IV CONTAINER FOR PRECISE MEASUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

An IV container for precise measurement and dispensing of fluid contained in the IV container. This IV container has an upper fluid-containing portion to contain and measure a first quantity of fluid. The upper fluid-containing portion has a first cross-sectional area, and a first plurality of fluid measurement markings along a side of the upper fluid-containing portion that represent measurement units of a first size. A lower fluid-containing portion is in fluid communication with the upper fluid-containing portion, and can contain and measure a second lesser quantity of fluid. The lower fluid-containing portion has a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-sectional area. The lower fluid-containing portion has a second plurality of measurement markings along a side of the lower fluid-containing portion that represent measurement units of a second size that's smaller than the units of the upper fluid containing portion, and therefore provides enhanced measurement precision.

Claims

1. An IV container for precise measurement and dispensing of fluid contained in the IV container, the IV container comprising: an upper fluid-containing portion configured to contain and measure a first quantity of fluid, the upper fluid-containing portion having a first cross-sectional area, the upper fluid-containing portion having a first plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the upper fluid-containing portion; a lower fluid-containing portion in fluid communication with the upper fluid-containing portion, the lower fluid-containing portion configured to contain and measure a second quantity of fluid, the lower fluid-containing portion having a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-sectional area, the lower fluid-containing portion having a second plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the lower fluid-containing portion; a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the lower fluid-containing portion, the plurality of ports configured to enable input and output of fluids; and a tab, connected to the upper fluid-containing portion, the tab configured to be suspended from an IV stand.

2. The IV container of claim 1, further comprising: a tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion in fluid communication with both the upper fluid-containing portion and the lower fluid-containing portion.

3. The IV container of claim 2, wherein the tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion has a conical shape.

4. The IV container of claim 2, wherein the tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion has a third plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion, each pair of neighboring markings of the third plurality of fluid measurement markings representing a same quantity of fluid.

5. The IV container of claim 1, wherein: the first plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the upper fluid-containing portion represent measurement units of a first size; and the second plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the lower fluid-containing portion represent measurement units of a second size that is smaller than the measurement units of the first size.

6. The IV container of claim 1, wherein the upper fluid-containing portion is configured to contain a greater quantity of fluid than the lower fluid-containing portion is configured to contain.

7. The IV container of claim 1, wherein the upper fluid-containing portion and the lower fluid-containing portion include at least a portion made of a translucent material.

8. The IV container of claim 1, wherein the upper fluid-containing portion and the lower fluid-containing portion are made of a flexible material.

9. The IV container of claim 1, wherein the upper fluid-containing portion and the lower fluid-containing portion are made of glass.

10. The IV container of claim 1, wherein the upper fluid-containing portion and the lower fluid-containing portion have a substantially cylindrical shape.

11. The IV container of claim 1, wherein the upper fluid-containing portion and the lower fluid-containing portion each have a substantially flat shape when empty, each portion having a seam that is configured to seal in fluid contained therein.

12. The IV container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ports includes two ports.

13. An IV container for precise measurement and dispensing of fluid contained in the IV container, the IV container comprising: a flexible translucent upper fluid-containing portion configured to contain and measure a first quantity of fluid, the flexible translucent upper fluid-containing portion having a first cross-sectional area, the flexible translucent upper fluid-containing portion having a first plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the flexible translucent upper fluid-containing portion; a flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion in fluid communication with the flexible translucent upper fluid-containing portion, the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion configured to contain and measure a second quantity of fluid, the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion having a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-sectional area, the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion having a second plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion; a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion, the plurality of ports configured to enable input and output of fluids; and a tab, connected to the flexible translucent upper large fluid-containing portion, the tab configured to be suspended from an IV stand.

14. The IV container of claim 13, wherein the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion is configured to contain and measure a second quantity of fluid that is less than the first quantity of fluid.

15. The IV container of claim 13, wherein: the first plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the flexible translucent upper fluid-containing portion represent measurement units of a first size; and the second plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion represent measurement units of a second size that is smaller than the measurement units of the first size.

16. The IV container of claim 13, further comprising: a flexible translucent tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion in fluid communication with both the flexible translucent upper fluid-containing portion and the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion.

17. The IV container of claim 16, wherein the flexible translucent tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion has a third plurality of fluid measurement markings along at least a portion of a side of the flexible translucent tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion, each pair of neighboring markings of the third plurality of fluid measurement markings representing a same quantity of fluid.

18. The IV container of claim 13, wherein the flexible translucent upper fluid-containing portion and the flexible translucent lower fluid-containing portion have a substantially flat shape when empty, each portion having a seam that is configured to seal in fluid contained therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Many additional features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical embodiment of the IV container for precise measurements showing an IV container with an upper portion, a tapered intermediate portion, and a lower portion.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a front view of the IV container for precise measurements of FIG. 1, showing the tab to be held by an IV stand, the tapered intermediate portion between the upper and lower portions, the ports for fluid administration and medication input, and showing more closely spaced markings on the lower portion than on the upper portion. This view can also represent an IV bag embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the IV container for precise measurements, showing accurate measurement markings and numbered milliliter markings on the upper, intermediate, and lower portions. This view can also represent an IV bag embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the IV container for precise measurements of FIG. 1, showing the IV container with a cylindrical upper fluid-containing portion, an intermediate fluid-containing portion, and a cylindrical lower fluid-containing portion, and the ports for fluid administration and medication input.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the IV bag for precise measurements, showing an IV bag seamed on the outer perimeter of the IV bag with an upper fluid-containing portion and a lower fluid-containing portion, also showing accurate measurement markings and numbered milliliter markings.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a side view of the IV bag for precise measurements of FIG. 5, showing the upper fluid-containing portion and the lower fluid-containing portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] With reference to FIG. 1, a translucent IV container 100 has a cylindrical upper large fluid-containing portion 102, and a cylindrical lower smaller fluid-containing portion 104, which are in fluid communication via a tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion 106. In this embodiment, the tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion 106 has a conical shape with 45 degree angle. Other tapered shapes are useful, and other conical shapes, such as those having 30 degree or 60 degree angles, or any angles there between are also useful. There is also a tab 108 for suspending the container 100 from an IV stand.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 2, a side view of the translucent IV container 100 is shown, again showing the upper large fluid-containing portion 102, the lower smaller fluid-containing portion 104, and the tapered intermediate fluid-containing portion 106. Two fluid ports 202 for fluid administration and medication input are at the bottom of the lower smaller fluid-containing portion 104. The tab 108 is again shown for suspending the container 100 from an IV stand (not shown), the tab 108 extending from the top of the upper large fluid-containing portion 102. Note that in this figure measurement markings are shown, without specifying particular measurement intervals. In fact, many different sized measurement intervals can be used, depending on the size of the IV container, and the measurement precision needed. This view can also represent an embodiment of an IV bag according to the invention.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 3, the translucent IV container 300 for accurate measurement and administration of fluids includes a lower small fluid-containing portion 104 with precise closely-spaced markings 304, e.g., in 10 ml increments, for more accurate measurement of smaller amounts of fluids, and an upper large fluid-containing portion 102 with precise but more widely-spaced markings 302, e.g., in 50 ml increments, for accurate measurement of larger amounts of fluids. The tapered intermediate section 106 has progressively spaced markings 306, the space between any two neighboring pair of markings representing 25 ml of fluid. The markings 306 represent equi-volume markings that are progressively spaced along the tapered intermediate section 106.

[0041] Two ports 202 (only one visible in this view) for fluid administration and medication input are located at the bottom of the lower smaller fluid-containing portion 104. Also, a tab 108 for hanging the container 100 from an IV stand (not shown) is attached to the top of the upper large fluid-containing portion 102. This view can also represent an embodiment of an IV bag according to the invention.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 4, a bottom view is shown of the container 100, showing the cylindrical upper large fluid-containing portion 102, which is above the cylindrical lower smaller fluid-containing portion 104, and the intermediate portion 106. The cylindrical lower smaller fluid-containing portion 104 has two ports extending downward for fluid administration and medication input 202. The two ports 202 are each in fluid communication with the bottom of the cylindrical lower fluid-containing portion 104.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a side view of another embodiment of a translucent flexible IV bag 400 having an upper large fluid-containing portion 502, and a lower smaller fluid-containing portion 504. The upper large fluid-containing portion 502 has precise widely-spaced markings 506, e.g., 50 ml, for accurate measurement of bulk fluids, and the lower smaller fluid-containing portion 504 has precise more closely-spaced markings 508, e.g., 10 ml, for more precise measurements of smaller quantities of fluids. Two ports 510 for fluid administration and medication input are attached in fluid communication to the bottom of the lower fluid-containing portion 504. Also, a tab 512 extends from the top of the bag 400 that can be used to mount the bag 400 on an IV stand (not shown). The IV container has a seam 514 around the outside perimeter of the IV bag 400 that serves to seal in the fluid contents of the container 400.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 6, a side view of the bag 400 of FIG. 5 is shown. The upper large fluid-containing portion 502 is in fluid communication with the lower smaller fluid-containing portion 504, which in turn is in fluid communication with two ports 510 (one visible in this view) that are included to provide fluid administration and medication input routes. The tab 512 extends upward from the upper large fluid-containing portion 502, the tab 512 being useful for hanging the bag 400 from a hook on an IV stand (not shown).

[0045] The IV bag embodiments of the invention can be made from one of: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Ethylene vinyl acetate, Polypropylene, Copolyester ether. All polypropylene bags contain other materials added to make them more flexible and durable. Pure polypropylene is too brittle and stiff. Combining polypropylene, or other polyolefin resins, to a copolyester ether, Ecdel elastomer, available as resin from Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, Tenn.). Monolayer or multilayer films incorporating Ecdel elastomer are available. When used in multilayer films, Ecdel as the outer layer provides toughness, clarity, and flexibility.

[0046] The bottle shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 can be made of either glass, or plastic, such as PET. Nurses are presently provided with both glass and plastic IV bottles. IV fluids are presently available in plastic and glass bottles. It is common for bags to be used for continuous drips.

[0047] The IV container for precise measurement and dispensing of fluid contained in the IV container can be made to accommodate any of the standard and non-standard sizes of IV containers available today, such as 1000 ml, 500 ml, etc.

[0048] Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims.