Flexible sleeve syringe and system

Abstract

A syringe having an elastic sleeve which defines a fluid chamber, and a plunger positioned within the elastic sleeve. The outer diameter of the plunger is greater than the inner diameter of the elastic sleeve such that the plunger elastically deforms the sleeve during use. A syringe pump system is also provided.

1 . A syringe, comprising: 
 (a) an elastic sleeve defining a fluid chamber; and    (b) a plunger positioned within said elastic sleeve, wherein the outer diameter of said plunger is greater than the inner diameter of said elastic sleeve such that said plunger elastically deforms said sleeve during use.    
   
   
       2 . The syringe of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic sleeve comprises at least one semi-rigid sleeve member positioned within at least one elastomeric sleeve member such that, upon deformation of said elastic sleeve, said at least one elastomeric sleeve member will provide a restoring force against the semi-rigid sleeve member such that said at least one semi-rigid sleeve member will be returned to its original size and shape  
   
   
       3 . The syringe of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic sleeve comprising a syringe sleeve and a surrounding sleeve, wherein said fluid chamber is defined by the interior of said syringe sleeve and said syringe sleeve is positioned within the interior of said surrounding sleeve.  
   
   
       4 . The syringe of  claim 3 , wherein said surrounding sleeve comprises an elastomeric sleeve which provides a compressive force against the outer surface of said syringe sleeve upon deformation of said sleeve during use.  
   
   
       5 . The syringe of  claim 4 , wherein said syringe sleeve comprises a semi-rigid thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       6 . The syringe of  claim 5 , wherein said syringe sleeve comprises a fluoroplastic chosen from the groups consisting of: PTFE, PFA and FEP.  
   
   
       7 . The syringe of  claim 4 , wherein said surrounding sleeve comprises silicone.  
   
   
       8 . The syringe of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing which encloses said elastic sleeve.  
   
   
       9 . The syringe of  claim 8 , wherein said housing comprises a first end cap located at the proximal end of said syringe sleeve, a second end cap positioned at the distal end of said syringe sleeve, and at least one sidewall extending between said end caps.  
   
   
       10 . The syringe of  claim 9 , further comprising a rod which extends distally away from away from said plunger, and further wherein said first end cap has an opening through which said rod extends, and further wherein said second end cap has at least one fluid passageway in fluid communication with said fluid chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The syringe of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one sidewall comprises a tube secured to said first and second end caps such that an annular space is provided between said tube and said elastic sleeve.  
   
   
       12 . The syringe of  claim 11 , wherein the proximal end of said second end cap includes a chamber and further comprising an insert member configured for insertion into said chamber of said second end cap, and further wherein the distal end of said elastic sleeve is secured within said chamber between the wall of said chamber and said insert member.  
   
   
       13 . A syringe pump system, comprising: 
 (a) an elastic sleeve defining a fluid chamber;    (b) a plunger positioned within said elastic sleeve, wherein the outer diameter of said plunger is greater than the inner diameter of said elastic sleeve such that said plunger elastically deforms said sleeve during use;    (c) an intake conduit having a first check valve associated therewith and in fluid communication with said fluid chamber; and    (d) an output conduit having a second check valve associated therewith and in fluid communication with said fluid chamber;    wherein a fluid may be drawn into the syringe pump through said intake conduit and said first check valve, and thereafter expelled from said syringe pump through said output conduit and said second check valve upon reciprocation of said plunger.