Abstract: Apparatus for administering an ingestible oral fluid to a patient takes the form of an elongate tubular member (10) closed at the extremity of one end portion shaped as a hook (11), the hook having a hollowed outward projection (16) which is resilient at least over its area facing in the same general direction as the mouth of the hook, with this area also being formed with an orifice (17). The overall geometry of the apparatus is such that the hook passes over the lower mouth of the patient to locate and retain the projection or oral actuation, while the remainder of the member hangs across the jaw of the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus for administering oral fluid from a reservoir (60) to a patient comprises: a chamber (10,30) suitably formed by connection of a mouthpiece (30) to be held adjacent the gums and/or teeth and a nipple (10) or diaphragm (310) at the mouthpiece rear for tongue activation, with fluid inlet and outlet openings (34,12) formed respectively in the former and latter; a tube (40) connected between the chamber inlet opening and reservoir; and a fluid flow control valve (50) connected in the tube, such valve suitably having a cylinder housing (51) with inlet and outlet ports (54,53) at its ends and a piston valve member (55) freely reciprocable therein a clearance fit to close and open the outlet port. The valve is preferably effectively symmetrical with a ball piston (55) reciprocable also to close and open the inlet port.

Abstract: A device for administering oral fluid to a patient from a container (18) has a nipple (14) connected to the container (18) by a tube (16). The nipple (14) is held on the patient's tongue. A valve (22) opens in response to the patient sucking or pressing the nipple to initiate a flow of fluid in the tube (16). A detector (92) responds to this flow and switches on a peristaltic pump (90) for a period determined by the setting of a controller (102) to deliver positively a suitable bolus of 2 to 6 ml to the patient. To give the patient time to swallow the bolus, the detector (92) is inhibited for a predetermined delay period after termination of the bolus and over the same delay period, the tube (16) remains pinched or clamped.