Infusion syringe

Abstract

A device for applying and measuring fluid pressure in the lumen of a syringe in communication with a tubular member attached to a needle inserted into the body of a disk found in the spinal column of the back. A pressure transducer is integrally mounted in the plunger of the syringe under the plunger tip, such that the force applied by the plunger to the fluid in the syringe is transmitted to the transducer and the resulting electronic signal is converted to a display value aiding the physician in diagnosing diseased disks in the back. Other uses of pressure applying monitoring syringes for other applications in communication with the body also benefit from the disclosed syringe construction, such as percutaneous translumenal angioplasty (PTA) procedures.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to an infusion syringe apparatus for applying and monitoring fluid pressure applied to the intervertebral disk of the spinal column, or more specifically, monitoring of the pressure applied through a needle or cannula through the annulus fibrosus of the disk and into the nucleus pulposus thus allowing the diagnosis of diseased or ruptured disks. The field may further include fluid pressure-inducing syringes and methods involved in percutaneous translumental angioplasty (PTA) procedures.

[0004] 2. State of the Art

[0005] Infusers utilized in diskography and balloon angioplasty are well known and established in medical practice. The tools typically applied to angioplasty have found application in other fields as well, such as opening diseased carotid arteries and improving or reestablishing blood flow to the extremities of diabetics and similar purposes. Similar tools have been used in the field of pain diagnosis and management related to orthopedic procedures related to the spine.

[0006] The number of failed or ineffectual spine surgeries has driven the development of new techniques for verifying the location of damage or injury in the vertebral column. Typically these procedures involve the insertion of a curved or specifically shaped cannula or needle under the transverse process of the vertebra and around the inferior articular process and penetrate the annulus fibrosus. Application of fluid pressure to the nucleus pulposus will either go undetected, create relief from chronic pain or induce a pain episode due to the pinching of a nerve. By the application of this technique to suspect vertebral disks a physician can identify the pain locus and thus use the appropriate intervention to provide relief for the patient. This process is typically performed utilizing ionic contrast media, typically made from ionically bound iodine. This media allows the physician to view the procedure on a fluoroscope which aids in needle positioning and visual diagnosis. Diagnosis is based on the inter-vertebral disks' ability, or inability, to contain the contrast media when it is injected under pressure into the nucleus pulposus of the disk.

[0007] Typically any syringe with a mechanism for measuring pressure has been used to measure the patency of the inter-vertebral disk. However, such syringes typically utilize a transducer mounted at the distal end of the syringe barrel which is in communication with the fluid path of the syringe. The presence of a non-transparent transducer and associated fixtures adjacent the fluid path prevents clear vision of bubbles in the contrast media or other imperfections that may be of concern in interventional procedures. Such devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,021,046 and 5,084,060. Also, many such devices are awkward to use, are unduly complex or fail to provide a flexible fluid pressure adjustment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The instant invention involves a hand-operated syringe for applying pressure to a fluid within the syringe which pressurized fluid interacts, directly or indirectly, with some physiology of the human body. The syringe has a barrel, preferably constructed of a transparent rigid material. A plunger adapted to slide within the barrel and to apply pressure to fluid within the barrel is constructed to have two operative motions: 1) a first sliding motion induced by direct hand motion, e.g., thumb force, at the proximal end of the plunger or some plunger extension attached generally axially to the proximal end of the plunger whereby a rapid increase or decrease in the fluid pressure can be controllably caused to occur within the syringe barrel and 2) a second motion wherein the plunger is not freely slidable but has threads which interact with an adjustment mechanism wherein the adjustment mechanism is engageable and disengageable to permit minute axial motion of the plunger to be made and thus adjust the applied fluid pressure in controlled micro pressure adjustments.

[0009] The adjustment mechanism includes means whereby the threads on the plunger may be rapidly (instantaneously) disengaged to permit the plunger to slide freely thereby instantaneously releasing the fluid pressure within the syringe barrel. The adjustment mechanism engages threads on the plunger or on a casing (sleeve) associated with and enveloping at least a portion of the plunger's external surface.

[0010] A further feature of the syringe is a pressure monitoring system whereby the pressure of the fluid within the barrel may be observed and, by appropriate adjustment of the plunger, such pressure controllably increased, decreased or released.

[0011] Since it is desired generally to monitor applied fluid pressure, a pressure sensitive transducer is fitted to communicate directly, or indirectly, with the fluid within the syringe barrel. Such transducers have conventionally been attached to the barrel generally at or near the distal end of the barrel as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,021,046; 5,009,662 and 5,004,472 to Wallace. While such positioning of the pressure sensitive transducer is acceptable for many purposes, the transducer and its associated fittings are not transparent and block the vision of a syringe operator of the fluid within that portion of the barrel adjacent the transducer. This may often be very disadvantageous if air bubbles exist within the fluid within the syringe barrel or within the tubing leading to a patient's body especially where the fluid is intended to enter a portion of the body such as occurs with fluid injection into a spinal disk.

[0012] A significant advantage is realized by attaching the transducer to the distal end (pressure tip) of the plunger and having at least a part of the electronics which are part of the pressure-monitoring apparatus contained within the body of the plunger. Such a transducer and electronics arrangement is especially useful inasmuch as the electronics may emit a wireless signal to cause a pressure reading to occur on a remote display, i.e., a display located on the exterior of the syringe barrel or a remote display not attached to the syringe barrel, including a display positioned at or near the proximal end of the syringe plunger or an extension attached thereto.

[0013] One very advantageous arrangement is to have all the necessary electronics to be contained within the syringe plunger and have a display incorporated in the plunger and positioned at or near the proximal end of the plunger. The display is thus within the vision field of a syringe operator who is focused on the syringe fluid. The display may interact with the electronics associated with the pressure transduced by an electrical conductor or by wireless means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a syringe of the instant invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the proximal portion of the syringe of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a syringe plunger and encasing sleeve;

[0017] FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded views of components associated with the plunger tip;

[0018] FIGS. 6A-6C include several views of a clamshell locking mechanism for a syringe of the instant invention;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the syringe of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIGS. 8A-8C are perspective views of a syringe with a streamlined block-shaped head containing the pressure display;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a plunger having electronic means which transmits a wireless signal to a pressure display located at the proximal end of the plunger; and

[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the syringe of FIGS. 8A-8C with fanciful display holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a syringe 10 of the instant invention having the electronics housed in the plunger 11, a thumb ring 12 affixed to the proximal end of the plunger for control of fluid pressure syringe. The plunger is enveloped at least partially by a rotatable sleeve 16 with a captivated thread mechanism 13 capable of rotating independent of the plunger end cap 19, and a sliding lock mechanism 17 and 18. The syringe barrel 14 is similar to one known in the art and incorporates rings 15 and 15a for the index finger and the middle finger. The triangular arrangement of the plunger thumb ring 12 and barrel rings 15 and 15a facilitates one-handed operation of the syringe. This is a great advantage for any physician or technician performing any procedure in which fluid pressure is directly or indirectly applied to any human body part including a spinal disk or an artery. It is typically advantageous to have one free hand for accomplishing other tasks during any operation of the syringe.

[0024] The syringe barrel has a luer lock or a slip socket 20 for a bonded extension line. The locking mechanism housing 17 is molded to attach to the proximal end of the syringe and captivates a sliding thread locking mechanism 18 that engages or releases the threads of sleeve 16. Sliding this mechanism to one side allows the plunger to travel free in the barrel, sliding to the other side locks the mechanism and requires that the thumbwheel 23 be rotated to generate minute movement of the plunger and associated volume or pressure change in the syringe lumen.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cutout 25 in the body of the slide lock 18 is a keyhole-shaped opening with a minor width such that it will engage with the threads of the threaded sleeve 16 (see FIG. 3), and has sufficient relief in its major diameter to allow free travel of the syringe plunger when threads of the sleeve are disengaged. Rapid disengagement is very desirable since many procedures may require an instantaneous release of fluid pressure to prevent or minimize some damage to a body part being treated or investigated.

[0026] The plunger of the syringe illustrated in FIG. 3 has a smooth inner bore 26 and outer bore 27. The outer bore 27 becomes the supporting surface for the rotation of the threaded sleeve 16. When the locking slide 18 is engaged with the threads of the threaded sleeve, displacement of the plunger is generated by rotation of the thumbwheel 23 which forces the distal end of the sleeve 16 against a flange, such as provided by plunger end cap 19 adjacent the distal end of the plunger. The axial advancement or retraction of the plunger effected by rotation of thumbwheel 23 is very slight, thus minute adjustments of fluid pressure are readily accomplished. Also advantageous is the location of the thumbwheel 23 since its position vis-a-vis rings 15 and 15a and thumb ring 12 readily permits an operator's thumb to be removed from thumb ring 12 and placed upon thumbwheel 23 to rotate thumbwheel 23 to achieve minute fluid pressure adjustments. This continuous one-handed operation of the syringe is very advantageous for a variety of reasons.

[0027] The plunger end cap 19 receives an electronic transducer, similar to those described and illustrated in the U.S. patents to Wallace, cited hereinabove, which is retained by the transducer retainer 31. The friction reduction washer 30 is placed on the plunger's smooth outer bore 27 after the threaded sleeve 16 is slid over plunger 11, it acts as a friction reducing bearing between the threaded sleeve and the plunger end cap 19. The rubber plunger tip 32 is snapped over the detent 33 of the plunger end cap 19.

[0028] The plunger tip assembly consists of a transducer that seats into the plunger end cap 19. The cavity of the plunger end cap 19 is filled with a force transmitting silicone gel which allows the transmission of forces to the transducer. Other arrangements for appropriate attachment of the transducer to the plunger tip may, of course, be utilized.

[0029] While a slide-lock mechanism has been illustrated and described herein, other locking mechanisms may be effectively utilized. For example, a two-piece clam-shell, spring-loaded mechanism such as that shown in FIG. 6 can be usefully employed. A pair of clam-shaped elements 34 and 35 are hinged at their closed end and spring-biased to be in a closed position whereby they clamp the treaded sleeve or a threaded plunger. A rotatable cam 36 is positioned at the open end of the clam-shaped elements whereby rotation of the cam 36 forces the clam-shaped elements into an “open” position whereby a threaded sleeve or plunger may slide freely between them. The “closed” position is illustrated in FIG. 6A while FIGS. 6B and 6C illustrate the closed position. The transducer may also be utilized in a conventional manner, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,472 to Wallace.

[0030] Other mechanisms of locking a threaded sleeve or plunger in a fixed position or to provide minute pressure adjustment may be employed, including locking mechanisms disclosed in prior patents, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,860,955; 5,433,707 and 5,685,848.

[0031] Preferred locking mechanisms are those which are operable by the same hand which is otherwise holding or operating the syringe. Preferably, the locking mechanism can be set or released by the thumb of the hand engaging one or more of the finger rings of the syringe.

[0032] As stated hereinabove, having a threaded sleeve engage the locking mechanism permits minor axial adjustments of the plunger without rotation of the plunger itself which keeps a pressure readout display 39 affixed at the proximal end of the plunger in a continuously visible position. However, if the pressure transducer and associated electronics are all incorporated as part of the plunger and the electronics send a wireless signal to a remote display, then the plunger itself may be treaded near its proximal end for engagement with a suitable locking mechanism to accomplish minute axial adjustment of the plunger which is caused by minor rotation of the plunger. A thumb ring for a thread plunger with a slightly larger open diameter may facilitate positioning of an operator's thumb even though the thumb ring may be rotated slightly. Also, a thumb ring which is fixed to a threaded plunger so the thumb ring freely rotates also accommodates plunger rotation.

[0033] Thus, a plunger which incorporates pressure transducer and associated electronics is useful with either a threaded plunger or a threaded sleeve freely encasing the plunger.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective, sectional view along a longitudinal plane encompassing the central longitudinal axis. The finger rings 15 and 15a and thumb ring 12 are shown at the proximal end of the syringe. The open central cavity 37 of the plunger is exposed. It is in this space that an electronics assembly may be incorporated to connect a pressure transducer in the plunger top to a pressure read-out display located in the display holder 11 located at the proximal end of the plunger.

[0035] The plunger 11 and its threaded enveloping sleeve 16 are illustrated in an inserted position in the syringe barrel.

[0036] The thumb wheel 14 and slide lock are also illustrated. The sleeve and plunger slide longitudinally within the syringe barrel except when the slide lock engages the threads of the sleeve. The thumb wheel is fixed to the sleeve so that rotation of the thumb wheel rotates the sleeve threads with respect to the slide lock causing the plunger to advance or withdraw depending upon the direction of rotation of the thumb wheel.

[0037] Rotation of the thumb wheel while the slide lock engages the threads of the sleeve causes minute longitudinal movement of the plunger permitting minor adjustments in the fluid pressure in the barrel and attached lumen. Such precise adjustment of fluid pressure is very desirable for a number of medical procedures, such as discography and angioplasty procedures.

[0038] Fluid pressure within the barrel may be quickly decreased to zero by unlocking the slide lock and allowing the plunger to retreat.

[0039] A further embodiment of the invention incorporates a wireless transmission of pressure information from the pressure transducer to the read-out display at the proximal end of the syringe. The transducer analog output may be introduced to a wireless transmitter to transmit an analog signal to the distal end of the syringe where a wireless receiver receives said signal, converts it to a digital signal which is introduced directly into the digital read-out display.

[0040] The wireless transmitter may be an infra-red processor/transmitter which receives the analog electrical signal, converts it into an infra-red analog signal which is emitted from an IR emitter. The IR analog signal is transmitted through the body of the syringe preferably through an open channel to an IR analog receiver/converter at the proximal end of the syringe. Alternatively, the electrical signal may be converted into a digital IR or other digital wireless signal to be received by an appropriate receiver. An optical fiber may be advantageously used for precise IR transmission from the IR transmitter to the IR receiver. Further, a digital signal may be sent via an electrical conductor between the transducer/transmitter and the receiver/display.

[0041] The disclosure of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,215,523 and 5,387,194 to Williams/Call et al. are incorporated herein by reference, especially with respect to means and systems for wireless transmission of signals produced by a pressure transducer. Also, incorporated herein is U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,046 to Wallace, especially the disclosure relating to pressure transducers.

[0042] Also, wireless transmission of pressure transducer information by radio signals may be utilized within the syringe for the purposes of the invention. However, radio signals may interfere with various other equipment in an operating room-type of environment and would generally be contraindicated where such a syringe was to be utilized upon a patient having a pacemaker.

[0043] FIGS. 8A-8C are perspective views of a syringe with a pressure display head located in a display holder having a thumb aperature located between the display and the plunger.

[0044] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a syringe with a pressure display head located in a display holder having a thumb aperature located between the display and the plunger. This particular syringe may incorporate the wired connection between the pressure transducer and the pressure display or a wireless transmission system such as that illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0045] FIGS. 8B and 8C show an elevational view and plan view, respectively, of the syringe (infuser) of FIG. 8A. The display holding portion 37 of the syringe is unique in appearance, as can be seen in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C. Additionally, the style, shape and juxtaposition of the various elements of the syringe provide further a syringe of a distinctive appearance.

[0046] FIG. 8C shows the bottom of the display holder, assuming that the surface in which the display is embedded, is denoted the top surface, which is visible in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0047] The syringe of FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C has the thumb preferably inserted in thumb aperature 38 from the bottom so that the display 39 will face upwards to the technician operating the syringe.

[0048] This particular syringe may incorporate the wired connection between the pressure transducer and the pressure display or a wireless transmission system such as that illustrated in FIG. 9

[0049] An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 9 illustrating in perspective view a hollow plunger 11 having a pressure sensing transducer 38 located at or near the plunger tip 39 (distal end), which transducer is electrically connected to an electronics system 40 which wirelessly transmits its output signal (IR or RF) to a remote receiver/pressure display 41 system. The display 42 may be located at or near the proximal end of said plunger or at a remote location separate from said plunger, e.g., attached to an external surface of said syringe or entirely separate and remote from said syringe, e.g., on a support which positions said pressure display visible to one or more members of a team involved in an infusion procedure.

[0050] The signal transmitted from said electronics system to said display may be an analog or digital signal. If the signal is an analog signal then the pressure display includes a receiver mechanism which receives said signal and converts the analog signal to a digital signal suitable for being displayed as a pressure in millimeters of mercury, pounds per square inch or other useful pressure units. The display mechanism may further have a memory device whereby the total infusion procedure is recorded in terms of elapsed time and regular (substantially continuously, if desired) pressure recordings so that a history of the entire infusion procedure may be later downloaded for permanent storage.

[0051] A substantially hollow plunger having an internal pressure sensing mechanism, e.g., pressure transducer, in the tip which is in direct or indirect contact with fluid of a syringe being pressurized has many advantages, many of which have been enumerated herein. One such advantage is that a direct pressure reading may be displayed in a display incorporated in the proximal end of the plunger. Also, in a structure such as described herein, a fluid, preferably liquid, may be contained within the hollow plunger to contact a dynamic (diaphragm) type-pressure influenced mechanism and conduct the received pressure through said fluid, preferably liquid, to a pressure transducer/display in the proximal end of said plunger.

[0052] In such a structure the pressure experienced at the tip of the plunger is transmitted by a fluid conductor to a pressure transducer or other pressure metering means, e.g., an analog pressure meter, at the proximal end of the plunger. Such a structure permits all the electronics necessary for a digital display, e.g., pressure transducer, analog/digital converter and digital signal receiving display to be directly coupled to one another and located at or near the proximal end of the hollow plunger.

[0053] The display at the proximal end of the syringe may be incorporated into a housing of the varying shapes and designs shown herein which accommodate functional purposes. The shape of the display housing shown in FIGS. 8A-8C is particularly fanciful to provide a smooth aesthetic appearance while not diminishing its attributes as a display holder and thumb engagement device. A further perspective view of the syringe of FIGS. 8A-8C is shown in FIG. 10. The view is at an oblique angle from the rear of the syringe.

[0054] The above description is to aid in understanding the invention; the full scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pressure applying and monitoring syringe having a barrel and an internal plunger in which a pressure transducer is incorporated into said plunger.

2. The syringe of claim 1, in which pressure sensing electronics associated with said pressure transducer are incorporated as an integral part of the plunger.

3. An improved catheter syringe comprising: a hollow barrel; a piston (plunger) adapted and structured to slide within said barrel; and pressure sensing means fitted to the distal end of said plunger, said pressure sensing means adapted and structured to sense fluid pressure within said barrel and to generate an electronic signal proportional to said pressure.

4. The improved catheter syringe of claim 3, wherein said pressure sensing means is connected electrically to electronic signal processing means located within said plunger.

5. The improved catheter syringe of claim 3, wherein said plunger has a pressure display attached to the proximal end of said plunger which extends outside the proximal end of said barrel.

6. An improved catheter syringe comprising: a barrel; a plunger; dual plunger advancement means wherein: a first means is structured and adapted to interact with said barrel and said plunger to provide rapid plunger advancement, and a second adjustment means structured and adapted to provide slow, precise plunger advancement; and wherein said plunger advancement means includes a quick-release mechanism to allow said plunger to slide freely within said barrel in order to rapidly release fluid pressure within said barrel.

7. The fluid pressure inducing syringe of claim 6 further comprising: a transparent barrel; a plunger (piston) having a pressure sensing transducer affixed to the plunger adjacent the tip (distal end) of the plunger wherein said transducer emits an electrical signal proportional to the magnitude of the sensed pressure; electronics components to convert said electrical signal received from said transducer to communicate said electrical signal to a display for displaying a pressure reading.

8. A fluid pressure inducing syringe comprising: a barrel; a plunger; a sleeve with a threaded portion encompassing at least a portion of said plunger, said sleeve freely rotatable about the plunger; locking means associated with said barrel whereby said locking mechanism engages the threaded portion of said sleeve to lock the sleeve and plunger in an axially immobile position.

9. The syringe of claim 8, wherein said sleeve and locking mechanism have cooperative means adapted and structured to permit rotation movement of said sleeve with respect to said locking mechanism to cause minute axial motion of said sleeve and plunger.

10. The syringe of claim 9, wherein said cooperative means is adapted and structured to accommodate to an operator's phalanges actuation to engage said locking mechanism and to rotate said sleeve.

11. A fluid pressure inducing syringe comprising: a barrel; a plunger; a pressure sensing transducer positioned to sense fluid pressure within said barrel; a pressure display affixed as part of the proximal portion of said plunger said display receiving electrical signals directly or indirectly from said pressure transducer.

12. The syringe of claim 11, wherein said electrical signals from said pressure transducer are transmitted wirelessly to said pressure display.

13. The syringe of claim 11, wherein said electrical signals are received by said display through an IR receiver which receives IR signals from an IR transmitter electrically connected to said transducer.

14. The syringe of claim 12, wherein said electrical signals are transmitted wirelessly to a pressure display remote from said syringe.

15. The syringe of claim 11, wherein said plunger is hollow and contains a fluid which is positioned between a pressure influenced diaphragm at the plunger distal end and a pressure transducer located between said plunger and remote from said distal end of said plunger.

16. A fluid pressure inducing syringe comprising: a barrel; a hollow plunger having a pressure influenced diaphragm at its distal end; a fluid within the hollow plunger communicating the amount of pressure realized at the distal end of the plunger to pressure readout means proximate the proximal end of said plunger.