Non-reusable hypodermic syringe with turbine accuated flow cessation member
OwnerJerry H. Hensoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hypodermic syringe and needle includes a sealing mechanism to prevent reuse of the syringe by preventing the re-establishment of the flow of fluid after the passage of a predetermined quantity of fluid through the sealing mechanism. A fluid turbine is rotated by the fluid flow, and the turbine is carried by an actuator that moves along a threaded rod, the actuator carrying one part of a seal. After predetermined movement, the one part of a seal engages the other part of a seal and blocks fluid flow. While fluid is flowing, the seal parts are held apart for continued flow; but, on cessation of fluid flow, the seal parts engage and prevent subsequent fluid flow.
Claims17
In the combination of a hypodermic needle and syringe, the improvement comprising flow prevention means between said needle and said syringe for selectively preventing the flow of fluid from said syringe to said needle, said flow prevention means including an enclosure, a sealing means within said enclosure including an actuator, a first seal portion carried by said actuator, a second seal portion within said enclosure and fixed with respect thereto, said actuator being selectively movable within said enclosure so that said first seal portion approaches said second seal portion, the arrangement being such that the flow of fluid through said enclosure prevents sealing between said first seal portion and said second seal portion, the further improvement wherein said actuator comprises a fluid turbine rotatable by the flow of fluid through said enclosure, a central rod extending through said enclosure, external threads on said rod, said actuator defining a threaded hole therethrough, said rod being received within said threaded hole and threadedly engaging said actuator, the arrangement being such that the flow of fluid past said actuator causes rotation of said actuator and consequent movement along said rod towards said second seal portion.
The method, for disabling a hypodermic syringe and needle for preventing reuse, including the steps of detecting fluid flow from the syringe towards the needle, moving an actuator in response to said fluid flow, said actuator carrying a first seal portion and being moved towards a second seal portion so that a predetermined quantity of fluid will flow from the syringe towards the needle before the device becomes armed, continuing to move said actuator until said first and second seal portions are adjacent so that the device is armed, and preventing sealing engagement of said seal portions by a continuous flow of fluid from said syringe to said needle.
In the combination of a hypodermic needle and syringe, the improvement comprising flow prevention means between said syringe and said needle for selectively preventing flow of fluid from said syringe to said needle, said flow prevention means including an enclosure, a flow meter within said enclosure for determining when a predetermined quantity of fluid has passed through said flow prevention means, said flow meter including an actuator, a first seal portion carried by said actuator, a second seal portion within said enclosure and fixed with respect thereto, said actuator being movable within said enclosure during the flow of said predetermined quantity of fluid so that said first seal portion approaches said second seal portion, the arrangement being such that the constant flow of fluid through said enclosure prevents sealing between said first seal portion and said second seal portion when said first and second seal portions are adjacent to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.