Fluid delivery apparatus
First Claim
1. An ultra low profile device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:
- (a) a base having an upper surface and a lower surface engageable with the patient and a channel formed in said base intermediate said upper and lower surfaces, said channel having first and second ends;
(b) stored energy means for forming in conjunction with said base, a reservoir having an outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable membrane superimposed over said base, said membrane being distendable as a result of pressure imparted by fluids introduced into said reservoir to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration;
(c) infusion means for infusing medicinal fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient, said infusion means comprising a hollow cannula having;
(i) an inlet end portion disposed proximate said channel;
(ii) a central body portion disposed within said channel formed in said base; and
(iii) an end portion having a first segment movably disposed within said channel and a second segment comprising a pierceable portion extending outwardly from said second end of said channel for insertion into the patient; and
(d) cannula encapsulation means for encapsulating and immovably constraining said central body portion of said hollow cannula within said channel and for dynamically supporting said end portion of said cannula.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which in cooperation with the base of the apparatus defines one or more fluid reservoirs each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes a novel, conformable ullage made of formable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the shape of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distend configuration and in so doing can move between a central chamber and a toroidal chamber formed in the cover of the apparatus. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely rigid ullage construction. Additionally, the infusion cannula of the apparatus is connected to the base in a novel manner which permits expeditious subdermal delivery to the patient via a cannula which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the base.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An ultra low profile device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:
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(a) a base having an upper surface and a lower surface engageable with the patient and a channel formed in said base intermediate said upper and lower surfaces, said channel having first and second ends; (b) stored energy means for forming in conjunction with said base, a reservoir having an outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable membrane superimposed over said base, said membrane being distendable as a result of pressure imparted by fluids introduced into said reservoir to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration; (c) infusion means for infusing medicinal fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient, said infusion means comprising a hollow cannula having; (i) an inlet end portion disposed proximate said channel; (ii) a central body portion disposed within said channel formed in said base; and (iii) an end portion having a first segment movably disposed within said channel and a second segment comprising a pierceable portion extending outwardly from said second end of said channel for insertion into the patient; and (d) cannula encapsulation means for encapsulating and immovably constraining said central body portion of said hollow cannula within said channel and for dynamically supporting said end portion of said cannula. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:
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(a) a base having an upper surface and a lower surface; (b) stored energy means for forming in conjunction with said base, a reservoir having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable membrane superimposed over said base, said membrane being distendable as a result of pressure imparted by fluid introduced into said reservoir to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration; (c) ullage defining means disposed within said reservoir for engagement by said distendable membrane, said ullage defining means comprising a flowable mass disposed between said base and said distendable membrane; and (d) infusion means connected to said base for infusing medicinal fluid from said reservoir into the patient. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An ultra low profile device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:
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(a) a thin base having an upper surface including a central portion and a peripheral portion circumscribing said central portion, a lower surface engageable with the patient and a channel formed in said base intermediate said upper and lower surfaces, said channel having non-linear shaped portions and first and second ends; (b) stored energy means for forming in conjunction with said base, a generally toroidal-shaped reservoir having an outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable membrane superimposed over said base, said membrane being distendable as a result of pressure imparted by fluids introduced into said reservoir to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration; (c) ullage defining means disposed within said reservoir for engagement by said distendable membrane, said ullage defining means comprising a yieldable mass that is substantially conformable to the shape of said distendable membrane as said membrane tends to move toward a less distended configuration; and (d) infusion means for infusing medicinal fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient, said infusion means having an inlet end disposed proximate said channel and including a hollow cannula having; (i) a central body portion disposed within said channel; and (ii) an outlet end portion including a pierceable portion extending substantially perpendicularly outward substantially from said lower surface of said base for insertion in to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification