US 2005/0033233 A1 · Infusion apparatus with constant force spring energy source

Abstract

A fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as antibiotics, oncolytics, hormones, steroids, blood clotting agents, analgesics, bio pharmaceuticals and like medicinal agents from a reservoir that has been filled from prefilled containers. The fluid dispenser includes a housing to which fill vials can be connected for filling the dispenser reservoir with the fluid, and a stored energy source provided in the form of a substantially constant-force spring that provides the force necessary to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. The fluid dispenser also includes a fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solution to the patient.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids to a patient comprising:

(a) an outer housing;
(b) an expandable housing disposed within said outer housing, said 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 constant force extension spring carried within said outer housing, said constant force extension spring being retractable 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;
and
(e) dispensing means carried by said outer housing for dispensing fluid to the patient.

3 more elements

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids to a patient comprising:

(a) an outer housing having first, second and third portions;
(b) an expandable housing disposed within said outer housing, said 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 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 constant force extension spring carried within said outer housing said, said constant force extension spring being expandable by fluid flowing into said fluid reservoir and being retractable 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, said fill means comprising a vial carried within said third portion of said outer housing;
(e) dispensing means carried by said outer housing for dispensing fluid to the patient;
and
(f) flow control means connected to said outer housing for controlling fluid flow between said reservoir and said dispensing means

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Infusion apparatus with constant force spring energy source

Life of this patent

Infusion apparatus with constant force spring energy source

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28