Abstract:
A syringe assembly having a collapsible or pivotable plunger rod with magnification properties is provided. In a pre-use or packaged state, the plunger rod is positioned substantially parallel to the barrel of the syringe resulting in a syringe assembly having a reduced length and a smaller packaging footprint. The smaller packaging footprint allows for reduced storage space of the syringe assembly. Upon removal from the packaging and/or storage space, the plunger rod can be slid or pivoted toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel and locked into place such that the syringe is ready for use. The plunger rod can be shaped to provide magnification to the syringe barrel indicia and/or contents. Alternatively, a separate magnification member can be associated with the plunger rod and/or secured about the syringe barrel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/235,848 entitled “Magnifying Collapsed Plunger Rod” filed Aug. 21, 2009; 61/235,869 entitled “Syringe Having a Collapsible Plunger Rod” filed Aug. 21, 2009; and 61/235,817 entitled “Syringe Assembly with Pivoting Plunger and Integral Tip Guard” filed Aug. 21, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is directed to a syringe assembly having a collapsed plunger rod, and more particularly, to a syringe assembly having a collapsed plunger rod wherein the plunger rod has magnification properties to reduce medication errors. The present invention is also directed to a syringe assembly having a smaller packaging footprint allowing for reduced storage space. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Syringe assemblies, and in particular hypodermic syringes, are well known in the medical field for dispensing fluids, such as medication. A conventional syringe typically includes a syringe barrel with an opening at one end and a plunger mechanism disposed through the other end. The plunger typically includes a plunger rod extending through the barrel, with a plunger head or stopper at the end of the plunger rod within the barrel and with a finger flange at the other end of the plunger rod extending out of the barrel. In use, the plunger rod is retracted through the syringe barrel to fill the syringe barrel with a fluid, such as a medication, with the plunger rod extending out from the rear end of the syringe barrel. For delivery of the medication to a patient, the opening of the syringe barrel is adapted for fluid communication with a patient, such as through a hypodermic needle fitted at the front end of the syringe barrel or through a luer-type fitting extending from the front end of the syringe barrel for attachment with a fluid line of a patient. Upon depression of the plunger rod, the plunger rod and stopper travel through the syringe barrel, thereby forcing the contents of the syringe out through the opening at the front end for delivery to the patient. Such an operation is well known in the medical field, and medical practitioners have become well accustomed to the use of such common fluid delivery procedures through standard syringes. 
         [0006]    Syringe assemblies having magnification members which are separately attached to the syringe barrel are also well known. U.S. Pat. No. 2,586,581 to Tschischeck discloses a magnifying attachment that fits around a syringe barrel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,071 to Asbell discloses a movable lens for viewing indicia lines that are visually accessible through a transparent region of a syringe body. The movable lens is carried by straps clasped to the exterior surface of tubing surrounding the syringe body. U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,234 to Leopoldi et al. discloses a syringe magnifier that is attached directly onto a syringe barrel. 
         [0007]    Conventional syringes are well known to be used in connection with a vial of a medication, where the user draws the fluid into the syringe immediately prior to injection and delivery of the fluid to the patient. Oftentimes, hypodermic syringes may be packaged as “pre-filled” devices, wherein the syringe is pre-filled with medication prior to being packaged and delivered to the end user. In this manner, there is no need for the user to fill the device prior to injection, thereby saving time for the end user and maintaining consistent volumes for delivery. 
         [0008]    Pre-filled syringes and pre-filled metered dose syringes are often filled with narcotics or other drugs at a production facility, packaged, and then shipped to a medical facility. Once at the facility, these syringes are often placed in controlled storage and/or locked cabinets to reduce theft of the syringes themselves and/or theft of the contents of these syringes. The space within these controlled storage locations is often limited, thus there is a need for a syringe assembly that has magnification properties wherein the magnification member is an integral component of the assembly such that the syringe assembly has a smaller packaging footprint to reduce the storage space required for containing this syringe. It is also desirable to produce syringes that are uniform in terms of an outer surface shape to allow for stacking of the syringes within the storage cabinet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to a first aspect, the invention is directed to a syringe assembly having a collapsed plunger rod wherein the plunger rod has magnification properties. The syringe barrel has a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. A stopper is located within the syringe barrel and a stopper adapter associated with the stopper. The syringe barrel, stopper, and stopper adapter define a longitudinal axis. A plunger rod is secured to the adapter and is configured for cooperation with the adapter to move from a collapsed pre-use position, where the plunger rod extends substantially parallel with the barrel sidewall and is capable of magnifying indicia, such as content identifying indicia associated with the barrel sidewall, to an expanded ready-to-use position where the plunger rod extends substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel, stopper, and the stopper adapter. The plunger rod includes a first end and a second end and an attachment member located at the second end. This attachment member on the plunger rod cooperates with the stopper adapter to secure the plunger rod thereto in the expanded ready-to-use position. The syringe assembly can further include a flange located at the proximal end of the syringe barrel. This flange includes an opening in alignment with an opening in the stopper adapter through which the plunger rod extends. A magnification member is associated with the plunger rod for magnifying any indicia associated with the syringe barrel. 
         [0010]    In operation, the plunger rod moves from the collapsed position to the expanded position through a pivoting motion of the second end of the plunger rod in a radial direction with respect to the syringe barrel, and through the application of a force to the plunger rod in a proximal direction toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel to axially slide the plunger rod through the openings in the flange and the stopper adapter to align the plunger rod along the longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel, stopper, and stopper adapter and to secure the attachment member on the second end of the plunger rod with the stopper adapter. The plunger rod can include a thumb press member located at the first end of the rod and is positioned above the proximal end of the syringe barrel and the flange. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment, the plunger rod can include magnification properties for magnifying any indicia associated with and/or located on the syringe barrel. One modification to this embodiment can include a plunger rod having two or more legs and wherein at least one of these legs includes magnification properties. According to another embodiment, a sleeve can be fitted about the syringe barrel. This sleeve can include a magnification lens incorporated therein. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect, the invention is directed to a syringe assembly having magnification properties comprising a syringe barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The sidewall can include indicia printed directly thereon or printed on a label secured to the sidewall. This indicia can include label information such as the drug name, concentration, expiration, and the like. The indicia can also include dosing information or barrel markings. A magnification member is associated with the plunger rod and the syringe barrel for magnifying this indicia. According to one embodiment, this magnification member comprises a collapsed plunger rod having at least a portion positioned adjacent the syringe barrel sidewall. According to one alternative design, the collapsed plunger rod can include two or more legs and at least one of the legs has magnification properties. According to an alternative embodiment, the magnification member can comprise a sleeve fitting about the syringe barrel wherein the sleeve includes a magnification lens incorporated therein. According to yet another alternative design, the plunger rod can be a pivoting plunger which pivots from a first position, in which the rod is adjacent to the syringe barrel, to a second position in which the plunger rod is in general axial alignment with the syringe barrel, and is further adapted for axial movement so as to cause the slidable movement of the plunger head through the syringe barrel. The pivoting plunger rod can include a tip guard integrally formed with a distal end thereof for protecting the distal end of the syringe assembly. The pivoting plunger can include a magnification member associated therewith for magnifying indicia associated with the syringe barrel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a syringe assembly including a collapsed plunger rod having magnification properties according to one design of the invention wherein the plunger rod is in a pre-use position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of a syringe assembly including the plunger rod having magnification properties according to another design of the present invention wherein the plunger rod is in a pre-use position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a syringe assembly of  FIG. 2  having a plunger rod pivoted away from the syringe barrel during transition of the syringe from the initial position to the ready-to-use position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a partial perspective view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 3A  showing engagement of the plunger rod during transition of the syringe from the initial position to the ready-to-use position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3C  is a partial perspective view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 3A  showing engagement of the plunger rod during further transition of the syringe from the initial position to the ready-to-use position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3D  is a partial front sectional view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 3A  in the ready-to-use position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a front sectional view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 3A  in the ready-to-use position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a syringe assembly having a collapsed plunger rod having magnification properties in an initial position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 5  taken along line  6 - 6 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a syringe assembly having a plunger rod having magnification properties according to yet another design of the present invention wherein the plunger rod is in an initial position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 7A  having the plunger rod having magnification properties rotated over indicia disposed in the syringe barrel; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 7A  having the plunger rod rotationally and partially axially advanced; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 7A  having the plunger rod fully extended; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7E  is a perspective view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 7A  in the ready-to-use position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7F  is a perspective view of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 7A  having the plunger rod partially deployed to expel contents of the syringe barrel. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a syringe assembly having magnification properties according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a syringe assembly having magnification properties according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the syringe assembly having magnification properties according to still another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 
         [0034]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  which shows a syringe assembly, generally indicated as  10 , having a collapsed plunger rod with magnification properties, generally indicated as  12 , according to one design of the present invention. The syringe assembly  10  includes a syringe barrel  14  with a proximal end  16 , a distal end  18 , and a sidewall  20  extending between the proximal end  16  and the distal end  18 . As shown, the syringe barrel  14  may have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape, though it is to be appreciated that the syringe barrel  14  may be formed in any suitable shape. Additionally, the syringe barrel  14  may be formed of glass, or may be injection molded from thermoplastic material such as polypropylene and polyethylene according to techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art, though it is to be appreciated that the syringe barrel  14  may be made from other suitable materials and according to other applicable techniques. 
         [0035]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , a stopper  22  is located within the syringe barrel  14  and a stopper adapter  24  is associated with the stopper  22 . The stopper adapter  24  may be integrally formed with the stopper  22  or may be a separately molded member having a first end secured to the stopper  22 . The syringe barrel  14 , stopper  22 , and stopper adapter  24  define a longitudinal axis L, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The plunger rod  12  may be secured to the stopper adapter  24  and is configured for cooperation with the stopper adapter  24  to move from a collapsed pre-use position to an expanded ready-to-use position. In one embodiment, the plunger rod  12  is adapted to transition from the pre-use position in which the plunger rod  12  extends substantially parallel with the sidewall  20  of the syringe barrel  14 , to the expanded ready-to-use position in which the plunger rod  12  extends substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel  14 , stopper  22 , and the stopper adapter  24 . In one embodiment, the plunger rod  12  includes a first end  28  and a second end  30  with an attachment member  32  disposed adjacent the second end  30 . The stopper adapter  24  may include a joining end  26  configured for connection with the attachment member  32  of the plunger rod  12  in the ready-to-use position. 
         [0036]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2-4C  which show the syringe assembly having a collapsible plunger rod including magnification properties according to another design of the invention. Like reference numerals are being used for like components of the  FIG. 1  design. The syringe assembly  10  includes a containing member  37  adjacent a cut-out portion  46  or recessed groove in the proximal end  16  of the syringe barrel sidewall  20 , which is dimensioned to allow a portion of the plunger rod  12  to pass therethrough. The cut-out portion  46  may also be dimensioned such that the first end  28  and the second end  30  may not pass through the cut-out portion  46  and are restrained by the containing member  37  preventing inadvertent separation of the plunger rod  12  from the syringe assembly  10  in the initial pre-use position or during transition of the plunger rod  12  to the ready-to-use position. Outward or pivotal movement by a clinician in the direction of arrow A shown in  FIG. 2  can dislodge the plunger rod  12  from the joining end  26  of the stopper adapter  24  for activation of the plunger rod  12  to the expanded ready-to-use state. During transition of the syringe assembly  10  from the initial position to the ready-to-use position, the plunger rod  12  is advanced in an angled substantially proximal direction as shown by arrow A of  FIG. 3A . 
         [0037]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A-3C  which shows sequential perspective views of the movement of the collapsed plunger rod  12  into the ready-to-use position. In operation, the plunger rod  12  moves from the collapsed position to the expanded position through a pivoting motion of the second end  30  of the plunger rod  12 , as shown in  FIG. 3A , in a radial direction with respect to the syringe barrel  14 . A subsequent application of a force to the plunger rod  12  in the proximal direction, as shown by arrow B of  FIG. 3A  causes the plunger rod  12  to slide in an axial direction toward the proximal end  16  of the syringe barrel  14 . The syringe assembly  10  can further include a flange  40  located at the proximal end  16  of the syringe barrel  14 . This flange  40  can include an opening  42  which is in alignment with an opening  44  in the stopper adapter  24  through which the plunger rod  12  extends. The cut-out portion  46  can be provided in the proximal end  16  of the syringe barrel sidewall  20  to facilitate movement of the attachment member  32  through the flange opening  42  and the stopper adapter opening  44 . Openings  42 ,  44  and cut-out portion  46  are best shown in  FIG. 3B . The applied axial movement causes the plunger rod  12  to move through the flange opening  42  and the stopper adapter opening  44  to align the plunger rod  12  along the longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel  14 , stopper  22 , and stopper adapter  24 . The attachment member  32  on the plunger rod  12  can include at least one detent bump  34 , as shown in  FIG. 2  which then snaps into or connects in any other manner with the joining end  26  of the stopper adapter  24  to secure the plunger rod  12  thereto in the expanded ready-to-use position. The detent bump  34  on the attachment member  32  is joined with a receiving member  48  located in the stopper adapter  24  as is clearly shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3D . Optionally, the plunger rod  12  can include a thumb press member  50  located at the first end  28  thereof. Preferably, this thumb press member  50  is located above the proximal end  16  of the syringe barrel  14  and the flange  40 . The plunger rod  12  can include an inwardly curved portion  52  to facilitate manipulation of the plunger rod  12  through the openings  42 ,  44  and the cut-out portion  46  of the syringe barrel  14 . The application of force to plunger rod  12  can be applied by a pushing motion to the plunger rod  12  or to the second end  30  of the plunger rod  12  and/or by applying a pulling motion to the thumb press member  50 . The transition from the partially expanded position of  FIG. 3B  to the fully expanded position of  FIGS. 3C-3D  requires the plunger rod  12  to be slightly moved in a radial direction with respect to the stopper adapter  24  and stopper  22  to snap the attachment member  32  into the receiving member  48  of the stopper adapter  24  so that the plunger rod  12  is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel  14 , stopper adapter  24 , and stopper  22 , placing the syringe assembly  10  in the ready-to-use position. The syringe assembly  10  is shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C  in the ready-to-use position having the plunger rod  12  fully extended and engaged with the stopper adapter  24 . It can be appreciated that the thumb press can be made sufficiently rigid to ensure that when pressed, the force from this press will translate into movement purely in an axial direction. 
         [0038]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-4D , and with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the syringe assembly  10  further includes a magnification member, shown as reference number  62  in  FIGS. 5-6 , for magnifying any indicia  60  located on the syringe barrel sidewall  20 . The syringe barrel sidewall  20  can include indicia  60  printed directly thereon or printed on a label secured to the barrel sidewall  20 . This indicia  60  can include label information such as the drug name, concentration, expiration, and the like. The indicia  60  can also include dosing information or barrel markings. In one embodiment, the magnification member  62  is provided in pivotal relation with a portion of the stopper  22  and/or stopper adapter  24  in the initial position such that the magnification member  62 , or plunger rod  12  having a magnification region disposed thereon, may be rotated about the syringe barrel sidewall  20  prior to transitioning the plunger rod  12  to the ready-to-use position. One modification to this embodiment can include a plunger rod  12  having a separate magnification region co-formed therewith. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the magnification member  62  of the invention can magnify the indicia  60  up to about 1½ times its size, allowing for easier viewing of dosing information and/or contents information which may result in a reduction in medication error. In another embodiment, the magnification member  62  of the invention can magnify the indicia  60  more than 1½ times its size. By changing the spacing between the plunger rod  12  and the barrel sidewall  20  or label, or by altering the curvature of the barrel sidewall  20 , varying levels of magnification can be achieved. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7F , showing yet another design of the collapsible plunger rod of the invention, the usage of a syringe assembly  10  having a collapsible plunger rod  12  having a magnification member  62  is shown. The syringe assembly  10  is shown in its initial unused position in  FIG. 7A . It can be appreciated that the syringe assembly can be designed such that the proximal end  16  of the syringe includes a snap ring  51  as a separately attached item. In this design, with reference to  FIG. 7B , the snap ring  51  on the proximal end  16  of the syringe body could be removed which would allow the plunger rod  12  having a magnification member  62 , along with the stopper  22  and the stopper adapter  24  to rotate as a unit about the longitudinal axis L 2  of the syringe barrel  14  in the direction shown by arrow R. As such, the magnification member  62  of the plunger rod  12  may be rotated over indicia  60  disposed on or with the syringe barrel sidewall  20 , allowing a medical practitioner to easily identify the contents and dosing of the syringe assembly  10  prior to use. As shown in  FIG. 7C , the plunger rod  12  may be pivoted away from the syringe barrel sidewall  20 , as shown by arrow A of  FIGS. 2-3A , and pulled axially toward the proximal end  16  of the syringe barrel  14 , as shown by arrow B of  FIG. 3A , through cut-out portion  46 . The fully extended plunger rod  12  is shown in  FIG. 7D , having the attachment member  32  restrained by the containing member  37  to prevent separation of the plunger rod  12  from the syringe assembly  10 . As shown in  FIG. 7E , the attachment member  32  is engaged with the second end  26  of the stopper adapter  24  to secure the plunger rod  12  with the stopper  22 . As shown in  FIG. 7F , the plunger rod  12  may be then deployed to expel the contents of the syringe barrel  14  by providing an axial force in the direction shown by arrow F to the thumb press member  50 . 
         [0041]    According to another embodiment,  FIG. 8  shows one type of syringe assembly  110  having multiple legs  131 ,  133  wherein one or more of the legs include magnification properties. In particular, the syringe assembly  110  includes a syringe barrel  120  and a plunger assembly  130 . The syringe barrel  120  has an open proximal end  123  and a distal end  125  opposite to the open proximal end  123 . The syringe barrel  120  has an inside surface  121 , which defines a chamber  122 . The syringe barrel  120  also includes a substantially conical outlet tip  126  disposed on the distal end  125  of the syringe barrel  120  in the form of a conventional luer fitting. The outlet tip  126  is in fluid communication with the chamber  122  of the syringe barrel  120 . A needle cannula (not shown) may be attached to the outlet tip  126  such that an interior of the needle cannula is in fluid communication with the chamber  122  of the syringe barrel  120 . The needle cannula may be secured within the outlet tip  126  by a chemical adhesive, such as epoxy, or may be mechanically affixed to the outlet tip  126  according to known techniques. Alternatively, syringe assembly  110  is contemplated for use in connection with a separate needle assembly (not shown) such as through a standard luer slip fitting or luer lock fitting type connection with syringe assembly  110  at the outlet tip  126 , or alternatively to a separate intravenous (IV) connection assembly (not shown). As such, a threaded luer collar  129  may further be provided for threaded engagement with such a separate mechanism, as is known in the art. 
         [0042]    The syringe assembly  110  may also include a protective cap (not shown) disposed over the outlet tip  126  to protect the needle cannula prior to use and to prevent accidental needle sticks of persons handling the syringe assembly  110  prior to use. An annular ridge (not shown) may be formed on the distal end  125  of the syringe barrel  120  to facilitate attachment of a protective cap or a standard needle hub over the outlet tip  126 . An outwardly extending flange  124  may also be provided at the proximal end  123  of the syringe barrel  120  to assist in handling of the syringe assembly  110 . The outwardly extending flange  124  may have a pair of opposing apertures  127  extending through the flange  124 . 
         [0043]    With further reference to  FIG. 8 , the syringe assembly  110  also includes a plunger assembly  130  disposed at least partially within the syringe barrel  120 . The plunger assembly  130  includes a handle portion  132  at the proximal end of the plunger assembly  130  and a pair of flexible legs  131 ,  133  extending distally from the handle portion  132 . The flexible legs  131 ,  133  each have a hook  134  formed at their distal ends. The plunger assembly  130  also includes a plunger head in the form of stopper  140  disposed within the chamber  122  of the syringe barrel  120 . The stopper  140  includes a proximal surface  141 , a distal surface  142 , and a peripheral surface  143  extending between the proximal  141  and distal  142  surfaces. The peripheral surface  143  of the stopper  140  includes one or more sealing surfaces, such as an annular rib, so that the stopper  140  engages the inside surface  121  of the syringe barrel  120  so as to seal the chamber  122 . 
         [0044]    A stopper adapter  135  is formed as an at least partially hollow cylindrical member having a sidewall  137  extending between a proximal end  138  and a distal end  139 . The distal end  139  of the stopper adapter  135  is attached to the proximal surface  141  of the stopper  140 . A pair of slots  136  is formed in the sidewall  137  of the stopper adapter  135  so that the flexible legs  131 ,  133  of the plunger assembly  130  may pass through the stopper adapter  135  from the proximal end  138  of the plunger rod and through the sidewall  137  via the slots  136  during use in an injection cycle. 
         [0045]    In the initial position illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the plunger assembly  130  is in a collapsed position with the flexible legs  131 ,  133  extending through the slots  136  in the sidewall  137  of the stopper adapter  135  as well as the apertures  127  in the outwardly extending flange  124  and alongside and adjacent to an exterior surface  128  of the syringe barrel  120  to wrap over or around the exterior surface  128  of the syringe barrel  120  with the handle portion  132  of the plunger assembly  130  positioned proximate to the proximal end  123  of the syringe barrel  120 , which minimizes the overall length of the syringe assembly  110 . It can be appreciated that the thumb press can be made sufficiently rigid to ensure that when pressed, the force from this press will translate into movement purely in an axial direction. Either of both of the flexible legs  131 ,  133  can be provided with magnification properties so that one can readily view any indicia on the syringe barrel  120 . It can be appreciated that magnification properties can be bestowed on other types of multiple leg collapsible plunger rod assemblies which are not explicitly shown herein. 
         [0046]    According to yet another embodiment,  FIG. 9  shows a syringe assembly, generally indicated as  210 , having a pivoting plunger and integral tip guard wherein the pivoting plunger includes magnification properties. The syringe assembly  210  includes a syringe barrel  212  defined by barrel wall  214  extending between a forward or distal end  216  and a rearward or proximal end  218 , thereby defining interior chamber of syringe barrel  212 . Syringe barrel  212  may include markings, such as graduations  226  on the wall thereof or medication or dosing indicia or other identifying information, as may be known in the art. 
         [0047]    The syringe assembly  210  further includes a plunger assembly  240 , a portion of which is adapted to be disposed at least partially within syringe barrel  212 . Plunger assembly  240  provides a mechanism for dispensing fluid contained within the interior chamber of syringe barrel  212 . In particular, plunger assembly  240  includes a plunger rod  242 , which provides a mechanism for extension of a stopper portion such as plunger head  270  disposed within interior chamber for dispensing the contents of the syringe assembly  210 . 
         [0048]    Plunger rod  242  is a generally elongated structure extending between first end  244  and second end  246 . Plunger rod  242  is adapted for positioning adjacent along the outside of wall  214  of syringe barrel  212  with first end  244  adjacent forward end  216  of syringe barrel  212  in a first position, and is further adapted for pivotal movement to a second position with first end  244  extending axially beyond rearward end  218  of syringe barrel  212  with the elongated structure of plunger rod  242  in general axial alignment with syringe barrel  212  at rearward end  218  thereof. Plunger rod  242  may further include magnification properties which may be disposed along the elongated portion of plunger rod  242  so as to magnify the markings, such as graduations  226 , on the wall of syringe barrel  212  or any other type of identifying indicia when plunger rod  242  is positioned along the outside of wall  214  of syringe barrel  212 , allowing a user to more easily identify the volume of liquid contained in syringe barrel  212  before or after use. 
         [0049]    First end  244  of plunger rod  242  may be provided with a mechanism for engagement with outlet opening of syringe barrel  212  for maintaining sterility thereof. For example, a cap such as tip guard  250  may be provided at first end  244 . Tip guard  250  may be integrally formed with plunger rod  242 , or may be a separate structure that is attached to first end  244  of plunger rod  242 . Tip guard  250  further includes an annular skirt  256  forming a cylindrical opening therein. The cylindrical opening includes an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the annular skirt formed by a luer lock, and is adapted to surround the luer lock in a sealing engagement. 
         [0050]    The second end  246  of plunger rod  242  is adapted for interconnection with plunger head  270 . Plunger head  270  is adapted for movement within the interior chamber of syringe barrel  212 . 
         [0051]    The interconnection between plunger head  270  and plunger rod  242  at second end  246  thereof provides for pivoting movement of plunger rod  242  with respect to plunger head  270 . In one embodiment, syringe assembly  210  may further be provided with a connector  280  for interconnecting second end  246  of plunger rod  242  with plunger head  270 . Connector  280  further includes a recessed profile  286  on an external surface thereof for accommodating second end  246  of plunger rod  242  when plunger rod  242  is pivoted to the second position to be in axial alignment with syringe barrel  212 . It can be appreciated that magnification properties can be bestowed on other types of pivoting plunger/integral tip guard plunger rod assemblies which are not explicitly shown herein. 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  shows still another embodiment wherein the magnification member can be a substantially cylindrical sleeve  63  circumferentially disposed about the syringe barrel  14 . This sleeve can include a magnification lens  67  incorporated therein. In another embodiment, the magnification member can be a separate element having a mating engagement with a substantially cylindrical sleeve. In yet another embodiment, the magnification member can be a separate element having a mating engagement with a portion of a label disposed on a portion of the barrel sidewall  20 . 
         [0053]    Although the invention has been described in terms of the plunger rod having magnification properties, it can be appreciated that the plunger rod can be designed such that it decreases the magnification of indicia located on a syringe barrel. 
         [0054]    It can be appreciated that the collapsible plunger rod of the invention locks in place during use and then is contained within the syringe body after use, to reduce the length of the syringe assembly to allow for sharps disposal. The use of the syringe assembly  10  having a collapsed plunger rod  12  of the invention can result in up to approximately a 70% reduction in length of the packaged syringe product. 
         [0055]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention.