Syringe Assembly Having a Flexible or Slidable Flange

Abstract

A syringe assembly having a flexible and/or slidable flange is provided, wherein in a pre-use or packaged state, the flange is positioned substantially parallel to the barrel of the syringe resulting in a syringe assembly having a smaller packaging footprint. The smaller packaging footprint allows for reduced storage space of the syringe assembly. Upon removal from the packaging and/or storage space, the flange can be slid and locked into place such that it extends in a perpendicular direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel to allow for traditional operation of the syringe.

1 . A flexible flange for use with a syringe assembly, said flexible flange comprising:
 at least a first and second circular member, each of said circular members configured for placement about a syringe barrel, said first circular member configured for placement adjacent to a proximal end of a syringe barrel, said second circular member configured for placement about the syringe barrel a predetermined distance away from said first circular member along the length of the syringe barrel;   at least one flexible finger extending between and connecting the first and second circular members at first and second connecting points; and   at least one bend point on said at least one flexible finger, said at least one bend point being located between said first and second connecting points wherein an application of a proximal force to at least one of said flexible finger and said second circular member causes said flexible finger to collapse and form a flange at the proximal end of the syringe barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The flange of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flexible finger comprises a pair of flexible fingers positioned at opposite sides of the syringe barrel. 
     
     
         3 . The flange of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flexible finger comprises a plurality of flexible fingers positioned around the syringe barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The flange of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible finger comprises a first and second portion separated by the at least one bend point and wherein the application of the proximal force causes the bend point to extend in an outward direction with respect to the barrel and the first and second portions to become adjacent with one another. 
     
     
         5 . A flexible flange for use with a syringe assembly, said flexible flange comprising:
 a pair of circular members configured for placement about a syringe barrel, wherein said circular members are positioned a predetermined distance away from each other along the length of the syringe barrel; and   at least one flexible finger extending between and connecting the pair of circular members, said at least one flexible finger being configured for collapsing upon itself upon the application of a sliding force to one of said at least one flexible finger and at least one of said circular members to form a flange on the syringe barrel.   
     
     
         6 . The flange of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one flexible finger includes at least one bend point to allow said flexible finger to collapse upon itself upon the application of a sliding force. 
     
     
         7 . The flange of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one bend point includes a living hinge. 
     
     
         8 . A syringe assembly comprising:
 a syringe barrel having a proximal end and distal end, said distal end including an outlet portion; and   a flexible flange positioned about the syringe barrel, said flexible flange comprising:
 at least a pair of circular members configured for placement about a syringe barrel, at least one of said circular members being positioned adjacent the proximal end of the syringe barrel and at least a second circular member positioned a predetermined distance along the length of the syringe barrel away from the at least one circular member located at the proximal end of the syringe barrel, and at least one flexible finger extending between and connecting the pair of circular members, said at least one flexible finger being configured for collapsing upon itself upon the application of a proximal sliding force to one of said at least one flexible finger and at least one of said circular members to form a flange at the proximal end of the syringe barrel. 
   
     
     
         9 . The syringe assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one flexible finger includes at least one bend point to allow said flexible finger to collapse upon itself upon the application of a sliding force. 
     
     
         10 . The syringe assembly of  claim 8 , including a plunger rod and plunger positioned within said syringe barrel. 
     
     
         11 . The syringe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the plunger rod includes indicia thereon to allow for metered dosing. 
     
     
         12 . The syringe assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the plunger rod and plunger are contained within the barrel and the flexible flange is in a collapsed position for packaging. 
     
     
         13 . A slidable flange for use with a syringe assembly, said slidable flange comprising:
 a flange member having a first end and a second end;   an aperture extending through said flange member, said aperture configured for placement of the flange member about a syringe barrel such that said first end of said flange member is positioned adjacent to a proximal end of the syringe barrel and said second end of said flange member extends toward a distal end of said syringe barrel in a pre-use position and wherein the application of a force to the flange member causes said second end of said flange member to slide along the syringe barrel toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel; and   a locking member provided at the proximal end of the syringe barrel such that a portion of said flange member can be snapped into place in the locking member to create a flange extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel.   
     
     
         14 . The flange of  claim 13 , wherein the locking member comprises an undercut portion at the proximal end of the syringe barrel. 
     
     
         15 . The flange of  claim 13 , wherein the flange member comprises an elongated member defined by sidewall portions connecting said first and second ends and the aperture extending through the flange member is oval in shape. 
     
     
         16 . The flange of  claim 15 , wherein the locking member comprises an undercut portion and the sidewall portions of the flange member are configured to fit within this undercut portion to lock the flange member in place. 
     
     
         17 . The flange of  claim 13 , wherein the flange member extends at an approximately 30° angle toward the distal end of the syringe barrel in the pre-use position and extends in a perpendicular direction with respect to the syringe barrel after securement to the locking member. 
     
     
         18 . A syringe assembly comprising:
 a syringe barrel having a proximal end and distal end, said distal end including an outlet portion; and   a slidable flange positioned about the syringe barrel, said slidable flange comprising:
 a slidable flange member having a first end and a second end, an aperture extending through said flange member, said aperture configured for placement of the flange member about the syringe barrel, such that said first end of said flange member is positioned adjacent to a proximal end of the syringe barrel and said second end of said flange member extends toward a distal end of said syringe barrel in a pre-use position, wherein said aperture allows the second end of said flange member to slide along the length of the barrel toward the proximal end thereof upon the application of a force thereto, and a locking member provided at the proximal end of the syringe barrel for locking the flange member into place to create a flange extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to the syringe barrel. 
   
     
     
         19 . The syringe assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the locking member is an undercut portion located at the proximal end of the syringe barrel. 
     
     
         20 . The syringe assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the flange member is elongated in shape having sidewall portions connecting said first and second ends and the opening is oval in shape such that locking of at least the sidewall portions of the flange member in place causes said first and second end portions to extend in opposite directions in a perpendicular direction with respect to the syringe barrel to create the flange.