Filtered manifold apparatus and method for ophthalmic irrigation

Claim 1

For use in association with a reservoir of sterile fluid, disposable initially sterile apparatus for sequential sterile administrtion of fluid to a plurality of recipient sites, comprising: conduit means operatively engageable with the reservoir to provide a flow path for fluid from the reservoir to a distribtuion manifold; a filter assembly in fluid communication with the reservoir and said distribution manifold, whereby fluid from the reservoir is filtered prior to distribution; said filter assembly providing filtration of particulates above about 0.22 microns in diameter and allowing for flow rates of at least about 25 millimeters/minute; a distribution manifold, said distribution manifold having a passage therethrough, said conduit means being in fluid communication with an end of said passage; a plurality of capped outlet ports in fluid communication with said passage at spaced locations therein; respective valves operatively associated with said outlet ports; and cap members removably operatively associated with said outlet ports to initially maintain said outlet ports in sterile condition; said valves having selectable operative positions wherein sterile fluid may selectively be directed through said central passage, blocked from movement through said central passage, or directed through the outlet port associated with the valve means, whereby said outlet ports may be used sequentially without adversely affecting the sterility of the unused outlet ports; and means for conducting fluid from a selected port to a recipient site.

Claim 14

A method of sequentially administering sterile fluid to a plurality of recipient sites from a common reservoir, comprising the steps of: providing a sterile passage having a plurality of sterile capped and valved outlets spaced therealong from a first outlet to an "nth" outlet; removing the cap from the first outlet and applying to that outlet means for delivery of the fluid to a first recipient site; drawing from the first outlet fluid for delivery to the first recipient site, the step of drawing fluid including the filtering the fluid before delivery of the fluid to the recipient sites, the filtration step being performed so as to filter from the fluid particulates above about 0.22 microns in diameter and providing a fluid flow rate of at least about 25 milliliters/minute; closing said first outlet after delivery of fluid to the first recipient site, and repeating with respect to the next outlet and recipient site said steps of removing the cap, applying means for delivery, drawing fluid for delivery to the recipient site and closing the outlet, and the further steps of sequentially repeating with respet to each of the outlets through the "nth" outlet the steps of removing the cap, applying apparatus for delivery and drawing fluid for delivery to the recipient site, and closing the outlet.

Claim 15

A method of sequentially administering sterile fluid to a plurality of recipient sites from a common reservoir, comprising the steps of: providing a sterile passage having a plurality of sterile capped and valved outlets spaced therealong from a first outlet to an "nth" outlet; removing the cap from the first outlet and applying to that outlet means for delivery of the fluid to a first recipient site; drawing from the first outlet fluid for delivery to the first recipient site, the step of drawing fluid including the filtering the fluid before delivery of the fluid to the recipient sites, the filtration step being performed so as to filter from the fluid particulates above about 0.22 microns in diameter and providing a fluid flow rate of at least about 25 milliliters/minute; closing said first outlet after delivery of fluid to the first recipient site, and repeating with respect to the next outlet and recipient site said steps of removing the cap, applying means for delivery, drawing fluid for delivery to the recipient site and closing the outlet, and the further steps of sequentially repeating with respet to each of the outlets through the "nth" outlet the steps of removing the cap, applying apparatus for delivery and drawing fluid for delivery to the recipient site, and closing the outlet.