Plug-in syringe stand

Abstract

A stand for use with a syringe having a feature, the stand having a base portion, and a top portion. The top portion has an aperture formed therein, the aperture being structured to engage a feature of the syringe. The top portion is positioned relative to the base portion such that the syringe is maintained in an upright position when the feature of the syringe is engaged within the aperture.

1 . A stand for use with a syringe having a feature, comprising: 
 a. a base portion; and    b. a top portion;    wherein the top portion has an aperture formed therein, the aperture being structured to engage a feature of the syringe, and wherein said top portion is positioned relative to said base portion such that the syringe is maintained in an upright position when the feature of the syringe is engaged within said aperture.    
     
     
         2 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the stand is made of a flexible material.  
     
     
         3 . The stand of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible material is plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the syringe includes a nozzle, and wherein the feature engaged within said aperture is the nozzle.  
     
     
         5 . The stand of  claim 4 , wherein said aperture is substantially circular along a horizontal cross section.  
     
     
         6 . The stand of  claim 5 , wherein said aperture is dimensioned such that it has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the nozzle, thereby forming a pressure fit therebetween.  
     
     
         7 . The stand of  claim 6 , wherein said aperture has a top portion and a bottom portion, the diameter of said aperture being greater at said top portion than at said bottom portion.  
     
     
         8 . The stand of  claim 4 , wherein the nozzle of the syringe has an open end portion, and wherein said aperture has a bottom that substantially covers the open end of the nozzle when the nozzle is engaged within said aperture.  
     
     
         9 . The stand of  claim 4 , wherein said aperture includes first, second, and third projections, each of the first, second, and third projections making at least one point of contact with the nozzle when the nozzle is disposed within said aperture.  
     
     
         10 . The stand of  claim 9 , wherein said aperture further includes first, second and third recess portions, the recess portion being spaced apart from the nozzle when the nozzle is disposed within said aperture.  
     
     
         11 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the syringe has a plunger having a proximal end, wherein the feature engaged within said aperture is the proximal end of the plunger.  
     
     
         12 . The stand of  claim 11 , wherein said aperture has a side wall having a profile along a horizontal plane, and wherein said profile substantially matches a profile of the proximal end of the plunger.  
     
     
         13 . The stand of  claim 11 , wherein said aperture further includes first and second projections, each of said first and second projections making at least one point of contact with the proximal portion when the proximal portion is disposed within said aperture.  
     
     
         14 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein said base portion is structured for stable resting on a surface.  
     
     
         15 . The stand of  claim 1  further comprising a package portion affixed to the stand at the base thereof; wherein the package portion includes a first compartment adapted for securing the syringe in a substantially horizontal position therein.  
     
     
         16 . The stand of  claim 15 , wherein the package portion further includes a second compartment for receiving a component therein.  
     
     
         17 . A stand for use with a syringe having a plunger with a proximal end, comprising: 
 a. a base portion; and    b. a top portion;    wherein said top portion has an aperture formed therein, said aperture being structured to engage the proximal end of the plunger of the syringe, and wherein said top portion is positioned relative to said base portion such that the syringe is maintained in an upright position when the proximal end is engaged within said aperture.    
     
     
         18 . A method of preparing a syringe to deliver a material, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a syringe;    b. providing a stand having an aperture capable of engaging a feature of the syringe, wherein the stand is capable of maintaining the syringe in an upright position;    c. inserting the feature of the syringe within the aperture such that the syringe is maintained in an upright position; and    d. depositing an amount of a material into the syringe.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said feature of the syringe is a nozzle and wherein said step of inserting a portion of the syringe within the aperture includes inserting the nozzle of the syringe within said aperture.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the syringe includes a plunger having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being capable of insertion into a barrel of the syringe, and wherein said feature of the syringe is the proximal end of the plunger and wherein said step of inserting a feature of the syringe within the aperture includes inserting the proximal end of the plunger of the syringe within said aperture.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the barrel of the syringe has a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal and distal portions being removably affixed to each other, and wherein said method further includes the steps of removing the proximal portion of the syringe from the distal portion of the syringe and setting the proximal portion of the syringe aside, and wherein said steps are carried out prior to said step of depositing an amount of material into the syringe.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the material is a bone cement.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the bone cement is comprised of a first ingredient and a second ingredient, and wherein the method further comprises the step of mixing the first and second ingredients prior to depositing an amount of the bone cement into the syringe.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the stand further includes a package portion; wherein the package portion includes a first compartment adapted for securing the syringe therein in a horizontal position, and wherein the method further comprises the step of removing the syringe from the first compartment prior to inserting the nozzle within the aperture.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the package portion further comprises a second compartment adapted for securing a container therein, the container having a material therein, and wherein the method further comprises the step of removing the container from the second compartment prior to depositing the material into the syringe.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the material is a first ingredient, and wherein the method further includes the step of providing a container having a second ingredient enclosed therein.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the method further comprises the step of mixing the first ingredient with the second ingredient to form an injectable bone cement.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the second container is a mixing bowl and the method further comprises the step of depositing a portion of the first ingredient into the mixing bowl.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the mixing bowl further comprises a lid, and wherein the method further includes the step of removing the lid from the mixing bowl prior to depositing the first ingredient into the mixing bowl.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the package portion further includes a third compartment adapted for receiving a spatula therein, and wherein the step of mixing includes using the spatula.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the package portion has a second compartment adapted for receiving a cannula therein, the cannula and nozzle being adapted for mutual engagement therebetween; and wherein the method further includes removing the syringe from the aperture and assembling the cannula onto the nozzle.  
     
     
         32 . A kit comprising: 
 a. a syringe;    b. first and second components for use in forming an injectable bone cement composition; and    c. a container used in mixing said first and second components.    
     
     
         33 . A syringe, comprising: 
 a. a barrel;    b. a nozzle; and    c. a plunger;    wherein said barrel is divided into a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal portion and distal portion being separable to provide an opening into the barrel of the syringe.