US 2005/0033232 A1Published application

Infusion apparatus with modulated flow control

OwnerMarshall Krieselinventor

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Abstract

A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as antibiotics, oncolytics, hormones, steroids, blood clotting agents, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from prefilled containers at a uniform rate. The dispenser uniquely includes a stored energy source that is provided in the form of a substantially constant-force, compressible-expandable wave spring that provides the force necessary to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. The device further includes a fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of medicament solution to the patient. Additionally, the device includes a novel modulating assembly for controllably modulating the force exerted by the wave spring tending to expel the fluid from the device reservoir.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids to a patient comprising:

(a) an outer housing;
(b) a first expandable housing disposed within said outer housing, said first expandable housing having a fluid reservoir provided with an inlet for permitting fluid flow into said fluid reservoir and an outlet for permitting fluid flow from said fluid reservoir;
(c) stored energy means disposed within said outer housing for exerting a force upon said first expandable housing to cause the fluid contained within said fluid reservoir to controllably flow through said outlet, said stored energy means comprising a compressively deformable, elastomeric member carried within said outer housing said, elastomeric member being expandable to cause fluid flow from said fluid reservoir;
(d) fill means carried by said outer housing for filling said reservoir with the fluid to be dispensed;
(e) modulating means carried by said outer housing for modulating the force exerted upon said first expandable housing by said stored energy means, said modulating means comprising a second expandable housing carried by said outer housing and operably associated with said first expandable housing;
and
(f) dispensing means carried by said outer housing for dispensing fluid to the patient.

4 more elements

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids to a patient comprising:

(a) an outer housing having first, second and third portions;
(b) a first expandable housing disposed within said outer housing, said first expandable housing having a fluid reservoir provided with an inlet for permitting fluid flow into said fluid reservoir and an outlet for permitting fluid flow from said fluid reservoir, said first expandable housing comprising a bellows structure having an accordion-like side wall movable from a substantially collapsed configuration to a substantially expanded configuration by fluid flowing into said fluid reservoir;
(c) stored energy means disposed within said second portion of said outer housing for exerting a force upon said inner expandable housing to cause the fluid contained within said fluid reservoir to controllably flow through said outlet, said stored energy means comprising a compressively deformable, spring member carried within said outer housing, said spring member being expandable to cause fluid flow from said fluid reservoir;
(d) fill means carried by said outer housing for filling said reservoir with the fluid to be dispensed;
(e) modulating means carried by said outer housing for modulating the force exerted upon said inner expandable housing by said stored energy means, said modulating means comprising a second expandable housing carried by said outer housing and operably associated with said first expandable housing, said second expandable housing comprising a bellows structure having an accordion-like side wall defining an air chamber for containing air, said second expandable housing having an outlet for permitting the flow of air there through and being movable from a substantially expanded configuration to a substantially collapsed configuration by force exerted thereon by said spring member;
(f) dispensing means carried by said outer housing for dispensing fluid to the patient;
and
(g) flow control means connected to said outer housing for controlling fluid flow between said reservoir and said dispensing means.

5 more elements

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids to a patient comprising:

(a) an outer housing;
(b) a first expandable housing disposed within said outer housing, said first expandable housing having a fluid reservoir provided with an inlet for permitting fluid flow into said fluid reservoir and an outlet for permitting fluid flow from said fluid reservoir, said first expandable housing comprising a bellows structure having an accordion-like side wall movable from a substantially collapsed configuration to a substantially expanded configuration by fluid flowing into said fluid reservoir;
(c) stored energy means disposed within said outer housing for exerting a force upon said first expandable housing to cause the fluid contained within said fluid reservoir to controllably flow through said outlet, said stored energy means comprising a compressively deformable, wave spring carried within said outer housing, said wave spring being expandable to cause fluid flow from said fluid reservoir;
(d) fill means carried by said outer housing for filling said reservoir with the fluid to be dispensed;
(e) modulating means carried by said outer housing for modulating the force exerted upon said inner expandable housing by said stored energy means, said modulating means comprising:
(i) a second expandable housing carried by said outer housing and operably associated with said first expandable housing, said second expandable housing comprising a bellows structure having an accordion-like side wall defining an air chamber for containing air, said second expandable housing having an outlet for permitting the flow of air there through and being movable from a substantially expanded configuration to a substantially collapsed configuration by force exerted thereon by said spring member;
and
(ii) impedance means disposed within said outlet of said expandable housing for controllably impeding the flow of the air contained within said air chamber outwardly thereof.
(f) dispensing means carried by said outer housing for dispensing fluid to the patient;
(g) flow control means connected to said outer housing for controlling fluid flow between said reservoir and said dispensing means;
(h) volume indicator means carried by said outer housing for indicating the volume of fluid remaining in said fluid reservoir;
and
(i) disabling means carried by said outer housing for preventing fluid flow toward said dispensing means.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.