Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A single-use syringe assembly having misuse resistant features comprising: a barrel having an inside surface describing a chamber for retaining fluid, said barrel having an open barrel end and a distal barrel end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber; a plunger rod including an elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and a stopper at said distal end, said stopper being slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement in said barrel, said body portion extending outwardly from said open barrel end; and a locking element positioned in said barrel between said elongate body portion of said plunger rod and said inside surface of said barrel, said element having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said locking element including at least two proximally and outwardly facing non-parallel locking barbs, a distally and inwardly facing resisting edge and an inwardly facing driving edge at said proximal portion of said element, said driving edge adapted to interact with said body portion of said plunger rod to move said locking element along said barrel as said stopper is advanced along said barrel, said resisting edge and said barbs adapted to prevent proximal motion of said plunger rod with respect to said barrel after initial distal motion of said stopper to expel fluid through said passageway wherein subsequent proximal motion of said plunger rod with respect to said barrel causes said resisting edge to engage said plunger rod causing said locking element to move in a proximal direction wherein said locking barbs engage said inside surface of said barrel to prevent further movement and allowing only distal movement of said plunger rod with respect to said barrel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
A single-use syringe assembly having misuse resistant features comprising: a barrel having an inside surface describing a chamber for retaining fluid, said barrel having an open barrel end and a distal barrel end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber; a plunger rod including an elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and a stopper at said distal end, said stopper being slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement in said barrel, said body portion extending outwardly from said open barrel end; and a locking element positioned in said barrel between said elongate body portion of said plunger rod and said inside surface of said barrel, said element having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said locking element including at least two proximally and outwardly facing non-parallel locking barbs, a distally and inwardly facing resisting edge and an inwardly facing driving edge at said proximal portion of said element, said driving edge adapted to interact with said body portion of said plunger rod to move said locking element along said barrel as said stopper is advanced along said barrel, said resisting edge and said barbs adapted to prevent proximal motion of said plunger rod with respect to said barrel after initial distal motion of said stopper to expel fluid through said passageway wherein subsequent proximal motion of said plunger rod with respect to said barrel causes said resisting edge to engage said plunger rod causing said locking element to move in a proximal direction wherein said locking barbs engage said inside surface of said barrel to prevent further movement and allowing only distal movement of said plunger rod with respect to said barrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 1 wherein said elongate body portion includes a longitudinal recess, said recess acting as a pathway for the longitudinal motion of said locking element relative to said elongate body portion between said stopper and said barrier means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 2 wherein said longitudinal recess is v-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal axis of said body portion with the narrowest portion of said recess being closest to the center of the body portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 1 wherein at least two of said barbs are inclined with respect to each other at an angle within the range of about 5 degrees to 90 degrees.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 1 wherein said locking element includes an additional second group of at least two non-parallel proximally and outwardly facing locking barbs and a second inwardly facing driving edge at said proximal portion of said element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 5 wherein said driving edge and said second driving edge are separated by a longitudinal gap in said element so that said driving edge and said second driving edge extend proximally in cantilever spring-like fashion from said distal portion of said element forcing said locking barbs and said second group of locking barbs against said inside surface of said barrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 1 wherein one of said non-parallel locking barbs is located in a plane positioned at an angle of between 5 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the plane of the other of said locking barbs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 7 having an additional locking barb located in a plane positioned at an angle of between 5 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to the plane of one of said non-parallel locking barbs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 1 further including tamper resisting barrier means on said body portion located proximally of the intended path of said locking element along said body portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 1 wherein said barrier means is a barrier flange positioned transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The syringe assembly of Claim 9 wherein said body portion of said plunger rod includes weakening means located proximally of said barrier means for allowing twisting failure of said plunger rod upon application of excessive torsional force to said proximal end of said body portion, said weakening means including an area of reduced transverse cross-sectional thickness.