Medical liquid administration device

Claim 2

In parenteral liquid administration apparatus, the combination comprising: a. container means having a first zone to receive a pressurized first fluid and a second zone for a supply of a deliverable second fluid, said zones extending in such confined and pressure-transmitting relation that the second fluid remains pressurized by the first fluid as the second fluid zone diminishes and the first fluid zone expands; b. means to deliver said first fluid to said first zone and including a fluid pressure regulator and variable flow restrictor means connected in fluid-flow-transmitting relation between said regulator and said first zone; said flow restrictor means having selector means for providing a predetermined but variable pressure drop/flow rate characteristic; and c. a conduit for delivering said second fluid for administration to a patient from said second zone.

Claim 3

In parenteral liquid administration apparatus, the combination comprising: a. container means having a first zone to receive a pressurized first fluid and a second zone for a supply of a deliverable second fluid, said zones extending in such confined and pressure-transmitting relation that the second fluid remains pressurized by the first fluid as the second fluid zone diminishes and the first fluid zone expands; b. means to deliver said first fluid to said first zone and including a fluid pressure regulator and flow restrictor means connected in fluid-flow-transmitting relation between said regulator and said first zone; c. a conduit for delivering said second fluid for administration to a patient from said second zone; and d. means for selectively bypassing said flow restrictor means.

Claim 4

In parenteral liquid administration apparatus, the combination comprising: a. container means having a first zone to receive a pressurized first fluid and a second zone for a supply of a deliverable second fluid, said zones extending in such confined and pressure-transmitting relation that the second fluid remains pressurized by the first fluid as the second fluid zone diminishes and the first fluid zone expands; b. means to deliver said first fluid to said first zone and including a fluid pressure regulator and flow restrictor means connected in fluid-flow-transmitting relation between said regulator and said first zone; c. a conduit for delivering said second fluid for administration to a patient from said second zone; and d. means for selectively bypassing said flow restrictor means.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1 wherein said container means comprises first and second collapsible containers respectively defining said first and said second zones and having a pressure-transmitting and movable interface between said zones.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 including means confining said container means in said pressure-transmitting relation whereby said interface is movable relative to said confining means in response to fluid flow from the second container during collapse thereof.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 4 including an indicator having operative connection to said interface to move therewith.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 1 wherein said first fluid delivery means includes a liquefied gas container having an outlet in communication with said pressure regulator.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 including liquefied CO2 in said liquefied gas container.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 1 wherein said flow restrictor means includes multiple restrictors mounted for selective connection in said fluid-flow-transmitting relation.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 8 wherein each of said multiple restrictors comprises a porous plug.

Claim 12

In parenteral liquid administration apparatus, the combination comprising: a. container means having a first zone to receive a pressurized first fluid and a second zone for a supply of a deliverable second fluid, said zones extending in such confined and pressure-transmitting relation that the second fluid remains pressurized by the first fluid as the second fluid zone diminishes and the first fluid zone expands; b. means to deliver said first fluid to said first zone and including a pressure regulator and first variable flow restrictor means connected in flow-transmitting relation between said regulator and said first zone; said flow restrictor means having selector means for providing a predetermined but variable pressure drop/flow rate characteristic; and c. means to deliver said second fluid for administration to a patient from said second zone and including a conduit and a second flow restrictor means connected in flow-transmitting relation with said conduit; d. said restrictors characterized in that the first fluid pressure drop across said first restrictor means substantially exceeds the second fluid pressure drop across said second restrictor means whereby the second fluid flow rate in said conduit is maintained substantially uniform and independent of normal gravity induced pressure fluctuations.

Claim 13

In parenteral liquid administration apparatus, the combination comprising: a. container means having a first zone to receive a pressurized first fluid and a second zone for a supply of a deliverable second fluid, said zones extending in such confined and pressure-transmitting relation that the second fluid remains pressurized by the first fluid as the second fluid zone diminishes and the first fluid zone expands; b. means to deliver said first fluid to said first zone and including a pressure regulator and first variable flow restrictor means connected in flow-transmitting relation between said regulator and said first zone; said flow restrictor means having selector means for providing a predetermined but variable pressure drop/flow rate characteristic; and c. means to deliver said second fluid for administration to a patient from said second zone and including a conduit and a second flow restrictor means connected in flow-transmitting relation with said conduit; d. said restrictors characterized in that the first fluid pressure drop across said first restrictor means substantially exceeds the second fluid pressure drop across said second restrictor means whereby the second fluid flow rate in said conduit is maintained substantially uniform and independent of normal gravity induced pressure fluctuations.

Claim 14

In parenteral liquid administration apparatus, the combination comprising: a. container means having a first zone to receive a pressurized first fluid and a second zone for a supply of a deliverable second fluid, said zones extending in such confined and pressure-transmitting relation that the second fluid remains pressurized by the first fluid as the second fluid zone diminishes and the first fluid zone expands; b. means to deliver said first fluid to said first zone and including a pressure regulator and first flow restrictor means connected in flow-transmitting relation between said regulator and said first zone; c. means to deliver said second fluid for administration to a patient from said second zone and including a conduit and a second flow restrictor means connected in flow-transmitting relation with said conduit; d. said restrictors characterized in that the first fluid pressure drop across said first restrictor means substantially exceeds the second fluid pressure drop across said second restrictor means whereby the second fluid flow rate in said conduit is maintained substantially uniform and independent of normal gravity induced pressure fluctuations; and e. means for selectively bypassing said second flow restrictor means.

Claim 15

In parenteral liquid administration apparatus, the combination comprising: a. container means having a first zone to receive a pressurized first fluid and a second zone for a supply of a deliverable second fluid, said zones extending in such confined and pressure-transmitting relation that the second fluid remains pressurized by the first fluid as the second fluid zone diminishes and the first fluid zone expands; b. means to deliver said first fluid to said first zone and including a pressure regulator and first flow restrictor means connected in flow-transmitting relation between said regulator and said first zone; c. means to deliver said second fluid for administration to a patient from said second zone and including a conduit and a second flow restrictor means connected in flow-transmitting relation with said conduit; d. said restrictors characterized in that the first fluid pressure drop across said first restrictor means substantially exceeds the second fluid pressure drop across said second restrictor means whereby the second fluid flow rate in said conduit is maintained substantially uniform and independent of normal gravity induced pressure fluctuations; and e. means for selectively bypassing said second flow restrictor means.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 10 wherein saId container means comprises first and second collapsible containers respectively defining said first and second zones and having a pressure-transmitting and movable interface between said zones.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 12 including means confining said containers in said pressure-transmitting relation whereby said interface is movable relative to said confining means in response to fluid flow from the second container during collapse thereof.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 13 including an indicator having operative connection to said interface to move therewith.

Claim 19

The combination of claim 10 wherein said flow restrictor means includes multiple restrictors mounted for selective connection in said gas-flow-transmitting relation.

Claim 20

The combination of claim 15 wherein each of said multiple restrictors comprises a porous plug.

Claim 21

The combination of claim 10 including a bypass connectable between said regulator and said first zone and including other flow restrictor means of lower flow resistance than said first flow restrictor means in series with said bypass and characterized that said first fluid is rapidly flowable to said first zone to pressurize same to a level substantially equal to the pressure normally at the outlet side of said first flow restrictor means when said bypass is not connected.

Claim 22

The combination of claim 17 wherein said other flow restrictor means includes third flow restrictor means and fourth flow restrictor means in series, said first zone being connected in flow-transmitting relation to a point between said third and fourth flow restrictor means with said third restrictor means being in parallel with said first restrictor means, the ratio of the flow resistance of said first flow restrictor means to said third flow restrictor means being the same as the ratio of the flow resistance of said second restrictor means to said fourth restrictor means.

Claim 23

The combination of claim 17 including valve means to selectively connect said bypass between said regulator and said first zone.

Claim 24

The combination of claim 10 wherein said second restrictor means comprises a porous plug.

Claim 25

The combination of claim 4 wherein said collapsible container confining means comprises a housing having interconnected sections that are relatively separable to permit replacement of said second container, said conduit extending from said second container to move therewith during collapse thereof, and the housing wall containing an opening to pass said conduit and permit said movement thereof.

Claim 26

The combination of claim 21 wherein said opening is at one end of the housing, and said pressure regulator and said restrictor means are at one side of the housing and enclosed therein.

Claim 27

The combination of claim 21 wherein said restrictor means and said pressure regulator are contained within said housing, and said housing sections have hinge interconnection.

Claim 28

The combination of claim 1 and further including flow-sensing means for indicating fluid flow within the apparatus.

Claim 29

The combination of claim 24 wherein said sensing means is located within said conduit.

Claim 30

A combination as set forth in claim 2, including pressure-responsive means for inhibiting said means for selectively bypassing said flow restrictor means when the pressure at said first zone exceeds a predetermined value.

Claim 31

A combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said container means comprise a flexible bag.

Claim 32

The combination of claim 10 wherein said second flow restrictor means is connected to be removable from said flow-transmitting relation.