All-in one syringe assembly for blood draws and medicine delivery to patients

Abstract

A syringe assembly includes (i) a syringe with a cylindrical body, luer tip at a first end, finger grip at a second end and a cannula extending from the luer tip into the cylindrical body, and (ii) a plunger unit having an adapter portion, receiving cavity, finger grip and piston. A channel extends the length of the adapter portion to receive the cannula in one end and a variety of connectors, valves and/or syringes in a second end. The end of the channel accessible in the receiving cavity mates with or engages any number of commercially available valves, connectors and/or syringes while the luer tip similarly connects to any number of valves, catheters, connectors, etc., depending on the task being undertaken with the syringe assembly.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A syringe assembly comprising:
 a syringe having a cylindrical body with a luer at a first end, said luer having an exit opening;   a plunger unit including an adapter portion and a receiving cavity, a first end of said adapter portion retaining a piston, said plunger unit insertable into a second end of said syringe and slidable within said cylindrical body during which said piston creates a fluid seal with an interior surface of said cylindrical body, said adapter portion including a channel extending along its length to an opening at a bottom of said receiving cavity for insertion of an intermediary connector or valve; and   a first cannula secured at one end proximate said exit opening of said luer and extending into said piston and extendable into said channel as said plunger unit is inserted farther into said cylindrical body, and a second cannula positioned slidably within said first cannula and attached at one end of said plunger unit such that movement of said plunger unit moves said second cannula relative to said first cannula.   
     
     
         2 . The syringe assembly of  claim 1  wherein said cylindrical body is filled with a fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The syringe assembly of  claim 2  wherein said fluid comprises saline. 
     
     
         4 . The syringe assembly of  claim 2  wherein said fluid aids in the advancement of said second cannula. 
     
     
         5 . A syringe assembly comprising:
 a syringe having a cylindrical body with a luer at a first end, said luer having an exit opening, said cylindrical body containing a fluid;   a plunger unit including an adapter portion and a receiving cavity, a first end of said adapter portion retaining a piston, said plunger unit insertable into a second end of said syringe and slidable within said cylindrical body during which said piston creates a fluid seal with an interior surface of said cylindrical body, said adapter portion including a channel extending along its length to an opening at a bottom of said receiving cavity for insertion of an intermediary connector or valve; and   a first cannula secured at one end proximate said exit opening of said luer and extending into said piston and extendable into said channel as said plunger unit is inserted farther into said cylindrical body, and a second cannula positioned within said first cannula and attached at one end of said plunger unit such that movement of said plunger unit moves said second cannula out of said first cannula into a connector attached to said luer along with said fluid in said cylindrical body thereby assisting insertion of said second cannula into a patient's vein.   
     
     
         6 . The syringe assembly of  claim 5  wherein said fluid comprises saline. 
     
     
         7 . The syringe assembly of  claim 5  wherein said fluid aids in the advancement of said second cannula. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using a syringe assembly, said syringe assembly comprising a syringe with cylindrical body and luer tip; a plunger unit comprising an adapter portion and a receiving cavity, and a dynamic cannula and stationary cannula, comprising:
 applying pressure to said plunger unit for advancing said dynamic cannula,   relative to said stationary cannula wherein said dynamic cannula is positioned at least partially within said stationary cannula, into a vein of a patient;   positioning a valve within a receiving cavity of said plunger unit, said valve in communication with said dynamic cannula and said stationary cannula; and   attaching either a (i) vacutainer with vacuum tubes or (ii) syringe to said valve for blood or fluid sampling.   
     
     
         9 . The method of using a syringe assembly of  claim 8  further comprising advancing said dynamic cannula through an IV catheter into said vein of said patient. 
     
     
         10 . The method of using a syringe assembly of  claim 8  further comprising attaching a syringe to said valve for flushing after completion of said blood or fluid sampling. 
     
     
         11 . The method of using a syringe assembly of  claim 8  further comprising retracting said dynamic cannula once all procedures are completed. 
     
     
         12 . The method of using a syringe assembly of  claim 8  further comprising pushing fluid into said vein of said patient simultaneously while advancing said dynamic cannula into said vein of said patient. 
     
     
         13 . The method of using a syringe assembly of  claim 12  further comprising using said pushed fluid to facilitate advancing said dynamic cannula into said vein of said patient.