Abstract:
A syringe-assist device including a housing portion, an actuator portion, and a syringe-supporting member. The housing portion includes body defining an axial passage. The actuator portion is connected to and is partially disposed within the axial passage of the body. The syringe-supporting member is movably-disposed within the axial passage. The syringe-supporting member fluidly separates the axial passage into a first, proximal passage portion and a second, distal passage portion. The actuator portion is movably-disposed within the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage. The syringe-supporting member defines a fluid-flow passage that fluidly-connects the first, proximal passage portion of the axial passage to the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage. A method is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosure relates to a syringe-assist device and a method for utilizing the same. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Syringes are known in the art. The present invention overcomes drawbacks associated with the operation of a syringe by setting forth a device and methodology for utilizing the same that assists in the operation of a syringe. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an exemplary syringe-assist device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the syringe-assist device according to line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the syringe-assist device according to line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the syringe-assist device according to line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5A-5G  are views of an exemplary method for utilizing the syringe-assist device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are views of a method for operating a syringe. 
         FIGS. 6D  is a view of method for discharging a fluid from the syringe of  FIG. 6C  into a container. 
       SUMMARY 
       One aspect of the disclosure provides a syringe-assist device including a housing portion, an actuator portion and a syringe-supporting member. The housing portion includes a body that defines an axial passage. The actuator portion is connected to and is partially disposed within the axial passage of the body. The syringe-supporting member is movably-disposed within the axial passage. The syringe-supporting member fluidly separates the axial passage into a first, proximal passage portion and a second, distal passage portion. The actuator portion is movably-disposed within the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage. The syringe-supporting member defines a fluid-flow passage that fluidly-connects the first, proximal passage portion of the axial passage to the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage. 
       In some examples, a container is removably-disposed within the first, proximal passage portion of the axial passage, and, a syringe is removably-disposed within the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage. The syringe is in fluid communication with a distal opening of the fluid-flow passage, and, the container is in fluid communication with a proximal opening of the fluid-flow passage such that a fluid contained within the syringe is transferable from the syringe through the fluid-flow passage and into the container. 
       In some implementations, the body is a tube-shaped body having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a side portion extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. Each of the proximal end portion, the distal end portion and the side portion are defined by an outer surface and an inner surface such that the tube-shaped body is defined by a thickness extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. 
       In some instances, the inner surface defines the axial passage. The axial passage extends through the tube-shaped body along a central axis between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the tube-shaped body. The inner surface defines the axial passage to form an axial passage diameter. The outer surface defines the tube-shaped body to form a body diameter. 
       In some examples, the tube-shaped body forms a first opening and a second opening each extending through a thickness of the tube-shaped body. The first opening and the second opening permit the axial passage to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere. 
       The first opening is formed by the distal end portion of the tube-shaped body and is axially-aligned with the central axis. The second opening is formed by the side portion of the tube-shaped body and extends along most of a length of the tube-shaped body. The second opening is approximately equal to but slightly greater than half of a circumference of the tube-shaped body. 
       In some implementations, the syringe-supporting member includes a handle extending from an outer side surface of the syringe-supporting member. 
       In some instances, the syringe-supporting member includes a diameter that is approximately equal to but slightly less than an axial passage diameter formed by the axial passage of the tube-shaped body. 
       In some examples, the syringe-assist device further includes a base member connected to a proximal end portion of the housing portion. 
       In some implementations, the actuator portion includes: an actuator having a proximal end and a distal end, a head member connected to the proximal end of the actuator, and a cap member connected to the distal end of the actuator. 
       In some instances, a first portion of the actuator and the head member are movably-disposed within the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage. A second portion of the actuator and the cap member are arranged exterior of the housing portion and not within the axial passage. 
       In some examples, the actuator is a gas damper including a piston rod that is connected to and movably-disposed within a cylinder containing a gas. 
       In some implementations, the head member includes a diameter that is approximately equal to but slightly less than a diameter of the axial passage of the body of the housing portion. 
       In some instances, the cap member includes a proximal end surface, an outer distal end surface, an outer side surface, an inner side surface and an inner distal end surface. The inner side surface and the inner distal end surface define the cap member to include a recess. The inner side surface defines the cap member to include an inner diameter that is approximately equal to but slightly greater than a body diameter defined by an outer surface of the body of the housing portion. 
       In some examples, the cap member includes a thickness extending between the outer side surface and the inner side surface. The cap member forms a first opening and a second opening arranged in a diametrically-opposing relationship. 
       In some implementations, each of the first opening and the second opening include an L-shaped geometry. 
       In some instances, a first flange and a second flange are arranged proximate a distal end portion of the body of the housing. The cap member is selectively-arranged upon the distal end portion of the body of the housing such that when the first flange and the second flange are respectively-arranged within the first opening and the second opening the cap member is selectively-coupled to the distal end portion of the body of the housing. 
       Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method including the steps of: providing a syringe-assist device including a housing portion having a body that defines an axial passage and an actuator portion partially disposed within the axial passage of the body; movably-disposing a syringe-supporting member within the axial passage for fluidly-separating the axial passage into a first, proximal passage portion and a second, distal passage portion; movably-disposing the actuator portion within the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage, the syringe-supporting member defines a fluid-flow passage that fluidly-connects the first, proximal passage portion of the axial passage to the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage; removably-disposing a container within the first, proximal passage portion of the axial passage such that the container is in fluid communication with a proximal opening of the fluid-flow passage; removably-disposing a syringe within the second, distal passage portion of the axial passage such that the syringe is in fluid communication with a distal opening of the fluid-flow passage; and actuating the actuator portion for discharging a fluid contained within the syringe through the fluid-flow passage and into the container. 
       In some examples, the removably-disposing the container step includes: arranging a lower, proximal end surface of the container adjacent the proximal end portion of the tube-shaped body; and, after the arranging step, the method further comprises the step of: arranging the proximal end surface of the syringe-supporting member adjacent an upper, distal end surface of the container. 
       In some implementations, the removably-disposing the syringe step includes: disposing a distal tip of a wheel filter attached to a proximal end of the syringe in the fluid-flow passage of the syringe-supporting member. 
       In some instances, the actuating the actuator portion step includes: applying a pushing force to a distal end of the actuator portion. 
       In some examples, the actuator portion includes a gas damper actuator including a piston rod movably-disposed within a cylinder. The applied pushing force results in the steps of: engaging the piston rod with a plunger of the syringe; and retracting the piston rod into the cylinder. 
       In some implementations, after the retracting step, the method further includes the steps of: twisting the distal end of the actuator portion for locking the distal end of the actuator portion to a distal end portion of the body of the housing; and extending the piston rod from the cylinder and toward the plunger of the syringe for discharging the fluid contained within the syringe through the fluid-flow passage and into the container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The Figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of a syringe-assist device and a method for utilizing the same. Based on the foregoing, it is to be generally understood that the nomenclature used herein is simply for convenience and the terms used to describe the invention should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Prior to describing embodiments of the invention, reference is made to  FIGS. 6A-6D , which illustrates an exemplary syringe S. The syringe S includes a tube-shaped member T and a plunger P that is slidably-disposed in an unfiltered fluid reservoir R formed by the tube-shaped member T. A distal end S D  of the syringe S is generally defined by a pushing head H of the plunger P. A proximal end S P , of the syringe S is generally defined by a fluid aspirating/expelling opening O (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 6A-6C ). As seen in  FIGS. 6C-6D , a wheel filter F may be attached to the proximal end Sp of the syringe S in order to close-out the fluid aspirating/expelling opening, O. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the unfiltered fluid reservoir R may be loaded with unfiltered fluid UF by pulling the plunger P in a direction according to arrow X (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6B ). Then, as the wheel filter F is attached to the proximal end Sp of the syringe S as seen in  FIG. 6C , a plunger-actuating force (according to the direction of arrow X′ as seen in, e.g.,  FIG. 6D ) may be imparted to the pushing head H of the plunger P for evacuating the unfiltered fluid UF from the unfiltered fluid reservoir R and out of the proximal end Sp of the syringe S. Prior to being evacuated out of the proximal end Sp of the syringe S the unfiltered fluid UF passes through the wheel filter F in order to remove contaminates from the unfiltered fluid UF. Once the unfiltered fluid UF passes through the wheel filter F the unfiltered fluid UF may be referred to as filtered fluid FF (as seen in, e.g.,  FIG. 6D ); the filtered fluid FF may be deposited into a filtered fluid container C (as seen in, e.g.,  FIG. 6D ). 
     Referring to FIGS.  1  and  5 A- 5 G, an exemplary syringe-assist device is shown generally at  10 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the syringe-assist device  10  generally includes a housing portion  12  and an actuator portion  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5E , the housing portion  12  retains both the syringe S and the filtered fluid container C. Referring to  FIGS. 5E-5F , a user U (see, e.g., FIGS.  5 B and  5 D- 5 G), imparts a push (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5E ) and twist (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5F ) to the actuator portion  14  in order to cause the actuator portion  14  to impart the plunger-actuating force X′, as similarly described above in  FIG. 6D , in order to evacuate the unfiltered fluid UF from the unfiltered fluid reservoir R of the syringe S and into the filtered fluid container C as filtered fluid FF. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the housing  12  may be generally defined as a tube-shaped body  16  having a proximal end portion  18 , a distal end portion  20  and a side portion  22  extending between the proximal end portion  18  and the distal end portion  20 . Each of the proximal end portion  18 , the distal end portion  20  and the side portion  22  may be defined by an outer surface  24  and an inner surface  26  such that the tube-shaped body  16  may be defined by a thickness T 16  extending between the outer surface  24  and the inner surface  26 . 
     The inner surface  26  may define an axial passage  28  that extends through the tube-shaped body  16  along a central axis, A-A, between the proximal end portion  18  and the distal end portion  20  of the tube-shaped body  16 . The inner surface  26  defines the axial passage  28  to form an axial passage diameter D 28  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). The outer surface  24  defines the tube-shaped body  16  to form a body diameter D 16  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). 
     The tube-shaped body  16  may form a first opening  30   a  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) and a second opening  30   b  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1-2 ) each extending through the thickness T 16  of the tube-shaped body  16 . The first opening  30   a  and the second opening  30   b  permit the axial passage  28  to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. 
     The first opening  30   a  may be formed by the distal end portion  20  of the tube-shaped body  16 . In some implementations, the first opening  30   a  may be axially-aligned with the central axis, A-A; as a result, the first opening  30   a  may alternatively be referred to as an axial opening. 
     The second opening  30   b  may formed by the side portion  22  of the tube-shaped body  16 . The second opening  30   b  may axially extend along most of a length L 16  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ), of the tube-shaped body  16 ; in some implementations, the second opening  30   b  may axially extend along approximately about 50%, 60%, 75%, or 85% of the length, L 16 , of the tube-shaped body  16 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the second opening  30   b  may be approximately equal to but slightly greater than half of a circumference  32  of the tube-shaped body  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , an exemplary syringe-supporting member is shown generally at  34 . As seen in  FIGS. 5A-5D , the syringe-supporting member  34  is slidably-arranged within the axial passage  28 . As will be described in the following disclosure, the syringe-supporting member  34  fluidly separates the axial passage  28  into a first, proximal passage portion  28   a  and a second, distal passage portion  28   b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the syringe-supporting member  34  may include a proximal end surface  36 , an outer distal end surface  38  and an outer side surface  40 . A handle  42  may be connected to and extend radially outwardly from the outer side surface  40  of the syringe-supporting member  34 . 
     The outer side surface  40  defines the syringe-supporting member  34  to include a diameter, D 34  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ). The diameter, D 34 , of the syringe-supporting member  34  may be approximately equal to but slightly less than the axial passage diameter, D 28 , of the axial passage  28  of the tube-shaped body  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the syringe-supporting member  34  may include a fluid-flow passage  44  that extends through a thickness T 34  of the syringe-supporting member  34 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the thickness T 34  of the syringe-supporting member  34  may be bound by the outer distal end surface  38  and an inner distal end surface  39 . Access to the fluid-flow passage  44  is permitted by a first, proximal opening  44   a  formed by the inner distal end surface  39  of the syringe-supporting member  34  and a second, distal opening  44   b  formed by the outer distal end surface  38  of the syringe-supporting member  34 . In some implementations, the fluid-flow passage  44  may be axially-aligned with the central axis, A-A; as a result, the fluid-flow passage  44  may alternatively be referred to as an axial fluid-flow passage. As will be described in the following disclosure, fluid-flow passage  44  of the syringe-supporting member  34  permits the first, proximal passage portion  28   a  of the axial passage  28  to be in fluid communication with the second, distal passage portion  28   b  of the axial passage  28  for permitting a fluid (e.g., the unfiltered fluid UF) contained within a syringe S that is arranged within the second, distal passage portion  28   b , through the fluid-flow passage  44  and into a container, C, disposed within the first, proximal passage portion  28   a  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 5C-5D ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in some implementations, the housing  12  may be attached to a base member  46 . The base member  46  may be defined by a substantially circular shape. The base member  46  may form a receiving opening or receiving pocket  48 . The receiving pocket  48  may include a diameter, D 48 , that is substantially equal to but slightly greater than a body diameter D 16  formed by the outer surface  24  of the tube-shaped body  16  such that the tube-shaped body  16  may be received by and frictionally-coupled to receiving pocket  48  of the base member  46 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the actuator portion  14  may include an actuator  50 , a head member  52  and a cap member  54 . The actuator  50  includes a proximal end  56  and a distal end  58 . The head member  52  is attached to the proximal end  56  of the actuator  50 . The cap member  54  is attached to the distal end  58  of the actuator  50 . 
     In some implementations, the actuator  50  may be a gas damper. The gas damper includes a piston rod  50   a  that is connected to and slidably-disposed within a cylinder  50   b . A gas that is contained within the cylinder  50   b  biases the piston rod  50   a  in an extended state (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 ,  5 A- 5 E,  5 G); conversely, the piston rod  50   a  may be urged into/maintained within the cylinder  50   b  such that the piston rod  50   a  may be said to be arranged in a retracted state (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5F ). Referring to  FIG. 5F , when the piston rod  50   a  is arranged in the retracted state with respect to the cylinder  50   b , the gas that is contained within the cylinder  50   b  may be compressed, thereby storing energy that may be utilized for returning the piston rod  50   a  back to the extended state with respect to the cylinder  50   b  as seen in  FIG. 5G . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the head member  52  may include a substantially similar geometry with respect to the syringe-supporting member  34  in that the head member  52  includes a proximal end surface  60 , a distal end surface  62  and an outer side surface  64 . The outer side surface  64  defines the head member  52  includes a diameter D 52 . The diameter D 52  of the head member  52  may be approximately equal to but slightly less than the diameter D 28  of the axial passage  28  of the tube-shaped body  16 . The proximal end  56  of the actuator  50  is attached to the distal end surface  62  of the head member  52 . 
     The cap member  54  includes a proximal end surface  66 , an outer distal end surface  68 , an outer side surface  70 , an inner side surface  72  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ) and an inner distal end surface  74  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). Referring to  FIG. 4 , the inner side surface  72  and the inner distal end surface  74  define the cap member  54  to include a recess  76 . The distal end  58  of the actuator  50  is attached to the inner distal end surface  74  of the cap member  54 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the inner side surface  72  defines the cap member  54  to include an inner diameter D 54 . The inner diameter D 54  of the cap member  54  may be approximately equal to but slightly greater than the body diameter D 16  defined by the outer surface  24  of the tube-shaped body  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the outer side surface  70  and the inner side surface  72  define the cap member  54  to include a thickness, T 54 . The thickness, T 54 , extends between the outer side surface  70  and the inner side surface  72 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the cap member  54  may further include at least one opening  78   a ,  78   b ,  78   c . Some implementations of the invention include a first opening  78   a , a second opening  78   b  and a third opening  78   c . In an example, the first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  each extend through the thickness, T 54 , of the cap member  54 . In an example, the first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  of the cap member  54  are arranged in a diametrically-opposing relationship. 
     The first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  may axially extend along most of a length L 54  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ) of the cap member  54 ; in some implementations, the first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  may axially extend along approximately about 35%, 45%, 55%, or 65% of the length L 54  of the cap member  54 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  may include an “L-shaped” geometry. As will be described in the following disclosure at  FIGS. 5F-5G , the “L-shaped” geometry of the first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  permits the cap member  54  to be interfacingly-locked with a pair of flanges  80  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) that are arranged proximate the distal end portion  20  of the tube-shaped body  16 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , each flange  80   a ,  80   b  of the pair of flanges  80  extend radially outwardly from the outer surface  24  of the tube-shaped body  16  in a diametrically-opposing relationship. 
     In an example, the third opening  78   c  may be formed by the proximal end surface  66  of the cap member  54 . In some implementations, the third opening  78   c  may be axially-aligned with the central axis, A-A; as a result, the third opening  78   c  may alternatively be referred to as an axial opening. 
     The first opening  78   a  and the second opening  78   b  permit the recess  76  of the cap member  54  to be in radial fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere, A. The third opening  78   c  permits the recess  76  of the cap member  54  to be in axial fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere, A. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5G , an exemplary method for operating the syringe-assist device  10  is described as follows. Firstly, as seen in  FIGS. 5A-5D , the syringe-supporting member  34  is slidably-adjusted within the axial passage  28  from a lowered, at-rest orientation (as seen in, e.g.,  FIGS. 5A-5B ) to a raised orientation (as seen in, e.g.,  FIG. 5C ). Slidable adjustment of the syringe-supporting member  34  within the axial passage  28  may be result from the user U grasping the handle  42  and elevating the syringe-supporting member  34  with respect to the tube-shaped body  16 . 
     Once the syringe-supporting member  34  is adjusted to the raised orientation as seen in  FIG. 5C , the axial passage  28  may be further defined to include a first, proximal passage portion  28   a  and a second, distal passage portion  28   b . As seen in  FIG. 5C , the user U may then dispose the container C within the first, proximal passage portion  28   a  such that a lower, proximal end surface C p  of the container C is disposed adjacent the proximal end portion  48  of the receiving pocket  48  of the base member  46 . The user U may arrange the container C within the first, proximal passage portion  28   a  of the tube-shaped body  16  such that the fluid-flow passage  44  that extends through the thickness T 34  of the syringe-supporting member  34  is axially-aligned with an opening, C O  formed by the upper, distal end surface C D  of the container C in order to permit the fluid-flow passage  44  of the syringe-supporting member  34  to be in fluid communication with a filtered fluid reservoir C R  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6D ) defined by the container C. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5D , the user U may then slidably-adjust the syringe-supporting member  34  in a direction back toward the lowered, at-rest orientation such that the proximal end surface  36  of the syringe-supporting member  34  is disposed adjacent an upper, distal end surface, C D  of the container C. Once the proximal end surface  36  of the syringe-supporting member  34  is disposed adjacent an upper, distal end surface C D  of the container C, the syringe-supporting member  34  is supported by the container C within the tube-shaped body  16  and prevented from sliding further in a direction toward the lowered, at-rest orientation of  FIG. 5A . 
     Once the proximal end surface  36  of syringe-supporting member  34  is disposed adjacent the upper, distal end surface C D  of the container C as described above, the user U may then arrange the syringe S in the second, distal passage portion  28   b  of the axial passage  28 . Once the syringe S is arranged in the axial passage  28 , the user U may dispose a distal tip F D  of the wheel filter F in the fluid-flow passage  44  of the syringe-supporting member  34  by inserting the distal tip F D  of the wheel filter F into the second, distal opening  44   b  formed by the outer distal end surface  38  of the syringe-supporting member  34 . 
     Once the syringe S and the container C are retained within the housing portion  12  of the syringe-assist device  10  as described above, the user U may then actuate the actuator portion  14 . Referring to  FIG. 5E , the user U may actuate the actuator portion  14  by firstly applying a pushing force Y to the cap member  54 . The pushing force Y results in the cylinder  50   b  of the actuator  50  being advanced through the first opening  30   a  formed by the distal end portion  20  of the tube-shaped body  16 , and, as a result, the piston rod  50   a  and the head member  52  are advanced through the first, proximal passage portion  28   a  of the axial passage  28  and toward the pushing head H of the plunger P of the syringe S (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 6A-6B ). 
     Once the actuator portion  14  is advanced through the axial passage  28  of the tube-shaped body  16  of the housing portion  12  as described above, the proximal end surface  60  of the head member  52  of the actuator portion  14  directly engages the pushing head H of the plunger P of the syringe S. As the userU continues to apply the pushing force Y movement of the plunger P into the unfiltered fluid reservoir R (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 6A-6B ) formed by the tube-shaped member T of the syringe S is impeded as a result of the unfiltered fluid UF being disposed within the unfiltered fluid reservoir R; therefore, the inclusion of the unfiltered fluid UF within the unfiltered fluid reservoir R causes plunger P of the syringe S to counteract the pushing force Y imparted by the user U which results in the piston rod  50   a  of the actuator  50  being urged into the cylinder  50   b  of the actuator  50  (as seen in  FIG. 5F ) as the user U continues to impart the pushing force Y to the cap member  54 . 
     Transitioning from  FIG. 5E  to  FIG. 5F , as the user U urges the cap member  54  toward the distal end portion  20  of the tube-shaped body  16  of the housing portion  12 , the first and second flanges  80   a ,  80   b  enter a first branch of the “L-shaped” first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  formed by the cap member  54 . The user U may further urge the cap member  54  according to the direction of the arrow Y until the inner distal end surface  74  of the cap member  54  is disposed approximately adjacent the distal end portion  20  of the tube-shaped body  16 . 
     Then, as seen in  FIG. 5F , the user U may apply a second motion to the actuator portion  14  by twisting the end cap  54  according to the direction of the arrow Z. Referring to  FIG. 5G , upon twisting the cap member  54  according to the direction of the arrow Z the first and second flanges  80   a ,  80   b  enter a second branch of the “L-shaped” first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  that is substantially perpendicular to the first branch of the “L-shaped” first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b . Once the first and second flanges  80   a ,  80   b  have entered the second branch of the “L-shaped” first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b , the cap member  54  is arranged in a locked orientation with respect to the tube-shaped body  16  of the housing portion  12 . 
     Once the cap member  54  is arranged in the locked orientation with respect to the tube-shaped body  16  of the housing portion  12 , the gas that is contained within the cylinder  50   b  prevents the cylinder  50   b  from urging the cap member  54  away from the tube-shaped body  16  due to the fact that the first and second flanges  80   a ,  80   b  are disposed within the second branch of the “L-shaped” first and second openings  78   a ,  78   b  to thereby lock the cap member  54  to the tube-shaped body  16 . Therefore, the gas that is contained within the cylinder  50   b  of the actuator  50  may urge the piston  50   a  away from and out of the cylinder  50   b  for returning the piston rod  50   a  back to the extended state. As the piston  50   a  is urged back to the extended state, the piston  50   a  imparts the plunger-actuating force X′ to the pushing head H of the plunger P for evacuating the unfiltered fluid UF from the unfiltered fluid reservoir R and out of the proximal end Sp of the syringe S such that the unfiltered fluid UF may pass through the wheel filter F. Once the unfiltered fluid UF passes through the wheel filter F the unfiltered fluid UF may thereafter be referred to as filtered fluid FF. The filtered fluid FF may then exit the wheel filter F and be directed toward the fluid-flow passage  44  formed by the syringe-supporting member  34 . The filtered fluid FF may then exit the fluid-flow passage  44  and enter the filtered fluid container C by way of the opening C O  of the filtered fluid container C that is in fluid communication with the fluid-flow passage  44  formed by the syringe-supporting member  34 . 
     The present invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the exemplary embodiments described above. This may be done without departing from the spirit of the invention. The exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the preceding description.