A pressurizable fluid supply apparatus may include a bag to hold a fluid. The bag may include a fluid outflow interface and a bladder positioned adjacent to the bag. The bladder may include a plurality of chambers positioned vertically in series. Adjacent chambers may be separated by dividers. The dividers may be configured to allow fluid flow between adjacent chambers under specified conditions. The bladder may further include a pressure inlet positioned at a top of the bladder.

A self-inflating cuff and methods of using the self-inflating cuff are provided. The self-inflating cuff includes first and second compartments formed within the self-inflating cuff and housing respective substances. The first and second compartments are configured to rupture in response to the force applied to an exterior surface of the self-inflating cuff, which causes the respective substances to combine to initiate a chemical reaction to produce a reactionary force on an interior surface of the self-inflating cuff that causes the self-inflating cuff to expand. The self-inflating cuff is further configured to expand such that a first opening at a first end of the self-inflating cuff and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end of the self-inflating cuff enlarge enough to receive a container through the first opening and a tubing of the container through the second opening.

In various embodiments, a drug pump includes a housing and, within the housing, an expandable drug reservoir at least part of which is exposed to a pressurized propellant. The propellant exerts a substantially constant pressure on the drug reservoir. A flow restrictor significantly limits outflow from the pump, and preferably has both a small diameter and a long path length, which acts to control the outflow from the drug reservoir. As a result, the pump produces a substantially constant outflow.

An elastomeric pump having at least one sensor for sensing changes in elongation of a bladder of the pump is provided. Also provided is an infusion assembly including an elastomeric pump having a bladder, at least one sensor for sensing changes in elongation of the bladder, and an indicator for providing one or more outputs of the sensor. The sensor may be a flexible sensor positioned in contact with the bladder of the pump, or a dielectric material may be incorporated into the material the bladder is made from such that the dielectric elastomer material of the bladder forms the sensor.

The invention relates to a liquid storage and delivery system including a reusable housing (8) comprising a control and drive unit, a container (2), a pump module (4) fluidically connected to the container (2), and a coupling system (6) configured for removably coupling the pump module (4) to the control and drive unit (6). The pump module comprises a pump engine (20), a pump outlet (22), and a transmission input coupling (18) coupled to the pump engine (20). The housing comprising the control and drive unit also comprises a pump drive (34) configured to engage the transmission input coupling (18) of the pump module (4) when the pump module (4) is coupled to the housing comprising the control and drive unit. The container (2) is in the form of a flexible pouch and the pump module (4) is permanently integrated with the flexible pouch and forms therewith a disposable unit.

A device for injecting contrast agent includes a supply line with a pressure regulator and leading to a soft injection bag in fluid communication with the supply line and with a catheter. The device also includes a pair of clamping plates acting on the injection bag and arranged on opposite sides of the injection bag. The clamping plates can be moves away from and close to each other. The device also includes a pair of inflatable compression bags. The compression bags are inflated with compressed air and act on corresponding clamping to plates to force the clamping plates to move close to each other and thus compress the injection bag. According to a method of the invention, the injection bag is filled from the source through the pressure regulator and a constant volume load container, and a contrast agent is supplied from the injection bag by gradually compressing the injection bag.

A pumping device that can be used with currently-available pressure bag infusers is disclosed. The pumping device is hand-held and lightweight. The device is controlled by a microprocessor. Thus constant pressure to the bag is maintained through automatic adjustment of pumping and venting functions. In addition, a novel, new pressure bag infuser and a modified Luer Lock fitting for use with the pumping device are described.

An assembly used in the injection of a contrast product into a patient is disclosed. This assembly includes a container, an injection flowpath, and a filling flowpath. The injection flowpath extends from the container to the patient, while the filling flowpath extends from a feed source to the container. Part of the injection flowpath is also used by the filling flowpath. One connector is disposed between an upstream filling line tubular section and a pump coupling section within the filling flowpath, while another connector is disposed between a downstream filling line tubular section and this same pump coupling section. This allows the upstream filling line tubular section, the pump coupling section, and the downstream filling line tubular section to differ in one or more respects, for instance with regard to hardness.

Fluid delivery and measurement systems and methods are disclosed.

The problem of infusing air into IV tubing and into a patient from a IV fluid bag inside a pressure infusion cuff is solved by collar embodiments that inhibit the air from being forced into the IV tubing. A collar can include one or more curved arms that create a channel in which that part of the fluid bag is protected against being squeezed by a pressure infusion cuff. A collar allows the fluid bag to be squeezed by the pressure infusion cuff until such time that the fluid level is sufficiently reduced that the collar can inhibit further pressure on the fluid bag by the pressure infusion cuff. Also disclosed is a fluid bag and a pressure infusion cuff that are modified to have a collar incorporated therewith.