Abstract: An injectable medicament dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments such as insulin, antibiotics, oncolytics and the like from a prefilled container at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a unique stored energy source in the form of a compressively deformable, polymeric elastomeric member that provides the force necessary to controllably discharge the medicament from the prefilled container which is housed within the body of the device. After having been deformed, the polymeric, elastomeric member will return to its starting configuration in a highly predictable manner.

Abstract: A syringe type apparatus which includes a unique fill assembly for use in controllably injecting medicinal fluids into a patient. The filling assembly includes a prefilled vial which is partially received within a novel adapter assembly that functions to operably couple the prefilled vial with the syringe assembly of the apparatus. The body of the prefilled vial is surrounded by a protective covering until immediately prior to mating the assembly with the syringe assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for visually indicating fluid flow through a fluid system or apparatus such as a medical infusion device. The apparatus comprises a pair of thin, indicia bearing films disposed in an overlaying relationship. These films are shifted relative to each other by movement of mechanical actuators which are deflected solely by the pressure of the fluid within the fluid conduits of the system of the apparatus. The two films are stacked in closed proximity and are preferably constructed from a substantially transparent flexible material such as mylar. One surface of the inferior film is printed with a plurality of integrated symbols depicting various fluid flow conditions. The superior film functions as a mask over the inferior film and is printed with a pattern of diagonally extending, alternating clear and opaque stripes. The print ratio of the superior film permits viewing at any one time of only one of the symbols printed on the inferior film.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus which embodies a stored energy source such as distendable elastomeric membrane which cooperates with a base and a conformable ullage to define a fluid reservoir and one which includes a unique fill assembly for use in controllably filling the fluid reservoir. The novel fill assembly of the invention enables the fluid reservoir of the fluid delivery portion of the apparatus to be aseptically filled in the field with a wide variety of selected medicinal fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering medicaments to a patient which include a fluid dispensing device and a novel cooperating reservoir fill assembly which can be easily and quickly connected to the fluid dispensing device. The fluid dispensing device uniquely includes an elastomeric bladder stored energy type infusion means which can be used for delivering a wide variety of medicaments such as drugs, medicaments, bilogical agents, or other therapeutic agents at a substantially constant rate.

Abstract: A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments and a cooperating reservoir fill assembly for controllably filling the fluid reservoir of the fluid dispenser. The fluid dispenser component includes a novel stored energy source in the form of an expandable, elastomeric member of unique construction that provides the force necessary to continuously and substantially uniformly expel fluid from the reservoir of the dispenser component. The fluid dispenser component further includes a fluid flow control assembly that filters and precisely controls the flow of the medicament solution from the reservoir of the dispenser container.

Abstract: An elastomeric bladder type infusion device for delivering a beneficial agent, such as a drug to a patient at substantially a constant rate. The device uniquely includes an adjustable flow rate control mechanism for adjusting the rate at which fluid flows from the device. In one form of the invention, the apparatus also includes a novel flow indicator for visually indicating fluid flow from the device.

Abstract: An improvement to wavelength modulation spectroscopy systems operating at frequency .OMEGA. and having a photodetector generating output with frequency components .OMEGA., 2.OMEGA., . . . n.OMEGA., where n is an integer greater than one, the improvement comprising a demodulator operating at frequency .OMEGA.+.delta., where .OMEGA.>>.delta., and additionally recovering signals at n.OMEGA.+n.delta.. The system provides information on multiple detection harmonics simultaneously, no phase adjustment is needed, and the system uses a heterodyne demodulation with its inherent low-noise advantage.

Abstract: An improvement to a dual-modulation line-locking device for wavelength modulation spectroscopy employing a lowpass filter to generate a nonnormalized error signal and a bandpass filter and RMS-to-DC converter to generate a centering signal. When the error signal is approximately zero and the centering signal is large, the wavelength is coincident with the center of the absorption feature of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering fluids at a precisely controlled rate which comprises a fluid dispensing component having a fluid reservoir for containing the fluids to be delivered and a reservoir fill component which can be removably interconnected with the fluid dispensing component. The dispensing component can be used for the precise infusion of pharmaceutical fluids to an ambulatory patient at controlled rates. The reservoir fill assembly is uniquely designed to accept a vial component of conventional construction which is partially received within a novel adapter subassembly that can readily be removably interconnected with the fluid dispensing component.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus for infusing medicinal fluids into a patient which is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction. The apparatus embodies a novel thermal expanding polymer material which uniquely functions as an internal energy source for expelling the medicinal fluids from the device. The apparatus can be used for subdermal, intradermal and intramuscular infusion of fluids and in one form of the invention, includes a novel delivery cannula having a body portion disposed within a circuitous channel formed within the base superstructure of the apparatus and a pierceable portion which extends outwardly from the base of the apparatus. By constructing the cannula in a circuitous configuration and dynamically connecting it to the base assembly, movement of the cannula relative to the base assembly is permitted thereby minimizing needle related tissue necrosis.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device having a self-contained stored energy membrane for expelling fluids at a precisely controlled rate which is of a compact, laminate construction. The device also includes a novel adapter which is usable to fill the reservoir of the device using a compatable filling syringe apparatus which is mateable with the adapter.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate or layered construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane which, in cooperation with the base of the apparatus, defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes, a novel, conformable ullage made of yieldable materials which uniquely conforms to the shape of the elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distended configuration. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely a rigid ullage construction.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device for infusing medicinal fluids having a self-contained stored energy membrane for expelling fluids at a precisely controlled rate. The device is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction so that it can conveniently be used for the fluids, such as insulin and the like, into an ambulatory patient at controlled rates over extended periods of time. Included within the device are various fluid flow control elements including a unique hydraulic fluid rate control system for ultra low flow delivery. Also included is a highly novel flow indictor for providing a positive indication of fluid flow from the device and for indicating at any given time the amount of fluid remaining in the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the high volume manufacture of fluid infusion devices which embody a self-contained, stored-energy source for expelling fluids from the reservoir of the device into an ambulatory patient at precisely controlled rates over extended periods of time. In accordance with the method of the invention, the base and cover infusion components of the devices of the invention are manufactured in injection molded arrays which comprise a cover array which is superimposed over and connected to a base array with the elastomeric membrane being captured therebetween. The elastomeric membrane material, which forms the stored-energy source of the infusion devices, is continuously unrolled from a large roll of film-backed membrane material which is rotatably mounted on a turret assembly upon which a second back-up roll of elastomeric membrane material is also mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time and the method for making same. The apparatus includes one or more dispensers of a low profile, laminate or layered construction each having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane or an elastomeric cellular mass, which in cooperation with the base, defined a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes, in lieu of a rigid ullage, a high novel, conformable ullage made of yieldable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the shape of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distended configuration. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying the rigid ullage construction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for rectifying or ameliorating abnormal responses of mammalian immune systems, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Also disclosed are methods for modifying normal responses of the mammalian immune system. Further disclosed are methods for accomplishing the foregoing by administering to a mammal a prolactin reducer and/or enhancer at a pre-determined time or times during a 24-hour period that results in modification of the mammal's abnormal prolactin profile so that it approaches or conforms to the prolactin profile of a young, healthy mammal of the same species (or to a standard profile generated from such individuals). Additionally, methods of upregulating or augmenting an immune response in a mammal are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate or layered construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which, in cooperation with the base of the apparatus, defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes, a novel conformable ullage made of yieldable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the geometry of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distended configuration and in so doing can move between a central chamber and a toroidal chamber formed in the cover of the apparatus. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely a rigid ullage construction.

Abstract: An injectable medicament dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments such as insulin, antibiotics, oncolytics and the like from a prefilled container at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a unique stored energy source in the form of a compressively deformable, polymeric elastomeric member that provides the force necessary to controllably discharge the medicament from the prefilled container which is housed within the body of the device. After having been deformed, the polymeric, elastomeric member will return to its starting configuration in a highly predictable manner.

Abstract: An elastomeric bladder stored energy type infusion apparatus which includes a unique fill assembly for use in controllably filling the fluid reservoir of the dispenser portion of the apparatus. The filling assembly includes a prefilled vial which is partially received within a novel adapter assembly that functions to operably couple the prefilled vial with the fluid dispenser subassembly of the apparatus. The body of the prefilled vial is surrounded by a protective covering until immediately prior to mating the assembly with the fluid delivery device.