Multi-stage fluid delivery device and method

• US 20030216684A1
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Powell, Kenneth G., Fentress, James K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,214,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/81
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14506 mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/145 using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/148 flexible, e.g. independent bagsA61M5/155 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407

Abstract

A fluid delivery device for delivering a substance to a patient by way of infusion delivers the preparation at a rate of flow which varies in steps from a substantially constant higher rate, to a stepped-down substantially constant lower rate or rates. The delivery device includes one or more reservoirs, and one or more Belleville springs for applying generally constant pressures to the substance contained in the reservoirs. Each reservoir will have a different constant pressure applied in a mid-range of operation. The reservoirs can be interconnected to each other and to an infusion device in a number of arrangements, including various manifolds and flow restrictors, such that the rate of flow is controlled in steps in accordance with the pressures applied by the springs of the plurality of reservoirs.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery device to deliver a substance to a patient at a stepped decreasing delivery-rate comprising:

a reservoir system, adapted to apply at least one substantially constant first pressure to a fluid contained in said reservoir system throughout at least one first mid-range of operation to provide a fluid flow;

said reservoir system further adapted to apply at least one substantially constant second pressure to a fluid contained in said reservoir system throughout at least one second mid-range of operation to provide a fluid flow, wherein said second pressure is less than or equal to said first pressure;

said reservoir system further adapted to apply said first pressure and thereafter said second pressure as fluid flows from said reservoir system, said second pressure applied as a stepped decrease in applied pressure from said first pressure;

an infusion device; and

a fluid connection for communicating said fluid flow from said reservoir system to said infusion device.

2. A fluid delivery device as recited in claim 1 wherein said reservoir system comprises:

at least first and second reservoirs;

at least a first spring positioned adjacent to said first reservoir to apply pressure to said first reservoir and in response, said first reservoir applying said first pressure to said fluid; and

at least a second spring positioned adjacent to said second reservoir to apply pressure to said second reservoir and in response, said second reservoir applying said second pressure to said fluid.

3. A fluid delivery device as recited in claim 1 wherein:

said fluid flow is provided by said reservoir system at a first substantially constant flow rate when said reservoir system is in said first mid-range of operation; and

said fluid flow is provided by said reservoir system at a second substantially constant flow rate when said reservoir system is in said second mid-range of operation, wherein said second flow rate is less than or equal to said first flow rate.

4. A fluid delivery device as recited in claim 2 wherein:

said first spring applies a decreasing pressure as said first spring contracts below said first mid-range of operation; and

said second spring applies a decreasing pressure as said second spring contracts below said second mid-range of operation.

5. A fluid delivery device as recited in claim 2 wherein:

said first spring provides said first mid-range of operation while maintaining said first substantially constant pressure on said first reservoir, and provides said fluid flow from said reservoir system at said first substantially constant rate; and

said first substantially constant pressure prevents said second spring from contracting into said second mid-range of operation.

6. A fluid delivery device as recited in claim 2 wherein:

said first spring applies said decreasing pressure as said first spring contracts below said first mid-range of operation and allows said second spring to contract into said second mid-range of operation; and

said second spring provides said second mid-range of operation while maintaining said second substantially constant pressure on said second reservoir, and provides said fluid flow from said reservoir system at said second substantially constant rate, wherein said second substantially constant rate is lower than or equal to said first substantially constant rate.

7. A fluid delivery device as recited in claim 1 wherein said fluid connection further comprises at least one flow restrictor.

8. A fluid delivery device as recited in claim 2 wherein:

said fluid connection comprises at least one series connection between an outlet of said first reservoir and an inlet of said second reservoir; and

said fluid connection further comprises a series connection between an outlet of said second reservoir and said infusion device, said outlet of said second reservoir being separate from said inlet of said second reservoir.

9. A fluid delivery device to deliver a substance to a patient at a stepped decreasing delivery rate comprising:

at least first and second reservoirs;

at least first and second springs having at least a mid-range of operation and being positioned adjacent to said first and second reservoirs respectively;

at least one infusion device;

a fluid communication path including said first and second reservoirs, and said at least one infusion device; and

at least one flow restrictor in said fluid communication path.

10. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first and second reservoirs are in parallel in said fluid communication path.

11. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first and second reservoirs are in series in said fluid communication path.

12. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one reservoir and at least one flow restrictor are in series in said fluid communication path, and at least two reservoirs are in parallel in said fluid communication path.

13. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

a fluid flow is provided by said first and second reservoirs at a first substantially constant flow rate when said first spring is in said first mid-range of operation; and

a fluid flow is provided by said first and second reservoirs at a second substantially constant flow rate when said second spring is in said second mid-range of operation, wherein said second flow rate is less than or equal to said first flow rate.

14. A fluid delivery device to deliver a substance to a patient at a stepped decreasing delivery rate comprising:

a reservoir;

first and second springs having at least a mid-range of operation and being positioned adjacent to said reservoir;

a fluid communication path between said reservoir and at least one infusion device; and

a flow restrictor in said fluid communication path.

15. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said first and second springs are positioned at opposing sides of said reservoir.

16. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 14 wherein:

a fluid flow is provided by said reservoir at a first substantially constant flow rate when said first spring is in said first mid-range of operation; and

a fluid flow is provided by said reservoir at a second substantially constant flow rate when said second spring is in said second mid-range of operation, wherein said second flow rate is less than or equal to said first flow rate.

17. A fluid delivery device to deliver a substance to a patient at a stepped decreasing delivery rate comprising:

first and second reservoirs having at least one common reservoir wall, wherein said first reservoir is disposed on a first surface of said common reservoir wall and said second reservoir disposed on a second surface of said common reservoir wall;

at least first and second springs having at least a mid-range of operation and being positioned adjacent to said first and second reservoirs respectively;

a fluid communication path including said reservoirs and at least one infusion device; and

a flow restrictor in said fluid communication path.

18. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 17 further comprising a fill port within said common reservoir wall and accessing said first and second reservoirs.

19. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 17 further comprising an outlet port within said common reservoir wall and accessing at least one of said first and second reservoirs.

20. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 17 wherein:

a fluid flow is provided by said first and second reservoirs at a first substantially constant flow rate when said first spring is in said first mid-range of operation; and

a fluid flow is provided by said first and second reservoirs at a second substantially constant flow rate when said second spring is in said second mid-range of operation, wherein said second flow rate is less than or equal to said first flow rate.

21. A fluid delivery device for delivering a substance to a patient at an increment variable flow rate, comprising:

an upper housing portion, having a body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal and proximal end, and comprising a first chamber therein, said body having a first opening at said distal end accessing said first chamber;

a lower housing portion slidably positioned within said first opening of said upper housing portion, said lower housing portion having a body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal and proximal end, and comprising a second chamber therein, said body having a second opening at said proximal end accessing said second chamber;

a plurality of springs, wherein each spring of said plurality includes a high, low, and mid-range of operation, and wherein said plurality of springs are positioned within at least one of said first and second chambers;

at least one infusion device; and

at least one reservoir in fluid communication with said at least one infusion device, said reservoir being positioned adjacent to at least one of said plurality of springs.

22. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 21 wherein:

said second chamber comprises an inner and an outer surface and a first plurality of slots extending between said inner surface and said outer surface.

23. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 22 further comprising:

a ledge extending from said inner surface of said second chamber and having a second plurality of slots aligned with said first plurality of slots.

24. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 23 further comprising:

a shelf, positioned adjacent to said ledge and having a third plurality of slots aligned with said first and second plurality of slots.

25. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 24 wherein:

said first chamber comprises an inner and an outer surface and having a plurality of tabs extending from said inner surface, said plurality of tabs aligned with said first, second, and third plurality of slots.

26. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 25 wherein:

said tabs are slidable within said first, second, and third slots between an unactuated and an actuated position, and said plurality of tabs engage at least one of said plurality of springs in said actuated position.

27. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 26 wherein:

said engaged spring is flexed into at least one of a mid-range and a high-range of operation, and said spring in said mid-range of operation transfers a substantially constant pressure to said adjacent reservoir and forces a substance from said reservoir at a first substantially constant flow rate.

28. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 25 further comprising a plurality of bosses extending from said inner surface of said first chamber, wherein said bosses engage at least one of said plurality of springs in an actuated position.

29. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 28 wherein:

said engaged spring is flexed into at least one of a mid-range and a high-range of operation, wherein said spring in said mid-range of operation transfers a substantially constant pressure to said adjacent reservoir and forces a substance from said reservoir at a second substantially constant flow rate.

30. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 25 further comprising:

at least one unactuated locking detent and at least one actuated locking detent, each of said detents extending from said inner surface of said first chamber and slidably contacting said outer surface of said second chamber; and

at least one unactuated locking recess and at least one actuated locking recess, each said recesses disposed on said outer surface of said second chamber.

31. A fluid delivery device as claimed in claim 21 further comprising at least one flow restrictor.

32. A method for infusing a fluid at a stepped decreasing delivery rate comprising:

applying at least one substantially constant first pressure to a fluid contained in a reservoir system to provide a fluid flow;

applying at least one substantially constant second pressure to a fluid contained in said reservoir system to continue said fluid flow at a reduced rate, wherein said second pressure is less than or equal to said first pressure and is applied as a stepped decrease in applied pressure from said first pressure; and

directing said fluid flow to an infusion device.

33. A method for infusing a fluid as claimed in claim 32 wherein said substantially constant first and second pressures are applied by springs.

34. A method for infusing a fluid as claimed in claim 32 wherein said reservoir system comprises first and second reservoirs connected in parallel.

35. A method for infusing a fluid as claimed in claim 32 wherein said reservoir system comprises first and second reservoirs connected in series.

36. A method for infusing a fluid as claimed in claim 32 wherein said reservoir system comprises a common reservoir, and wherein said substantially constant first and second pressures are applied to said common reservoir by first and second springs, respectively.

37. A method for infusing a fluid as claimed in claim 32 further comprising restricting said fluid flow.