Intravenous Fluid Container

• US 20080275422A1
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Cardinal Health 303 Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ross, Graham
• Granted Patent: US 8,257,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/408
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6072 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1483 using flexible bags externally pressurised by fluid pressure
• 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

An IV product comprises a flexible fluid bag and a container housing for supporting and protecting the fluid bag. The IV product may include an information element such as a bar code, RFID or the like which provides information. The IV product may also include a mechanism for expelling fluid from the fluid bag, such as an inflatable bellows. In one embodiment, the IV product may be mated to a docking station or receptacle. One or more elements may be provided for aligning and connecting the IV product to establish a fluid connection with the fluid bag.

Claims

1. An IV product comprising:

a flexible fluid bag, said bag having an interior area for containing fluid and at least one fluid connector for establishing a fluid connection via which fluid may be expelled from said bag;

a container housing, said housing comprising a supporting structure for said fluid bag, at least a portion of said container housing comprising a rigid body, said fluid bag associated with said container housing so that said at least one fluid connector is accessible there from.

2. The IV product in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an information element.

3. The IV product in accordance with claim 2 wherein said information element comprises information printed on said container housing.

4. The IV product in accordance with claim 2 wherein said information element comprises an information storing electronic device.

5. The IV product in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container housing includes at least one element configured to mate with another object.

6. The IV product in accordance with claim 5 wherein said at least one element comprises one or more alignment elements configured to mate with a docking receptacle.

7. The IV product in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container comprises a top portion and bottom portion defining an interior area in which said fluid bag is located.

8. The IV product in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an expelling mechanism.

9. The IV product in accordance with claim 8 wherein said expelling mechanism comprises a bellows supported by said container housing.

10. The IV product in accordance with claim 9 wherein said bellows comprises a flexible membrane having at least one inlet through which fluid may be introduced to said bellows.

11. The IV product in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container housing is sealed, permitting internal pressurization thereof relative to said fluid bad therein.

12. An IV product comprising:

a container housing, said housing comprising a rigid body defining at least a partially enclosed interior area;

a flexible fluid bag, said bag having an interior area for containing fluid and at least one fluid connector for establishing a fluid connection via which fluid may be expelled from said bag, said fluid bag located in said interior area of said container housing;

an information element; and

an expelling mechanism supported by said container housing, said expelling mechanism configured to compress said flexible fluid bag to expel fluid there from.

13. The IV product in accordance with claim 12 wherein said container housing comprises a top portion and a bottom portion and at least one passage from said interior area to a point external to said container housing, wherein said fluid connector extends through said passage.

14. The IV product in accordance with claim 12 wherein said fluid connector further comprises a flange located external to said container housing.

15. The IV product in accordance with claim 12 wherein said fluid connector comprises a pierceable septum.

16. The IV product in accordance with claim 12 wherein said expelling mechanism comprises an inflatable bellows.

17. A method of utilizing an IV product comprising:

providing an IV product comprising a flexible fluid bag supported by a container housing;

aligning an aligning element of said IV product with a receptacle;

engaging said IV product with said receptacle;

establishing a fluid connection between a fluid connector of said fluid bag of said IV product and a fluid connector of said receptacle; and

reading information associated with said IV product with a reader associated with said receptacle.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said step of reading comprises scanning a bar code with an optical scanner.

19. The method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising the step of enclosing said fluid bag in said container housing.

20. The method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said step of establishing a fluid connection comprises piercing a septum of said fluid bag with a piercing member of said receptacle.

21. The method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said receptacle comprises a docking station including at least two ports and including the step of locating said IV product in one of said ports.

22. The method in accordance with claim 17 wherein said step of engaging said IV product with said receptacle comprises securing said IV product to said receptacle.