Gas inflation devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for inflation are provided. Inflation devices include a housing, a compressed gas canister disposed therein, a syringe disposed within the housing, a plunger slidably disposed in the syringe having an unloaded position and a loaded position relative to the syringe., a puncture mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to open a fluid path between the compressed gas canister and the syringe, and a positive pressure mechanism disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the syringe. Engagement of the puncture mechanism puts the syringe into fluid communication with the compressed gas canister such that gas contained therein loads into the syringe and the plunger moves from the unloaded position and the loaded position. The positive pressure mechanism is configured to maintain the gas within the syringe at a positive pressure relative to ambient pressure in order to prevent air from entering the syringe after loading.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflation device comprising:
 a housing;   a compressed gas canister disposed within the housing and containing a gas;   a syringe disposed within the housing and comprising a plunger slidably disposed therein;   a puncture mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to open a fluid path between the compressed gas canister and the syringe; and   a positive pressure mechanism disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the syringe,   wherein the plunger has an unloaded position and a loaded position relative to the syringe;   wherein the syringe has a first position and a second position relative to the puncture mechanism within the housing,   wherein actuation of the syringe from the first position to the second position engages the puncture mechanism to put the syringe into fluid communication with the compressed gas canister such that the gas contained therein is loaded into the syringe and the plunger is moved from the unloaded position and the loaded position, and   wherein the positive pressure mechanism is configured to maintain the gas within the syringe at a positive pressure relative to ambient pressure in order to prevent air from entering the syringe after loading.