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 fluid flow indicator that provides a readily discernible visible indication of fluid flow through the apparatus. Additionally, the apparatus includes a fill assembly comprising a prefilled vial that can be used to fill the fluid reservoir of the device with a selected medicinal fluid.

Abstract: A compact, patient controlled fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicament at a selected uniform rate. The device is of an all mechanical construction and is ideally suited for the reliable patient administration of pain killing drugs in the home care environment. To positively regulate the patient administration of the medicament, the intervals at which a selected medicament can be administered, as well as the volume of the dose of the medicament to be administered, is preset by the treating physician and, once set, cannot be altered by the patient. More particularly, the device setting can only be operated by a small physician's key that remains in the possession and control of the treating physician or health care worker.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device having a self-contained stored energy membrane for defining in conjunction with a base a fluid reservoir and for expelling fluids from the reservoir. The device includes novel reservoir filling syringe and filling adapter for conveniently filling the fluid reservoir of the device. Additionally, the device includes a unique crushable or collapsible needle cover which surrounds and protects the infusion cannula until time of use and then readily deforms as the device is connected to the patient so as to permit the needle to cleanly penetrate the patient's skin. The needle cover maintains the cannula in a substantially aseptic condition and enables self-administration by patients, such as young patients or needle adverse patients, which does not require their consciously inserting a needle into the skin.

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 readily adjustable flow rate control device having a movable flow control member which includes a plurality of spaced-apart flow restrictors which are adapted to be selectively positioned intermediate a fluid flow path extending between a fluid supply line and a fluid delivery line. The flow restrictors can take the form of porous rate control frits which can be selectively moved into index with the fluid flow path or microbores formed in a rotatable member which can be rotated to selectively move the microbores into index with the fluid flow path.

Abstract: An elastomeric bladder stored energy type infusion apparatus that can be filled with a medicinal fluid and, after being filled, can efficiently deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient at a selected, adjustable rate. The apparatus includes a built-in dose dialing mechanism which can be preset by the treating physician or health care worker so that a precise volume of the medicinal fluid can be introduced into the fluid reservoir of the device for delivery to the patient.

Abstract: An elastomeric bladder stored energy type medicament delivery apparatus which can be filled with a medicinal fluid using a closed-end, vial-type fill container and after being filled, can efficiently deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient at a controlled rate. The closed-end, vial-type fill means can be readily connected to and disconnected from the novel fluid delivery component of the apparatus. The fluid delivery device can also be filled by means of a secondary reservoir fill means.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering fluids at a precisely controlled rate which includes 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 reservoir fill assembly is uniquely designed to accept a vial component of conventional construction which is factory filled with the medicinal fluid to be delivered to the patient. The dispenser component embodies a highly novel fluid flow indicator that provides a readily discernible visual indication of fluid flow status through the device.

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 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 formable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the shape of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distend 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 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: A fluid delivery apparatus for continuous basal infusion, together with controlled bolus infusion of injectable medicaments, 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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.