Abstract:
A syringe for administering medicament from a cartridge. The syringe includes a sleeve having an interior for receiving the cartridge extending between a distal hub and a proximal opening. The syringe has a cap selectively covering the proximal opening for retaining the cartridge in the interior of the sleeve. The cap includes a finger grip extending outward from the sleeve for engaging fingers of a user. The syringe also has a plunger rod movably connected to the cap. The plunger rod has a distal connector for selectively connecting the rod to the cartridge plunger when the cartridge is received in the interior of the sleeve to push medicament from the cartridge reservoir as the plunger rod moves with respect to the cap.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/373,164, filed Aug. 12, 2010, entitled, “Single Use Device for Delivery of Cartridge Drugs”, and to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/471,909, filed Apr. 5, 2011, entitled, Medical Cartridge Receiver Having Access Device, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to devices for injection of liquid medicaments that are prefilled cartridges and, in particular, the present disclosure is directed to a “ready to use/ready to dispose” devices for single use injection of local anesthetics. 
         [0003]    Local anesthetic is frequently used to numb tissue in a patient&#39;s mouth to reduce pain and discomfort a patient may feel during a dental procedure. Conventionally, a reusable syringe assembly is used to inject the anesthetic or medicine from a cartridge. The syringe assembly includes a barrel for receiving a cartridge, a plunger rod or harpoon slidably received in a head of the barrel for actuating the cartridge, and a delivery needle connected to a hub of the barrel for delivering the anesthetic to the patient. The syringe may be constructed of chrome plated brass and stainless steel and may include a needle adapter, syringe barrel, plunger rod with harpoon, finger grip and a thumb ring. Typically, the syringe must be sterilized between each use. 
         [0004]    The needle permits local anesthetic to travel from the dental cartridge into tissue surrounding the needle tip. Needles may be pre-sterilized and disposable. The needle may be composed of a single piece of metal tubing around which is placed a plastic or a metal syringe adapter and a needle hub which is attached to the needle adapter of the syringe. 
         [0005]    The cartridge or carpule is a glass cylinder containing a local anesthetic among other ingredients. A diaphragm at one end of the cylinder is held in place by an aluminum band. The opposite end of the cylinder includes a moveable piston or stopper. Typically, the diaphragm of the cartridge is swabbed with alcohol before being loaded into a pre-sterilized syringe. As the cartridge is loaded into the syringe, an access needle at the hub of the barrel pierces the cartridge diaphragm so the anesthetic in the cartridge can be dispensed. The plunger rod of the syringe pushes the piston of the cartridge toward the diaphragm to force the anesthetic through the access needle and ultimately into the delivery needle through which it is delivered to the patient&#39;s tissue. 
         [0006]    Assembly of a dental syringe often requires removing a sterilized syringe from its container and placing an alcohol wiped cartridge into the syringe with the plunger rod of the syringe fully retracted. A rubber septum supported on a distal end of the syringe end of the cartridge is inserted into the syringe first and a harpoon or like structure of the plunger rod is engaged with a plunger positioned at a proximal end of the cartridge. A needle assembly including a needle and protective cap can be secured to the syringe. The protective cap is then removed from the needle and the syringe is ready for use. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, between each use the syringe must be sterilized, a new delivery needle must be mounted on the syringe, and a new cartridge must be prepared and loaded. 
         [0007]    After use, the needle must be recapped, disconnected from the syringe and disposed in a sharps container and the cartridge must be removed and disposed in a sharps container. Afterwards, the syringe must be transported for sterilization processing. These multi-step assembly and post-use procedures take time and are resource and labor intensive. There is a need for a syringe assembly that reduces the time, resources, and labor required to provide anesthetic to a patient. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one aspect, the present invention includes a syringe for administering medicament from a cartridge having a medicament reservoir and a plunger mounted in the reservoir for pushing medicament from the reservoir. The syringe comprises a sleeve having an interior sized and shaped for receiving the cartridge. The interior extends between a distal hub and a proximal opening opposite the hub sized and shaped for delivering the cartridge to the interior. The syringe also includes a cap permanently affixed to and covering the proximal opening for retaining the cartridge in the interior of the sleeve. The cap includes a finger grip extending outward from the sleeve for engaging fingers of a user administering medicament when the cap covers the proximal opening. Further, the syringe comprises a plunger rod movably connected to the cap. The plunger rod has a distal connector for connecting the rod to the cartridge plunger when the cartridge is received in the interior of the sleeve to push medicament from the cartridge reservoir as the plunger rod moves with respect to the cap. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of the invention, a syringe for administering medicament from a cartridge comprises a sleeve having an interior sized and shaped for receiving the cartridge extending between a distal hub and a proximal opening opposite the hub sized and shaped for delivering the cartridge to the interior. The syringe also comprises a cartridge having a medicament reservoir and a plunger, the cartridge disposed within the sleeve and a cap affixed to the sleeve and covering the proximal opening for retaining the cartridge in the interior of the sleeve, the cap including a finger grip extending outward from the sleeve for engaging fingers of a user administering medicament. A plunger rod may be movably connected to the cap, the plunger rod having a distal connector for connecting the rod to the cartridge plunger when the cartridge is received in the interior of the sleeve to push medicament from the cartridge reservoir as the plunger rod moves with respect to the cap. The syringe may also comprise a catheter having a proximal end fluidly connected to the distal hub of the sleeve and a distal end fluidly connected to a needle. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the present invention includes a syringe comprising a sleeve having an interior sized and shaped for receiving the cartridge extending between a distal hub and a proximal opening opposite the hub sized and shaped for delivering the cartridge to and from the interior. The syringe includes a needle extending from the distal hub for piercing a patient and a plunger rod removably covering the needle to prevent needle sticks. The plunger rod is removable from the needle and selectively connectable to the cartridge plunger when the cartridge is received in the interior of the sleeve to push medicament from the cartridge reservoir as the plunger rod moves with respect to the cap. 
         [0011]    In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a syringe comprising a sleeve having an interior sized and shaped for receiving the cartridge extending between a distal hub and a proximal opening opposite the hub sized and shaped for delivering the cartridge to and from the interior. The syringe also comprises means for limiting movement of the cartridge towards the proximal opening in the sleeve. The syringe also includes a needle extending into the sleeve from the distal hub for piercing the cartridge to access medicament in the cartridge reservoir and a plunger rod movably connected to the sleeve. The plunger rod has a distal connector for selectively connecting the rod to the cartridge plunger when the cartridge is received in the interior of the sleeve to push medicament from the cartridge reservoir as the plunger rod moves with respect to the sleeve. The plunger rod is adapted to move the plunger of the cartridge between a first position, in which the septum is not pierced by the needle and the plunger of the cartridge is in a proximal location, and a second position, in which the septum is pierced by the needle and the plunger of the cartridge is in a distal location. 
         [0012]    In still another aspect, the present invention includes a syringe comprising a sleeve having an interior sized and shaped for receiving the cartridge extending between a distal hub and a proximal opening opposite the hub sized and shaped for delivering the cartridge to and from the interior. The syringe further comprises a needle extending from the distal hub for piercing a patient and a flange including an inner annular ring adapted to engage a proximal end of the cartridge and a ratchet protrusion permitting the flange to move distally with respect to the sleeve and preventing the flange from moving proximally with respect to the sleeve so the ratchet protrusion retains the cartridge in a pre-armed state, in which the needle does not pierce the septum, before the flange is moved distally with respect to the sleeve and the ratchet protrusion prevents proximal movement of the flange with respect to the sleeve and retains the cartridge in an armed state, in which the needle pierces the septum, after the flange is moved distally with respect to the sleeve. Further, the syringe includes a plunger rod movably connected to the finger flange. The plunger rod has a distal connector for selectively connecting the rod to the cartridge plunger when the cartridge is received in the interior of the sleeve to push medicament from the cartridge reservoir as the plunger rod moves with respect to the sleeve. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the present invention includes a syringe comprising a sleeve having an interior sized and shaped for receiving the cartridge extending between a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end. The syringe also includes a plunger rod movably connected to the sleeve. The plunger rod has a distal connector for selectively connecting the rod to the cartridge plunger when the cartridge is received in the interior of the sleeve to push medicament from the cartridge reservoir as the plunger rod moves with respect to the sleeve. In addition, the syringe comprises a hub moveably attached to the distal end of the sleeve. The hub includes a needle extending into the sleeve and is movable between a first position, in which the septum is not pierced by the needle, and a second position, in which the septum is pierced by the needle. 
         [0014]    In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a syringe comprising a sleeve having an interior sized and shaped for receiving the cartridge extending between a distal hub and a proximal opening opposite the hub sized and shaped for delivering the cartridge to and from the interior. The syringe also has a needle extending into the sleeve and a removable barrier positioned between the needle and the cartridge when received in the sleeve to prevent the needle from piercing the septum of the cartridge. Removal of the barrier permits the needle to pierce the septum to permit flow of medicament from the cartridge through the needle. 
         [0015]    In another aspect, the present invention includes a syringe comprising a sleeve having a medicament reservoir, a plunger rod, and a plunger. Further, the syringe includes a needle extending into the sleeve and a thumb slide movably attached to the sleeve and adapted to engage the plunger rod when received in the sleeve to move the cartridge plunger distally and/or proximally to permit flow of medicament from the cartridge through the needle. 
         [0016]    Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the following description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective of a single use syringe assembly of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a separated view of the single use syringe assembly; 
           [0019]      FIG. 1C  is a sectional view of a cartridge of the single use syringe assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1D  is a perspective of the single use syringe in a depressed position; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspectives of a single use syringe of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2C  is a sectional view of a rubber plunger and rod of the single use syringe of the second embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective of a single use syringe of a third embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspectives of a single use syringe of a fourth embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective of a single use syringe of a fifth embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective of a single use syringe of a sixth embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7A  is a partially separated section of a single use syringe of a seventh embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7B  is a side elevation of a plunger assembly of an alternative embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are sections of a single use syringe of another embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are sections of a needle hub of yet another embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 10A-10D  are views of a needle hub of another embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 11A-11C  are various views of a finger hold of another embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective of a single use syringe of yet another embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 13 and 14  are sections of a plunger assembly of another embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  are side elevations of a single use syringe of other embodiments; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a perspective of a needle assembly of yet another embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0037]    Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the following description and claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures. 
         [0039]    In the discussion that follows, the term “proximal” or “trailing” will refer to the portion of a structure that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” or “leading” will refer to the portion of the structure that is farther from the clinician. As used herein, the term “subject” refers to a human patient or other animal. The term “clinician” refers to any medical personnel including a dentist, dental hygienist or other care provider and may include support personnel. The term “cartridge” refers to a removable structure such as a carpule, canister or the like for housing a liquid medicament such as a local anesthetic or the like. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1D , a single use syringe of a first embodiment of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference number  10 . The syringe  10  includes a sleeve  13  having a distal hub  13   a  and a proximal opening  13   b  opposite the hub. The hub  13   a  has a staked needle  12 . The staked needle  12  may be a double tipped needle, having one tip extending distally from the hub  13   a  to insert into tissue of a patient and the other tip extending proximally into an interior of the sleeve  13  to pierce a septum  14   a  of a cartridge  14 . A removable cover  11  is fitted over the needle  12  to prevent accidental needle sticks prior to use of the syringe  10 . A prefilled cartridge  14  is positioned in the interior of the sleeve  13  by passing the cartridge through the proximal opening  13   b  of the sleeve. 
         [0041]    The cartridge  14  includes a movable plunger  19  formed from a conventional material, such as rubber or synthetic elastomer. The plunger  19  has a distal face  19   a  for contacting a liquid medicament located in a reservoir inside the cartridge  14 . The plunger  19  also has a proximal face  19   b  that engages a distal end  16   b  of a plunger rod  16 . The distal end  16   b  of the plunger rod  16  may comprise a connector such as a barb to harpoon the plunger  19  so the plunger may be drawn proximally to aspirate the cartridge  14 . Alternatively, the proximal face  19   b  of the plunger  19  may include a connector  19   c  for receiving the distal end  16   b  of the plunger rod  16 . The connector  19   c  may include a protrusion or an orifice sized and shaped to engage a complementary sized and shaped portion of the distal end  16   b  of the plunger rod  16 . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B , the connector  19   c  includes an opening configured to receive the distal end  16   b  of the plunger rod  16 . In other embodiments, the connector  10   c  and distal end  16   b  included threaded fasteners. A distal end  14   a  of cartridge  14  includes a septum  14   b  formed of conventional materials, such as rubber or synthetic elastomer forming a fluid tight seal. In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 1C , the septum  14   b  may be secured to the cartridge  14  by an aluminum band  14   c  crimped around the distal end  14   a  of the cartridge  14 . 
         [0042]    A plunger assembly is removably or permanently attached to the proximal opening  13   b  of the sleeve  13  and may include the plunger rod  16 , a finger grip  15 , and a cap  17 . The plunger rod  16  may have a thumb ring  16   a  at its proximal end. The finger grip  15  may be of any size and shape to provide a surface sufficient to support one or more fingers during use. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   b , the finger grip  15  comprises a pair of finger rings, each positioned on an opposite side of the cap  17 . The cap  17  may be removably attached to the proximal opening  13   b  of the sleeve  13  in a conventional manner, such as by screwing the cap onto the sleeve, or by an interference fit. In another embodiment, the cap  17  is permanently affixed to the proximal opening to maintain the cartridge within the sleeve, so as to prevent or reduce release of medicament and/or safety concerns should the syringe be dropped or otherwise damaged resulting in breakage of a glass cartridge within the sleeve. Delivering the syringe/cartridge to the user preassembled so that the cartridge is secured within the sleeve may ensure sterility of the fluid pathway. The preassembled syringe/cartridge may also eliminate the need of wiping the cartridge cap with a disinfectant prior to assembly by the clinician and may also eliminate inadvertent bending of the needle which may occur when the clinician inserts the cartridge into the sleeve. 
         [0043]    To assembly the syringe  10 , a user inserts a cartridge  14  into the interior of the sleeve  13  through the proximal opening  13   b  so the septum  14   b  faces the distal hub  13   a . The cap  17  is attached to the sleeve  13  so it covers the proximal opening  13   b . In some embodiments, the cartridge  14  and the syringe  10  may be delivered to the user once the cap  17  is secured to the sleeve  13  without engaging the plunger rod  16  and the plunger  19 . In these embodiments, the user moves the plunger rod  16  distally using the thumb ring  16   a  to engage at least a portion of distal end  16   b  of the plunger rod  16  with the connector  19   c  of the plunger  19  positioned in the cartridge  14 . Alternatively, the plunger rod  16  may be moved distally to engage the distal end  16   b  of the plunger rod with the connector  19   c  on the plunger  19  before the cartridge  14  and the syringe  10  are delivered to the user. Regardless, the user moves the cartridge  14  distally by pushing the plunger rod  16  distally until the proximal end  12   a  of the needle  12  pierces the septum  14   b  of the cartridge  14 , allowing to the medicament to flow through the needle. Before inserting the needle  12  into the patient, the user removes the cap  11  to expose the distal end of the needle  12 . The user may also push the plunger rod  16  distally until a few drops of medicament are released from the needle  12 . Once the needle  12  is inserted in the patient, the plunger rod  16  is pushed distally to advance the plunger  19  in the interior the cartridge  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1D , so medicament is delivered through the needle  12  to a patient. After the local anesthetic is delivered to the patient, the entire syringe  10  may be placed in a sharps container, or the plunger assembly may be removed for reuse before placing the sleeve  13  and the cartridge  14  in the sharps container. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2C , a single use syringe according to a second embodiment of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference number  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the syringe  20  includes a sleeve  21  with a staked needle  24 , finger grips  22  and a cartridge  23  with a plunger  27 . The components of the syringe  20  are similar to the corresponding components of the syringe  10  described above, except that instead of a cap  11  as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a partially hollow plunger rod  25  is provided and acts as a protective sheath for the needle  24 . The plunger rod  25  may be removably attached to the distal end of the sleeve  21  by conventional means, such as with an interference fit, cooperative threading, and adhesives. The plunger rod  25  may be removed from the needle  24  and attached to the plunger  27  at the proximal end of the sleeve  21 . Threads  26  may be provided at the end of the plunger rod  25  for attachment to the rubber plunger  27  and for attachment to the distal end of the sleeve  21 . The presence of a thumb ring on plunger rod  25  may provide an additional surface for the user to generate sufficient torque to easily detach the plunger rod  25  from the distal end of the sleeve. As shown in  FIG. 2C , the threads  26  engage corresponding threads  27   a  in the plunger  27 . Although  FIG. 2C  shows threads  26  on an outer diameter of the plunger rod  25  and corresponding threads  27   a  on an inner diameter of the rubber plunger  27 , the plunger rod may be modified so that threads  26  are disposed on an inner diameter of plunger rod  25 , while corresponding threads  27   a  may be disposed on an outer diameter of the rubber plunger. Alternatively, other known engagement techniques may be used to secure the plunger rod  25  to the plunger  27  and about the needle  24 . 
         [0045]    In another embodiment (not shown), an assembly comprising a plunger rod and finger grips may be removably attached to the distal end of the sleeve so that the plunger rod covers the needle extending. When the plunger rod and finger grip assembly is removed from the distal end of the sleeve, the assembly may be removably attached to the proximal end of the sleeve to allow the plunger rod to engage the plunger in the cartridge. The plunger rod may engage the plunger via a connector on the proximal face of the plunger, it may pierce the proximal face of the plunger, or, in a system comprising a self-aspirating needle, it may abut the proximal face of the plunger. The plunger rod and finger grip assembly may be removably attached to either the distal or proximal end of the sleeve by any conventional mounting structure, such as a friction fit structure or screw threads. Though not necessary, in one embodiment the distal end and the proximal end of the sleeve comprise the same mounting structure. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , syringe  30  of a third embodiment includes a cartridge  37  having a movable plunger  39 , a septum  37   a , and a cap  37   b . The plunger, septum, and cap of the syringe  30  are similar to those shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  and may be made from conventional materials. The syringe  30  also includes a separate transfer needle  31  having a needle  33  and a hub  34 . The proximal end of the hub  34  may include a sterile cover (not shown) made from foil or Tyvek sheet that is removed prior to attaching the transfer needle  31  to the cartridge  37 . Tyvek is a US federally registered trademark of the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Alternatively, the sterile cover may remain in place while attaching the transfer needle  31  to the cartridge  37  so the needle  31  pierces the sterile cover. The hub  34  of the transfer needle  31  may be removably coupled to the distal hub of the cartridge  37  in a conventional manner, e.g., by screwing the transfer needle  31  onto a luer lock fitting on the cartridge  37 . A cover  32  covers the needle  33 . A sleeve  35  snaps over or around the cartridge  37 . The sleeve  35  may also snap over or around the transfer needle  31  and the cartridge  37  (not shown). The sleeve  35  may be made of conventional material. In one embodiment, the sleeve  35  may be formed of plastic or cardboard and may include finger grips  38 . A plunger rod  36  may be attached to the rubber plunger  39  in a manner previously described. Detents  35 A on an inside surface of the sleeve may cooperate with detents  37 A on an outside surface of the cartridge to prevent inadvertent arming of the cartridge. Similarly, detents  35 B on an inside surface of the sleeve may cooperate with detents  37 B on an outside surface of the cartridge to maintain the cartridge within the sleeve. It is understood that one or more recesses may replace one or more detents, so long as there is cooperative engagement between the detents or recesses on the sleeve and the recess or detents on the cartrdige. 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a single use syringe  40  of a fourth embodiment is substantially similar to the syringe  30  of the third embodiment. The syringe  40  includes a plunger rod  42  that also functions as a protective cover for the needle  43  prior to using the syringe  40  instead of including a separate cover  32  as in the syringe  30  of the third embodiment. The plunger rod  42  is removed from the distal end of the syringe  40  and attached to the rubber plunger  49  in the cartridge  47 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , a needle hub  44  is constructed and arranged to engage the outer surface of the distal end of the sleeve  45 . Alternatively, the needle hub  44  can be formed so it engages a portion of the sleeve  45  surrounding the needle  43 , to avoid an increase in diameter associated with engaging the outer surface of the sleeve. One or more detents or recess on an inner surface of the sleeve may cooperate with one or more recess or detents on an outer surface of the cartridge to prevent inadvertent arming and or to maintain the cartridge within the sleeve, as also described with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  depicts a single use syringe  50  according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the syringe  50  includes a cartridge  51  attached to a transfer needle  54  as described above with regard to  FIG. 3 . The cartridge  51  includes a locking structure  52 , which is shown near the distal end of the cartridge but may be disposed anywhere on the cartridge. The locking structure  52  may be annularly positioned about the cartridge  51  or, alternatively, may include one or more engagement members. A sleeve  54  is provided and includes a lock ring  55  that may slide along the sleeve to engage the locking structure  52 . The locking structure  52  may have an angled proximal surface  52   a  to facilitate attaching the sleeve  54  to the cartridge  51 , and a substantially perpendicular distal face  52   b  to prevent separation of the sleeve from the cartridge. As described above in previous embodiments, a needle cover  53  may be used as a plunger rod and attached to the proximal face of the rubber plunger  59  of the cartridge  51 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , a sixth embodiment of a single use syringe  60  is similar to the single use syringe  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The syringe  60  has a sleeve  61  in which a cartridge  64  may be disposed. Unlike the syringe  10  of the first embodiment, having a staked needle  12 , the syringe  60  of the sixth embodiment uses a transfer needle assembly  62  that is releasably secured to a distal end of the sleeve  61 , e.g., by a luer connector. A cover  63  may be provided on the transfer needle assembly  62  to enclose a needle  65  of the transfer needle assembly  62  before and after use. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  depicts a single use syringe  70  according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The features described below with respect to  FIG. 7  may be included in any of the single use syringes described throughout this application. The syringe  70  includes a sleeve  71  having a staked needle  75  that accommodates a cartridge  73 . 
         [0051]    The sleeve  71  may include an injection molded syringe barrel with an integral finger flange  78  and the staked needle  75 . The standard cartridge  73  is loaded into the sleeve  71  and an injection molded ring plunger rod  74  is attached to a proximal end  71   a  of the sleeve  71  behind the cartridge  73  to lock the cartridge inside the sleeve  71 . A distal end  74   a  of the plunger  74  may have internal threads that accept a threaded rod  79   a  projecting from the proximal face of the cartridge plunger  79 . Alternatively, the plunger  74  may have a barb or harpoon (not shown) on its distal end that engages the cartridge plunger  79 . The sleeve, and/or the cartridge may include means for limiting the movement of the cartridge towards proximal opening of the sleeve. The limiting means may include one or more protrusions or recesses on the interior of the sleeve which cooperate with one or more recesses or protrusions on the exterior of the cartridge. 
         [0052]    Alternatively, the plunger  74  may include a “break-away” ring  74   b  at its distal end, as shown in  FIG. 7B . The ring  74   b  is press-fit into the inner diameter of the proximal end  71   a  of the sleeve  71  and engages the cartridge  73  to lock it in the sleeve thereby limiting movement of the cartridge towards the opening of the sleeve. The plunger  74  and the ring  74   b  are twisted to break the plunger from the ring, and the plunger can then be attached to the cartridge plunger  79 . 
         [0053]    The syringe  70  may include an annular ridge or detent  72  located inside the sleeve  71  near the distal end of the syringe. The ring or detent  72  spaces the cartridge  73  from the needle  75  to prevent the needle from penetrating the septum  73   a  of the cartridge before the syringe  70  is ready to use. Once the user secures the plunger rod  74  to the cartridge plunger  79 , the user advances the cartridge  73  past the detent  72  by pressing the plunger rod  74  distally in direction “A” as shown in  FIG. 7A  until the cartridge engages the hub of the syringe  70  so the syringe is armed. Arming occurs when the proximal end  75   a  of the needle  75  pierces the cartridge septum  73   a . The detent  72  may also be configured to engage an outer surface of the cartridge  73  to prevent the cartridge from becoming dislodged once armed. 
         [0054]    In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the cartridge  73  may include one or more annular recesses. The cartridge  73  may comprise two annular recesses around the distal end of the cartridge. The first recess may be formed about a cap and the second recess may be formed where the cap and the cartridge  73  connect. The first recess may cooperate with the detent  72  to keep the cartridge  73  a predetermined distance from the plunger rod  74  and keep the cartridge in the sleeve  71  without a plunger rod attached to the sleeve. To arm the cartridge  73 , the plunger rod  74  is depressed, moving the first annular recess past the detent  72  and moving the second annular recess into cooperation with the detent  72 . The cooperation of the detent  72  and the second recess of the cartridge  73  keeps the cartridge in the sleeve  71  without a plunger being attached to the sleeve. 
         [0055]    The syringe  70  may be provided to the user preassembled and ready to use. When the cartridge  73  is emptied, the entire device is discarded, eliminating the need to remove the cartridge from the sleeve  71 , recap the needle  75  and reload a second cartridge  73 . As a result, the syringe  70  saves time and prevents risk of needle stick when the cartridge is removed and loading. Further, the manufacturing the syringe  70  is more efficient because fewer injection molded components are used, thereby providing a low part count assembly which may result in faster assembly times and lower costs. The syringe  70  may be molded from clear plastic that encapsulates the glass cartridge  73  in case the glass cartridge breaks when over pressurized. Additionally, the sleeve  71  and the plunger rod  74  provide a sterile seal around the cartridge  73 , enabling the syringe  70  to be assembled in a clean room. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict a single use syringe  80  according to another embodiment. The syringe  80  shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  lengthens a standard 3 mL syringe  82  to accommodate a standard 1.8 mL cartridge  83 . The syringe  82  includes a needle  86  that may be a staked needle or a separate transfer needle. An assembly including finger flanges  84 , a plunger rod  81 , a ratchet protrusion  87   a , an inner annular ring  87   b , and an Astra-type spool  85  may be added to the syringe  82  to provide single-handed control during aspiration and injection. The plunger rod  81  may be attached to a rubber plunger  89   a  as described above with respect to other embodiments. The spool  85  and the ratcheting protrusion  87   a  of the finger flange assembly snap together around syringe flanges  88  to hold the complete syringe assembly  80  together in a pre-armed state (see  FIG. 8A ). Once provided to the user, the finger flanges  84  and the spool  85  are squeezed together, engaging the annular ring  87   b  with the proximal end of the cartridge  83  and moving the cartridge distally into the syringe  82 , causing the needle  86  to pierce the septum  89   b , which arms the syringe assembly  80  for local anesthetic delivery ( FIG. 8B ). In the embodiment shown, in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the plunger rod has already been engaged with the cartridge plunger. In yet another embodiment, the plunger rod may not be initially engaged with the cartridge plunger. In this embodiment, the ratchet may be used to both engage the plunger rod and the cartridge plunger as well as to arm the syringe. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  depict a needle hub  93  according to another embodiment of the present invention. A syringe  91  has a cartridge  92  loaded in a pre-armed state (see  FIG. 9A ). The needle hub  93  is attached to an outer diameter at a distal end of the syringe  91 . The needle hub  93  includes a flange  94  that engages ratchet protrusions  95 ,  96  at the distal end of syringe  91 . When the syringe/cartridge assembly is ready to be armed, the syringe  91  is pushed distally into the needle hub  93  until the cartridge  92  engages the needle hub  93 , and the septum  92   a  is pierced by the needle  93   a  ( FIG. 9B ). When the syringe  91  is pushed distally, the ratchet protrusion  96  engages the flange  94  of the needle hub  93 . The ratchet protrusion  96  prevents the syringe/cartridge assembly from being dislodged once armed. Alternatively, a threaded or a bayonet-style connector may be used to attach the syringe/cartridge assembly to the needle hub  93 . One advantage of this embodiment is that one sleeve may receive a variety of sized and shaped cartridges because the hub cooperates with the sleeve to arm the cartridge. In another embodiment, not shown, an external surface of the hub cooperates with an internal surface of the sleeve, wherein a detent on an internal surface of the sleeve also engages the cartridge to prevent premature arming. This embodiment is also advantageous in that the sleeve may receive a variety of sized and shaped cartridges because the hub and the sleeve cooperate to arm the cartridge. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 10A-10D  depict a needle hub  100  having a needle  103  and a rigid plastic card  101  that acts as a sterile barrier and a mechanical stop to prevent inadvertently arming a cartridge  105  in a syringe or sleeve  104 . The card  101  may have a large tab or loop  102  that is used as a handle to remove the card when the user is ready to arm the cartridge  105 . The card  101  is kept in place by protrusions or flanges  106  formed integrally with the needle hub  100 . Flanges  106  may also cooperate with a corresponding structure on the sleeve  104  to attach the needle hub  100  with the barrier to the sleeve. The card  101  may be completely or partially removed from the hub when ready to use. In one embodiment, the card is completely removed. In another embodiment the card is partially removed exposing the needle tip to the cartridge septum, but preventing an opening from forming which may allow contaminants to contact the cartridge. 
         [0059]    In yet another embodiment, the cover may be a flexible sterile barrier made from foil or Tyvek sheet that is removed prior to attaching the transfer needle  31  to the cartridge  37 . Tyvek is a US federally registered trademark of the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Alternatively, the sterile cover may remain in place while attaching the transfer needle  31  to the cartridge  37  so the needle  31  pierces the sterile cover. In another embodiment, the barrier may comprise two portions. A first portion may act as a barrier for the needle while the second portion may act as a barrier for the cartridge. The two portions may be individual barriers which may be simultaneously removed. Alternatively, the two portions may be integrally formed and removed in one motion. In yet another embodiment, the sterile barrier may by punctured during arming, thereby avoiding the need to remove the barrier prior to arming. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 11A-11C  depict a single use injection molded syringe having an integral finger flange assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11A  depicts a finger flange assembly  111  at the proximal end of a syringe  110 . The finger flange assembly  111  includes a lower finger flange  113  and an upper finger flange  115 . The lower finger flange  113  and the upper finger flange  115  are oriented radially outward perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the syringe  110  to provide a clinician with control during aspiration. The lower finger flange  113  and the upper finger flange  115  may be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe  110  as shown in  FIG. 11B  or around the entire circumference of the syringe  110  as shown in  FIG. 11C . One advantage embodiment shown in  FIG. 11C  is that extending the lower and upper finger flanges around the entire circumference of the syringe eliminates the need to orient the needle bevel to align with the flanges in order to introduce the needle into a subject at a desired angle. 
         [0061]    As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a syringe  120  according to another embodiment of the present invention has a ball  121  at the proximal end of a plunger rod  123  instead of a ring. The ball  121  is placed in the palm of the user&#39;s hand while the user&#39;s fingers surround finger flange  122 . This allows more accurate placement using the forefinger and leverage during injection and aspiration forces using the palm and thumb for accuracy. Although a ball is shown at the proximal end of the plunger rod  123 , any solid mass that fits in the palm of a hand may be used. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 13 and 14  depict a low profile design for a single use syringe according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a sleeve  132  contains a cartridge  133  storing a liquid medicament such as a local anesthetic. A plunger  134  seals the medicament in the cartridge  133  and is used to aspirate or inject the anesthetic from the distal end of the syringe (not shown). The sleeve  132  includes a movable thumb slide  131  and a molded spring  138 . The sleeve  132  also includes a plunger rod  135  threaded into the plunger  134  engaging the thumb slide  131  during aspiration or injection. A shim  136  is provided below the plunger rod  135  having the same thickness as a wall  133   a  of the cartridge  133 . When the user wants to aspirate or inject the local anesthetic, the user presses down on the thumb slide  131  as shown by arrow “B” so the slide engages the plunger rod  135 . The thumb slide  131  can now be moved proximally to aspirate or distally to inject medicament as shown by arrow “C”. The thumb slide may be engaged multiple times in one application to deliver the desired amount of medicament or to aspirate a sufficient amount of blood. In another embodiment, the thumb slide may be used with a prefilled syringe rather than a cartridge and sleeve configuration. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  depict a single use syringe  150  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The syringe  150  may be formed from a transparent or translucent material and may include a contrast strip  151  or a contrast mark  152  in the barrel  154 . The contrast strip  151  and contrast mark  152  each provide a background to facilitate better visualization of blood within the syringe  150 . This improves a user&#39;s ability to see blood in the syringe  150  against the background of a mouth or cavity. The contrast strip  151  or mark  152  can also serve as a visual indicator of the position of the needle bevel  153 . The mark  152  may be extruded onto the barrel  154  or printed on an internal or external surface of the barrel  154 . The strip  151  may be over laminated to secure the strip to the barrel  154 . The strip  151  or mark  152  may be a light color or white to provide a contrast to see aspirate. In another embodiment, the contrast may be oriented with the bevel of a needle tip to quickly identify the proper orientation of the needle prior to insertion into a patient. 
         [0064]      FIG. 16  depicts a needle assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The needle assembly includes a finger engagement  161 , such as a ring, worn on the user&#39;s finger. The finger engagement  161  includes a needle  162  that is fluidly coupled to a catheter  163  which is in fluid communication with a medicament reservoir (not shown). This allows a clinician to inject a medicament such as a local anesthetic into the subject, such as a patient&#39;s mouth, while making the procedure more comfortable for the patient because there is less hardware in the vicinity of the mouth. Because the medicament reservoir, such as a syringe, is remote from the needle, the clinician may be able to shield the syringe from the line of site of the patent which may reduce patient anxiety during a particular procedure. A balloon  164  may also be provided to measure the amount of medicament being injected. The presence of the balloon  164 , which may fill or deflate with medicament during administration of the medicament may provide to normalize the delivery of medicament to the patent by temporarily inflating to accept a higher flow of medicament than desired or temporarily deflating to increase a lower flow than desired. Providing a smooth flow of medicament to the subject may reduce the pain associated with uneven and/or a high flow of medicament to an injection site. The balloon may also serve as an advancement indicator to warn the clinician that the needle has been inserted to an appropriate depth. In another embodiment, a protrusion extending from the needle may replace the balloon  161  as a depth indicator. 
         [0065]    It should be noted that any of the features described above may be combined with one or more of any of the other features described in this application. 
         [0066]    Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings and/or discussed, those skilled in the art will appreciate the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular described embodiments, but should be read as broadly as the art will allow. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplary. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0067]    Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 
         [0068]    When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0069]    As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.