Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6723074
-
Patent Number
6,723,074
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, April 9, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 20, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Casler; Brian L.
- Thissell; Jeremy
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 604 200
- 604 81
- 604 191
- 604 201
- 604 203
- 604 204
- 604 206
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A sequential delivery syringe which has an internal chamber located within a body with the internal chamber being substantially closed at one end except for a discharge opening and totally open at the opposite end. A luer is connected to the discharge opening with the luer including a piercing member. A mid-piston is movably mounted within the internal chamber of the syringe with there also being a separate stopper piston which is connected to plunger. Between the stopper piston and the mid-piston is mounted a collapsible structure within which is an internal chamber. A liquid is to be contained within this internal chamber of the collapsible structure. Movement of the plunger and stopper piston toward the mid-piston will result in discharging any liquid contents which is located between the mid-piston and the closed end of the body, and upon the mid-piston being located directly adjacent the closed end, the mid-piston will be pierced which will permit the liquid that is contained within the collapsible structure to be discharged through the discharge passage following the discharge of the liquid which was contained within the syringe body and located between the mid-piston and the closed end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The subject matter of this invention relates to a syringe designed to contain two different liquid mediums and then permit the injection of the two different mediums sequentially into an IV line or a needle into a patient.
2. Description of the Related Art
Syringes are commonly used to inject medicine and saline solutions into a human or an animal. These injections usually occur by means of an IV (intervenous) line or needle which is connected into the body of the human or animal. Usually, the injected liquid that is contained within the syringe comprises a single liquid or a mixture of liquids. The syringe usually comprises a single internal compartment and has a single needle. Sometimes, the injection of medication requires the insertion of two different liquids. For example, there is a procedure that is known as a saline/heparin push. It is absolutely necessary that the saline be injected prior to the heparin because if the reverse occurs the IV line or needle will become immediately clogged requiring the IV line or needle to be removed and then reinstalled in position within the patient. Each removal and reinstallation is painful to the patient, time consuming to the doctor and nurse and costly to the medical facility not only in the extra time involved but because additional catheters, IV lines and syringes are required. Every year within the United States, there are literally billions of saline/heparin pushes administered. This means that every year there is a large number of mistakes that are made. At the current time, the heparin is contained within a syringe and the saline is contained within a separate syringe. Both syringes are essentially identical in size, quantity of liquid and color with the exception that one refers to heparin and the other refers to saline. It is relatively easy for the nurse to pick up the heparin syringe and administer that prior to administering of the saline.
The current practice includes an irrigation or cleansing flush consisting of a predetermined volume of saline (0.9 percent sodium chloride) delivered through a syringe. This is done to cleanse the inner lumen of the catheter of blood, medication or particulate matter. The saline flush is followed by an installation of heparin, via a syringe, to prevent occlusions (from blood or fibrin)n within the inner catheter lumen.
The Intravenous Nursing Society (INS) states that the volume of the flush should be equal to the priming volume of the catheter, plus any add-on pieces (i.e. extension sets) times two. This means that the volumes of the saline and heparin flushes could be identical. Medication errors frequently occur when the clinician or person delivering the flush confuses the two syringes and delivers the heparin flush first, followed by the saline flush. When this occurs, there is the increased potential of catheter occlusion if blood were to reflux into the distal catheter tip, since saline has no anticoagulant properties.
It would be desirable to utilize a single syringe which includes both the heparin and the saline where it is automatic that when making of the injection that the saline will be administered first and then the heparin will follow. In the past, there have been constructed multi-chamber syringes which are designed to accomplish this automatic sequential delivery of two different liquids. However, in the past, the sequential delivery syringes had to be prefilled and then be sterilized. The particular liquid in the syringe may be affected negatively by the sterilization procedure, which is usually radiation or heat. Therefore, at times it would be necessary to sterilize a sequential delivery syringe that contains only one of the liquids and then have some way to insert the second liquid into the syringe after the sterilization. It is believed that prior to the present invention there has not been known to utilize a novel sterile approach to the insertion of the second solution when constructing such a syringe.
Additionally, such a sequential delivery syringe could be used to deliver a medicament, such as an antibiotic followed by a quantity of saline. It would be desirable to construct a sequential delivery syringe that could be supplied to the physician or nurse that could be used to remove a precise quantity of medicament necessary for the particular patient and then administer that medicament and follow it with the saline solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The basic embodiment of the present invention comprises a sequential delivery syringe which has a body which includes an internal chamber. The body is substantially closed at one end but still provides access into an internal chamber through a through passage. The opposite end of the body is totally open. A luer is connected to the syringe at the one end with the luer including a discharge passage. The luer also includes a piercing member which extends within the internal chamber. A mid-piston is movably mounted within the internal chamber of the syringe with the mid-piston dividing the internal chamber into a front section and a rear section. A stopper piston, which is mounted on a plunger, is mounted in the rear section with this plunger extending exteriorly of the body of the piston. Also mounted within the rear section is a means for collapsing with the first liquid to be contained within this means. This means is normally closed. A second liquid is to be contained within the front section of the internal chamber. Upon movement of the plunger and the stopper piston toward the one end the second liquid is to be discharged through the discharge passage until the mid-piston is penetrated by the piercing member which provides access into the means for collapsing and permit the first liquid contained therein to be discharged through the discharge passage.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the one end of the syringe body having a luer lock comprising a collar which surrounds an internal annular chamber and there is a tapered male luer centrally mounted within this annular chamber. It is the tapered female luer that is attached directly to the syringe.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the previous embodiment is modified by the collar not having just a single opening through which to conduct the liquid into the discharge passage but there is actually a plurality of openings.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the plurality of openings are located about the piercing member.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the stopper piston including an air discharge valve.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the means for collapsing comprising a flexible walled bag.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the means for collapsing comprising a bellows.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being fixed to said body by being press fitted into a discharge passage formed within one end of the body.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being hollow having a circular sidewall with an opening formed in the sidewall spaced from the open end of outer end of the piercing member.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being hollow defined by a circular sidewall and an elongated slot is formed in the sidewall extending from the open outer end of the piercing member.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being mounted on a mounting disc with this mounting disc being placeable within the internal chamber of the body and being positioned directly adjacent the substantially closed one end of the body.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being mounted entirely through the mounting disc to be projected from both the front side and the back side of the mounting disc.
A second basic embodiment of the present invention comprises an integral one-piece syringe luer lock which is constructed to include a collar which has an internal chamber which is internally screw threaded. This collar is to facilitate, by the threads, attachment to an appropriate connector for discharge of the liquid into an IV line or needle which is connected to a patient. A male/female luer is mounted within the internal chamber with this male/female luer having a discharge passage, and it is through this passage that the injectable liquid is to be conducted. At least one opening is formed within the collar which connects to the internal chamber. A piercing member is mounted on the collar directly adjacent this opening. A female luer surrounds a portion of the piercing member with this female luer being mounted on the collar whereby a syringe liquid discharge tube is to be inserted within the female luer in a liquid-tight manner with the piercing member to then be located within the internal chamber of the syringe so as to penetrate a movable piston within the internal chamber of the syringe.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the male/female luer being centrally mounted within the internal chamber.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by there being not just a single opening but a plurality of openings formed within the collar.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the plurality of openings defined as being located about the piercing member.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being pressed fitted into said one end.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being hollow and having a circular sidewall, an opening formed within said sidewall spaced from the open outer end of the piercing member, said second liquid to be able to be conducted through said opening substantially emptying said internal chamber of said second liquid.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being hollow and having a circular sidewall, an elongated longitudinal slot formed in said sidewall extending from an open outer end of said piercing member.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member being mounted on a mounting disc, said mounting disc being placeable within said internal chamber and being located directly adjacent said one end.
A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the piercing member extending entirely through said mounting disc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1
is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sequential delivery syringe of the present invention showing the syringe as it would be supplied to a hospital, doctor's office or other medical facility;
FIG. 2
is a view similar to
FIG. 1
but showing the syringe in the position of adding a medicament or solution within the front compartment of the syringe by retracting of the plunger of the syringe;
FIG. 3
is view similar to
FIG. 2
but showing the syringe in the position of having completely injected both liquids that were contained within the body of the syringe;
FIG. 4
is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of syringe again showing the position of the syringe as it would be supplied to a hospital, doctor's office or other medical facility;
FIG. 5
is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 4
but showing the syringe in the position of having added a medicament or solution within the front compartment of the syringe;
FIG. 6
is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 5
but showing the syringe in the position of having discharged both liquids contained within the body of the syringe;
FIG. 7
is an external isometric view of the integral one-piece syringe luer that is used in conjunction with this invention;
FIG. 8
is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the integral one-piece syringe luer of
FIG. 7
;
FIG. 9
is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a syringe body stopper piston with the stopper piston and plunger mounted within an internal chamber of the syringe body showing an air discharge valve in an at-rest position;
FIG. 10
is a view taken along line
10
—
10
of
FIG. 9
depicting movement of the plunger within the internal chamber of the syringe during which time air will be discharged through the air discharge valve;
FIG. 11
is a view similar to
FIG. 10
taken along line
11
—
11
of
FIG. 9
showing movement of the plunger and stopper piston in the opposite direction which will function to create a vacuum within the front section of the internal chamber of the syringe for the purpose of drawing in a medicament or solution within this front section;
FIG. 12
is a cross-sectional view of the closed end of the syringe within which is press fittingly fixedly mounted a hollow cylindrical needle;
FIG. 13
is a view similar to
FIG. 12
but where the piercing member has a V-shape in transverse cross-section;
FIG. 14
is a transverse cross-sectional view taken through line
14
—
14
of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 15
is an external isometric view of a different version of one-piece syringe luer which is similar to
FIG. 7
;
FIG. 16
is a view similar to
FIG. 15
but where the piercing member has an elongated longitudinal slot instead of having a separate opening spaced from the open outer end of the hollow piercing member;
FIG. 17
is an isometric view of a further embodiment of piercing member where the piercing member is mounted on a mounting disc;
FIG. 18
is a side elevational view of the further embodiment of
FIG. 17
;
FIG. 19
is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a syringe body depicting installation of the further embodiment of
FIG. 17
within the internal chamber of the syringe body; and
FIG. 20
is a cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 19
showing the mounting disc in its installed position within the internal chamber of the syringe body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown in
FIGS. 1-3
the first embodiment
20
of this invention. The first embodiment
20
shows a cylindrically shaped syringe body
22
which has an internal cylindrical chamber
24
. Although the internal chamber
24
is shown to be cylindrical as well as the body
22
being cylindrical, it is considered to be within the scope of this invention that the body
22
could be other than cylindrical and also the chamber
24
could be other than cylindrical. For example, the body
22
and chamber
24
could be square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal or even triangular in shape. Also, the body
22
and the cylindrical chamber
24
could be oval.
The body
22
has a substantially closed end
26
. Formed within the closed end
26
is an outlet passage
28
. Outlet passage
28
is formed within a slightly tapered syringe liquid discharge tube
30
. The rear end of the body
22
is entirely open forming an access opening
32
.
For purposes of the description, the internal cylindrical chamber
24
will be described as having a front section
34
and a rear section
36
. Referring particularly to
FIG. 2
of the drawings, there is mounted a mid-piston
38
within the internal chamber
24
that provides a separating wall between the front section
34
and the rear section
36
. This mid-piston
38
includes a rubber or plastic narrowed section
40
which is capable of being pierced by a sharp instrument.
A male/female luer lock
42
is to be mounted in conjunction with the closed end
26
. There are available conventional luers that could be utilized in conjunction with the body
22
of this invention. However, the conventional luers utilize a metallic needle as a piercing device which must be mounted separately in conjunction with the plastic structure that makes up the body of the luer
42
. It would be desirable to construct a luer lock where the piercing device, in the form of a spike
44
, is made of plastic and integral with a cylindrically shaped collar
46
. The collar
46
has an annular internal chamber
48
which surrounds a tapered male luer
50
. Formed within the tapered male luer
50
is a discharge passage
52
. The annular internal chamber
48
includes a series of screw threads
54
. These screw threads
54
are to be adapted to tightly connect with a connector, which is not shown, which is to be connected to an IV line, which is also not shown, or an IV needle, which is not shown.
Formed within the collar
46
surrounding the spike
44
are a series of holes
56
. There will actually be four in number of the holes
56
surrounding the spike
44
. However, the number of the holes could be increased or decreased without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, a single hole will probably be more than satisfactory. The holes
56
connect internal chamber
58
with the discharge passage
52
. The internal chamber
58
is formed within a female luer
60
. The female luer
60
surrounds a portion of the spike
44
with the tip area of the spike
44
extending exteriorly of the female luer
60
.
When the tube
30
is inserted within the internal chamber
58
of the female luer
60
, a liquid tight fit is established between the syringe body
22
and the luer lock
42
. The tip portion of the spike
44
will also protrude within the front section
34
of the internal cylindrical chamber
24
. Movably mounted within the rear section
36
is a stopper piston
62
. The stopper piston
62
is shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 9-11
. The stopper piston
62
is attached to a plunger
64
. This plunger
64
is to be manually moved within the internal chamber
24
between the position shown in
FIGS. 1-3
of the drawings. The sidewall of the stopper piston
62
includes a plurality of annular rings
66
. These annular rings
66
are formed to form a natural laid back configuration and will normally be constructed of plastic or rubber material. The rings
66
are capable of deflecting. When force is applied to the plunger
64
tending to move the plunger
64
in the direction of arrow
68
, the rings
66
will deflect and permit trapped air within the rear section
36
to escape out past the rings
66
. When the plunger
64
is moved in the opposite direction as indicated by arrow
70
, the rings
66
will assume a more perpendicular position relative to the wall of the rear section
36
of the internal cylindrical chamber
24
, which is shown in FIG.
11
. This will cause the rings
66
to create an airtight connection between the stopper piston
62
and the internal cylindrical chamber
24
. The result is as plunger
64
and stopper piston
62
is moved in the direction of arrow
70
, a vacuum will be created in between the stopper piston
62
and the mid-piston
38
. This will result in the mid-piston
38
being moved from its forward position located directly adjacent the spike
44
to its rearwardmost position, shown in FIG.
2
. Thusly, the rings
66
function as an air discharge valve opening discharging air in direction of arrow
68
and closing and creating a vacuum when piston
38
moves in the opposite direction indicated by arrow
70
. At the time the plunger
64
is moved, if the luer
42
is connected to a source of liquids, such as a medicament or a solution, that liquid will be drawn into the front section
34
of the internal chamber with a selected volume of liquid
72
being shown in FIG.
2
and in FIG.
5
.
There is also mounted in the rear section
36
in
FIGS. 1-3
a flexible walled bag
74
. The flexible walled bag
74
contains a quantity of a second liquid
76
. After the desired quantity of the solution
72
has been supplied within the front section
34
, the luer
42
is disconnected from the source of the solution
72
and then reconnected with the IV line or IV needle, which is not shown. At that time, forward movement of the plunger
64
in the direction of arrow
68
will cause the liquid
72
to be discharged through the outlet passage
28
, through the holes
56
, through discharge passage
52
and into the IV line or IV needle. When the solution
72
has been substantially emptied from the front section
34
, the mid-piston
38
will be located again directly adjacent the spike
44
. Further forward motion of the plunger
64
will cause the spike
44
to penetrate narrowed section
40
with the spike
44
then penetrating the flexible walled bag
74
. The liquid
76
will then be capable of being conducted into the outlet passage
28
, through the holes
56
and into the discharge passage
52
. When the plunger
64
has been moved to its maximum forward position, the flexible walled bag
74
will be tightly compressed with substantially all of the liquid
76
having been discharged therefrom. This position is shown in
FIG. 3
of the drawings.
Referring particularly to
FIGS. 4-6
of the drawings, there is shown a similar structural arrangement to
FIGS. 1-3
except of a second embodiment
78
. Within
FIGS. 4-6
, like numerals relative to the elements described in
FIGS. 1-3
have been employed. For a discussion regarding the particular parts referenced by these numerals, reference is to be had to the discussion of
FIGS. 1-3
. The only difference shown by the second embodiment
78
has to do with the collapsing means, instead of using the bag
74
, there is utilized a bellows
80
. There will be contained within the bellows
80
a second liquid similar to second liquid
76
. When the plunger
64
gets very near to its most inward position as shown in
FIG. 6
, substantially of the solution contained within the bellows
80
will have been discharged through the discharge passage
52
. It is to be understood that the second liquid
76
will follow sequentially the first liquid
72
during dispensing which will have already been discharged through the discharge passage
52
. Using of both the bag
74
and bellows
80
permits manufacturing of syringe body
26
containing only one liquid
72
or no liquid and then be sterilized. The second liquid may then be added just prior to injection by the doctor or nurse by inserting the bag
74
or bellows
80
in rear section
36
and plunger
64
in rear section
36
. The second liquid will be added during the manufacturing process.
Referring particularly to
FIGS. 12-14
of the drawings, there is shown a syringe body
82
that has a substantially closed end
84
. The closed end
84
has a tapered syringe liquid discharge tube
86
. The tube
86
has a through passage
88
. Surrounding the tube
86
is a threaded connector known as a luer lock
90
.
Referring particularly to
FIG. 12
, there is press fittingly fixedly mounted within the through passage
88
a hollow needle
92
. The hollow needle
92
has a cylindrical sidewall
94
. The sidewall
94
encloses a through passage
96
. The outer end of the sidewall
94
is angularly cut forming a slanted entry opening
98
. Formed within the sidewall
94
and spaced from the slanted entry opening
98
is a hole
100
.
It is important to note that the needle
92
is not mounted by glue or any other substance within the through passage
88
which would fixedly secure the needle
92
relative to the syringe body
82
. The reason for not wanting to use an adhesive is that possibly the adhesive could contaminate the medicament or other substance that is being injected by the syringe body
82
. It is for this reason that the press fitting of the needle
92
within the through passage
88
is preferred.
It is to be understood that the structure of
FIG. 12
will be embodied within the syringe structures that are shown within
FIGS. 1-6
. When the entry opening
98
of the needle
92
penetrates either the bag
74
or the bellows
80
, there will still be some of the liquid contained within the internal chamber
102
. As the plunger
64
and piston
62
continues to move, the liquid that is contained within the internal chamber
102
will be permitted to be conducted through the hole
100
and be dispensed exteriorly of the through passage
96
of the needle
92
prior to the liquid that is contained within the bag
74
or the bellows
80
then being dispensed through the through passage
96
.
Referring particularly to
FIGS. 13 and 14
, instead of using a cylindrical hollow needle
92
there is used a V-shaped piercing member
104
. The outer end of the piercing member
104
is cut at an angle forming a sharpened tip
106
. There is no need to use a hole, such as hole
100
, because all the liquid will flow through the gap areas that are provided between the V-shaped member
104
and the through passage
88
.
Referring particularly to
FIG. 15
, there is shown a male/female luer lock
108
which is basically similar to the luer lock
42
. The cylindrically shaped collar
110
of the luer lock
108
has an outwardly extending locking sleeve
112
fixedly attached thereto. The locking sleeve
112
has an internal passage
114
which is to connect with the passage, which is not shown, that extends through the collar
110
. Press fittingly mounted within the passage located within the collar
110
is a hollow needle
116
which is basically identical to hollow needle
92
. Hollow needle
116
has a sidewall
118
which includes a hole
120
. Hole
120
is basically similar to hole
100
. The outer end of the hollow needle
116
includes a slanted entry opening
122
.
Referring particularly to
FIG. 16
, there is shown a male/female luer lock
124
which has a similar collar
110
and locking sleeve
112
. Within the internal passage
114
of the locking sleeve
112
there is press fittingly located a different version of hollow needle
126
. Instead of including of an opening of a hole
120
within the sidewall
128
of hollow needle
126
, there is formed an elongated longitudinally oriented slot
130
. The slot
130
extends from the entry opening
132
to within the confines of the internal passage
114
. The slot
130
will also function to permit dispensing of substantially all of the liquid that is contained in the internal chamber
102
as the plunger
64
, piston
64
and mid-piston
38
are moved inward toward the luer lock
124
.
Referring particularly to
FIGS. 17-20
of the drawings, there is shown a different way of manufacturing the hollow needle arrangement that has been disclosed in this invention.
FIG. 17
shows a thin disc
134
which has a concave front surface
136
and a convex rear surface
138
. Typically, the disc
134
will be manufactured of a plastic. Centrally formed through the disc
134
is a central hole
140
. Press fittingly located within the central hole
140
is a hollow needle
142
. Hollow needle
142
has a cylindrical sidewall
144
which surrounds an internal chamber access to which is provided by slanted entry opening
146
. A hole
148
is provided through the sidewall
144
. The hollow needle
142
extends through the disc
134
so that the needle
142
will extend from both the front surface
136
and the rear surface
138
. It is preferred that the hole
148
be located directly adjacent the front surface
136
.
Referring specifically to
FIGS. 19 and 20
, the disc
134
is to be merely slid into internal chamber
150
of a cylindrical syringe body
152
. It is to be understood that the disc
134
could be constructed other than round, such as for example, could be octagonal. In such an instance, the internal chamber
150
would have a similar octagonal configuration. The disc
134
will be slid until the inner end of the needle
142
becomes tightly press fitted within through passage
154
of the substantially closed end
156
of the syringe body
152
. Through passage
154
is mounted within a tapered discharge tube
158
which has a luer lock
160
mounted there about. The needle
142
is to be used in the same manner as previously described relative to the other needles.
Claims
- 1. A sequential delivery syringe comprising:a body having an internal chamber, said body substantially closing said internal chamber at one end and being opened at an opposite end of said internal chamber; a piercing member mounted on said one end, said piercing member extending within said internal chamber; a mid-piston movably mounted within said internal chamber, said mid-piston dividing said internal chamber into a front section and a rear section; a stopper piston mounted within said rear section, said stopper piston being attached to a plunger, said plunger being located within said opposite end of said internal chamber and extending exteriorly of said body; means for collapsing mounted in said rear section, a first liquid to be contained within said means, said means being normally closed; a second liquid to be contained within said front section, whereby upon movement of said plunger and said stopper piston toward said one end said second liquid to be discharged through said discharge passage until said mid-piston is penetrated by said piercing member which provides access into said means for collapsing and permits said first liquid to be discharged through said discharge passage; a luer lock mounted on said one end, said luer lock having a collar which surrounds an internal annular chamber, a tapered male luer mounted to said collar and extending within said internal annular chamber, said tapered male luer being centrally mounted within said annular chamber; and said collar having a plurality of holes through which both said first liquid and said second liquid is to flow into said discharge passage.
- 2. The sequential delivery syringe as defined in claim 1 wherein:said holes surround said piercing member.
- 3. A sequential delivery syringe comprising:a body having an internal chamber, said body substantially closing said internal chamber at one end and being opened at an opposite end of said internal chamber; a piercing member mounted on said one end, said piercing member extending within said internal chamber; a mid-piston movably mounted within said internal chamber, said mid-piston dividing said internal chamber into a front section and a rear section; a stopper piston mounted within said rear section, said stopper piston being attached to a plunger, said plunger being located within said opposite end of said internal chamber and extending exteriorly of said body; means for collapsing mounted in said rear section, a first liquid to be contained within said means, said means being normally closed; a second liquid to be contained within said front section, whereby upon movement of said plunger and said stopper piston toward said one end said second liquid to be discharged through said discharge passage until said mid-piston is penetrated by said piercing member which provides access into said means for collapsing and permits said first liquid to be discharged through said discharge passage; and said stopper piston including an air discharge valve, moving of said stopper piston and said plunger toward said mid-piston will cause air within said rear section to be discharged through said air discharge valve, moving of said stopper piston and said plunger away from said mid-piston will cause said air discharge valve to be closed.
- 4. The sequential delivery syringe as defined in claim 3 wherein:said air discharge valve comprising a series of deflectable rings mounted on said stopper piston.
- 5. A sequential delivery syringe comprising:a body having an internal chamber, said body substantially closing said internal chamber at one end and being opened at an opposite end of said internal chamber; a piercing member mounted on said one end, said piercing member extending within said internal chamber; a mid-piston movably mounted within said internal chamber, said mid-piston dividing said internal chamber into a front section and a rear section; a stopper piston mounted within said rear section, said stopper piston being attached to a plunger, said plunger being located within said opposite end of said internal chamber and extending exteriorly of said body; means for collapsing mounted in said rear section, a first liquid to be contained within said means, said means being normally closed; a second liquid to be contained within said front section, whereby upon movement of said plunger and said stopper piston toward said one end said second liquid to be discharged through said discharge passage until said mid-piston is penetrated by said piercing member which provides access into said means for collapsing and permits said first liquid to be discharged through said discharge passage; and said piercing member being mounted on a disc, said disc having a concave front surface and a convex rear surface, said disc being placeable within said internal chamber with said convex rear surface to be located directly adjacent said one end.
US Referenced Citations (21)