Enteral-Only Syringe and Method of Manufacturing Same

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a syringe for use in enteral feeding includes providing a premolded syringe body having a plunger end and an outlet end, loading the premolded syringe body into a mold having a core pin extending into the outlet end of the premolded syringe body, closing the mold to thereby retain the premolded syringe therein and to close a mold cavity around the outlet end of the syringe body, injection molding by injecting plastic molding material into the mold cavity and cooling to thereby form a tip at the outlet end of the premolded syringe body, and opening the mold and extracting the syringe body and the tip.

1 . A syringe for use in enteral feeding, comprising:
 a syringe body having a plunger and an outlet end;   an enteral tip overmolded on the outlet end of the syringe body and sized for insertion into an enteral connector; and   a plunger for insertion into the syringe body for delivery of fluid feed from the syringe body and through the enteral tip.   
     
     
         2 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enteral tip diameter is tapered to about 0.183 inches at an end thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enteral tip is free of a mold parting line. 
     
     
         4 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enteral tip comprises a cover portion and a extension portion. 
     
     
         5 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the cover portion of the enteral tip covers the outlet end of the syringe body. 
     
     
         6 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the extension portion of the enteral tip is sized for insertion into an enteral connector. 
     
     
         7 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the extension portion is about 0.287 inches in length. 
     
     
         8 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the extension portion diameter is tapered from about 0.193 inches to about 0.183 inches at an end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the enteral tip portion is free of a mold parting line between the cover portion and the extension portion. 
     
     
         10 . The syringe as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the cover portion of the enteral tip is concentric with the outlet end of syringe body.