Fluid delivery device with conformable ullage
First Claim
1. An ultra low profile device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:
- (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 circuitous channel formed in said base intermediate said upper and lower surface, portions of said channel being disposed beneath said central portion and said peripheral portion, said channel having first and second ends;
(b) stored energy means for forming in conjunction with said base, a first 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 fluids introduced into said first reservoir to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration;
(c) a cover connected to said base, said cover having a first chamber and a second chamber circumscribing said first chamber and at least one passageway interconnecting said first and second chambers;
(d) a first ullage defining means for providing ullage within said first reservoir, said first ullage defining means comprising a conformable mass disposed within said first chamber of said cover;
(e) a second ullage defining means said second ullage defining means comprising a conformable mass disposed within said second chamber of said cover;
(f) first fill means in communication with said inlet of said first reservoir for filing said first reservoir; and
(g) infusion means for infusing medicinal fluid from said first reservoir into the patient, said infusion means comprising a hollow cannula having;
(i) a body portion disposed within said circuitous channel formed in said base; and
(ii) an outlet end provided in the form of a pierceable portion extending perpendicularly outwardly from said second end of said channel for insertion into the patient.
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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 or layered 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 yieldable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the geometry of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distended 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 a 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
9 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 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 circuitous channel formed in said base intermediate said upper and lower surface, portions of said channel being disposed beneath said central portion and said peripheral portion, said channel having first and second ends; (b) stored energy means for forming in conjunction with said base, a first 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 fluids introduced into said first reservoir to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration; (c) a cover connected to said base, said cover having a first chamber and a second chamber circumscribing said first chamber and at least one passageway interconnecting said first and second chambers; (d) a first ullage defining means for providing ullage within said first reservoir, said first ullage defining means comprising a conformable mass disposed within said first chamber of said cover; (e) a second ullage defining means said second ullage defining means comprising a conformable mass disposed within said second chamber of said cover; (f) first fill means in communication with said inlet of said first reservoir for filing said first reservoir; and (g) infusion means for infusing medicinal fluid from said first reservoir into the patient, said infusion means comprising a hollow cannula having; (i) a body portion disposed within said circuitous channel formed in said base; and (ii) an outlet end provided in the form of a pierceable portion extending perpendicularly outwardly from said second end of said channel for insertion into the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification