Abstract:
A syringe measurement marking system for use with a syringe that includes a barrel and a plunger is marked with patient-based numerical measuring indicia on the plunger. The patient-based numerical measuring indicia is non-volumetric in nature and instead indicates patient dosing criteria such as weight, age, height, blood sugar level, or any other patient criteria by which dosing is determined. The plunger may contain more than one set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia, such as one set for adults or one set for pediatrics, or one set for a first dose of a medication and one set for a second dose, or one set based on weight in pounds and one set based on weight in kilograms. The syringe barrel will contain one or more measurement lines.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to the field of syringes and the measurement and dosing of liquid medication. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Syringes are used universally for the measurement, dosing, and administration of liquid medicine. For a variety of reasons, incorrect dosing of liquid medicine using syringes remains a common problem that leads to serious and avoidable consequences. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure pertains to a syringe containing at least one set of patient-based measuring and dosing indicia. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a syringe that includes a barrel and a plunger is marked with patient-based measuring and dosing indicators on the plunger. The plunger may either be a cross type plunger or a round type plunger. Numbers indicating dosage specific for a patient are included on the plunger rather than the barrel. The patient-based numerical measuring indicia is non-volumetric in nature and instead indicates patient dosing criteria such as weight, age, height, blood sugar level, or any other patient criteria by which dosing is determined. The patient-based measuring indicia is correlated with a specific medication and dosage, which is also preferably indicated on the syringe plunger in proximity to the numerical measuring indicia. 
     In preferred embodiments, the plunger may contain more than one set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia, such as one set for adults or one set for pediatrics, or one set for a first dose of a medication and one set for a second dose, or one set based on weight in pounds and one set based on weight in kilograms. The orientation of the numerical measuring indicia can be reversed depending on whether the medication will be measured with the barrel and plunger pointed upward or the barrel and plunger pointed downward. In preferred embodiments, for some oral medications, multiple different plungers containing numerical measuring indicia for different medications may be used with a single syringe barrel. In additional preferred embodiments, the plunger or the numerical measuring indicia may be color-coded for ease of reference, such as blue for adult dosages and pink for pediatric dosages. In preferred embodiments, the syringe barrel will contain one or more measurement lines that may be two parallel lines which will line up on either side of the selected numerical indicia of the barrel, or a single line which will bisect the selected numerical indicia. In additional preferred embodiments, the syringe barrel will continue to be marked with standard volumetric measurement and dosing indicia. 
     The patient-based measurement and dosing indicia of the present disclosure provides a simplified dosing system that eliminates steps in the dosing calculation process and thereby reduces potential dosing errors. Liquid medication is measured and dosed directly with reference to the patient, with no need for any volumetric calculations. Further, including numerical measuring indicia on the plunger rather than the barrel eliminates the confusing intersection of lines and markings present when viewing a transparent syringe barrel, that can also lead to incorrect dosing. 
     Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the advantages and superior features of the invention together with other important aspects thereof on reading the detailed description that follows in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a side perspective view of a syringe utilizing a patient-based numerical measuring indicia in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of a plunger and barrel of a syringe utilizing a patient-based numerical measuring indicia in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a partial top view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2C  is an alternate side view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  is a partial top view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3C  is an alternate side view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3D  is an alternate side view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  is a partial top view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system for syringes, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is a side perspective view of a cross style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a syringe that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a syringe that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top view of a round style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side view of a round style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7C  is an alternate side view of a round style plunger that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7D  is a side view of a syringe that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a barrel and round style plungers that are part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a barrel that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a barrel that is part of a patient-based syringe measurement marking system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
       FIG. 1A  is a side perspective view of a syringe  100  utilizing a patient-based measuring indicia in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Syringe  100  includes a barrel  120  having a top, open end  124  and a bottom, closed end  122 . Syringe  100  also includes a cross style plunger  110  having a top end  114 , a bottom end  112 , and four blades  116  (all four blades not explicitly shown) that make up the “cross” of the plunger. Barrel  120  is marked with two measurement lines  126  in accordance with this embodiment.  FIG. 1B  is a side view of plunger  110  and barrel  120  of syringe  100 . Plunger  110  contains a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  118  that represents, in accordance with this embodiment, a range of weight in kilograms for an adult patient. Plunger  110  also contains a dosing label  128  that includes, in this embodiment, the name of the medication (e.g., Fentanyl), the concentration of medication (e.g., 50 mcg/ml), and the dosing of medication that is applicable to the set of numerical measuring indicia  118  (e.g., 1 mcg/kg). As shown in this embodiment, the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  118  is oriented to measure the medication when the syringe  100  is pointing upward or in an upright fashion, as most medical professionals measure liquid medication from a vial. In all embodiments, regardless of the orientation of the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  118 , the largest number (resulting in the largest dosage) will be found near the bottom end  112  of the plunger  110 . 
     Utilizing the embodiment of the patient-based measuring indicia shown in  FIGS. 1A AND 1B , an individual such as a medical professional who wishes to administer a dose of medication to a patient, such as 1 mcg/kg of Fentanyl from a vial of Fentanyl having a concentration of 50 mcg/ml, simply needs to obtain the applicable syringe and plunger containing this dosing label and to know the weight in kilograms of the patient. If the patient weighs 80 kilograms, then the medical professional simply has to place the syringe in the vial of Fentanyl having the concentration noted on the plunger (e.g., 50 mcg/ml), then line up the number “80” found on the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  118  on plunger  110  between the measurement lines  126  on barrel  120  to obtain the correct amount of Fentanyl for administration. This eliminates the step of having to calculate the volume based on the correct dosing (e.g., 1 mcg/kg), the patient&#39;s weight (e.g., 80 kg), and the concentration of medication in the vial (e.g., 50 mcg/ml). The measurement lines  126  are calibrated in a fashion that provides the appropriate quantity or dose of liquid medicine corresponding to the selected weight, even though the medicine is not drawn from the vial with direct reference to volume. 
     In additional preferred embodiments, the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  118  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be any range of patient-based dosing criteria in any units and in any increments. Accordingly, the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia may be a range of adult patient weights in pounds or kilograms, or a range of pediatric patient weights in pounds or kilograms. The numerical measuring indicia may indicate a range of patient heights or ages. In certain preferred embodiments, the numerical measuring indicia may be increments of patient blood sugar (e.g., 50 mg/dL) that are above the patient&#39;s target blood sugar level (e.g., 150 mg/dL). The patient may administer one unit of insulin for each increment that he or she is above the target blood sugar level. As there are many ways in which a patient may administer insulin, the indicia used on the plunger may be changed accordingly. In each preferred embodiment, a dosing label  128  similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  is found in proximity to the numerical measuring indicia to indicate the applicable medication, concentration, and dosing. In certain preferred embodiments, the syringe may be packaged with the medication it is intended for use with and the plunger may not require a label showing the concentration or other associated dosing information. 
       FIG. 2A  is a partial top view of a cross style plunger  210  that is part of a patient-based syringe measuring system  200  that includes four blades  216  that make up the cross, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It can be seen from  FIG. 2A  that there are eight possible surfaces on blades  216  that can be marked with suitable measuring and dosing indicia, including surfaces  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228 .  FIG. 2B  is a side view of plunger  210  in which, in this particular embodiment, surfaces  222  and  224  contain a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  232  and a dosing label  234 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  232  is a range of patient weight in kilograms and dosing label  234  refers to the medication Fentanyl at a concentration 50 mcg/mL and a dosage of 1 mcg/kg, but any suitable patient-based numerical measuring indicia may be used to reflect any suitable patient criteria. Surfaces  222  and  224  also include marker  230  which ensures that the user is referring to the correct numerical measuring indicia for the particular dosing label. In this embodiment, marker  230  is the number “1” for both the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  232  and the dosing label  234 . As shown in  FIG. 2C , which is also a side view of plunger  210 , marker  240  is the number “2” for both the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  242  found on surface  226  and the dosage label  244  found on surface  228 . The set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  242  is a range of patient weight in pounds and dosing label  244  is the medical Fentanyl at a concentration 50 mcg/mL and a dosage of 0.45 mcg/lb. As seen in  FIG. 2A , the two measuring and dosing schemes shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C  can be present on the same plunger  210  and used with the same medication. The measuring system  200  provides flexibility to the user in the event the patient&#39;s weight is available in either kilograms or pounds. It can be seen on plunger  210  that the largest patient weight is found toward the bottom end  212  of plunger  210  in either set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia, while the smallest patient weight is found toward the top end  214  of plunger  210 . The sets of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  232  and  242  are both oriented such that the plunger  210  is used with a syringe pointing downward to measure the medication. 
       FIG. 3A  is a partial top view of a cross style plunger  310  that is part of a patient-based syringe measuring system  300  that includes four blades  316  that make up the cross, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It can be seen from  FIG. 3A  that there are eight possible surfaces on blades  316  that can be marked with suitable measuring and dosing indicia, including surfaces  322 ,  324 ,  326 , and  328 .  FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D  are side views of plunger  310 .  FIG. 3B  is a side view of plunger  310  in which surfaces  322  and  328  contain a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  332  and a dosing label  344 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia and corresponding dosing labels are on immediately adjacent surfaces. Accordingly, as seen in  FIG. 3B , the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  332  does not correspond to dosing label  344 . The set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  332  corresponds to dosing label  334  found on surface  324 , as seen in  FIG. 3C . The set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  342  found on surface  326 , as seen in  FIG. 3D , corresponds to dosing label  344  seen in  FIG. 3B . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , the sets of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  332  and  342  are both a range of patient weight in kilograms. However, the numerical measuring indicia correspond to different dosing amounts of the same medication, Ketamine at 2 mg/kg shown in dosing label  344  and Ketamine at 1 mg/kg shown in dosing label  334 . Ketamine is typically administered with a first dosage at 2 mg/kg and a second dosage at 1 mg/kg, so this embodiment allows the same plunger to be used for either dosage amount. Surfaces  322  and  324  also include marker  330  which ensures that the user is referring to the correct numerical measuring indicia for the particular dosing label. In this embodiment, marker  330  is the number “1” for both the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  332  ( FIG. 3B ) and the dosing label  334  ( FIG. 3C ). Marker  340  is the number “2” for both the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  342  found on surface  326  ( FIG. 3D ) and the dosage label  344  found on surface  328  ( FIG. 3B ). It can be seen on plunger  310  that the largest patient weight is found toward the bottom end  312  of plunger  310  in both sets of patient-based numerical measuring indicia. The sets of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  332  and  342  are both oriented such that the plunger  310  is used with a syringe pointing upward to measure the medication. 
       FIG. 4A  is a partial top view of a cross style plunger  410  that is part of a patient-based measuring system for syringes  400 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4B  shows a side perspective view of plunger  410 . Plunger  410  includes four blades  416  and eight surfaces— 412 ,  414 ,  418 ,  420 ,  422 ,  424 ,  426 , and  428 —any of which may be labeled with an appropriate set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia (such as a range of patient ages, weights, or blood sugar levels) and an associated dosing label. For example, in a preferred embodiment, surface  412  includes a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia that is a range of patient weights in kilograms or pounds, and surface  414  may include a dosing label that includes the name of a medication that may be administered by patient weight. The labeling of adjacent surfaces in this manner is also shown in the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 1  and in  FIGS. 3A-3D . The rest of surfaces  418 ,  420 ,  422 ,  424 ,  426 , and  428  may be blank or may be labeled with any other suitable measurements or labels. 
     In an additional preferred embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 4A , surface  412  includes a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia that is a range of patient weights in kilograms, and adjacent surface  414  includes a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia that is a range of patient weights in pounds. In this embodiment, any other available surface, such as surface  422 , could include a dosing label for the medication that is administered according to the numerical measuring indicia. In additional embodiments, each pair of adjacent surfaces  412  and  414 ,  418  and  420 ,  422  and  424 , and  426  and  428  could each contain on one surface a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia and on the adjacent surface a dosing label. In this embodiment, a single plunger  410  could contain dosing and measurement information for four different medications. In this embodiment, adjacent surfaces, such as surfaces  412  and  414  or surfaces  418  and  420  might also include a marker such as a number “1” or a letter “A” that ensures that the correct measuring indicia is used with the correct medication. 
     In a further exemplary embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 4A , surfaces  412  and  420  might include a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia and a dosing label, respectively. A set of corresponding patient-based numerical measuring indicia and dosing label might also be found on surfaces  426  and  414 ,  418  and  424 , and  422  and  428 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an additional exemplary embodiment of a patient-based syringe measurement system  500  in accordance with the present disclosure. Plunger  510  is a cross style plunger including a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  518  and a dosing label  528  arranged to be viewed in a side by side fashion when seen through barrel  520 . Plunger  510  also includes a marker  550  that is, in this embodiment, the number “1,” which associates the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  518  with the dosing label  528 . Barrel  520  includes measurement lines  526 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , measurement lines  526  are lined up around a patient measuring characteristic of 80, which may be a patient weight of 80 kg, to obtain the correct dosing amount. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia are oriented to permit the syringe barrel  520  and plunger  510  to be used in a downward fashion to measure medication from vial  530 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an additional exemplary embodiment of a patient-based syringe measurement system  600  in accordance with the present disclosure. Plunger  610  is a cross style plunger including a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  618  and a dosing label  628  arranged to be viewed in a side by side fashion when seen through barrel  620 . Plunger  610  also includes a marker  650  that is, in this embodiment, the number “1,” which associates the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  618  with the dosing label  628 . Barrel  620  includes a single measurement line  626 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , measurement line  626  bisects a patient measuring characteristic of 100, which may be a patient weight of 100 kg, to obtain the correct dosing amount. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia are oriented to permit the syringe barrel  620  and plunger  610  to be used in an upward or upside down fashion to measure medication from vial  630 . 
       FIG. 7A  shows a top view of a plunger  710  that is a round style plunger used in conjunction with a patient-based syringe measuring system  700 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 7B  is a side view of plunger  710  showing a set of patient-based measuring indicia  718  that in this embodiment is a range of pediatric patient weights in pounds. As seen in  FIG. 7B , the largest patient-based characteristic, or weight in this embodiment, is located toward the bottom end  712  of plunger  710  while the smaller patient-based characteristic, or weight in this embodiment, is located toward the top end  714  of plunger  710 .  FIG. 7C  is a side view of plunger  710  showing a dosing label  728  that corresponds to the set of patient-based measuring indicia  718  seen in  FIG. 7B . In this embodiment, the plunger  710  is used with the medication Ibuprofen at a concentration of 100 mg/5 mL, and dosing is based on the weight of the pediatric patient in pounds.  FIG. 7D  shows plunger  710  used in combination with barrel  720 . Measurement lines  726  found on barrel  720  are lined up around a pediatric patient weight of 40 pounds to obtain the correct dosage. In this embodiment, the set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  718  are oriented so that plunger  710  and barrel  720  are used to measure the medication in a downward fashion. 
       FIG. 8  shows a patient-based syringe measurement system  800  that includes a barrel  820  having measurement lines  826  and multiple swappable plungers  810 ,  830 , and  840 . In this embodiment, plungers  810 ,  830 , and  840  are all round type plungers and each contains a marker  812 ,  832 , and  842 , respectively, which is associated with a particular medication. Markers  812 ,  832 , and  842  in this embodiment are letters, such as “A,” “B,” and “C,” but they may be any label which correctly associates the measuring indicia with the correct medication. Plungers  810 ,  830 , and  840  each include a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia  814 ,  834 , and  844  that are specific to the particular associated medication, such as age or weight. On the reverse side of plungers  810 ,  830 , and  840  (not explicitly shown), the name of the medication could also be provided, along with suitable information on concentration and/or dosing, as desired. Swappable plungers  810 ,  830 , and  840  are preferably used with oral medications in which syringe barrel  820  may be reused. Examples of these medications include any over-the-counter oral children&#39;s medicines. 
     The patient-based syringe measurement and dosing system described herein is useful for both laypeople and medical professionals and may be used in veterinary applications as well. All sizes and styles of syringes and plungers may be used in conjunction with the patient-based syringe measurement and dosing system. In additional exemplary embodiments, color coding may be used to associate a particular set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia with a particular medication and dosing. For example, red numbers may be used on a plunger for a set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia, and red letters may be used on the same plunger for the medication that is associated with that set of measuring indicia. Thus, in  FIG. 1 , measuring indicia  118  and dosing label  128  may be printed in the same color. In  FIG. 2B , measuring indicia  232  and dosing label  234  may be printed in the same color, while measuring indicia  242  and dosing label  244  may be printed in a different color. The color blue may be used for adult dosages, while the color pink may be used for pediatric dosages. Similarly, in a preferred embodiment using swappable plungers such as that shown in  FIG. 8 , each plunger may be a different color. Plungers may be colored blue for use with adult dosages and pink for use with pediatric dosages. 
       FIG. 9  shows an exemplary embodiment of a syringe barrel  920  that may be used in conjunction with the patient-based syringe measuring and dosing system described herein. In this embodiment, barrel  920  continues to include typical, standard volumetric measurement markings  940  but also includes measurement lines  926 , enabling barrel  920  to be used in conjunction with any of the plungers described herein that utilize the patient-based numerical measuring indicia. 
       FIG. 10  shows an exemplary embodiment of a syringe barrel  1020  that may be used in conjunction with the patient-based syringe measuring and dosing system described herein. In this embodiment, barrel  1020  continues to include typical, standard volumetric measurement markings  1040  but also includes measurement line  1026 , enabling barrel  1020  to be used in conjunction with any of the plungers described herein that utilize the patient-based numerical measuring indicia. The barrels  920  and  1020  shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 9 and 10  would be useful for anyone interested in double-checking the accuracy of the patient-based syringe measurement marking system described herein. 
     Although exemplary embodiments of a system and method of the present invention have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will also recognize that various substitutions and modifications can be made to the systems and methods without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.