Variable rate infusion apparatus with indicator and adjustable rate control

• US 6,355,019 B1
• Filed: 05/14/1999
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pescadero Beach Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Science Incorporated
• Inventors: Kuester, William F., Hogan, Rolf, Thompson, Thomas N., Kriesel, Marshall S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, CRIS LOIREN
• Application Number:
  US09/312,588
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 604/132, 604/153, 604/246, 604/82, 604/890.1, 604/122, 604/123, 604/131, 604/151, 604/118, 604/248, 604/207, 604/186, 604/191, 604/203, 128/DIG.12
• US Class Current: 604/132
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/141 with capillaries for restricting fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/152 pressurised by contraction of elastic reservoirs containers for dispensing contents by contraction of an elastic bag provided therein, in general B65D83/0061
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16877 Adjusting flow; Devices for setting a flow rate

Abstract

An apparatus for accurately infusing medicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates over extended periods of time. The apparatus is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction and includes an elastic distendable membrane, chamber having a fluid outlet. Disposed within the fluid chamber is a thin fluid permeable member which precisely controls the rate of fluid flow through the fluid outlet. The apparatus also includes a highly novel medicament dose dialing feature that allows the user to dial in the appropriate dose to be delivered to the patient. Additionally, the apparatus includes a fill assembly comprising a field fill vial that can be readily filled in the field.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery device for infusing medicinal fluids into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:

(a) housing having a fill port and a receiving chamber;

(b) stored energy means disposed within said housing for forming a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable membrane, said membrane being distendable in a manner to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration; and

(c) filling means connected to said housing for filling said reservoir, said filling means including;

(i) a first filling assembly comprising;

a. a container subassembly including a container having a fluid chamber and displacement means movable relative to said fluid for dispensing fluid from said chamber;

b. an adapter subassembly comprising a hollow housing for telescopically receiving at least part of said container subassembly and means for moving said displacement means relative to said fluid chamber of said container; and

c. advancing means connected to said housing for controllably advancing said adapter subassembly into said receiving chamber of said housing, said advancing means comprising an advancing dial rotatably connected to said housing for movement between first aid second positions; and

(ii) a second filling assembly comprising a fluid transport assembly mateable with said fill port.

2. The fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 in which said fluid transport assembly includes a piercing cannula and in which said fill port includes a pierceable septum pierceable by a said piercing cannula.

3. The fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 in which said fill port includes connector means for removably interconnecting said fluid transport assembly with said fill port and in which said fluid transport assembly includes at least one connector tab for interconnection with said connector means of said fill port.

4. The fluid delivery device as defined in claim 3 in which said connector means comprises at least one slot formed in said fill port for receiving said connector tab of said fluid transport assembly.

5. A fluid delivery device for infusing medicinal fluids into a patient at a control rate comprising:

(a) housing having a fill port and including a base and a cover connected to said base, said base having a receiving chamber,

(b) stored energy means connected to said base for forming in conjunction with said base a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable membrane, said membrane being distendable in a manner to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration, and

(c) filling means connected to said housing for filling said reservoir, said filling means including;

(i) a first filling assembly comprising;

a. a container subassembly including a container having a fluid chamber and displacement means movable relative to said fluid for dispensing fluid from said chamber;

b. an adapter subassembly comprising a hollow housing having a first open end for telescopically receiving at least a portion of said container of said container subassembly and a second end including means for engagement with said displacement means of said container subassembly to move said displacement means relative to said fluid chamber of said container, said hollow housing having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart advancing teeth; and

c. advancing means connected to said housing for controllably advancing said adapter subassembly into said receiving chamber of said housing, said advancing means comprising an advancing dial rotatably connected to said base for rotation between first and second positions, said advancing dial including teeth engaging means for engagement with said teeth of said hollow housing to incrementally advance said hollow housing into said receiving chamber upon rotation of said advancing dial; and

(ii) a second filling assembly comprising a fluid transport assembly connected to said fill port.

6. The fluid delivery device as defined in claim 5 in which said fluid transport assembly includes a piercing cannula and in which said fill port includes a pierceable septum pierceable by a said piercing cannula.

7. The fluid delivery device as defined in claim 6 in which one of said fill port and said fluid transport assembly includes circumferentially spaced connector tabs.

8. The fluid delivery device as defined in claim 7 in which one of said fill port and said fluid transport assembly includes circumferentially spaced slots for receiving said connector tabs.

9. A fluid delivery device for infusing medicinal fluids into a patient at a control rate comprising:

(a) housing having a fill port and including a base and a cover connected to said base, said base having a receiving chamber;

(b) stored energy means connected to said base for forming in conjunction with said base a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said stored energy means comprising at least one distendable membrane, said membrane being distendable in a manner to establish internal stresses, said stresses tending to move said membrane toward a less distended configuration; and

(c) filling means connected to said housing for filling said reservoir, said filling means including;

(i) a first filling assembly comprising;

a. a container subassembly including a container having a fluid chamber and displacement means for dispensing fluid from said chamber;

b. an adapter subassembly comprising a hollow housing having a first open end for telescopically receiving at least a portion of said container of said container subassembly said hollow housing having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart advancing teeth; and

c. advancing means connected to said housing for controllably advancing said adapter subassembly into said receiving chamber of said housing, said advancing means comprising an advancing dial rotatably connected to said base for rotation between first and second positions, said advancing dial including teeth engaging means for engagement with said teeth of said hollow housing to incrementally advance said hollow housing into said receiving chamber upon rotation of said advancing dial, said advancing dial of said advancing means including circumferentially spaced incremental indicating indicia and said hollow housing of said adapter subassembly including longitudinally spaced dose volume indicating indicia; and

(ii) a second fill port assembly comprising a fluid transport a assembly mateable with said fill port.

10. The fluid delivery device as defined in claim 9 in which said fill port is of a first color and the mating portions of said transport assembly is of a color corresponding to said first color.