Abstract:
A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as, antibiotics, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from the device reservoir which is provided in the form of a novel collapsible bottle-like assembly. The fluid dispenser includes a unique stored energy mechanism which takes the form of a spring member of novel design that provides the force necessary to continuously and substantially uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. The device also includes novel adjustable flow rate control assembly that is disposed intermediate the fluid reservoir outlet and the outlet port of the device for precisely controlling the rate of fluid flow from the outlet port toward the patient.

Description:
[0001]    This is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 11/823,084 filed Jun. 25, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to fluid dispensing devices. More particularly, the invention concerns medicament dispensers for dispensing medicinal fluids to ambulatory patients. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    A number of different types of medicament dispensers for dispensing medicaments to ambulatory patients have been suggested in the past. Many of the devices seek either to improve or to replace the traditional gravity flow and hypodermic syringe methods which have been the standard for delivery of liquid medicaments for many years. 
         [0006]    The prior art gravity flow methods typically involve the use of intravenous administration sets and the familiar flexible solution bag suspended above the patient. Such gravimetric methods are cumbersome, imprecise and require bed confinement of the patient. Periodic monitoring of the apparatus by the nurse or doctor is required to detect malfunctions of the infusion apparatus. Accordingly, the prior art devices are not well suited for use in those instances where the patient must be transported to a remote facility for treatment. 
         [0007]    As will be fully appreciated from the discussion that follows, the devices of the present invention are particularly useful in combat situations. The ability to quickly and efficaciously treat wounded soldiers, especially in unpredictable or remote care settings, can significantly improve chances for patient survival and recovery. Accurate intravenous (IV) drug and fluid delivery technologies for controlling pain, preventing infection, and providing a means for IV access for rapid infusions during patient transport are needed to treat almost all serious injuries. 
         [0008]    It is imperative that battlefield medics begin administering life saving medications as soon as possible after a casualty occurs. The continuous maintenance of these treatments is vital until higher echelon medical facilities can be reached. A compact, portable and ready-to-use infusion device that could be easily brought into the battlefield would allow medics to begin drug infusions immediately. Additionally, it would free them to attend to other seriously wounded patients who may require more hands-on care in the trauma environment following triage. In most serious trauma situations on the battlefield, IV drug delivery is required to treat fluid resuscitation, as well as both pain and infection. Drug infusion devices currently available can impede the timely administration of IV infusions in remote care settings. 
         [0009]    Expensive electronic infusion pumps are not a practical field solution because of their weight and cumbersome size. Moreover, today&#39;s procedures for starting IV infusions on the battlefield are often dangerous because the attending medic must complete several time consuming steps. The labor intensive nature of current gravity solution bag modalities can prevent medics from attending to other patients also suffering from life threatening injuries. In some cases, patients themselves have been forced to hold infusion bags elevated in order to receive the medication by gravity drip. 
         [0010]    With regard to the prior art, one of the most versatile and unique fluid delivery apparatus developed in recent years is that developed by one of the present inventors and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,820. The components of this novel fluid delivery apparatus generally include: a base assembly, an elastomeric membrane serving as a stored energy means, fluid flow channels for filling and delivery, flow control means, a cover, and an ullage which comprises a part of the base assembly. 
         [0011]    Another prior art patent issued to one of the present applicants, namely U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,879, discloses an injectable medicament dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments such as insulin, anti-infectives, analgesics, oncolylotics, cardiac drugs, biopharmaceuticals, and the like from a pre-filled container at a uniform rate. The dispenser, which is quite dissimilar in construction and operation from that of the present invention, includes a stored energy source in the form of a compressively deformable, polymeric, elastomeric member that provides the force necessary to controllably discharge the medicament from a pre-filled container which is housed within the body of the device. After having been deformed, the polymeric, elastomeric member will return to its starting configuration in a highly predictable manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    By way of brief summary, one form of the dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient comprises a supporting structure; a carriage assembly interconnected with the supporting structure for movement between a first position and a second position; a semi-rigid collapsible reservoir carried by the carriage assembly, the collapsible reservoir having an outlet port; guide means connected to the supporting structure for guiding travel of the carriage assembly between the first position and said second positions; a stored energy source operably associated with the carriage assembly for moving the carriage assembly between the first and second position; adding means for adding medicaments to the fluid within the fluid reservoir and an administration set including an administration line interconnected with the outlet port of the reservoir. 
         [0013]    Another form of the dispensing device of the invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is similar to that described in the preceding paragraph, but the dispensing device comprises two major cooperating components, namely a dispenser unit and a separate, stand alone additive sub-system. 
         [0014]    With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as, antibiotics, anesthetics, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from a pre-filled dispenser at a uniform rate. 
         [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide a small, compact fluid dispenser of simple construction that can be used in the field with a minimum amount of training. 
         [0016]    Another object of the invention is to allow infusion therapy to be initiated quickly, at will, at point of care on the battlefield so that the attending medic or medical professional can more efficiently deal with triage situations in austere environments. 
         [0017]    Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser in which a stored energy source is provided in the form of a compressible, expandable or retractable member of novel construction that provides the force necessary to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. 
         [0018]    Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the class described which includes a fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solution to the patient. 
         [0019]    Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser that includes precise variable flow rate selection. 
         [0020]    Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser of simple construction which includes a novel adding means for adding medicaments to the fluid contained within the fluid reservoir. 
         [0021]    Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser as described in the preceding paragraph which embodies a semi-rigid collapsible container that includes a fluid reservoir that contains the beneficial agents to be delivered to the patient. 
         [0022]    Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser of the class described which is compact and lightweight, is easy for ambulatory patients to use, is fully disposable and is extremely reliable in operation. 
         [0023]    Another object of the invention is to provide a small, compact fluid dispenser that includes a housing to which vials can be connected for use in adding medicaments to the fluid within the fluid reservoir of the device. 
         [0024]    Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser as described in the preceding paragraphs that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture in large quantities. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a generally perspective, top view of one form of the fluid dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary, generally perspective bottom view of the front portion of the fluid dispensing device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged front view of the fluid dispensing device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a generally perspective, top view of an alternate form of the fluid dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, generally perspective, bottom view of the front portion of the fluid dispensing device shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the fluid dispenser portion of the fluid dispensing device shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the additive sub-system of the fluid dispensing device shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 7 , but showing the device in the reservoir fill mode with the additive sub-system of the device interconnected with the fluid dispenser. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the fluid delivery dispenser illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the reservoir housing of the fluid dispenser portion of the device. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the reservoir housing of the fluid dispensing portion of the device. 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the reservoir carriage of the fluid dispenser portion of the device. 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the reservoir carriage of the fluid dispensing portion of the device. 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the control housing of the fluid dispenser portion of the device. 
           [0043]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 20  is a top view of the rate control knob of the fluid dispenser portion of the device. 
           [0045]      FIG. 21  is a side view taken along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the rate control knob of the fluid dispensing portion of the device. 
           [0047]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  23 - 23  of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  24 - 24  of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 25  is a top view of the rate control knob retaining ring of the fluid dispenser portion of the device. 
           [0050]      FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  26 - 26  of  FIG. 25 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 27  is a bottom view of the rate control knob retaining ring of the fluid dispensing portion of the device. 
           [0052]      FIG. 28  is a top view of the reservoir of the fluid dispenser portion of one embodiment of the device of the invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  29 - 29  of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 30  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the upper neck portion of the reservoir of the fluid dispenser portion. 
           [0055]      FIG. 31  is a top view of the check valve assembly of the fluid dispenser portion of the device. 
           [0056]      FIG. 32  is a bottom view of the check valve assembly of the fluid dispensing portion of the device. 
           [0057]      FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  33 - 33  of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0058]      FIG. 34  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 10 , but showing the configuration of the dispenser following expelling of the fluid from the fluid reservoir. 
           [0059]      FIG. 35  is a front view of the rate control subassembly of the apparatus of this latest form of the invention. 
           [0060]      FIG. 36  is a view taken along lines  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35 . 
           [0061]      FIG. 37  is a view taken along lines  37 - 37  of  FIG. 35 . 
           [0062]      FIG. 38  is a front view of the rate control plate of the rate control subassembly shown in  FIG. 35  of the drawings. 
           [0063]      FIG. 39  is a view taken along lines  39 - 39  of  FIG. 38 . 
           [0064]      FIG. 40  is a view taken along lines  40 - 40  of  FIG. 38 . 
           [0065]      FIG. 41  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the fluid dispenser component of still another form of the apparatus of the invention. 
           [0066]      FIG. 42  is a view taken along lines  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41 . 
           [0067]      FIG. 43  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of an alternate form of the additive sub-system of the apparatus of the invention that is adapted to mate with the fluid dispenser component illustrated in  FIG. 41 . 
           [0068]      FIG. 44  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the vial housing and elongated vial support of the alternate form of the additive sub-system of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 43 . 
           [0069]      FIG. 45  is a cross-sectional view of the vial housing and elongated vial support shown in  FIG. 44  after they have been interconnected together. 
           [0070]      FIG. 46  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the connector housing of the alternate form of the additive sub-system of the apparatus of the invention in a position to be mated with the assemblage illustrated in  FIG. 45  of the drawings. 
           [0071]      FIG. 47  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the assemblage comprising the connector housing shown in  FIG. 46  mated with the assemblage illustrated in  FIG. 45  as the assemblage appears prior to being mated with the vial assembly of the alternate form of additive sub-system of the invention. 
           [0072]      FIG. 48  is a generally perspective, exploded view of this latest alternate form of dispenser unit along with an alternate form of additive sub-system of the invention. 
           [0073]      FIG. 49  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the alternate form of fluid dispensing device illustrated in  FIG. 48  as it appears after the additive sub-system has been mated with the dispenser unit and after the operating means of the invention has been operated in a manner to place the device and condition for accomplishment of the adding step. 
           [0074]      FIG. 50  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 49 , but showing the configuration of the device following the fluid delivery step. 
           [0075]      FIG. 51  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another form of dispenser unit of the invention. 
           [0076]      FIG. 51A  is a view taken along lines  51 A- 51 A of  FIG. 50 . 
           [0077]      FIG. 52  is an exploded, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another form of the vial housing and elongated vial support of additive sub-system of the invention. 
           [0078]      FIG. 53  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the alternate form of dispenser unit and alternate form of additive sub-system of the invention depicted in  FIG. 51 . 
           [0079]      FIG. 54  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the alternate form of fluid dispensing device illustrated in  FIG. 53  as it appears after the additive sub-system has been mated with the dispenser unit and after the operating means of the invention has been operated in a manner to place the device and condition for accomplishment of the adding step. 
           [0080]      FIG. 55  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the additive sub-system of the form of the invention shown in  FIG. 54 . 
           [0081]      FIG. 56  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional exploded view of the assemblage illustrated in the left portion of  FIG. 55  of the drawings. 
           [0082]      FIG. 57  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 54 , but showing the configuration of the device following the fluid delivery step. 
           [0083]      FIG. 58  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the dispenser unit of yet another form of the apparatus of the invention. 
           [0084]      FIG. 59  is a bottom plan view of the carriage assembly of the dispenser unit illustrated in  FIG. 58  of the drawings. 
           [0085]      FIG. 60  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  60 - 60  of  FIG. 59 . 
           [0086]      FIG. 61  is a view taken along lines  61 - 61  of  FIG. 60 . 
           [0087]      FIG. 62  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the alternate form of dispenser unit illustrated in  FIG. 58  of the drawings as it appears when mated with the additive sub-system of the alternate form of the apparatus of the invention and after the operating means has been manipulated to place the device and condition for accomplishment of the adding step. 
           [0088]      FIG. 63  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 62 , but showing the device as it appears after accomplishment of the fluid delivery step. 
           [0089]      FIG. 64  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another form of the dispensing unit of the apparatus of the invention. 
           [0090]      FIG. 65  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional, exploded view of the additive sub-system of this latest form of the apparatus of the invention that is adapted to mate with the dispenser unit illustrated in  FIG. 64  of the drawings. 
           [0091]      FIG. 66  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  66 - 66  of  FIG. 64 . 
           [0092]      FIG. 67  is a bottom plan view of the carriage assembly of the dispenser unit illustrated in  FIG. 64  of the drawings. 
           [0093]      FIG. 68  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  68 - 68  of  FIG. 67 . 
           [0094]      FIG. 69  is a view taken along lines  69 - 69  of  FIG. 68 . 
           [0095]      FIG. 70  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the medicament vial component of the additive sub-system illustrated in  FIG. 65 . 
           [0096]      FIG. 71  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the alternate form of dispenser unit and alternate form of additive sub-system of apparatus of this latest form of the invention. 
           [0097]      FIG. 72  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the alternate form of dispenser unit illustrated in  FIG. 64  of the drawings as it appears when mated with the additive sub-system of the alternate form of the apparatus of the invention and after the operating means has been manipulated to place the device and condition for accomplishment of the adding step. 
           [0098]      FIG. 73  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 72 , but showing the device as it appears after accomplishment of the fluid delivery step. 
           [0099]      FIG. 74  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another form of dispenser unit of yet an alternate form of the fluid delivery apparatus of the invention. 
           [0100]      FIG. 75  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  75 - 75  of  FIG. 74 . 
           [0101]      FIG. 76  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the alternate form of dispenser unit shown in  FIGS. 74 and 75  and an alternate form of additive sub-system of apparatus that is adapted to be mated with the alternate form of dispenser unit. 
           [0102]      FIG. 77  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 74 , but showing the additive sub-system mated with the dispenser unit and showing the operating means having been manipulated in a manner to place the apparatus in condition for the accomplishment of the additive step. 
           [0103]      FIG. 78  is a view taken along lines  78 - 78  of  FIG. 77 . 
           [0104]      FIG. 79  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 77 , but showing the device as it appears after accomplishment of the fluid delivery step. 
           [0105]      FIG. 80  is a view taken along lines  80 - 80  of  FIG. 79 . 
           [0106]      FIG. 81  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another form of dispenser unit of still another form of the fluid delivery apparatus of the invention. 
           [0107]      FIG. 82  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  82 - 82  of  FIG. 81 . 
           [0108]      FIG. 83  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the alternate form of dispenser unit shown in  FIGS. 81 and 82  and an alternate form of additive sub-system of apparatus that is adapted to be mated with the alternate form of dispenser unit. 
           [0109]      FIG. 84  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 81 , but showing additive sub-system mated with the dispenser unit and showing the operating means having been manipulated in a manner to place the apparatus in condition for the accomplishment of the additive step. 
           [0110]      FIG. 85  is a view taken along lines  85 - 85  of  FIG. 84 . 
           [0111]      FIG. 86  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 84 , but showing the device as it appears after accomplishment of the fluid delivery step. 
           [0112]      FIG. 87  is a view taken along lines  87 - 87  of  FIG. 86 . 
           [0113]      FIG. 88  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another form of dispenser unit of still an alternate form of the fluid delivery apparatus of the invention. 
           [0114]      FIG. 89  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  89 - 89  of  FIG. 88 . 
           [0115]      FIG. 90  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the alternate form of dispenser unit shown in  FIGS. 88 and 89  and an alternate form of additive sub-system of apparatus that is adapted to be mated with the alternate form of dispenser unit. 
           [0116]      FIG. 91  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 88 , but showing the additive sub-system mated with the dispenser unit and showing the operating means having been manipulated in a manner to place the apparatus in condition for the accomplishment of the additive step. 
           [0117]      FIG. 92  is a view taken along lines  92 - 92  of  FIG. 91 . 
           [0118]      FIG. 93  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 91 , but showing the device as it appears after accomplishment of the fluid delivery step. 
           [0119]      FIG. 94  is a view taken along lines  94 - 94  of  FIG. 93 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0120]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , one form of the dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  70 . The dispensing device here includes a housing  72 , which includes a control portion  74  and a generally cylindrically shaped reservoir housing  76  that is interconnected with the control portion  74  in the manner best seen in  FIG. 4  of the drawings. Housing  72  can be constructed from metal, plastic or any suitable material. Reservoir housing  76  includes a generally cylindrically shaped wall portion  76   a  and a base portion  76   b.    
         [0121]    Disposed within wall portion  76   a  is a carriage assembly  78 , which is movable between a first position shown in  FIG. 4  to a second fluid delivery position. As best seen by referring to  FIG. 4 , carriage assembly  78  comprises a carriage  80  having a carriage base  80   a  that is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings  82  and a generally cylindrically shaped sidewall  80   b  which terminates in circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending flanges  80   c . Carriage assembly  78  is releasably locked in its first position by a novel locking means the character of which will presently be described. 
         [0122]    Carried by carriage assembly  78  is a semi-rigid reservoir-defining assembly  84  that defines a fluid reservoir  85 . As indicated in  FIG. 4 , reservoir-defining assembly  84  comprises a top wall  86 , a bottom wall  88  and an accordion-like sidewall  90 . Connected to top wall  86  is a neck portion  94  that is sealed by a closure wall  92   a.    
         [0123]    In the preferred form of the invention reservoir-defining assembly  84  is formed in accordance with an aseptic blow-fill seal manufacturing technique, which is of a character well understood by those skilled in the art. This technique involves the continuous plastic extrusion through an extruder head of a length of parison in the form of a hollow tube between and through two co-acting first or main mold halves. The technique further includes the step of cutting off the parison below the extruder head and above the main mold halves to create an opening which allows a blowing and filling nozzle assembly to be moved downwardly into the opening in the parison for molding the molded container. Further details concerning the technique are available from Rommelag GMBH of Stuttgart, Germany and Weiler Engineering of Elgin, Ill. 
         [0124]    In a manner presently to be described, a collapsible container is accessible via a penetrating member  93  that is adapted to pierce closure wall  92   a  as well as a pierceable membrane  95 , which is positioned over closure wall  92   a  by means of a closure cap  97  which is affixed to the neck portion  94  of container assembly  84 . As previously described, the basic container  84  is formed using the earlier described aseptic blow-fill technique and the reservoir portion of the container is sealed by the thin closure wall  92   a . The piercable membrane  95  is then positioned over the closure wall and the closure cap  97  is positioned over the piercable septal membrane and secured to neck portion  94  by any suitable means such as adhesive bonding, sonic or heat welding. 
         [0125]    An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel guide means for guiding travel of carriage assembly  78  between the first position shown in  FIG. 4  and the second position. In the present form of the invention this important guide means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced guide members  99  which are connected to and extend outwardly from body  74   a  of control portion  74  ( FIG. 4 ). As indicated in the drawings, guide members  99  are slidably received within openings  82  provided in carriage base  80   a  so that, as the carriage assembly travels from its first position toward its second position, guide members  99  precisely guide its travel. Also forming a part of the guide means of the apparatus of the present invention are a plurality of circumferentially spaced guide grooves  101  that are formed on the inner wall of outer housing  76  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0126]    To controllably move the carriage assembly from its first position to its second position, novel stored energy means are provided. This novel stored energy means, which is operably associated with carriage assembly  78 , is here provided in the form of a coiled spring  104 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , one end  104   a  of the coil spring  104  is disposed in engagement with the threaded base portion  76   b  of reservoir housing  76  and the other end  104   b  thereof is disposed in engagement with radially outwardly extending flange segments  80   c  of carriage  80 . With this construction, following penetration of the reservoir septum, and when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  76   b  of the outer housing, spring  104  will move from its retracted position shown in  FIG. 4  to its expanded position, and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 4  to its fully deployed or extended position. As will be described more fully in the paragraphs which follow, as the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the accordion-like sidewall  90  of the reservoir-defining container will move into the collapsed configuration and in so doing will cause the medicinal fluid contained within the container to be controllably expelled therefrom. 
         [0127]    Forming an important aspect of the apparatus of the present invention is adding means carried by portion  76  of housing  72  for adding injectable medicaments to the fluid within the fluid reservoir  85 . The details of construction and operation of this important adding means will presently be discussed. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , body  74   a  of control portion  74  includes a fluid passageway  108  that is in communication with the fluid passageway of penetrating member  93  via passageways  110  and  111 . Proximate its outer extremity  108   a , fluid passageway  108  communicates with a cavity  112  formed within control portion  74  (See  FIG. 4 ). Disposed within cavity  112  is a porous filter  114 , which comprises a part of the vent means “V” of this latest form of the invention for venting to atmosphere any gasses that would otherwise be trapped within the fluid passageways of the device during the medicament-adding step. Filter  114 , which is of a conventional construction such as a hydrophobic-treated, sintered metal or porous membrane, is held in position by a retainer  114   a.    
         [0128]    Control portion  74  of housing  72  also includes a vial housing  116  having a chamber  116   a  for telescopically receiving a medicament-containing reconstitution-type fill-vial  118 . An elongated vial housing  120 , which is disposed within chamber  116   a , along with first and second spacers  122  and  124 , function to hold vial  118  in a proper position within chamber  116   a . Vial housing  120  is telescopically receivable within a vial tube  126 , which in turn carries a pusher member  128 , the purpose of which will presently be described. Also carried by control portion  74  in close proximity with vial housing  120  is a needle-holding component  130 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , needle-holding component  130  carries a longitudinally extending, elongated hollow needle  132  having a flow passageway  132   a  that communicates with fluid passageway  108  via a stub passageway  134  and a conventional check valve  136  which is carried by a check valve housing  138 . Vial  118 , vial housing  120 , vial tube  126 , needle-holding component  130  and hollow needle  132  together comprise one form of the adding means of the device of the present invention. The method of operation of this important adding means will presently be described. 
         [0129]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 4 , the medicament-containing fill-vial  118  comprises a container of special design that uniquely contains a lyophilized drug  142 . Vial  118  is sealed at one end by a slidable elastomeric plunger  144  and at the other end by a pierceable septum  146 . Formed intermediate the ends of the vial is a raised outer wall by-pass portion  118   a , which permits the fluid “F” that is contained within a chamber  148  to bypass a barrier stopper  150  as the barrier stopper is urged inwardly of the container by pressure exerted thereon by the fluid, which is being pushed by plunger  144  resulting from force exerted on pusher element member  128  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0130]    A continued inward pressure exerted on plunger  144  will cause fluid “F” to flow past barrier member  150  via the internal passageway defined wall portion  118   a  so as to reconstitute the lyophilized drug  142 . A continued pressure exerted on plunger  144  by the pusher member will cause the reconstituted drug formed by the fluid “F” which has been intermixed with drug to flow through hollow needle  132 , into a chamber  138   a  formed in check valve housing  138 , past check valve  136 , into a stub passageway  134 , then into passageway  108  and finally into the device reservoir  85 . 
         [0131]    Device reservoir  85  and reconstitution medicament-containing fill-vial  118  can be of various volumes ranging from about 5 ml. to about 50 ml. 
         [0132]    To control the flow of medicinal fluid from the adding means into the reservoir  85  and then, during the fluid dispensing step, out of reservoir  85  toward the administration set  162  of the invention, novel flow control means are provided. This novel fluid flow control means, which is housed within the control portion  74  of the device, here comprises two cooperating components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the semi-rigid collapsible reservoir toward the administration set and an operating means for controlling fluid flow from the adding means into the reservoir  85  and then, after the reservoir has been filled, out of reservoir  85  toward the rate control means. 
         [0133]    Considering first the operating means of the invention, this important means, which first controls fluid flow from the adding means toward the reservoir  85  and subsequently controls fluid flow between collapsible reservoir  85  and the rate control means, here comprises a control knob  150  that is rotatably mounted on body  74   a  of control portion  74 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , control knob  150  is held in position on body  74   a  by a knob retaining ring  152 . Control knob  150 , which is provided with control indicia  153  ( FIG. 3 ), has an axial bore  154  having threads that threadably receive the head portion  156   a  of an elongated needle housing  156  that carries penetrating member  93 . With this construction, an initial rotation of knob  150  will cause the needle housing  156  to controllably move from the position shown in  FIG. 4  to a fill position wherein fluid passageway  111  aligns with fill passageway  108  formed in control body portion  74   a . This initial rotation of control knob  150  will also cause penetrating member  93  to pierce both septal membrane  95  as well as closure wall  92   a  of the reservoir container. This movement of the housing  156  and the penetrating member  93  opens fluid communication between the fill-vial  118  and the fluid reservoir  85  via penetrating needle  132 , the opened check valve  136 , stub passageway  134 , fill passageway  108 , stub passageway  111  and the internal fluid flow passageway of penetrating member  93 . In the manner previously discussed, an inward force exerted on pusher member  128  will cause the fluid “F” to flow past barrier member  150  via the internal by-pass passageway defined by wall portion  118   a  so as to reconstitute the lyophilized drug  142 . A continued pressure exerted on plunger  144  by the pusher member will cause the reconstituted drug formed by the fluid “F”, which has been intermixed with the drug, to flow through penetrating needle  132  and then on to the fluid reservoir  85 . After the reservoir is filled, check valve  136  will return to its initial closed position shown in  FIG. 4  blocking reverse fluid flow from collapsible reservoir  85  toward fill-vial  118 . 
         [0134]    To prevent accidental rotation of control knob  150 , indexing means, here provided in the form of an indexing button  157 , functions to prevent rotation of the control knob until the indexing button, which is pivotally mounted on the side of the control portion of the device ( FIG. 4 ), is pivoted inwardly. The skirt portion  150   a  of the control knob is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches  150   b  that closely receive a locking tab  157   a  formed on indexing button  157  when the button is biased toward its outward locking position. To accomplish the initial rotational step, described in the preceding paragraph, the indexing button  157  is pushed inwardly to move the locking tab  157   a  out of engagement with the notch within which it resides and the control knob is rotated from the “OFF” position ( FIG. 3 ) to the “FILL” position. Release of the indexing button will then cause the outwardly biased locking tab  157   a  to move into engagement with an appropriate locking notch so as to lock the control knob in the “FILL” position. 
         [0135]    After the diluent reservoir-filling step has been completed in the manner previously described, the fluid contained within the field reservoir can be dispensed to the patient by once again pivoting the indexing button  157  inwardly to move the locking tab  157   a  out of engagement with the notch within which it resides. This done, the control knob can be further rotated to the “DEL” position thereby causing the needle housing  156  to controllably move to the fluid delivery position. In this position fluid passageway  170  aligns with dispensing passageway  172  formed in control body portion  74   a  so that fluid can flow from reservoir  85  toward the administration set  162  via the flow rate control means of the invention the character of which will presently be described. 
         [0136]    To cause the fluid to flow from reservoir  85  toward the flow rate control means, the locking means of the invention must be manipulated in a manner to release the carriage assembly from base wall  76   b  of reservoir housing  76 . In this regard, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , the carriage locking means includes a locking member  164  having a yieldably deformable locking tab  164   a  which extends through a strategically shaped opening  166  provided in the base wall  76   b  of reservoir housing  76 . With this construction, an inward force exerted on the locking member will deform the locking tab  164  in a manner to permit it to pass through the opening  166  and in so doing release the carriage from the base wall  76   b . Release of the carriage will permit the stored energy means, or coiled spring  104 , to move the carriage from a position shown in  FIG. 4  into the extended position. As the semi-rigid accordion-like sidewall of the container collapses due to the urging of the coiled spring, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom and will flow toward the fluid passageway of penetrating member  93  which has now moved into a downward position. From the fluid passageway of penetrating member  93 , fluid will flow into a stub passageway  170  formed in needle housing  156 . With the penetrating member  93  in its downward position stub passageway  170  is aligned with a passageway  172 , which forms the inlet to the fluid rate control means of the invention. 
         [0137]    The important fluid rate control means of the invention comprises a rate control housing  174 , which includes a front cover  176  having an inlet  176   a  and an outlet  176   b . Rate control housing  174  also includes a back cover  178  having an inlet  178   a  and an outlet  178   b . Disposed between the front and back cover is a novel rate flow control plate  180  having a uniquely configured, circuitous fluid flow channel formed on one surface thereof and a substantially linear fluid flow channel formed on the second surface thereof. 
         [0138]    With the construction described in the preceding paragraphs, as the accordion-like sidewall of the fluid container collapses in a controlled manner, fluid will flow from reservoir  85  into the flow passageway of penetrating member  93 , into stub passageway  170  and then into the inlet passageway  172  of the rate control means. From passageway  172 , the fluid will flow into the inlet  176   a  of front cover  176  and then into inlet  182  of flow control plate  180 . The fluid will then flow through the circuitous fluid flow channel  180   a , out the outlet  184  of the rate control channel and into the inlet of the linear fluid flow channel  180   c . Next, the fluid will flow through outlet  188 , into inlet  178   a  of back cover  178 , outwardly through outlet  178   b  thereof and then into an elongated passageway  194  formed in body  74   a  of control portion  74 . From the elongated channel  194  the fluid will flow onward to the administration set  162  and then to the patient. It is apparent that by varying the geometry, including the length, width and depth of the circuitous fluid flow control channel, the rate of fluid flow to the administration set and to the patient can be readily varied. 
         [0139]    As best seen in  FIG. 3 , administration set  162  is sealably connected to the control portion  74  by a connector  195  so that the proximal end  162   a  of administration line  162  of the administration set is in communication with an outlet fluid passageway  194 . Disposed between the proximal end  162   a  and the distal end  162   b  of the administration line are a conventional clamp  197 , a conventional gas vent and a conventional filter  199  and an injector site  198 . Provided at the distal end  162   b  of the administration line is a luer connector  201  and luer cap  203  of conventional construction (See  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0140]    To accomplish residual drug recovery from reservoir  85  as may be required, recovery means are provided. In this regard, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , a stub passageway  205  formed in body  74   a  also communicates with fluid passageway  194 . Stub passageway  205  also communicates with a cavity  205   a  formed in body  74   a . Sealably mounted within cavity  205   a  is a non-coring pierceable septum  205   b  ( FIG. 4 ) which is pierceable by the needle of a conventional syringe which can be used to accomplish residual drug recovery from reservoir  85 . 
         [0141]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , housing  76  is provided with a belt clip receiving member  206  to which a belt clip  208  can be slidably interconnected. When the belt clip  208  is connected with receiving member  206  the device can be conveniently carried on the user&#39;s belt during the medicament dispensing step. 
         [0142]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 through 16 , an alternate form of the dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  280 . The apparatus of this latest embodiment is similar to that previously described, but the dispensing device here comprises two major cooperating components, namely a dispenser unit  282  and a separate, stand alone additive sub-system  284 . Dispenser unit  282  includes an outer housing  283 , which comprises a control portion  285  and a generally cylindrically shaped reservoir housing  286  that is interconnected with the control portion  285  in the manner best seen in  FIG. 7  of the drawings. Additive sub-system  284 , the details of construction and operation of which will presently be described, is also operably interconnected with the control portion  285  in the manner best seen in  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14 , reservoir housing  286 , which can be constructed from metal, plastic or any suitable material, includes a generally cylindrically shaped wall portion  286   a  and a base portion  286   b.    
         [0143]    Disposed within wall portion  286   a  is a carriage assembly  288  ( FIGS. 7 through 17 ), which is movable between a first position shown in  FIG. 7  and a second position shown in  FIG. 34 . As best seen by referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  15 ,  16  and  17 , carriage assembly  288  comprises a carriage  290  having a carriage base  290   a  that is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings  292  and a generally cylindrically shaped sidewall  290   b  which terminates in circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending flanges  290   c . Carriage assembly  288  is releasably locked in its first position by a novel locking means the character of which will presently be described. 
         [0144]    Carried by carriage assembly  288  is a reservoir-defining assembly  294  that defines a fluid reservoir  295 . As indicated in  FIGS. 7 ,  28 ,  29  and  30 , reservoir-defining assembly  294  comprises a top wall  296 , a bottom wall  298  and a telescoping sidewall  300 . Connected to top wall  296  is a neck portion  302  that is sealed by a closure wall  302   a  ( FIGS. 7 ,  29  and  30 ). 
         [0145]    In the preferred form of the invention, reservoir-defining assembly  294  is formed in accordance with an aseptic blow-fill seal technique which is of a character well understood by those skilled in the art. 
         [0146]    This technique involves the continuous extrusion through an extruder head of a length of parison in the form of a hollow tube between and through two co-acting first or main mold halves. The technique further includes the step of cutting off the parison below the extruder head and above the main mold halves to create an opening which allows a blowing and filling nozzle assembly to be moved downwardly into the opening in the parison for molding the molded container. 
         [0147]    In a manner presently to be described, the collapsible container is accessible via a penetrating member  303  that is adapted to pierce closure wall  302   a  as well as a pierceable membrane  305  ( FIGS. 29 and 30 ) which is positioned over closure wall  302   a  by means of a closure cap  307  which is affixed to the neck portion  302  of container assembly  294  ( FIG. 29 ). As previously described, the basic container  294  is formed using the earlier described aseptic blow-fill technique and the reservoir portion of the container is sealed by the thin closure wall  302   a . The piercable membrane  305  is then positioned over the closure wall and the closure cap  307  is positioned over the piercable membrane and secured to neck portion  302  by any suitable means such as adhesive bonding or sonic welding. 
         [0148]    An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel guide means for guiding travel of carriage assembly  288  between the first position shown in  FIG. 7  and the second position shown in  FIG. 34 . In the present form of the invention this important guide means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced guide members  309  which are connected to and extend outwardly from body  285   a  of control portion  285  ( FIGS. 11 and 19 ). As indicated in the drawings, guide members  309  are slidably received within openings  292  provided in carriage base  290   a  ( FIG. 7 ) so that as the carriage assembly travels from its first position toward its second position, guide members  309  precisely guide its travel. Also forming a part of the guide means of the apparatus of the present invention are a plurality of circumferentially spaced guide grooves  311  that are formed on the inner wall of outer housing  286  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0149]    To controllably move the carriage assembly from its first position to its second position, novel stored energy means are provided. This stored energy means, which is operably associated with carriage assembly  288 , is here provided in the form of a coiled spring  314 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ,  10  and  34 , one end  314   a  of the coil spring  314  is disposed in engagement with the threaded base portion  286   b  of reservoir housing  286  and the other end  314   b  thereof is disposed in engagement with radially outwardly extending flange segments  290   c  of carriage  290 . With this construction, when, as will presently be described, the operating means of the invention has been operated in a manner to place the device in the fluid delivery mode and when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  286   b  of the outer housing, spring  314  will move from its retracted position shown in  FIG. 7  to its expanded position shown in  FIG. 34 . As the spring moves toward its expanded position it will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 7  to its fully deployed, or extended position shown in  FIG. 34 . As will be described more fully in the paragraphs which follow, as the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the telescoping sidewall  300  of the reservoir-defining container will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 34  and in so doing will cause the medicinal fluid contained within the container to be controllably expelled therefrom. 
         [0150]    To control the flow of medicinal fluid from the reservoir  295  toward the administration set  318  of the invention ( FIG. 5 ), novel flow control means are provided. This novel fluid flow control means, which is housed within the control portion  285  of the device, here comprises two cooperating components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the collapsible reservoir toward the administration set and the previously mentioned operating means for controlling fluid flow into and out of the fluid reservoir  295 . 
         [0151]    Considering first the operating means of the invention, this important means here comprises reservoir-accessing means for accessing the fluid reservoir  295  that includes a control knob  320  ( FIGS. 5 ,  7 ,  20  and  21 ) that is rotatably mounted on body  285   a  of control portion  285  and penetrating means for penetrating both membrane  305  as well as closure wall  302   a  of the reservoir container. As best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the control knob  320  is held in position on body  285   a  by a knob retaining ring  322 . Control knob  320 , which is provided with control indicia  323  ( FIG. 20 ), has an axial bore  324  having threads  324   a  that threadably receive the head portion  326   a  of an elongated needle housing  326  that carries penetrating member  303  of the previously identified penetrating means of the invention ( FIGS. 7 ,  10  and  34 ). With this construction, an initial rotation of knob  320  will cause the needle housing  326  to controllably move from the position shown in  FIG. 7  to the position shown in  FIG. 10 , wherein fluid passageway  328  aligns with passageway  330  formed in control body portion  285   a.    
         [0152]    As indicated in  FIG. 10 , rotation of control knob  320 , will also cause penetrating member  303  to pierce both membrane  305  as well as closure wall  302   a  of the reservoir container. With the additive sub-system  284  interconnected with the dispenser unit in the manner shown in  FIG. 10 , this movement of the needle housing  326  and the penetrating member  303  opens fluid communication between the additive sub-system  284  and the fluid reservoir  295  via passageway  303 , stub passageway  328  and the internal fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . 
         [0153]    To prevent accidental rotation of control knob  320 , indexing means, here provided in the form of an indexing button  334 , functions to prevent rotation of the control knob until the indexing button, which is pivotally mounted on the side of the control portion of the device ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), is pivoted inwardly of a cavity  335  formed in body  285   a  of control portion  285  ( FIGS. 7 and 19 ). As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 ,  21  and  22  of the drawings, the skirt portion  320   a  of the control knob is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches  320   b  that closely receive a locking tab  334   a  ( FIG. 11 ), formed on indexing button  334  when the button is biased toward its outward locking position shown in  FIG. 7  by a living hinge  334   c  that interconnects a finger  334   d  with the body portion  334   e  of the indexing button ( FIG. 11 ). To accomplish the initial rotational step, described in the preceding paragraph, the indexing button  334  is pushed inwardly to move the locking tab  334   a  out of engagement with the notch  320   b  within which it resides and the control knob is rotated from the “OFF” position ( FIG. 20 ) to the “ADD” position. Release of the indexing button will then cause the outwardly biased locking tab  334   a  to move into engagement with an appropriate locking notch so as to lock the control knob in the “ADD” position. 
         [0154]    Considering now the details of the construction and operation of the important additive sub-system  284 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 , additive sub-system  284  here comprises a generally tubular-shaped vial housing  340  having a chamber  340   a  for telescopically receiving a medicament-containing, cartridge-type fill vial assembly  342 . Chamber  340   a  is initially sealed at one end by a seal cover  343  and at the other end by a seal cover  345 . In the present form of the invention, dispenser reservoir  295  and medicament-containing vial of the vial assembly  342  can be of various volumes ranging from about 5 ml to about 50 ml. 
         [0155]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , vial housing  340  is carried within a connector housing  344  having an internal chamber  344   a . A collar portion  340   b  formed on vial housing  340  functions to hold vial assembly  342  in a proper position within chamber  344   a . Formed in the lower surface  344   b  of connector housing  344  is a dovetail receiving groove  344   c  ( FIG. 11 ), the purpose of which will presently be described. Also forming a part of the additive sub-system  284  of the invention is a pusher assembly  348  that includes an elongated outer casing  349  having an end wall  349   a  and a pusher member  352  that is integrally formed with and extends inwardly from end wall  349   a . As will be discussed hereinafter, during the medicament-adding step, and following the removal of sterile cover  345 , pusher assembly  348  is telescopically movable inwardly of internal chamber  344   a  of connector housing  344  in the manner shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0156]    Following the removal of sterile cover  343 , the additive sub-system  284  of the device can be interconnected with the control portion  285   c  of the dispenser unit in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 10 . More particularly, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11  reservoir housing  286  is provided with a dovetail connector segment  286   c  that is slidably received within the groove  344   c  formed in connector housing  344 . Additionally, as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 19 , control portion  285  of the dispenser includes a connector segment  350  that is provided with a check valve cavity  350   a . Mounted within cavity  350   a  is a check valve assembly  352 , the construction of which is best seen in  FIGS. 31 ,  32  and  33 . Forming a part of assembly  352  is a needle housing  354  having a needle base  354   a , a generally cylindrical skirt  354   b  and a penetrating needle  356  that is connected to and extends outwardly from needle base  354   a . Also forming a part of assembly  352  is a check valve housing  358  that carries an elastomeric umbrella-type check valve  360 . 
         [0157]    As indicated in  FIG. 10 , when the dovetail connector segment  286   c  is mated with and urged forwardly of the dovetail receiving groove  344   c  formed in connector housing  344 , skirt  354   b  will be telescopically received within the inboard end  361  of internal chamber  344   a  of connector housing  344 . Then, as the vial  342  is urged inwardly of chamber  340   a  of vial housing  340  by the pusher member  352 , needle  356  will pierce the pierceable septum  342   a  of the vial assembly  342  in the manner shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0158]    Following the mating of the additive sub-system  284  with the dispenser unit  282 , continuous pushing movement of the pusher assembly  348  into chamber  344   a  will cause pusher  352  to move the elastomeric plunger  342   b  of the vial assembly inwardly of the fluid chamber  342   c  in a direction toward the second, or closed end  342   d  of the vial  342  (see  FIG. 10 ). As the plunger is moved inwardly of the fluid chamber  342   c , the fluid “F” contained within the fluid chamber will be expelled therefrom into the hollow needle  356 . As best seen in  FIG. 10 , the fluid will then flow past conventional elastomeric umbrella-type check valve  360 , which is mounted within check valve housing  358 . Next, the fluid will flow into a stub passageway  364  and thence into passageway  330 . Umbrella-type check valve  360  functions in a conventional manner to control fluid flow from the hollow needle  356  toward fluid passageway  330 . From passageway  330 , the fluid will flow into inlet passageway  328  and then into reservoir  295  of the container via the central passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . During the adding process, any gases trapped within the flow passageways of the device are vented to atmosphere via a vent “V- 1 ” formed in connector segment  350 . 
         [0159]    Following the completion of the adding process as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the fluid medicament “F” contained within vial  342  is added to the reservoir  295 , the operating means is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set. More particularly, to accomplish this fluid dispensing step, the indexing button  334  is once again pushed inwardly of cavity  335  to move the locking tab  334   a  out of engagement with the notch within which it resides and the control knob is rotated from the “ADD” position ( FIG. 20 ) to the “DISP” position. Release of the indexing button will then cause the outwardly biased locking tab  334   a  to move into engagement with an appropriate locking notch so as to lock the control knob in the “ADD” position. 
         [0160]    Further rotation of control knob  320 , will also cause penetrating member  303  to move further inwardly to the position illustrated in  FIG. 34 , wherein a stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303  aligns with a fluid flow passageway  370  formed in control portion  285   a . With the penetrating member  303  in this advanced position fluid communication between the fluid reservoir  295  and the rate control means of the device is established via fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . 
         [0161]    To cause the fluid to flow from reservoir  295  toward the flow rate control means, the locking means of the invention must be manipulated in a manner to release the carriage assembly from base wall  286   b  of reservoir housing  286 . In this regard, as best seen in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  10  and  16 , the carriage locking means includes a locking member  374  having a yieldably deformable locking tab  374   a  which extends through a strategically shaped opening  376  provided in the base wall  286   b  of reservoir housing (see  FIGS. 7 and 9 ). With this construction, an inward force exerted on the locking member will deform the locking tab  374  in a manner to permit it to pass through the opening  376  and in so doing release the carriage from the base wall  286   b . Release of the carriage will permit the stored energy means, or coiled spring  314 , to move the carriage from a position shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10  into the position shown in  FIG. 34 . 
         [0162]    As the telescoping sidewall of the container collapses due to the urging of the coiled spring, the medicinal fluid mixture contained within the reservoir  295  will be controllably expelled therefrom and will flow toward the fluid passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303  which has now moved into the position shown in  FIG. 10  of the drawings. From the fluid passageway of penetrating member  303  fluid will flow into a stub passageway  368  into passageway  370  and then into the inlet  379  of the fluid rate control means of the invention. 
         [0163]    The important fluid rate control means of the invention, which is illustrated in  FIGS. 36 ,  37  and  38  of the drawings, comprises a rate control housing  380 , which includes a front cover  382  having the previously identified inlet  379  and an outlet  384 . Rate control housing  380  also includes a back cover  386  having an inlet  386   a  and an outlet  386   b . Disposed between the front and back cover is a novel rate control plate  390  having a uniquely configured, circuitous fluid flow channel  390   a  formed on the first surface  390   b  thereof and a substantially linear fluid flow channel  390   c  formed on the second surface  380   d  thereof ( FIG. 40 ). 
         [0164]    With the construction described in the preceding paragraphs, as the sidewall of the fluid container collapses ( FIG. 34 ), fluid will flow from reservoir  295  into the flow passageway of penetrating member  303 , into stub passageway  368 , then into passageway  370  and then into the inlet passageway  379  of the rate control means. From passageway  379 , the fluid will flow into the front cover  382 , through the outlet  384  and then into inlet  392  of fluid flow channel  390   a . The fluid will then flow through the rate control channel, out the outlet  394  of the rate control channel and into the inlet  386   a  of back cover  386 , outwardly through outlet  386   b  thereof, into substantially linear fluid flow channel  390   c  formed on the second surface  380   d  of rate control plate  390 , out through outlet  391  thereof and then into an elongated passageway  398  formed in body  285   a  of control portion  285 . From the elongated channel  398  the fluid will flow onward to the administration set  318  and then to the patient. It is apparent that by varying the geometry, including the length, width and depth of the flow control channels  390   a  and  390   c , the rate of fluid flow to the administration set and to the patient can be readily varied. During the fluid dispensing process, any gases trapped within the fluid delivery passageways of the device are vented to atmosphere via a vent “V- 2 ” formed in connector segment  350 . 
         [0165]    As indicated in  FIG. 5 , administration set  318  is sealably connected to the control portion  285  by any suitable means so that the proximal end of the administration line  318   a  of the administration set is in communication with an outlet fluid passageway in communication with passageway  398  ( FIG. 7 ). Disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the administration line are a conventional clamp  405 , a conventional gas vent and filter  407  and a conventional “Y”-site  409 . Provided at the distal end of the administration line is a luer connector  411  of conventional construction. 
         [0166]    To accomplish residual drug recovery from reservoir  295  as may be required, recovery means are provided. In this regard, as best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 34  a stub passageway  404  formed in body  285   a  also communicates with fluid passageway  398 . Stub passageway  404  also communicates with a cavity  406  formed in body  285   a  ( FIG. 34 ). Sealably mounted within cavity  406  is a pierceable septum  408  which is pierceable by the needle of a conventional syringe that can be used to accomplish residual drug recovery from reservoir  295 . 
         [0167]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , housing  286  is provided with a belt clip receiving member  412  to which a belt clip  414  can be slidably interconnected. When the belt clip  414  is connected with receiving member  412  the device can be conveniently carried on the user&#39;s belt during the adding and medicament dispensing steps. 
         [0168]    Referring to  FIGS. 41 through 50 , an alternate form of the fluid dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown. This alternate form of dispensing device is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIGS. 5 through 40  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 41 through 50  to identify like components. The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 5 through 40  resides in the differently configured additive sub-system. 
         [0169]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 41 ,  42  and  43 , it can be seen that, as before, this alternate embodiment of the invention comprises two major cooperating components, namely a dispenser unit  282  and an additive sub-system  424 . Dispenser unit  282  is substantially identical in construction and operation to that previously described and includes an outer housing  283 , which comprises a control portion  285  and a generally cylindrically shaped reservoir housing  286  that is interconnected with the control portion  285  in the manner best seen in  FIG. 41  of the drawings. 
         [0170]    However, additive sub-system  424  is of a somewhat different construction to that previously described. More particularly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 43 through 47 , the additive sub-system here comprises a generally tubular-shaped inner housing  426  having a chamber  426   a  that is initially sealed at one end by a sterile cover  429  and at the opposite end by a sterile cover  429   a . Also forming a part of additive sub-system  424  is a medicament-containing fill vial assembly  428  the character of which will presently be described. 
         [0171]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 43 and 47 , vial housing  426  is mounted within an internal chamber  430   a  of a connector housing  430 . Formed on the lower surface  430   b  of connector housing  430  is a dovetail receiving groove  430   c  ( FIG. 43 ), the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. 
         [0172]    Mounted within chamber  426   a  of vial housing  426  is an elongated support  434  that includes a threaded end portion  434   a  ( FIG. 45 ). Support  434  carries a longitudinally extending, elongated hollow needle  436  having a flow passageway  436   a  that, after mating of the additive sub-system with the dispenser unit  282 , communicates with check valve housing  358  of the dispenser unit ( FIGS. 42 and 49 ). 
         [0173]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 43 and 47 , the medicament-containing vial assembly  428  here includes a body portion  428   a  having a fluid chamber  440  for containing the injectable fluid medicament “F”. Chamber  440  is provided with a first open end  440   a  that is initially closed by a sterile cover  441  and second closed end  440   b . Slidably carried within chamber  440  is a closure means that is here provided in the form of an externally threaded elastomeric plunger  444 . Plunger  444  is telescopically movable within chamber  440  from a first location where the plunger is disposed proximate first open end  440   a  to a second device add location where the plunger is disposed proximate second closed end  440   b  ( FIG. 49 ). 
         [0174]    In carrying out the reservoir-adding step, cover  429  is first removed from the connector member  430 . This done, the additive sub-system  424  of the device is interconnected with the control portion  285  by mating the dovetail connector segment  286   c  of the dispenser unit with the groove  430   c  formed in connector housing  430  and then sliding the additive sub-system forwardly into the position shown in  FIG. 49 . 
         [0175]    Following the mating of the additive sub-system  424  with dispenser vial assembly, the sterile covers  429   a  and  441  are removed. Next, the vial assembly  428  of the additive sub-system  424  is inserted into chamber  430   a  of the housing  430  and the threaded end  444   a  of plunger  444  is threadably interconnected with threaded end  434   a  of support  434 . As the components are thusly interconnected, the sharp end of the elongated needle  436  will pierce the central wall  444   b  of the elastomeric plunger. A continuous pushing movement of the vial assembly into chamber  430   a  will then cause the support  434  to move the elastomeric plunger inwardly of the vial chamber in a direction toward the second, or closed end  440   b  of the vial chamber (see  FIG. 49 ). As the plunger is moved inwardly of the vial, the fluid “F” contained within the vial chamber will be expelled therefrom into the hollow elongated needle  436 . 
         [0176]    As best seen in  FIG. 49 , the fluid will then flow past conventional elastomeric umbrella-type check valve  360 , which is mounted within check valve housing  358 . Next, the fluid will flow into stub passageway  364  and thence into passageway  330 . Umbrella-type check valve  360  functions in a conventional manner to control fluid flow from the elongated hollow needle  436  toward fluid passageway  364 . From passageway  364 , the fluid will flow into inlet passageway  330  and then into reservoir  295  of the container via passageways  328  and  303   a.    
         [0177]    Following the completion of the adding process as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the fluid medicament “F” contained within the vial assembly  428  is added to the reservoir  295 , the operating means of the invention is used in the same manner as previously described to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set. 
         [0178]    Referring to  FIGS. 51 through 57 , an alternate form of the fluid dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown. This alternate form of dispensing device is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIGS. 41 through 50  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 51 through 57  to identify like components. The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 41 through 50  resides in the differently configured additive sub-system. 
         [0179]    As before, this latest embodiment of the invention comprises two major cooperating components, namely a dispenser unit  282  and an additive sub-system  454 . Dispenser unit  282  is substantially identical in construction and operation to that previously described, save that the carriage assembly is somewhat differently configured. As before, the dispenser unit includes an outer housing  283  which comprises a control portion  285  and a generally cylindrically shaped reservoir housing  286  that is interconnected with the control portion  285  in the manner best seen in  FIG. 51  of the drawings. 
         [0180]    However, additive sub-system  454  is of a somewhat different construction to that previously described. More particularly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 52 and 56 , the additive sub-system here comprises a vial  456  of special design that uniquely contains a lyophilized drug “D”. Vial  456  is sealed at one end by elastomeric plunger  458  and at the other end by a pierceable septum  460 . Formed intermediate the ends of the vial is a raised outer wall portion  456   a , which permits the fluid “F” that is contained within a chamber  462  to bypass a barrier stopper  464  as the barrier stopper is urged inwardly of the container by pressure exerted thereon by the fluid, which is being pushed by plunger  458  resulting from force exerted on pusher element member  466   a  of pusher  466  (see  FIGS. 52 and 56 ). 
         [0181]    Vial  456  is carried within a generally tubular-shaped inner housing  470  having a chamber  470   a  that is initially sealed at one end by a sterile cover  471  and at the opposite end by a sterile cover  471   a . As illustrated in  FIGS. 52 and 55 , inner housing  470  is mounted within an internal chamber  472   a  of a connector housing  472 . Formed on the lower surface  472   b  of connector housing  472  is a dovetail receiving groove  472   c.    
         [0182]    As indicated in  FIGS. 51A and 54 , following removal of sterile cover  471 , the dovetail connector segment  286   c  of the dispenser unit can be mated with and urged inwardly of the dovetail receiving groove  472   c  formed in connector housing  472 . As the additive sub-system mates with the dispenser unit, skirt  354   b  of the dispenser unit will be telescopically received within the inboard end of vial receiving housing  470  and needle  356  of the dispenser unit will pierce the pierceable septum  460  of the vial assembly  456  in the manner shown in  FIG. 54 . 
         [0183]    After mating of the additive sub-system with the dispenser unit, inward movement of the pusher  466  into chamber  472   a  of connector  472  will cause inward movement of plunger  458 . This inward movement of plunger  458  will cause inward movement of plunger or barrier member  464  allowing the fluid “F” to flow past the barrier member via the internal passageway defined by wall portion  456   a  so as to reconstitute the lyophilized drug “D”. A continued pressure exerted on plunger  458  by the pusher member will cause the reconstituted drug formed by the mixture of the drug “D” and the fluid “F” to flow through hollow needle  356 , into a chamber  358   a  formed in check valve housing  358  ( FIG. 54 ), past check valve  360 , into a stub passageway  364 , then into passageway  330  and finally into the device reservoir  295 . 
         [0184]    Following the completion of the adding process as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the reconstituted drug formed by the mixture of the drug “D” and the fluid “F” is added to the reservoir  295 , the operating means of the invention is used in the same manner as previously described to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set. 
         [0185]    As was described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , to accomplish the adding and delivery steps, the dovetail connector segment  286   c  of the dispenser unit can be mated with and urged inwardly of the dovetail receiving groove  472   c  formed in connector housing. 
         [0186]    Following the completion of the adding process in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , the operating means of the invention is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set of the invention. 
         [0187]    Referring next to  FIGS. 58 ,  59  and  60 , still another form of the dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown. This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIGS. 5 and 40  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 58 ,  59  and  60  to identify like components. The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 5 through 40  resides in the manner in which the differently configured stored energy means of the invention is configured. The dispensing unit is substantially identical in construction and operation to that of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 5 through 40  save that the carriage assembly is somewhat differently configured to accommodate the differently configured stored energy source. The additive sub-system  284  of this latest form of the invention is also substantially identical in construction and operation to that previously described and comprises a medicament-containing, cartridge-type fill vial assembly  342 . 
         [0188]    As was described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , to accomplish the adding and delivery steps, the dovetail connector segment  286   c  of the dispenser unit can be mated with and urged inwardly of the dovetail receiving groove  344   c  formed in connector housing. 
         [0189]    Following the completion of the adding process in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , the operating means of the invention is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set of the invention. 
         [0190]    As shown in  FIG. 58 , the reservoir-defining container  294  is substantially identical to that described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40  and is carried by a carriage  484  which is of a slightly different construction from that previously described. More particularly, as shown in  FIGS. 59 ,  60  and  61 , carriage  484  has a carriage base  484   a  and a foreshortened, generally cylindrically shaped sidewall  484   b  that terminates in a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending flanges  484   c . As before, base  484   a  includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced guide apertures  485  that slidably receive the guide members  309  which are connected to and extend outwardly from body  285   a  of control portion  285  and form a part of the guide means for guiding travel of carriage assembly ( FIGS. 11 and 19 ). Carriage  484  is releasably locked in its first position by a locking means that is substantially identical in construction and operation to that previously described. 
         [0191]    Following the completion of the adding process as described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , wherein the fluid medicament “F” contained within vial  342  is added to the reservoir  295 , the operating means is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set (See  FIG. 62 ). More particularly, to accomplish this fluid dispensing step, the indexing button  334  is once again pushed inwardly of cavity  335  to move the locking tab  334   a  out of engagement with the notch within which it resides and the control knob is rotated from the “ADD” position ( FIG. 20 ) to the “DISP” position. Release of the indexing button will then cause the outwardly biased locking tab  334   a  to move into engagement with an appropriate locking notch so as to lock the control knob in the “ADD” position. 
         [0192]    Further rotation of control knob  320 , will also cause penetrating member  303  to move further inwardly to the position illustrated in  FIG. 34 , wherein a stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303  aligns with a fluid flow passageway  370  formed in control portion  285   a . With the penetrating member  303  in this advanced position fluid communication between the fluid reservoir  295  and the rate control means of the device is established via fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . 
         [0193]    To cause the fluid to flow from reservoir  295  toward the flow rate control means, the locking means of the invention must be manipulated in a manner to release the carriage assembly from base wall  286   b  of reservoir housing  286 . In this regard, as best seen in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  10  and  16 , the carriage locking means includes a locking member  374  having a yieldably deformable locking tab  374   a  which extends through a strategically shaped opening  376  provided in the base wall  286   b  of reservoir housing (see  FIGS. 56 and 62 ). With this construction, an inward force exerted on the locking member will deform the locking tab  374  in a manner to permit it to pass through the opening  376  and in so doing release the carriage from the base wall  286   b . Release of the carriage will permit the differently configured stored energy means to controllably move the carriage  484  from its first position shown in  FIG. 58  to its second position shown in  FIG. 63 . This stored energy means, which is operably associated with carriage  484 , is here provided in the form of a coiled spring  488 , which is initially extended and in tension (see  FIG. 58 ). More particularly, as illustrated in  FIG. 58 , one end  488   a  of the coil spring resides beneath flanges  484   c  while the other end  488   b  thereof is interconnected with portion  285   a  of the dispensing unit by means of a capture plate  491  ( FIG. 58 ). With this construction, following operation of the reservoir-accessing means, and when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in the manner previously described to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  286   b  of the main housing, spring  488 , which is in tension, will move from its extended position as shown in  FIG. 58  to its retracted position as shown in  FIG. 63  and, in so doing, will controllably move the carriage from its starting position to its fully deployed or extended position shown in  FIG. 63 . 
         [0194]    As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the collapsible sidewall  300  of the collapsible container  294  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 63 . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
         [0195]    To further control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir toward the administration set  318  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided, which fluid flow control means are identical in construction and operation to that described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . More particularly, with the penetrating member  303  in its advanced position as shown in  FIG. 63  fluid communication between the fluid reservoir  295  and the rate control means of the device is established via fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . From the fluid passageway of penetrating member  303 , fluid will flow into a stub passageway  368  into passageway  370  and then into the inlet  379  of the fluid rate control means of the invention, which is identical to that previously described. From the rate control means, the fluid will flow into passageway  398  and then onwardly to the administration set at a controlled rate. 
         [0196]    Referring now to  FIGS. 64 through 73 , still another form of the dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  490  ( FIG. 72 ). This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is also similar in most respects to that shown in  FIGS. 5 and 40  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 64 through 73  to identify like components. The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 5 through 40  resides in the totally different stored energy means of the invention. The dispensing unit is substantially identical in construction and operation to that of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 5 through 40  save that the carriage assembly is somewhat differently configured to accommodate the differently configured stored energy source. The additive sub-system  284  of this latest form of the invention is also substantially identical in construction and operation to that previously described and comprises a medicament-containing, cartridge-type fill vial assembly  342 . 
         [0197]    As was described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , to accomplish the adding and delivery steps, the dovetail connector segment  286   c  of the dispenser unit can be mated with and urged inwardly of the dovetail receiving groove  344   c  formed in connector housing (See  FIG. 71 ). 
         [0198]    Following the completion of the adding process in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , the operating means of the invention is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set of the invention. 
         [0199]    As shown in  FIG. 64 , the reservoir-defining container  294  is substantially identical to that described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40  and is carried by a carriage  494  which is of a slightly different construction from that previously described. More particularly, as shown in  FIGS. 67 ,  68  and  69 , carriage  494  has a carriage base  494   a  and a, generally cylindrically shaped sidewall  494   b . As before, carriage  494  is releasably locked in its first position by a locking means that is substantially identical in construction and operation to that previously described. 
         [0200]    Following the completion of the adding process as described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , wherein the fluid medicament “F” contained within vial  342  is added to the reservoir  295 , the operating means is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set. More particularly, to accomplish this fluid dispensing step, the indexing button  334  is once again pushed inwardly of cavity  335  to move the locking tab  334   a  out of engagement with the notch within which it resides and the control knob is rotated from the “ADD” position ( FIG. 20 ) to the “DISP” position. Release of the indexing button will then cause the outwardly biased locking tab  334   a  to move into engagement with an appropriate locking notch so as to lock the control knob in the “ADD” position. 
         [0201]    Further rotation of control knob  320 , will also cause penetrating member  303  to move further inwardly from to the position illustrated in  FIG. 72 , wherein stub passageway  328  formed in penetrating member  303  aligns with a fluid flow passageway  330  formed in control portion  285   a  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 73 , wherein stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303  aligns with a fluid flow passageway  370  formed in control portion  285   a . With the penetrating member  303  in this advanced position fluid communication between the fluid reservoir  295  and the rate control means of the device is established via fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . 
         [0202]    To cause the fluid to flow from reservoir  295  toward the flow rate control means, the locking means of the invention must be manipulated in a manner to release the carriage assembly from base wall  286   b  of reservoir housing  286 . In this regard, as best seen in  FIGS. 11 and 16 , the carriage locking means includes a locking member  374  having a yieldably deformable locking tab  374   a  which extends through a strategically shaped opening  376  provided in the base wall  286   b  of reservoir housing (see  FIGS. 72 and 73 ). With this construction, an inward force exerted on the locking member will deform the locking tab  374  in a manner to permit it to pass through the opening  376  and in so doing release the carriage from the base wall  286   b . Release of the carriage will permit the differently configured stored energy means to controllably move the carriage  494  from its first position shown in  FIG. 64  to its second position shown in  FIG. 73 . This stored energy means, which is operably associated with carriage  494 , is here provided in the form of a compressible, expandable sponge-like configuration, which is generally designated in the drawings by the numeral  498 . This unique stored energy source can, by way of non-limiting example, comprise a micro-porous, meso-porous, macro-porous, ordered structure and can be constructed from Polypropylene (PP), Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), Ethyl-vinyl Acetate (EVA), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) and porous cellulose acetate. A suitable source of these materials is Porex Technologies of Fairburn, Ga. The stored energy source can also be constructed from various metalized, porous, sponge-like materials. 
         [0203]    With the construction described in the preceding paragraph, following operation of the reservoir-accessing means, and when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in the manner previously described to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  286   b  of the main housing, compressible, expandable sponge  498  will move from the compressed configuration as shown in  FIG. 64  to the expanded configuration shown in  FIG. 73  and, in so doing, will controllably move the carriage from its starting position to its fully deployed or extended position shown in  FIG. 73 . 
         [0204]    As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the collapsible sidewall  300  of the collapsible container  294  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 73 . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
         [0205]    To further control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir toward the administration set  318  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided, which fluid flow control means, are identical in construction and operation to that described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . More particularly, with the penetrating member  303  in its advanced position as shown in  FIG. 73  fluid communication between the fluid reservoir  295  and the rate control means of the device is established via fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . From the fluid passageway of penetrating member  303 , fluid will flow into a stub passageway  368 , into passageway  370  and then into the inlet  379  of the fluid rate control means of the invention, which is identical to that previously described. From the rate control means, the fluid will flow into passageway  398  and then onwardly to the administration set at a controlled rate. 
         [0206]    Referring to  FIGS. 74 through 80 , still another form of the dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  502  ( FIG. 76 ). This alternate form of dispensing device is similar in some respects to that shown in  FIGS. 5 through 40  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 74 through 80  to identify like components. The major differences between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 5 through 40  reside in the totally differently configured stored energy means of the invention. As best seen in  FIGS. 74 through 76 , the collapsible container  504  and carriage assembly  506  are generally similar in construction to those previously described and the reservoir-adding means for adding medicaments to the fluid contained within the reservoir of the container as well as the operating means are substantially identical in construction and operation to those described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . However, the stored energy means, rather than being in the nature of a coil spring, here comprises a pair of spaced-apart, cooperating constant force springs  508  that are carried within the control portion  510  of the dispenser housing  512 . 
         [0207]    Constant force springs  508 , which are a special variety of extension spring, are readily commercially available from several sources including Barnes Group Inc. of Bristol, Conn., Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument of Hyde Park, N.Y. and Walker Corporation of Ontario, Canada. These novel springs are basically a high stress, long deflection devices that offer great advantages when used in applications where very low or zero gradient is desired, where space is a factor and where very high reliability is required. Constant force springs, such as springs  508 , provide markedly superior constant force loading when compared to conventional helical extension or like springs. Springs  508 , after being expanded, tend to uniformly retract and in so doing exert a force on carriage assembly  506  that is mounted within housing  512 . Following release of carriage  506  of the carriage assembly, in a manner presently to be described, the carriage will urge the collapsible container  504  to move from the expanded configuration shown in  FIG. 74  to the collapsed position shown in  FIGS. 79 and 80 . As the container  504  collapses the fluid contained within the fluid reservoir  514  will be caused to flow outwardly of the reservoir and toward the flow rate control means of the invention at a substantially constant rate. 
         [0208]    As previously mentioned, in this latest form of the invention, the dispenser housing  512  is similar in many respects to the earlier described dispenser housings but is slightly differently configured so as to support the circumferentially spaced constant force springs  508 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 74 ,  75  and  76 , housing  512  includes a generally cylindrically shaped reservoir housing  516  that is interconnected with the control portion  510  in the manner best seen in  FIG. 74  of the drawings. Housing  516 , which can be constructed from metal, plastic or any suitable material, includes a generally cylindrically shaped wall portion  516   a  and a base portion  516   b . As indicated in  FIG. 75 , control portion  510  houses the constant force springs, which are coiled about spool portions  508   b . Spool portions  508   b  are constructed and arranged so that coil springs  508  can extend downwardly within the dispenser housing portion so that the free end thereof can be interconnected with the carriage  506  in the manner shown in  FIG. 75 . 
         [0209]    Carriage  506 , which carries container  504 , is movable between a first position shown in  FIG. 75  and a second position shown in  FIG. 80 . As best seen by referring to  FIGS. 74 ,  75  and  76 , carriage  506  has a carriage base  519  that is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings  519   a  and a generally cylindrically shaped sidewall  521  which terminates in a radially outwardly extending flange  521   a . As indicated in the drawings, the free ends  508   a  of the constant force springs are interconnected with flange  521   a . Carriage  506  is releasably locked in its first position by a novel locking means that is of substantially the same construction and operation as that described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . 
         [0210]    An important feature of this latest form of the invention resides in the provision of novel guide means for guiding travel of carriage assembly  506  between its first and second positions. The guide means here comprises four spaced-apart guide members  524 , which are connected to and extend outwardly from body  510   a  of control portion  510  ( FIGS. 75 and 76 ). As indicated in the drawings, guide members  524  are slidably received within openings  519   a  provided in carriage base  519  ( FIGS. 75 and 76 ) so that as the carriage assembly travels from its first position toward its second position, guide members  524  precisely guide its travel. 
         [0211]    As was described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , to accomplish the adding and delivery steps, the dovetail connector segment  286   c  of the dispenser unit is mated with and urged inwardly of the dovetail receiving groove  344   c  formed in connector housing  284  ( FIG. 76 ). 
         [0212]    Following the completion of the adding process in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , the operating means of the invention is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set of the invention. 
         [0213]    In this latest form of the invention, the operating means, the rate control means and the administration set, are all substantially identical to those previously described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . 
         [0214]    After the reservoir-filling step has been completed, the fluid contained within the reservoir  514  can be dispensed to the patient by once again pivoting the indexing button  334  inwardly to move the locking tab  334   a  out of engagement with the notch in the control knob within which it resides. This done, the control knob is rotated from the “ADD” position ( FIG. 20 ) to the “DISP” position. Release of the indexing button will then cause the outwardly biased locking tab  334   a  to move into engagement with an appropriate locking notch  320   b  so as to lock the control knob in the “DISP” position. This further rotation of control knob  320 , will cause penetrating member  303  to move further inwardly to the position illustrated in  FIG. 79 , wherein the stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303  aligns with a fluid flow passageway  370  formed in control portion  510 . With the penetrating member  303  in this advanced position, fluid communication between the fluid reservoir  514  and the rate control means of the device is established via fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . 
         [0215]    To cause the fluid to flow from reservoir  514  toward the flow rate control means, the locking means of the invention must be manipulated in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . Following the release of the locking means, the constant force springs  508  will cause the carriage assembly  506  to move toward its second position causing the sidewall of the container  504  to collapse in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 80 . As the telescoping sidewall collapses the medicinal fluid mixture contained within the reservoir  514  will be controllably expelled therefrom and will flow toward the fluid passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 , which has now moved into the position shown in  FIG. 79  of the drawings. The fluid will then flow into stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303 , into fluid flow passageway  370  and on to the important fluid rate control means of the invention, which is identical in construction and operation to that of the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . From the flow rate control means of the flow control means, the fluid will flow into elongated passageway  398 , onward to the administration set  318  and then to the patient. As before, by varying the geometry, including the length, width and depth of the flow control channel of the flow rate control means, the rate of fluid flow to the patient can be readily varied. 
         [0216]    Referring to  FIGS. 81 through 87 , yet another form of the dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  532  ( FIG. 83 ). This alternate form of dispensing device is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIGS. 74 through 80  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 81 through 87  to identify like components. The major differences between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 74 through 80  reside in the differently configured additive sub-system  534 . In this regard, additive sub-system  534  of this latest embodiment of the invention is substantially identical to that described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 41 through 48  and comprises a shell vial that is identical to shell vial  428  ( FIG. 43 ). 
         [0217]    As indicated in  FIGS. 81 through 87 , the dispenser housing  512 , the collapsible container  504 , the carriage assembly  506 , the stored energy means and the flow control means are substantially identical in construction and operation to those described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 74 through 80 . 
         [0218]    As in the last described embodiment, the stored energy means here comprises spaced-apart constant force springs  508  that are carried within the control portion  510  of the dispenser housing  512 . Following release of carriage  506  of the carriage assembly, in the manner previously described, the carriage will urge the collapsible container  504  to move from the expanded configuration shown in  FIG. 81  to the collapsed position shown in  FIGS. 86 and 87 . 
         [0219]    As was described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , to accomplish the adding and delivery steps, the dovetail connector segment  286   c  of the dispenser unit is mated with and urged inwardly of the dovetail receiving groove  430   c  formed in connector housing  430  ( FIG. 83 ), which is identical to that earlier described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 43 through 50 . 
         [0220]    Following the completion of the adding process in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , the operating means of the invention is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set of the invention. 
         [0221]    In this latest form of the invention, the operating means, as well as the rate control means and the administration set, are substantially identical to those previously described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . 
         [0222]    After the reservoir-filling step has been completed, the fluid contained within the reservoir  514  can be dispensed to the patient by once again pivoting the indexing button  334  inwardly to move the locking tab  334   a  out of engagement with the control knob notch within which it resides. This done, the control knob is rotated from the “ADD” position ( FIG. 20 ) to the “DISP” position. Release of the indexing button will then cause the outwardly biased locking tab  334   a  to move into engagement with an appropriate locking notch so as to lock the control knob in the “DISP” position. This further rotation of control knob  320 , will cause penetrating member  303  to move further inwardly to the position illustrated in  FIG. 86 , wherein the stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303  aligns with a fluid flow passageway  370  formed in control portion  510 . With the penetrating member  303  in this advanced position fluid communication between the fluid reservoir  514  and the rate control means of the device is established via fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . 
         [0223]    To cause the fluid to flow from reservoir  514  toward the flow rate control means, the locking means of the invention must be manipulated in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . Following the release of the locking means, the constant force springs  508  will cause the carriage assembly  506  to move toward its second position causing the telescoping sidewall of the container  504  to collapse in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 86 . As the telescoping sidewall collapses the medicinal fluid mixture contained within the reservoir  514  will be controllably expelled therefrom and will flow toward the fluid passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 , which has now moved into the position shown in  FIG. 86  of the drawings. The fluid will then flow into stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303 , into fluid flow passageway  370  and on to the fluid rate control means of the invention, which is identical in construction and operation to that of the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . From the flow rate control means of the flow control means, the fluid will flow into elongated passageway  398 , onward to the administration set  318  and then to the patient. 
         [0224]    Referring to  FIGS. 88 through 94 , still another form of the dispensing device of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  542  ( FIG. 90 ). This alternate form of dispensing device is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIGS. 74 through 87  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 88 through 94  to identify like components. The major differences between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 74 through 87  reside in the differently configured additive sub-system  544 . In this regard, additive sub-system  544  of this latest embodiment of the invention is substantially identical to that described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 51 through 57  and comprises a vial  456  of special design that uniquely contains a lyophilized drug “D” in a shell vial that is identical to shell vial  428  ( FIG. 56 ). 
         [0225]    As indicated in  FIGS. 88 through 94 , the dispenser housing  512 , the collapsible container  294 , the carriage assembly  506 , the stored energy means and the flow control means are substantially identical in construction and operation to those described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 74 through 87 . 
         [0226]    As in the last described embodiment, the stored energy means here comprises spaced-apart constant force springs  508  that are carried within the control portion  510  of the dispenser housing  512 . Following release of carriage  506  of the carriage assembly in the manner previously described, the carriage will urge the collapsible container  294  to move from the expanded configuration shown in  FIG. 88  to the collapsed position shown in  FIGS. 93 and 94 . 
         [0227]    As was described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , to accomplish the adding and delivery steps, the dovetail connector segment  286   c  of the dispenser unit is mated with and urged inwardly of the dovetail receiving groove  472   c  formed in connector housing  472  ( FIG. 90 ), which is identical to that earlier described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 43 through 50 . 
         [0228]    Following the completion of the adding process in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 , the operating means of the invention is used to control the flow of the fluid mixture from the collapsible reservoir toward the rate control means and then onward toward the administration set of the invention. 
         [0229]    In this latest form of the invention, the operating means, as well as the rate control means and the administration set, are substantially identical to those previously described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . 
         [0230]    After the reservoir-filling step has been completed, the fluid contained within the reservoir  295  can be dispensed to the patient by once again pivoting the indexing button  334  inwardly to move the locking tab  334   a  out of engagement with the control knob notch within which it resides. This done, the control knob is rotated from the “ADD” position ( FIG. 20 ) to the “DISP” position. Release of the indexing button will then cause the outwardly biased locking tab  334   a  to move into engagement with an appropriate locking notch so as to lock the control knob in the “DISP” position. This further rotation of control knob  320 , will cause penetrating member  303  to move further inwardly to the position illustrated in  FIG. 93 , wherein the stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303  aligns with a fluid flow passageway  370  formed in control portion  510 . With the penetrating member  303  in this advanced position fluid communication between the fluid reservoir  295  and the rate control means of the device is established via fluid flow passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 . 
         [0231]    To cause the fluid to flow from reservoir  295  toward the flow rate control means, the locking means of the invention must be manipulated in the manner described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . Following the release of the locking means, the constant force springs  508  will cause the carriage assembly  506  to move toward its second position causing the telescoping sidewall of the container  294  to collapse in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 93 . As the telescoping sidewall collapses the medicinal fluid mixture contained within the reservoir  295  will be controllably expelled therefrom and will flow toward the fluid passageway  303   a  of penetrating member  303 , which has now moved into the position shown in  FIG. 93  of the drawings. The fluid will then flow into stub passageway  368  formed in penetrating member  303 , into fluid flow passageway  370  and on to the fluid rate control means of the invention, which is identical in construction and operation to that of the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 through 40 . From the flow rate control means of the flow control means, the fluid will flow into elongated passageway  398 , onward to the administration set  318  and then to the patient. 
         [0232]    Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.