Multi-stage fluid delivery device and method
First Claim
1. A fluid delivery device for delivering a substance to a patient at an increment variable flow rate, comprising:
- an upper housing portion, having an upper housing body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal and proximal end, and comprising a first chamber therein, said upper housing body having a first opening at said distal end accessing said first chamber;
a lower housing portion slidably positioned within said first opening of said upper housing portion, said lower housing portion having a lower housing body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal and proximal end, and comprising a second chamber therein, said lower housing body having a second opening at said proximal end accessing said second chamber;
a plurality of springs, wherein each spring of said plurality includes a high, low, and mid-range of operation, and wherein at least one spring is a constant force spring adapted for application of a substantially constant pressure through said mid-range of operation of said at least one spring, and wherein said plurality of springs are positioned within at least one of said first and second chambers wherein;
said second chamber comprises an inner and an outer surface and a first plurality of slots extending between said inner surface and said outer surface; and
a ledge extending from said inner surface of said second chamber and having a second plurality of slots aligned with said first plurality of slots;
at least one infusion device; and
at least one reservoir in fluid communication with said at least one infusion device, said reservoir being positioned adjacent to at least one of said plurality of springs.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid delivery device for delivering a substance to a patient by way of infusion delivers the preparation at a rate of flow which varies in steps from a substantially constant higher rate, to a stepped-down substantially constant lower rate or rates. The delivery device includes one or more reservoirs, and one or more Belleville springs for applying generally constant pressures to the substance contained in the reservoirs. Each reservoir will have a different constant pressure applied in a mid-range of operation. The reservoirs can be interconnected to each other and to an infusion device in a number of arrangements, including various manifolds and flow restrictors, such that the rate of flow is controlled in steps in accordance with the pressures applied by the springs of the plurality of reservoirs.
106 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fluid delivery device for delivering a substance to a patient at an increment variable flow rate, comprising:
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an upper housing portion, having an upper housing body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal and proximal end, and comprising a first chamber therein, said upper housing body having a first opening at said distal end accessing said first chamber; a lower housing portion slidably positioned within said first opening of said upper housing portion, said lower housing portion having a lower housing body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal and proximal end, and comprising a second chamber therein, said lower housing body having a second opening at said proximal end accessing said second chamber; a plurality of springs, wherein each spring of said plurality includes a high, low, and mid-range of operation, and wherein at least one spring is a constant force spring adapted for application of a substantially constant pressure through said mid-range of operation of said at least one spring, and wherein said plurality of springs are positioned within at least one of said first and second chambers wherein;
said second chamber comprises an inner and an outer surface and a first plurality of slots extending between said inner surface and said outer surface; anda ledge extending from said inner surface of said second chamber and having a second plurality of slots aligned with said first plurality of slots; at least one infusion device; and at least one reservoir in fluid communication with said at least one infusion device, said reservoir being positioned adjacent to at least one of said plurality of springs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fluid delivery device for delivering a substance to a patient at an increment variable flow rate, comprising:
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an upper housing portion, having an upper housing body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal and proximal end, and comprising a first chamber therein, said upper housing body having a first opening at said distal end accessing said first chamber; a lower housing portion slidably positioned within said first opening of said upper housing portion, said lower housing portion having a lower housing body extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal and proximal end, and comprising a second chamber therein, said lower housing body having a second opening at said proximal end accessing said second chamber and said second chamber comprises an inner and an outer surface and a first plurality of slots extending between said inner surface and said outer surface and a ledge extending from said inner surface of said second chamber and having a second plurality of slots aligned with said first plurality of slots; a plurality of springs, wherein each spring of said plurality includes a high, low, and mid-range of operation, and wherein said plurality of springs are positioned within at least one of said first and second chambers; at least one infusion device; and at least one reservoir in fluid communication with said at least one infusion device, said reservoir being positioned adjacent to at least one of said plurality of springs. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification