Abstract:
An apparatus and method for improving medication dosing is provided. The apparatus preferably includes a template configured to fit over a barrel of a syringe, the template having a substantially opaque exterior and at least one substantially transparent section in the substantially opaque exterior permitting a view of the syringe barrel and a distal end of a plunger within the barrel of the syringe. A method includes the steps of positioning a dosing template on a syringe, operating a plunger within the syringe, and drawing a predetermined dose of medication into the syringe.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for improved medication dosing. In particular, the present invention is directed to a syringe template that may be used by an individual requiring a regular dose of a substance, such as insulin, to be injected intravenously. The template may be used to modify a syringe to better measure and dispense any number of substances to be administered, such as by an injection. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Those who suffer from diabetes must control the level of blood sugar in their bloodstream on a daily, and sometimes hourly, basis. Insulin is only effective when injected directly into the bloodstream where it may be used by the body to counter/neutralize the effects of excessive blood sugar accumulation. Those who suffer from diabetes and their caregivers must become adept at determining the diabetic&#39;s blood sugar, calculating the correct dosage of insulin required to help return the blood sugar level to a normal range, loading a syringe with the calculated dosage, and administering the calculated dose through the use of the loaded syringe. 
         [0003]    A standard syringe, as commonly available, consists of a hollow needle attached to the body of the syringe, also called the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel is a cylinder, into which a plunger is inserted, and that has a diameter calibrated such that a particular length of the barrel corresponds to a measured volume. The calibration volume is indicated by markings on the exterior surface of the syringe barrel. The user loads a syringe by placing the plunger at full depth in the syringe barrel such that the inserted end of the plunger is in contact with the base of the syringe barrel where the needle is attached to the barrel. The hollow needle is inserted into the compound, typically in liquid form, and the plunger is then pulled away from the end of the syringe barrel. When the plunger is pulled outward a gasket surrounding the plunger that is in contact with the interior wall of the syringe barrel is sufficient to cause a partial vacuum of sufficient strength to draw the compound into the syringe barrel via the hollow needle. The user watches the markings on the side of the barrel until the desired amount of the compound is drawn into the syringe. The user may then insert the hollow needle into an appropriate place on the body of the user, or another whom the user is assisting, and reverse the motion of the plunger to eject the compound from the syringe barrel into the body of the person who requires the compound. In the case of a diabetic the compound may be insulin. 
         [0004]    A concern in the use of a standard syringe is that markings on the syringe barrel may be difficult to discern for a person who has diminished eyesight, for example, due to the detrimental effects to eyesight some diabetics experience. An additional concern is that the user may be unfamiliar with the dosage calculations, or may be uncertain as to how to know when the required dosage has been drawn into the syringe barrel and, as a result, draw too much or too little of the compound into the syringe barrel. A final concern is that the user, whether it is the diabetic or a caregiver, may be distracted and draw an inaccurate amount of the compound into the syringe barrel through simple inattention. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention is drawn toward addressing the concerns of discovering and correcting inaccurate dosages drawn into the syringe barrel prior to injecting the compound into a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, the compound that is being drawn into the body of the syringe is insulin and the patient who is to receive the injection is a diabetic who requires the insulin to control the level of sugar in the bloodstream. Injecting the wrong amount of insulin can have very serious effects upon a diabetic. For this reason, modifying a standard syringe to permit a user or caregiver to more easily see the level of insulin in the body of the syringe and simplify reading the dosage on the standard syringe will provide a more accurate dosage and a more user friendly interaction with the syringe. It is understood, however, that the device of the present invention could be used with a variety of injectable compounds and is not limited to insulin. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a device for improving medication dosing is provided. The device may include a template configured to fit over a barrel of a syringe, the template having an substantially opaque exterior and at least one substantially transparent window in the substantially opaque exterior permitting a view of the syringe barrel and a distal end of a plunger within the barrel of the syringe. The distal end of the plunger inserted within the barrel of the syringe may include a different color than the rest of the plunger. The color of the distal end of the plunger may be a high visibility/contrast color. The distal end of the plunger may be configured to glow in the dark. The template may be removably attached to the barrel of the syringe. The template may interlock with a flange of the barrel of the syringe to hold the template in an appropriate position with respect to the barrel of the syringe. The template length may be modified to indicate a calibrated dosage according to the length of the template when the template is attached to the barrel of the syringe. The at least one substantially transparent window in the opaque exterior may be positioned to indicate a particular volume of medication when the distal end of the plunger is correctly positioned within the at least one substantially transparent window. The at least one substantially transparent window may include a plurality of substantially transparent windows, each indicating a particular volume of medication when the distal end of the plunger is positioned within a particular one of the substantially transparent windows. The plurality of substantially transparent windows may be color coded to indicate particular dosages. The at least one substantially transparent window may include a magnifying window. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, an apparatus for improving medication dosing is provided. The apparatus may include a template configured to fit over a barrel of a syringe, the syringe may have an internal plunger with a plunger stopper at a distal end of the internal plunger configured to fit within the barrel of the syringe, the template may have a substantially opaque exterior and at least one substantially transparent window in the substantially opaque exterior permitting a view of the syringe barrel and plunger stopper within the barrel of the syringe where the at least one substantially transparent window in the substantially opaque exterior may be positioned to indicate a particular volume of medication when the plunger stopper of the plunger is correctly positioned within the at least one substantially transparent window. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, a device for improving medication dosing is provided. The device may include a syringe having a plunger insertable within a barrel of the syringe; and a template configured to fit over the barrel of the syringe, the template having a substantially opaque exterior and at least one substantially transparent window in the substantially opaque exterior permitting a view of the barrel of the syringe and plunger within the syringe barrel. The stopper may include a plunger stopper at a distal end of the plunger. 
         [0009]    In still yet another embodiment, a method of determining a medication dose is provided. The method may include positioning a dosing template having at least one substantially transparent window formed in the template over a barrel of a syringe; placing a plunger within the barrel of the syringe until a distal end of the plunger is in contact with an internal bottom end of the barrel; pulling the plunger such that the distal end of the plunger is pulled away from contact with the internal bottom end of the barrel of the syringe; and drawing a medication into the barrel of the syringe until the distal end of the plunger is correctly positioned within the substantially transparent window of the template where the transparent window is calibrated to draw a predetermined dose of a medication when the distal end of the plunger becomes visible in the substantially transparent window of the template. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Various inventive embodiments disclosed herein, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objectives and advantages, may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as set forth below: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a standard syringe with an attached template consistent with certain embodiments of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a view of a color-coded plunger stopper viewed within a template window consistent with certain embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method for use of a syringe and template consistent with certain embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention discloses a modification to a standard syringe to address the concerns for over or under-filling the syringe barrel, delivering an accurate dose of medication, and correcting for any inattention or distraction of a caregiver in the use of the modified syringe. The syringe becomes an easy to use device by adding a specially designed template to the outside of the barrel and may include color-coding the outer exposed portion of a plunger stopper. The plunger rod is pulled back until the plunger stopper is exposed in the template window, which makes the medication dosage accurate and reproducible. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  presents an exemplary view of a typical syringe  100  with an attached template  102  consistent with certain embodiments of the invention. The template  102  preferably is of a partial hollow cylinder shape with an internal diameter sufficient to permit attachment of the template  102  to a syringe barrel  104  of syringe  100 , such that the syringe barrel  104  is substantially enclosed by the template  102 . The template  102  is preferably of a sufficient diameter to fit snugly over the syringe barrel  104 . While it is understood that template  102  may be affixed to syringe  100  through a variety of methods (including adhesive as discussed with reference to  FIG. 2  below), template  102  preferably attaches to the syringe barrel  104  through a press fit, where the template  102  is some degree smaller in diameter than the syringe barrel  104  in its normal state and upon pressing the template  102  onto the syringe barrel  104 , the template  102  widens slightly as it passes over the syringe barrel  104  and then narrows slightly as it is “pressed” in place, securing the template  102  to the syringe barrel  104 . In some embodiments, a proximal end  106  of the template  102  can be in contact with a flange  107  of the syringe barrel  104 . In a preferred embodiment, proximal end  106  of template  102  is configured to include a channel  110  to interlock with flange  107  to secure the template  102  in position when attached to syringe barrel  104  (thereby keeping template  102  from shifting along the length of syringe barrel  104 ). 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the template  102  when installed on the syringe barrel  104  does not cover the entirety of the syringe barrel  104  circumference. In this embodiment, the template  102  has a diameter that is sufficient to maintain the template  102  in place once installed on the syringe barrel  104 , but provides an opening through which the graduated markings on the syringe barrel  104  remain visible. 
         [0017]    Template  102  preferably has a substantially opaque outer coating  112  that has one or more transparent windows  114  (shown as windows  114   a,    114   b,  and  114   c ) in the coating to permit a user to see the syringe barrel  104 , the markings on the syringe barrel  104 , and a plunger stopper  120  at an end of a plunger  118  of syringe  100  when the plunger  118  is at the correct position to be aligned with the one or more template windows  114 . By being described as transparent, it is understood that the window(s)  114  can be made of transparent (i.e., substantially see-through) material, can be cut-out holes in opaque coating  112 , or can be other configurations such that plunger stopper  120  is viewable through window  114 . 
         [0018]    Positioning the plunger  118  within the syringe barrel  104  such that the plunger stopper  120  end of the plunger  118  is visible within a template window  114  indicates a calibrated dosage of medication is in the syringe barrel  104  of the syringe  100 . A key advantage of using the template  102  over using a syringe  100  without the template  102  is that the template  102  simplifies determining the dosage of the medication loaded in the syringe barrel  104 . The template  102  can be designed for single or multiple dosage readings. In one embodiment, as a reusable device, the template  102  may be used on a first syringe  100 , removed from that syringe  100  as the syringe  100  is discarded and placed on a second syringe  100  in preparation for a new dose measurement. The template windows  114  simplify the ability to determine when a calibrated dose has been measured into the syringe barrel  104  and provide a more user friendly experience thereby. 
         [0019]    In an alternative embodiment, the template  102  may have a plurality of windows  114   a,    114   b,  and  114   c.  In this exemplary embodiment, each window  114  could be positioned such that the position is calibrated for a different dosage level of medication, such as insulin, which may be needed at different times of the day (e.g., breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Filling the syringe  100  to differing levels of each separate window  114  would present a different dosage within the syringe barrel  104  for each window  114  in the template  102 . Further still, the windows  114  may be color coded, such as by tinting or outlining, to help distinguish differing dosage measurements. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  presents a view of the plunger stopper  120  viewed within a template window  114  consistent with certain embodiments of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the plunger stopper  120  may be color-coded, such as with a high contrast/visibility color or colors, to permit enhanced visibility of the plunger stopper  120  within window  114  excised in the opaque coating  112  of the template  102 . The simplified design of the template  102 , in combination with the plunger stopper  120 , which may be color coded, makes determining an accurate dosage much easier for a user, but it is especially useful for the visually impaired. Determining an accurate dosage is simplified by using the plunger stopper  120 , which may be color coded, to indicate to a user or caregiver when the end of the plunger stopper  120  is correctly positioned within the dosage window  114  of the template  102 . Creating the plunger stopper  120  with color coding, is easily accomplished in the manufacturing process through the application of coloring(s) to the plunger stopper  120 , or by wrapping the plunger stopper  120  with an appropriate color-coded material that adheres to the plunger stopper  120 , making the plunger stopper  120 , with color coding, cost effective to produce. 
         [0021]    The plunger stopper  120  may be modified to change colors, for example, the plunger stopper  120  may be designed to glow in the dark. This greater visibility in low light conditions and multiple dosage calibration permits greater accuracy in filling the syringe  100  under various lighting and ambient conditions. In one embodiment, window  114  of template  102  may include a magnifying window. By adding a magnifying window to the template  102 , the plunger stopper  120  would be more readily visible to those who have vision issues and provide greater utility for those who require such assistance. 
         [0022]    The template  102  shown in  FIG. 2  is shown without channel  110  that attaches to flange  107  and template  102  as shown doesn&#39;t reach all the way along the length of syringe barrel  104 . The template  102  of such an arrangement may be secured to syringe barrel  104  through adhesives, press fit, or any other method of attachment. The form of attachment (i.e., fixed or removable) determines whether the template is reusable as discussed above. It is understood that the various options (i.e., number of windows  114 , coloring of plunger stopper  120 , length of template  102 , magnifying windows, fit method, etc.) as discussed herein can be interchangeable in accordance with the invention discussion herein. 
         [0023]    In an additional alternative embodiment, the template  102  may be comprised of a number of removable sections. In this non-limiting embodiment, the template  102  may have sections calibrated such that the length of a particular section, when attached to the syringe barrel  104  of the syringe  100 , would represent a particular dosage of medication. The sections of the template may be perforated to permit a user to remove those sections of the template  102  that did not indicate the desired dosage leaving only the section(s) required to indicate the required calibrated dosage. The template  102 , thus calibrated, would then be attached to the syringe barrel  104  of the syringe  100  to assist the user or caregiver in filling the syringe  100  with the required dosage. In use the user may remove the appropriate removable section of template  102 , for example by snapping or tearing it at the appropriate perforation, and attaching it to the syringe barrel  104 . The user would preferably then load the syringe with medication, using conventional techniques, loading the syringe up to the top of the attached template  102  section, the top of the attached template  102  section in effect being the window as described herein. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method for use of the syringe template  102  with a syringe  100  consistent with certain embodiments of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, a user or a caregiver is using a syringe  100  and has a template  102  having one or more dosage windows  114  within or incised through the substantially opaque coating  112  of the template  102 . 
         [0025]    At a step  300 , the user or caregiver attaches the template  102  to the syringe barrel  104  of the syringe  100  by positioning template  102  on the syringe barrel  104  such that the proximal end  106  of template  102  preferably interlocks with flange  107  (in one embodiment), and applying pressure to permit a secure fit of the template  102  onto the syringe barrel  104  and locking it into place. 
         [0026]    At a step  302 , the user or caregiver may then depress the plunger  118  into the syringe barrel  104  of the syringe  100  in preparation for drawing a measured dose of medication, such as insulin, into the syringe barrel  104  of the syringe  100 . 
         [0027]    At a step  304 , the user or caregiver pulls the plunger  118  back until the plunger stopper  120 , which may be colored with a high visibility/contrast coloring, is correctly positioned in the desired dosage window  114 . When the user or caregiver can discern the plunger stopper  120  is correctly positioned in the dosage window  114 , the proper dose of medication has been drawn into the syringe barrel  104  of the syringe  100 . 
         [0028]    At a step  306 , the measured dose of medication may then be administered to the user. 
         [0029]    The described invention is sufficient to provide a user or caregiver with a more visible and accurate dosage of insulin or other medication in the syringe barrel  104  of the syringe  100 . The medication may be administered to the user and, in one embodiment, the syringe template  102  can be removed from the syringe  100  and re-used on another, separate syringe  100 . The template  102  and plunger stopper  120 , preferably with color coding or other visual enhancement indicator, provide a more accurate and user-friendly capability to measure and administer medications, such as insulin. 
       CONCLUDING REMARKS 
       [0030]    The foregoing detailed description of embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present invention. The term “the invention” or the like is used with reference to certain specific examples of the many alternative aspects or embodiments of the applicants&#39; invention set forth in this specification, and neither its use nor its absence is intended to limit the scope of the applicants&#39; invention or the scope of the claims. This specification is divided into sections for the convenience of the reader only. Headings should not be construed as limiting of the scope of the invention. It will be understood that various details of the present invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.