BACKGROUND

[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to being prior art by inclusion in this section.

Field of the invention:

[0002] The subject matter in general relates to the field of syringes. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to disposable safety syringes.

Discussion of the related art:

[0003] Diseases or illness are inevitable to human beings. Syringes are used to inject therapeutic fluids or medications into human beings. The medical world is always on the lookout for better, cheaper, good quality syringes and safer syringes.

[0004] Because of the increasing threat of communicable diseases and the ease of cross infections, most conventional syringes are sold as disposable medical devices intended to be used only once. Regardless of this, such syringes pose a hazard of accidental needle stick injuries for healthcare professionals. Hence, in order to minimize these risks and hazards, different types of safety syringes have been proposed.

[0005] A conventional safety syringe designed to minimize the possibility of accidental needle stick injuries comprises of a protective sheath mounted on a barrel. During the operation, once the therapeutic fluid is injected, the protective sheath is unlocked by rotation and pushed to an extended position to substantially cover the needle and locked by rotation with an aim to avoid accidental sticks injury during usage and/or during disposal. However, such mechanisms are complex to use and can require substantial force to be exerted axially to unlock and to lock the protective sheath in the retracted and extended positions. Furthermore, it may be difficult to ensure that the protective sheath is locked in the extended position without attempting to retract it, which increases the possibility of accidental needle stick injuries.

[0006] On the other hand, some conventional syringes allow the protective sheath to freely slide back and forth between the retracted and extended positions. In such syringes, the shield may inadvertently advance towards the extended position during use and/or may result in unintended exposure after the usage.

[0007] In view of the forgoing discussion, there is a need for an improved syringe.

SUMMARY [0008] In an embodiment, a syringe is disclosed. The syringe comprises a barrel for accommodating a cartridge, a protective sheath for receiving the barrel and a needle holder. The barrel comprises a side body, wherein the side body defines a first window, wherein the cartridge is received into the barrel through the first window. The protective sheath defines a second window, wherein the first window and the second window are operably aligned to receive the cartridge into the barrel. The needle holder is operably locked to and unlocked from the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAMS

[0009] This disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures. Elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a syringe 100, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a barrel 102, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the barrel 102 along with a cartridge 222, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a protective sheath 104, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a needle holder 106, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the syringe 100 in an operating position, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the syringe 100 in a safety position, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the syringe 100 in a disposable position, in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates permanent locking of the needle holder 106 within the protective sheath 104 and detaching the barrel 102 from the needle holder 106, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural and logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0020] In this document, the terms“a” or“an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term“or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive“or”, such that“A or B” includes“A but not B”,“B but not A”, and“A and B”, unless otherwise indicated.

OVERVIEW

[0021] A syringe is disclosed to be used in healthcare, in accordance with an embodiment. The syringe comprises a barrel for accommodating a cartridge, a protective sheath configured to receive the barrel and a detachable needle holder that is attached to the barrel. The barrel defines a first window to receive the cartridge. The protective sheath defines a second window, wherein the first window and the second window are operably aligned to receive the cartridge in an operating position. The barrel defines a first guide rail projection, the needle holder also defines a second guide rail projection and the protective sheath defines a guide rail groove. The groove and the projection are aligned to allow movement of the barrel, needle holder and the protective sheath in a longitudinal axis and to restrict the relative rotation of the protective sheath and needle holder relative to the barrel. The barrel and the protective sheath may define multiple protrusions to attain an operating position and safety position. In the operating position, a needle engaged to the needle holder is exposed outside the protective sheath. In the safety position, the needle is encompassed by the protective sheath.

[0022] The barrel comprises a pair of flexible arms, wherein the flexible arms are configured to engage the barrel and the protective sheath in a disposable position. When the needle is no longer of use, the barrel is pulled out of the protective sheath such that the pair of flexible arms are positioned outside the protective sheath. This prevents the movement of the barrel into the protective sheath, as the pair of flexible arms press against a rim of the protective sheath.

SYRINGE 100

[0023] Referring to the figures, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a syringe 100 is disclosed. The syringe 100 may comprise a barrel 102, a protective sheath 104, a needle holder 106, a plunger 108 and a rubber ring 136. The barrel 102 may be configured to be received by the protective sheath 104. In an embodiment, the barrel 102 and the protective sheath 104 may be, but not limited to, cylindrical in shape. The barrel 102 may comprise a side body 110 and a support body 112. The side body 110 of the barrel 102 may define a first window 118 to insert a cartridge 222 (shown in FIG. 2B) into the barrel 102. The support body 112 may comprise a pair of rings 114 that may be used to grip the barrel 102 by placing fingers within the pair of rings 114. The support body 112 may define a through hole 220 (shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B) that may extend into the side body 112, wherein the plunger 108 may be inserted into the barrel 102. The plunger 108 may be in the shape of a rod that may be allowed to be pushed or pulled along a longitudinal axis 134 of the barrel 102. Distal end 120 of the plunger 108 may come in contact with the cartridge 222 to force medium within the cartridge 222 out of the syringe 100.

[0024] In an embodiment, the distal end 120 of the plunger 108 may define a groove 138 to receive the rubber ring 136. This helps in aspirating the syringe 100.

[0025] In an embodiment, the protective sheath 104 may be a hollow structure that may encompass the barrel 102 and the needle holder 106. The protective sheath 104 may comprise a second window 122. The second window 122 is configured such that when the barrel 102 is completely encompassed within the protective sheath 104, the second window 122 and the first window 118 may be aligned to receive the cartridge 222 into the barrel 102.

[0026] In an embodiment, proximal end 126 of the needle holder 106 may be configured to be detachably attached to distal end 124 of the side body 110 of the barrel 102. The arrangement is discussed in the later part of the description. Distal end 128 of the needle holder 106 may comprise a threaded hub 130 wherein a needle 418 (shown in FIG. 4) may be threaded to the threaded hub 130.

[0027] Referring to FIGs. 2 A and 2B, an isometric view of the barrel 102 is provided, in accordance with an embodiment. A first protrusion 202 may be defined towards distal end 124 of the side body 110 of the barrel 102 along its circumference. Further, the side body 110 of the barrel 102 may define a third protrusion 204 along the circumference. The third protrusion 204 may be defined towards proximal end 132 of the barrel 102.

[0028] In an embodiment, the barrel 102 may further comprise a pair of flexible arms 206. When the barrel 102 is encompassed within the protective sheath 104, the pair of flexible arms 206 may be compressed and may get expanded when the protective sheath 104 no longer encompasses the pair of flexible arms 206. [0029] In an embodiment, the side body 110 of the barrel 102 may further comprise a pair of first guide rail projections 208. The first guide rail projections 208 and the pair of flexible arms 206 may be defined along the same line.

[0030] In an embodiment, the barrel 102 may comprise a fourth protrusion 210 that may be configured towards the distal end 124 of the side body 110. The fourth protrusion 210 may be configured to lock and unlock the needle holder 106 to the barrel 102.

[0031] In an embodiment, an inside surface 212 of the side body 110 of the barrel 102 may define a sixth protrusion 214, such that the sixth protrusion 214 may be exposed to the first window 118 of the barrel 102. The sixth protrusion 214 may be in the shape of, but not limited to, a triangle. The cartridge 222, when received by the first window 118 of the barrel 102, may sit on end 216 of the sixth protrusion 214. The sixth protrusion 214 may facilitate insertion of the cartridge 222 into the barrel 102 and restrict its movement towards the proximal end 132 of the barrel 102.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the protective sheath 104, in accordance with an embodiment. Inner surface 302 of the protective sheath 104 may comprise a second protrusion 304. The first protrusion 202 and the third protrusion 204 of the barrel 102 may be configured to slide over the second protrusion 304 of the protective sheath 104.

[0033] In an embodiment, the inner surface 302 of the protective sheath 104 may further comprise a pair of guide rail grooves 306. The guide rail grooves 306 may be defined along the length of the protective sheath 104. The guide rail grooves 306 of the protective sheath 104 may be configured to receive the first guide rail projections 208 of the barrel 102. The guide rail grooves 306 and the first guide rail projections 208 may be aligned such that, the first guide rail projections 208 move into the guide rail grooves 306 allowing movement of the barrel 102 along a longitudinal axis 134 (shown in FIG. 1) of the protective sheath 104. Further, the guide rail grooves 306 may prevent rotating movement of the barrel 102 relative to the protective sheath 104, when at least a part of the first guide rail projection 208 is inside the guide rail groove 306.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the needle holder 106 along with a needle 418, in accordance with an embodiment. Outer surface 402 of the needle holder 106 may comprise a first groove 404. The needle holder 106 may further comprise an elevated arch 406 and an opening 408. The opening 408 may be divided by a fifth protrusion 410 into a first section 412 and a second section 414. As the barrel 102 is inserted into the needle holder 106, the fourth protrusion 210 that may be defined by the barrel 102 may pass through the elevated arch 406 and may be received by the first section 412. Having received the fourth protrusion 210 into the first section 412, the barrel 102 may be rotated relative to the needle holder 106 so that the fourth protrusion 210 is forced to slide past the fifth protrusion 410 and into the second section 414, thereby locking the barrel 102 to the needle holder 106. The needle holder 106 may further define a pair of second guide rail projections 416 on the outer surface 402. The second guide rail projections 416 may be received by the guide rail grooves 306 of the protective sheath 104 to allow it to move up and down along the longitudinal axis 134 of the sheath 104 and to also prevent rotational movement of the needle holder 106 relative to the protective sheath 104.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates the syringe 100 in an operating position, in accordance with an embodiment. In the operating position of the syringe 100, the barrel 102 along with the needle holder 106 may be encompassed within the protective sheath 104. The first guide rail projections 208 of the barrel 102 may be received by the guide rail grooves 306 of the protective sheath 104. Consequently, the pair of flexible arms 206 are compressed between the barrel 102 and the protective sheath 104. To activate the operating position of the syringe 100, the protective sheath 104 is moved along the barrel in the longitudinal axis 134, so that the third protrusion 204 of the barrel 102 slides against the second protrusion 304 defined on the inner surface 302 of the protective sheath 104. The protective sheath 104 maybe moved along the barrel 102 until the second protrusion 304 lies behind the third protrusion 204, thereby temporarily locking the relative sliding motion of protective sheath 104 with respect to the barrel 102. This temporary locking may be overcome by moving the protective sheath 104 along the barrel 102. In the operating position, the protective sheath 104 is retracted such that the needle 418 may be exposed and the first window 118 of the barrel 102 and the second window 122 of the protective sheath 104 are aligned to receive the cartridge 222.

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates the syringe 100 in a safety position, in accordance with an embodiment. The safety position of the syringe 100 may be activated to avoid contamination of the needle 418 when the syringe 100 is not in use, or to avoid contact of the needle 418 with a surface on which the syringe 100 is being rested. To activate the safety position, the protective sheath 104 may be moved along the longitudinal axis 134 of the barrel 102 so that the first protrusion 202 of the barrel 102 slides against the second protrusion 304 of the protective sheath 104. The protective sheath 104 may be moved until the first protrusion 202 lies behind the second protrusion 304, thereby temporarily locking the relative sliding motion of the protective sheath 104 with respect to the barrel 102. This temporary locking may be overcome by moving the protective sheath 104 with respect to the barrel 102. In the safety position, the barrel 102 and the needle holder 106 along with the needle 418 may be encompassed within the protective sheath 104.

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates the syringe 100 in a disposable position, in accordance with an embodiment. The disposable position of the syringe 100 may be activated so that the same needle 418, once used to administer an injection to a patient, cannot be used again inject another patient. The disposable position may be activated to prevent accidental needle stick injuries and safely dispose of the syringe 100. When the syringe 100 is in safety position, the protective sheath 104 is moved along the barrel 102 in the longitudinal axis 134, so that the pair of flexible arms 206 eject out of the protective sheath 104. At this point the second protrusion 304 of the protective sheath 104 may be received by the first groove 404 of the needle holder 106. Thus, the needle holder 106 is permanently locked within the protective sheath 104 and cannot be pulled out of or moved back into the protective sheath 104. Since the pair of flexible arms 206 are in compressed state when they are within the protective sheath 104, they expand as they eject out of the protective sheath 104. The protective sheath 102 cannot be moved back over the barrel 102, as the pair of flexible arms 206 are pressed against a rim 310 (shown in FIG. 3) of an opening 308 (shown in FIG. 3) of the protective sheath 104. In the disposable position, the needle holder 106 along with the needle 418 is permanently encompassed within the protective sheath 104.

[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates permanent locking of the needle holder 106 within the protective sheath 104 and detaching the needle holder 106 from the barrel 102, in accordance with an embodiment. In the disposable position, the needle holder 106 may get locked within the protective sheath 104. The protective sheath 104 is rotated to detach the needle holder 106 from the barrel 102. When the protective sheath 104 is rotated, the fourth protrusion 210 is released from the second section 414 of the needle holder 106 and the protective sheath 104 is able to be detached from the barrel 102. When the protective sheath 104 is rotated, the second guide rail projection 416 of the needle holder 106 within the guide rail groove 306 allows the rotational movement of the needle holder 106 along with the protective sheath 104. The needle holder 106 along with the needle 418 may be permanently locked within the protective sheath 104 as one unit and the barrel 102 may be disassembled as separate unit from the syringe 100. The protective sheath 104 encompassing the needle holder 106 along with the needle 418 may be disposed as one unit.

[0039] The processes described above is described as a sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, or some steps may be performed simultaneously. [0040] The example embodiments described herein may be implemented in an operating environment comprising software installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combination of software and hardware.

[0041] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0042] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention.