Syringe locking structures

Abstract

Locking structures and syringe systems provide increased locking force and/or sealing between a syringe and another syringe or applicator tip coupled thereto. One locking structure includes a tubular member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, one or more first tabs projecting from the exterior surface of the tubular member so as to at least partially encircle the tubular member, and means for increasing resistance between the one or more first tabs and corresponding structure (e.g., grooves) of a device (e.g., a syringe or applicator tip) that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.

1 . A locking structure of a syringe system for use in reliably coupling a syringe to corresponding structure of another syringe or an applicator tip, comprising: 
 a tubular member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough;    one or more first tabs projecting from the exterior surface of the tubular member so as to at least partially encircle the tubular member; and    means for increasing resistance between the one or more first tabs and corresponding structure on a device that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member as the tubular member and the corresponding structure on the device are rotatably joined together.    
   
   
       2 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for increasing resistance comprises one or more second tabs projecting from the exterior surface of the tubular member so as to at least partially encircle the tubular member, the one or more second tabs being spaced longitudinally apart from the one or more first tabs.  
   
   
       3 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first or second tabs is formed so as to be of a greater diameter with respect to a corresponding depth of corresponding receiving structure of the device that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.  
   
   
       4 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first or second tabs is formed so as to be of a greater height with respect to a corresponding width of corresponding receiving structure of the device that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.  
   
   
       5 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first or second tabs is formed so as to have an arc length that is out of sync with respect to a pitch of the corresponding receiving structure of the device that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.  
   
   
       6 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the one or more second tabs comprises a pair of second tabs.  
   
   
       7 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for increasing resistance comprises a ridge projecting from the exterior surface of the tubular member so as to at least partially encircle the tubular member, the ridge being spaced longitudinally apart from the one or more first tabs.  
   
   
       8 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first tabs only partially encircle the tubular member.  
   
   
       9 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first tabs comprise a pair of first tabs.  
   
   
       10 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member comprises a portion of a syringe barrel.  
   
   
       11 . A locking structure of a syringe system for use in reliably coupling a syringe to corresponding structure of another syringe or an applicator tip, comprising: 
 a tubular member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough;    a projection projecting from the exterior surface of the tubular member so as to at least partially encircle the tubular member; and    means for increasing resistance between the projection and corresponding structure on a device that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.    
   
   
       12 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the projection comprises at least one of a thread, a tab, or a ridge.  
   
   
       13 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the projection comprises a pair of threads or a pair of tabs.  
   
   
       14 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the tubular member comprises a portion of a syringe barrel.  
   
   
       15 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the means for increasing resistance comprises one or more teeth formed on the projection configured for increasing resistance between the teeth and the corresponding receiving structure of a device that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.  
   
   
       16 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the means for increasing resistance comprises an interference structure that selectively applies pressure to an exterior surface of the device that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.  
   
   
       17 . A locking structure as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the interference structure comprises a loop that grips and applies pressure to an exterior surface of a collar of the selectively coupleable device, the loop having an inside diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the collar of the selectively coupleable device.  
   
   
       18 . A syringe system comprising: 
 a first syringe;    a second syringe and/or an applicator tip;    locking structure on at least one of the first syringe, the second syringe and/or the applicator tip for coupling the syringe or applicator tip having the locking structure to another syringe or applicator tip, the locking structure comprising: 
 a tubular member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough;  
 a projection projecting from the exterior surface of the tubular member so as to at least partially encircle the tubular member; and  
 means for increasing resistance between the projection and corresponding structure of the other syringe or applicator tip that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.  
   
   
   
       19 . A syringe system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the means for increasing resistance comprises one or more teeth formed on the projection configured for increasing resistance between the teeth and the corresponding receiving structure of the other syringe or applicator tip that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.  
   
   
       20 . A syringe system as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising additional teeth formed on the corresponding receiving structure configured to irreversibly engage the one or more teeth formed on the at least a first projection.