Infusion apparatus

Claim 2

Infusion apparatus for enabling administration of solution to a patient at a controlled flow rate, said apparatus comprising: syringe means having bore means configured for receiving solution therein and aperture means adjacent an end thereof, said syringe means including piston means movable within said bore means and defining a solution receiving chamber intermediate said piston means and said aperture means; separable handle means configured for coacting engagement with said piston means, said handle means, when coactingly engaging said piston means enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; power means within said bore means intermediate said piston means and the end of said bore means opposite said aperture means, said power means and said handle means being configured for storing energy in said power means on coacting engagement of said handle means with said piston means, and for releasing of the energy upon separation of said handle means from said piston means; solution administration means, including solution flow means, at least one of said aperture means and said solution flow means including flow restricting means for controlling the rate of flow of solution therethrough; and means for coupling said administration means to said syringe means in fluid flow relation with said aperture means for enabling controllable flow of solution from said chamber through said solution flow means under force of said power means with said handle means separated from said piston means.

Claim 3

The infusion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said power means includes spring means.

Claim 4

The infusion apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said coupling means includes means for interlocking said administration means to said syringe means to deter separation.

Claim 5

The infusion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said aperture means includes a spout member and said coupling means includes means for coactingly engaging said spout member.

Claim 6

The infusion apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said bore means has a cylindrical outer surface adjacent said spout member, and said coupling means includes a cup member configured for frictionally engaging said outer surface.

Claim 7

The infusion apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said cup member has a peripheral skirt portion and the inner wall of said skirt portion and said outer surface include coactingly engaging interlock means.

Claim 8

The infusion apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said interlock means includes annular groove means formed on one of said outer surface and said inner wall, and coacting shoulder means formed on the other of said outer surface and inner wall.

Claim 9

The infusion apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said annular groove means are formed on said outer surface.

Claim 10

The infusion apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said interlock means includes coacting serrations formed on said outer surface and said inner wall.

Claim 11

The infusion apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said aperture means includes a spout member and said coupling means includes means for coactingly engaging said spout member by twisting in a given direction, and said serrations are configured and dimensioned for enabling relative movement in said given direction and deterring twisting in the opposite direction.

Claim 12

Infusion apparatus for enabling administration of solution to a patient at a controlled flow rate, said apparatus comprising: syringe means having a cylindrical bore means with first and second ends; aperture means adjacent said first end; piston means insertable into and movable within said bore means and defining a solution receiving chamber intermediate said piston means and said aperture means; separable handle means having a main shaft portion and a reduced diameter portion having a distal end; coacting means formed on the distal end of said reduced diameter portion and on said piston means configured for enabling said handle means to be attached to and separated from said piston means through said second end of said bore means, said handle means, when coactingly engaging said piston means enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; spring means insertable within said bore means intermediate said piston means and the second end of said bore means; other means coacting with said spring means and said handle means for enabling compression of said spring means between said piston means and said other means upon attachment of said handle means to said piston means for storage of energy in said spring means, and for enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; solution administration means, including solution flow means, at least one of said aperture means and said solution flow means including flow restricting means for controlling the rate of flow of solution therethrough; and means for coupling said administration means to said syringe means in fluid flow relation with said aperture means for enabling controllable flow of solution from said chamber through said fluid flow means under force of said spring means with said handle means separated from said piston means.

Claim 13

Infusion apparatus for enabling administration of solution to a patient at a controlled flow rate, said apparatus comprising: syringe means having a cylindrical bore means with first and second ends; aperture means adjacent said first end; piston means insertable into and movable within said bore means and defining a solution receiving chamber intermediate said piston means and said aperture means; separable handle means having a main shaft portion and a reduced diameter portion having a distal end; coacting means formed on the distal end of said reduced diameter portion and on said piston means configured for enabling said handle means to be attached to and separated from said piston means through said second end of said bore means, said handle means, when coactingly engaging said piston means enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; spring means insertable within said bore means intermediate said piston means and the second end of said bore means; other means coacting with said spring means and said handle means for enabling compression of said spring means between said piston means and said other means upon attachment of said handle means to said piston means for storage of energy in said spring means, and for enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; solution administration means, including solution flow means, at least one of said aperture means and said solution flow means including flow restricting means for controlling the rate of flow of solution therethrough; and means for coupling said administration means to said syringe means in fluid flow relation with said aperture means for enabling controllable flow of solution from said chamber through said fluid flow means under force of said spring means with said handle means separated from said piston means.

Claim 14

The infusion apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said coupling means includes means for interlocking said administration means to said syringe means.

Claim 15

The infusion apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said solution administration means includes capillary tubing and a dispensing fitting means.

Claim 16

The infusion apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said solution flow means are in said dispensing fitting means and includes said flow restricting means and means for diffusing the flow of solution from said restricting means.

Claim 17

The infusion apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said aperture means includes a spout member and said coupling means includes a cup member, and wherein said interlocking means includes coacting interengaging means on said cup member and said spout member.

Claim 18

The infusion apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said bore means has a cylindrical outer surface adjacent said spout member, and said coupling means includes a cup member configured for frictionally engaging said outer surface.

Claim 19

The infusion apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said cup member has a peripheral skirt portion and said interlocking means includes coactingly engaging means formed on the inner wall of said skirt portion and said outer surface.

Claim 20

The infusion apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said coactingly engaging means includes annular groove means formed on one of said outer surface and said inner wall, and coacting shoulder means formed on the other of said outer surface and inner wall.

Claim 21

The infusion apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said annular groove means are formed on said outer surface.

Claim 22

The infusion apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said interlocking means includes coacting serrations formed on said outer surface and said inner wall.

Claim 23

The infusion apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said coacting interengaging means on said cup member and said spout member engage by twisting in a given direction, and said serrations are configured and dimensioned for enabling relative movement in said given direction and deterring twisting in the opposite direction.

Claim 24

The infusion apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said apparatus further includes a cap member for closing the other end of said bore means, and said other means includes a spring means retaining cup member, and wherein said cap member includes an opening for receiving said main shaft portion therethrough, and wherein said cup member includes an axially aligned opening for receiving said reduced diameter portion of said handle means therethrough.

Claim 25

The infusion apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said spring means retaining cup member includes a peripheral skirt portion for frictionally engaging the interior of said bore means.

Claim 28

The method according to claim 24 including the further steps of clamping the tubing to stop the flow of solution therethrough, coupling said fitting to other means in fluid communication with a patient, and unclamping said tubing to permit flow of solution to the patient.

Claim 29

The method according to claim 24 further including the steps of attaching needle means to said spout prior to actuating said piston via said handle means for drawing solution into said chamber and removing said needle means prior to attaching the administration set to said spout.

Claim 30

The method according to claim 26 wherein the step of attaching the administration set to said spout includes interlocking the administration set to said spout.

Claim 31

Infusion apparatus for enabling administration of solution to a patient at a controlled flow rate, said apparatus comprising: syringe means having: bore means configured for receiving solution therein and aperture means adjacent an end thereof, piston means movable within said bore means and defining a solution receiving chamber intermediate said piston means and said aperture means; separable handle means configured for coacting engagement with said piston means, said handle means, when coactingly engaging said piston means enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; power means within said bore means intermediate said piston means and the end of said bore means opposite said aperture means, said power means and said handle means being configured for storing energy in said power means on coacting engagement of said handle means with said piston means, and for releasing of the energy upon separation of said handle means from said piston means; a plurality of sets of solution administration means, each of said sets including: solution flow means; and means for coupling said administration means to said syringe means in fluid flow relation with said aperture means for enabling flow of solution from said chamber through said solution flow means under force of said power means with said handle means separated from said piston means, the solution flow means of each of said sets having flow restricting means of different dimensions for enabling selection of a given set for a desired rate of flow of solution therethrough.

Claim 32

Infusion apparatus for enabling administration of solution to a patient at a controlled flow rate, said apparatus comprising: syringe means having: bore means configured for receiving solution therein and aperture means adjacent an end thereof, piston means movable within said bore means and defining a solution receiving chamber intermediate said piston means and said aperture means; separable handle means configured for coacting engagement with said piston means, said handle means, when coactingly engaging said piston means enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; power means within said bore means intermediate said piston means and the end of said bore means opposite said aperture means, said power means and said handle means being configured for storing energy in said power means on coacting engagement of said handle means with said piston means, and for releasing of the energy upon separation of said handle means from said piston means; a plurality of sets of solution administration means, each of said sets including: solution flow means; and means for coupling said administration means to said syringe means in fluid flow relation with said aperture means for enabling flow of solution from said chamber through said solution flow means under force of said power means with said handle means separated from said piston means, the solution flow means of each of said sets having flow restricting means of different dimensions for enabling selection of a given set for a desired rate of flow of solution therethrough.

Claim 33

The infusion apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said power means includes spring means.

Claim 34

The infusion apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said coupling means includes means for interlocking said administration means to said syringe means to deter separation.

Claim 35

The infusion apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said aperture means includes a spout member and said coupling means includes means for coactingly engaging said spout member.

Claim 36

The infusion apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said bore means has a cylindrical outer surface adjacent said spout member, and said coupling means includes a cup member configured for frictionally engaging said outer surface.

Claim 37

The infusion apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said cup member has a peripheral skirt portion and the inner wall of said skirt portion and said outer surface include coactingly engaging interlock means.

Claim 38

The infusion apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said interlock means includes annular groove means formed on one of said outer surface and said inner wall, and coacting shoulder means formed on the other of said outer surface and inner wall.

Claim 39

The infusion apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said annular groove means are formed on said outer surface.

Claim 40

The infusion apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said interlock means includes coacting serrations formed on said outer surface and said inner wall.

Claim 41

The infusion apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said aperture means includes a spout member and said coupling means includes means for coactingly engaging said spout member by twisting in a given direction, and said serrations are configured and dimensioned for enabling relative movement in said given direction and deterring twisting in the opposite direction.

Claim 42

Infusion apparatus for enabling administration of solution to a patient at a controlled flow rate, said apparatus comprising: syringe means having bore means configured for receiving solution therein and aperture means adjacent an end thereof, said syringe means including piston means movable within said bore means and defining a solution receiving chamber intermediate said piston means and said aperture means; handle means configured for separable coacting engagement with said piston means, said handle means, when coactingly engaging said piston means enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; power means within said bore means intermediate said piston means and the end of said bore means opposite said aperture means, said power means and said handle means being configured for storing energy in said power means on coacting engagement of said handle means with said piston means, and for releasing of the energy upon separation of said handle means from said piston means; and means connectable to said syringe means in fluid flow relation with said aperture means for enabling flow of solution from said chamber to a patient under force of said power means with said handle means separated from said piston means.

Claim 43

Infusion apparatus for enabling administration of solution to a patient at a controlled flow rate, said apparatus comprising: syringe means having bore means configured for receiving solution therein and aperture means adjacent an end thereof, said syringe means including piston means movable within said bore means and defining a solution receiving chamber intermediate said piston means and said aperture means; handle means configured for separable coacting engagement with said piston means, said handle means, when coactingly engaging said piston means enabling manual operation of said syringe means for drawing solution into said chamber through said aperture means; power means within said bore means intermediate said piston means and the end of said bore means opposite said aperture means, said power means and said handle means being configured for storing energy in said power means on coacting engagement of said handle means with said piston means, and for releasing of the energy upon separation of said handle means from said piston means; and means connectable to said syringe means in fluid flow relation with said aperture means for enabling flow of solution from said chamber to a patient under force of said power means with said handle means separated from said piston means.

Claim 44

Infusion apparatus according to claim 38 wherein one of said aperture means and said means connectable to said syringe means includes flow restricting means for controlling the rate of flow of solution from said chamber.

Claim 45

The infusion apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said means connectable to said syringe means includes cup means connectable to said bore means adjacent said aperture means.

Claim 46

The infusion apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said means connectable to said syringe means includes means for coactingly engaging said bore means adjacent said aperture means.

Claim 47

The infusion apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said coactingly engaging means includes interlock means for deterring separation of said syringe means from said means connectable to said syringe means.

Claim 48

The infusion apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said power means includes spring means insertable within said bore means intermediate said piston means and the end of said bore means opposite said aperture means, and other means coacting with said spring means and said handle means for enabling compression of said spring means between said piston means and said other means upon attachment of said handle means to said piston means.

Claim 49

The infusion apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said handle means includes a main shaft portion and a reduced diameter portion and wherein said apparatus further includes a cap member for closing the other end of said bore means, and wherein said other means includes a spring means retaining cup member, and wherein said cap member includes an opening for receiving said main shaft portion therethrough, and wherein said cup member includes an axially aligned opening for receiving said reduced diameter portions of said handle means therethrough.

Claim 50

The infusion apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said spring means retaining cup member includes a peripheral skirt portion for frictionally enjoying the interior of said bore means.