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 light activated expanding polymer material which uniquely functions as an internal energy source for expelling the medicinal fluids from the device. The light polymer mass is activated by a novel light source in a manner to controllably expel fluid from the device. Further, the light actuated polymer can be specifically tailored to provide precise, predictable protocol delivery of the medicinal agent stored within the reservoir of the device. In one form of the invention, the fluid delivery apparatus is implantable within the patient's body.

Abstract: An implantable fluid delivery apparatus for infusing medicinal fluids into a patient that includes a novel basal delivery system that includes a heat responsive polymer gel material which upon being heated by heater foil uniquely functions as an internal energy source for expelling basal doses of medicinal fluids from the device. The apparatus also includes a bolus delivery system that includes a magnetically responsive polymer gel which, upon being stimulated by an electro-magnet will delivery precise bolus doses of medicinal fluids to the patient.

Abstract: An elastomeric bladder stored energy type infusion apparatus that can be filled with a medicinal fluid and, after being filled, can efficiently delivery the medicinal fluid to the patient at a selected rate. The apparatus includes a delivery component for delivering medicinal fluid to the patient and a fill component that can expeditiously be used to fill the fluid reservoir of the delivery component in the field.

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 medicament dose dialing feature that allows the user to dial in the appropriate dose to be delivered to the patient. Additionally, the apparatus includes a fill assembly comprising a field fill vial that can be readily filled in the field.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing medicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates over extended periods of time. The apparatus includes a housing having a delivery outlet and an elastic distendable membrane for defining a chamber within the housing. Also provided is a flow rate control assembly delivery outlet. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for quickly and easily priming the fluid flow passageways of the fluid delivery component. Additionally, the apparatus includes a novel fluid flow indicator that provides a readily discernible visible indication of fluid flow through the apparatus. Further provided is a fill assembly for filling the fluid reservoir of the device with a selected medicinal fluid and locking mechanisms for preventing unauthorized tampering with the flow rate control mechanism as well as the priming mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device for infusing medicinal fluids at a precisely controlled rate which includes adapter sleeve means for insuring that only a proper medicament can be used to fill the fluid reservoir of the apparatus. More particularly, the apparatus includes a unique polarity adapter that will mate only with a particular delivery device and positively prevent filling the reservoir of the device with a medicament that is incompatible with the delivery profile of the device. In one form of the invention, the polarity adapter includes a novel double-ended cannula that is carried within the polarity adapter and controls filling of the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A delivery device for the administration of nutrients, drugs, vitamins, trace elements and the like to a ruminant. The device embodies a thermal expanding polymer material which, when heated by the animal's body heat functions as an internal energy source for controllably expelling the beneficial agents from the device over extended period of time of up to 200 days. The device is of a size and shape that can be introduced into the ruminant via the esophagus and is of a density such that the device will be retained within the reticulo-rumen of the animal for the effective controlled release of the beneficial agents to the animal.

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 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. 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 novel adjustable flow rate control means for precisely adjustably controlling the rate of fluid flow from the reservoir of 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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 separately storing a medicament component, such as a drug and for mixing this component with a liquid component, such as a sterilized diluent, to form a beneficial agent which can be delivered to a patient from the container containing the liquid component. The device includes a novel collapsible vial structure which can be used for controllably introducing a support structure carrying the medicament component into the liquid container whereby the medicament and liquid components will thoroughly mix under sterile conditions.

Abstract: A device for intermixing a first component, such as a parenteral fluid with a second component, such as an immobilized drug carried by a scaffold to form a beneficial agent which, following the mixing step, can be dispensed directly from the device for infusion into a patient. The device includes novel mechanisms for mateably interconnecting a container, such as a glass vial containing the first component with a housing having a fluid outlet which houses a sealed container containing the second component, and then for controllably mixing the components under sterile conditions to form an injectable solution which is automatically dispensed through the fluid outlet of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for controllably intermixing two or more components in a sterile, closed environment to produce a flowable substance and then for expelling the flowable substance from the apparatus at a precisely controlled rate. The apparatus is particularly useful for medical applications and includes a dispenser portion with its own stored energy member for dispensing the flowable mixture and a coupling mechanism for coupling a drug vial to the dispenser portion for the controlled mixing of a medicament contained within the drug vial with a diluent stored within the dispenser portion of the apparatus via a sterile pathway.

Abstract: An apparatus for separately storing a first component, such as a drug and for mixing this first component with a second component, such as a sterilized diluent, to form a beneficial agent which can be delivered to a patient from the container containing the second component. The device includes novel means for interconnecting a container, such as a glass vial containing a first component, such as a drug, with a second container such as a flexible bag containing the second component such as a parenteral liquid, and then for controllably ejecting the first component from the glass vial so that it will fall by force of gravity into the second container whereby the first and second components will thoroughly mix under sterile conditions.