Aspiration apparatus and methods

Abstract

An aspiration apparatus includes handles with two members. Each of the handle members includes an actuation end and an opposite connection end. The members of the handles are associated with one another (e.g., pivotally, etc.) in such a way that movement of the actuation ends in first directions (e.g., toward one another, away from one another) causes the connection ends to move in different second directions (e.g., away from one another, toward one another). The connection end of the first member may configured for association with the barrel of a syringe, while the connection end of the second member may be configured for association with the plunger of the syringe. Association of one or both of the connection ends with its respective syringe element may be pivotal. Aspiration methods, including, but not limited to, methods of using such an aspiration apparatus, are also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for aspirating a sample, comprising:
 forcing actuation ends of first and second handle members toward one another to:
 force connection ends of the first and second handle members apart from one another; 
 pivotally support a barrel of a syringe with a distal connection end of the first handle member; and 
 draw a plunger of the syringe out of the barrel with the connection end of the second handle member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forcing actuation ends comprises forcing the actuation ends toward one another on one side of a pivot point, while forcing the connection ends apart from one another on an opposite side of the pivot point. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a vacuum within the barrel of the syringe as the plunger of the syringe is drawn out of the barrel.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the vacuum within the barrel draws a sample into the barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 removing the sample from the barrel of the syringe.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein removing the sample comprises forcing the actuation ends of the first and second handle members apart from one another to:
 force the connection ends of the first and second handle members toward one another; and   force the plunger into the barrel of the syringe and to expel the sample from the barrel.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 securing a sampling device to a distal end of the barrel of the syringe.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein securing the sampling device comprises securing at least one of a needle and a catheter to the distal end of the barrel of the syringe. 
     
     
         9 . A method for aspirating, comprising:
 introducing a withdrawal element into communication with a desired location from which material is to be obtained;   forcing actuation portions of members of a handle of an aspiration apparatus together to:
 move connection portions of members of the handle apart; 
 cause a first of the connection portions to pivot relative to a barrel of the aspiration apparatus; and 
 draw a plunger of the aspiration apparatus through the barrel of the aspiration apparatus with a second of the connection portions; and 
 aspirate the material into the withdrawal element. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 introducing the withdrawal element comprises introducing a needle or a catheter into communication with a desired location of a subject's body.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein forcing actuation portions of members of the handle of the aspiration apparatus together aspirates the material into the barrel of the aspiration apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . An aspiration apparatus, comprising:
 a syringe, including a barrel and a plunger; and   handles, including a first member and a second member, the first and second members including connection ends and actuation ends, the first and second members configured for association with one another such that movement of the actuation end of the first member in a first direction forces the connection end of the first member to move in different, second direction and movement of the actuation end of the second member in a first direction forces the connection end of the second member to move in a different, second direction, the connection end of the first member configured for pivotal association with the barrel, the distal connection end of the second member configured to operate the plunger.   
     
     
         13 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second members are pivotally associated with one another. 
     
     
         14 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the actuation end of the first member is configured to be held by fingers of a user's hand and the actuation end of the second member is configured to be held in a palm or by a thumb of the user's hand. 
     
     
         15 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the connection end of the second member is configured for pivotally association with the plunger. 
     
     
         16 . An aspiration apparatus, comprising:
 a syringe including a barrel and a plunger; and   handles, including a first member and a second member pivotally associated with one another, the first and second members including connection ends on a first side of a pivot point between the first and second members and actuation ends on a second side of the pivot point, at least one of the connection ends pivotally associated with the syringe.   
     
     
         17 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second members of the handles are configured such that movement of the proximal actuation ends of the first and second members in first directions forces the distal connection ends to move in different, second directions. 
     
     
         18 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first and second members of the handles includes an elbow configured for pivotal association with the other of the first and second members. 
     
     
         19 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first member and the second member includes an elbow. 
     
     
         20 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the distal connection end of the first member is configured for association with the barrel and the distal connection end of the second member configured for association with the plunger. 
     
     
         21 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the distal connection end of the first member is configured for pivotal association with the barrel. 
     
     
         22 . The aspiration apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the distal connection end of the second member is configured for pivotal association with the plunger.