Syringe with flat display surface

Abstract

To provide a syringe having a substantially flat surface for applying dosage and other indicia.SOLUTION: A syringe for medical use has: a barrel with a longitudinally extending tubular fluid chamber and at least one longitudinally extending, outwardly facing, substantially flat indicia display surface disposed proximally to the fluid chamber; a plunger slidably inserted into the fluid chamber; a needle projecting forwardly from the barrel in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and a fixed length needle safety device. The needle safety device has: an activation handle slidably engaging the barrel; and a forwardly projecting needle tip shield encircling the needle that moves forwardly to cover a tip end of the needle when the activation handle is moved forwardly following use of the syringe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a syringe configured for medical use in aspirating or injecting fluids. The syringe preferably includes a barrel, a plunger slidably engaging a portion of the barrel, and a forwardly projecting needle. The barrel preferably has a substantially tubular inner surface that serves as a sidewall of a fluid chamber, and a substantially flat, longitudinally extending indicator surface disposed on at least one side of the barrel. Preferably, the subject syringe includes two opposing, outwardly facing, longitudinally extending, substantially flat indicator surfaces suitable for printing dosage indicia on the syringe.

[0002] One embodiment of the present invention also includes a needle retraction mechanism and a laterally offset needle retraction cavity, the needle retraction cavity being generally coextensive with the length of the barrel's fluid chamber. The barrel and needle retraction cavity can be laterally slid relative to the needle, laterally moving the needle retraction cavity to coaxially align it with the needle, thereby selectively retracting the needle after injection. The laterally offset needle retraction cavity, having sufficient length, allows for the selective use of longer retractable needles used in conventional safety syringes with retractable needles, thereby expanding the range of possible uses and procedures for the device without increasing the overall length of the syringe. Depending on the needle length, these uses and procedures include, for example, performing spinal taps, administering epidural anesthesia, aspirating cysts, and other procedures, including intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections.

[0003] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a syringe having a barrel with a generally cylindrical fluid chamber, a needle retraction cavity parallel to and laterally spaced from the fluid chamber, and at least one generally flat, outward-facing display surface onto which indicia, such as dosage graduations, can be applied using a conventional pad printing process. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a syringe having a barrel with two opposing generally flat surfaces onto which the same or different indicia can be pad printed without rotating the barrel, even when printing on 1 mL, 0.5 mL, or smaller syringes. The generally flat display surfaces also facilitate the application of indicia to syringes by other processes, such as embossing, injection molding, etc.

[0004] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a medical syringe having a barrel and plunger as described above in combination with a forehead attachment having a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle, the forehead attachment and barrel preferably being configured to cooperate such that the forehead attachment slidably engages the front of the barrel along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis through the needle.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention, as described in connection with paragraph

[0001] above, embodies a needle safety device having a needle tip shield extending circumferentially around the needle and preferably coaxially aligned with the needle. The needle tip shield is connected to or integrally molded with an elongated actuation handle, which is also preferably part of the needle safety device and slidably engages with the barrel. The needle safety device of this embodiment of the present invention does not require a needle retraction mechanism or needle retraction cavity to protect the user from an accidental needlestick injury, nor does it require lateral sliding movement of the barrel relative to the needle. After use of this embodiment of the syringe, manual pressure is applied to the contact surface of the actuation handle located behind the needle and needle tip shield, selectively advancing the needle tip shield to protect the user from a forwardly protruding needle tip. The actuation handle slidably engages with the syringe barrel and is slidable forward relative to the barrel from a first position in which the needle tip is uncovered to a second position in which the needle tip is surrounded by the needle tip shield and protected from an accidental needlestick injury. The forward-slidable needle safety device of this embodiment incorporates a stop surface that prevents subsequent rearward movement of the device relative to the syringe barrel, thereby protecting the user from subsequent accidental exposure of the needle tip and associated needlestick injuries. This embodiment of the invention combines the benefits of a flat, printable surface with more readable volume markings with the cost benefits of a simpler, yet still effective, easy-to-use needle safety device to provide a safer, more affordable solution, particularly for people who require frequent injections to treat various chronic health conditions. Furthermore, because users can more easily read the dosage markings or markings, the risk of administering an incorrect amount of medication to a patient is reduced, thereby reducing the risk of other unintended consequences. [Background technology]

[0006] Medical syringes typically have barrels with generally cylindrical inner and outer walls, which means that volumetric dose indicia and other markings are applied to the arcuate outer surfaces during manufacturing. This is a challenging task, particularly when the available outer surface area is very limited due to small barrel diameters or small radiuses of curvature of the outer walls (e.g., 1 mL, 0.5 mL, and smaller syringes), or when syringes have different dose graduations or other indicia on both sides of the barrel. In such cases, it is often difficult to read indicia such as dose graduations and associated numerical or other markings because these indicia wrap around the barrel's circumference, and because indicia or markings on one side can be seen through the syringe, potentially confusing users and sometimes leading to medical malpractice. For at least these reasons, there is a need for syringes with generally flat surfaces for use in applying dose and other indicia.

[0007] Medical syringes in which a rearwardly biased needle retracts into a retraction cavity coaxially aligned within the plunger are known and have been disclosed in the past, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,049,133, 5,053,010, 5,084,018, and 6,090,077. More recently, a medical syringe having a frontal attachment containing a rearwardly biased needle, the needle retracting into a needle retraction cavity that is part of the frontal attachment, has been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 9,381,309.

[0008] More recently, medical syringes have been disclosed that have a forehead attachment that slidably engages a barrel having a needle retraction cavity that is integrally molded with the barrel and disposed parallel to the fluid chamber. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 9,814,841 (FIGS. 37-42), the needle retraction cavity has a length that is significantly shorter than the length of the fluid chamber within the barrel, and therefore cannot cooperate with the outer wall of the barrel to form a substantially flat outer surface adjacent to and substantially coextensive with the fluid chamber.

[0009] Other documents that disclose devices that may be somewhat similar to various aspects or embodiments of the present invention include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,976, U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,738, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,828, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,696, U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,402, U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,461, U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,534, U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,372, U.S. Pat. No. 9,623,192, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0065488 A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0038171 A1, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0159706 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disclosed medical syringe comprises a one-piece barrel having a fluid chamber and a laterally offset needle retraction cavity, the fluid chamber and the needle retraction cavity being generally parallel and separated by a common wall. The needle retraction cavity has a non-circular cross-section and preferably is generally the same length as the fluid chamber. This allows for the retraction of a longer needle without increasing the overall length of the barrel, allowing for the use of longer needles, such as safety syringes in which the needle retracts into the barrel after use. The barrel further comprises an outer wall having at least one generally flat, outward-facing display surface, on which indicia, such as volumetric dosage indicia, can be applied using conventional pad printing techniques or other alternative means having similar effect. The at least one generally flat display surface is preferably located adjacent to the fluid chamber and preferably includes metering indicia. The metering indicia are longitudinally aligned with at least an infusion or aspiration portion of the fluid chamber useful for infusing or aspirating fluid. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, two generally planar longitudinally coextensive surfaces are arranged back to back, each spanning at least a portion of the outer wall of the fluid chamber and at least a portion of the outer wall of the needle retraction cavity.

[0011] The present invention is particularly useful for syringes with a usable volume of 1 mL or less. Because these syringes typically have small barrel diameters, the volumetric dose markings applied to the exterior surface are wrapped around most of the barrel circumference. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, pad printing techniques (sometimes referred to as "tampography") are used to apply the volumetric dose markings or other markings to the syringe's generally flat display surface. The needle retraction cavity can be fabricated (preferably molded from a suitable polymeric material) with a non-circular cross-section and is laterally offset from the barrel during manufacturing to facilitate the formation of a wider, outwardly facing, substantially flat display surface. The generally flat display surface preferably includes at least one surface adjacent the barrel's fluid chamber. This surface allows for volumetric dose markings or other markings to be molded into the otherwise flat display surface, or for the markings to be embossed on or in the display surface, if desired.

[0012] Another embodiment of the syringe of the present invention includes a combination of the aforementioned barrel and plunger with a forehead attachment having a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle. The forehead attachment and barrel are preferably cooperatively configured so that the forehead attachment slidably engages the front of the barrel along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis through the needle. When the syringe is positioned for use, the needle is aligned with a first opening in the front of the barrel, which communicates with a generally cylindrical fluid chamber within the barrel, establishing a coaxially aligned fluid flow path between the fluid chamber and the needle. A fluid seal is preferably mounted around the first opening to prevent fluid leakage between the forehead attachment and the barrel. A needle retraction cavity extends rearward from a second opening in the front of the barrel, parallel to and spaced from the fluid chamber of the barrel, and preferably shares a common wall with at least a portion of the fluid chamber. After use of the syringe, relative lateral movement between the barrel and forehead attachment repositions the rearwardly biased needle into coaxial alignment with the needle retraction cavity, so that the needle does not protrude forward from the syringe, as it has been forced into the retracted position by a biasing means, typically a compression spring.

[0013] Another embodiment of the syringe of the present invention provides a medical syringe with a wide, generally flat display surface in which the integral barrel and needle retraction cavity cooperate with a generally flat edge of the peripheral flange to prevent the syringe from falling off a tray or other flat surface. The generally flat surface also allows the flange around the barrel to be proportionally narrower than that of conventional syringes with tubular barrels, thereby providing a larger surface area and facilitating user understanding of the display surface. The opposing generally flat surfaces also provide improved stability, thereby increasing the degree of control the user has over the syringe during an injection or other procedure. The syringe of the present invention provides at least one, and preferably two, opposing generally flat, outward-facing surface areas because the barrel with the laterally offset needle retraction cavity can be integrally molded with the fluid chamber. This surface area is useful for placing volume graduations or other indicia for ease of reading by the user, reducing the likelihood of dosage errors during aspiration or injection.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention combines a syringe of the present invention with a selectively removable needle cover that includes a locking member configured to engage a portion of the barrel to prevent lateral sliding movement of the barrel relative to the forehead attachment, thereby preventing accidental retraction of the needle prior to use of the syringe. Retracting the needle after use of the syringe reduces the reusability of the syringe, the potential for accidental needle sticks, and the potential for accidental infection with blood-borne pathogens.

[0015] Another embodiment of the present invention combines the syringe of the present invention with a plunger cap that is removably attached to the rear of the syringe, typically behind the finger flange, and can be selectively removed prior to aspirating or using fluid. When both the needle cover and plunger cap are in place, the fluid contact between the needle and the syringe interior is enclosed and protected from contamination, regardless of whether the syringe is enclosed in a separate package. This allows the syringes to be assembled and shipped together before packaging and sterilization.

[0016] Syringes of the present invention are particularly useful for administering relatively small amounts of medicinal fluids, such as insulin or vaccines, to a user by injection or infusion, although the structure and operation of the device are not limited to any particular size, dosage, or procedure. For example, syringes disclosed herein may be configured for use in withdrawing fluid samples from a patient in clinical procedures such as knee or spinal taps. By using a forehead attachment in combination with the novel barrel of the present invention, the overall length of the syringe is reduced, allowing the use of a longer needle, which can be retracted into the syringe after use. As used in this disclosure, the terms "retracted" or "retraction" refer to the process by which a force acting on the needle pushes or pulls the needle tip rearward from a forward-extending position, moving the needle tip from a forward-extending use position to a post-use position where it does not protrude forward from the forehead attachment.

[0017] Another embodiment of a medical syringe is disclosed, which includes a longitudinally extending tubular fluid chamber, a barrel having at least one longitudinally extending, outwardly facing, generally flat indicator surface disposed proximate the fluid chamber, a plunger slidably inserted into the fluid chamber, a needle protruding forward from the barrel and in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, and a needle safety device of a predetermined length. The needle safety device preferably includes an actuation handle slidably engaged with the barrel and a forwardly protruding needle tip shield surrounding the needle. In a first stop position, the needle tip shield is positioned around the nose of the barrel. In a second stop position, manual pressure applied to move the actuation handle forward after use of the syringe causes the needle tip shield to move forward and surround and cover the tip of the needle.

[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a needle safety device that preferably embodies one, or preferably two opposing, generally flat indicator surfaces, and also has a needle tip shield that extends circumferentially around the needle and is preferably coaxially aligned with the needle. The needle tip shield is attached to, connected to, or integrally formed with, an actuation handle that slidably engages the barrel. Suitable rails, ramps, stop shoulders, detents, or other similarly effective means are preferably provided as part of the needle safety device and barrel so that the actuation handle advances smoothly with little interference when desired and does not later accidentally retract, exposing the needle tip. The needle safety device of this embodiment of the present invention does not require a needle retraction mechanism, needle retraction cavity, or lateral sliding movement of the barrel relative to the needle to protect the user from accidental needlestick injuries. After use of the syringe, manual pressure is applied to the contact surface of the actuation handle located behind the needle and needle tip shield, which selectively advances the needle tip shield to protect the user from a forward-protruding needle tip. The actuation handle is slidably engaged with the syringe barrel and is slidable forward relative to the barrel from a first position in which the needle tip is uncovered to a second position in which the needle tip is surrounded by a needle tip shield and protected from accidental needle sticks. When the needle safety device is fully extended relative to the barrel, the needle tip is preferably positioned completely inside the needle tip shield, so that a person handling a used syringe will not accidentally suffer a needle stick injury by simply placing their fingertip over the tip of the syringe.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the actuation handle further comprises a hand-engageable touch surface.

[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, the barrel and actuation handle include cooperatively engageable elements that allow for manually controllable longitudinal sliding movement of the actuation handle relative to the barrel between two predetermined stop positions: the first stop position is a fully retracted use position in which the needle tip shield substantially surrounds the nose, and the second stop position is a fully extended post-use position in which the needle tip shield surrounds the forwardly projecting tip of the needle.

[0021] While in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the forwardly projecting needle is fixedly disposed in the nose of the barrel, it will be understood by those reading this disclosure that similarly configured syringes can be made with needles configured for selective attachment to the barrel.

[0022] These and other features of the present invention will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description of various embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] The syringe of the present invention is further described in relation to the following drawings, which are not necessarily to scale. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, showing the syringe of the present invention in the position in which it is packaged, shipped, and stored, with the needle cover (including a locking member) and plunger end cap in place, and the needle cover's locking member restricting lateral sliding movement of the barrel relative to the forehead attachment prior to use. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the needle cover removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a detailed exploded perspective view, partially cut away, of the forehead attachment shown juxtaposed to the front of the barrel of the embodiment of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 7 is a rear perspective view of the frontal attachment of FIG. 3 as seen from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with the plunger cap removed and the plunger retracted into the aspirated position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with the needle retracted and the plunger fully advanced within the barrel. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 12 with the forehead attachment repositioned relative to the barrel and the needle retracted to the position shown in FIGS. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a top front perspective view of another embodiment of the syringe of the present invention, with both the needle cap and plunger cap shown in place as when the syringe is first removed from its packaging. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows the syringe embodiment shown in FIG. 14 with the needle cap and plunger cap removed. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 illustrates the syringe embodiment shown in FIG. 15 with the needle safety mechanism moved forward relative to the barrel and needle, and the needle tip shield surrounding and covering the needle tip. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an exploded top perspective view of the syringe embodiment of FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a side view of the syringe embodiment of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a top view of the syringe embodiment of FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an opposite side view of the syringe embodiment of FIG. 15 rotated 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis. [Figure 22] 22 is a side view of the syringe embodiment of FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 23] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the needle of the syringe of the embodiment of FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 , syringe 20 includes barrel 22, which further includes a generally planar display surface 23, a forehead attachment 24, an outer wall 25 of fluid chamber 75 (visible in FIG. 9 ), a selectively removable needle cover 26, volumetric measuring indicia 27, a finger flange 28, a removable plunger cap 30, and a locking member 40. As shown in FIG. 1 , primary volumetric measuring indicia 27 are applied to display surface 23. The volumetric measuring indicia include, for example, Arabic numerals indicating fluid units and associated primary metric indicia. Note that the numerals shown in the drawings are for illustrative purposes and are not drawn to scale, and the placement of some features, such as secondary unit indicia 27, relative to generally planar display surface 23 may be varied from their illustrated locations. At least a portion of each of the minor (individual) unit indicia or marks preferably begins at the display surface 23 or proximate an edge of the display surface 23, and optionally extends a short distance into the curved outer wall 25 of the fluid chamber. Such an arrangement is recognized to be within the capabilities of known pad printing technology, now readily available to those skilled in the art.

[0025] 1, the forehead attachment 24 of the syringe 20 is shown in a "pre-use" configuration. Prior to use, the needle cover 26 and locking member 40 are positioned to prevent lateral movement of the forehead attachment 24 relative to the barrel 22, as pressure may inadvertently be applied to the textured touchpad 46 or the opposite surface of the barrel 22. To prevent accidental withdrawal of the plunger (not shown) from the barrel 22 and to prevent inadvertent contamination of the interior of the rear opening of the barrel 22 or around the handle portion extending rearward of the plunger (see FIG. 9), a removable plunger cap 30 is provided rearward of the finger flange 28, as will be described below.

[0026] 2, 4-5, and 12, the barrel 22 and forehead attachment 24 of the syringe 20 are shown in the same position as in FIG. 1, except that the needle cover 26 (with locking member 40) has been removed. The forward opening of the needle retraction cavity 92 is shown, with the needle 34 protruding forward from the needle support member 32 of the forehead attachment 24. A plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially tapered ribs 33 are disposed about the needle support member 32 to provide a surface for frictional engagement with the inner surface of the needle cover 26 prior to removal. In FIG. 2, the needle 34 is preferably aligned coaxially with a longitudinal axis passing through the fluid chamber 75 (FIG. 9).

[0027] 3, the needle cap 26 of the syringe 20 further includes a forward-facing, inwardly tapering, generally cylindrical sidewall having a front end 36, a rearward-facing annular collar 38, and a locking member 40 projecting rearwardly from the annular collar 38. The forehead attachment 24 further includes a forwardly projecting, generally tubular needle support member 32 having a front opening 42, an upper guide member 44, a lower guide member 45 (see FIG. 7), and a laterally projecting textured touch pad 46.

[0028] The syringe 20 preferably includes a needle 34 having a forward-facing, beveled needle tip 48, and a needle retraction mechanism including a compression coil spring 50 and a needle holder 52. The needle holder 52 includes an elongated shaft 54 ​​with a tubular bore 58 into which the rear of the spring 50 can be inserted. The diameter of a head 56 of the needle holder 52 is sufficiently larger than the inner diameter of the spring 50 so that the spring 50 is held in a compressed state by the head 56 when the forehead attachment 24 slidably engages the front portion 64 of the barrel 22, as described below in connection with Figures 6 and 7. The rear end of the needle 34 is insertable into the tubular bore 58 of the needle holder 52 and is fixedly attached to the interior of the elongated shaft 54 ​​by any suitable means, such as adhesive, which is commercially available. While the needle retraction mechanism disclosed herein is sufficient for use within syringe 20, it will be understood that other similar elements and mechanisms that provide a similar effect and are useful for biasing needle 34 rearwardly within syringe 20 may also be used in the practice of the present invention.

[0029] 3, an annular polymeric fluid seal 60 having a tubular bore 62 is preferably insertable into a recess 66 in the front 64 of the barrel 22. When the needle retraction mechanism is disposed within the forehead attachment 24 and the forehead attachment 24 is slidably engaged with the front 64 of the barrel 22, the forward-facing end of the seal 60 abuts the rearward-facing head 56 of the needle holder 52. During manufacture, when the forehead attachment 24 of the syringe 20 is assembled to the front 64 of the barrel 22, a continuous, generally linear fluid flow path is formed through the needle 34, the needle holder 52, and the annular fluid seal 60 and into a tubular, longitudinally extending fluid chamber 75 (see FIG. 9).

[0030] In addition to the front portion 64, the barrel 22 further includes a generally flat display surface 23, a curved outer wall surface 25, a finger flange 28, and a rearwardly projecting annular collar 70. During assembly of the syringe 20, an elastomeric plunger seal 76 is preferably placed on a forwardly projecting boss 74 at the front end of the plunger handle 72 opposite the rearwardly facing plunger thumb pad 78, and the plunger handle 72 is then inserted into the rearwardly facing opening defined by the annular collar 70. Assembly of the syringe 20 is completed by attaching a generally cylindrical plunger cap 30 to the rearwardly facing end of the barrel 22. The plunger cap 30 further includes an open front end 80, a cylindrical bore 82, and a closed rear end 84. The plunger cap 30 fits around the plunger thumb pad 78 and frictionally engages the outer wall of the annular collar 70. The volumetric indicia 27 described in connection with FIG. 1 are also found on the generally flat viewing surface 23 and on the outwardly facing portion of the curved outer wall surface 25 .

[0031] 3, 6, and 11 further illustrate the forward-facing opening within needle retraction cavity 92 relative to front 64 of barrel 22. Needle retraction cavity 92 has a closed rear end adjacent finger flange 28 and is bounded by side wall 90, side wall 95, bottom wall 94, and top wall, which also includes upwardly facing, generally flat, viewing surface 23 of barrel 22.

[0032] Assembly of the forehead attachment 24 to the front portion 64 of the barrel 22 of the syringe 20 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Referring to FIG. 6, the annular fluid seal 60 (see FIG. 3) is first inserted into the recess 66 in the front portion 64 of the barrel 22. The front portion 64 further includes laterally extending upper and lower rails 68, 69, which are disposed transversely to a longitudinal axis passing through the fluid chamber 75 (FIG. 9) of the barrel 22. Rounded mounting guides 96, 98 are disposed forward of the upper and lower rails 68, 69, respectively, and the forehead attachment 24 is configured to be assembled to the front portion 64 of the barrel 22 by passing the upper and lower arms connected to the textured touchpad 46 to the rear surface of the forehead attachment 24.

[0033] 7, an annular opening 112 is provided in the rear of the forehead attachment 24. The opening 112 allows for the insertion of the spring 50 and needle holder 52 described with reference to FIG. 3. The spring 50 is preferably compressed between annular shoulders (see FIG. 11) within the front opening 42 and is held compressed behind the head 56 of the needle holder 52 while the forehead attachment 24 slides over the front 64 of the barrel 22. The forehead attachment 24 further includes an upper guide 44 having a downwardly facing, laterally extending recess 100 and a lower guide 45 having an upwardly facing, laterally extending recess 102. The upper ramp 104 and lower ramp 106 of the forehead attachment 24 have blocking shoulders 77, 79, respectively, and are configured to slide over two sets of laterally spaced, opposing ramps (the lower set is not visible in FIG. 6). When the forehead attachment 24 and front portion 64 are in the position shown in FIG. 6, sliding the forehead attachment 24 over the front portion 64 of the barrel 22 preferably causes the laterally extending upper and lower rails 68, 69 of the front portion 64 of the barrel 22 to cooperatively engage the upper and lower recesses 100, 102, respectively. When pressure is applied to the textured touch surface 46, the forehead attachment 24 moves along the rails 68, 69, causing the upper and lower blocking shoulders 108 of the upper guide 44 to pass over and then face the upper and lower blocking shoulders 77. At this time, the needle support member 32 and needle holder 52 (not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) are preferably aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the fluid chamber 75 (see FIG. 9). Because the upper and lower blocking shoulders 77 of the front portion 64 and the upper and lower blocking shoulders 108, 110 of the forehead attachment 24 are in opposing contact, the forehead attachment 24 will not return to the separated position (FIG. 6).

[0034] 4 and 5 show the syringe 20 of FIG. 2 with the needle cover removed, the plunger cap 30 in place, and the textured touch surface 46 in the initial position described above relative to the barrel 22. The needle 34 is positioned in the inner bore 58 of the needle holder 52, which is mounted within the needle support member 32 of the forehead attachment 24, with the spring 50 compressed between the head 56 (FIG. 3) of the needle holder 52. The needle holder 52 and needle 34 are biased rearward by the spring 50, which urges the needle 34 against and abuts the front face of the annular fluid seal 60. This establishes a coaxially aligned fluid passageway through the needle 34, needle holder 52, and fluid seal 60 and into the fluid chamber 75 (see FIG. 9) of the generally cylindrical barrel 22. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plunger seal 76 is pushed fully forward into the generally cylindrical fluid chamber 75 of the barrel 22.

[0035] 8-9, the syringe 20 is configured for fluid aspirating, with the textured touchpad 46 in the initial position described above. The plunger cap 30 (see FIGS. 2, 4-5) has been removed, and the plunger handle 72 is retracted, as if for aspirating fluid into the fluid chamber 75. In FIG. 9, the needle retraction cavity 92 is approximately the same length as the fluid chamber 75. This allows the volumetric indicia 27 to be positioned on a substantially flat surface 23 (see FIG. 3), thereby fully utilizing the volume of the fluid chamber 75 and also permitting the retraction of needles, such as biopsy needles, that are significantly longer than the needle 34 (seen in the needle retraction cavity 92 in FIG. 11). Once fluid has been aspirated into the fluid chamber 75, the fluid can be injected into a patient or withdrawn from the fluid chamber 75 by pressing the plunger thumb pad 78 forward and applying finger pressure against the forward-facing surface of the flange 28.

[0036] 10-11 and 13, the plunger handle 72 and plunger seal 76 are pushed forward to empty the fluid chamber 75. To initiate needle retraction, pressure is applied to the textured touch pad 46, which moves the forehead attachment and aligns the needle support member 32 with the needle retraction cavity 92. Because the front opening of the needle retraction cavity 92 is larger than the head 56 of the repositioned needle holder 52, the needle holder 52 is pushed rearward by the biasing force of the compression spring 52, and the needle holder 52 and needle 34 move into the distal end of the needle retraction cavity 92.

[0037] 6 and 7, with respect to the barrel 22 described with reference to Figures 10-11, application of further force to the textured touch surface 46 of the forehead attachment 24 causes a relative sliding movement between the forehead attachment 24 and the front portion 64 of the barrel 22. This movement causes the upper and lower sloped surfaces 104, 106 to slide past the second set of opposing ramps and blocking shoulders 79, so that the upper and lower blocking shoulders 108, 110 abut against the upper and lower blocking shoulders 79. This prevents the forehead attachment 24 from returning to the use position relative to the barrel 22.

[0038] 14-24 in general, and FIGS. 14-17 in particular, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, comprising a syringe 200 including a barrel 210, a needle safety device 212, a needle cap 214, and a plunger cap 216. The barrel 210 preferably includes at least one longitudinally extending, generally planar indicator surface 220 with easily readable volumetric indicia. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the barrel 210 includes two opposing, generally planar indicator surfaces 220, 236 (FIG. 16). Removal of the needle cap 214 and plunger cap 216 (FIG. 14) from the device reveals a forwardly projecting needle 225 and a rearwardly projecting plunger 224 (FIG. 15). Needle 225 is coaxially aligned with plunger 224 and is fixedly held in a narrow bore 250 inside nose 234 (FIGS. 16, 17, 20) at the forward end of barrel 210. (Alternatively, it will be appreciated that needle 225 and nose 234 may be cooperatively configured, with needle 225 being removably attached to nose 234 if desired, to allow needles of various sizes to be used with barrel 234.)

[0039] The bore 250 places the needle 225 in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir located within the tubular barrel 258 between the nose 234 and a plunger seal 260 at the forward end of the plunger handle 240. The fluid chamber is not visible when the plunger handle 240 is pushed fully forward against the rear end of the nose 234 of the barrel 210 before ( FIG. 20 ) or after ( FIG. 23 ) an injection. As will be described below, when the syringe 200 is prepared for an injection, the fluid reservoir is the space (not visible in these views) within the tubular portion 258 that is between the rear of the nose 234 and the front of the plunger seal 260 when fluid is drawn into the syringe 200.

[0040] 17, the needle safety device 212 also includes an actuation handle 228 and a needle tip shield 232. The actuation handle 228 further includes a rear end 268, a touch pad 226, and a pair of longitudinally extending channels 227 located on either side of the actuation handle 228. The function of the channels 227 will be described below in connection with the sliding engagement with the barrel 210. The needle tip shield 232 further includes an inner bore 248 that is coaxially aligned with the needle 225 and with the nose 234 of the barrel 210. The needle tip shield 232 desirably has an inner diameter that allows the needle tip shield 232 to slidably surround the coaxially aligned nose 234 when in the position shown in FIGS. 15 and 21, and is long enough to safely cover the tip of the needle 225 when moved forward as shown in FIGS. 16, 22-23. A slight frictional engagement between the inner wall of the needle tip shield 232 and the nose 234 may be provided to hold the needle safety device 212 in an axially stable position relative to the barrel 210 during use of the syringe 200. The needle safety device 212 is desirably unitarily molded from a polymeric material and is cooperatively sized and configured to slidably engage the barrel 210, taking into account the range of needle lengths intended for use with the syringe 200.

[0041] 17, barrel 210 further includes a coaxially aligned nose 234 having an internal bore 250 and a tubular portion 258 extending rearwardly from nose 234 to finger flange 218. The rearward end of tubular portion 258 is open and communicates with the interior of cylindrical, rearwardly extending collar 230, to which plunger cap 216 is removably attached. Opposite indicia display surfaces 220, 236 (FIG. 16) are preferably parallel, longitudinally extending, substantially flat, printable surfaces, each having opposing volumetric graduations with appropriate indicia disposed adjacent tubular portion 258 to allow a user to easily read the liquid level within tubular portion 258. A longitudinally extending rail 256 having an inwardly projecting retention end 254 is preferably provided on the inwardly facing wall of each of the outwardly facing indicia display surfaces 220, 236. The longitudinally extending rails 256 are cooperatively sized to provide a smooth, slidable interface along each of the aligned channels 227 of the needle safety device 212. The barrel 210 is preferably molded from a medical-grade polymeric material and has sufficient transparency to allow a user to easily view the level of fluid drawn into the tubular portion 258 of the syringe 200. Additionally, with reference to FIG. 17 , the plunger 224 further includes a thumb cap 238, a plunger handle 240, a plunger seal retainer body 266, and an annular recess 264.

[0042] The cooperatively configured structural elements and operation of the needle safety device 212 relative to the barrel 210 of the syringe 200 are further described and illustrated in connection with Figures 15-17, 20, and 22-23. During assembly of the syringe 200, the actuation handle 228 of the needle safety device 212 is aligned with and inserted over the tubular portion 258 of the barrel 210, with the rail 256 engaging the channel 227. As the needle safety device 212 moves rearwardly relative to the barrel 210, the needle tip shield 232 surrounds the nose 234 of the barrel 210 and the rear end 268 of the needle safety device 212 frictionally engages the oppositely disposed rear stop 246. The sliding stop 242 has a ramp portion 244 and a stop shoulder 252, which are located rearward of the rail 256 and forward of the rear stop 246. Oppositely disposed ramps 244 allow the actuation handle 228 to slide forward relative to the barrel 210 to a position where the needle tip shield 232 covers and protects the tip of the needle 225 after use of the syringe 210. After the tip of the needle 225 is covered, oppositely facing stop shoulders 252 prevent the actuation handle 228 from moving rearward relative to the barrel 210 and re-exposing the needle tip.

[0043] 15 and 20-21 relative to the barrel 210 and needle 225 (referred to as the "first stop position"), the needle tip shield 232 surrounds the nose 234 of the barrel and a portion of the needle 225. When the needle safety device 212 of the syringe 200 is in the first stop position, the tip of the needle 225 can be inserted through the stopper of a medicine vial (e.g., an insulin bottle) and medication can be drawn into a fluid reservoir located within the tubular portion 258 of the barrel 210 (FIGS. 17 and 20) by pulling rearward on the plunger 224, which slidably engages the inner wall of the tubular portion 258.

[0044] Following an injection or other use of the syringe 200, the syringe 200 can be reconfigured to a "safe" configuration in which the needle tip is covered and protected from inadvertent contact with a healthcare professional or a patient by selectively moving the needle safety device 212 forward to the position shown in Figures 16 and 22-23 (the "second stop position"). When the syringe 200 is configured with the needle safety device 212 in the second stop position, the tip of the needle 225 is circumscribed by the needle tip shield 232, and the forward end of the needle tip shield 232 extends sufficiently forward of the tip of the needle 225 (as shown in Figures 16 and 23) so that a person will not suffer an unintentional needlestick injury even if the front end of the syringe 200 is pressed against the skin.

[0045] Various other modifications and variations to the embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.

Claims

1. a barrel comprising: (1) a fluid chamber having a longitudinally extending tubular sidewall; (2) a nose disposed forward of the fluid chamber; (3) a rearwardly facing opening; and (4) two oppositely disposed, generally flat, parallel indicator surfaces extending longitudinally along the tubular sidewall and fixedly disposed relative to the fluid chamber, each of the two indicator surfaces having an inwardly projecting retention edge on an inwardly facing wall, a longitudinally extending rail, at least one slide stop disposed on the inwardly facing wall, and volumetric scale indicia disposed on an outwardly facing wall adjacent the tubular sidewall to facilitate reading of a liquid level in the fluid chamber through at least a portion of the tubular sidewall; a plunger slidably inserted into the fluid chamber through the rearwardly facing opening; a needle projecting forward from the nose and in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; a needle safety device comprising a needle tip shield and an actuation handle disposed rearwardly of the needle tip shield, the actuation handle having a longitudinally extending channel disposed on each side thereof; It is equipped with each longitudinally extending channel configured to engage an inwardly projecting retention end to provide a slidable interface with a corresponding longitudinally extending channel to allow the needle safety device to slide relative to the barrel between a first stop position and a second stop position; the needle tip shield surrounds the nose when the needle safety device is in the first stop position; When the needle safety device moves forward from the first stop position to the second stop position, the needle tip shield surrounds the tip of the needle and the rear end of the actuation handle engages with the at least one slide stop, preventing the needle safety device from moving rearward relative to the barrel and re-exposing the tip of the needle.

2. A syringe as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one slide stop portion is positioned behind a rail extending in the longitudinal direction of each of the two marking display surfaces.

3. 2. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the volumetric graduation indicia are applied to the outwardly facing wall of each of the two indicia display surfaces by at least one of a group of application methods consisting of molding, stamping, embossing, and printing.

4. 4. The syringe of claim 3, wherein the volume graduation markings are applied by pad printing.

5. The syringe of claim 1 , wherein the actuation handle further comprises a touchpad.

6. 2. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the first rest position is a fully retracted use position in which the needle tip shield substantially surrounds the nose, exposing the tip of the needle.

7. 7. The syringe of claim 6, wherein the second rest position is a fully extended, post-use position in which the needle tip shield surrounds the tip of the needle.

8. The syringe of claim 1 , wherein the needle is fixedly disposed in the nose of the barrel.

9. The syringe of claim 1 , further comprising a removable needle cap configured to selectively cover the tip of the needle when the needle safety device is in the first rest position.

10. The syringe of claim 1 further comprising a plunger cap.

11. The syringe of claim 1 , wherein the plunger further comprises a plunger seal and a thumb cap.

12. 11. The syringe of claim 10, wherein the barrel further comprises a rearwardly facing collar configured to engage and support the plunger cap.

13. 13. The syringe of claim 12, further comprising a laterally projecting finger flange disposed forward of the rearwardly facing collar.

14. The syringe of claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the touchpad extends outward beyond the outer edges of the two indicia display surfaces.

15. 2. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the volumetric graduation markings laterally overlap at least a portion of the tubular sidewall of the barrel.

16. 16. The syringe of claim 15, wherein the volume graduation indicia are positioned adjacent to a portion of the tubular sidewall of the fluid chamber such that the liquid level and the volume graduation indicia are simultaneously visible through the portion of the tubular sidewall.

17. 10. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the needle safety device does not include a spring.

18. The syringe of claim 1 , wherein the volume graduation markings are substantially flat.

19. the barrel further includes an outwardly projecting finger flange disposed near the rearwardly facing opening of the barrel; The syringe of claim 1 , wherein the two indicia display surfaces extend longitudinally from the finger flange along the tubular sidewall.

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