Patent Application
20130172823
Embodiments of the present invention relate to syringe-based system and related methods of use.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to syringe-based system and related methods of use.
The following issued patents and patent publications provide potentially relevant background material, and are all incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,368, U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,092, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,073, U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,231, U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,016, U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,657, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,005, U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,489, U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,434, WO 98/10703, WO 00/09074, and WO 07/059,801.
The invention relates to a system for delivery of fluids, the system comprising a syringe having an adjustable length plunger slidable within a respective syringe barrel.
Also, the invention relates to a multi-syringe system where a coupling element causes a plurality of plungers to slide in unison within their respective barrels to simultaneously dispense fluids therefrom. In the system, at least one of the plungers is a variable-length plunger that is selectively engagable to a coupling element.
It is now disclosed a system for delivery of fluids comprising: a. a syringe assembly comprising like-oriented first and second syringes to define a dispensing direction, each syringe having a respective plunger slidable within a respective syringe barrel, the plunger of the second syringe having an adjustable length; and b. a coupling element attached to and mechanically engaged to the plunger of the first syringe so that: i. lengthening or shortening of the adjustable-length plunger of the second syringe respectively causes the adjustable-length plunger of the second syringe to mechanically engage to or disengage from the coupling element; and ii. motion of coupling element in the dispensing direction causes each mechanically engaged plunger to longitudinally slide within its respective syringe barrel to move in unison with the coupling element.
It is now disclosed a system for delivery of fluids comprising: a. a syringe assembly comprising like-oriented first and second syringes to define a dispensing direction, each syringe having a respective plunger slidable within a respective syringe barrel; and b. a coupling element attached to and mechanically engaged to the plunger of the first syringe, the plunger of the second syringe having adjustable length and being selectively engagable to the coupling element such that: i. when the system is in a first configuration, there is clearance between the plunger of the second syringe and the coupling element so that the plunger of the second syringe is disengaged from the coupling element; ii. when the system is in a second configuration, plungers of the first and second syringes are simultaneously engaged to the coupling element and motion of coupling element in the dispensing direction causes each engaged plunger to longitudinally slide within its respective syringe barrel to move in unison with the coupling element.
In some embodiments, when the system is in the first configuration, the clearance between the plunger of the second syringe and the coupling element is in a direction along a central axis of a barrel and/or a plunger of the second syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is permanently attached to the plunger of the first syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is integrally formed with and/or glued to the plunger of the first syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is locked to the plunger of the first syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is detachably attached to the plunger of the first syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is clamped to the plunger of the first syringe.
In some embodiments i. the dispensing direction defined by the first and second syringes and ii. a primary direction of contact between respective contact surfaces of the coupling element and of the adjustable-length plunger when mechanically engaged to each other are like-oriented.
In some embodiments, the plunger of second syringe includes a screw mechanism configured to modify a length of the plunger of second syringe.
In some embodiments, the plunger of second syringe includes a screw mechanism configured to modify a length of the plunger of second syringe.
In some embodiments, rotation of a rotatable element around an axis parallel to and/or co-linear with a central axis of second syringe is operative to adjust a length of the adjustable-length plunger of the second syringe to engage to or disengage from the coupling element.
In some embodiments, the plunger of the second syringe comprises: i. an internally threaded sleeve; and ii. externally threaded shaft arranged within the internally threaded sleeve such that rotation of the shaft within the sleeve causes longitudinal motion of the shaft relative to the sleeve, thereby adjusting the length of the plunger of second syringe.
In some embodiments, the syringe assembly further comprises a third syringe that is like-oriented with the first and second syringes, a plunger of the third syringe being mechanically coupled to the coupling element such that motion thereof causes the plunger of the third syringe to longitudinally slide within its respective syringe barrel to move in unison with the coupling element.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is permanently attached to the plunger of the third syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is integrally formed with and/or glued to the plunger of the third syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is locked to the plunger of the third syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is detachably attached to the plunger of the third syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element is clamped to the plunger of the third syringe.
In some embodiments, when a central axis of the third syringe substantially equidistant from central axes of the first and the third syringes.
In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the barrel of the first syringe and/or a cross-sectional area of the barrel the second syringe is equal to that of the third syringe.
In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the barrel of the first syringe and/or a cross-sectional area of the barrel the second syringe different from that of the third syringe.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises a fluid delivery catheter including first and second lumen embedded therein spanning substantially an entirety thereof and configured to respectively receive fluid components discharged from respective barrels of the first and third syringes to define separate channels of fluid component delivery to a tip of lumen.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises a e. a fluid discharge conduit configured to receive fluids discharged from the barrel of the second syringe, an outlet of the barrel of the first syringe being in fluid communication with an exit location of the fluid discharge conduit so that fluids exiting the barrel of the first syringe via fluid discharge conduit mix with fluids exiting the barrel of the second syringe en route to a proximal end of the first lumen within the fluid deliver catheter.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises a comprising a check valve configured to regulate flow through the fluid discharge conduit so as to substantially prevent of fluids from the outlet thereof back into barrel of the second syringe.
In some embodiments, a ratio between the longer and shorter lengths of the plunger of the second syringe is at least 1.05 or at least 1.1 or at least 1.15 or at least 1.2 or at least 1.25 or at least 1.3.
In some embodiments, a length difference between the longer and shorter lengths is at least 1 cm.
In some embodiments, a difference between the longer and shorter lengths is at least 5% or at least 10% or at least 15% or at least 20% or at least 25% or at least 30% of an internal length of the barrel of the second syringe.
In some embodiments, the coupling element has a recess dimensioned to match a protruding portion of the second syringe plunger located at a proximal portion thereof.
In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of barrel of the first syringe is equal to that of the second syringe.
In some embodiments, across-section-area of a barrel of the first syringe differs from that of the second syringe.
In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of barrel of the first syringe is equal to that of the second syringe.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises: c. a fluid discharge conduit configured to receive fluids discharged from the barrel of the second syringe, an outlet of the barrel of the first syringe being in fluid communication with an exit location of the fluid discharge conduit so that fluids exiting the barrel of the second syringe via fluid discharge conduit mix with fluids exiting the barrel of the first syringe.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises a check valve configured to regulate flow through the fluid discharge conduit so as to substantially prevent of fluids from the outlet thereof back into barrel of the second syringe.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises a fluid delivery catheter including at least one lumen located therein operative to receive the mixture of fluids from the barrels of the first and second syringes.
In some embodiments, the system further comprising: a spike cup including a spike cup conduit therein between a bottom of the spike cup and an interior location within the spike cup, an upper end of the conduit being a sharp end for puncturing a septum of a vial reservoir containing a loadable fluid; a loading port directly or indirectly attached to a given barrel of one of the syringes and configured to receive a lower end of the spike cup conduit so that when engaged thereof fluid flows through the spike cup conduit into the given barrel so as to load the given barrel.
In some embodiments, the loading port is rotatable between open and closed configurations such that only when in the open configuration is the loading port is open to receive fluid therein.
It is now disclosed a method for delivery of fluids, the system comprising: a. providing a syringe assembly comprising: i. like-oriented first and second syringes to define a dispensing direction, each syringe having a respective plunger slidable within a respective syringe barrel, the plunger of the second syringe having an adjustable length; and ii. a coupling element attached to and mechanically engaged to the plunger of the first syringe b. lengthening or shortening of the adjustable-length plunger of the second syringe so as to causes the adjustable-length plunger of the second syringe to mechanically engage to or disengage from the coupling element; and c. moving coupling element in the dispensing direction so as to cause each mechanically engaged plunger to longitudinally slide within its respective syringe barrel to move in unison with the coupling element.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a multi-syringe system/device providing multiple operating modes. When the device is in a first operating mode, N (N is a positive integer equal to two or more—i.e. N≧2) like-oriented syringes are coupled together so that motion of a so-called coupling element in a dispensing direction causes multiple plungers to move in unison within each of their respective barrels so that fluid components are simultaneously dispensed from each barrel of the N syringes. The coupling element connects the multiple plungers to each other so that plungers within all N barrels slide together in unison.
When in a second operating mode, motion of the coupling element in the dispensing direction causes plunger(s) to move in unison within only M barrels where M is a positive integer less than N (i.e. 1≦M<N). Thus, in the second operating mode, motion of the coupling element causes fluid components to be dispensed from respective barrel(s) of M syringe(s).
In one non-limiting example, a single multi-syringe device may be operated, at the user's discretion either in an N-component mode to simultaneously administer N components or in M-component mode to simultaneously administer M components.
Because plungers 6,7 of the first and third syringes are permanently attached to coupling element 8, in general, motion of coupling element 8 in a dispensing direction causes plungers 6, 7 to move in unison with each other and with coupling element 8 respectively within barrels 4,5 to simultaneously dispense fluid therefrom.
One salient feature of the multi-syringe device is that plunger 10 (i.e. arranged within the barrel 9 of the second syringe) is selectively couplable/engable to coupling element 8. When plunger 10 is coupled/engaged as in
As will be discussed below, in some embodiments, plunger 10 is a variable length plunger—lengthening of variable-length plunger 10 is operative to bring a proximal end thereof into contact with coupling element 8 to mechanically engage thereto.
The like-oriented syringes are all substantially parallel to each other so as to define a dispensing direction—as illustrated in
Also illustrated in
When in three-component mode, coupling element 8 is in contact with a proximal location on plunger 10 so that plunger 10 may be said to be ‘coupled to’ coupling element 8. In this mode, motion of coupling element 8 in the dispensing direction causes sliding motion of three plungers 6, 7,10 within respective barrels 4, 5, 9 so that fluid components are respectively and simultaneously expelled from each of the three barrels 4,5, and 9. In this mode, coupling element 8 pushes upon plunger 10 to force plunger 10 to slide within its barrel 9.
In one non-limiting use case, (i) when the multi-syringe device is in two component mode, only fibrinogen and thrombin components are administered to a patient and (ii) when the multi-syringe device is in three component mode, it is possible to simultaneously administer fibrinogen (i.e. from barrel 4), thrombin (i.e. from barrel 5) and a supplement (e.g. antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, chemotherapy agents, growth factors, anti-cancer drugs analgesics, proteins, hormones, antioxidants and the like) from barrel 9. The same multi-syringe device may thus be employed, at the user's discretion, in either two-component mode or three-component mode, allowing a practitioner (e.g. a surgeon) to utilize the same multi-syringe device for both purposes.
In one example, the fibrinogen component and thrombin component can be administered simultaneously and the supplement may be administered at any time during the administration of the two components, at the user's discretion. Thus, at one time point during the administration, the user may decide to administer the supplement along with the fibrinogen component and thrombin component whereas at another time point, the user may decide to administer only the two components without the supplement, meaning that some portion of the fibrin sealant will include the supplement while other portions will only consist fibrin sealant.
The step of engagement and disengagement of plunger 10 from coupling element 8 can be carried out alternately during the administration of the liquid components. For example, the administration can be initiated wherein plunger 10 is disengaged from coupling element 8 and multi-syringe device is in ‘two-component mode. In a second step, plunger 10 can be engaged with coupling element 8 followed by a third step of disengaging plunger 10 from coupling element 8.
The administration can be carried out by injection e.g. when a needle is installed on the dispensing end of the device, by dripping, or by spraying (e.g. when a gas inlet 90 e.g. a pressurized gas is added so that an inlet gas stream mixes with fluid dispensed from the syringe barrel(s)). The administration can also be carried out by casting the components into a mold.
One feature of the device illustrated in
Typically, coupling element 8 imparts momentum about plunger 10 by pushing plunger 10 without relying on friction or any other additional mechanism. The orientation of a ‘contact’ surface 84 of coupling element 8 in contact with plunger 10 is defined by its local normal. As shown in
Thus, a ‘contact direction’ from the coupling element to the adjustable-length plunger is substantially in the dispensing direction along the proximal-distal axis of the multi-syringe device. It may thus be said that the direction of contact from the coupling element 8 to plunger 10 is like-oriented with a dispensing direction. This allows coupling element 8 to push plunger 10 by applying a force along the contact direction, thereby causing plunger 10 to slide in a dispensing direction to expel or dispense fluid from a barrel 9 within which plunger 10 slides.
For the present disclosure, the term ‘fluid’ is defined broadly and may refer to any flowable matter including but not limited to liquids and flowable gels.
As discussed above, in some embodiments, plunger 10 may be a variable-length plunger. One example of a variable length plunger is illustrated in
Also illustrated in
Additional elements illustrated in
In the example of
Also visible in
As noted above,
In the examples of
Prior to use, the barrels 4,5,9 are loaded with the liquid/fluid components. Loading of the barrels can be carried out by installing a spike cup 14 on a fluid control device/loading port 15, and placing a vial/reservoir 16 within the spike cup 14. The spike cup may comprise a protruding needle preferably adapted to puncture the vial's septum. The vial in the spike cup is punctured by the protruding needle, enabling liquid flow from the vial and into the barrel via the needle by drawing the plunger. The plunger is pulled in the opposite direction to the dispensing direction, resulting in drawing of the fluid component from the vial 16 into the barrel. In one example, plungers 6 and 7 (which are connected with each other, e.g. via part 8) are pulled simultaneously leading to loading of barrels 4 and 5. Typically, plunger 10 is pulled separately leading to loading of barrel 9.
Following loading of the barrels with the liquid components, the spike cup 14 and the vial 16 are removed by rotating the spike cup, thus allowing, in a subsequent step, dispensing of the liquid components from the barrels.
The structure and function of the fluid control device and its use for loading the barrels of the device with the fluid components as well as for dispensing the fluid components are explained in WO98/10703.
In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that are described and embodiments of the present invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61582532 | Jan 2012 | US |
