TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments described below relate to, syringes, and more particularly, to an apparatus for inserting a syringe with a separate sealing member into a port.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Syringes generally include a plunger assembly that moves within a fluid bore. The plunger can draw in a fluid when the plunger is retracted from the bore and can dispense fluid when the plunger is pushed into the bore. Syringes are known for their precise fluid control and thus, have received great commercial success in the medical and laboratory fields. Typically, the syringe includes a single fluid port, wherein the fluid is drawn into and expelled from the bore through the single port.

Although the syringes can be controlled manually, they are often utilized with electronic syringe pumps to provide an automated system. For example, in the medical field, the syringe pumps can provide automated dosing to a patient. In some situations, the syringe pump can form part of a larger syringe pump manifold system wherein multiple syringes are coupled to the manifold system. Each syringe may include its own pump or a syringe pump may control multiple syringes. The syringe pump may control the flow of fluid out of a syringe. The syringe pump may combine fluids from more than one syringe.

In order to provide a fluid-tight coupling between the syringe and the manifold assembly, a separate sealing member is often required. Positioning the separate sealing member while simultaneously attaching the syringe to the manifold assembly is difficult. One reason for the difficulty is because the syringe is typically inserted into a bottom surface of the manifold or some other syringe accepting port. Consequently, there is no place for the sealing member to rest before coupling the syringe to its corresponding port. Therefore, a user generally attempts to hold the sealing member in place with one hand while coupling the syringe to the manifold with the other. This makes for a difficult task especially if the syringe being coupled is positioned between two other adjacent syringes resulting in a limited space for a user to access.

Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus that can simultaneously hold onto the sealing member and the syringe. There is a need for a device that can flex to allow a user to pull the device away from the syringe once the syringe is at least partially coupled to the manifold in order to remove the apparatus without damaging the syringe or removing the sealing member.

The embodiments described below overcome these and other problems and an advance in the art is achieved. The embodiments described below provide an apparatus that can retain a sealing member against a syringe while the syringe is being coupled to a manifold or some other type of port. This allows a user to move the syringe into position to be coupled to the manifold easily. The apparatus further includes flexible arms that can deform as a user pulls the apparatus away from the syringe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A syringe insertion apparatus is provided according to an embodiment. The syringe insertion apparatus comprises a handle and one or more deformable arms extending from the handle. According to an embodiment, the one or more deformable arms define an opening and comprise a height. According to an embodiment, the height of the opening is sized to simultaneously receive a portion of a syringe and at least a portion of a coaxially aligned sealing member.

A method for coupling a syringe to a port is provided according to an embodiment. The method comprises a step of engaging one or more deformable arms of a syringe insertion apparatus with a syringe coupling portion of the syringe such that a sealing member receiving area is created by a top of the syringe coupling portion and the one or more deformable arms. According to an embodiment, the method further comprises a step of positioning at least a portion of a sealing member within the sealing member receiving area. According to an embodiment, the method further comprises a step of positioning the syringe and sealing member proximate the port such that at least a portion of the sealing member is received by the port.

ASPECTS

According to an aspect, a syringe insertion apparatus comprises:

a handle; and

one or more deformable arms extending from the handle to define an opening and comprising a height, wherein the height of the opening is sized to simultaneously receive a portion of a syringe and at least a portion of a coaxially aligned sealing member.

Preferably, each of the one or more deformable arms is arcuate shaped.

Preferably, the syringe insertion apparatus further comprises a gap defined between ends of the one or more deformable arms.

Preferably, each of the one or more deformable arms comprises a first flexibility in a first plane of motion and a second higher flexibility in a second plane of motion.

Preferably, the syringe insertion apparatus further comprises ramped portions formed on each of the one or more deformable arms.

Preferably, the ramped portions are angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the handle.

Preferably, the one or more deformable arms grip the syringe to allow manipulation of the syringe.

According to another aspect, a method for coupling a syringe to a port comprises steps of:

engaging one or more deformable arms of a syringe insertion apparatus with a syringe coupling portion of the syringe such that a sealing member receiving area is created by a top of the syringe coupling portion and the one or more deformable arms;

positioning at least a portion of a sealing member within the sealing member receiving area; and

positioning the syringe and sealing member proximate the port such that at least a portion of the sealing member is received by the port.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of disengaging the one or more deformable arms from the syringe coupling portion once a portion of the sealing member is received by the port.

Preferably, the step of disengaging the one or more deformable arms comprises applying a threshold force to a handle of the syringe insertion apparatus, which flexes the one or more deformable arms.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of threadedly engaging the syringe coupling portion with the port. Preferably, the step of engaging the one or more deformable arms comprises sliding the one or more deformable arms around the syringe coupling portion and applying a compressive force to the syringe coupling portion with the one or more deformable arms.

Preferably, the step of engaging the one or more deformable arms comprises pressing the syringe coupling portion against ramps formed on the one or more deformable arms to flex the one or more deformable arms outward until the syringe coupling portion is received by an opening defined by the one or more deformable arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a syringe insertion apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a multi-channel syringe pump system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows the syringe insertion apparatus engaging a syringe and ready to accept a sealing member according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the multi-channel syringe pump system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows the multi-channel syringe pump system with the syringe insertion apparatus disengaged from the syringe according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows the syringe insertion apparatus according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 - 6 and the following description depict specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of embodiments of an insertion apparatus. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the present description. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the insertion apparatus. As a result, the embodiments described below are not limited to the specific examples described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 shows a syringe insertion apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 comprises a handle 101 extending along a length, L, with a height, H _l5 and a width, W. The handle 101 is shown with an optional hole 105 for a key chain. However, as can be appreciated, the hole 105 is not necessary. According to an embodiment, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 comprises one or more deformable arms 102a, 102b extending from the handle 101. The deformable arms 102a, 102b comprise a height H ₂ , which may be equal to the height Hi or different from the height H[. The deformable arms 102a, 102b can be arcuate shaped. In the embodiment shown, two deformable arms 102a, 102b are shown. However, in other embodiments a single deformable arm or more than two deformable arms may be provided. The deformable arms 102a, 102b may be formed from a deformable plastic, such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or another similarly flexible plastic. In some embodiments, the deformable arms 102a, 102b and the handle 101 are formed from a single piece of material. For example, the handle 101 and the deformable arms 102a, 102b may be molded as a single unit. However, in other embodiments, the handle 101 may be formed from a different material, such as a more rigid metal or plastic, and coupled to the deformable arms 102a, 102b.

According to an embodiment, the deformable arms 102a, 102b can define an opening 103. In the rest position, the opening 103 comprises a diameter d _t . According to the embodiment shown, the deformable arms 102a, 102b further define a gap 104 formed at the end of the arms 102a, 102b; however, in other embodiments, the arms 102a, 102b may touch one another in the rest position shown in FIG. 1. According to an embodiment, the rest position is the position of the deformable arms 102a, 102b when there is either no deformable force being applied to the arms 102a, 102b or the deformable force applied to the arms 102a, 102b is below a threshold force. Because the arms 102a, 102b are deformable, the inner diameter, d _l5 can be increased by flexing the arms 102a, 102b outward or decreased by flexing the arms 102a, 102b inward.

According to an embodiment, the handle 101 can be formed as substantially rigid and resist deformation even at forces above the threshold force required to deform the arms 102a, 102b to increase or decrease the inner diameter, d _t . According to an embodiment, the deformable arms 102a, 102b can be deformed in a first plane of motion, yet may be substantially rigid in a second plane of motion. In other words, the first plane of motion may comprise a first flexibility and the second plane of motion may comprise a second flexibility, which is higher than the first flexibility. Consequently, deformation in the first plane of motion requires a lower threshold force than in the second plane of motion. For example, in the embodiment shown, the deformable arms 102a, 102b may deform to increase and decrease the diameter, d _l5 of the opening 103 at a threshold force, yet may resist deformation up and down in a direction parallel to the height, H ₂ , even at forces above the threshold force. Because the arms 102a, 102b are deformable, the arms 102a, 102b can be flexed when acted upon by a threshold force, and when the threshold force is removed, the arms 102a, 102b can return to substantially the rest position by the restoring force of the arms 102a, 102b.

FIG. 2 shows a multi-channel syringe pump system 200 according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 can be used in conjunction with the multi-channel syringe pump system 200 to couple syringes, such as the syringe 203 to a multi-channel manifold 201. The multi-channel manifold 201 comprises a plurality of ports 501 (See FIG. 5). Each of the ports 501 is sized and shaped to receive a syringe 203. The multi-channel syringe pump system 200 also includes a plurality of solenoid valves 202. The solenoid valves 202 are coupled to the manifold 201 and aligned with the ports 501 to provide fluid communication between the solenoid valves 202 and the ports 501. Consequently, the solenoid valves 202 in some embodiments can control delivery of the fluid within the syringes 203 to an end user or a mixing unit wherein fluid from multiple syringes are mixed together. Although eight solenoid valves 202 are shown in FIG. 2, any number of solenoid valves may be used and the particular number should in no way limit the scope of the present embodiment.

As mentioned above, each of the ports 501 formed in the manifold 201 are adapted to receive a corresponding syringe 203. The syringe 203 includes a fluid aperture 205, which is in fluid communication with the port 501 when the syringe 203 is coupled to the manifold 201. The syringe 203 can be coupled to the port 501 according to a variety of manners such as snap-fit, adhesives, or mechanical fasteners; however, one of the most common methods is to use a thread engagement wherein the syringe 203 is screwed into the corresponding port 501. Many of the methods used to couple the syringes 203 to the manifold 201 to allow fluid communication in ports 501 and into the solenoid valves 202, including threaded couplings, require the use of a separate sealing member 204. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the sealing member 204 is typically a relatively thin disk or O-ring, for example. The sealing member 204 is required to be positioned between the syringe coupling portion 207 and the port 501. Therefore, in prior art situations, a user would hold onto the sealing member 204 with one hand and attempt to guide the sealing member 204 into place within the port 501 while also moving the syringe 203 into place with the other hand. This approach resulted in many failed attempts as the sealing member 204 would often fall to the ground or slip out of position.

According to an embodiment, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 can be used to simultaneously grip the syringe 203 and the coaxially aligned sealing member 204. As can be seen in FIG. 2 and more clearly in FIG. 3, which shows the syringe insertion apparatus 100 holding onto the syringe 203, the height H ₂ of the deformable arms 102a, 102b is sized such that the arms 102a, 102b can engage the syringe coupling portion 207 and extend above the syringe coupling portion 207 by a distance 206 to create a sealing member receiving area 306. The sealing member receiving area 306 is generally formed by the top of the syringe coupling portion 207 and the opening 103 created by the deformable arms 102a, 102b. The distance 206 above the top of the syringe coupling portion 207 provides side walls to retain the sealing member 204 within the opening 103. Therefore, according to the embodiment, the sealing member receiving area 306 is sized great enough to receive at least a portion of the sealing member 204. In some embodiments, the distance 206 may be greater than a thickness, T, of the sealing member 204. In other embodiments, the distance 206 is substantially equal to the thickness, T of the sealing member 204. In yet other embodiments, the distance 206 is less than the thickness, T; however, the distance 206 should be great enough to retain the sealing member 204 in place while being held upright (position shown in the figures).

Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the diameter di of the arms 102a, 102b in the rest position can be slightly smaller than the diameter of the syringe coupling portion 207. Consequently, according to an embodiment, the arms 102a, 102b can flex outward slightly upon engaging the syringe coupling portion 207. With the syringe coupling portion 207 flexing the arms 102a, 102b outward, the restoring force of the deformable arms 102a, 102b acts to clamp down on the syringe coupling portion 207, thereby retaining it in place with respect to the syringe insertion apparatus 100.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of the multi-channel syringe pump system 200 according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sealing member 204 has been received by the sealing member receiving area 306 by being placed on top of the syringe coupling portion 207 and within the opening 103 of the syringe insertion apparatus 100. Therefore, the sealing member 204 is substantially coaxially aligned with the syringe 203. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sealing member 204 is substantially flush with the top surface of the deformable arms 102a, 102b. In other words, the thickness of the sealing member 204 is approximately equal to the distance 206 the deformable arms 102a, 102b extends above the syringe coupling portion 207. However, as mentioned above, in other embodiments, the sealing member 204 may extend above the top surface or may be positioned below the top surface of the deformable arms 102a, 102b. Furthermore, the user may reposition the syringe insertion apparatus 100 with respect to the syringe 203 in order to increase or decrease the sealing member receiving area 306. For example, the syringe coupling portion 207 may have a receiving area that is taller than the height, H ₂ of the deformable arms 102a, 102b and therefore, the arms 102a, 102b may be positioned at various locations along the receiving area. Moving the location of the arms 102a, 102b with respect to the syringe coupling portion 207 may allow the syringe insertion apparatus 100 to be used with sealing members of various thicknesses.

In FIG. 4, with the sealing member 204 being at least partially received by the syringe insertion apparatus 100, a user can move the syringe 203 along with the sealing member 204 around with one hand. The user can move the syringe 203 proximate a corresponding port 501 in order to be coupled to the port 501. The user can move the syringe 203 while keeping the sealing member 204 in place. Therefore, the user does not have to worry about the sealing member 204 accidentally falling.

According to an embodiment, the deformable arms 102a, 102b may retain the sealing member 204 due only to the distance 206, i.e., the sealing member 204 rests on top of the syringe coupling portion 207 and is kept from sliding off by the deformable arms 102a, 102b. However, the outer diameter of the sealing member 204 is generally smaller than the outer diameter of the syringe coupling portion 207. Thus, the deformable arms 102a, 102b compress against the syringe coupling portion 207, but do not provide a compressive force against the sealing member 204. This configuration has the advantage that the sealing member 204 can easily be put into position on top of the syringe coupling portion 207. Further, substantially all of the compressive force of the deformable arms 102a, 102b is applied to the syringe coupling portion 207. Therefore, the arms provide a stronger hold than if a portion of the compressive force is applied to the sealing member 204.

In other embodiments, the sealing member 204 comprises a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the syringe coupling portion 207. With this configuration, the deformable arms 102a, 102b will apply a compressing force on the sealing member 204 in addition to the compressive force applied to the syringe coupling portion 207. Therefore, the user does not have to maintain the upright orientation of the syringe 203 and the sealing member 204. Rather, the compressive force of the deformable arms 102a, 102b will retain the sealing member 204 in position with respect to the syringe 203 even if turned upside-down. Preferably, if the sealing member 204 comprises a diameter greater than the diameter of the syringe coupling portion 207, the sealing member 204 would be compressible such that the arms 102a, 102b can compress the sealing member 204 and still apply a compressible force to the syringe coupling portion 207. Otherwise, the syringe 203 would easily slip out of the deformable arms 102a, 102b.

FIG. 5 shows a portion of the multi-channel syringe pump system 200 according to another embodiment. Now visible in FIG. 5 are the ports 501. As can be seen, the coupling portion 207 of the syringe 203 has started to engage one of the ports 501. In FIG. 5, the sealing member 204 is no longer visible because it is securely positioned within the port 501 and held in the port 501 by the coupling portion 207 of the syringe 203. The coupling portion 207 shown comprises a threaded section; however, other coupling systems may be utilized. As can be appreciated in the embodiment shown, the ports 501 will likewise include a corresponding thread.

Furthermore, in FIG. 5, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 has been pulled away and is disengaged from the syringe 203. According to an embodiment, the deformable arms 102a, 102b can flex outward upon a user applying a threshold force on the handle 101 to disengage the syringe insertion apparatus 100 from the syringe 203. As can be seen, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 cannot typically be slid down the syringe 203 because the diameter of the syringe 203 expands past the coupling portion 207. With the syringe insertion apparatus 100 removed, the user can simply screw in the syringe 203 the rest of the way to securely couple the syringe 203 to the multi-channel manifold 201.

FIG. 6 shows the syringe insertion apparatus 100 according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the one or more deformable arms 102a, 102b include ramped portions 602a, 602b. The ramped portions 602a, 602b are at an angle, a, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 101. The ramped portions 602a, 602b can aid a user in engaging the syringe insertion apparatus 100 with the syringe 203. For example, in the previously described embodiments, a user would typically slide the syringe insertion apparatus 100 onto the syringe coupling portion 207 from the top. However, the ramped portions 602a, 602b make it easier for a user to push the syringe insertion apparatus 100 directly onto a side surface of the syringe coupling portion 207. For example, the ramped portions 602a, 602b can be positioned against the side wall of the syringe coupling portion 207. The user can then apply a threshold force in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the syringe insertion apparatus 100. In response to the threshold force, the deformable arms 102a, 102b can flex outward as the ramped portions 602a, 602b ride over the syringe coupling portion 207. Once the ramped portions 602a, 602b move past the largest section of the syringe coupling portion 207, the deformable arms 102a, 102b can snap back towards one another to clamp down on the syringe 203.

In use, a user can engage the syringe insertion apparatus 100 with a syringe 203. More specifically, the user can insert a portion of the syringe coupling portion 207 into the opening 103 created by the one or more deformable arms 102a, 102b. The user may insert the syringe coupling portion 207 by sliding the arms 102a, 102b from the top down to a desired position. Alternatively, if the one or more deformable arms 102a, 102b include the ramped portions 602a, 602b, a user may snap the syringe coupling portion 207 into place by approaching the syringe coupling portion 207 from the side. Once the syringe coupling portion 207 is within the opening 103, the user can slide the syringe coupling portion 207 within the arms 102a, 102b to achieve a desired distance 206 thereby creating the desired sealing member receiving area size. As can be appreciated, once the syringe coupling portion 207 is received within the opening 103, the arms 102a, 102b grip the syringe 203 such that the syringe 203 can be physically manipulated and moved.

According to an embodiment, the user can then insert at least a portion of the sealing member 204 into the sealing member receiving area 306. In some embodiments, the user may push the sealing member 204 down further than the top of the syringe coupling portion 207 thereby also pushing the syringe 203 down with respect to the syringe insertion apparatus 100 to create a larger sealing member receiving area 306. For example, a user may have underestimated the required size of the sealing member receiving area 306 for a particular sized sealing member 204. Preferably, the clamping force provided by the deformable arms 102a, 102b is low enough that the user is able to slide the syringe 203 with respect to the syringe insertion apparatus 100 if desired.

With the sealing member 204 positioned within the sealing member receiving area 306, a user can easily move the syringe 203 and the sealing member 204 with one hand into position to engage a port. The port may comprise one of the ports 501 of a manifold system or some other individual port. Consequently, the use of the syringe insertion apparatus 100 is not limited to use with the multi-channel syringe pump system 200.

According to an embodiment, with the syringe 203 and the sealing member 204 proximate the port 501, the user can push up on the syringe 203, which may slide within the deformable arms 102a, 102b to push at least part of the sealing member 204 within the port 501. Once the syringe coupling portion 207 begins to engage the port 501 and the sealing member 204 is trapped within the port by the syringe coupling portion 207, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 can be removed. As discussed above, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 can be pulled away from the syringe 203 and the deformable arms 102a, 102b can flex outward to disengage the syringe coupling portion 207. With the syringe insertion apparatus 100 removed, the user can finish the coupling process, i.e., finish screwing the syringe 203 into the port 501 or pressing the syringe 203 into the port 501.

The embodiments described above provide a unique syringe insertion apparatus

100 that can simultaneously retain a portion of a syringe 203 and a sealing member 204. Advantageously installation of the syringe/sealing member combination is made easier than attempting to install the two components independently. A user is not required to balance the sealing member on the syringe or hold the sealing member in place with one hand while engaging the syringe with another. Furthermore, the syringe insertion apparatus 100 is capable of easily and efficiently being removed from the syringe 203 once the syringe 203 begins to engage the associated port 501.

The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are not exhaustive descriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to be within the scope of the present description. Indeed, persons skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the above-described embodiments may variously be combined or eliminated to create further embodiments, and such further embodiments fall within the scope and teachings of the present description. It will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the above-described embodiments may be combined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of the present description.

Thus, although specific embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the present description, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings provided herein can be applied to other syringe systems, and not just to the embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying figures. Accordingly, the scope of the embodiments described above should be determined from the following claims.