Patent Description:
Medical syringes are used in both injection and aspiration modes. Conventionally, when a syringe is used to inject medicine (or other fluids) via a needle into a vein or the like, the operator holds the syringe in one hand and squeezes the plunger into the syringe cylinder using the thumb and fingers of the same hand. However, when a syringe is used to aspirate or withdraw blood or other fluid from a needle inserted in a vein or the like, the operator uses two hands, typically holding the cylinder in one hand while pulling the plunger out of the cylinder with the other hand.

Specialty syringes have been made with a retractable needle shield that is capable of being retracted to expose the needle for use. After using the needle, a needle shielding position, if desired, is configured to be removed from the syringe with the shielded needle safely contained within the retractable needle shield via a frangible segment between the syringe barrel and the needle shield components. With an elongated generally tubular needle shield advanced distally and optionally locked to a collar, the operator may apply a force in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate generally tubular needle shield sufficient to break the safety syringe at the at least partially relieved proximal region between a barrel and the elongate generally tubular needle shield. This separates the used hollow needle component from the barrel /plunger component to allow separate disposal of the respective components in an approved medical waste container.

As recognized by the present inventor, there are several suboptimal features about conventional syringes that are used for both injection and aspiration, as well as adapters that assist in aspiration. First, in conventional injection mode, an operator normally clamps the barrel of the syringe between the operator's index finger and the middle finger, while depressing the plunger with the operator's thumb. However, a different gripping action is used for aspiration. Typically, aspiration is performed with two hands, one holding the body of the syringe, while the other grips the end of the plunger and withdraws the plunger from the body of the syringe. Two- handed operation is not ideal because the operator may need to use their other hand for another task, such as holding a bottle while withdrawing a sample. Additionally, having an unoccupied hand while performing surgical procedures is also extremely beneficial due to the nature of unpredictability in said procedures. The present inventor also recognized the advantages of disposing the syringes safely and disabling them to prevent their re-use. However, because the conventional syringe often requires the use of two-hands, the attending physician cannot adequately and safely handle the syringe properly when discarding it safely.

<CIT> discloses an example of a syringe which enables one-handed injection and aspiration. This syringe comprises the combination of features of the preamble of claim <NUM>. Moreover, <CIT> and <CIT> do each disclose a safety hypodermic syringe in which the plunger enables retraction of the needle cannula into the barrel after injection.

The invention comprises a hand-held aspiration syringe with the features of claim <NUM>. Additional features of preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. As recognized by the present inventor, there is a need for a syringe that can easily be purposefully broken after a single use in order to reduce the risk of transmission of bloodborne diseases from needle injuries. Various embodiments are described of a disposable syringe that prevents re-use. An inner arm is configured to provide controlled breakability to an inner part of the plunger inside the syringe cavity. The syringe is configured to allow for a one-handed operation; aspiration or injection operation, while freeing the other hand to assist in a medical procedure. Once it has been used for its intended purpose, the syringe may be purposefully broken at different locations to prevent reuse. For example, an operator may hold the barrel while breaking a plunger of the syringe. In addition, the frontal part of syringe's barrel is controllably breakable as well. By providing the breakable features in the subject syringe, an operator can break the syringe after use, and broken in a particular way so as to avoid inadvertent injury to the physician or a person disposing of medical waste. Breaking the syringe prevents an unauthorized user from subsequently obtaining the once-used syringe, perhaps by combing through medical waste, and re-using the syringe for nefarious purposes, such as injecting illegal drugs.

The present inventor identified several suboptimal features about conventional syringes that are used for both injection and aspiration, as well as adapters that assist in aspiration. First, the inventor recognized that in conventional injection mode, operators normally clamp the barrel of the syringe between the operator's index finger and the middle finger, while depressing the plunger with the operator's thumb. However, a different gripping action is used for aspiration. Typically, aspiration is performed with two hands, one holding the body of the syringe, while the other grips the end of the plunger and withdraws the plunger from the body of the syringe. Two- handed operation is not ideal because the operator may very well want to use their other hand for another task, such as holding a bottle while withdrawing a sample. Also, if another person holds the bottle for the operator, there is a third hand in the operation scene which made interfere with the operator's ability to fully see the operation scene.

The present inventor also recognized the advantages of disposing the syringes safely and disabling them to prevent their re-use. However, because the conventional syringe often requires the use of two-hands, the attending physician cannot adequately and safely handle the syringe properly when discarding it safely.

In light of the recognition of this problem, and other problems, the present inventor recognized the practical value in a syringe system that, in addition to enabling a singled-handed injection/aspiration function, also incorporates controllable breaking features that allow the attending physician to safely discard and disable the syringe after its use. Moreover, the present inventor recognized the value in having a safety syringe system that permits the physician to use a single hand to break the one-handed syringe after using it, to disable its usage.

The present inventor also recognized the benefit of including a computer-based control system (e.g., via application of a trained artificial intelligence model) for controlling information specific to a particular syringe that may be used to control an operation and/or disposal of the particular syringe. In one example, an information item (such as a semiconductor memory, RFID chip, and/or machine readable optical code, such as a QR or bar code, may be used to obtain a technical specification for the syringe, and use the technical specification's contents to control an operation of another device, such as an infusion pump to precisely regulate a contents of a syringe when used for dispensing a liquid from the syringe as part of a medical treatment. This computer-based reading of the content regarding the syringe may also be used to help minimize variations in syringe volumes according to variations in manufacturing processes used by different manufacturers. Furthermore, the information about the syringe may be used to be matched to a patient profile, as well as their medical record, so, for example, traceability regarding the use of the syringe may be helpful in diagnosing potential inadvertent administration of materials to the patient. Furthermore, the identification for the syringe may be used to correlate the origin of other syringes that have been detected as being improperly disposed of so the source of the improper disposals may be identified and then confronted.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, <FIG> illustrate a syringe <NUM> for single- handed injection/aspiration operation. The syringe <NUM> includes a plunger <NUM>, a barrel <NUM>, each with various subcomponents as will be discussed. If a needle is affixed to the barrel <NUM>, a sample substance contained in the barrel <NUM> is ejected from the needle. During an aspiration operation, the plunger <NUM> is drawn away from the front end <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, so that a vacuum is created, and sample (air, gas, or a liquid) that is adjacent to a front opening of a Nozzle Lumen <NUM> is drawn into a syringe cavity <NUM> (<FIG>).

The plunger <NUM> includes two pair of arms: external arms <NUM> that extend around and, in one embodiment remain in contact with, and in another embodiment extend outside of, an outer surface of a barrel body <NUM>, and internal arms <NUM> that fit within the barrel body <NUM>. The external arms <NUM> and inner arms <NUM> are connected by an arms connector <NUM> at a rear (posterior) portion of the arms. A push button <NUM> also connects to the arms connectors <NUM> and serves as a thumb press for the syringe <NUM>, when operated the injection mode of operation.

Each external arm <NUM> includes a front flange <NUM>, e.g., a flange extending radially outward from each external arm <NUM> towards a front (anterior) end thereof in a first direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the syringe <NUM>. The front flanges <NUM> allow the operator to place respective forefingers on each main surface of the flange <NUM> and pull the plunger <NUM> backwards, e.g., during aspiration. Each external arm <NUM> optionally includes an additional pair of flanges at a middle thereof to increase a dynamic range of movement for the plunger <NUM> within the barrel <NUM>. An introducer <NUM> is disposed at the front end of each external arm <NUM> to help assemble the plunger <NUM> with the barrel <NUM> during manufacturing. Moreover, a distance between respective external arms <NUM> is expanded when the external arms <NUM> are pushed over and along the outside of the barrel <NUM>, and each introducer <NUM> helps to guide each external arm over the outside of the barrel <NUM>. Generally, each introducer <NUM> extends along the longitudinal direction towards the anterior to be adjacent to the seal <NUM> (<FIG>). Each external arm <NUM> may include an external arm prominence (a raised portion with cross-section) <NUM> that protrudes and extends in a longitudinal direction centrally along a majority thereof to strengthen the external arm <NUM>. Each external arm <NUM> may have an arcuate shape in cross-section.

Each internal arm <NUM> may have an arcuate shape in cross-section. A gap <NUM> (<FIG>) between the external arms <NUM> and the internal arms 122is sufficient to accommodate a barrel body <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, as described below.

The internal arms <NUM> are connected to each other by a seal <NUM> (<FIG>) at the front end of the plunger <NUM>. The seal <NUM> may be closer to the front end of the plunger <NUM> than the front flanges <NUM>. A rear surface of the seal <NUM> has a stopper <NUM> that prevents the plunger <NUM> from falling out when it contacts a rear circular prominence <NUM> (<FIG>) of the barrel <NUM> when the plunger is pulled out to the maximum. A syringe seal <NUM> seals the air going inside or fluid going outside the syringe cavity <NUM>. The syringe seal <NUM> may extend further in the syringe cavity <NUM> than the introducer <NUM> along an outside of the syringe cavity <NUM>.

At least one edge surface of the external arms <NUM> includes a series of nubs 124a that are distributed along the edge at predetermined intervals and extending inwardly so as to oppose and contact an edge of external arm passage <NUM> when moved next to the barrel flange <NUM> so a movement of each nub 124a against the barrel flange <NUM> provides tactile feedback to an operator as the external arms <NUM> are urged along the barrel <NUM> through a passage <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. At least one edge surface of the inner arms <NUM> includes a series of nubs 125a distributed at predetermined intervals and extending radially outward with respect to a center axis of the syringe, each nub 125a providing tactile feedback to an operator when it contacts a rear circular prominence <NUM> as the inner arms <NUM> are urged into the barrel. A reversed scale <NUM> may optionally be printed (with a luminescent material) onto at least one outer surface of an external arms <NUM> so as to allow the operator to see the scale in a darkened environment.

The barrel <NUM> is now described in more detail with reference to <FIG>. The barrel <NUM> includes the barrel body <NUM> that, with the front end <NUM>, define the syringe cavity <NUM> (<FIG>). The barrel body <NUM> has a generally cylindrical main body that is hollow and can optionally be tapered at the front end <NUM>. The front end <NUM> inner surface matches and abuts a front surface of the seal <NUM>. As will be discussed, the front end <NUM> includes a front-end breaking point <NUM> and a nozzle breaking point <NUM>, which are defined regions that have grooves or other structures at predefined locations with thinner cross-sections, such that when a sufficiently large force is applied to the breaking point, the sub-component will break at that location.

An arcuate shape of the inner surface of the external arm <NUM> matches and abuts an outer surface of the barrel body <NUM>, and the outer surface of the internal arm <NUM> is also arcuate so as to match and abut an inner surface of the barrel body <NUM>, such that the barrel body <NUM> is sandwiched between the external arms <NUM> and internal arms <NUM> on opposite sides thereof. Inner surfaces of the external arms <NUM> are spaced slightly less than an outer diameter of the barrel body <NUM> such that when the external arms <NUM> are urged open to have a greater separation distance when extended around the barrel body <NUM> during assembly, a resiliency of the polypropylene material of the external arms <NUM> presses the external arms <NUM> against the barrel body <NUM>. Similarly, the inner arms <NUM> are spaced such that when inserted into the barrel body <NUM> during assembly, a resiliency of the inner arms <NUM> causes the inner arms to press outwardly against an inner surface of the syringe cavity <NUM> (<FIG>).

Along the surface of the barrel <NUM>, a thermo-chemical sensor <NUM> is visibly present on the barrel body <NUM>. In one embodiment the thermo-chemical sensor <NUM> is presented as a stick-on scale that displays a change in color to correspond with a fluid level in the syringe, assuming the fluid has a different temperature than ambient air. In one embodiment, the thermo-chemical sensor <NUM> is a multilayer label with stacked layer structure that includes an adhesive layer, a black blocking layer, a layer that includes liquid crystal inks separated at graduation levels on the thermo-chemical sensor <NUM>, a white layer with graphic print (optionally printed with a luminescent material) that shows the quantity of fluid at a predetermined temperature, and a polyester clear film cover layer. The liquid crystal inks are temperature sensitive in a range of -<NUM> °F to <NUM> °F. One advantage of the thermo-chemical sensor <NUM> is that it is reversible, and so if the user is performing several aspiration and injection operations, the liquid crystal inks revert back to their original color so as to actively track the temperature of the fluid in the barrel <NUM> over time. A scale <NUM> is included on the outer surface of the barrel body <NUM>, and may optionally be printed with a luminescent material.

A rear end of the barrel <NUM> is open so as to receive the plunger <NUM> therein. However, edges of the rear end of the barrel <NUM> include external arm passage <NUM> (<FIG>) and barrel flanges <NUM> that extend radially away from the barrel <NUM>. The external arm passage <NUM> is a gap between the barrel flanges <NUM> that allows the barrel body <NUM> to be inserted between the external arms <NUM> and the internal arms <NUM>, while straightening a movement of the plunger <NUM> and preventing spiral movement of the plunger <NUM> by keeping the side edge of each barrel flange <NUM> in touch with a corresponding side of external arm <NUM>. In particular, the external arm passage <NUM> is large enough to allow the front flanges <NUM> to pass therethrough unimpeded but also allows the barrel flange <NUM> to partially overlap the external arm <NUM> along a first direction. The barrel flanges <NUM> may extend radially outward along a second direction, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the syringe and to the first direction the front flanges <NUM> of the plunger <NUM>. The barrel flanges <NUM> may be used for contact areas for an operator's fingers and/or thumb to control the syringe <NUM> during aspiration or injection.

Moreover, the pair of external arms <NUM> and internal arms <NUM> do not completely surround the barrel body, facilitating the arrangement of front flanges <NUM> and barrel flanges <NUM> that do not interfere with the front flanges <NUM>, while the external arm passage <NUM> allows the barrel flanges <NUM> to partially overlap the external arm <NUM>, such that movement of the plunger <NUM> is stably facilitated.

The barrel <NUM> includes an internal prominence <NUM> (<FIG>), e.g., a circular or a part of a circular internal prominence, in an inner surface of a rear side on the barrel body <NUM>. The internal prominence <NUM> stops the plunger <NUM> when a stopper <NUM> at a rear surface of the seal <NUM> contacts it, such that accidental, complete removal of the plunger <NUM> may be prevented.

A nozzle <NUM> (<FIG>) to which a needle or a tube is to be affixed may be provided at a front end <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> may overlap the front end <NUM> of the barrel body <NUM> along the longitudinal direction. The nozzle <NUM> may extend further along the longitudinal direction than the front end <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> includes a nozzle lumen <NUM> which is the hollow bore that allows fluid to and from the syringe cavity <NUM> to flow therethrough.

As shown in <FIG>, the syringe seal <NUM> is attached to a front end of the plunger <NUM> and is inserted into the rear opening of the barrel <NUM>. The syringe seal <NUM> fits against the inner wall of the barrel body <NUM> and has a front surface that corresponds to an inner surface of the front end <NUM>. Thus, when the plunger <NUM> is pressed at the push button <NUM> with a force directed toward the front end <NUM> of the barrel body, fluid in the syringe cavity <NUM> between the syringe seal <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> is urged toward the nozzle <NUM> and emitted through the opening in the nozzle <NUM>. If a needle is affixed to the nozzle <NUM>, the sample is ejected from the needle. During an aspiration operation, the plunger <NUM> is drawn away from the barrel front end <NUM> so that a vacuum is created, and sample (air, gas, or a liquid) that is adjacent to the opening in the nozzle <NUM> is drawn into the syringe cavity <NUM>. The syringe parts may be made from plastic, such as polypropylene for the barrel <NUM>, and polyethene for the plunger <NUM>. While the present embodiment uses parts made from plastic and synthetic rubber, other materials may be used as well, e.g., glass and stainless-steel barrels and/or plungers.

During an aspiration operation, the front flanges <NUM> and the barrel flanges <NUM> are engagement surfaces for fingers/thumb of the user. To aspirate, an operator's forefingers, e.g., index and middle fingers, are placed on a forward surface of plunger's front flange <NUM> and an operator's thumb is placed on rear surface of barrel flanges <NUM>. When the operator pinches thumb and other forefingers together, the pinching force urges the plunger <NUM> to move backward, and thus withdraws the plunger <NUM> from the body <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. As a consequence, aspiration of the sample into the syringe cavity <NUM> through barrel front openings <NUM> is achieved.

During an injection operation, the operator places the operator's forefingers, e.g., index and middle fingers, over respective forward surfaces of the barrel flanges <NUM> and a thumb on the push button <NUM>. The operator's index and middle fingers are placed directly on the barrel flange <NUM> so the fingers do not contact the external arms <NUM> of the plunger <NUM>, which will slide forward as a result of the force exerted by pinching thumb and other forefingers together, and in turn pushes the plunger <NUM> forward without the operator's forefingers interfering with the movement of the plunger <NUM>.

<FIG> is a rear view of the syringe shown in <FIG>. For reference, push button <NUM> is composed of an opening <NUM>, the rear ends of an external arm <NUM>, the rear ends of an inner arm <NUM>, and arms connectors. As seen, the barrel flanges <NUM> are shown with the external arm passages <NUM>. Grooves formed in the barrel flanges <NUM> are thinned, portions of the barrel flanges <NUM>, which are made from a heat treated polypropylene material to make the seam more brittle, such that a force of greater than <NUM> lb. /sq-in will snap the outer portion of the barrel flanges <NUM> from the inner part.

In <FIG>, a printed or active (e.g., passive/active semiconductor device such as an RFID chip) identification item <NUM> is included on the barrel <NUM>. In an embodiment where the identification item <NUM> is printed, it makes take the form of a bar code or a QR code. A user may use a smartphone, or bar code reader, to capture the imagine on the identification item <NUM>, which would then take the smartphone or computer device connected to the bar code reader to a web address that contains information about the device, including a unique ID for the device. An example of such a reader is described with respect to <FIG>. This facilitates tracking and keeping track of the syringe's location, information on the original purchaser, end user, etc. so local authorities may track down sources of syringes that are being used for nefarious reasons.

<FIG> show three different ways in which the syringe <NUM> described above is broken single handedly by the operator. In these examples, syringe <NUM> can be broken via three breaking points <NUM> (front end breaking point), <NUM> (nozzle breaking point), and <NUM> (seal breaking point). The reference to "breaking points" refers to preset weakened regions of subcomponents of the syringe <NUM> so that the subcomponent will break at that "point" (weakened region, such as a seam that has thinner material that surrounding material). Moreover, these recesses have a reduced cross-sectional thickness of material relative to other surrounding portions, such that when a sufficient force is applied to the body, at a distance along the body separated from the recesses, a torque experienced at the recesses causes the body to controllably break at the breaking points.

With regard to the inner arms breaking point <NUM> of the plunger, a proximal portion of the plunger <NUM>, a distal portion of the plunger <NUM> and the inner arms breaking point <NUM> may be integrally molded of plastic material. The material may be made of material selected from a group of materials including polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, and adhesives. The stopper and the distal end of the plunger <NUM> may be integrally molded of plastic material. To break the plunger <NUM> at the breaking point <NUM>, a lateral force is applied on the plunger <NUM> several inches from the inner arms breaking point <NUM> while a forward end of the plunger is supported by a fixed object. This will impart a torque on the inner arms breaking point <NUM> that, in response to sufficiently large lateral force, will snap the plunger <NUM> at breaking point <NUM>, thus breaking the plunger <NUM> in two pieces. The material used to make the plunger <NUM> is sufficiently strong to prevent breakage under normal use when only a compressive or tensile force is applied longitudinally along the plunger.

Materials for the plunger components may be one or more than one of the following representative materials: polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polystyrene, polycarbonate, cellulosics, glass products, or combinations thereof. More expensive plastics such as polytetrafluoroethylene and other fluorinated polymers may also be used. In addition to the materials mentioned above, examples of other suitable materials include polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, epoxies, acrylics, polyacrylates, polysulfones, polymethacrylates, PEEK, polyimide, and fluoropolymers such as PTFE Teflon®, FEP Teflon®, Tefzel®, poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, TOPAS® COC (cyclic olefin copolymer) and perfluoroalkoxy resins. One exemplary glass product is PYREX® (available from Corning Glass, Corning, N. Ceramic collection devices can be used according to present teachings of the disclosure.

The breaking force should not be so small as to risk unintentional activation of breakable connection during application of force during normal use or during assembly nor too great as to place undue strain on the user. Thus, a typical breaking force is between <NUM> lb. /sq-in to <NUM> lb. Accordingly, when a user presses down upon a barrel flange with the intent to disable the syringe function, a proximal portion mechanically disconnects from distal portion. The use of materials such as polypropylene, along with creases of thinned material allow for controlled breaking at particular points. The breaking points include recesses in the body (plunger/barrel). The recesses cause a cross-sectional thickness of material to be reduced relative to other portions of the body, such that when a sufficient lateral force is applied to the body, at a distance along the body separated from the recesses, a torque experienced at the recesses causes the body to controllably break at the breaking points. The breaks are clean breaks, such that the material will not merely tear or bend, but completely separate at the breaking point.

The breaking force is the total force that includes the force applied under normal use plus some additional force required to break the breakable connection, as well as the moment arm effect of applying a lateral force along a rigid body at some distance from the breaking point. The breaking force depends on various dimensions of the syringe barrel and plunger, the viscosity of the liquid being delivered, and the mechanical and hydraulic forces encountered by the filling and delivery process. If the breakable connection is too weak, the proximal portion and distal portion will separate during assembly or normal use of the collection assembly, and if the force required to break the breakable connection is too high the user may not be able to easily break the breakable connection as intended. In the present embodiment, the materials are polypropylene with heat treated grooves formed in thinned seams (<NUM>" to <NUM>" thick) surrounded by materials of at least twice the thickness of the seams to ensure clean breaks at the breaking points.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, once nozzle <NUM> (<FIG>) with needle <NUM> is inserted inside a small opening that is designated for it in sharps container <NUM>, it can be broken at nozzle breaking point <NUM> by bending it to the side. Moreover, by anchoring the nozzle <NUM> to the opening in the sharps container <NUM>, and applying a lateral force of at least <NUM> lb. /sq-in, the nozzle breaking point will give way and snap off of the barrel <NUM>. As a consequence, the nozzle <NUM> and needle <NUM> will fall into the sharps container <NUM>, and the remaining part of the syringe, which is now rendered useless, may be put in the same sharps container <NUM> or a different container for proper disposal.

<FIG> describe another way to safely disable the syringe <NUM> from being re-used. <FIG> shows a torque being applied to a front-end breaking point <NUM> by imparting a downward, angled force while the needle <NUM> is pressed against a hard surface. As a consequence, the front-end breaking point <NUM> breaks on one side and the needle <NUM>/nozzle <NUM> separate from the rest of the front end of syringe <NUM>. As showing in <FIG>, the plunger <NUM> is then withdraw from the barrel <NUM> so there is room for the needle <NUM> and nozzle <NUM> to be accommodated within the barrel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the inner arms <NUM> are then broken at the inner arms breaking point <NUM>. The broken part of the plunger <NUM> is pulled off of the barrel body <NUM>. However, the stopper <NUM> of the seal holder <NUM> is caught by the rear circular (internal) prominence <NUM> so that the seal <NUM> serves to close-off the rear end of the barrel body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the broken part of plunger <NUM> is then turned around and the inner arms are inserted into the front end <NUM> of the barrel body <NUM> so as to close off the other end of the barrel body <NUM>, with the needle <NUM> safely contained therein, the nubs of an inner arms 125a serve as stoppers so as to prevent the broken part of plunger <NUM> from falling out once the nub(s) are in contact with front circular prominence <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the plunger <NUM> is controllably broken at seal breaking point <NUM>. In the upper portion of the figure, the plunger <NUM> is pushed to place the stopper <NUM> in front of the front circular prominence <NUM>. Once the plunger <NUM> is in that forward position, an operator applies a lateral force on the barrel body <NUM> to break the plunger <NUM> at the seal breaking point <NUM>. With a continuous lateral force, the plunger <NUM> is then withdrawn by pulling the plunger <NUM> by the operator's other hand away from the front end <NUM>. As a consequence, the seal holder <NUM> is severed from the plunger <NUM>, thus rendering the syringe <NUM> useless. These breaking points add a safety value by disabling the syringes, so they cannot be re-used, which, in turn, decreases risk of infection transmission that might happen with syringe re-use. Needle <NUM>, or the entire syringe, can then be discarded in sharp containers <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the embodiment of <FIG>, as well as alternatives to other embodiments described herein with the inner arms <NUM> replaced with a trilateral support <NUM> that has three equally spaced spines that extend radially outward from a central axis. The trilateral support <NUM> provides a strong central rod for the plunger <NUM>, with a straightforward structural configuration. In the embodiment of <FIG>, a breaking point for the trilateral support <NUM> is formed in a similar location as for the inner arms breaking point <NUM>, and would have a continuous groove etched, or formed, along an entire periphery of a forward end of the trilateral support <NUM> so the trilateral support <NUM> would snap at the continuous groove in response to receiving an external torque force of a predetermined amount, as discussed above.

<FIG> is a plunger for another embodiment that includes inner arms that detachably attach to a push button 144a with button grooves <NUM> formed therein. The push button 144a has button grooves <NUM> formed in between attachment points for the outer arms. Each inner arm 122a has an inner arm clip <NUM> formed at an end thereof, and each inner arm clip <NUM> detachably engages with the button grooves <NUM>. <FIG> shows the inner arm clips <NUM> disengaged while <FIG> show the inner arm clips <NUM> engaged with the button grooves. In this embodiment, the inner arms 122a are formed as a pair of substantially parallel arms that are connected by a cross-member. In cross-section, the inner arms 122a and cross-member would appear as an H-beam.

<FIG> is alternative embodiment to the syringe of <FIG>, where the front end breaking point <NUM> is replaced with a sunshine breaking point <NUM>. The sunshine breaking point <NUM> provides a serrated edge after being broken, which facilitates retaining of the plunger <NUM> in the forward end of the barrel <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate a syringe <NUM> according to another embodiment. The syringe <NUM> includes a plunger <NUM>, a barrel <NUM>. The parts of the syringe <NUM> that are the same as the parts of the first embodiment include, reversed scale <NUM>/<NUM>, barrel body <NUM>/<NUM>, front end <NUM>/<NUM>, nozzle <NUM>/<NUM>, nozzle lumen <NUM>/<NUM>, syringe cavity <NUM>/<NUM>, plunger breaking point, scale <NUM>/<NUM>, external arm nubs 124a/224a, barrel breaking point <NUM>/<NUM>, thermo-chemical sensor <NUM>/<NUM>, rear circular prominence <NUM>/<NUM>, front end breaking point <NUM>/<NUM>, nozzle breaking point <NUM>/<NUM>, which have already been discussed, and therefore further explanations of these components are not repeated or kept to a minimum.

The plunger <NUM> includes arcuate external arms <NUM> and a single, continuous arcuate internal arm <NUM>, in contrast to the pair of arms in the previous embodiments. The external arms <NUM> and the internal arm <NUM> are in the shape of cylindrical segment, e.g., half of a cylinder. A gap <NUM> between the external arms and the internal arm is sufficient to accommodate a wall of barrel body <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. This is also seen in the cross sectional view illustrated in <FIG>. The front flange <NUM> is a single, continuous material that generally extends away from a central axis of the barrel <NUM>. The front flange <NUM> is formed on a front end and outer surface of the external arm <NUM>, and connects and prevents the external arms <NUM> from deviating away (laterally) from the barrel body <NUM>. There is a generally arcuate opening between the external arms <NUM>, as compared with a pair of opposing flanges in the first embodiment.

At the plunger <NUM>, the external arms <NUM> partially surround the barrel body <NUM> (by for example more or less than <NUM> degrees), as the external arms <NUM> guide the barrel body <NUM> when moved away from push button <NUM>, e.g., while aspirating.

At the rear end, the plunger <NUM> includes the push button <NUM>, e.g., a generally flat-shaped push button <NUM> including an opening <NUM> in an upper surface thereof extending along the inner surface of internal arm <NUM>. The push button opening <NUM> is a semicircular groove on the inner side of push button <NUM> to decrease a chance of finger friction to push button <NUM>, e.g., while aspirating when plunger <NUM> is fully inside the barrel <NUM>.

The barrel <NUM> is substantially the same as the barrel <NUM>, except for the barrel flanges <NUM>. In this embodiment, a single, continuous generally stadium shape barrel flange <NUM> is provided on a side opposite the front flange <NUM>, e.g., on an upper surface of the barrel body <NUM>. As best seen in FIG. 12A, stopper <NUM> is a higher prominence than any of the nubs and is disposed on an end of the external arm <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> provides a physical barrier that catches the barrel flange <NUM> to prevent unintentional extraction of the plunger <NUM> from the barrel <NUM>. In this embodiment, the introducer <NUM> has a more extended arcuate shape than in the first embodiment.

As shown in <FIG> an identification item <NUM>/<NUM> is included, in this instance on the push button <NUM>.

The present inventor has also recognized that physicians often use a syringe in the same medical procedures as using a guidewire, such as in a Seldinger technique. However, because the syringe often requires the use of two-hands, the attending physician cannot also adequately handle the insertions or retraction of a guidewire, without assistance. In light of the recognition of this problem, the present inventor recognized the practical value in a syringe system that, in addition to enabling a singled-handed injection/aspiration function, can optionally incorporate a guidewire tract as will now be discussed.

<FIG> illustrate syringe embodiments for single-handed injection/aspiration operation with an integrated guidewire tract and breakability features. Breaking points may be similarly included in the embodiments of <FIG>, as were previously discussed with respect to earlier described embodiments. As shown in <FIG>, the syringe <NUM> includes a plunger <NUM>, a barrel <NUM>, and a guidewire tract <NUM>. The parts of the syringe <NUM> that are the same as the parts of the first embodiment include, barrel body <NUM>/<NUM>, front end <NUM>/<NUM>, nozzle <NUM>/<NUM>, nozzle lumen <NUM>/<NUM>, syringe cavity <NUM>/<NUM>, plunger breaking point <NUM>/<NUM>, barrel breaking point <NUM>/<NUM>, and rear circular prominence <NUM>/<NUM> are the same as the first embodiment so explanations of these components are provided above or kept to a minimum in the present explanation. During an injection operation, the plunger <NUM> is pressed towards a front end <NUM> of the barrel <NUM> to eject the contents (air, gas, or liquid) from the syringe cavity <NUM>. During an aspiration operation, the plunger <NUM> is drawn away from the front end <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, so that a vacuum is created, and sample (air, gas, or a liquid) that is adjacent to an opening in the front end <NUM> is drawn into the syringe cavity <NUM>.

The plunger <NUM> includes a pair of arms each including an external arm <NUM> and an internal arm <NUM>, between which the barrel body <NUM> is to be inserted, connected by an arms connector <NUM> at a rear (posterior) portion thereof, e.g., a connector to strengthen the rear ends of each arm at its connection with push button <NUM>. A push button <NUM> connects the arms connectors <NUM> for the pair of arms and serves as a thumb press for the syringe <NUM>. The push button <NUM> may include an opening <NUM>, e.g., a circular opening, for more thumb stability during injection. The inclusion of the opening <NUM> also reduces the material used for syringe and simplifies its manufacturability.

Each external arm <NUM> includes a front flange <NUM>, e.g., forward flanges or plunger flanges. The front flange extends radially outward from each external arm <NUM> towards a front (anterior) end thereof in a first direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the syringe <NUM>. While the front flange <NUM> is illustrated as being part of the plunger <NUM>, the front flange may be separate from the plunger <NUM>. The front flanges <NUM> allow the operator to pull the plunger <NUM> backwards, e.g., during aspiration. For larger syringes, an additional flange may be in the middle of each external arm <NUM> and has similar design of front flange <NUM>. Each external arm <NUM> may include an introducer <NUM> at the front end thereof to help assemble the plunger <NUM> with the barrel <NUM> during manufacturing. The introducer <NUM> may extend along the longitudinal direction towards the anterior to be adjacent to a seal <NUM> of the plunger <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each external arm <NUM> may include an external arm spine <NUM> that protrudes and extends in a longitudinal direction along a majority thereof to strengthen the external arm <NUM>, and a plunger stopper <NUM> on an outer surface adjacent to front flanges <NUM>, that prevents the plunger <NUM> from falling out when the plunger <NUM> is pulled out to the maximum when stopper <NUM> contacts the inner circular prominence <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>.

Each internal arm <NUM> may have an arcuate shape in cross-section. An arms gap between the external arms <NUM> and the internal arms <NUM> is sufficient to accommodate a barrel body <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, as described below. Each internal arm <NUM> may include nubs on protruding from outer surfaces, i.e., surfaces facing the barrel <NUM> but not the arms gap <NUM>, to provide tactile sensation and feedback when the plunger moves in and out of a syringe cavity <NUM> and touching the inner circular prominence <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, e.g., depressing/retracting the plunger <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the internal arms <NUM> may be connected to each other by the seal <NUM> at the front end of the plunger <NUM>. The seal <NUM> may be closer to the front end of the plunger <NUM> than the front flanges <NUM>. When rear surface of the seal <NUM> contacts the inner circular prominence <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, it prevents the plunger <NUM> from falling out when the plunger is pulled out to the maximum, i.e., the seal <NUM> may also serve as a stopper, in addition to the stopper <NUM>. A syringe seal <NUM> seals the air going inside or fluid going outside the syringe cavity <NUM>. The syringe seal <NUM> may extend further in the syringe cavity <NUM> than the introducer <NUM> along an outside of the syringe cavity <NUM>.

The barrel <NUM> is substantially the same as the barrel <NUM>, except for the addition of the guidewire tract. So, explanations of the components in barrel <NUM> are provided above or kept to a minimum in the present explanation. The guidewire tract will be explained in detail referencing <FIG>, and <FIG>, and then later in reference to <FIG>.

The guidewire tract <NUM> may be integral with the barrel body <NUM> and may extend along one side thereof between the pair of arms of the plunger <NUM> in parallel with a central longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel <NUM>, i.e., is offset form the central longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel <NUM>. A nozzle <NUM> to which a needle or a tube is to be affixed may be provided at an anterior end of the guidewire tract. The nozzle <NUM> may overlap, e.g., completely overlap, the guidewire tract along the longitudinal direction and may overlap, e.g., partially overlap, the front portion <NUM> of the barrel body <NUM> along the longitudinal direction. The barrel <NUM> includes barrel front openings <NUM> that are small openings to establish fluid communication between a nozzle <NUM> and the syringe cavity <NUM>. Using a minimum number and a minimum size of front openings <NUM> that are sufficient to allow for fluid communication may help maintain the integrity and strength of the guidewire tract <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> may extend further along the longitudinal direction than the front end <NUM>. A nozzle lumen <NUM> is the hollow bore that allows fluid to and from the syringe cavity <NUM> to flow therethrough.

As shown in <FIG>, the guidewire tract <NUM> may overlap and share the nozzle lumen <NUM>, such that the central hollow region or tunnel that is continuous through the guidewire tract <NUM> and the nozzle lumen <NUM>. The guidewire tract <NUM> may include a guidewire tract rear opening <NUM> that allows a guidewire to be inserted therein and a guidewire tract valve <NUM>. The guidewire tract valve <NUM> allows the guidewire to pass therethrough, while preventing the sample in the syringe cavity <NUM> from leaking out of the syringe <NUM> through the guidewire tract <NUM> lumen and preventing gas from entering the syringe cavity <NUM> as well. The guidewire tract valve <NUM> may be closer to the guidewire tract rear opening <NUM> than to the nozzle <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the syringe seal <NUM> is attached to a front end of the plunger <NUM> and is inserted into the syringe cavity <NUM>. The syringe seal <NUM> fits to the inner wall of the barrel body <NUM> and has a front surface that corresponds to an inner surface of the front end <NUM>. Thus, when the plunger <NUM> is pressed on the push button <NUM> toward the front end <NUM> of the barrel body, fluid in the syringe cavity <NUM> between the syringe seal <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> is urged toward the nozzle <NUM> and emitted out of the barrel <NUM> toward the nozzle lumen <NUM>. If a needle is affixed to the nozzle <NUM>, the sample is ejected from the needle. During an aspiration operation, the plunger <NUM> is drawn away from the nozzle <NUM> so that a vacuum is created, and sample (air, gas, or a liquid) that is adjacent to the nozzle lumen <NUM> is drawn into the syringe cavity <NUM> through the front opening <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. The syringe parts may be made from plastic, such as polypropylene for the barrel <NUM>, and polyethene for the plunger <NUM>. While the present embodiment uses parts made from plastic and synthetic rubber, other materials may be used as well, e.g., glass and stainless-steel barrels and/or plungers.

During an aspiration operation, the front flanges <NUM> and the barrel flanges <NUM> are used by the user. To aspirate, an operator places one or more fingers, e.g., index and middle fingers, on a forward surface of the front flange <NUM> and a thumb on a rear surface of barrel flanges <NUM>. When the operator pinches thumb and other fingers together, the pinching force urges the plunger <NUM> backwards, and thus withdraws the plunger <NUM> from the body <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, thus aspirating the sample inside the syringe cavity <NUM> through barrel front openings <NUM>. In large sized syringes, an additional flange is added on the middle of the external arm <NUM>, the aspiration will start when operator places one or more fingers, e.g., index and middle fingers, on a forward surface of plunger's additional flange and a thumb on a rear surface of barrel flanges <NUM>. When the operator pinches thumb and other fingers together, the pinching force urges the plunger <NUM> backwards to its midway, further backward movement will happen when operator moves his fingers to be on a forward surface of front flange <NUM> and pinches thumb and other fingers together again, the pinching force urges the plunger <NUM> backwards to the end, and thus withdraws the plunger <NUM> from the body <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, thus aspirating the sample completely inside the syringe cavity <NUM> through barrel front openings <NUM>.

During an injection operation, the operator places one or more fingers, e.g., index and middle fingers, over a forward surface of the barrel flange <NUM> and a thumb on the push button <NUM>. The operator's index and middle fingers are placed directly on the barrel flange <NUM> so the fingers do not contact the external arms <NUM> of the plunger <NUM>, which will slide forward as a result of the force exerted by pinching thumb and fingers together, which in turn pushes the plunger <NUM> forward without the operator's fingers interfering with the movement of the plunger <NUM>. In large sized syringes, with an additional flange is added on the middle of the external arm <NUM>, the injection will start when the operator places one or more fingers, e.g., index and middle fingers, over a forward surface of the barrel flange <NUM> and a thumb on the rear surface of additional flange which will slide forward as a result of the force exerted by pinching thumb and fingers together, which in turn pushes the plunger <NUM> forward to its midway, and to complete the injection, the operator moves a thumb to be on the push button <NUM> while the fingers e.g., index and middle fingers, are still over a forward surface of the barrel flange <NUM>, by pinching thumb and fingers together the plunger <NUM> will slide forward.

In addition to allowing the operator to use one hand to operate the syringe <NUM> for aspiration/injection, the syringe <NUM> described above allows a guidewire to be passed through the guidewire tract <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> for precise and easy handling with another hand of the operator.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a syringe <NUM> for single-handed injection/aspiration operation with an integrated guidewire tract according to another embodiment, and thus only the main differences will be highlighted.

Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a fan shape inner arm <NUM> with the addition of a guidewire tract within the plunger for single-handed use of the syringe. In the second embodiment, the guidewire tract <NUM> (<FIG>) is formed coaxially with the central axis of the syringe <NUM>. A push button <NUM> provides a terminal surface for external arm spines <NUM> and the inner arm <NUM>. Front flanges <NUM> and barrel flanges <NUM> are similar to earlier embodiments. Two external arms <NUM> extend around an outside of the barrel as was previously discussed. Internal arm nubs <NUM> are included on an outermost surface of the inner arm <NUM> to provide tactile feedback regarding a movement amount of the plunger within the barrel. An optional Leur lock <NUM> is included at a front portion of the syringe <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a rear view of a syringe with the addition of a guidewire tract within the plunger for single-handed use of the syringe. As shown, push button <NUM> has an opening for a guidewire tract <NUM> that is fit with a valve <NUM>. The figure also illustrates the identification item <NUM> affixed to barrel flanges <NUM>. The identification item <NUM> identifies the syringe, as was discussed earlier.

<FIG> illustrates a cross section view of the syringe in which the guide tract <NUM> and guide wire tract valve <NUM> can be seen in the center of the figure. As can be seen, the guidewire tract <NUM> is formed in a center portion of a trilateral support <NUM> (inner arm). A circular prominence <NUM>, which is similar to the inner prominences from earlier embodiments is also illustrated along with external arm <NUM> and external arm spine <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> the guidewire tract <NUM> includes two portions, a plunger guidewire tract, and a barrel guidewire tract. The plunger guide wire tract includes a guidewire tract rear opening 454b, i.e., a push button <NUM> of the plunger includes an opening 454b, e.g., a circular opening, to allow access to the guidewire tract rear opening 454a, and a guidewire tract valve <NUM>. The plunger guidewire tract has an inner surface that is friction fit to an outer surface of the barrel guidewire tract to allow the plunger to move readily in the barrel while allowing the guidewire to pass therethrough. The plunger and barrel guidewire tracts may be made of different materials, e.g., the plunger guidewire tract may be plastic and the barrel guidewire tract may be metal.

<FIG> also illustrates the Luer lock <NUM>, guidewire tract <NUM> with guidewire tract front opening <NUM>, plunger guidewire tract rear opening 454b and barrel guidewire tract rear opening 454a, with valve <NUM> to control leakage. A seal is mounted on seal holder <NUM>, which includes a stopper <NUM> as discussed in other embodiments. A syringe cavity <NUM> is shown as a hollow portion through which the guidewire tract <NUM> extends. The inner arm <NUM> includes a breaking point <NUM>, and nubs <NUM>, as previously discussed. The syringe <NUM> includes barrel flanges <NUM> and a rear circular prominence <NUM>.

With regard obtaining information about a syringe identification, such as the serial number, purchaser, manufacturer, etc., the information is retrievable with the use of the information item <NUM> as previously discussed. The information item <NUM> may hold the information itself such as in an RFID chip that is read from a computer-based reader, as will be discussed, or indirectly obtained from a remote computer facility. When the information item <NUM> holds the information itself, computer <NUM> interfaces with the information item <NUM> as an external device (e.g., external device <NUM> in <FIG>. The form of communication may be nearfield communications via the peripheral interface <NUM>, or through wireless communication (e.g., active/passive communication) where the information item <NUM> is excited by emissions from the network interface <NUM>. However, when the information item <NUM> provides the information passively (e.g., such as through a QR code that activates a link to a remote server <NUM>), the computer <NUM> optically detects the QR code via the peripheral interface <NUM>, which includes an optical detector such as a CCD or CMOS image detector. Thus, the reader for retrieving the information contained in, or pointed to, the information item <NUM> is the computer system <NUM>. The computer program product that retrieves the data on the information item <NUM> may be included in a computer readable storage medium.

The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can store instructions for use by an instruction execution device (processor). The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any appropriate combination of these devices. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes each of the following (and appropriate combinations): flexible disk, hard disk, solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc (CD or CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) and memory card or stick. A computer readable storage medium, as used in this disclosure, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described in this disclosure can be downloaded to an appropriate computing or processing device from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a global network (i.e., the Internet), a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may include copper transmission wires, optical communication fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing or processing device may receive computer readable program instructions from the network and forward the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the computing or processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may include machine language instructions and/or microcode, which may be compiled or interpreted from source code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including assembly language, Basic, Fortran, Java, Python, R, C, C++, C# or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on a user's personal computer, notebook computer, tablet, or smartphone, entirely on a remote computer or computer server, or any combination of these computing devices. The remote computer or computer server may be connected to the user's device or devices through a computer network, including a local area network or a wide area network, or a global network (i.e., the Internet). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by using information from the computer readable program instructions to configure or customize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flow diagrams and block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that each block of the flow diagrams and block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flow diagrams and block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

The computer readable program instructions that may implement the systems and methods described in this disclosure may be provided to one or more processors (and/or one or more cores within a processor) of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable apparatus, create a system for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagrams and block diagrams in the present disclosure. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having stored instructions is an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the functions specified in the flow diagrams and block diagrams in the present disclosure.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions specified in the flow diagrams and block diagrams in the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram illustrating a networked system <NUM> of one or more networked computers and servers. In an embodiment, the hardware and software environment illustrated in <FIG> may provide an exemplary platform for implementation of the software and/or methods according to the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a networked system <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, computer <NUM>, network <NUM>, remote computer <NUM>, web server <NUM>, cloud storage server <NUM> and computer server <NUM>. In some embodiments, multiple instances of one or more of the functional blocks illustrated in <FIG> may be employed.

Additional detail of computer <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The functional blocks illustrated within computer <NUM> are provided only to establish exemplary functionality and are not intended to be exhaustive. And while details are not provided for remote computer <NUM>, web server <NUM>, cloud storage server <NUM> and computer server <NUM>, these other computers and devices may include similar functionality to that shown for computer <NUM>.

Computer <NUM> may be a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any other programmable electronic device capable of communicating with other devices on network <NUM>.

Computer <NUM> may include processor <NUM>, bus <NUM>, memory <NUM>, non-volatile storage <NUM>, network interface <NUM>, peripheral interface <NUM> and display interface <NUM>. Each of these functions may be implemented, in some embodiments, as individual electronic subsystems (integrated circuit chip or combination of chips and associated devices), or, in other embodiments, some combination of functions may be implemented on a single chip (sometimes called a system on chip or SoC).

Processor <NUM> may be one or more single or multi-chip microprocessors, such as those designed and/or manufactured by Intel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), Arm Holdings (Arm), Apple Computer, etc. Examples of microprocessors include Celeron, Pentium, Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 from Intel Corporation; Opteron, Phenom, Athlon, Turion and Ryzen from AMD; and Cortex-A, Cortex-R and Cortex-M from Arm.

Bus <NUM> may be a proprietary or industry standard high-speed parallel or serial peripheral interconnect bus, such as ISA, PCI, PCI Express (PCI-e), AGP, and the like.

Memory <NUM> and non-volatile storage <NUM> may be computer-readable storage media. Memory <NUM> may include any suitable volatile storage devices such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and Static Random Access Memory (SRAM). Non-volatile storage <NUM> may include one or more of the following: flexible disk, hard disk, solid-state drive (SSD), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash), compact disc (CD or CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) and memory card or stick.

Program <NUM> may be a collection of machine readable instructions and/or data that is stored in non-volatile storage <NUM> and is used to create, manage, and control certain software functions that are discussed in detail elsewhere in the present disclosure and illustrated in the drawings. In some embodiments, memory <NUM> may be considerably faster than non-volatile storage <NUM>. In such embodiments, program <NUM> may be transferred from non-volatile storage <NUM> to memory <NUM> prior to execution by processor <NUM>.

Computer <NUM> may be capable of communicating and interacting with other computers via network <NUM> through network interface <NUM>. Network <NUM> may be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, and may include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general, network <NUM> can be any combination of connections and protocols that support communications between two or more computers and related devices.

Peripheral interface <NUM> may allow for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected locally with computer <NUM>. For example, peripheral interface <NUM> may provide a connection to external devices <NUM>. External devices <NUM> may include devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a keypad, a touch screen, and/or other suitable input devices. External devices <NUM> may also include portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, program <NUM>, may be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media. In such embodiments, software may be loaded onto non-volatile storage <NUM> or, alternatively, directly into memory <NUM> via peripheral interface <NUM>. Peripheral interface <NUM> may use an industry standard connection, such as RS-<NUM> or Universal Serial Bus (USB), to connect with external devices <NUM>.

Display interface <NUM> may connect computer <NUM> to display <NUM>. Display <NUM> may be used, in some embodiments, to present a command line or graphical user interface to a user of computer <NUM>. Display interface <NUM> may connect to display <NUM> using one or more proprietary or industry standard connections, such as VGA, DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI.

As described above, network interface <NUM>, provides for communications with other computing and storage systems or devices external to computer <NUM>. Software programs and data discussed herein may be downloaded from, for example, remote computer <NUM>, web server <NUM>, cloud storage server <NUM> and computer server <NUM> to non-volatile storage <NUM> through network interface <NUM> and network <NUM>. Furthermore, the systems and methods described in this disclosure may be executed by one or more computers connected to computer <NUM> through network interface <NUM> and network <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments the systems and methods described in this disclosure may be executed by remote computer <NUM>, computer server <NUM>, or a combination of the interconnected computers on network <NUM>.

Data, datasets and/or databases employed in embodiments of the systems and methods described in this disclosure may be stored and or downloaded from remote computer <NUM>, web server <NUM>, cloud storage server <NUM> and computer server <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A hand-held aspiration syringe configured for one-handed operation, comprising:
a plunger having
a seal (<NUM>; <NUM>) at a forward end thereof,
a push button (<NUM>; <NUM>) at a rear end thereof,
an internal plunger arm (<NUM>; <NUM>) attached at a rear end thereof to the push button (<NUM>; <NUM>) and to the seal (<NUM>; <NUM>) at a forward end thereof,
an external plunger arm (<NUM>; <NUM>) attached at a rear end thereof to the push button (<NUM>; <NUM>) and to a front flange (<NUM>; <NUM>) at a forward end thereof, the internal plunger arm (<NUM>; <NUM>) being arranged adjacent to the external plunger arm (<NUM>; <NUM>), and
wherein the front flange (<NUM>; <NUM>) extends radially away from the external plunger arm (<NUM>; <NUM>) and having two portions separated to each receive a different forefinger of a user,
a barrel (<NUM>) having
a wall with an inner diameter that defines a hollow syringe cavity (<NUM>; <NUM>) and that matches an outer diameter of the seal (<NUM>; <NUM>),
a nozzle (<NUM>) formed at a forward end (<NUM>; <NUM>) of the barrel (<NUM>) through which fluid is drawn into an inner portion of the barrel (<NUM>) in response to the seal (<NUM>; <NUM>) being drawn away from the nozzle (<NUM>), and
a barrel flange (<NUM>; <NUM>) formed at a rear end of the hollow cylinder body (<NUM>; <NUM>), characterized
in that at least the plunger (<NUM>) and the barrel (<NUM>) at a front portion thereof (<NUM>; <NUM>), and, optionally, at least one of the nozzle (<NUM>), the barrel flange (<NUM>), and the internal plunger arm (<NUM>) include a breaking point, the breaking point have a weaker mechanical integrity than surrounding material that breaks in response to an external force of a predetermined amount; and
in that at least one edge surface of the inner arm (<NUM>) includes a series of nubs (125a) distributed at predetermined intervals and extending radially outward with respect to a center axis of the syringe, each nub (125a) sized to engage a front circular prominence (<NUM>) arranged on the inner wall of the barrel (<NUM>) after the plunger (<NUM>; <NUM>), once broken, is inserted through a barrel front opening to prevent the plunger (<NUM>; <NUM>) once broken from accidental removal from the barrel (<NUM>).