US3844318A - Syringe loading guide - Google Patents

Abstract

A syringe loading guide to permit accurate placement of a syringe needle into a medication bottle and to permit accurate incremental loading of the syringe; in which a template-like body receives the medication bottle and the syringe, locating them for the correct depth of the needle in the bottle; and having ribs calibrated to dosage increments for passage thereover by the plunger knob of the syringe as it is withdrawn.

Description

United States Patent Raia et a1.

1 1 Oct. 29, 1974 SYRINGE LOADING GUIDE Inventors: David C. Raia, 81 Ridge St.,

Arlington, Mass. 02174; Brewster H. Staples, l3 Squanto Rd., Woburn, Mass. 01801 Filed: Apr. 18, 1973 Appl. No.: 352,107

[52] US. Cl 141/27, 141/95, 128/218 C [51] Int.Cl B65b 3/32 [58] Field of Search 128/218 C; 141/1,2, 18, 141/27, 369-373, 375-378, 94, 95, 19, 329,

References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 10/1971 Le Marie 141/94 3,770,026 11/1973 lsenberg 141/94 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lawrence S. Cohen 11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIED um 29 1914 SHEET 10F 2 FIG. 3

FIG. 2

FIG. I

SYRINGE LOADING GUIDE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The loading of a syringe is a precision task usually done by a nurse or other trained person. Often, however, the loading must be done by the intended recipient of the medication by self-administration, or by some other non-professional. The difficulty observed with non-professional loading of syringes is multiplied when the person doing it is ill, elderly, or blind; a common situation when self-administration is called fool. In particular, in the cases of blind or nearly blind persons with diabetes, the repeated loading of syringes for the injection of insulin requires their dependance on some other person, or results in continual uncertainty as to whether a correct dosage has been loaded.

Diabetic retinopathy (blindness from diabetes) occurs normally after years of suffering from diabetes. It occurs only 5.7 percent of the time after one year of diabetes; but 58 percent of the time in diabetics of years duration. As the life expectancy of diabetics is prolonged by medical advances, the chances for retinopathy increases. Thus elderly diabetic retinopaths are ever increasing in number. The results of an incorrect dosage of insulin to a diabetic can be catastrophic and can cause permanent damage. Therefore the need for an aid in loading syringes is acute; and such aids must be designed to give confidence to the user in their continued accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of a medication bottle and a hypodermic syringe arranged as though in the guide of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially broken away, showing the guide and showing a syringe in place.

FIG. 4 is aside view, partially in section, of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of the incremental loading control part of the guide.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the incremental loading control part of the guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 3 show a syringe loading guide 1, in template form, whose body structure has a middle part 2 for receiving a syringe inopening 3; aforward part 4 for receiving a medication bottle; and an incrementalloading control part 5. The syringe receiving part 2 has its opening of such size and shape to receive a conventionalhypodermic syringe 6 such a shown in FIG. 2

along with amedication bottle 7, aligned in FIG. 2 as they would be in the guide I.

These hypodermic syringes may be made of plastic or glass or combinations thereof and often are equipped with a bevel or reduced diameter portion on the front of the barrel to receive a disposable needle assembly. One such syringe is the Monojet SOI-IN made by Sherwood Medical Industries, Inc., for use in injecting U-40 or U- insulin. This syringe has two scales on its barrel, each indicating up to one cubic centimeter of fluid. The U-80 scale is graduated from 0 to 80, each line on the scale being spaced about l/32 inch apart, and designating one unit of medication. The U-40 scale is graduated from O to 40, each line on the scale being spaced about 1/16 inch apart, and designating one unit of medication.

As shown in FIG. 2, the syringe comprises abarrel 8, aflange 9, aplunger 10, and a knob 11. The disposable needle assembly, as typically illustrated comprises aneedle 12 and abody 13. When thebody 13 is attached to thebarrel 8 it forms, for the purposes of this description, a part of thebarrel 8 and in particular defines theforward end 14 of thebarrel 8.

The middle or syringe receiving part 2 of the guide 1 has its opening 3 shaped to receive thesyringe 6 and hold it steady while permitting easy removal. In the forwardmost part of thesyringe receiving opening 3 is aregistration shoulder 15, which contacts theforward end 14 of thebarrel 8 when thesyringe 6 is placed in the guide 1; thus limiting forward movement of thesyringe 6. In the rearward part of thesyringe receiving opening 3 areflange slots 16 in whichflanges 9 resides and which limit rearward movement of the syringe during the loading procedure as described below.

Theforward part 4 has abottle registration shoulder 17 for contacting thetop 18 of themedication bottle 7 when the same is inserted in the bottle opening 19.

The incrementalloading control part 5 has opposed resilientcantilevered arms 20 and 20a withopposed ribs 21 and 21a thereon. The rib spacings or coarseness is calibrated with the syringe for which it is designed to be used, such that a rib space represents a predetermined amount of fluid in the syringe, as will be more fully understood from the operating instructions. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, theribs 21 and 21a must be in opposed alignment with each other and in operative interference with the path of movement of the knob 11, as will be more evident below.

In operation, amedication bottle 7 is'placed in the bottle opening 19 and into contact with thebottle registration shoulder 17. Then asyringe 6 is positioned generally above theopening 3, and theneedle 12 inserted into themedication bottle 7 until thesyringe 6 drops into theopening 3. Thesyringe 6 is then adjusted so that itsforward end 14 contacts theforward registration shoulder 15. This establishes a fixed penetration of theneedle 12 into thebottle 7 by reason of the distance 22, predetermined to result in the correct depth of penetration.

it is drawn rearward, pulling fluid from thebottle 7 into thesyringe 6. As the knob 11, between the fingers of the user, is drawn sequentially over theribs 21 and 21a, the sense of feel and/or hearing detects the clicks" as each rib pair is passed. Thus by knowing the number of ribs giving the desired dosage, the loading of the syringe may be completed without seeing the scale on the barrel of the syringe.

In FIG. 4 is shown means for more securely and conveniently receiving themedication bottle 7. Asupport 23 is attached to or integral with the loading guide 1 and has acavity 24 therein for receiving thebottle 7. Asoft pad 25, such as of foam plastic, may be provided for the bottle to rest upon, and may also include anend portion 26 to bia the bottle into contact with thebottle registration shoulder 17.

The guide 1 may be made of metal or plastic or other suitable material and may be constructed in one piece or an assembly of pieces.

FIG. shows an embodiment particulary of the incremental loading control portion. In FIG. 5 a singlerib carrying arm 27 is integral with theelongated loop 28 defining the loading control part5. In this form thecantilevered arm 29 serves to bias the plunger knob 11 against theribs 30 while the latter are relatively solidly positioned. It is also advantageous that thebearing surface 31 of thecantilevered arm 29 extend progressively closer to the ribs, i.e., further into the path of the knob 11; in order to provide a constant biasing force upon the knob 11. This may be done by widening thearm 29 as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment wherein theelongated loop 28 has arectangular seat 32 in which aremovable rib plug 33 is fitted and secured by means such as set screws 34. The rib plug 33 can be made of a variety of materials such as plastic, Teflon being a preferred example.

Various shapes are possible for the ribs as shown in the several figures. In FIG. 5 are shown rectangular ribs; in FIG. I rectangular ribs which are pitched rearward with the forward edge rounded; in FIG. 6 right triangular ribs. The shape of the ribs in FIG. I and especially in FIG. 6 are preferred to permit and assure a single and definitive click as the plunger knob 11 is drawn over it and also to provide smooth action. The preferred rib shapes provide the desired definate movement and also retain the postion of the knob 11 by reason of their shape rather than by having a strong biasing force pushing the knob against the ribs.

It is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the preferred embodiments herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

I. A guide for use with a hypodermic syringe of the type having a barrel; a needle extending from a forward end of the barrel; and a plunger terminating in a knob extending out of the rearward end of the barrel; said guide comprising;

a relatively rigid body structure having three parts;

a middle part having an opening therein for receiving a syringe; a forward part having an opening therein communi- 4 eating with the syringe receiving opening for receiving a medication bottle; means for fixing a predetermined distance between a medication bottle and a syringe when they are received in their respective openings;

a loading control part located rearward of said syringe receiving opening having at least one ribbed member extending rearwardly of said syringe receiving opening and in partial interference with the path of withdraw] movement of the plunger knob of a syringe emplaced in the guide for sequential contact by the plunger knob with the ribs as it is withdrawn; and

means for biasing such a knob against the ribbed member;

whereby a dosage bottle may be emplaced and a syringe inserted into the opening and the needle, be reason of the predetermined distance, inserted the correct distance into the bottle; whereupon the plunger may be withdrawn across a predetermined number of ribs of the ribbed member until a desired amount of fluid is drawn into the syringe; thus permitting a correct dosage to be drawn into the syringe by sensing the passage of the knob across the correct number of ribs.

2. The guide of claim 1 in which the means for fixing a predetermined distance comprises a forwardly located registration shoulder shoulder in the syringe receiving opening and a bottle registration shoulder in the bottle receiving opening.

3. The guide of claim 1 in which the biasing means comprises a second ribbed member, in opposed relationship to the ribbed member and each having opposed ribs.

4. The guide of claim 1 in which the biasing means comprises an arm cantilevered from the body structure and extending generally parallel in opposed relationship to the ribbed member.

5. The guide of claim 1 wherein the loading control part comprises means for detachably receiving the ribbed member.

6. The guide of claim 1 wherein the ribbed member and the biasing means comprise arms cantilevered from the body structure and extending generally parallel to each other in opposed relationship.

7. The guide ofclaim 5 wherein the loading control part comprises an elongated loop extending rearwardly from the middle part, said loop having an elongated seat therein for receiving a ribbed interchangeable plug.

8. The guide of claim 1 wherein the ribs of the ribbed member have their forward edges relatively rounded and their rearward edges relatively sharp.

9. The guide of claim 1 wherein the guide body structure comprises a template having a thichness, at least in its loading control part, less than the diameter of the knob of the hypodermic syringe.

10. The guide ofclaim 8 wherin the ribs of the ribbed member are pitched rearward.

11. The guide of claim 1 wherein the ribs are in the shape of a right triangle with the hypotenuse facing forward.

Claims (11)

1. A guide for use with a hypodermic syringe of the type having a barrel; a needle extending from a forward end of the barrel; and a plunger terminating in a knob extending out of the rearward end of the barrel; said guide comprising; a relatively rigid body structure having three parts; a middle part having an opening therein for receiving a syringe; a forward part having an opening therein communicating with the syringe receiving opening for receiving a medication bottle; means for fixing a predetermined distance between a medication bottle and a syringe when they are received in their respective openings; a loading control part located rearward of said syringe receiving opening having at least one ribbed member extending rearwardly of said syringe receiving opending and in partial interference with the path of withdrawl movement of the plunger knob of a syringe emplaced in the guide for sequential contact by the plunger knob with the ribs as it is withdrawn; and means for biasing such a knob against the ribbed member; whereby a dosage bottle may be emplaced and a syringe inserted into the opening and the needle, be reason of the predetermined distance, inserted the correct distance into the bottle; whereupon the plunger may be withdrawn across a predetermined number of ribs of the ribbed member until a desired amount of fluid is drawn into the syringe; thus permitting a correct dosage to be drawn into the syringe by sensing the passage of the knob across the correct number of ribs.

2. The guide of claim 1 in which the means for fixing a predetermined distance comprises a forwardly located registration shoulder shoulder in the syringe receiving Opening and a bottle registration shoulder in the bottle receiving opening.

3. The guide of claim 1 in which the biasing means comprises a second ribbed member, in opposed relationship to the ribbed member and each having opposed ribs.

4. The guide of claim 1 in which the biasing means comprises an arm cantilevered from the body structure and extending generally parallel in opposed relationship to the ribbed member.

5. The guide of claim 1 wherein the loading control part comprises means for detachably receiving the ribbed member.

6. The guide of claim 1 wherein the ribbed member and the biasing means comprise arms cantilevered from the body structure and extending generally parallel to each other in opposed relationship.

7. The guide of claim 5 wherein the loading control part comprises an elongated loop extending rearwardly from the middle part, said loop having an elongated seat therein for receiving a ribbed interchangeable plug.

8. The guide of claim 1 wherein the ribs of the ribbed member have their forward edges relatively rounded and their rearward edges relatively sharp.

9. The guide of claim 1 wherein the guide body structure comprises a template having a thichness, at least in its loading control part, less than the diameter of the knob of the hypodermic syringe.

10. The guide of claim 8 wherin the ribs of the ribbed member are pitched rearward.

11. The guide of claim 1 wherein the ribs are in the shape of a right triangle with the hypotenuse facing forward.

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