Shielded syringe

Abstract

A shielded syringe suitable for partial disposability. In accordance with the invention there is provided a syringe having a plastic barrel, a tip on the front of the barrel, and a plunger which extends from the rear of the barrel and is manually actuable. The syringe has volumetric indicia disposed in a longitudinal pattern along its barrel. A generally cylindrical body of radiation-shielding material covers the barrel of the syringe. The body has a slot therein which is in registration with at least some of the indicia. A plastic shell of generally cylindrical shape covers the radiation-shielding body and the shell has a slot which is in registration with the slot in the radiation-shielding body. A transparent radiation-shielding member, such as a rectangular leaded-glass member, is proportioned to generally conform in size to the slot in the body and is removably insertible therein. Finally, manually actuable means are provided for retaining the radiation-shielding member in the body. In one embodiment of the invention the retaining means comprises a retaining sleeve proportioned to slideably fit over the shell and which extends over at least a portion of the periphery of the radiation-shielding member so as to retain the radiation-shielding member. In this embodiment the retaining shell has a slot which is in general registration with the parallel edges of the radiation-shielding member, and a pair of lipped panels extend outwardly from the parallel edges of the slot. The lipped panels are proportioned such that the lips engage the upper edges of the radiation-shielding member so as to retain it in place. In another embodiment of the invention the radiation-shielding member is removably slideable within the panels of the shell for temporary retention. Further disclosed is a syringe plunger having a protective shielding plug.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.