Implantable fluid imbibing pump with improved closure
First Claim
1. In an osmotically driven agent dispenser including an inner flexible bag adapted to contain the agent and having an open end, an intermediate layer of an osmotically effective solute composition at least partly encapsulating the bag, an outer shape-retaining membrane encapsulating the layer of osmotically effective solute composition, said membrane being at least in part permeable to water, and a port that extends from the interior of the bag to the exterior of the dispenser through which the agent may be charged into the bag and dispensed from the bag, the improvement comprising a locking snap-on closure for closing the open end of the bag, the closure having a biasing member for sealingly engaging the open end of the bag and a locking means preventing removal of the closure when the closure is in sealing engagement with the open end of the bag.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved imbibing agent dispenser having a snap-on closure which is highly reliable, is simple to assemble on one end of the agent dispenser, and can be made at minimum expense without requiring heat or an adhesive to bond the closure to the dispenser. The closure is held in place on the dispenser by a locking feature formed by a shoulder on the end of the dispenser and a ledge on an outer, annular wall of the closure, the ledge being removably hooked beneath and biased toward the shoulder to releasably lock the closure to the dispenser. An important aspect of this closure is that the design provides for the complete containment of a solute component within the dispenser.
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. In an osmotically driven agent dispenser including an inner flexible bag adapted to contain the agent and having an open end, an intermediate layer of an osmotically effective solute composition at least partly encapsulating the bag, an outer shape-retaining membrane encapsulating the layer of osmotically effective solute composition, said membrane being at least in part permeable to water, and a port that extends from the interior of the bag to the exterior of the dispenser through which the agent may be charged into the bag and dispensed from the bag, the improvement comprising a locking snap-on closure for closing the open end of the bag, the closure having a biasing member for sealingly engaging the open end of the bag and a locking means preventing removal of the closure when the closure is in sealing engagement with the open end of the bag.
- 14. In an osmotically driven fluid dispenser comprising an inner flexible bag adapted to contain the fluid, an intermediate layer of an osmotically effective solute composition at least partly encapsulating the bag, an outer, generally rigid membrane casing encapsulating the layer of osmotically effective solute composition, said membrane being at least in part permeable to water, and a port that extends from the interior of the bag to the exterior of the dispenser through which the fluid may be charged into the bag and dispensed from the bag, the improvement comprising a snap-on closure for closing the open end of the bag, the closure having inner and outer biasing members for receiving and sealing the open end of the bag therebetween and a locking means preventing removal of the closure when the closure is in sealing engagement with the open end of the bag.
Specification