Abstract:
The present invention relates to devices and methods for the filling syringes. One medical apparatus in accordance with the present invention include a body member for releasably holding syringe barrels and an actuator apparatus slidably mounted on the body member to engage syringe plungers to cause the syringe plunger to be retracted. A fluid delivery apparatus is releasably mounted to the body member. The fluid delivery apparatus has an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The inlet port is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of outlet ports. One method for filling a plurality of syringes in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of mounting a plurality a syringes to a syringe holding member and connecting a fluid delivery apparatus to the syringe holding member to mate with each of the tips of the syringe barrels. The method also includes the steps of placing an inlet port of the fluid delivery apparatus in a fluid and moving an actuator apparatus to retract the syringe plungers to cause fluid to enter the syringe barrels.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention generally relates to medical apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for filling medical syringes. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Many medical procedures require injecting a fluid into a patient using a syringe. In certain medical procedures, multiple syringes may be needed to administer the fluid into the patient. For example, in treating varicose vein using “sclerotherapy”, multiple injections of a sclerosing solution are administrated to the patient. In this procedure, 40-60 syringes may be utilized to inject the solution during a treatment session. Before the syringes can be used to inject the solution, the syringes must initially be filled. Once all of the syringes are filled, the syringes can be utilized to deliver the solution to the patient. 
   One method of obtaining a filled syringe is to purchase syringes that have been pre-loaded with the desired fluid. However, this method has several disadvantages. First, pre-loaded syringes having the desired fluid may not be readily available. Second, if the syringe is available, it may not have the desired amount of fluid and may be relatively expensive. For these and other reasons, pre-loaded syringes may not be desirable. 
   An alterative method of filing syringes involves manually filling the syringes. This method involves manually inserting the needle of each syringe, one at a time, into a sealed vial containing the fluid. Once the needle is inserted into the container, the syringe plunger is withdrawn until the syringe barrel is filled with the desired amount of fluid. The operation is repeated for each syringe until the number of desired syringes are filled. However, manually filling multiple syringes can be time consuming and labor intensive. Further, the needle of the syringe may be damaged when the needle is inserted into the sealed container, requiring the needle to be replaced. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the above, the present invention provides medical apparatus and methods for filling a plurality of syringes. The medical apparatus and methods allow multiple syringes to be easily and quickly filled at the same time. The medical apparatus and methods also allow medical practitioners to quickly fill any additional syringes needed during a treatment of a patient. As a result, medical practitioners can reduce the amount of time spent for filling syringes, thereby reducing labor costs for the medical treatment. 
   The medical apparatus further allows medical practitioners to fill a number of syringes with approximately the same amount of liquid. The medical apparatus also fills multiple syringes without the need to insert the syringe needles into a sealed container of fluid, thereby avoiding damage to the syringe needles. In addition, the medical apparatus is portable allowing it to be used in various treatment rooms in a medical facility and is less expensive than electronic automatic syringe fillers. 
   One medical apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a body member for releasably holding syringe barrels. An actuator apparatus is slidably mounted on the body member to engage the syringe plungers to cause the syringe plunger to be retracted. A fluid delivery apparatus is releasably mounted to the body member. The fluid delivery apparatus has an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The inlet port is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of outlet ports. 
   One method for filling a plurality of syringes in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of mounting a plurality a syringes to a syringe holding member and connecting a fluid delivery apparatus to the syringe holding member to mate with each of the tips of the syringe barrels. The method also includes the steps of placing an inlet port of the fluid delivery apparatus in a fluid and moving an actuator apparatus to retract the syringe plungers to cause the fluid to enter the syringe barrels. 
   The invention, together with further attendant advantages, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below in connection with the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the medical apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the medical apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the medical apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the medical apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the medical apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the medical apparatus of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of the medical apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is another fragmentary perspective view of the medical apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of another embodiment of a medical apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the preferred embodiments in detail, it should be noted that the invention is not limited in its application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description, because the illustrative embodiments of the invention may be implemented or incorporated in other embodiments, variations and modifications, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention for the convenience of the reader and are not for the purpose of limitation. 
   Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to  FIGS. 1-3 , a preferred embodiment of a medical apparatus  100  for filling a plurality of syringes is illustrated. The medical apparatus  100  allows multiple syringes to be easily and quickly filled at the same time. As a result, medical practitioners can reduce the amount of time spent for filling syringes, thereby reducing labor costs for the medical treatment. 
   The medical apparatus  100  also allows medical practitioners to fill a number of syringes with approximately the same amount of liquid. In addition, the medical apparatus fills multiple syringes without the need to insert the needle of the syringe in a sealed container of fluid, thereby avoiding damage to the syringe needles. Further, the medical apparatus can be used if additional syringes need to be quickly filled during a treatment of a patient. The medical apparatus is portable allowing it to be used in various treatment places in a medical facility and is less expensive than electronic automatic fillers. 
   The medical apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  is utilized to fill a plurality of conventional syringes  110 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the syringes  110  generally include a syringe barrel  112  and a syringe plunger  114  movably disposed within the syringe barrel  112 . The syringe plunger  114  has a rubber bulb (not shown) on one end and a plunger head  116  on the other end. The syringe barrel  112  surrounds the lower portion of the syringe plunger  114 . The syringe barrel  112  has a flange  118  at the upper end and a nozzle or tip  120  at the other end. The tip  120  can be attached to a needle once the syringes are filled with fluid. It should be recognized that the syringes are conventional and are not part of the present invention. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the medical apparatus  100  includes a syringe holder apparatus  130 , an actuator apparatus  132 , and a fluid delivery apparatus or hub  134 . The syringe holder apparatus  130  is configured to receive and hold a plurality of syringes to be filled with fluid. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the syringe holder apparatus  130  can hold up to ten (10) syringes, but it will be recognized that the syringe holder apparatus can be configured to hold any suitable number of syringes. The syringe holder apparatus  130  can be constructed from nylon, Teflon, polyurethane, or polyethylene. It will be recognized that the syringe holder apparatus  130  can be made from a variety of other materials including, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylenterephthalate, polyamide, other polymers and polycarbonates as well as other suitable forms of plastic. 
   The syringe holder apparatus  130  of the medical apparatus  100  generally includes an elongated member  136 , first and second retaining members or collars  138  and  140 , and a stop member  142 . The elongated member  136  preferably has a substantially circular cross-section, but may have any suitable cross-section, such as a square or an elliptical cross-section. The elongated member  136  of the syringe holder apparatus  130  preferably includes a first end  143 , a second end  144 , and an aperture or bore  146  extending axially from its second end  144 . The aperture  146  of the elongated member  136  allows the syringe holder apparatus  130  to be slidably mounted to the actuator apparatus  132  as further described below. The first end  143  of the elongated member  136  is configured to releasably mount to the fluid delivery apparatus  134 . 
   The first and second retaining members  138  and  140  of the syringe holder apparatus  130  are mounted to the elongated member  136  at a pre-selected distance in order to securely hold the syringes during the filling process. The first retaining member  138  is mounted near the first end  143  of the elongated member  136  to releasably hold the upper portions of the syringe barrels, and the second retaining member  140  is attached near the second end  144  of the elongated member  136  to releasably hold the lower portions of the syringe barrels. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the syringe barrel  112  is disposed between the first and second retaining members  138  and  140 . The spacing between the first and second retaining members  138  and  140  can be any suitable distance that is less than the length of the syringe barrel. It will be recognized that the syringe holder apparatus  130  may only have one retaining member or multiple retaining member to releasably hold the syringes to be filled. 
   The first and second retaining members  138  and  140  of the syringe holder apparatus  130  each have a plurality of recesses or slots  148  formed around its outer edge. The recesses  148  are adapted to receive and hold the syringe barrel. Preferably, the recesses  148  are sized to fit snugly around the syringe barrel, allowing a medical practitioner to easily and quickly attach or snap the syringe barrel to the syringe holder apparatus  130 . It will be recognized that the recesses  148  can be configured to accommodate any suitable size syringe barrel and other mechanisms can be used to releasably hold the syringe barrels on the syringe holding member  130 . For example, a clip or finger like member may be used to hold the syringe barrels onto the syringe holding member  130 . The first and second retaining members  138  and  140  preferably have the same number of recesses that are in substantial alignment relative to the axis of the elongated member  136  of the syringe holding apparatus  130 . 
   The stop member  142  of the syringe holder apparatus  130  is mounted to the second end  144  of the elongated member  136 . The stop member preferably is cylindrically shaped, but can have any suitable shape. The stop member  142  is mounted to position the actuator apparatus to engage the plunger heads of the syringes as shown in  FIG. 8  and as further described below. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the actuator apparatus  132  of the medical apparatus  100  generally includes an elongated shaft  150 , a driver or retraction member  152  and a hand grip or knob  154 . The actuator apparatus  132  is slidably mounted to the syringe holder apparatus  130  to allow the plungers of the syringes mounted on the syringe holder apparatus  130  to be retracted or extended in order to cause the fluid to be drawn into the syringe barrels. 
   The elongated shaft  150  of the actuator apparatus  132  is slidably positioned in the aperture  146  of the syringe holder apparatus  130 . The elongated shaft  150  can be moved axially in the aperture  146  of the syringe holder apparatus  130  to allow the actuator apparatus  132  to be moved relative to the syringe holder apparatus  130 . The elongated shaft  150  may also be rotated in the aperture  146  of the syringe plunger apparatus to allow the driver member  152  to interlock with the syringe plunger as further described below. 
   The drive member  152  of the actuator apparatus  132  is configured and positioned to engage with the plunger heads of the syringes to move or retract the syringe plungers when the actuator apparatus  132  is withdrawn. As a result, fluid is drawn through the fluid delivery member and into the syringes. The driver member  152  includes a plurality of recesses  156  to receive the shaft of the syringe plunger. The recesses  156  preferably have a larger diameter than the shaft of the syringe plunger so that the recesses  156  loosely receive the shaft of the syringe plunger. However, the recesses  156  have a smaller diameter than plunger head of the syringe in order to engage the plunger head upon movement of the drive member  152 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the recesses  156  of the drive member  152  can be configured to interlock with the shaft of the syringe plunger when the actuator member is rotated clockwise. When the actuator apparatus  132  is moved in the direction of arrow A, the drive member  152  will engage the plunger head to move the syringe plunger and further movement will cause the extension of the syringe plunger. In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , when the syringe barrel is mounted to the syringe holding member, the shaft of the syringe plungers  114  fit into the recesses of the retraction member and the plunger head  116  seats in an indentation or recess  160  of the drive member  152 . 
   The hand grip  154  of the actuator apparatus  132  is substantially cylindrically shaped and is adapted to be grasped by a user or medical practitioner. It will be recognized that the hand grip  154  may be any suitable shape or size which allows it to be grasped by the user. The hand grip  154  allows a user to move the actuator apparatus  132  in an upwardly fashion to cause the drive member  152  to contact the plunger head of the syringe plunger. Once the drive member  152  contacts the plunger head and begins to move the syringe plunger, fluid to be drawn into the syringe barrel as further described below. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the fluid delivery apparatus  134  of the medical apparatus  100  is releasably mounted to the first end  143  of the elongated member  136  of the syringe holder apparatus  130 . The fluid delivery apparatus  134  allows fluid to be transported from a container of fluid into the syringe barrels that are mounted on the syringe holder apparatus  130 . The fluid delivery apparatus  134  can be constructed from nylon, Teflon, polyurethane, or polyethylene. It will be recognized that the fluid delivery apparatus  134  can be made from a variety of other materials including, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylenterephthalate, polyamide, other polymers and polycarbonates as well as other suitable forms of plastic. 
   The fluid delivery apparatus  134  includes a bore  158 , an inlet port  160  and a plurality of outlet ports  162 . The bore  158  is configured so that the fluid delivery apparatus  134  can be releasably mounted to the first end  143  of the elongated member  136  of the syringe holder apparatus  132 . The bore  158  can be any suitable shape to mate with the configuration of the first end  143  of the elongated member  136 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the outlet ports  162  of the fluid delivery apparatus include a plurality of apertures formed in the upper surface of the fluid delivery apparatus  134 . The apertures are sized to fit snugly around the tips of the syringe barrels. In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the outlet ports  162  are formed by hollow sleeves  164  that extend outwardly from the upper end of the fluid delivery apparatus  134 . The hollow sleeves  164  fit within the hole in the tip of the syringe barrel. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , a delivery conduit or pathway  166  extends from each outlet port  162  to the inlet port  160  of the fluid delivery apparatus  134 . The delivery conduits  166  allow fluid to flow from the inlet port  160  to each of the outlet ports  162 . A nozzle  170  or tube can be connected to the inlet port  160  to facilitate obtaining fluid. 
   The method of filling a plurality of syringes with the medical apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  will now be described. Initially, a medical practitioner places a plurality of syringes on the syringe holding apparatus  130  with the actuating apparatus  132  in its retracted or closed position. In this position, the plunger head will rest against the drive member  152  of the actuating apparatus  132 . 
   A container having a desired fluid is opened or prepared, and a nozzle attached to the inlet port  160  of the medical apparatus  100  is placed in the fluid. It will be recognized that the inlet port  160  may be connected to a tube that can be inserted into the container. 
   Once the nozzle is placed in the fluid, the medical practitioner grasps the hand grip  154  of the actuator apparatus  132  and pulls it in an upward direction. As the actuator apparatus  132  moves upwardly, the drive member  152  of the actuator apparatus  132  engages the plunger heads of the syringe plungers causing the syringe plungers to be extended or retracted. As the syringe plungers are retracted, fluid is drawn through the inlet port and through the outlet ports via the delivery conduits. The fluid then travels through the tips of the syringes and into each of the syringe barrels. 
   Once the desired amount of liquid is drawn into each of the syringe barrel, the medical practitioner will stop retracting the actuator member  132 . Once the syringes are filled, the medical practitioner can remove the syringes from the syringe holding member and use the syringes to inject fluid into a patient. This process can be repeated until the desired number of syringes are filled. 
   The medical apparatus and methods described above allow a plurality of syringes to be quickly and easily filled at the same time. As a result, medical practitioners can reduce the amount of time spent for filling syringes, thereby reducing labor costs for the medical treatment. The medical apparatus also fills multiple syringes without the need to insert the needle of the syringe in the sealed container, thereby avoiding damage to the syringe needles. 
   In addition, the medical apparatus can be used to quickly fill syringes if additional syringes need to be filled during a treatment of a patient. Further, the medical apparatus is portable allowing it to be used in various treatment places in a medical facility. The medical apparatus is also less expensive than electronic automatic syringe fillers. 
   Although the present invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example, it should be understood that a wide range of changes and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments described above without departing in any way from the scope and spirit of the invention. Thus, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.