Patent Publication Number: US-2022218909-A1

Title: Syringe Assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to syringes, including disposable syringes, pre-filled syringes, and syringes in which the injection substance is not pre-filled. This disclosure also includes an apparatus to aspirate a substance from a container, such as an IV bag or a medicine vial with a flexible membrane, into the syringe without the need for any additional components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Billions of injections are made annually. Many medicines are supplied in vials sealed with a flexible membrane that is pierced in order to fill the syringe for injection. Injections typically involve using a disposable syringe and a blunt needle, made of metal or plastic, to draw up medicine from a container and then deliver the medicine using the syringe with a different needle. Medicines are provided in different physical forms, including as powders, solids such as micro-capsules, granules and tablets, or liquid. The needles used to draw up the medicine can be sharp but are typically full-length, blunt metal needles or shorter plastic needles. Needle-stick injuries continue to occur with blunt needles. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments disclosed here are designed to decrease needle-stick injuries while eliminating additional components for drawing up medicines from containers. Certain embodiments also result in reduction of material consumption, thus leading to a decrease in costs and environmental impact. Embodiments of the syringe system described here can be used with any container. The containers can be filled or devoid of a substance and the syringe system can be used to draw the substance from the container or expel substance into the containers. This syringe system can be used with containers with or without a membrane, potentially enclosing a substance inside. 
     Disclosed here are embodiments of the syringe system and methods of using the syringe systems in various applications. In an embodiment, the syringe system has the following components: a barrel with a tip and a plunger. The barrel of the syringe system encloses a chamber, which is the volume into which substances can be drawn into during use. The barrel and the chamber can take any shape. In an embodiment, the barrel and the chamber are cylindrical. In an embodiment, the chamber is cylindrical but the barrel is modified to provide protrusions for finger placement. One end of the barrel is adapted to receive a needle and this end is referred to as the tip. The other end of the barrel is adapted to receive a plunger. The plunger has a flange at one and a seal at the other end. The plunger slides within the chamber, and is operated to draw up or expel substance(s) from the chamber through the outlet in the tip of the barrel. The plunger can be modified for specific use cases. In an embodiment, the flange of the plunger has a circular protrusion for thumb placement. The tip of the syringe, through which a substance is drawn or expelled through an opening, can protrude singularly from the body of the syringe. In an embodiment, the tip can incorporate a locking system, such as a Luer lock. The tip can be flat or shaped to match a specific plunger shape. Where this syringe system differs from current syringes is the tip of the distal portion. The tip is designed such that, if necessary, it can penetrate membranes containing substances, such as medicines and intravenous fluid. The tip can take a variety of shapes to accomplish this. The tip can be made of any material compatible for the applications disclosed here. In certain embodiments, the tip is made of plastic. In certain embodiments, the tip is made of metal alloys, such as stainless steel. This syringe system requires no additional components to penetrate the containers. The tip is configured to accommodate a needle, such as one for injection of a medication, and create a seal if needed. In an embodiment, the tip of the syringe system is adapted with an integrated lock, such as a Luer lock, to secure a needle about the tip of the syringe. In an embodiment, the tip has two or more vents to facilitate aspiration and expulsion of substances. In certain embodiments, the tip is adapted to prevent it from sliding out of a membrane on a container or from the container itself by the use of a slot or a circumferential indentation on the tip that engages with the membrane and prevents slippage. In another embodiment, the tip is fitted with a filter. This filter can be housed within the tip of the syringe system. The filter prevents certain particles from entering the interior chamber of the syringe. In another application, the filter prevents certain particles from leaving the chamber. These particles would be those not intended to be administered or expelled from the syringe. 
     In another embodiment, a syringe system contains a barrel and a plunger adapted with a protrusion. This protrusion can extend past an outlet of the tip of a syringe and permits penetration of a membrane of a container or the container itself to facilitate the aspiration of a substances, such as medicines into the chamber of the syringe. The protrusion can include a locking mechanism. The protrusion can take a variety of shapes. The protrusion can be made of any material compatible for the applications disclosed here. In certain embodiments, the protrusion is made of plastic. In certain embodiments, the protrusion is made of a metal alloy, such as stainless steel. When the plunger is engaged fully within the chamber, the protrusion extends beyond the outlet of the tip. Once the protrusion pierces through a membrane of a container or the container itself, it allows engagement of the tip with the membrane of a container or the container itself. Then, by sliding the plunger away from the tip of the barrel, substances from the container can be aspirated into the chamber. In an embodiment, the tip of the syringe is tapered to facilitate easy entry into the container. The tip of the syringe can also be modified to prevent slippage from the membrane of a container or the container itself by a slot or a circumferential indentation. The protrusion of the plunger may be solid or may have an interior lumen with or without accompanying vent. While the protrusion will extend past the outlet of the syringe, it will not impede upon the ability of the tip to engage devices typically connected to a syringe, such as standard or safety injection needles, IV ports and caps, among others. The protrusion can be housed within the hub of a needle and an adequate seal can be made. The plunger in this system can be modified such that the flange of the plunger has a circular protrusion for thumb placement. The shaft of the plunger can have reinforcement ridges. The plunger can incorporate a membrane, usually plastic or rubber, to go about the protrusion and onto the portion of the plunger that slides into the syringe chamber such that it can create a seal to keep substances within the syringe chamber. 
     In one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a syringe assembly. The syringe assembly comprising a barrel having an open proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber. A plunger is slidingly received in the chamber for drawing fluid into the chamber and discharging fluid from the chamber. The barrel has a tip at the distal end. The tip having a lumen extending through the length of the tip. The tip has a beveled end for penetrating a membrane and allowing fluid communication between the chamber and the fluid contained by the membrane. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a syringe assembly. The syringe assembly comprising a barrel having an open proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber. A plunger is slidingly received in the chamber for drawing fluid into the chamber and discharging fluid from the chamber. The barrel has a tip at the distal end. The tip having a lumen extending through the length of the tip. The tip is generally hollow cylindrically shaped with a blunt end. The plunger has a protrusion for extending through the lumen and penetrating a membrane and allowing fluid communication between the chamber and the fluid contained by the membrane. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale. The emphasis is instead placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is an assembled perspective view of a syringe assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view of the syringe assembly with a Luer-lock collar engaged with a needle assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view of a syringe assembly with a Luer-slip type engagement with a needle assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are close-up side views of syringe tips for stabilization in a barrier and past the barrier respectively, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are close-up side views of additional syringe tips for stabilization in a barrier and past the barrier respectively, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a disassembled perspective view of a syringe assembly, according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  are assembled perspective views of the syringe assembly of the second embodiment with a Luer-lock collar and with the Luer-lock collar engaged with a needle assembly respectively. 
         FIG. 8  is an assembled perspective view of the syringe assembly of the second embodiment with a Luer-slip type engagement with a needle assembly. 
         FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C  are close-up side views of syringe tips and plunger protrusions, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C  are close-up side views of syringe tips with a circumferential indentation, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C  are close-up side views of a tapered syringe tip with a notch, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-5B  show one embodiment of a syringe assembly  10 , which is used for injecting or drawing a substance or a fluid from a subject S. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the subject S can include a patient of specimen, such as the tissue of an animal or human, as well as inanimate objects such as containers or other devices for holding a fluid. The syringe assembly  10  includes a syringe  12  that includes a barrel  14  which is substantially cylindrical. The barrel  14  has an open proximal end  15 , a distal end  17 , and a chamber  16  defined therein. A fluid  19  housed in the chamber  16  is injected into or drawn from the subject S. The syringe assembly  10  further includes a plunger  18 . The plunger  18  is an elongated cylindrical member that is slidingly received within the chamber  16 . The plunger  18  is configured to fit within the chamber  16  in a frictional fit and to reciprocate within the chamber  16  and further includes a plunger head  20 . In embodiments, the plunger may include reinforcement ribs (not shown). Drawing fluid  19  into the chamber  16  or discharging fluid  19  from the chamber  16  are accomplished by respectively reciprocating the plunger head  20  toward the open proximal end  15  of the chamber  16  or reciprocating the plunger head  20  toward the distal end  17  of the chamber  16 . The barrel  14  further has a finger guard or planar flange  22  extending laterally from the proximal end  15  of the barrel  14 . The finger guard  22  is configured to assist in reciprocating the plunger  18  toward or away from the proximal end  15  of the barrel  14 . 
     Referring further to  FIGS. 1-5B , the barrel  14  has a tip or cannula  26  extending from an external end surface  24  at the distal end  17  of the barrel  14 . In one embodiment, the tip  26  is generally cylindrically shaped with a lumen or passage  30  extending the length of the tip  26 . The passage  30  of the tip  26  is configured to allow fluid communication from and to the chamber  16 . In certain embodiments, the tip  26  further has a beveled end or point  28  that defines a sharp end suitable for penetrating a membrane  50  of the subject S and to allow fluid communication between the chamber  16  and the subject. In other embodiments, the tip  26  and/or the point  28  could be alternatively shaped, arranged, configured and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. Further, the subject S can have the membrane  50  or the subject can be a material without a membrane (e.g., the tissue of a patient) and the point  28  of the tip  26  can facilitate penetration of the surface of the subject not having a membrane without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     In certain embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 4A-4B, and 5A-5B , the tip  26  provides direct or needleless access to the subject S to allow fluid communication from and to the chamber  16 . In such a configuration, the tip  26  is configured to provide access to a variety of medicine delivery access points. In an embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the tip  26  has a generally cylindrical body  27  that has at least one indentation  46  in an external surface  29  of the body  27  for engaging the membrane  50  of the subject S. The indentation  46  allows for stabilization of the tip  26  in the membrane  50  of the subject S. For instance, the membrane  50  includes a material that serves as a barrier, including, but not limited to a tissue of an animal or a membrane of a container. The indentation  46  includes a notch or recess  48  in a portion of the external surface  29  of the body  27 . In the illustrated embodiment, the notch  48  has edges in the external surface  29  of the body  27  and is shaped to extend less than circumferentially around the external surface  29 . As indicated in  FIG. 4B , the tip  26  with the indentation  46  engages the membrane  50  via the notch  48  after penetration and advancement of the tip  26  past the membrane  50  and into the subject S. While a single indentation  46  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4B , the tip  26  could be alternatively configured with multiple indentations or the indentation could be shaped, arranged, or configured otherwise without departing from the disclosure. For instance, in embodiments, the tip  26  includes a partially or circumferentially protruding rib (not shown) that engages the membrane  50  of the subject S. The tip  26  illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4B  further includes a vent  42  including a passage or lumen  44  formed axially within a portion of the tip  26  that allows for air or other supplemental fluids to communicate with the chamber  16 . In some embodiments, the vent  42  can be used to allow fluid under pressure (i.e., fluid contained in venous/arterial vessels, other positive pressure fluid transfers, etc.) to flow into or out of the chamber  16 . 
     In another embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B , an indentation  56  is a notch  58  in a portion of the external surface  29  of the body  27  of the tip  26  that is shaped to extend circumferentially around the external surface  29 . In this embodiment, the tip  26  is cylindrically shaped with a central point  28  that defines a sharp end suitable for penetrating through the membrane  50  of the subject S. The indentation  56  allows for stabilization of the tip  26  in the membrane  50  of the subject S. As indicated in  FIG. 5B , the tip  26  with the indentation  56  engages the membrane  50  via the notch  58  after penetration and advancement of the tip  26  past the membrane  50  and into the subject S. The tip  26  illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B  further includes passages or fenestrations  52  that are in fluid communication with the lumen or passage  30 . The passages  52  allow fluid to communication between the chamber  16  and the subject S. In some embodiments, the passages  52  can extend axially within a portion of the tip  26  creating a pathway for air and other fluids to allow supplemental fluid communication with the chamber  16 . 
     Apart from providing needleless access to a variety of medicine access systems, the syringe system  10  is also configured to receive one or more needle assembly systems for hypodermic injections and other such procedures. For example, referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , the syringe assembly  10  cooperates with a releasably attached needle assembly  32 . In an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the barrel  14  of the syringe assembly  10  includes a collar  25  extending from the external end surface  24 . The collar  25  is generally concentric with the tip  26  of the syringe assembly  10  and is configured to attach the barrel  14  to the needle assembly  32 . The needle assembly  32  includes a frustoconical shaped hub  34 , an axial passageway  30  extending axially through the needle shaft  38 , and a beveled end  40  on the free end of the needle shaft  38  that defines a sharp end suitable for penetrating through the outer surface or membrane  50  of the subject S. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the collar  25  can generally be of a hollow cylindrical shape with internal threads configured to attach the needle assembly  32  via a Luer-lock mechanism. In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the collar  25  can be dispensed with and the needle assembly  32  can be attached in a tight frictional fit directly with the tip  26  via a Luer-slip mechanism. In such a configuration, the tip  26  may have a tapered external surface to receive and hold the needle assembly  32  in a tight frictional fit. The syringe system  10  could include other attachment features for attachment to a needle assemble or for connection to other suitable delivery devices and/or storage mediums (e.g., connectors, intravenous bags or fluid storage, intravenous pumps or pump connectors, etc.) and the attachment features shown and described could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIGS. 6-11C  show a second embodiment of a syringe assembly  100  used for injecting or drawing a substance or a fluid from the subject S. As described earlier, the subject S can include a patient, such as an animal or human, as well as inanimate objects such as containers. The syringe assembly  100  includes a syringe  112  that includes a barrel  114  which is generally substantially cylindrical. The barrel  114  has an open proximal end  115 , a distal end  117 , and a chamber  116  defined therein. A fluid housed in the chamber  116  is injected into or drawn from the subject S. The syringe assembly  100  further includes a plunger  118 . The plunger  118  is an elongated cylindrical member with a body  121  and a plunger head  120  that is slidingly received within the chamber  116  for drawing fluid into the chamber and discharging fluid from the chamber. Once the body  121  of the plunger  118  is inserted into the chamber  116  of the barrel  114 , the plunger  118  is configured to reciprocate within the chamber  116  and draw fluid into the chamber  116  or discharge fluid from the chamber  116 . This is accomplished by reciprocating the plunger head  120  toward the open proximal end  115  of the chamber  116  or reciprocating the plunger head  120  toward the distal end  117  of the chamber  116  respectively. The barrel  114  further has a finger guard or planar flange  122  extending laterally from the proximal end  115  of the barrel  114 . The finger guard  122  is configured to assist in reciprocating the plunger  118  toward or away from the proximal end  115  of the barrel  114 . 
     Referring further to  FIGS. 6-11C , the barrel  114  has a tip or cannula  126  extending from an external end surface  124  at the distal end  117  of the barrel  114 . The tip  126  is generally cylindrically shaped with a lumen or passage  131  extending the length of the tip  126 . The passage  131  of the tip  126  is configured to allow fluid communication to the chamber  116 . For example, when the plunger  118  of the syringe assembly  100  is reciprocated towards the proximal end  115  of the barrel  116 , fluid from a membrane is drawn into the chamber via the passage  131  of the tip  126 . In certain embodiments, the tip  26  is generally hollow cylindrically shaped with a blunt end  135 . 
     The plunger  118  further has a protrusion  129  that is configured to extend through and past the passage  131  and penetrate a membrane to allow fluid communication between the chamber  116  and the fluid contained by the membrane when the plunger  118  is received within the barrel  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion  129  is generally cylindrically shaped, solid body that extends from the plunger head  120  with a beveled end  128 . In alternative embodiments, the protrusion  129  could be configured to include a lumen or passage to allow fluid communication through the protrusion. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion  129  includes a pointed end  133  suitable for penetrating a membrane  150  of the subject S. In other embodiments, the protrusion  129 , the beveled end  128  and/or the pointed end  133  could be alternatively shaped, arranged, configured and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     In certain embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6, 7A, 9A-9C, 10A-10C, and 11A-11C , the syringe assembly  100  provides direct or needleless access to the subject S to allow fluid communication from and to the chamber  16 . In such configurations, both the tip  126  of the barrel  114  and the protrusion  129  of the plunger  118  may configured to draw fluid into the syringe assembly when the plunger  118  is reciprocated toward the proximal end  115  of the barrel  114 . During injection or expulsion of fluid from the syringe assembly  100 , fluid is initially expelled through the tip  126  of the barrel  114  when the plunger  118  is reciprocated toward the distal end  117  of the barrel. Once the protrusion  129  extends past the tip  131 , the pointed end  133  of the plunger  118  can engage the membrane  150  of the subject S to allow fluid transfer between the chamber  114  and the subject. In such a needleless configuration, the protrusion  129  is configured to provide access to a variety of medicine delivery access points. 
     Apart from providing needleless access to a variety of medicine access systems, the syringe system  100  is also configured to receive one or more needle assembly systems for hypodermic injections and other such procedures. For example, referring to embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7B and 8 , the syringe assembly  100  is configured to cooperate with a releasably attached needle assembly  132 . The needle assembly  132  includes a frustoconical shaped hub  134 , an axial passageway  136  extending axially through the needle shaft  138 , and a beveled end  140  on the free end of the needle shaft  138  that defines a sharp end suitable for penetrating through the outer surface of a subject. As illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7B , the barrel  114  of the syringe assembly  100  includes a collar  125  extending from the external end surface  124 . The collar  125  is generally concentric with the tip  126  of the barrel  114  and is configured to attach the barrel  114  to the needle assembly  132 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7B , the collar  125  can generally be of a hollow cylindrical shape with internal threads configured to be attached to the needle assembly  132  via a Luer-lock mechanism. As with the first embodiment, the collar  125  can also be configured to receive other external medicine needle hubs or attachment devices that use the Luer-lock mechanism. In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the needle assembly  132  can be attached to the syringe assembly  100  in a tight frictional fit with the tip  126  via a Luer-slip mechanism. In such a case, the tip  126  can have a tapered external surface that is configured for a Luer-slip connection. The syringe assembly  100  could include other attachment features for attachment to a needle assemble or for connection to other suitable delivery devices and/or storage mediums (e.g., connectors, intravenous bags or fluid storage, intravenous pumps or pump connectors, etc.) and the attachment features shown and described could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-9C and 10A-10B , close-up side views of the syringe assembly  100  with the plunger protrusion  129  received in the tip  126 . The plunger protrusion  129  is shown to be fully engaged inside and extending past the tip  126  of the barrel  114 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the tip  126  of the barrel  114  is a tapered or frustoconical shaped configuration and has a generally frustoconical shaped body  137   a,  while in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 9B and 9C , the tip  126  has a generally cylindrical shaped configuration and a generally cylindrical shaped body  137   b.  As shown in  FIGS. 9B and 9C , the generally cylindrical body  137   b  has at least one indentation  147  in an external surface  139  of the body  137  for engaging the membrane  150  of the subject S. The indentation  147  allows for stabilization of the tip  126  and protrusion  129  in the membrane  150  of the subject S. For instance, the membrane  150  includes a material that serves as a barrier, including, but not limited to a tissue of an animal or a membrane of a container. In one embodiment, the indentation  147  is a notch or recess  149  in a portion of the external surface  139  of the body  137   b.  As indicated in  FIG. 9C , the notch  149  has edges in the external surface  139  of the body  137   b  and is shaped to extend less than circumferentially around the external surface  139 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9B and 10A-10C , the notch  149  may be shaped to extend circumferentially around the external surface  139  of the body  137   b.    
     As further indicated in  FIG. 10B , the tip  126  has been first used to penetrate the membrane  150  and the syringe assembly further inserted through the member so that the indentation  147  of the body  137   a  of the tip  126  engages the membrane  150  via the notch  149  after penetration and advancement of the tip  126  and protrusion  129  past the membrane  150  and into the subject S. As shown in  FIG. 10C , the plunger may be withdrawn in the chamber  114  so that the protrusion  129  is removed from the tip  126  after the tip  126  of the barrel  114  engages the membrane  150 . While a single indentation  147  is illustrated in  FIGS. 9B-9C and 10A-10C , the tip  126  could be alternatively configured with multiple indentations or the indentation  147  could be shaped, arranged, or configured otherwise without departing from the disclosure. For instance, in other embodiments, the tip  126  includes a partially or circumferentially protruding rib that engages the membrane  150  of the subject S. In the embodiment of  FIG. 9A , the protrusion  129  includes a vent  142  including a passage or lumen  144  formed axially and adjacent the beveled end  128  of the protrusion  129  that allows for air or other supplemental fluids to communicate with the chamber  116 . In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9C , the tip  126  of the barrel  114  further includes a vent  151  including a passage or lumen  153  formed axially within a portion of the tip  126  that allows for air or other supplemental fluids to communicate with the chamber  116 . In some embodiments, the vents  142 ,  151  can be used to allow fluid under pressure (i.e., fluid contained in venous/arterial vessels, or other positive pressure fluid transfers, etc.) to flow into or out of the chamber  116 . 
     In another embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11C , an indentation  146  is a notch  148  in a portion of the external surface  139  of the body  137  of the tip  126  that is shaped to extend less than circumferentially around the external surface  139 . In this embodiment, the plunger protrusion  129  is generally cylindrically shaped with a central point  128  that defines a sharp end suitable for penetrating through a membrane  150  of the subject. In the embodiment of  FIG. 11A , the tip  126  of the barrel  114  is generally tapered with a frustoconical shaped body. The indentation  146  allows for stabilization of the tip  126  in the membrane  150  of the subject S. As indicated in  FIG. 11B , the tip  126  with the indentation and the protrusion  129  can be pressed through the membrane  150  with the notch  148  engaging the membrane  150  after penetration and advancement of the syringe assembly  100  into the subject S. As shown in  FIG. 11C , the plunger protrusion  129  may be withdrawn relative to the barrel  114  after the tip  126  and protrusion  129  engage the membrane  150  so that the protrusion is removed from the tip and the notch  148  of the tip stabilizes the engagement of the tip with the membrane to allow fluid to be exchanged with subject S defined by the membrane and the chamber  116 . In various embodiments, the protrusion  129  is sized to have a length extending from the plunger head  120  to the end of the protrusion so that the protrusion extends beyond the tip  126  when the plunger  118  is inserted into to chamber  116  and the plunger head is near, or in contact with, the inner surface of the distal end  117  of the barrel  114 . The tip  126  and/or protrusion  129  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 
     The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, but various other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the disclosure as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.