APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AND OPERATING ONE OR MORE SYRINGES

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a syringe (6, 10) includes a handle portion (2) and a cradle (4). A clip (14) is provided for connecting the plungers (8) of two or more syringes (6, 10), and two or more syringes (6, 10) are operated by placing one (6) in the cradle (4) and attaching the clip (14) to the plungers (8) for simultaneous operation of the plungers (8). The handle portion (2) also forms a cavity for storing the clips (14). The apparatus is preferably used in combination with an applicator tip (12) that combines the outputs from the two or more syringes (6, 10).

Description: APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AND OPERATING ONE OR MORE SYRINGES TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to synnges. In particular, the invention relates to a device for holding one or more syπnges to facilitate operation of a single synnge or to operate and combine the fluids from a plurality of syπnges. BACKGROUND ART The operation of a synnge is well known. In a common use, a hypodermic needle is attached to the barrel of a synnge for injecting a fluid into a patient Synnges also have other uses, such as the application of a fluid to an exteπor surface or the injection of a fluid into a conduit. It is also known to combine the fluids from two separate syπnges for application of the mixture to an object. An example of this is the combination of a first fluid containing fibπnogen in a first synnge and a second fluid containing thrombin in a second synnge to provide a fibπn sealant. This type of synnge typically provides a combining tip having two inlets, each of which receives the outlet of a respective one of two synnges. The combining tip provides a Y-type channel for combining the two fluids A problem in this art is how to facilitate handling the syπnges and, in particular, how to handle two or more synnges such that they can be operated simultaneously with ease. In this regard, it is often desirable to link the synnge barrels and the synnge plungers to allow the operator to apply the contents in a controlled manner with one hand It may also be desirable to provide for operation of a single synnge by using the thumb to obtain more leverage on the end of the plunger. A further requirement of devices in this art is that the components be inexpensive, easily steπhzed, and disposable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a one-piece molded plastic handle receives the barrel of a first synnge for securely holding it in a position whereby the user may gπp the handle and operate the plunger with the thumb. A clip is also provided for connecting the plunger of a synnge placed in the handle to the plunger of one or more additional synnges. In use, the outlet ends of the synnges are attached to any of several applicator tips that are commercially available for combining fluids from two or more syπnges. Thus, the luer lock tips at the outlet ends of the syπnges are secured to the applicator tip while the plungers at the opposite ends are secured to the clip provided by the invention to result in a πgid assembly, with the synnge barrels essentially parallel One of the synnges is held in the handle so that the operator can operate the synnges simultaneously with the thumb by grasping the handle and pushing on the clip with the thumb. The synnges may be of the same size, which would provide a 1 1 mixture ratio of the fluids. Or, the synnges may be of different sizes to provide another desired mixing ratio. For example, if the first synnge has a 10ml capacity, and a second synnge has a lml capacity, the mixing ratio will be 10: 1. Synnges of different sizes are easily accommodated because the handle holds only a single synnge, and the remaining syπnges are held to the first by the applicator and the clip. By this construction, different sizes of syπnges can accommodated with a single handle by using a clip specifically designed to engage the plungers of the syπnges The preferred handle includes a cradle sized to receive the barrel of a 10ml synnge. The cradle is open at the top so the banel can be snapped into the handle from the top or slid in from either end. The cradle can be a cylinder, which may require an adaptor for receiving barrels of different sizes. The handle also preferably provides a storage bay for one or more clips, which may be of different sizes or may be redundant in case one is dropped duπng assembly In the preferred embodiment, the handle and the slips are injection-molded polypropylene of a grade that withstands steπlization by irradiation or ethylene oxide gas BPJEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus for holding one or more synnges in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 with an applicator tip attached to the synnges. Figure 3 is a side view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention with an alternate clip. Figure 4a is an end view of a prefeπed embodiment of a handle in accordance with the invention Figure 4b is an end view of an alternate embodiment of a handle in accordance with the invention. Figure 5a is a side view of a handle showing storage of the clips. Figure 5b is a perspective of the embodiment of figure 5a. Figure 6 is a side view of the embodiment shown in figure 4b showing an adaptor for accommodating synnges of different sizes DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a handle 2, which is designed with a cradle portion 4 for receiving a first synnge 6 The handle provides a gπp for engaging the palm of a user in such a configuration that the thumb of the user is positioned to engage easily the plunger 8 of the synnge 6 A second synnge 10 is held parallel to the first synnge by structure to be descπbed Each synnge has a luer lock 7 and 9, respectively, for connecting the syπnges to conduits, or the like With reference to figure 2, an applicator tip 12 is shown connected to the luer lock ends of the first and second synnges 6 and 10. This applicator is one of several known in the art for combining the fluids from the first and second syπnges to provide a mixture of the fluids from the two syπnges More than two syπnges may be employed with an appropπate applicator tip Figure 2 also shows use of a clip 14, which is secured to the ends of the synnge plungers such that a user can operate the synnges simultaneously by pressing on the clip 14 The clip 14 can be stepped to provide attachment parts of different thickness to accommodate synnges of different lengths Thus, the clip shown in figure 2 provides a first portion 15 that is thicker than a second portion 17 by the difference between the lengths of the two synnges 6 and 10 Figure 3 shows an alternate clip 13 of uniform thickness, to be used when the syπnges are of the same length. Figure 4a is an end view of a handle 2 having a cradle 4 designed to receive a synnge banel either by insertion from above the cradle in a downward direction or by longitudinally sliding the synnge banel into the cradle. In this embodiment, the sides 16 of the cradle project inward and downward slightly and are resilient to receive the barrel of a synnge 6 and hold it securely to the handle. Radial nbs 17 are spaced about the cradle 4 for engaging the synnge and providing secure support by the cradle. In this embodiment, the barrel can be inserted in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the barrel or slid longitudinally into the banel. Figure 4b shows an alternate embodiment wherein the cradle is designed to receive the baπel only by sliding it longitudinally into the cradle. Figure 5a is a side view of the invention showing how spare clips 14 are stored in an open cavity formed by the sides of the handle. In the preferred embodiment, each of the clips has an opening 18 for receiving a post 20 on the handle to hold the clip to the handle such that a user can readily remove the clip from its storage position. The post is preferably cruciform in cross section for resihently holding the clip. Figure 5b is a perspective showing two clips stored in the handle. It will be appreciated that each clip includes front and back walls forming two adjacent slots 24, each of which receives a flange on the end of a respective synnge plunger The front wall is cut out at 26 to accept the plunger's shaft. The slots are preferably directed oppositely, whereby the plungers are inserted from opposite ends of the clip to accommodate the natural tendency of the synnges to come toward each other Figure 6 shows how a handle, such as that shown in figure 4b, can be adapted to receive syπnges of different sizes. In this embodiment, an adaptor 22 is provided for altenng the size of the cradle to receive a synnge having a diameter smaller than the largest nominal size to be retained by the cradle. A plurality of these adaptors may be provided to accommodate syπnges of vanous sizes. In use, the synnges may be assembled in almost any order. In one procedure, the applicator tip is secured to the synnges, the synnge 6 is inserted into the cradle 4, and the clip attached. Alternatively, the synnge 6 is inserted into the handle, and the applicator tip, second synnge and clip are then attached. The parts may be assembled in other orders also. It will be appreciated that a novel for holding and operating one or more synnges has been descπbed. Modifications within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Claims: I claim: 1 Apparatus for holding and operating one or more synnges compπsing a handle and a cradle, wherein said handle is adapted to be held in an operator's hand and said cradle is adapted to removably receive a said synnge. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further compnsing a clip adapted to engage the ends of the plungers of at least two of said syπnges and to connect the plungers for simultaneous movement. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said clip accommodates synnges of different lengths. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 further compπsing an applicator tip for connecting to the output end of each synnge and receiving the outputs from said synnges. 5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said handle provides a cavity for stoπng one or more of said clips. 6 Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said handle includes at least one post for engaging an opening in a said clip. 7 Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said clip compnses spaced front and rear walls forming grooves to receive said ends of the plungers 8 Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein one of said walls is cut out to receive the shaft of a synnge plunger. 9 Apparatus according to claim '1 wherein said cradle is semi-cyhndncal and is made of resilient matenal for receiving a said synnge transverse to the longitudinal axis of said cradle. Apparatus according to claim 1 further compnsing an adaptor Apparatus for holding and operating one or more syπnges compnsing handle means for providing a gnp for an operator's hand and a cradle for receiving the barrel of a single synnge, and further compπsing clip means for receiving the plungers of a plurality of syπnges and allowing simultaneous operation thereof Apparatus according to claim 1 1 wherein said clip accommodates synnges of different lengths

Inventors: VERKAART WESLEY H, VERKAART, WESLEY, H.
Applicants: HARVEST TECHNOLOGIES CORP, VERKAART WESLEY H, HARVEST TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, VERKAART, WESLEY, H.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A61M5
IPC codes: A61M5