, wherein the plunger assembly includes— A handle assembly, the handle assembly including a first shaft having a distal portion and a locking recess formed at the distal portion; and A sealing assembly including a protective member, wherein the sealing assembly is movable relative to the handle assembly between (a) a first position and (b) a second position, wherein in the first position the protective member radially protects the locking recess, and in the second position the protective member is axially spaced from the locking recess.

18. The syringe of claim 17, wherein the protective member further comprises an inclined unlocking protrusion, wherein the first shaft further comprises a locking protrusion, and wherein the locking protrusion is configured to engage with the unlocking protrusion in the first position.

19. The syringe of claim 17, further comprising a locking assembly including a locking plate configured to engage the locking recess to lock the plunger assembly in the barrel when the sealing assembly is in the second position.

20. The syringe of claim 19, wherein the protective member includes an inclined unlocking feature, and wherein movement of the sealing assembly from the second position to the first position is configured to move the inclined unlocking feature relative to the locking recess to drive the locking plate from the locking recess, thereby allowing movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel.

Images