Fluid dispensing apparatus
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 apparatus reservoir. The apparatus further includes a novel fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solutions from the apparatus 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 having an outlet port and including sealing means for sealing said outlet port, said sealing means comprising a shearable nipple having a severable end 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 an operating shaft having a cavity and including a knife mounted within said cavity for severing said severable end portion of said shearable nipple.
2. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1 in which said pre-filled collapsible fluid reservoir is aseptically filled and sealed at time of manufacture.
3. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1 in which flow control means comprises rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set.
4. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1 in which said stored energy means comprises a spring operably interconnected with said collapsible reservoir.
5. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1 in which said flow control means comprises rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from said collapsible reservoir toward said administration set.
6. The dispensing device as defined in claim 5 in which said rate control means includes selector means for selecting the rate of fluid flow between said collapsible reservoir and said administration set.
7. The dispensing device as defined in claim 6 in which said selector means comprises a selector housing carried by said supporting structure and a selector member rotatably carried by said selector housing.