Mechanically assisted inflation device handle and method of use
An inflation device including a handle mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage threads within the device. In some instances the threads are configured to couple a plunger to a syringe body. The handle mechanism may be configured to (1) provide a mechanical advantage and (2) change the location and direction of the input force, thereby making the device easier to use.
1. An apparatus for displacing fluid through a medical lumen, the apparatus comprising:
a body;
a plunger slidably coupled to the body and in selectable engagement with the body such that, when engaged, longitudinal displacement of the plunger relative to the body is constrained; and
a handle operably coupled to the plunger, the handle comprising a first member configured such that distal displacement of the first member of the handle with respect to the plunger by a user disengages the plunger from the body,
wherein the distal displacement of the first member of the handle causes a second member of the handle to be displaced proximally to disengage the second member from the body.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein proximal displacement of the second member of the handle with respect to the plunger disengages the plunger from the body.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein displacement of the first member of the handle and the second member of the handle toward each other disengages the plunger from the body.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a lever disposed between the first member of the handle and the second member of the handle.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the lever provides a factor of mechanical advantage in disengaging the plunger from the body.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second member comprises a plurality of threads in selectable engagement with the body, and wherein the distal displacement of the first member of the handle displaces the plurality of threads radially inward toward a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, such that the plurality of threads disengage from the body.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first member is proximal to the second member.
8. A system for displacing fluid through a medical lumen, the system comprising:
a fluid reservoir;
a plunger longitudinally displaceable within the fluid reservoir such that displacement of the plunger in a first direction with respect to the fluid reservoir displaces fluid within the reservoir along the medical lumen;
a coupler constraining displacement of the plunger within the fluid reservoir; and
an actuator operably coupled to the plunger to selectively engage and disengage the plunger with the coupler such that solely applying a force in the first direction to a first member of the actuator by a user in the first direction disengages the plunger from the coupler.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein displacement of a second member of the actuator in the second direction disengages the coupler.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a lever disposed between the first member of the actuator and the second member of the actuator.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lever provides a factor of mechanical advantage in disengaging the coupler.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lever transfers a force applied to the first member of the actuator to the second member of the actuator.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first member is proximal to the second member.
14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the plunger comprises a plurality of threads displaceable radially inward to disengage the coupler.
15. An apparatus for displacing fluid through a medical lumen, the apparatus comprising:
a body;
a plunger slidably coupled to the body and in selectable engagement with the body such that, when engaged, longitudinal displacement of the plunger relative to the body is constrained; and
a handle operably coupled to the plunger, wherein
distal displacement of a first member of the handle with respect to the plunger by a distally oriented force applied to the first member by a user disengages the plunger from the body, and
proximal displacement of a second member of the handle with respect to the plunger by the first member of the handle disengages the second member from the body.
16. A method of displacing fluid through a medical lumen, the method comprising:
displacing a first member of an actuator in a distal direction relative to a plunger by a distally oriented force applied to the first member by a user to disengage the plunger from a fluid reservoir; and
displacing fluid from the fluid reservoir into the medical lumen by displacing the plunger in the distal direction.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of displacing the first member of the actuator in the distal direction causes displacement of a second member of the actuator in a proximal direction to disengage the plunger from the fluid reservoir.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of displacing the first member of the actuator in the distal direction comprises displacing a plurality of threads coupled to the plunger in a radially inward direction in response to the distal displacement of the first member.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of displacing the first member of the actuator in the distal direction comprises:
gripping a member of the fluid reservoir with only one hand of the user;
contacting the first member of the actuator against an environmental object such that the environmental object applies the distally oriented force to the first member.
20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising displacing a lever operably coupled to the actuator.