Self-contained liquid microdispenser
First Claim
1. A self-contained liquid containment and dispensing device which comprises:
- an elongated fluid conduit having a first end and a second end and an internal volume sufficient to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid;
a liquid dispenser in fluid communication with said first end of said conduit, comprising a porous liquid- and gas-permeable material containment member disposed such that said liquid upon discharge from said first end of said conduit flows through said material containment member before exiting from said device, and said member has an internal structure through which said liquid diffuses slowly;
a gas generation member in fluid communication with said second end of said conduit for generating gas and pumping said gas into said conduit through said second end; and
an activation circuit comprising an electric power source for electrically activating said gas generation member;
whereby when liquid is contained in said conduit and said gas generation member is activated to generate and pump said gas into said second end of said conduit, said pumped gas forces said liquid to be expelled from said conduit through said first end and dispensed though said dispenser.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compact, small, self-contained liquid containment and dispensing device is disclosed which included an elongated fluid reservoir/conduit, a liquid dispenser in the form of a liquid retentive matrix material, a gas pump and an electric pump activation circuit. The liquid to be administered or dispensed (e.g., a medication or fragrance vapor) is placed in the reservoir and the pump is activated, generating gas into the reservoir to expel the liquid from the reservoir to the matrix material at a controlled and essentially constant rate. Methods of use of the device to administer medications, provide vapors, and for other purposes are also disclosed. A substance to be administered (e.g., a medication or drug) which is soluble in the liquid can also be preloaded into the matrix material and administered by dissolution in the liquid. The device is sufficiently small to be easily portable and can be easily attached to a person'"'"'s or animal'"'"'s body for administration of medication to a human or animal patient. The devices may also be used, for instance, to dispense chemicals, vapor forming liquids, topical parasiticidal liquids, insecticide vapors, human or animal hormones, birth control compositions or antibiotics. The devices can be housed in compact but rugged housings which will stand up to the active movements of people or animals, or in decorative housings which can be used and displayed in homes, offices and other living or working areas.
127 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A self-contained liquid containment and dispensing device which comprises:
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an elongated fluid conduit having a first end and a second end and an internal volume sufficient to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid; a liquid dispenser in fluid communication with said first end of said conduit, comprising a porous liquid- and gas-permeable material containment member disposed such that said liquid upon discharge from said first end of said conduit flows through said material containment member before exiting from said device, and said member has an internal structure through which said liquid diffuses slowly; a gas generation member in fluid communication with said second end of said conduit for generating gas and pumping said gas into said conduit through said second end; and an activation circuit comprising an electric power source for electrically activating said gas generation member; whereby when liquid is contained in said conduit and said gas generation member is activated to generate and pump said gas into said second end of said conduit, said pumped gas forces said liquid to be expelled from said conduit through said first end and dispensed though said dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of administering a liquid to a human or animal patient which comprises:
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a. providing a self-contained liquid containment and dispensing device which comprises; i. an elongated fluid conduit having a first end and a second end and an internal volume sufficient to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid; ii. a liquid dispenser in fluid communication with said first end of said conduit, comprising a porous liquid- and gas-permeable material containment member disposed such that said liquid upon discharge from said first end of said conduit flows through said material containment member before exiting from said device, and said member has an internal structure through which said liquid diffuses slowly; iii. a gas generation member in fluid communication with said second end of said conduit for generating and pumping gas into said conduit through said second end; and iv. an activation circuit comprising an electric power source for electrically activating said gas generation member; b. placing a quantity of said liquid within said conduit; c. attaching said device to said patient in such manner that said liquid dispenser is in fluid communication with said patient; and d. activating said circuit to operate said gas generation member to generate and pump said gas into said second end of said conduit, said pumped gas forcing said liquid to be expelled from said conduit through said first end and administered though said dispenser to said patient. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of delivering a vaporized liquid to the ambient environment which comprises:
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a. providing a self-contained liquid containment and dispensing device which comprises; i. an elongated fluid conduit having a first end and a second end and an internal volume sufficient to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid; ii. a liquid dispenser in fluid communication with said first end of said conduit, comprising a porous liquid- and gas-permeable material containment member disposed such that said liquid upon discharge from said first end of said conduit flows through said material containment member before exiting from said device, and said member has an internal structure through which said liquid diffuses slowly; iii. a gas generation member in fluid communication with said second end of said conduit for pumping gas into said conduit through said second end; and iv. an activation circuit comprising an electric power source for electrically activating said gas generation member; b. placing a quantity of volatile liquid within said conduit; c. placing said device containing said volatile liquid within said ambient environment; and d. activating said circuit to operate said gas generation member to pump said gas into said second end of said conduit, said pumped gas forcing said liquid to be expelled from said conduit through said first end; e. retaining at least a portion of said volatile liquid within said device for a period of time sufficient for said portion to vaporize; and f. dispersing the resultant vapor through said dispenser into said ambient environment. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification