Abstract:
An apparatus that includes two syringes, or a “double barrel syringe,” includes one syringe that injects or infuses while the other syringe aspirates. In the double barrel syringe, injection and aspiration may be effected by a single action. The double barrel syringe may include a handle with two members. A first member of such a handle includes one arm that pivotally couples to a plunger of a first syringe and another arm that pivotally couples to a barrel of a second syringe. A second member of the handle includes one arm that pivotally couples to a barrel of the first syringe and another arm that pivotally couples to a plunger of the second syringe. Methods for injecting or infusing simultaneously with aspirating are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/877,529, filed Oct. 23, 2007, pending, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/853,878, filed Oct. 24, 2006, the disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated herein, in their entireties, by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to apparatus that include two syringes, or to “double barrel syringes,” with one syringe that injects or infuses while the other syringe aspirates. In particular, the present invention relates to hand-held, hand-operated double barrel syringes in which injection and aspiration may be effected by a single action. More particularly, double barrel syringes that incorporate teachings of the present invention include handles that resemble pliers to provide a mechanical advantage as fluids are simultaneously injected and aspirated by the barrels and their cooperating plungers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present invention includes an apparatus with two syringes. Barrels of the two syringes are positioned adjacent to one another. Two plungers are disposed in or otherwise associated with the two barrels. Such apparatus are referred to herein as “double barrel syringes” or, more simply, as “syringes.” 
         [0004]    Both barrels and plungers of a syringe according to the present invention are associated with a single handle. The handle may comprise a plier-grip handle. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the handle may include two members that include features that are associated with a first of the two syringes in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,084 or the manner described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/431,377, filed May 9, 2006, the disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated herein, in their entireties, by this reference. The members of the handle may also include features that are associated with a second of the two barrels in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,534,234, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference. The handles and syringes are arranged in a manner that facilitates concurrent movement of the plungers in opposite directions. 
         [0005]    For example, when members of the handle are moved toward one another, the first plunger may be forced into its corresponding barrel (e.g., injection or infusion), while the second plunger may be drawn out of its corresponding barrel (e.g., aspiration). 
         [0006]    Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    In the drawings, which depict features of various aspects of the present invention: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of double barrel syringe according to the present invention, showing handle members of the syringe in an intermediate position, in which distal ends of plungers are located in somewhat central regions of both barrels; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of double barrel syringe shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective assembly view of the embodiment of double barrel syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a rear plan assembly view of the embodiment of double barrel syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5 through 8  illustrate the embodiment of double barrel syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  with the handles in a closed orientation: 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a view of the left side of the syringe; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows the right side of the syringe; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts the top of the syringe; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates the back of the syringe; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9 through 12  depict the embodiment of double barrel syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 through 8  with the handles in an open orientation: 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows the left side of the syringe; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates the right side of the syringe; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  depicts the top of the syringe; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a view of the back of the syringe. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, an embodiment of a syringe  10  that includes an infusion syringe  200  and an aspiration syringe  300  is shown. Infusion syringe  200  and aspiration syringe  300  are positioned side-by-side, with their distal ends  97  and  163  oriented in substantially the same direction. 
         [0023]    A single pair of handles  20  is associated with, and simultaneously operates, infusion syringe  200  and aspiration syringe  300 . The pair of handles  20  includes a first, front member  30  and a second, rear member  40 . Front member  30  includes a proximal portion  31  with a surface that is configured to be grasped by the fingers of one of a user&#39;s hands, and may optionally include a ring  24  located and configured to receive the user&#39;s index finger. A proximal portion  41  of rear member  40  is configured to be grasped by the thumb and palm of the same hand, and may optionally include a retention feature  26  for receiving the thumb on that hand. 
         [0024]    Front member  30  and rear member  40  are pivotally connected to one another by way of a hinge  22 , which is positioned at locations along the lengths of front member  30  and second member  40  that will provide optimal leverage when the pair of handles  20  is used. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the location of hinge  22  may resemble the location of a hinge on pliers, with the lengths of distal portions  33  and  43  of front member  30  and rear member  40 , respectively, being relatively short compared to (e.g., about half the lengths of) the lengths of proximal portions  31  and  41 . Such an arrangement provides a user with a mechanical advantage. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pair of handles  20  may be formed from four assembled pieces  50 ,  80 ,  120 , and  140 . The outer pieces  50  and  140  may be assembled to form front member  30  of the pair of handles  20 , while the inner pieces  80  and  120  may be assembled to form rear member  40 . In some embodiments, the outer pieces  50  and  140  may be rigidly secured to one another and/or the inner pieces  80  and  120  may be rigidly secured to one another. 
         [0026]    The two left side pieces  50  and  80  of the pair of handles  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are configured to operate an infusion syringe  200  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). When proximal portions  31  and  41  of front member  30  and rear member  40 , respectively, are squeezed or otherwise forced together, the two left-most pieces  50  and  80  of the pair of handles  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are configured to force a plunger  72  ( FIG. 7 ) distally into a receptacle  98  of the barrel  96  of an infusion syringe  200  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0027]    The two right side pieces  120  and  140  of the pair of handles  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are configured to operate an aspiration syringe  300  ( FIG. 1 ). When proximal portions  31  and  41  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of front member  30  and rear member  40  of handles  20  are squeezed or otherwise forced together, pieces  120  and  140  draw a plunger  136  ( FIG. 11 ) of aspiration syringe  300  proximally out of a receptacle  164  of the barrel  162  of aspiration syringe  300 . 
         [0028]    The features of members  30  and  40 , as well as their association with syringes  200  and  300  will now be described in further detail. 
         [0029]    As  FIG. 3  shows, the outer left piece  50  of handles  20 , which forms half of front member  30  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), includes proximal portion  51 , an intermediate portion  52 , and a distal portion  53 . When viewed from the side (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 5 and 9 ), piece  50  is slightly angled (e.g., at an angle of about 15° to about 30°) to facilitate grasping of handles  20  by a single hand, although it may be substantially straight. Proximal portion  51  of piece  50  is configured to be grasped by fingers of a user&#39;s hand, and may include a feature  54 , such as a ring, that is configured to receive the user&#39;s index finger. Intermediate portion  52  of piece  50  includes features  55  that are configured to secure piece  50  to other pieces  80 ,  120 ,  140  of handles  20 , such as the depicted aperture for receiving a pivot element of hinge  22  ( FIG. 2 ). In the illustrated embodiment of piece  50 , a line extending from a distal-most end of piece  50  to the most proximal end of piece  50  will intersect or come in close proximity to (e.g., within about a centimeter of) a pivot axis of hinge  22 . Distal portion  53  of piece  50  may be pivotally secured to a plunger  72  of infusion syringe  200  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0030]    In this regard, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , distal portion  53  may include a first arm  62  that pivotally engages one side of a proximal end  71  of plunger  72  and another arm  58  that pivotally engages another side of proximal end  71 . In the depicted embodiment, arm  62  is merely the distal end of distal portion  53  of piece  50 , while arm  58  protrudes upwardly, in substantially parallel relation to arm  62 , from a ledge  57  extends laterally (to the left, when viewed from behind, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 12 ) from distal portion  53 . Each arm  58 ,  62  includes a receptacle  60 ,  64  that engages and pivotally retains a pivot element  68 ,  70  protruding laterally from a proximal end  71  of plunger  72 . As illustrated, pivot elements  68  and  70  may comprise circular protrusions with centers that are aligned with the centers of circular hinge receptacles  60  and  64 , with all four aligned centers defining an axis about which distal portion  53  of piece  50  and proximal end  71  of plunger  72  pivot relative to one another. 
         [0031]    With returned reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the inner left piece  80  of handles  20 , which forms half of rear member  40  ( FIG. 1 ), may be slightly angled (e.g., at an angle of about 15° to about 30°) to facilitate grasping of handles  20  by a single hand, although it may also be substantially straight. Like piece  50 , piece  80  includes a proximal portion  81 , an intermediate portion  82 , and a distal portion  83 . Proximal portion  81  is configured to be held by a thumb and palm of a user&#39;s hand. Piece  80  may also include a thumb retention feature  84 , such as that appearing at a back edge of the illustrated embodiment. Intermediate portion  82  may include features  85 , such as the depicted opening, that enable piece  50  to be pivotally secured to other pieces  80 ,  120 ,  140  of handles  20 , such as with the pivot element of hinge  22  ( FIG. 2 ). In the embodiment of piece  80  shown in  FIG. 3 , a line that extends from a distal-most end of piece  80  to the most proximal end of piece  80  will intersect or come in close proximity to (e.g., within about a centimeter of) a pivot axis of hinge  22 . Distal portion  83  of piece  80  may be pivotally secured to a proximal end of a barrel  96  of infusion syringe  200  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0032]    An embodiment of the manner in which distal portion  83  of piece  80  may be pivotally secured to the proximal end of barrel  96  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 . Distal portion  83  may include a pair of arms  86  and  92  that engage opposite sides of the proximal end of barrel  96  in a cradle-like arrangement. As illustrated, one arm  86  may merely comprise an extension of distal portion  83 , while the other arm  92  protrudes from a ledge  90  that extends laterally (to the left, when viewed from behind, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 12 ) from distal portion  83 . Arms  86  and  92  may include receptacles  88  and  94  that engage and pivotally retain pivot elements  102  and  106  that protrude from proximal extensions  100  and  104  on opposite sides of barrel  96 . As depicted, pivot elements  102  and  106  may be circular in shape, or disk-shaped, so as to be received by, but rotate relative to, circular receptacles  88  and  94 . Centers of receptacles  88  and  94  and of pivot elements  102  and  106  may be aligned to define an axis about which distal portion  83  of piece  80  and a proximal end of barrel  96  pivot relative to one another. 
         [0033]    When piece  50  and piece  80  are assembled with one another, plunger  72  is disposed within a receptacle  98  of barrel  96 . 
         [0034]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the inner right piece  120  of handles  20  is bent. Piece  120  includes a proximal portion  121 , an intermediate portion  122 , and a distal portion  123 . Proximal portion  121  is configured to be held by a the thumb and palm of the user&#39;s hand, and may include a thumb retention feature  124 . Intermediate portion  122  includes an elbow that juts out from a front edge of piece  120 . The elbow of intermediate portion  122  may include a feature  125 , such as the depicted aperture, that is configured to secure piece  120  to other pieces  50 ,  80 ,  140  of handles  20 . When feature  125  is an aperture, as depicted, it may be configured to receive a pivot element of hinge  22  ( FIG. 2 ). In the illustrated embodiment of piece  120 , feature  125  and a pivot axis through piece  120  are offset (e.g., by more than about one centimeter, by about two centimeters or more, etc.) from a line that extends from a distal-most end of piece  120  to the most proximal end of piece  120 . Distal portion  123  of piece  120  may be pivotally secured to a plunger  136  of aspiration syringe  300  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , and with additional reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an end  128  of distal portion  123  of piece  120  includes a hub  130  that protrudes laterally (to the right in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4 and 11 ) from end  128 . Hub  130  defines an axis about which piece  120  pivots relative to plunger  136 . Plunger  136  includes a receptacle  134  at its proximal end  132 . Receptacle  134 , which is configured to receive hub  130  and to rotate about hub  130 , may have an annular appearance, with the remainder of plunger  136  extending distally therefrom. 
         [0036]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the outer right piece  140  of handles  20  is bent. Piece  140  includes a proximal portion  141 , an intermediate portion  142 , and a distal portion  143 . Proximal portion  141  is configured to be grasped by the fingers of a user&#39;s hand, and may include a feature  144 , such as a ring, that is configured to receive the user&#39;s index finger. Intermediate portion  142  may have an L-shape, and includes an elbow that juts out from a back edge of piece  140 . Intermediate portion  142  may also include a feature  145 , such as the depicted pivot element of hinge  22  ( FIG. 2 ), that is configured to define an axis about which front member  30  and rear member  40  of handles pivot relative to one another. Feature  145  may secure piece  140  to other pieces  50 ,  80 ,  120  of handles  20 . In the illustrated embodiment of piece  140 , due to the shape of intermediate portion  142 , a pivot axis through feature  145  may be offset (e.g., by more than about one centimeter, by about two centimeters or more, etc.) from a line that extends from a distal-most end of piece  140  to the most proximal end of piece  140 . Distal portion  143  of piece  140  may be pivotally secured to a barrel  162  of aspiration syringe  300  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 11 , a proximal end of barrel  162  may be cradled between opposed, distally protruding arms  152  and  158  of distal portion  143  of piece  140 . More specifically, circular apertures  154  and  160  that extend through, or similar features (e.g., circular recesses in opposed surfaces of), arms  152  and  158  may receive and retain disk-shaped protrusions  168  and  172  on oppositely facing surfaces of proximal extensions  166  and  170  that are located on opposite sides of barrel  162 . As illustrated, arm  158  may comprise an extension of distal portion  143 , while arm  152  protrudes from a ledge  148  that extends laterally (to the right, as depicted in  FIGS. 4 ,  8 , and  12 ) from distal portion  143 . 
         [0038]    When piece  120  and piece  140  are assembled with each other, plunger  136  is disposed within a receptacle  164  of barrel  162 . 
         [0039]    Again returning reference to  FIG. 3 , the inner left piece  80  may include an extension  108  that protrudes from a rear edge of intermediate portion  82 . Extension  108  may include a somewhat circular shaped distal end  109 . When pieces  80  and  120  are assembled with each other and secured to one another, distal end  109  of extension  108  is axially aligned with distal end  128  of piece  120 . This arrangement is configured to support distal end  128  when syringe  10  is used. 
         [0040]    With returned reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when all of the pieces  50 ,  80 ,  120 , and  140  of handles  20  are assembled with each other, pivotally connected front and rear members  30  and  40  are formed. The pivotal connection of front and rear members  30  and  40  enables proximal portions  31  and  41  of front and rear members  30  and  40 , respectively, to be moved toward and away from another. 
         [0041]    The features of front member  30  (which, in the depicted embodiment, is formed by the outer pieces  50  and  140 ) form a yoke  32 . More specifically, a proximal end of the intermediate portion  52  ( FIG. 3 ) of outer left piece  50  ( FIG. 3 ) of handles  20  forms a first arm  34  of yoke  32  at an intermediate portion  35  of front member  30 , while a proximal end of the intermediate portion  142  ( FIG. 3 ) of outer right piece ( FIG. 3 ) of handles  20  forms a second arm  36  of yoke  32  at intermediate portion  35  of front member  30 . As illustrated, first arm  34  and second arm  36  of yoke  32  may be spaced apart from one another. At its distal end (and, thus, at a distal portion of the front member  30 ), the first arm  34  (on the left side of syringe  10  in the illustrated embodiment) of yoke  32  may be pivotally connected to the proximal end of plunger  72  of infusion syringe  200 . A distal end of the second arm  36  (on the right side of syringe  10 , at a distal end of the front member  30  in the illustrated embodiment) of yoke  32  may be pivotally connected to the proximal end of barrel  162  ( FIG. 3 ) of aspiration syringe  300 . 
         [0042]    The features of rear member  40  (which, in the depicted embodiment, is formed by inner pieces  80  and  120 ) also form two arms  44  and  46 . Arms  44  and  46  extend though yoke  32 , between arms  34  and  36 . A first arm  44  (on the left side of syringe  10  in the illustrated embodiment) may be pivotally connected to the proximal end of barrel  96  of infusion syringe  200 . A second arm  46  (on the right side of syringe  10  in the illustrated embodiment) may be pivotally connected to the proximal end of plunger  136  ( FIG. 3 ) of aspiration syringe  300 . 
         [0043]    The pivotal connections between the proximal ends of plungers  72  and  136 , barrels  96  and  162  and their corresponding members  30  and  40  of handles  20  may be arranged such that the axes about which pivoting occurs are perpendicular to and intersect central axes extending along the lengths of plungers  72  and  136  and barrels  96  and  162 . 
         [0044]    In use, handles  20  of a syringe  10  that incorporates teachings of the present invention may be moved from an open position, where proximal portions  31  and  41  of front and rear members  30  and  40 , respectively, are positioned apart from one another (i.e., have been moved away from one another), to a closed orientation, where proximal portions  31  and  41  are brought in close proximity to each other (i.e., have been moved toward one another). When handles  20  are in a fully open orientation, as shown in  FIGS. 9 through 12 , a distal end  73  of plunger  72  of infusion syringe  200  is located at a proximal end of receptacle  98  of barrel  96 , while plunger  136  is completely inserted into a receptacle  164  of barrel  162  of aspiration syringe  300 , with a distal end  137  of plunger  136  located at a distal end of receptacle  164 . As handles  20  are moved toward the closed orientation (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which show handles  20  in an intermediate orientation), plunger  72  moves distally into receptacle  98  of barrel  96 , while plunger  136  is withdrawn proximally through receptacle  164  of barrel  162 . Plungers  96  and  136  may be continuously moved through substantially the entire lengths of the receptacles  98  and  164  of their corresponding barrels  96  and  162  with a single squeeze of handles  20 . When handles  20  are in a fully closed orientation, as shown in  FIGS. 5 through 8 , plunger  72  is completely inserted into receptacle  98  of barrel  96 , with distal end  73  of plunger  72  being located at a distal end of receptacle  98 , while distal end  137  of plunger  136  is located at a proximal end of receptacle  164  of barrel  162 . 
         [0045]    Due to the configuration of handles  20  in the illustrated embodiment, when handles  20  are actuated, infusion syringe  200  and aspiration syringe  300  may move somewhat in opposite directions. 
         [0046]    Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions and modifications to the invention as disclosed herein which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.