# US 10,307,546 B2 · Reusable syringe assembly including retractable protective shielding frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,546 B2 - Document ID: US10307546B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/452,657 - Filed: 2017-03-07 - Published: 2017-11-02 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-28 - Assignees: Ultimate Syringetek Inc. - Applicants: Ultimate Syringetek Inc. - Inventors: Melvyn Lloyd Sawyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307546B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/3245: {Constructional features thereof, e.g. to improve manipulation or functioning} - A61M 5/28: Syringe ampoules or carpules, i.e. ampoules or carpules provided with a needle - A61M 5/3137: {with finger grip means, e.g. for easy manipulation of the syringe rod} - A61M 2005/3142: {Modular constructions, e.g. supplied in separate pieces to be assembled by end-user} - A61M 2205/02: characterised by a particular materials - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present invention involves a sterilizable syringe allows for reduction in needlestick injuries using conventional sterile needles. The syringe allows for direct access to and the safe removal and disposal of needles. The device consists of a sterilizable, reusable hypodermic syringe to which a disposable needle is attached, and employs carpules containing injectable medication, viewable and either manually or automatically aspirating. Some embodiments have a protective sliding mechanism consisting of an open frame bearing one or more protective collars, one at the furthermost end of the frame and an optional second one at a more proximal position. The protective mechanism may be extended to protect an exposed needle tip and retracted during an injection. With the protective mechanism extended, the needle mounting hub is exposed to allow for its exchange or removal and safe disposal. The protective mechanism is engaged until immediately prior to the delivery of medication, disengaged on delivery, and engaged after delivery. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reusable syringe assembly for use with a disposable carpule containing a liquid and a disposable needle with a tip having a sharp free end, the assembly comprising: a syringe housing extending longitudinally between a first housing end and a second housing end, the housing having an access opening suitably sized to permit the carpule to be inserted into and removed from the housing therethrough, the housing having a needle mounting hub adapted to receive and replace thereon the disposable needle tip and defining a receptacle arranged to receive therein the carpule such that the carpule is in fluid communication with the disposable needle tip; and a protective shielding frame supported on the housing for longitudinal sliding between a first extended position in which the protective shielding frame protrudes longitudinally beyond the second housing end to surround the sharp free end of the disposable needle tip and a second retracted position in which the protective shielding frame is retracted towards the first housing end relative to the extended position; wherein the protective shielding frame is structured and arranged to provide access through an aperture in the protective shielding frame for manual attachment to and removal from the second housing end of the disposable needle tip when the protective shielding frame is in the extended position, and to provide access for manual insertion and removal of a carpule through the access opening in the retracted position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the protective shielding frame is arranged to render the disposable carpule visible through the protective shielding frame when the protective shielding frame is in the retracted position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the protective shielding frame is arranged to render the disposable carpule visible through the protective shielding frame when the protective shielding frame is in the retracted position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes along one side thereof an access opening suitably sized to permit the carpule to be inserted into and removed from the housing therethrough, the protective shielding frame being supported on the housing such that the access opening is unobstructed by the protective shielding frame when the protective shielding frame is in at least the extended position of the protective shielding frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the protective shielding frame comprises at least one longitudinal frame member and at least one collar portion fixed to the longitudinal frame member so as to surround the disposable needle tip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly according to claim 5, wherein said at least one collar portion comprises two collar portions at longitudinally spaced positions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a plunger arranged to operatively engage the carpule and supported for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the first end of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the plunger includes a finger grip portion and an eyelet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the syringe assembly is made of material that is reusable and does not deform when subjected to sterilizing conditions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the syringe assembly is reusable and made from one or more dimensionally stable sterilizable medical grade materials. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the syringe assembly is reusable and made from at least one of medical grade stainless steel and chrome plated brass. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the syringe assembly is reusable and made from at least one autoclavable polymer. ### Claim 13 A reusable syringe assembly for use with a disposable needle having a tip, and a disposable carpule, the assembly comprising: a housing extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end adapted to support the removal and replacement of the disposable needle tip thereon and defining a receptacle therein, the housing having an access opening suitably sized to permit the carpule to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle therethrough, the receptacle arranged to receive therein the carpule such that the carpule is cooperative with the disposable needle tip; a plunger supported for sliding movement relative to the first end of the housing so as to be arranged to operatively engage the carpule; and a protective shielding frame supported on the housing for longitudinal sliding between an extended position in which the protective shielding frame protrudes longitudinally beyond the second end of the housing and surrounds a free end of the disposable needle tip and a retracted position in which the protective shielding frame is retracted towards the first end of the housing relative to the extended position; wherein the protective shielding frame is arranged to provide access through the protective shielding frame for manual attachment to and removal from the second housing end of the disposable needle tip when the protective shielding frame is in the extended position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The assembly according to claim 13 wherein the protective shielding frame is arranged to render the disposable carpule visible through the protective shielding frame when the protective shielding frame is in the retracted position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the protective shielding frame is arranged to render the disposable carpule visible through the protective shielding frame when the protective shielding frame is in the retracted position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the housing includes along one side thereof an access opening suitably sized to permit the carpule to be inserted into and removed from the housing therethrough, the protective shielding frame being supported on the housing such that the access opening is unobstructed by the protective shielding frame when the protective shielding frame is in at least the extended position of the protective shielding frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the protective shielding frame comprises at least one longitudinal frame member and at least one collar portion fixed to the longitudinal frame member so as to surround a tip of the disposable needle tip. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The assembly according to claim 17, wherein said at least one collar portion comprises two collar portions at longitudinally spaced positions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the plunger includes a finger grip portion and an eyelet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the syringe assembly is reusable and made of material that does not deform when subjected to sterilizing conditions. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the syringe assembly is reusable and made from one or more dimensionally stable sterilizable medical grade materials. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the syringe assembly is reusable and made from at least one of medical grade stainless steel and chrome plated brass. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the syringe assembly is reusable and made from at least one autoclavable polymer. ### Claim 24 A method of delivering liquid from a sterilizable syringe that is reusable, the method comprising: providing a reusable and sterilizable syringe comprising a housing and a protective shielding frame movably engaged with the housing; providing a first disposable needle tip having a first sharp free end; first moving the shielding frame to an extended position relative to the housing; first engaging with the housing a first disposable carpule containing a first liquid; first manually attaching to the housing the first disposable needle tip in fluid communication with an interior of the first carpule while the first sharp free end is substantially covered by the shielding frame in the extended position; and first expressing the first liquid from the first disposable carpule through the first disposable needle tip, further comprising: after the first expressing step third moving the shielding frame to the extended position relative to the housing; second engaging with the housing a second disposable carpule containing one of the first and a second liquid; third replacing the first disposable needle tip with a second disposable needle tip having a second sharp free end; after the third moving the shielding frame to the extended position manually second attaching to the housing the second disposable needle tip in fluid communication with an interior of the second carpule while the second sharp free end is substantially covered by the shielding frame in the extended position; and second expressing the one of the first and the second liquid from the second disposable carpule through the second disposable needle tip. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising exposing the first sharp free end by second moving the shielding frame to a retracted position after the first manually attaching step and before the first expressing step. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising exposing the second sharp free end by fourth moving the shielding frame to the retracted position after a second manually attaching step and before the second expressing step. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising sterilizing the syringe after the first expressing step and before both of the second engaging with the housing a second disposable carpule and the manually second attaching to the housing the second disposable needle tip. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising manually removing from the housing the first disposable needle tip after the third moving the shielding frame to the extended position relative to the housing. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising sterilizing the syringe before both of the first engaging with the housing the first disposable carpule and the manually first attaching to the housing the first disposable needle tip. ### Claim 30 A method of delivering liquid from a sterilizable syringe that is reusable, the method comprising: providing a reusable and sterilizable syringe comprising a housing and a protective shielding frame movably engaged with the housing; providing a first disposable needle tip having a first sharp free end; first moving the shielding frame to an extended position relative to the housing; first engaging with the housing a first disposable carpule containing a first liquid; first manually attaching to the housing the first disposable needle tip in fluid communication with an interior of the first carpule while the first sharp free end is substantially covered by the shielding frame in the extended position; and first expressing the first liquid from the first disposable carpule through the first disposable needle tip, further comprising after expressing the first liquid and before removing the first disposable needle: with the shielding frame in the extended position removing the first disposable carpule from the housing and disposing within the housing a second disposable carpule containing a second liquid to place the second liquid in fluid communication with the needle; and expressing the second liquid through the first disposable needle. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, further comprising sterilizing the syringe before the mounting the first disposable needle. ### Claim 32 A method of delivering liquid from a sterilizable syringe that is reusable, the method comprising: providing a reusable and sterilizable syringe comprising a housing and a protective shielding frame movably engaged with the housing; providing a first disposable needle tip having a first sharp free end; first moving the shielding frame to an extended position relative to the housing; first engaging with the housing a first disposable carpule containing a first liquid; first manually attaching to the housing the first disposable needle tip in fluid communication with an interior of the first carpule while the first sharp free end is substantially covered by the shielding frame in the extended position; and first expressing the first liquid from the first disposable carpule through the first disposable needle tip, wherein the first manually attaching step comprises: providing the first disposable needle protected by a needle sheath; mounting the first disposable needle on the needle mounting hub; and disengaging the needle sheath from the first disposable needle by accessing the needle sheath through the aperture with the protective shielding frame in the extended position. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, further comprising sterilizing the syringe before the mounting the first disposable needle. ### Claim 34 A method of delivering liquid from a sterilizable syringe that is reusable, the method comprising: providing a reusable and sterilizable syringe comprising a housing and a protective shielding frame movably engaged with the housing; providing a first disposable needle tip having a first sharp free end; first moving the shielding frame to an extended position relative to the housing; first engaging with the housing a first disposable carpule containing a first liquid; first manually attaching to the housing the first disposable needle tip in fluid communication with an interior of the first carpule while the first sharp free end is substantially covered by the shielding frame in the extended position; and first expressing the first liquid from the first disposable carpule through the first disposable needle tip, wherein the mounting the first disposable needle comprises mounting the first disposable needle manually via the aperture. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34, further comprising sterilizing the syringe before the mounting the first disposable needle. ### Claim 36 A method of delivering liquid from a sterilizable syringe that is reusable, the method comprising: providing a reusable and sterilizable syringe comprising a housing and a protective shielding frame movably engaged with the housing; providing a first disposable needle tip having a first sharp free end; first moving the shielding frame to an extended position relative to the housing; first engaging with the housing a first disposable carpule containing a first liquid; first manually attaching to the housing the first disposable needle tip in fluid communication with an interior of the first carpule while the first sharp free end is substantially covered by the shielding frame in the extended position; and first expressing the first liquid from the first disposable carpule through the first disposable needle tip, further comprising: after the manually removing the first disposable needle from the needle mounting hub manually mounting on the needle hub through the aperture a second disposable needle while the shielding frame is in the extended position; and expressing the first liquid through the second disposable needle. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, further comprising visually inspecting the carpule for aspirant through the aperture in the protective shielding frame when the protective shielding frame is in the retracted position. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein the visually inspecting comprises directly visually inspecting. ### Claim 39 A method of operating syringe assembly for use with a disposable carpule containing a liquid and a disposable needle having a needle tip, the assembly having a syringe housing extending longitudinally between a first housing end and a second housing end, the housing having an access opening suitably sized to permit the carpule to be inserted into and removed from the housing therethrough, the housing having a needle mounting hub adapted to receive and replace thereon the disposable needle and defining a receptacle arranged to receive therein the carpule such that the carpule is in fluid communication with the disposable needle tip; and a protective shielding frame supported on the housing for longitudinal sliding between a first extended position in which the protective shielding frame protrudes longitudinally beyond the second housing end to surround the needle tip of the disposable needle tip and a second retracted position in which the protective shielding frame is retracted towards the first housing end relative to the extended position, the method comprising: sliding the protective shielding frame into the extended position subsequent to use of the carpule; and removing the disposable needle tip from the second end of the housing while the protective shielding frame remains in the extended position.