Patent US4699186A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4699186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser fill-level indicator for blank syringes
Assignee: Collagen Aesthetics Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-26
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Granted: 1987-10-13
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Expires: 2006-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A device for indicating the proper fill level for unmarked syringes is disclosed. This device employs the intersection of a perpendicular defracted sheet of low power visible laser light with the barrel of the syringe being filled as the indication of the proper fill level. A method of filling syringes which employs this device to indicate fill level is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip R. Palin
- 👤 Bruce N. Watts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/178; A61M5/1782; A61M5/31; A61M5/315; A61M5/31525; A61M5/31533; A61M5/31545; A61M5/31548; A61M5/31556; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/58; A61M2205/583; A61M2205/587; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S33/00; Y10S33/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A syringe fill-level indicator comprising a laser capable of generating a low power visible laser beam, a refractor interposed in the laser beam which converts the laser beam into a two dimensional sheet of low power visible laser light, a syringe mounting fixture having a cylindrical orifice adapted for engaging the nozzle of the syringe to be filled, said orifice providing a valved inlet for fluid to the syringe nozzle into the syringe barrel, the axis of said orifice being perpendicular to the sheet of laser light and said fixture being positioned adjacent to the sheet of laser light and a syringe demountably engaged in the orifice such that the barrel of the syringe engaged in the orifice intercepts the sheet of laser light at the desired fill level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A syringe fill-level indicator comprising a laser capable of generating a low power visible laser beam, a refractor interposed in the laser beam which converts the laser beam into a two dimensional sheet of low power visible laser light, a syringe mounting fixture having a cylindrical orifice adapted for engaging the nozzle of the syringe to be filled, said orifice providing a valved inlet for fluid to the syringe nozzle into the syringe barrel, the axis of said orifice being perpendicular to the sheet of laser light and said fixture being positioned adjacent to the sheet of laser light and a syringe demountably engaged in the orifice such that the barrel of the syringe engaged in the orifice intercepts the sheet of laser light at the desired fill level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The syringe fill-level indicator of claim 1 wherein the sheet of low power laser light is a vertical sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The syringe fill-level indicator of claim 1 wherein the refractor is a transparent rod having a circular cross section at the point it is interposed in the laser beam.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for filling a syringe with a viscous fluid to a predetermined fill level which comprises affixing the syringe to a syringe fill level indicator itself comprising a laser capable of generating a low power visible laser beam, a refractor interposed in the laser beam which converts the laser beam into a two dimensional sheet of low power visible laser light, and means for fixing the syringe to be filled perpendicular to the sheet of laser light and in a position such that the barrel of the syringe intercepts the sheet of laser light at the desired fill level; effecting a fluid-tight connection between the bore of the syringe and a supply of the viscous fluid; admitting a flow of the viscous fluid into the bore of the syringe; observing the level of fluid admitted into the bore; and when the level intersects the sheet of laser light stopping the flow of fluid and removing the filled syringe from the indicator and the supply of viscous fluid.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for filling a syringe with a viscous fluid to a predetermined fill level which comprises affixing the syringe to a syringe fill level indicator itself comprising a laser capable of generating a low power visible laser beam, a refractor interposed in the laser beam which converts the laser beam into a two dimensional sheet of low power visible laser light, and means for fixing the syringe to be filled perpendicular to the sheet of laser light and in a position such that the barrel of the syringe intercepts the sheet of laser light at the desired fill level; effecting a fluid-tight connection between the bore of the syringe and a supply of the viscous fluid; admitting a flow of the viscous fluid into the bore of the syringe; observing the level of fluid admitted into the bore; and when the level intersects the sheet of laser light stopping the flow of fluid and removing the filled syringe from the indicator and the supply of viscous fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the means for fixing the syringe to be filled also effects the fluid-tight connection such that the fixing and effecting the connection are carried out in one step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the viscous fluid comprises collagen.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for filling a syringe with a liquid to a predetermined fill level which comprises affixing the syringe to a syringe fill level indicator itself comprising a laser capable of generating a low power visible laser beam, a refractor interposed in the laser beam which converts the laser beam into a two dimensional sheet of low power visible laser light, and means for fixing the syringe to be filled perpendicular to the sheet of laser light and in a position such that the barrel of the syringe intercepts the sheet of laser light at the desired fill line; effecting a fluid-tight connection between the bore of the syringe and a supply of the liquid; admitting a flow of the liquid into the bore of the syringe; observing the level of liquid admitted into the bore; and when the level intersects the sheet of laser light stopping the flow of liquid and removing the filled syringe from the indicator and the supply of liquid.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for filling a syringe with a liquid to a predetermined fill level which comprises affixing the syringe to a syringe fill level indicator itself comprising a laser capable of generating a low power visible laser beam, a refractor interposed in the laser beam which converts the laser beam into a two dimensional sheet of low power visible laser light, and means for fixing the syringe to be filled perpendicular to the sheet of laser light and in a position such that the barrel of the syringe intercepts the sheet of laser light at the desired fill line; effecting a fluid-tight connection between the bore of the syringe and a supply of the liquid; admitting a flow of the liquid into the bore of the syringe; observing the level of liquid admitted into the bore; and when the level intersects the sheet of laser light stopping the flow of liquid and removing the filled syringe from the indicator and the supply of liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-12 | 1991-04-13 | 1991-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-12 | 1995-04-13 | 1995-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-12 | 1999-04-13 | 1999-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |