Hinge Assembly for an Injector

Abstract

A locking hinge assembly for an injector is disclosed. The injector includes a forward handle member, a rear handle member and a hinge connecting the first and second members and defining an axis of rotation. The locking hinge assembly includes a hinge element slidable along the axis of rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position. The hinge element is coupled to the forward handle member and the rear handle member at the hinge, and the hinge element includes at least one groove. Additionally, a locking element is provided and positioned about the hinge. The locking element is configured to be received in the groove such that rotation of the forward handle member and rear handle member about the axis of rotation is prevented when the hinge element is in the locked configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An injector comprising:
 a syringe barrel comprising a receptacle configured to receive a fluid;   a plunger configured to slidably translate through the receptacle;   a forward handle member comprising:
 an internal housing comprising a non-circular aperture therethrough; 
 a proximal end configured to be pivotally coupled to the plunger; 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end; 
   a rear handle member comprising:
 a proximal end configured to pivotally couple to the syringe barrel, said proximal end configured to rotatably engage the forward member at a hinge, the hinge defining an axis of rotation; 
 a distal end configured to translate the plunger through the receptacle when used in combination with the forward member distal end to actuate the injector; 
   a locking hinge assembly positioned within the housing and extending outward through the non-circular aperture, the hinge assembly configured to be coupled to the forward member and the rear member at the hinge, the locking hinge assembly comprising:
 a hinge element slidable parallel to the axis of rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the hinge element comprising a first end comprising a non-circular cross-section, a second end comprising a non-circular cross-section, and a flange comprising at least one groove, the non-circular aperture configured to receive the first and second ends therethrough; and 
 a locking element positioned within the housing, the locking element configured to be received in the groove such that rotation of the forward handle member and rear handle member about the axis of rotation is prevented when the hinge element is in the locked position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a micro-adjust assembly comprising:
 a flange positioned circumferentially around the hinge element;   a plurality of teeth extending outwardly from the flange; and   an adjuster rod comprising a exposed portion and an enclosed portion, the adjuster rod configured to engage the plurality of teeth.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the adjuster rod exposed portion extends rearwardly from the forward handle member internal housing and comprises a handle. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the adjuster rod further comprises a worm gear configured to rotate hinge element via the plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the locking element comprises a ratchet arm. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the ratchet arm comprises a tip configured to enable rotation of forward handle member and rear handle member in a direction and prevent rotation of forward handle member and rear handle member in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one groove is disposed between teeth, the flange having a plurality of teeth.