Abstract: A liquid delivery pumping device for the delivery of liquids enterally or parenterally comprises a housing including a gas generating chamber, wherein a gas is generated intermittently when two reactants, such as the components of an effervescent couple, are caused to react, a pumping chamber for a reciprocating pumping unit operable by the gas and to which chamber the gas is conveyed once generated, the pumping unit forming part of a mechanism which receives and regulates the liquid to be delivered in response to the reciprocation of the pumping unit, and means for controlling the gas pressure within the pumping chamber to enable controlled reciprocation of the pumping unit. The device provides precisely controlled rates of liquid delivery to a patient irrespective of the viscosity of the liquid to be delivered.

Abstract: A liquid drug delivery device is adapted to be adhered to the skin of a subject by a base member defining a skin-contacting surface having an adhesive coating. A columnar cartridge serves as reservoir for the drug and is incorporated in a housing which is connected to the base member such that in use the longitudinal axis of the cartridge is disposed substantially parallel to the skin-contacting surface. A delivery needle communicating in use with the interior of the cartridge penetrates the skin of the subject when the housing snaps downward relative to the base member. This action also causes the actuation of a citric acid/sodium bicarbonate gas generator which generates a gas to move a piston within the cartridge, compressing the drug compartment. This compression causes a stopper to be penetrated by a conduit in communication with the delivery needle, allowing the drug to be ejected from the compartment through the needle and into the subcutaneous tissue of the subject.

Abstract: An intradermal drug delivery device for delivering a liquid drug to a subject via the subject's skin includes a housing having a lower surface provided with an adhesive coating for adhering the housing to the subject's skin. An expansible-contractible chamber within the housing defines a reservoir which is expanded upon being filled with the drug and contracted to dispense the drug. A hollow needle extends through the lower surface of the housing and has an inner end which communicates with the reservoir and an outer end which projects outwardly of the housing a short distance to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis of the subject's skin when the housing is adhered thereto. The device permits delivery of drugs of relatively large molecular size and at slow rates which can be precisely controlled.

Abstract: A liquid delivery device comprising a housing having a lower surface for application to the skin of a subject and having a reservoir and a gas generation chamber therein separated by a displaceable membrane. Gas generated by an electrolytic cell under the control of a microprocessor causes the gas generation chamber to expand and the reservoir to contract, thereby discharging a liquid drug, such as insulin, from the reservoir via a hollow delivery needle extending from the lower surface. The delivery needle and a sensor needle both extend from the lower surface a sufficient distance so as to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis when the housing is pressed against the skin. The sensor needle has an enzymatic coating for the detection of an analyte, such as glucose in the subject's plasma. The delivery needle is made of platinum-iridium, and a current passes between the needles and a potentiostat circuit according to the amount of glucose detected.

Abstract: A liquid delivery device comprising a housing having a lower surface for application to the skin of a subject and having a reservoir and a gas generation chamber therein separated by a displaceable membrane. Gas generated by an electrolytic cell under the control of a microprocessor causes the gas generation chamber to expand and the reservoir to contract, thereby discharging a liquid drug, such as insulin, from the reservoir via a hollow delivery needle extending from the lower surface. The delivery needle and a sensor needle both extend from the lower surface a sufficient distance so as to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis when the housing is pressed against the skin. The sensor needle has an enzymatic coating for the detection of an analyte, such as glucose in the subject's plasma. The delivery needle is made of platinum-iridium, and a current passes between the needles and a potentiostat circuit according to the amount of glucose detected.

Abstract: A nicotine oral delivery device, which includes a hollow housing (10) and a hollow mouthpiece (14) which may be detachable connected to the housing (10) or may form with the housing a single piece. The mouthpiece includes a nicotine-containing material (16), in the form of a gel, on one or more of the outer surfaces of the mouthpiece. The housing (10) may also include flavoring (20), such as menthol. The nicotine-containing material (16) may be located as a layer on the mouthpiece (14), or in holes in the mouthpiece or under a permeable membrane (18) covering a portion of the mouthpiece (14). Where the mouthpiece and housing are separate pieces, the mouthpiece may be disposable while the housing reusable.

Abstract: A liquid delivery device comprising a housing having a lower surface for application to the skin of a subject and having a reservoir and a gas generation chamber therein separated by a displaceable membrane. Gas generated by an electrolytic cell under the control of a microprocessor causes the gas generation chamber to expand and the reservoir to contract, thereby discharging a liquid drug, such as insulin, from the reservoir via a hollow delivery needle extending from the lower surface. The delivery needle and a sensor needle both extend from the lower surface a sufficient distance so as to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis when the housing is pressed against the skin. The sensor needle has an enzymatic coating for the detection of an analyte, such as glucose in the subject's plasma. The delivery needle is made of platinum-iridium, and a current passes between the needles and a potentiostat circuit according to the amount of glucose detected.

Abstract: A system for converting a medicament from a storage form to an administrable form comprises an evacuted medicament container, a container for a liquid, and means in the form of a hollow needle for establishing communication between said containers and thereby causing liquid to be drawn by suction from the liquid container to the medicament container. By establishing communication between an evacuated container and an unevacuated container, there is an instant, reliable and controlled addition of liquid to the medicament from the liquid container. The system has particular application to lyophilised medicaments.

Abstract: A liquid material dispenser, for use, for example, in dispensing liquid medicine over an extended period of time, which includes a housing (10) enclosing a reservoir (12) for storing the liquid to be dispensed and having an outlet (14) through which the liquid is dispensed, and a connecting passageway (16) between the reservoir and the outlet. Located in the passageway is a diaphragm (18), one side of which defines a pumping chamber (20) and the other side of which defines a pressure control chamber (22). The diaphragm (18) is cyclically displaceable through a pumping stroke for pumping liquid through the outlet (14) and a drawing stroke for drawing liquid from the reservoir (12). Also located in the passageway (16) are a pair of valves (30, 33) which serve, during the drawing stroke, to cause the diaphragm (18) to draw liquid from the reservoir (12) into the pumping chamber (20), and during the pumping stroke, to cause the diaphragm (18) to pump liquid from the pumping chamber (20) through the outlet (14).

Abstract: An intradermal drug delivery device for delivering a liquid drug to a subject via the subject's skin includes a housing having a lower surface provided with an adhesive coating for adhering the housing to the subject's skin. An expansible-contractible chamber within the housing defines a reservoir which is expanded upon being filled with the drug and contracted to dispense the drug. A hollow needle extends through the lower surface of the housing and has an inner end which communicates with the reservoir and an outer end which projects outwardly of the housing a short distance to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis of the subject's skin when the housing is adhered thereto. The device permits delivery of drugs of relatively large molecular size and at slow rates which can be precisely controlled.

Abstract: A medication administering device includes a housing introducible into a body cavity and of a material insoluble in the body cavity fluids, but formed with an opening covered by a material which is soluble in body cavity fluids. A diaphragm divides the interior of the housing into a medication chamber including the opening, and a control chamber. An electrolytic cell in the control chamber generates a gas when electrical current is passed therethrough to deliver medication from the medication chamber through the opening into the body cavity at a rate controlled by the electrical current.