Abstract
The present application relates to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a compressible bag, where the apparatus comprises a housing with a dispensing end and an opposite rear end, a bottom part and top part and two side parts. A roller arrangement and a pair of steering tracks are mounted in a track length direction on the side parts, and the roller arrangement includes at least a front roller adapted to roll from the rear end towards the dispensing end wherein the surface of the roller is adapted for engagement with a compressible bag placed on the bottom part, and wherein the roller arrangement includes at least one follower roller following the front roller and/or a gap is provided between the bottom part and the surface of the front roller, the gap being in the range of 2 to 10 mm where the surface of the front roller is closest to the bottom part.
Claims
1.-32. (canceled)
33. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a compressible bag, the apparatus comprising a housing with a dispensing end and an opposite rear end, a bottom part and top part and two side parts, a roller arrangement and a pair of steering tracks mounted in a track length direction on said side parts, said roller arrangement comprises at least a front roller adapted to roll from the rear end towards the dispensing end wherein the surface of the roller is adapted for engagement with a compressible placed on the bottom part, wherein said roller arrangement comprise at least one follower roller following the front roller or a gap is provided between the bottom part and the surface of the front roller, said gap being in the range of 2 to 10 mm where the surface of the front roller is closest to the bottom part.
34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the front wall of the housing constituting the dispensing end has at least one opening allowing one or more tubes from the compressible bag to pass through.
35. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the roller arrangement comprises said at least one follower roller following the front roller and wherein the roller arrangement is activated by a spring arrangement.
36. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the roller arrangement comprises said at least one follower roller following the front roller and wherein the roller arrangement is activated by an electric motor.
37. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the roller arrangement comprises said at least one follower roller following the front roller and wherein the compressible bag is attached to the bottom part.
38. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said spring activated roller arrangement comprises said front roller and said at least one follower roller and at least one spring operatively engaged with, operatively connected to or integrated with at least one front roller axle, which roller axle forming part of the front roller or being surrounded by a hub of said front roller.
39. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein, said spring being engaged with said pair of tracks to hold the front roller axle perpendicular to said pair of tracks, and wherein said front roller has a roller body with an outer roller surface adapted for directly engage with a compressible bag placed on the bottom part as the loaded spring moves the front roller of the roller arrangement over the bottom part and the compressible bag towards the dispensing end.
40. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the roller arrangement wherein the front roller is closer to said dispensing end than the follower roller(s) when the spring is unloaded.
41. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the roller arrangement comprises said at least one follower roller following the front roller and, wherein the front roller and the follower roller(s) are arranged in parallel and interconnected one after the other.
42. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the roller arrangement comprises said at least one follower roller following the front roller and wherein at least one of the rollers in the roller arrangement has a diameter, which is different from the diameters of at least one other of the rollers, preferably the front roller has a diameter which is larger than the follower roller(s).
43. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein a part of the steering tracks is mounted in the top part of the housing or below the bottom part of the housing.
44. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the electric motor is built in the front roller.
45. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the electric motor is mounted exterior to the front roller.
46. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the roller arrangement comprises said at least one follower roller following the front roller and wherein a bag fastener is positioned at the bottom part.
47. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the apparatus comprises a mechanical or electronic timer device.
48. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the top part is mounted with a device, allowing the top part to open and allow access to the internal part of the housing.
49. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the apparatus comprising an electronic device for monitoring at least one condition of a compressible bag arranged on the bottom part of the apparatus, the condition comprises at least one dispensing condition, selected from the group comprising dispensing rate, dispensing status or dispensing time left.
50. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the apparatus comprises a heating arrangement adapted to heat the liquid in a compressible bag.
Description
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0087] The invention will now be described in further details with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing in which:
[0088] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the rollers in the housing;
[0089] FIG. 2 shows the rollers in the housing seen from the side;
[0090] FIGS. 3a and 3b shows the housing closed and opened;
[0091] FIG. 4 shows a view of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 3a and 3b;
[0092] FIGS. 5a to 5d shows an embodiment of the apparatus;
[0093] FIGS. 6a to 6h illustrates the function of the apparatus;
[0094] FIG. 7 illustrates a compressible bag in the apparatus;
[0095] FIG. 8 illustrates how the compressible bag is emptied;
[0096] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus;
[0097] FIGS. 10a to 10b show the apparatus with a patient;
[0098] FIGS. 11a to 11b show intravenous treatment using a pole;
[0099] FIGS. 12a to 12d shows an embodiment with one roller seen from the top;
[0100] FIGS. 13a to 13d shows an embodiment with one roller seen from the side;
[0101] FIGS. 14a to 14d shows details of the roller.
[0102] The figures are not accurate in every detail but only sketches intended to the show the principles of the invention. Details which are not a part of the invention may have been omitted. In the figures the same reference numbers are used for the same or corresponding parts.
[0103] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention and in a simplified manner the roller arrangement in the housing.
[0104] The apparatus comprises a housing 2 in which a roller arrangement 3 is arranged. The individual rollers 4 are arranged to be mutual parallel and parallel with the dispensing end 5 and the rear end 6 of the housing.
[0105] The rollers 4 are substantially perpendicular to the side parts 7a and 7b of the housing 2.
[0106] A flexible bag 20 is placed on the bottom part of the housing and the outlet tubes 21a and 21b are lead through an opening 10 in the dispensing end 5.
[0107] FIG. 2 shows the housing 2 in a side view. The bottom part 8 and the top part 9 can be seen. The rollers 4 are moving over the bottom part 8 and squeeze on the compressible bag 20. The compressible bag 20 comprises a liquid, which is dispensed through the outlet tube 21 at the dispensing end 5. In this illustrative figure the roller arrangement 3 pass through the rear end 6 of the housing 2.
[0108] As it can be seen the part of the compressible bag 20 closest to the dispensing end 5 still contains liquid which can be dispensed by the movement of the roller arrangement 3 towards the dispensing end 5.
[0109] FIGS. 3a and 3b shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. FIG. 3a shows a situation where the housing 2 is closed and FIG. 3b shows a situation where the top part 9 is raised by means of a handle 11 and the housing is open.
[0110] The steering track 12 is mounted on the side part 7 of the housing and also on a side wall 13 of the top part 9. The side wall 13 is integrated with the top part 9 as seen in FIG. 3b and the side wall 13 is arranged to be parallel with the side part 7 of the housing 2.
[0111] The roller arrangement 3 comprises a front roller 4a which has a larger diameter than the follower rollers 4b. An adaptor (not shown) may be used to connect either the axle of the front roller 4a or the follower rollers 4b with steering track 12 and the spring 14. The roller arrangement 3 are caused to move by means of the spring 14 which in this embodiment engage with the front roller 4a and arranged so it able to pull the rollers 4 toward the dispensing end 5 of the housing 2.
[0112] The spring 14 is attached below the bottom part 8 and passes through and opening 15 in the bottom part 8 near the dispensing end 5
[0113] To control the motion of the roller arrangement 3 when it moves to bottom part 8 from the top part 9 the apparatus comprise a gear wheel 16. The housing 2 also comprises an extra bottom to cover the spring 14 mounted below the bottom part.
[0114] FIG. 4 shows a section of the apparatus 1 illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b. It can be seen how the rollers 4 are mounted in the steering track 12 and the arrow illustrates how the roller arrangement moves in the apparatus 1 when the spring pulls the rollers towards the dispensing end.
[0115] In the FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4 the apparatus 1 is shown without a compressible bag.
[0116] The FIGS. 5a to 5d illustrates how the housing can be opened for replacement of a compressible bag and how the top part can function as a lid for the apparatus.
[0117] In FIG. 5a the housing 2 is closed and the roller arrangement 3 substantially withdrawn from the bottom part 8 and most of the rollers 4b are located in the top part 9 except from the front roller 4a.
[0118] The top part 9 is attached to the side part 7 of the housing 2 by means of a rivet 18. The rivet 18 is arranged between the top part 9 and the side parts 7 so the top part can swing around the rivet 18 and function as lid, which can open and close and provide access to the interior of the housing 2. In FIG. 5a the top part 9 is in the closed position.
[0119] In FIG. 5b the top part 9 is partly opened. The part of the steering track 12a which is located in the rear end 6 of the housing 2 is flexible. Thus, the flexible part 12a indicated with dotted lines of the steering track 12 serves to allow the roller arrangement 3 to move from the steering track located in the top part 9 and mounted on side wall 13 to the steering track mounted on the side part 7 close to the bottom 8 and vice versa.
[0120] FIG. 5c shows the situation where the top part 9 is in a position where the housing 2 is close to opening. The flexible movement of the flexible part 12a of the steering track is indicated.
[0121] In FIG. 5d the top part 9 is fully opened and further movement of the top part 9 in the direction of the rear end 9 is blocked by a stop 6a.
[0122] The FIGS. 6a to 6b shows how an embodiment of the apparatus IV-GO functions and how to place a compressible bag in the apparatus.
[0123] In FIG. 6a the operator pulls the handle 11 as indicated by arrow and the roller arrangement 3 is pulled back from the bottom part 8 as indicated by arrow. This operation also puts load on and charges the spring.
[0124] In FIG. 6b the operator pushes the control button 19 which will fix the roller arrangement in the position where it is pulled back from the bottom part of the apparatus.
[0125] In FIG. 6c the operator swings the handle 11 back as indicated by arrow and opens the top part 9 to provide access to the interior of the housing as shown in FIG. 6d. The housing 2 is now ready to receive a liquid filled compressible bag 20 which the operator place on the bottom part 8 in the housing 2. This operation in shown in FIG. 6e.
[0126] After fixation of the compressible bag on the bottom part 8 of the housing 2 the operator closes the top part 9 as shown in FIG. 6f.
[0127] In FIG. 6g the operator again activates the control button 19 and release the roller arrangement.
[0128] Finally, as shown in FIG. 6h, the operator connects the compressible bag 20 with tubes, which can provide intravenous treatment to a patient.
[0129] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the apparatus IV-GO according to the invention in which the top part 9 is open and a compressible bag 20 is disposed on the bottom part 9 of the housing 2. The roller arrangement 4 is substantially withdrawn from the bottom part 8 and the major part of the rollers 4b are located in the top part 9. Thus, the liquid filled compressible bag 20 can be disposed easily on the bottom part 8 and in the housing 2.
[0130] In this embodiment, the rollers 4a and 4b in the roller arrangement 4 have the same diameter, i.e. the front roller 4a has the same diameter as the follower rollers 4b.
[0131] Moreover, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 only the front roller 4a is attached to the spring 14, which is located in the steering track 12. However, the front roller 4a is interconnected with the follower rollers 4b by means of a chain 4c, and, in this manner the front roller 4a can drag the follower rollers 4b over bottom part 8 and the compressible bag 20 as shown in FIG. 8.
[0132] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 where the top part 9 is closed and closing the housing 2. The roller arrangement 4 has been released from the top part 9 and the front roller 4a has by means of the spring 14 and chain 4c dragged the follower rollers 4b partly over the bottom part 8 where the roller partly have compressed the compressible bag 20 which has delivered liquid via outlet tube 21.
[0133] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention where the propulsion of the roller arrangement 4 is provided by a constant-force spring 14. A more detailed view of the constant-force spring is shown with reference number 14a. However, as such constant-force springs are well-known and well-described in technical literature.
[0134] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 the apparatus 1 is providing intravenous treatment to a patient 30. The patient is connected to the compressible bag 20 with liquid by the outlet tube 21 and tube 31.
[0135] FIGS. 10a-10b illustrate how the apparatus according to the invention can be used in the treatment of a patient without the need of a pole. FIG. 10a shows the apparatus 1 connected to and providing intravenous treatment to a patient 30 via tube 31. In FIG. 10a the patient 30 is standing and in FIG. 10b the patient 30 is lying on a bed 40.
[0136] FIGS. 11a-11b show the situation of intravenous treatment using a pole 40. The pole 40 comprises a holder 41 for the bag 20 containing the liquid which is dispensed to the patient 30 via the tube 31. As it can be seen, the bag 20 should be disposed well above the level of the heart to provide sufficient pressure by gravity. FIG. 11a shows the patient standing and FIG. 11b shows the patient lying.
[0137] However, the present invention as shown in FIG. 10, in both cases, where the patient is standing and the patient is lying, the apparatus 1 is capable of delivering pressurized liquid at a level below the level of the heart 31 of the patient and no pole is required for the treatment.
[0138] FIGS. 12a to 12d illustrates yet an embodiment of the invention seen from the top. FIG. 12a shows the apparatus 51 seen from the top without a compressible bag. The apparatus comprises a housing 52 with a dispensing end 55, a rear end 56, two side parts 57a and 57b and a bottom part 58.
[0139] The roller arrangement 53 comprises one roller 54, which in the figure is present in the rear end of the housing 52.
[0140] FIG. 12b illustrates the situation where a compressible bag 20 is placed in the housing 52 with the outlet tubes 21a and 21b passing through the opening 60 in the housing. The rear end of the compressible bag is attached to the roller 54, e.g. by means of tape or a squeezing device, such than when the roller 54 moves towards the dispensing end 55 of the housing the compressible bag is rolled up on the roller 54. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 12c where the roller 54 moves towards the dispensing end 55 while the compressible bag 20 at the same time is rolled up on the roller 54.
[0141] In FIG. 12d the roller 54 has almost reached the dispensing end 55 and most of the compressible bag 20 is rolled up on the roller 54, whereby most of the liquid is dispensed from the bag.
[0142] FIGS. 13a to 13d illustrates the apparatus shown in FIG. 12 seen from the side.
[0143] In FIG. 13a shows the housing 52 without the compressible bag. The dispensing end 55, the rear end 56, the bottom part 58 and the top part 59 is seen in the figure. The gap 61 between the bottom part 58 and the roller 54 of the roller arrangement 53 is shown.
[0144] In FIG. 13b corresponding to FIG. 12b the compressible bag 20 has been placed in the housing 52 resting on the bottom part 58 and with its rear end attached to the roller 54 at the surface area 62 of the roller. The outlet tubes 21 pass via opening 60 in the dispensing end through the wall of the dispensing end 55.
[0145] FIG. 13c corresponding to FIG. 12c is the side view where the roller 54 has started moving towards the dispensing end 55. Here it can be seen that the compressible bag 20 is rolled up on the roller 54 during its movement towards the dispensing end 55.
[0146] FIG. 13d corresponds to FIG. 12d and shows a side view of the situation where the roller 54 has almost reached the dispensing end.
[0147] FIGS. 14a to 14d illustrate an embodiment of the roller arrangement with one roller 54. FIG. 14a show a torsion spring 70, which can be placed on the axis 71 shown in FIG. 14b. Outside the torsion spring 70 the cylinder 72 shown in FIG. 14c and which constitute the outer surface of the roller is placed. The torsion spring 70 is attached to the axis 71 with the end part 70b and to the cylinder 72 by the end part 70a.
[0148] FIG. 14d illustrates the assembled parts forming the roller 54. When the roller is mounted in the apparatus the axis 71 is fixed in the steering tracks in such a way that it cannot rotate, but only is able to move in a longitudinal direction between the rear end and the dispensing end of the housing as illustrated above. Thus, by torsion of the cylinder 72 in respect of the axis 71 torque is build up in the torsion spring. This torque is utilized to move the roller 54 from the rear end of the housing towards the dispensing end of the housing and to squeeze out the liquid in the compressible bag.
[0149] The roller arrangement has been illustrated as a spring activated roller arrangement, however, electric motors may also be used to activate the rollers.
[0150] As mentioned, the figures only illustrate embodiments of the invention and it is clear that the skilled person is able to adapt the apparatus with other features than shown in the figures. The apparatus may e.g. comprise a heating arrangement 34 (FIG. 10a) to keep a desired temperature of the liquid to be dispensed. The apparatus may also comprise a vibrating device 33 (FIG. 10a) which may facilitate the dispensing of a viscous liquid and the apparatus may also comprise a timer device allowing the apparatus to dispense liquid in a predetermined period. The skilled person is also be able to adapt the apparatus to contain two or more bags in the housing, e.g. with the same or different liquids to be dispensed simultaneously or subsequent to each other.
