Self-contained perfusion device

Abstract

The invention concerns a self-contained perfusion device comprising means for fixing an infusion bag under pressure between a fixed plate and a mobile plate driven by an elastic mechanism, the lower plate (8) is fixed in the vertical direction, while the upper plate (14) is mobile in the vertical direction under the action of the elastic mechanism (15). At least one opening (7) is provided in at least a side wall (5) of the device for inserting an infusion bag (9) between the two plates (8, 14). The elastic mechanism (15) is provided with independent means for controlling and locking the plates (8, 14), and means (24, 25) are provided for unlocking the elastic mechanism (15) after the infusion bag (9) has been loaded. The lower plate (8) can be horizontally mobile like a slide. Means are further provided for controlling the emptying of the bag during perfusion.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-contained infusion device according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1.PRIOR ART[0002] It is known that infusion is a procedure permitting slow and continuous introduction of a liquid, for example a medicinal substance or blood, into an organism. This operation is currently practiced in human medicine and in veterinary medicine. It is intended to compensate for the losses of biological fluids which an organism has suffered following, for example, a surgical intervention, a road accident or any circumstance which has resulted in serious physical injuries. It is also common when the organism receiving the infusion is in a state of shock.[0003] In principle, infusion consists of the flow of a suitable liquid, contained in a flexible bag, from this bag into the receiving organism via a defined circuit also called the infusion line. This flow must take place at a constant flow rate adapted to the needs of the organism receiving it.[00...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Outside, for example at the site of a road accident or of a natural disaster, holding the bag requires the assistance of a member of the emergency services, who is then no longer available to provide treatment proper.

Moreover, the constant nature of the flow rate is far from guaranteed in these conditions.

Moreover, particularly with bags of large sizes, this method does not always guarantee a really constant flow rate during infusion, because the pressure of the liquid decreases as the bag empties.

The method of loading and arming it, requiring that the upper lid be opened in order to access the loading opening, means that it is not possible to stack several devices in a pile with a view to carrying out several infusions simultaneously.

Moreover, closure of the lid requires the application of a considerable force which, on the one hand, is demanded of the medical personnel and, on the other hand, can damage the reliability of the lock and the rigidity of the lid.

This can result in an irregularity of the pressure prevailing in the bag and, consequently, also of the flow rate of the infusion liquid.

For the largest bags, for example with a capacity of 3,000 ml, the force needed may exceed the physical possibilities of the medical personnel; recourse then has to be made to improvised mechanical means, often resulting in time being lost.

Furthermore, the pressure applied by this known device progressively decreases during the course of infusion, which leads to a progressive reduction in the flow rate of the liquid and often even leads to great difficulty in completely emptying the infusion bag.

Finally, the size of the usable bags is limited in particular because of the force required for closing the lid.

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