Surgery – Container for blood or body treating material – or means used... – Having hollow needle or spike for piercing container or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-22
2002-04-02
Seidel, Richard K. (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Container for blood or body treating material, or means used...
Having hollow needle or spike for piercing container or...
C141S330000, C141S375000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06364866
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of devices for facilitating the use of hypodermic syringes. More particularly, the present invent ion is an apparatus for improving the safety, efficiency and accuracy of loading hypodermic syringes from medicine vials.
2. The Relevant Technology
Devices designed to facilitate the loading of hypodermic syringes are common in the art. These devices range from very simple alignment devices to complicated electro-mechanical devices with levers, gearing and digital electronics. Many of these devices are designed for users who are sight-impared or who are physically impaired in some way which renders manipulation of small objects difficult.
The prior art contains many devices which help measure the amount of liquid entering the syringe. These include devices with audible signals that identify fixed amounts of liquid as they are loaded into the syringe. This is done through mechanical clicking devices as well as electrical and electronic beepers or synthesized voice. The object of this feature is to allow the sight-impaired user to load the correct dosage by audible indications independent of sight, however prior art devices which measure dosage with audible signals are typically complicated, and expensive.
Most syringes have graduated markings on the barrel section which indicate the volume of liquid held within the syringe. These markings are typically quite small and can be difficult to read—especially to the sight-impaired. Medicine vials also have labels printed in small text which identify the vial contents. Many patients, such as diabetics, may need injections with different formulations during a given time period. In this situation, vial identification becomes as critical as measuring the correct dosage quantity. What is needed is a device which will magnify the syringe markings and the vial label in order to make them more readable thereby facilitating the process of drawing a correct dosage of the proper medicine.
In order to extract a dosage of medicine, the syringe user must typically insert the syringe needle into a flexible self-sealing plug in the lid of a standard medicine vial. This plug, usually made of rubber or similar material is known as a septum. The septum is usually quite small and users often have difficulty inserting a needle into its small area. Missing the septum can result in contamination of the needle and injury to the user.
What is needed is a device that is specifically designed for the physically impaired user who may have poor or limited motor skills and decreased strength in the hands and fingers. The device must be ergonomically designed so that a physically impaired user can use the device without undue stress and pain. Furthermore, the device must be safe for the physically impaired user. This can be achieved through the use of a needle guide that completely surrounds the area into which the syringe is placed for loading.
Physically impaired users may also benefit from a device that can be mounted on a table or wall or other convenient location. This allows the user to manipulate the device without worrying about supporting or holding it.
Also needed is protection for fragile medicine vials while they are stored in the device. These vials can be easily broken and the cap and septum portion can be easily damaged from impact while handling. A device that holds the vial snugly and surrounds the vial protecting it from impact is necessary for patient users who may need injections on-the-go or for professionals in a busy workplace as this allows the user to leave the vial in the loading aid between uses. Simplicity and portability are also important in a syringe loading aid.
Vials are easily damaged when the cap is wedged in a device but they must be held firmly to protect them during use. The solution to this problem is a snug fitting device with a specially designed ejection mechanism that properly ejects the vial from the device without twisting, prying or other undue force.
Devices that fit only one or few syringe sizes have limited utility. A device that services numerous standard syringe sizes is necessary for the professional user or the patient who must inject multiple medicines or dosages.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a syringe loading aid that is ergonomically designed for the physically impaired. The present invention has an hour-glass-like shape that narrows in the center and at the ends to provide an easy grip. Additionally, the edges of the present invention are knurled to eliminate slippage. This shape and surface treatment provide a sure grip for users even when motor skills and strength are compromised. Also, the present invention may be used in a number of positions as held in the hand, placed on an inclined or flat surface or mounted on a wall. This feature makes it more easily usable to the physically impaired as they do not have to concentrate on the orientation of the device while trying to extract a dosage.
A further object of the present invention is the prevention of injury from needle stabs and the preservation of a functional sterile needle. This is achieved with a 360 degree needle guide that serves to direct the syringe needle into a syringe compartment, prevent needle damage and user injury. The needle guide of the present invention completely surrounds the entrance to the syringe compartment so that a near miss in any direction will be guided back into the compartment. The hour-glass shape of the present invention also provides a hand grip at a safe distance from the needle guide entrance making finger injuries less likely.
Furthermore, the present invention includes a safety tab rising adjacent to the entrance to the syringe compartment which serves to prevent an errant needle from passing behind the device and into the user's hand. Not only the user, but the needle is threatened by a missed attempt at the syringe compartment. Needles may be bent, dulled or broken and their sterility may be compromised when a user misses the proper target.
An additional object of the present invention is protection of the vial while it is stored in the device. The present invention surrounds the vial's sides, neck and cap with a resilient plastic material, typically acrylic. This protects the vial from many impacts and allows the device to be placed in almost any position such as in a pocket or briefcase without threatening the vial's structural integrity or the sterility of the septum. In addition to surrounding portions of the vial, the present invention positively locks around the neck and the cap of the vial with a snap fit that snugly holds the vial in place so that is does not vibrate or rattle within the device. This further protects the vial from damage.
Because vials are quite fragile they can be difficult to remove from a snug fit. Twisting and prying can damage the cap, break the vial or compromise the seal. The present invention utilizes a push button release mechanism located directly adjacent to the location of the vial cap when it is snapped into the device. This mechanism allows for easy ejection of the vial from the device without damaging the vial. This allows for multiple insertion and ejection of a vial during its lifetime, enables the user to mix medicines from different vials in one syringe dosage and provides a way to remove a vial so it can be stored elsewhere while the device is used for another patient or injection type.
An additional object of the present invention is the ability to function with several syringe sizes. While syringes have evolved into standard size formats, several standard sizes remain due to the need for different dosage quantities. A professional and even a patient-user may be required to use syringes of different size during a given time period. Using multiple syringe loading aids would be uneconomical. Therefore, the present invention uses a novel friction-creating clenching mechanism, des
Dawe Andrew J.
Dawe Ian M.
Furr Douglas
Kirton & McConkie
Seidel Richard K.
Thissell Jeremy
LandOfFree
Syringe loading aid does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Syringe loading aid, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Syringe loading aid will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2905497