PRESSURIZABLE FLUID SUPPLY APPARATUS

• US 20170274143A1
• Filed: 03/22/2016
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Sanchez, JR., Robert Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 10,238,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1483 using flexible bags externally pressurised by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/155 pressurised by gas introduced into the reservoir

Abstract

A pressurizable fluid supply apparatus may include a bag to hold a fluid. The bag may include a fluid outflow interface and a bladder positioned adjacent to the bag. The bladder may include a plurality of chambers positioned vertically in series. Adjacent chambers may be separated by dividers. The dividers may be configured to allow fluid flow between adjacent chambers under specified conditions. The bladder may further include a pressure inlet positioned at a top of the bladder.

Claims

1. A pressurizable fluid supply apparatus for supplying an infusion fluid during a surgical treatment, the pressurizable fluid supply apparatus comprising:

a bag to hold the infusion fluid, the bag comprising a fluid outflow interface;

an inflatable bladder positioned adjacent to the bag, the bladder being fillable to inflate from a first condition having a first volume to a second condition having a second volume, the bladder comprising;

a plurality of chambers positioned in series, adjacent chambers being separated by dividers, the dividers configured to selectively allow fluid flow between adjacent chambers; and

a pressure inlet positioned at a top of the bladder.

2. The pressurizable fluid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dividers comprise check valves.

3. The pressurizable fluid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dividers comprise semipermeable membranes.

4. The pressurizable fluid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein a wall of the bladder is attached to a wall of the bag.

5. The pressurizable fluid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bladder and the bag share a same wall.

6. The pressurizable fluid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressurizable fluid supply apparatus is configured to be disposed within a receptacle of a fluid delivery system such that opposing sides of the bladder and bag are disposed between fixed walls.

7. The pressurizable fluid supply apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fluid outflow interface is connectable to a fluid infusion line that is in fluid communication with a tool for insertion into a patient'"'"'s eye.

8. The pressurizable fluid supply apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure inlet is connectable to a pressure source.

9. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a pressure source;

a fluid infusion line;

a pressurizable fluid supply apparatus comprising;

a bag to hold a fluid, the bag comprising a fluid outflow interface that is connectable to the fluid infusion line;

a bladder positioned adjacent to the bag, the bladder comprising;

a plurality of chambers positioned in series, adjacent chambers of the plurality of chambers being separated by dividers configured to selectively allow fluid flow between adjacent chambers; and

a pressure inlet positioned at a top of the bladder, the pressure inlet being connectable to the pressure source; and

a receptacle adapted to receive the pressurizable fluid supply apparatus.

10. The fluid delivery system of claim 9, further comprising, a bottle sized and shaped to fit within the receptacle.

11. The fluid delivery system of claim 10, wherein the bottle is sized and shaped to fit within the receptacle in place of the pressurizable fluid supply apparatus.

12. The fluid delivery system of claim 10, wherein the bottle comprises a pressure inlet that is connectable to the pressure source.

13. The fluid delivery system of claim 10, wherein the bottle comprises a fluid outflow that is connectable to the fluid infusion line.

14. The fluid delivery system of claim 10, wherein the bag is removably secured to the bladder via a connector mechanism.

15. The fluid delivery system of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is sized and shaped to be disposed within the receptacle such that opposing sides of bladder and bag are disposed between walls.

16. The fluid delivery system of claim 15, wherein the receptacle is sized and shaped such that inflation of the bladder presses the bag against at least one of the walls such that fluid is pressed out of the bag through the fluid outflow interface.

17. The fluid delivery system of claim 16, wherein at least two of the plurality of chambers are sized differently, with a larger sized chamber positioned above a smaller sized chamber.

18. A method comprising:

connecting a fluid outflow interface of a fluid-filled bag to a fluid infusion line;

connecting a pressure inlet of a bladder to a pressure source, the bladder comprising a plurality of chambers positioned in series, adjacent chambers being separated by dividers, the dividers configured to selectively allow fluid flow between adjacent chambers; and

with fluid from the pressure source, inflating the bladder such that the bladder presses the bag against a wall to press fluid from the bag into the fluid infusion line.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the dividers comprise at least one of:

check valves and semipermeable membranes.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

connecting the fluid infusion line to a fluid outflow interface of a bottle;

connecting the pressure source to a pressure inlet of the bottle; and

applying pressure through the pressure source to push fluid from the bottle into the fluid infusion line.