Fluid dispensing device
View Patent ↗A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as antibiotics, blood clotting agents, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from collapsible containers at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a novel stored energy source that is provided in the form of a compressible-expandable member that functions to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. The apparatus further includes a novel fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solutions from the device reservoir to the patient.
1. A dispensing device for dispensing medicaments to a patient comprising:
(a) a supporting structure;
(b) a pre-filled collapsible container having a continuous wall formed of a single material carried by said supporting structure, said collapsible container comprising an hermetically sealed reservoir, including an accordion-like member, said hermetically sealed reservoir having an outlet port and including sealing means for sealing said outlet port, said sealing means comprising a nipple connected to said accordion-like member, said nipple having a severable tip portion;
(c) stored energy means carried by said supporting structure and operably associated with said collapsible reservoir for collapsing said collapsible reservoir to expel fluid therefrom;
(d) an administration set, including an administration line interconnected with said outlet of said collapsible reservoir; and
(e) fluid flow control means carried by said supporting structure for controlling fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set, said fluid flow control means comprising rate control means carried by said supporting structure for controlling the rate of fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set and operating means carried by said supporting structure for controlling fluid flow between said collapsible container and said rate control means, said operating means comprising an operating shaft rotatably carried by said supporting structure, said operating shaft carrying a knife for severing said tip portion of said nipple.
2. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1 in which said stored energy means comprises an expandable sponge operably interconnected with said collapsible reservoir.
3. A dispensing device for dispensing medicaments to a patient comprising:
(a) a supporting structure comprising a base assembly and a housing interconnected with said base assembly;
(b) a carriage assembly interconnected with said supporting structure for movement between a first position and a second position;
(c) a unitary pre-filled collapsible container comprising a bellows structure and having an uninterrupted wall carried by said carriage assembly, said collapsible container comprising a reservoir having an outlet port and including sealing means for sealing said outlet port, said sealing means comprising a nipple connected to said uninterrupted wall, said nipple having a severable tip portion;
(d) a stored energy means operably associated with said carriage assembly for moving said carriage assembly between said first and second positions, said stored energy means comprising a spring;
(e) an administration set, including an administration line interconnected with said outlet port of said collapsible reservoir; and
(f) fluid flow control means carried by said base assembly of said supporting structure for controlling fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set, said fluid flow control means comprising:
(i) rate control means carried by said supporting structure for controlling the rate of fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set; and
(ii) operating means carried by said supporting structure for controlling fluid flow between said collapsible container and said rate control means, said operating means comprising an operating shaft rotatably carried by said base assembly of said supporting structure for movement between a first position blocking fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set and a second position permitting fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set, said operating shaft carrying a knife having a cutting edge for severing said tip portion of said nipple.
4. A dispensing device for dispensing medicaments to a patient comprising:
(a) a supporting structure comprising a base assembly and a housing interconnected with said base assembly;
(b) a carriage assembly interconnected with said supporting structure for movement between a first position and a second position;
(c) a unitary pre-filled collapsible container having an uninterrupted wall carried by said carriage assembly, said collapsible container comprising a reservoir having an outlet port, said uninterrupted wall including an accordion-like member and including sealing means for sealing said outlet port, said sealing means comprising a nipple connected to said accordion-like member, said nipple having a sealed, severable tip portion;
(d) a stored energy means operably associated with said carriage assembly for moving said carriage assembly between said first and second positions, said stored energy means comprising a spring;
(e) an administration set, including an administration line interconnected with said outlet port of said collapsible reservoir; and
(f) fluid flow control means carried by said base assembly of said supporting structure for controlling fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set, said fluid flow control means comprising:
(i) rate control means carried by said supporting structure for controlling the rate of fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set; and
(ii) operating means carried by said supporting structure for controlling fluid flow between said collapsible container and said rate control means, said operating means comprising an operating shaft rotatably carried by said base assembly of said supporting structure for movement between a first position blocking fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set and a second position permitting fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set, said operating shaft having a body portion having a cavity located to receive said severable tip portion of said nipple.
5. A dispensing device for dispensing medicaments to a patient comprising:
(a) a supporting structure comprising a base assembly and a housing interconnected with said base assembly;
(b) a carriage assembly interconnected with said supporting structure for movement between a first position and a second position;
(c) a unitary pre-filled collapsible container having an uninterrupted wall carried by said carriage assembly said uninterrupted wall including an accordion-like member, said collapsible container being integrally formed and comprising a reservoir having an outlet port, said outlet port being closed by a frangible member comprising a nipple connected to said accordion-like member, said nipple having a sealed, severable tip portion;
(d) a stored energy means operably associated with said carriage assembly for moving said carriage assembly between said first and second positions, said stored energy means comprising a spring;
(e) an administration set, including an administration line interconnected with said outlet port of said collapsible reservoir; and
(f) fluid flow control means carried by said base assembly of said supporting structure for controlling fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set, said fluid flow control means comprising:
(i) rate control means carried by said supporting structure for controlling the rate of fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward set administration set; and
(ii) operating means carried by said supporting structure for controlling fluid flow between said collapsible container and said rate control means, said operating means comprising an operating shaft rotatably carried by said base assembly of said supporting structure for movement between a first position blocking fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set and a second position permitting fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set, said operating shaft carrying a spring knife having a cutting edge for severing said tip portion of said nipple.