Patent Application
20090292157
The present invention relates generally to syringes and, more particularly, to radiation shielding for syringes used with radioactive materials, such as radiopharmaceuticals.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Nuclear medicine utilizes radioactive material for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes by injecting a patient with a small dose of the radioactive material, which concentrates in certain organs or biological regions of the patient. Radioactive materials typically used for nuclear medicine include Technetium-99m, Indium-113m, and Strontium-87m among others. Some radioactive materials naturally concentrate toward a particular tissue, for example, iodine concentrates toward the thyroid. However, radioactive materials are often combined with a tagging or organ-seeking agent, which targets the radioactive material for the desired organ or biologic region of the patient. These radioactive materials alone or in combination with a tagging agent are typically referred to as radiopharmaceuticals in the field of nuclear medicine. At relatively lower doses of the radiopharmaceutical, a radiation imaging system (e.g., a gamma camera) provides an image of the organ or biological region that collects the radiopharmaceutical. Irregularities in the image are often indicative of a pathologic condition, such as cancer. Higher doses of the radiopharmaceutical may be used to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation directly to the pathologic tissue, such as cancer cells.
In certain applications, such as nuclear medicine, a syringe may intake, contain, and subsequently inject a radioactive substance, such as a radiopharmaceutical. Unfortunately, some radiation exposure may occur while filling, transporting, and administering the radioactive material in the syringe. Existing syringes generally do not provide radiation shielding throughout these various stages of filling, transporting, administering, and generally handling the syringe filled with radioactive material. Each of these various stages involves at least some radiation exposure. In some applications, multiple independent syringes may inject various substances, such as radioactive material, tagging or organ seeking agents, biocompatible flushing substances, and so forth. Unfortunately, the timing, number, and other perimeters of these multiple injections may increase the likelihood or duration of radiation exposure.
The present invention, in certain embodiments, relates to a radiation shield that may be disposed about a syringe in a manner that permits operation of the syringe, while still providing radiation shielding to contain radioactivity from a radiopharmaceutical disposed in the syringe. A radiation shield of the invention may be associated with (placed about) a syringe, used to shield a technician during an injection procedure that includes the syringe, dissociated from the syringe, and subsequently reused with another syringe for another injection. In other words, the radiation shield of at least some embodiments may be described as independent or removable from the syringe. As a result, the radiation shield may be used with a conventional disposable syringe, which can substantially reduce the costs associated with providing radiation shielding for a syringe.
Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed invention are set forth below. It should be understood that these embodiments are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of features and embodiments that may not be set forth below.
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a radiation shield for use with a syringe. This radiation shield includes a sleeve and a cover, each having radiation shielding material in their makeup. The sleeve and the cover may be removably coupled with another to substantially enclose a syringe within the radiation shield. Incidentally, the phrase “removably coupled” herein refers to a relationship of at least first and second structures, whereby the structures are brought together (e.g., linked or connected) in a manner enabling easy subsequent dissociation of the structures from each other. The sleeve of the radiation shield has a syringe receptacle defined therein to accommodate a portion of a syringe. In addition, the cover has a syringe end receptacle and a passage defined therein. The syringe end receptacle may be utilized to accommodate at least an end portion of the syringe, while the passage may be utilized to accommodate a nozzle or tip of the syringe. As such, the passage defined in the cover of the radiation shield may allow fluid to be drawn into and/or expelled out of the nozzle of the syringe while the radiation shielding material is located about the syringe.
A second aspect of the invention relates to a radiopharmaceutical system that includes a syringe and a syringe radiation shield. They syringe includes a barrel having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, and a plunger movably disposed inside and along the barrel. The syringe radiation shield includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and an end cover, all having radiation shielding to shield a user from radiation being emitted from radioactive material within the syringe. The first sleeve may be disposed about the barrel, and the second sleeve may be disposed at least partially concentric with the first sleeve. In context of the first and second sleeves, the phrase “at least partially concentric” may be defined as at least a portion of the length of the first sleeve is concentric or coaxial with at least a portion of the length of the second sleeve. The second sleeve is disposed about and generally movable with the plunger. Similarly, the end cover may be removably coupled with and at least partially concentric with the first sleeve. Again, in context of the end cover and the first sleeve, the phrase “at least partially concentric” may be defined as at least a portion of the length of the cover is concentric or coaxial with at least a portion of the length of the first sleeve.
Yet third aspect of the invention relates to a syringe that includes a barrel having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end. A plunger of the syringe is movably disposed in the barrel relative to the first end, and a valve core extends outwardly from the second end of the barrel. The valve core may be utilized to generally control fluid flow by opening and closing one or more fluid passages, for example, in response to a change in position of a surrounding structure. For example, the valve core may include a central passage leading to a lateral passage, and the surrounding structure may include a cap. The cap may be disposed about the valve core and may be movable between an open position and a sealed position with the valve core. In other words, the cap may be positioned to either cover or uncover the lateral passage in the valve core. Thus, the syringe itself (e.g., via the valve core) can control the fluid flow through the second end of the barrel.
Still a fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method of using a radiation shielded syringe assembly. In this method, fluid flow in a syringe of the assembly is controlled, at least in part, by moving a first radiation shielded member of the assembly relative to a second radiation shielded member of the assembly. At least a portion of the first radiation shielded member is disposed about the syringe. For example, movement of the first radiation shielded member may induce movement of a plunger of the syringe assembly. In such an embodiment, the first and second radiation shielded members may include first and second concentric sleeves, wherein the first sleeve moves lengthwise along the second sleeve to enable movement of the plunger. By further example, movement of the first radiation member may induce movement of a valve. In such an embodiment, the first and second radiation shielded members may include a cap and a sleeve, wherein the cap moves relative to the sleeve to open and close a passage in the syringe.
Various refinements exist of the features noted above in relation to the various aspects of the present invention. Further features may be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present invention alone or in any combination. Again, the brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of the present invention without limitation to the claimed subject matter.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein:
One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
The radiation shield 12 may be utilized to substantially enclose (e.g., house) the syringe 14 during injection, filling, transport, and/or general handling. After an injection procedure is complete, the syringe 14 may be disposed of (e.g., discarded) by appropriate procedures, while the radiation shield 12 may be reused with another syringe. As such, the radiation shield 12 may reduce costs associated with providing radiation shielding for syringes, while generally reducing the likelihood and/or extent of radiation exposure from a radioactive material disposed within the syringe 14. As discussed in further detail below, the syringe assembly 10 may include a variety of different removable radiation shields, such as the illustrated radiation shield 12 of
The radiation shield 12 is shown as including a radiation shielded plunger insert 16, a radiation shielded sleeve 18, a radiation shielded cover 20, and a radiation shielded tip fitting 22 (e.g., luer plug). In general, these components 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the radiation shield 12 may include a variety of radiation shielding materials, such as lead, depleted uranium, tungsten, tungsten impregnated plastic, and/or the like. Regarding manufacturing techniques, these components 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be formed by any appropriate techniques such as molding, extruding, machining, and various combinations thereof. However, the manufacturing techniques and materials for these components 16, 18, 20, and 22 are not limited to these particular examples. In addition to the radiation shield 12, the illustrated syringe 14 of the assembly 10 may include a variety of single fluid injection or multi-fluid injection features. For example, the illustrated syringe 14 includes a plunger 24 and an elongated syringe barrel 26 having what may be characterized as a flow control tip 28 at one end thereof. This flow control tip 28 of the syringe barrel 26 is configured to cooperate with a portion of the radiation shield 12 to control fluid flow of the syringe 14. Other embodiments of the flow control tip may exhibit other manners of controlling fluid flow from the syringe 14.
The plunger 24 of the syringe 14 includes a plunger head 30 coupled to a push rod 32. The plunger head 30 includes a generally cylindrical body 34 having a flat side 36 and an opposite tapered (e.g., conical) side 38. A plurality of seals (e.g., o-rings 40, 42) is disposed about the body 34 of the plunger head 30. In certain embodiments, the o-rings 40 and 42 may be formed of rubber or another resilient or flexible material, while the body 34 may be formed of a plastic or other generally rigid material. The plunger head 30 is also shown as having a fastening mechanism 44 associated therewith, for example, for coupling the plunger head 30 with the push rod 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening mechanism 44 refers to female threads extending into the body 34 of the plunger head 30 at a central position in the flat side 36 thereof. However, other embodiments may include other appropriate fastening mechanisms.
The push rod 32 of the syringe 14 may be formed of plastic or another appropriate material. The illustrated push rod 32 includes lengthwise ribs 46. More particularly, the push rod 32 includes four ribs symmetrically arranged about a lengthwise, central axis 47 (
The insert 16 of the radiation shield 12 may be disposed removably between the plunger head 30 and the push rod 32 and fastened to the same using the fastening mechanisms 44, 52 of the plunger head 30 and push rod 32 (respectively). For example, the insert 16 is shown as having fastening mechanisms 56, 58 associated therewith. In particular, these fastening mechanisms 56, 58 are shown as an externally threaded member and an internally threaded member. It is generally preferred that the fastening mechanisms 56, 58 be configured to mate with the corresponding fastening mechanisms 44, 52 of the plunger head 30 and the push rod 32 (respectively). Similar to the plunger head 30, the insert 16 may include a body 60 having opposing sides 62, 64.
The body 60 of the insert 16 may be removably coupled to the plunger head 30 by rotatingly driving the male threads of the fastening mechanism 56 into the female threads of the fastening mechanism 44 of the plunger head 30, such that the side 64 of the insert 16 may eventually interface with the side 36 of the plunger head 30 (e.g., in a generally flush manner). Similarly, the push rod 32 may be removably coupled with the body 60 of the insert 16 by rotatingly driving the male threads of the fasting mechanism 52 into the corresponding female threads of the fastening mechanism 58 of the body 60, such that the side 54 of the push rod 32 may eventually interface with the side 62 of the body 60 (e.g., in a substantially flush manner). The insert 16 may be removed by unthreading both the plunger head 30 and the push rod 32 from the fastening mechanisms 56, 58. As such, the insert 16 may be installed onto a plunger 24 utilized in a radiopharmaceutical procedure, and removed from the plunger 24 to be utilized again in another future radiopharmaceutical procedure. Incidentally, while one embodiment of the insert 16 is shown, it should be noted that other embodiments may be utilized with a variety of syringes having fastening mechanisms between the plunger head and the push rod thereof. For instance, the insert 16 of some embodiments may be utilized with syringes having and/or may include fastening mechanisms, such as press fit mechanisms, latches, snap-fit mechanisms, luer fittings, and so forth.
The syringe barrel 26 of the syringe 14 is shown as having a generally cylindrical exterior surface 66 and a corresponding cylindrical interior surface 68 defining a generally cylindrical passage extending lengthwise along the central axis 47 between a first end 70 and a second end 72 of the syringe barrel 26. The first end 70 has an opening 74 defined therein that enables the plunger 24 and its components to pass independently or collectively into and out of the syringe barrel 26. For example, the plunger head 30 may be coupled with the insert 16 and inserted into the syringe barrel 26 through the opening 74 independent from the push rod 32, which may be subsequently installed (e.g., after assembly of the sleeve 18 and the cover 20 about the syringe barrel 26).
The o-rings 40, 42 and the body 60 of the insert 16 may be generally flush with the interior 68 of the syringe barrel 26. As such, the o-rings 40, 42 may substantially provide a fluid seal within the syringe barrel 26 while the insert 16 may substantially block radiation or reduce the likelihood and/or extent of radiation exposure from the fluid 76 in a direction along the central axis 47 out through opening 74. In combination, the insert 16 and the other radiation shielded components 18, 20, and 22 may substantially or entirely contain radiation or reduce the likelihood of radiation exposure from the fluid 76 in all directions from areas within the syringe barrel 26. In other words, the radiation shielded components 16, 18, 20, and 22 may substantially surround and block radiation from all sides or portions of the syringe 14. The fluid 76 may include and/or refer to a radiopharmaceutical or radioisotope, such as technetium-99m.
The flow control tip 28 at the second end 72 of the syringe barrel 26 may include a variety of internal and external geometries to facilitate flow control of the fluid 76 disposed within the syringe 14. For example, the flow control tip 28 may include a passage 78 dispose within a nozzle 80. This passage 78 may include a central passage 82 leading from the interior 68 of the syringe barrel 26 to a downstream set of one or more lateral passages 84 disposed in a generally tapered end 86 (e.g., conical tip portion) of the flow control tip 28. These lateral passages 84 and the tapered end 86 may removably interface or cooperate with portions of the cover 20 to selectively seal and/or unseal the lateral passages 84, thereby selectively enabling or disabling flow of the fluid 76 through the flow control tip 28.
Turning again to the radiation shield 12, the remaining radiation shielded components 18, 20, and 22 may be removably assembled about or retrofitted with the syringe barrel 26 to provide additional radiation shielding in combination with the insert 16. As illustrated in
The illustrated cover 20 may include a syringe abutment end or substantially closed front 108 having a central passage 110 extending lengthwise through an external fluid coupling 112 (e.g., end fitting) from the interior 106 to a final fluid outlet 114. In certain embodiments, the end fitting 112 may include a luer fitting or another medical coupling mechanism. For example, the illustrated end fitting 112 may include a male portion 116 (e.g., male luer) and a supplemental securement portion 118 (e.g., luer collar). For example, the luer collar 118 may be disposed concentrically about the male luer 116, such that these components 116 and 118 define a receptacle or interspace 120 having one or more removable fastening mechanisms. By further example, the male luer 116 may include a compression fitting or tapered or external surface 122, while the luer collar 118 may include internal threads 124. In certain embodiments, the end fitting 112 may include a flow control mechanism to open and close the fluid flow relative to the syringe 14. For example, the flow control mechanism may operate by moving (e.g., threading or unthreading) the cover 20 inwardly and outwardly relative to the sleeve 18, or by covering or generally sealing the flow control tip 28 of the syringe 14, or by pinching the flow control tip 28, or by blocking the flow control tip 28 (e.g., via the male luer 116 and/or the luer plug 22), or a combination thereof. By further example, the valve actuator or flow control mechanism of the end fitting 112 may include the fluid outlet 114 of the passage 110 and a movable fastening mechanism (e.g., threads 102 and 104) between the sleeve 18 and the cover 20. As discussed below, the flow control tip 28 of the syringe 14 may generally cooperate with the flow control mechanism of the end fitting 112 to open or close fluid flow through the fluid outlet 114.
Finally, the luer plug 22 may include a cup shaped body 126 having a closed end 128 and an open end 130 with adjacent fastening members 132, such as opposite luer tabs or external luer threads. Accordingly, the luer plug 22 may be removably coupled to the end fitting 112 of the cover 20 by removably driving the external luer threads 132 into the internal threads 124 about the male luer 116. As such, the luer plug 22 may substantially or completely cover the fluid outlet 114, thereby substantially or completely reducing the likelihood of radiation exposure at the flow control tip 28 of the syringe 14. Moreover, as discussed in further detail below with reference to
At this point, the push rod 32 may be assembled with the previously assembled plunger head 30 and insert 16 inside the syringe barrel 26. Specifically, the push rod 32 may be inserted through the first opening 98 of the sleeve 18 until the male threads 52 reach the female threads 58 on the insert 16. Then, the push rod 32 may be rotated to drive the male threads 52 of the push rod 32 into the female threads 58 of the insert 16. In certain embodiments, the push rod 32 may be pushed inwardly until the plunger head 30 abuts the second end 72 of the syringe barrel 26, such that the abutment may hold the plunger head 30 while the push rod 32 is rotated to thread with the insert 16. However, in some embodiments, the plunger head 30 and the insert 16 may include a slot or groove that engages with a lengthwise rib extending along the interior 68 of the syringe barrel 26, such that the engagement between the groove and the rib may rotatingly secure the plunger head 30 and the insert 16 during the threaded engagement with the push rod 32. Finally, the luer plug 22 may be coupled to the end fitting 112 as discussed above.
The fully assembled or retrofitted syringe assembly 10 is illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the first end 70 or the second end 72 of the syringe barrel 26 may be fastened or generally coupled to the first end 92 or the second end 94 of the sleeve 18. For example, the first end 70 or the second end 72 of the syringe barrel 26 may include external threads, a snap-fit mechanism, a latch mechanism, or another tool free coupling mechanism, while the first end 92 or the second end 94 of the sleeve 18 has a mating fastener or coupling. In the illustrated embodiment of
In the no flow configuration of the removable tip shielding system 134 of
In addition, the luer plug 22 may supplement the sealed interface between the male luer 116 and flow control tip 128. As illustrated in
In this open or flow configuration, the syringe assembly 10 may be operated to output, input, or generally exchange one or more substances, such as the fluid 76, with respect to the interior 68 of the syringe 14. For example, the plunger 24 may be depressed inwardly along the lengthwise/central axis 47 of
Similar to the radiation shield 12 of
In the illustrated embodiment of
As mentioned above, the syringe 154 of
The illustrated fluid passage insert 192 may include a body portion 196 having a first open end 198 and an opposite second perforated end 200 (e.g., throat portion). In addition, the body portion 196 may include an annular groove 202 and a protruding annular collar 204 (e.g., flange portion) disposed adjacent the first open end 198. The throat portion 200 may have a generally tapered, inwardly angled, or conical geometry, which includes one or more fluid passages. For example, the throat portion 200 may include axially offset passages 206 and 208, which may be normally closed/sealed by the check valve 194. In certain embodiments, the throat portion 200 may include fewer or greater numbers of passages, such as 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more. These passages, e.g., 206 and 208, enable fluid to flow directly through the interior of the floating plunger 156, rather than around the periphery of the floating plunger 156 at the seal interface with the syringe barrel 160. As illustrated, the axially offset passages 206 and 208 may be substantially covered and sealed by a flexible perforated face 210 (e.g., mouth portion) of the check valve 194. In other words, the mouth portion 210 may be substantially or mostly closed across the throat portion 200 of the fluid passage insert 192 except for a central axial opening 212. As illustrated, the opening 212 may be disposed along the axis 188, whereas the axially offset passages 206 and 208 may be disposed at a substantial distance or offset from the axis 188.
The check valve 194 includes a body 214 having annular outer seals 216 and 218 (e.g., o-ring portions) and a generally annularly rib 220 (e.g., latch portion). In the illustrated embodiment, the body 214 of the check valve 194 may be disposed concentrically about the body portion 196 of the fluid passage insert 192, such that the latch portion 220 may extend removably into the annular groove 202. As such, the fluid passage insert 192 may be removably coupled or snap-fit with the check valve 194, such that the floating plunger 156 may be disassembled, cleaned, and reused if desirable. In certain embodiments, the fluid passage insert 192 may be molded, machined, or generally manufactured with a variety of radiation shielding materials, such as lead, depleted uranium, tungsten impregnated plastic, and so forth. The check valve 194 may be molded or generally manufactured from a variety of flexible or resilient materials, such as rubber. As discussed in further detail below, the fluid passage insert 192 cooperates with the check valve 194 to substantially or entirely block radiation, control fluid flow, and generally separate fluids disposed on opposite sides of the floating plunger 156. Again, upon reaching or passing a certain pressure differential between opposite sides of the floating plunger 156, the check valve 194 may enable fluid flow directly through an interior of the fluid passage insert 192 rather than around the periphery of the floating plunger 156.
As further illustrated in
The syringe barrel 160 may include an offset plunger stop 236 (e.g., annular flow control actuator) extending outwardly between the second end 228 and the interior 222. As discussed in further detail below, the plunger stop 236 may engage the outer periphery of the floating plunger 156, such that the mouth portion 210 may be forced forward away from the throat portion 200 to enable injection or general flow of the second substance 234. In other words, the first substance 232 disposed in a first chamber 238 may be forced outwardly through the flow control tip 162 in response to forward movement of the floating plunger 156. Upon reaching the plunger stop 236, the check valve 194 of the floating plunger 156 opens in a forward direction to enable the second substance 234 disposed in a second chamber 240 to flow directly through the interior of the floating plunger 156 in response to axial movement of the primary plunger 158.
Similar to the embodiment of
Referring generally to
Subsequently, the first substance 232 may be supplied or forced to flow through the flow control tip 28 into the first chamber 238. Alternatively, the push rod 166 may be inserted through the first opening 98 in the sleeve 18 and into the syringe barrel 160, such that the push rod 166 may be coupled with the primary plunger head 164. Then, the primary plunger 158 may be pulled outwardly from the syringe barrel 160 to create a suction that may draw the first substance 232 into the first chamber 238. Thus, the first substance 232 may be substantially or entirely shielded by the radiation shield 152 during at least most or all of the filling procedure. However, some external shielding devices, tubing, and so forth may be used to provide complete radiation shielding during the filling process. In contrast, the second substance 234, e.g., a non-radioactive substance, may be disposed within the second chamber 240 during the initial assembly process of inserting the primary plunger head 164 into the syringe barrel 160. Finally, the luer plug 22 may be secured with the end fitting 112 of the cover 20.
In other words, the check valve 194 may remain closed or sealed with the fluid passage insert 192 as long as the floating plunger 156 is capable of moving in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers 238 and 240. As such, the movement of the floating plunger 156 maintains a fluid pressure balance between the first and second chambers 238 and 240, such that the seal is maintained by the check valve 194. When movement is no longer possible at the plunger stop 236, the force or pressure of the second substance 234 disposed in the second chamber 240 overcomes the check valve 194 to enable discharge of the second substance 234. At this stage, the primary plunger 158 moves lengthwise along the syringe barrel 160 while the floating plunger 156 remains stationary.
In certain embodiments, as discussed above, the second substance 234 may include a biocompatible flushing fluid, such as a heparin solution, sterilized water, a glucose solution, saline, or another suitable substance. Accordingly, the second fluid injection or discharge may substantially flush out or clean the various passages and interior portions of the syringe assembly 150. Then, the syringe assembly 150 may be resealed and shielded by rethreading the cover 20 completely back onto the sleeve 18 and reattaching the luer plug 22 with the end fitting 112. Thus, the syringe assembly 150 may be safely returned or disposed of with a substantially reduced likelihood of radiation exposure. Finally, all or a substantial portion of the radiation shield 152 may be removed from the syringe 154 for subsequent use with one or more additional syringes containing a radioactive material, such as a radiopharmaceutical.
The syringe assembly 270 may be assembled in a similar manner as described above with reference to
Subsequently, the outer sleeve 276 may be disposed about the plunger 24 and the sleeve 18. For example, the end member 50 of the plunger 24 and the first end 92 of the sleeve 18 may be inserted into a generally cylindrical interior 278 of the outer sleeve 276 through an open end 280. The outer sleeve 276 may be moved lengthwise about the sleeve 18 until a closed end 282 abuts the first end 92. The interior 278 may be closely dimensioned or fit about the exterior 88 of the sleeve 18, thereby reducing the likelihood of radiation exposure and providing a generally smooth engagement of the outer sleeve 276 along the sleeve 18.
Subsequently, the syringe assembly 270 may be filled or generally charged with the fluid 76, e.g., a radiopharmaceutical, by coupling a supply of the fluid 76 to the end fitting 112. After filling the syringe assembly 270, the radiation shield 272 may be completely sealed and closed to reduce the likelihood of radiation exposure. For example, the cover 20 may be fully threaded onto the sleeve 18, such that the flow control tip 28 may be closed or generally sealed within the fluid outlet 114 of the male luer 116. In addition, the luer plug 22 may be removably coupled to the end fitting 112.
The illustrated syringe 294 may include a plunger 304 and a syringe barrel 306 having a flow control tip 308. For example, the plunger 304 may include a plunger head 310 coupled to a push rod 312. The plunger head 310 may include a cylindrical body 314 having one or more seals 316 and 318 (e.g., o-rings). The push rod 312 may include lengthwise ribs 320, measurement indicia 322, and an end member 324. Moreover, some embodiments of the syringe 294 may include one or more floating plungers, e.g., 156 as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the flow control tip 308 may include crosswise passages 330 (e.g., T-shaped passage) disposed within a protruding structure 332. For example, the crosswise passages 330 may include a central passage 334 and one or more lateral passages 336. The lateral passages 336 may be disposed in a generally tapered end 338 (e.g., conical tip portion) of the protruding structure 332. As discussed in further detail below, the flow control tip 308 may cooperate with a portion of the cover 298 to reduce the likelihood of fluid spillage and radiation exposure.
The syringe 294 may include one or more features configured to mate with the radiation shielded components 296 and 298 of the radiation shield 292. For example, the syringe barrel 306 may include one or more tool free fastening mechanisms, such as opposite snap-fit members 340 (e.g., latches) disposed at or near a first end 342 (e.g., inlet) of the syringe barrel 306. In addition, the syringe barrel 306 may include one or more guides or securement members, such as opposite protruding portions 344 (e.g., rotational locks) disposed between the first end 342 and a second end 346 (e.g., outlet) of the syringe barrel 306. For example, the rotational locks 344 may be disposed adjacent external threads 348 along a generally cylindrical exterior 350 of the syringe barrel 306. These features 340, 344, and 348 on the exterior 350 of the syringe barrel 306 may be configured to mate with corresponding features within the sleeve 296 and the cover 298.
For example, the sleeve 296 may include a main casing portion 352 and an enlarged casing portion 354 (e.g., female fitting), wherein the main casing portion 352 may extend along a substantial portion of the length of the sleeve 296 between first and second ends 356 and 358. The main casing portion 352 may include an interior 360 (e.g., syringe receptacle) and a generally cylindrical exterior 362. In addition, the interior 360 may include one or more snap-fit/latch receptacles, such as an annular latch slot 364 disposed at or near a flange 366 at the first end 356. The interior 360 may include one or more guide securement receptacles, such as rotational lock receptacles 368 (e.g., opposite grooves) at an interface 370 (e.g., stepped portion) between the main casing portion 352 and the enlarged casing portion 354. The sleeve 296 may include a first opening 372 (e.g., plunger passageway) in the flange 366. At the second end 358, the enlarged casing portion 354 may include a second opening 374 having a generally cylindrical interior 376, which may be configured to extend around a generally cylindrical exterior 378 of the cover 298. As discussed in further detail below, the sleeve 296 and the cover 298 may be moved lengthwise with respect to one another as the syringe barrel 306 threadingly engages or disengages with the cover 298. For example, the cover 298 may include internal threads 380 disposed along an interior surface 382 (e.g., cylindrical receptacle), which may receive the external threads 348 and corresponding exterior 350 of the syringe barrel 306.
The cover 298 may include an external fluid coupling 384 (e.g., end fitting) having a male portion 386 (e.g., male luer) and a supplemental securement portion 388 (e.g., luer collar). The illustrated male luer 386 may include a central passage 390, a compression fitting 392 (e.g., tapered surface), and a fluid outlet 394. In addition, the luer collar 388 may include internal threads 396 facing the compression fitting 392 of the male luer 386. In certain embodiments, the flow control tip 308 of the syringe 294 may seal and unseal against the fluid outlet 394 as the cover 298 threads onto or off of the external threads 348 of the syringe barrel 306. In addition, the luer plug 300 may be coupled with the end fitting 384. In certain embodiments, the luer plug 300 may include a cup shaped body 398 having opposite tabs 400 (e.g., external luer threads), which may be coupled with the internal threads 396 of the luer collar 388.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the cover 298 may be disposed about the flow control tip 308 and the second end 346 of the syringe barrel 306 until the internal threads 380 engage with the external threads 348. During this movement, the exterior 378 of the cover 298 may extend lengthwise into the second opening 374 of the enlarged casing portion 354 of the sleeve 296. After engaging the external and internal threads 348 and 380, the cover 298 may be threaded rotatingly onto the syringe barrel 306 until the syringe barrel 306 is generally compressed between the flange 366 of the sleeve 296 and a closed front 402 of the cover 298. At this point, the tapered end 338 of the flow control tip 308 may be substantially or entirely blocked/sealed within the fluid outlet 394 of the male luer 386.
In addition, the luer plug 300 may be coupled to the luer collar 396 of the end fitting 384. Subsequently, the push rod 312 may be extended through the first opening 372 of the sleeve 296 and through the first end 342 of the syringe barrel 306. The push rod 312 may then couple with the plunger head 310, for example, by rotatingly threading the push rod 312 with respect to the plunger head 310 as discussed in detail above. Finally, the outer sleeve 302 may be disposed about the plunger 304 and the surrounding sleeve 296. For example, the peripheral portion of the plunger 304 and the first end 356 of the sleeve 296 may be inserted lengthwise into an open end 404 of the outer sleeve 302 until the end member 324 of the plunger 304 abuts a closed end 406 of the outer sleeve 302. In addition, the exterior 362 of the sleeve 296 may generally slide into a generally cylindrical interior 408 of the outer sleeve 302.
The syringe 294 may be operated by removing the luer plug 300, unsealing the flow control tip 308, coupling the end fitting 384 to a suitable fluid delivery or transmission system, and moving the outer sleeve 302 along with the plunger 304 disposed inside. As such, the substance/fluid 328 may be input, output, or generally exchanged with the syringe 294. Again, similar to the embodiment of
During operation of the radiation shielded syringe 290, the radiation shield 292 may provide at least substantial or complete radiation shielding in generally all directions and all sides around the syringe 294 up to the fluid outlet 394 of the cover 298. In addition, radiation shielded connectors, tubing, and other devices may be coupled to the end fitting 384 to provide additional shielding downstream of the radiation shielded syringe 290. As discussed above, after a particular use of the radiation shielded syringe 290, the various radiation shielded components 296, 298, 300, and 302 may be removed, cleaned, and generally reused on one or more additional syringes.
In certain embodiments, the syringes illustrated and described above with reference to
As further illustrated in
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, the use of “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components.
While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the figures and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/831,761 entitled “Radiation Shielded Syringe Assembly and Uses Thereof” filed on 19 Jul. 2006.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US07/15948 | 7/12/2007 | WO | 00 | 1/16/2009 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60831761 | Jul 2006 | US |
