Single-use syringe

Claim 2

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, wherein said proximal portion, said distal portion and said breakable connection are integrally molded of plastic material, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.

Claim 3

The syringe of claim 1 wherein said plunger includes a plurality of breakable connections.

Claim 4

The syringe of claim 1 wherein said breakable connection can be broken by application of distally directed force applied to a proximal end of said proximal portion along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 5

The syringe of claim 1 wherein said proximal portion includes a distal projection having at least one transverse protuberance projecting therefrom, said at least one protuberance being connected to said distal portion, said breakable connection being on said at least one protuberance.

Claim 6

The syringe of claim 1 wherein said breakable connection is made of material selected from the group of polyethylene, polystyrene and adhesives.

Claim 7

The syringe of claim 1 wherein said stopper and said distal portion are integrally molded of plastic material.

Claim 8

The syringe of 1 wherein said at least one locking tab projects radially and proximally inwardly from said collar.

Claim 9

The syringe of 1 wherein said at least one locking tab projects radially and proximally inwardly from said collar.

Claim 10

The syringe of 1 wherein said collar includes a plurality of said deflectable locking tabs defining an inner aperture surrounding said tip.

Claim 11

The syringe of 1 wherein said collar includes a plurality of said deflectable locking tabs defining an inner aperture surrounding said tip.

Claim 12

The syringe of claim 1 wherein said hub includes a fracturable section between said proximal end and said distal end of said hub for allowing said hub to break upon application of a bending force to said hub.

Claim 13

The syringe of claim 9 wherein said fracturable section includes an annular discontinuity on said outside surface of said hub.

Claim 14

The syringe of claim 9 wherein said fracturable section includes an annular discontinuity in said cavity of said hub.

Claim 15

The syringe of claim 1 wherein said hub includes at least one projection extending radially outwardly from said outside surface of said hub and said locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said locking tab and said projection.

Claim 16

The syringe of claim 1 wherein said cannula and said hub are integrally molded of plastic material.

Claim 17

The syringe of claim 1 further including a needle shield having an open proximal end, a distal end and a side wall defining a cavity, said shield being removably connected to said hub so that said distal end of cannula is contained within said cavity.

Claim 18

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, said breakable connection being made of material selected from the group of polyethylene, polystyrene and adhesives, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.

Claim 19

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, said breakable connection being made of material selected from the group of polyethylene, polystyrene and adhesives, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.

Claim 20

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said stopper and said distal portion being integrally molded of plastic material, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.

Claim 21

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said stopper and said distal portion being integrally molded of plastic material, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.

Claim 22

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; said hub including a fracturable section between said proximal end and said distal end of said hub for allowing said hub to break upon application of a bending force to said hub, said fracturable section including an annular discontinuity in said cavity of said hub; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.

Claim 23

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; said hub including a fracturable section between said proximal end and said distal end of said hub for allowing said hub to break upon application of a bending force to said hub, said fracturable section including an annular discontinuity in said cavity of said hub; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.

Claim 24

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, said cannula and said hub being integrally molded of plastic material, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.

Claim 25

A syringe comprising: a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from said distal end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with said chamber, a collar surrounding said tip, and at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from said collar a needle assembly including a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end with a cavity therein, and a distal end joined to said proximal end of said cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said cavity, said cannula and said hub being integrally molded of plastic material, an outside surface of said hub, said needle assembly being connected to said barrel so that said elongated tip of said barrel is in said cavity of said hub and said outside surface on said hub is adjacent to said at least one locking tab so that said at lease one locking tab prevents removal of said needle assembly from said barrel through contact between said at least one locking tab and said outside surface of said hub, said at least one locking tab being configured to allow assembly of the needle assembly to said barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel; and a plunger including an elongated plunger rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection, said distal portion including a stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of said chamber for drawing fluid into and out of said chamber by movement of said plunger relative to said barrel, said breakable connection being strong enough to hold said proximal portion and said distal portion together during normal use of said syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to said proximal portion.