Patent ID: 6371941
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in administering a liquid, comprising:a tubular body having a front end portion with an open front end, and a rear end portion with an open rear end; a front end assembly mounted on an outer periphery of said front end portion of said tubular body; a finger grip mounted on an outer periphery of said rear end portion of said tubular body; a front sealing member within said front end portion of said tubular body; a rear sealing member within said tubular body; and a plunger rod that is axially movable within said tubular body such that said rear sealing member is axially moved within said tubular body upon axial movement of said plunger rod within said tubular body, with said plunger rod having (i) stopping structure that is to cooperate with said finger grip such that when said plunger rod and said rear sealing member are axially moved forwardly within said tubular body, said plunger rod is temporarily stopped from further forward axial movement via engagement of said stopping structure with said finger grip, whereby said rear sealing member is temporarily stopped at a predetermined position within said tubular body, with the predetermined position corresponding to a location at which administration of a liquid is to begin when said rear sealing member is axially moved forwardly therefrom, and (ii) releasing structure that is to cooperate with said stopping structure such that upon cooperation of said releasing structure with said stopping structure, the temporary stoppage of said plunger rod is released by disengaging said stopping structure from said finger grip without any one of (a) axially moving said plunger rod, (b) axially advancing said stopping structure relative to said plunger rod, and (c) removing said stopping structure from said plunger rod, whereby said plunger rod and said rear sealing member can then be further axially forwardly moved within said tubular member.