Fluid delivery device with temperature controlled energy source
First Claim
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1. A device for administering beneficial agents to a ruminant at a controlled rate comprising:
- (a) a housing;
(b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said housing, a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane, at least one portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position;
(c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity to said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a semi-solid, which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and
(d) delivery means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for delivering the beneficial agent from said reservoir to the ruminant.
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Abstract
A delivery device for the administration of nutrients, drugs, vitamins, trace elements and the like to a ruminant. The device embodies a thermal expanding polymer material which, when heated by the animal'"'"'s body heat functions as an internal energy source for controllably expelling the beneficial agents from the device over extended period of time of up to 200 days. The device is of a size and shape that can be introduced into the ruminant via the esophagus and is of a density such that the device will be retained within the reticulo-rumen of the animal for the effective controlled release of the beneficial agents to the animal.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for administering beneficial agents to a ruminant at a controlled rate comprising:
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(a) a housing;
(b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said housing, a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane, at least one portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position;
(c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity to said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a semi-solid, which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and
(d) delivery means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for delivering the beneficial agent from said reservoir to the ruminant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for administering beneficial agents to a ruminant at a controlled rate said device being insertable into the rumen of the ruminant and comprising:
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(a) a housing;
(b) a fill tube disposed with said housing, said fill tube having inlet and outlet ports;
(c) a distendable, elastomeric member for forming, in conjunction with said fill tube, a fluid reservoir in communication with said inlet and outlet ports of said fill tube, said elastomeric member being movable within said housing from a first position to a second position;
(d) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity with said elastomeric member, said heat expandable means comprising a heat expandable gel, which, upon being heated, will act upon said elastomeric member to move said member toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said outlet ports of said fill tube; and
(e) delivery means in communication with said outlet of said fill tube for delivering the beneficial agent from said reservoir to the ruminant. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
(a) a base component;
(b) a first manifold connected to said base component, said first manifold having both a fill passageway and a delivery passageway in communication with said fill tube; and
(c) a second manifold connected to said first manifold, said second manifold having a fill passageway in communication with said fill passageway of said first manifold and a delivery passageway in communication with said delivery passageway of said first manifold.
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17. The device as defined in claim 16 further including connector means for connecting said cover to said second manifold.
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18. The device as defined in claim 16 in which said base assembly includes vent means for venting said interior chamber to atmosphere.
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19. The device as defined in claim 18 further including vent control means for controlling the flow of gases through said vent means.
Specification