MULTI-PURPOSE SYRINGE

摘要

A multi-purpose syringe that may be used both for gravity feeding and syringe pump assisted feeding of a neonate is disclosed. The multi-purpose syringe includes a cap and a plunger. The cap and plunger may be selectively engaged to the barrel depending on whether the neonate is fed by gravity or syringe pump. The cap seals the top of the barrel but allows gas to pass between the inside of the barrel and the environment and traps liquid within the barrel. To this end, the cap has an aperture covered by a hydrophobic member.

主权项

1. A multi-purpose syringe capable of feeding a neonate by gravity or with assistance of a syringe pump, the syringe comprising:
a barrel defining an output and an entrance; a plunger slidable within the barrel for forcing enteral fluid out of the output into the neonate, the plunger being removably disposable in the barrel; finger tabs disposed adjacent to the entrance of the barrel for assisting a user in depressing the plunger into the barrel, one of the finger tabs having a hinge; a cap removably attachable to the entrance of the barrel, the cap being pivotable between a closed position wherein the cap seals the entrance of the barrel and an opened position wherein the cap is displaced away from the entrance of the barrel, the cap having an aperture for allowing gas to communicate between the barrel and an environment; a hydrophobic filter element disposed over the aperture of the cap for allowing gas to pass therethrough and providing a liquid barrier between the barrel and the environment; wherein the plunger is removed from the barrel and the cap is attached to the hinge and pivoted to the closed position during gravity feeding and the plunger is disposed within the barrel and the cap either pivoted to the opened position or removed from the hinge during feeding with assistance of the syringe pump.