Hypodermic syringe assist apparatus and method

Abstract

A hypodermic syringe assist device and method for effectively assisting individuals lacking full use of both hands and/or those having movement or visual disorders with safely and accurately withdrawing an injectable pharmaceutical drug or medicine from variously sized medicine vials includes a body having first and second spaced portions and configured to receive a medicine vial there between and a variety of adjustable size inserts for securely receiving the vial in the body such that medicine may be safely withdrawn from the vial using a hypodermic syringe by such an individual. The assist device includes a plurality of adjustable suction cups for securing the assist device in a variety of locations and positions as well as an adjustable magnifier for use by the individual in better observing the vial and withdrawing medicine there from using a hypodermic syringe.

1 . An apparatus for use in withdrawing medicine from a vial using a hypodermic syringe, the medicine vial including an end including a septum, the apparatus comprising:
 a body having a first portion and a second portion spaced from the first portion and configured for receiving the vial to be held by the first and second portions;   a first insert located in a first recess in the first portion;   a second insert located in a second recess in the second portion;   a coupler having a first end connected to the body and a second end for selectively coupling the apparatus to a generally stationary object; and   wherein the second portion of the body and the second insert each include aligned holes for receiving and fixing the end of the medicine vial with respect to the body such that a user may insert the needle of the hypodermic syringe through the hole in the second portion and into the vial.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the first and second inserts are configured to match a particular size medicine vial. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the body includes a channel configured to receive a first end of the coupler for coupling the coupler to the body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the second end of the coupler comprises a suction cup configured to couple the apparatus to a surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a second coupler having a first end for coupling to the body and a second end configured for selectively coupling the apparatus to a surface and wherein the first and second couplers are configured to limit movement of the apparatus to zero degrees of freedom once it is coupled to a surface. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the body includes a plurality of channels configured on the body to provide additional locations for the coupler to be connected to the body. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a magnifier coupled to the base and movable between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the magnifier is pivotably coupled to the second portion of the base and is configured to move to the first position aligned with the vial between the first and second portions of the base and the second position aligned below the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for use in withdrawing medicine from a vial using a hypodermic syringe, the medicine vial including an end including a septum, the apparatus comprising:
 a body having a first portion and a second portion spaced from the first portion and configured for receiving the vial to be held by the first and second portions and wherein the body includes a channel for coupling the apparatus to a flat surface;   a first insert member located in a first recess in the first portion;   a second insert member located in a second recess in the second portion;   wherein the first and second insert members are configured to match a particular size vial;   a coupler having a first end connected to channel of the body and a second end for selectively coupling the apparatus to a flat surface; and   wherein the second portion of the body and the second insert each include aligned holes for receiving and fixing the end of the medicine vial with respect to the body such that a user may insert the needle of the hypodermic syringe.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for use in withdrawing medicine from a vial using a hypodermic syringe, the medicine vial including an end including a septum, the apparatus comprising:
 a body having a first portion and a second portion spaced from the first portion and configured for receiving the vial to be held by the first and second portions;   a first insert located in a first recess in the first portion;   a second insert located in a second recess in the second portion;   a coupler having a first end connected to the body and a second end for selectively coupling the apparatus to a generally stationary object;   a magnifier coupled to the base and movable between a first position and a second position; and   wherein the second portion of the body and the second insert each include aligned holes for receiving and fixing the end of the medicine vial with respect to the body such that a user may insert the needle of the hypodermic syringe through the hole in the second portion and into the vial.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the magnifier is pivotably coupled to the second portion of the base and is configured to move to the first position aligned with the vial between the first and second portions of the base and the second position aligned below the second portion.