Passive Safety System with Pre-Filled Cartridge
An apparatus involving a syringe body, a needle, a guard, a biasing element, and a pre-filled cartridge is described. In some versions, the guard is able to move distally as a result of the movement of the pre-filled cartridge. In some versions, the biasing element is a spring. The spring may aid in the distal movement of the guard. In some versions, as the guard extends in the distal direction, the guard covers a portion of the needle. As the guard extends to cover a portion of the needle, the guard may help prevent accidental sticking from the needle.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
(a) a syringe body comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a central axis extending therethrough, the syringe body defining a lumen extending through the syringe body;
(b) a needle in communication with the syringe body, the needle defining a needle lumen extending therethrough, the needle being coaxially positioned along the central axis of the syringe body;
(c) a guard in communication with the syringe body, the guard being configured to advance distally from the distal end of the syringe, the guard defining an opening, wherein the needle is configured to fit through the opening of the guard;
(d) a biasing element in communication with the guard, the biasing element being operable to distally bias the guard; and
(e) a pre-filled cartridge configured to hold a fluid therein, the pre-filled cartridge being configured to fit within the lumen of the syringe body, the pre-filled cartridge being further configured to axially translate within the lumen of the syringe body, wherein the axial translation of the pre-filled cartridge releases the guard to advance distally.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guard is configured to advance along the central axis of the syringe body.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one flexible hinge in communication with the guard, the at least one flexible hinge being configured to prevent distal movement of the guard when the guard is in a retracted position.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the guard is configured to be released for distal translation towards an extended position when the pre-filled cartridge engages the at least one flexible hinge.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pre-filled cartridge further comprises a medicament contained therein.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the pre-filled cartridge further comprises a distal bung configured to translate proximally to urge the medicament from the pre-filled cartridge.
8 . An apparatus comprising:
(a) a syringe body comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a central axis extending therethrough, the syringe body defining a lumen;
(b) a needle connected to the syringe body, the needle comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a needle lumen extending therethrough;
(c) a pre-filled cartridge configured to fit within the syringe body, the pre-filled cartridge being configured to hold a fluid therein, the pre-filled cartridge being further configured to advance distally within the lumen of the syringe body;
(d) a guard in communication with the syringe body, the guard being configured to extend distally to cover the needle, the guard being coaxially positioned with the syringe body; and
(e) a spring configured to distally bias the guard, wherein the spring distally advances the guard after release of the guard upon the pre-filled cartridge advancing a pre-determined distance within the lumen of the syringe body.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the needle is configured to be in selective communication with the pre-filled cartridge.
10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a distal bung contained within the pre-filled cartridge, wherein the distal bung is configured to translate proximally to release a medicament in the pre-filled cartridge.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the needle is configured to selectively pierce the distal bung, thereby establishing fluid communication between the needle lumen and the pre-filled cartridge.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the syringe body remains stationary while the pre-filled cartridge is advanced to release the medicament.
13 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the guard is released by the pre-filled cartridge upon contact between the pre-filled cartridge and a flexible hinge in communication with the guard.
14 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the guard is configured to lock in a distally extended position to cover the distal end of the needle.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the guard is not retractable upon locking into the distally extended position.
16 . An apparatus comprising:
(a) a syringe body comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a central axis extending therethrough, the syringe body defining a lumen extending through the syringe body;
(b) a guard distally biased by a distally biasing element, the guard being in communication with the syringe body;
(c) a needle comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a needle lumen extending therethrough, the proximal portion of the needle being configured to extend through the lumen of the syringe body, the distal portion of the needle being configured to extend distally from the syringe body;
(d) a pre-filled medicament cartridge having an internal cavity, the plunger being configured to axially advance within the syringe body, the pre-filled medicament cartridge being configured to release the guard, whereby releasing the guard extends the guard to cover at least a portion of the needle.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the distally biasing element comprises a spring coaxially aligned with the guard.
18 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the guard is configured to enclose the distal portion of the needle.
19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the guard is configured to lock in a distal position.
20 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the pre-filled cartridge has a sealed proximal end and a moveable distal bung.