Continuous low flow rate fluid dispenser

• US 4,381,006 A
• Filed: 11/10/1980
• Issued: 04/26/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Genese, Joseph N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US06/205,825
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 128/214 F, 128/218 F, 128/218 A, 128/215, 128/273, 128/DIG. 12, 222/340
• US Class Current: 604/135
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14506 mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion

Abstract

A continuous low flow rate dispenser of the syringe type wherein a fluid medicament can be administered at a slow and controlled rate to a patient over a long period of time. A syringe carrier having biasing means in the form of spiral coiled springs will be placed under tension as an abutment member is moved away from an opposing slidable driver member. A standard syringe has the plunger moved to an activated position and placed in the syringe carrier with the abutment member in contact with the engagement surface at the end of the plunger rod and the opposing slidable driver member in contact with the engagement surfaces (finger flanges) on the barrel member. A control means is placed in a closed position which will hold the fluid medicament in the syringe barrel but under the biased tension of the biasing means. Upon opening of the control means, the abutment member and the slidable driver member will be moved toward each other, thereby forcing the plunger stopper toward the nozzle portion to expel the fluid from the barrel member at a slow and steady rate.

Claims

1. A syringe device for delivery of the contents thereof at a slow, uniform rate comprising:

a syringe including;

a barrel member defining a substantially tubular chamber having an internal wall portion and a nozzle portion;

a plunger member having a sealing member secured thereto at one end and an engagement portion at the other, said sealing member in slidable engagement with said internal wall portion and said plunger member positioned for reciprocal movement in and out of said barrel member;

engagement surfaces extending from said barrel member;

a syringe carrier member including;

an abutment member for contact with said engagement portion of said plunger member;

a driver member constructed and arranged for contact with said engagement surfaces of said barrel member opposite said abutment member;

two oppositely positioned guide means slidably associated with said driver member and extending longitudinally of said barrel member;

two oppositely positioned negator biasing means operatively extending between said driver member and said carrier abutment member;

control means of the fluid passage type defined by a variable restrictor operatively associated with said nozzle portion; and

a length of tubing extending from said control means opposite said nozzle portion;

whereby upon placement of a portion of said plunger member out of said syringe barrel and movement of said carrier abutment member away from said driver member said biasing means will be placed under tension;

placement of said syringe in said syringe carrier member and upon closing of said control means, said fluid material will be retained in said syringe barrel, and upon opening of said control means, said carrier driver member and said carrier abutment surface will be forced in opposing directions to thereby move said plunger sealing member toward said nozzle portion to expel said fluid material from said barrel member and out through said tubing at a slow steady rate.

2. The syringe device as defined in claim 1 wherein said negator biasing means is of the spiral coiled spring type.

3. The syringe device as defined in claim 2 wherein said negator biasing means includes rotatable retracting members operatively associated with said driver member, said spiral coiled springs being operatively secured to said rotatable retracting members and fastened to said carrier abutment member.

4. The syringe device as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means includes oppositely positioned rod members extending from said carrier abutment member, said driver member includes bearing surfaces for slidable contact with said rod members and said rod members are interconnected at their ends opposite said carrier abutment by means of a stabilizer member having an open portion to accommodate said syringe barrel.

5. The syringe device as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means is of the manually operable type including a rotatable control knob.

6. The syringe device as defined in claim 5 further including a hypodermic needle secured to said tubing at an end opposite said control means.

7. The syringe device as defined in claim 1 wherein said driver member includes a removable retainer member for accommodating said barrel member in said driver member and for affording contact with one of said engagement surfaces on said barrel member.

8. The syringe device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plunger member includes a rod portion.