Disposable self-dispensing pressurized package for delivery of sterile fluids and solutions

• US 5,810,202 A
• Filed: 03/04/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RICK R Wascher PC
• Original Assignee: Wascher, P.C., Rick R.
• Inventors: Hoback, Michael W., Hennessee, Walter C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US08/610,458
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 222/95, 222/209, 222/386.5, 222/394, 222/401, 604/141
• US Class Current: 222/95
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1486 the bags being substantially completely surrounded by fluid

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a pressurized, disposable packaging system to dispense sterile fluids used in surgical procedures. The system consists of an inside, sealed bladder bag which contains the sterile fluid, and an outer bag which encloses, encapsulates and stabilizes the inner bag. The outer and inner bag share a common side seam. The outer pressure bag becomes air tight and sealed when connected to an external pressure device. The external pressure device causes pressure to be applied to an air space between the outer and the inner bag, thereby causing a force against the inner bag to expel the material through at least one exit port communicating the exterior of the outer bag to the interior of the inner bag. The outer bag also includes a pressure port for introducing pressurized gas or other fluid into the air space to force the sterile fluid within the inner bag out through the exit port.

Claims

1. A pressurized sterile fluid storage bag comprising:

a flexible outer bag having an interior, an exterior exposed to atmosphere, and a first edge;

a flexible inner bag having an interior capable of receiving a sterile fluid, an exterior, and a second edge;

a seam joining at least a portion of the first edge and the second edge;

an air space between the interior of the outer bag and the exterior of the inner bag;

at least one fluid flow port communicating the exterior of the outer bag with the interior of the inner bag; and

at least one pressure port communicating the exterior of the outer bag and the air space enabling the air space to be pressurized.

2. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 1, further comprising:

pressure means for introducing gaseous pressure into the air space.

3. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one pressure port includes a one-way valve allowing pressure to be introduced into the air space and preventing the escape of air pressure from the air space.

4. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 2, further including:

pressure gauge means for monitoring the pressure introduced into the air space.

5. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid flow port and the at least one pressure port includes:

a spike port and an injection port.

6. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 2, further including:

one-way valve means interconnected between the pressure means and the air space for preventing backflow of pressure from the air space to the pressure means.

7. The invention of claim 1, further including:

hanger means attached to the outer bag for hanging the sterile fluid storage bag.

8. The invention of claim 5, further including:

stay means for holding the spike port and the injection port in proper operative alignment with the outer bag.

12. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure port includes:

an injection port.

9. A sterile fluid storage bag, comprising:

an inner bag having an interior for containing a sterile fluid and having a side seam;

an outer bag having a side seam;

a weld joining at least a portion of the side seam of the inner bag to the side seam of the outer bag establishing an air space between the inner bag and outer bag and stabilizing the inner bag with respect to the outer bag;

pressure means for introducing gaseous pressure into the air space; and

fluid flow means for injecting and ejecting fluid from the interior of the inner bag.

10. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 9, wherein the pressure means further comprises:

at least one pressure port allowing one-way introduction into the air space and preventing the escape of air pressure from the air space.

11. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 10, further including:

pressure gauge means for monitoring the pressure introduced into the air space.

13. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 9, wherein the fluid flow means further comprises:

at least one spike port.

14. The sterile fluid flow bag of claim 13, wherein the fluid flow means further includes:

one-way valve means for preventing backflow of fluid into the inner bag.

15. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 9, further including:

hanger means attached to the outer bag for hanging the sterile fluid storage bag from an IV pole.

16. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 9, further including:

stay means for holding the pressure means and fluid flow means in proper operative alignment with the outer bag.

17. A bag for storing and dispensing sterile fluids, comprising:

a first fluid reservoir formed by the edge of first fluid container having an interior and an exterior wherein the edge includes a top portion, a bottom portion and side portions;

a second fluid reservoir formed by the edge of a second fluid container having an interior and an exterior wherein the edge includes a top portion, a bottom portion and side portions;

a heat seal joining at least a portion of the side edge portions of the first fluid container and the side edge portions of the second fluid container;

an air space between the exterior of the first fluid container and the interior of the second fluid container;

at least one fluid flow port providing flow communication between the interior of the first container with the atmosphere; and

at least one pressure port communicating the exterior of the second fluid container with the air space enabling the air space to be pressurized.

18. The bag of claim 17, further comprising:

pressurizing means for introducing gaseous fluid pressure into the air space.

19. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 17, wherein:

the at least one pressure port includes a one-way valve allowing pressure to be introduced into the air space and preventing the escape of air pressure from the air space.

20. The sterile fluid storage bag of claim 18, further including:

pressure gauge means for monitoring the pressure introduced into the air space.