Abstract:
A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as antibiotics, blood clotting agents, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from collapsible containers at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a novel stored energy source that is provided in the form of a compressible-expandable member that functions to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the apparatus reservoir. The apparatus further includes a novel fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solutions from the apparatus reservoir to the patient.

Description:
This is a Non-Provisional Application claiming the benefit of co-pending Provisional Application No. 60/783,019 filed Mar. 15, 2006. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fluid dispensing apparatus. More particularly, the invention concerns medicament dispensers for dispensing medicinal fluids to ambulatory patients. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     A number of different types of medicament dispensers for dispensing medicaments to ambulatory patients have been suggested in the past. Many of the devices or apparatus 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. 
     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 gravametric 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 or apparatus are not well suited for use in those instances where the patient must be transported to a remote facility for treatment. 
     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. 
     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 apparatus. After having been deformed, the polymeric, elastomeric member will return to its starting configuration in a highly predictable manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By way of brief summary, one form of the dispensing apparatus 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 pre-filled collapsible container carried by the carriage assembly, the collapsible container having accessing means for accessing the reservoir comprising a frangible member in the form of a pierceable member or shearable member. The apparatus also includes 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 positions; and an administration set, including an administration line interconnected with the outlet port of the collapsible reservoir. 
     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 to ambulatory patients, such as, antibiotics, blood clotting agents, analgesics, KVO, artificial blood substitutes, resuscitation fluids, internal nutritional solutions, biologics, and like beneficial agents from pre-filled or field-filled containers at a uniform rate. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a small, compact pre-filled fluid dispenser that is aseptically filled and sealed at the time of manufacture. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is of simple construction that can be used in the field with a minimum amount of training. 
     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 apparatus reservoir. 
     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. Uniquely, the container is formed as a unitary structure that includes a collapsible side wall and a pierceable closure wall that isolates the beneficial agents contained within the container reservoir from external contaminants. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser that includes precise variable flow rate selection. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser of simple construction, which embodies an integrally formed, collapsible, pre-filled drug container that contains the beneficial agents to be delivered to the patient. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser of the class described which is compact, lightweight, is easy for ambulatory patients to use, is fully disposable, transportable and is extremely reliable in operation. 
     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 
         FIG. 1  is a generally perspective, top view of one form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient. 
         FIG. 2  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the fluid dispensing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  as it appears with a top cover of the apparatus removed. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the left-hand portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a fragmentary, longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 4A , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the fluid reservoir assembly of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the area designated in  FIG. 6  by the numeral “ 7 ”. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a view taken along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the fluid delivery apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the multiple flow rate control assembly of the apparatus of the invention and a portion of the administration set. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the rate control assembly depicted in  FIG. 12  as it appears in an assembled configuration. 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the rate control assembly illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a view taken along lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the selector knob of the present invention for rotating the selector member in a manner to select the rate of fluid flow to the patient. 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view of the selector knob shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the selector member of the apparatus which is rotated by the selector knob. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom plan view of the selector member shown in  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is front view of the selector element of the rate control means of the invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom plan view of the selector element. 
         FIG. 24  is a top plan view of the nipple portion of one of the rate control covers of the rate control assembly. 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the other of the rate control covers. 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 28  is a view taken along lines  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 29  is a side elevation view of the selector member housing of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 31  is a view taken along lines  31 - 31  of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 32  is a bottom plan view of the rate control plate of the rate control assembly. 
         FIG. 33  is a top plan view of the cover member  89  of the rate control assembly. 
         FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 35  is a top plan view of a portion of the supporting structure of the apparatus of the invention. 
         FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  36 - 36  of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 37  is a view taken along lines  37 - 37  of  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is a side-elevational view of one form of the control shaft of the flow control means of the invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a view taken along lines  39 - 39  of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 40  is a view taken along lines  40 - 40  of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 41  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  41 - 41  of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 42  is an enlarged, side-elevational view of one form of the spring knife of the invention that is carried within cavities formed in the control shaft as shown in  FIG. 41 . 
         FIG. 43  is a view taken along lines  43 - 43  of  FIG. 42 . 
         FIG. 44  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of the support structure and of the control shaft of the apparatus illustrating the appearance of the components in their starting position. 
         FIG. 45  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 44  but showing the appearance of the components after the initial rotation of the control shaft from a first position to a second position. 
         FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 45  but showing the appearance of the components after further rotation of the control shaft from the second position to a third, final position. 
         FIG. 47  is a generally perspective, diagrammatic view showing the operating handle of the apparatus in its starting position. 
         FIG. 48  is a generally perspective, diagrammatic view illustrating the gripping of the apparatus handle by the operator. 
         FIG. 49  is a generally perspective, diagrammatic view illustrating the movement of the operating handle by the operator to open the fluid flow path between the reservoir and the rate control means of the invention. 
         FIG. 50  is a generally perspective, diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the locking means of the apparatus in a manner to lock the carriage to the base component of the apparatus structural support. 
         FIG. 51  is a generally perspective, diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the locking means of the apparatus to release the carriage so as to arm the system to permit delivery of fluid to the patient via the administration set of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 52  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of an alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 53A  is a fragmentary, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the left-hand portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 53B  is a fragmentary, longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 53A , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear with administration line installed and following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir. 
         FIG. 54  is a cross-sectional view of the fluid reservoir assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view showing the fluid reservoir assembly as it appears in a substantially empty condition following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the reservoir. 
         FIG. 56  is a generally perspective, exploded view of a portion of the administration set and of the single or fixed rate control assembly of this latest embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 57  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 58  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  58 - 58  of  FIG. 57 . 
         FIG. 59  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  59 - 59  of  FIG. 57 . 
         FIG. 60  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  60 - 60  of  FIG. 57 . 
         FIG. 61  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  61 - 61  of  FIG. 57 . 
         FIG. 62  is a top plan view of the rate control plate of the rate control apparatus of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 63  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  63 - 63  of  FIG. 62 . 
         FIG. 64  is a view taken along lines  64 - 64  of  FIG. 63 . 
         FIG. 65  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another form of the dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 66  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 65 , but with the reservoir in a substantially empty condition showing the configuration of the apparatus after the fluid dispensing step. 
         FIG. 67  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 65 . 
         FIG. 67A  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention. 
         FIG. 67B  is a view, similar to  FIG. 67A , but showing the configuration of the apparatus after the fluid dispensing step. 
         FIG. 68  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 68A  is a generally perspective view of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention shown in  FIG. 68  as it appears following removal of the closure cap. 
         FIG. 68B  is a fragmentary, generally perspective, exploded view of the upper portion of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention shown in  FIG. 68  as it appears following removal of the tear strip. 
         FIG. 69  is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 68  but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir. 
         FIG. 69A  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the selector member housing of the fluid dispensing apparatus. 
         FIG. 69B  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  69 B- 69 B of  FIG. 69A . 
         FIG. 69C  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the selector member of the fluid dispensing apparatus. 
         FIG. 69D  is a view taken along lines  69 D- 69 D of  FIG. 68 . 
         FIG. 69E  is an enlarged, generally perspective, exploded view of the rate control portion of the fluid dispensing apparatus shown in  FIGS. 68 and 69 . 
         FIG. 70  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a filled condition. 
         FIG. 71  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 70 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which is shown in a substantially empty condition. 
         FIG. 72  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a filled condition. 
         FIG. 73  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 72 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which is substantially empty. 
         FIG. 74  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 75  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  75 - 75  of  FIG. 74 . 
         FIG. 76  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 77  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the collapsible container as it appears in the collapsed substantially empty condition. 
         FIG. 78  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of an alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 79  is a foreshortened longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 78 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir with the reservoir substantially empty. 
         FIG. 80  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 81  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  81 - 81  of  FIG. 80 . 
         FIG. 82  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 82A  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 82B  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 83A , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which is substantially empty. 
         FIG. 82C  is a fragmentary, exploded view of the accessing neck assembly of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 82A . 
         FIG. 82D  is a fragmentary view similar to  FIG. 82C  but showing the neck assembly in an assembled configuration. 
         FIG. 82E  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 82F  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 82E , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which is substantially empty. 
         FIG. 83  is a cross-sectional view of still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the invention. 
         FIG. 84  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 83  but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained with the fluid reservoir. 
         FIG. 85  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 86  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  86 - 86  of  FIG. 85 . 
         FIG. 87  is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 88  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the collapsible container as it appears in the collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 89  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 90  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 89 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which is substantially empty. 
         FIG. 91  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 92  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  92 - 92  of  FIG. 91 . 
         FIG. 93  is a cross-sectional view of the luer-like reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 94  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the collapsible container as it appears in the collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 95  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 96  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 95 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir with the reservoir substantially empty. 
         FIG. 97  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 98  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  98 - 98  of  FIG. 97 . 
         FIG. 99  is a cross-sectional view of the luer-like reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 100  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 101  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 100  but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which is shown substantially empty. 
         FIG. 102  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 103  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  103 - 103  of  FIG. 102 . 
         FIG. 104  is a cross-sectional view of the luer-like reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 105  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the collapsible container as it appears in the collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 106  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another alternate form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention showing the reservoir in a pre-filled condition. 
         FIG. 107  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 106  but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which is shown substantially empty. 
         FIG. 108  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 109  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  109 - 109  of  FIG. 108 . 
         FIG. 110  is a cross-sectional view of the luer-like reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 111  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another alternate form of the pre-filled reservoir type fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention that includes a sponge-like stored energy source. 
         FIG. 112  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 111 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir showing the reservoir substantially empty. 
         FIG. 113  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 114  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  114 - 114  of  FIG. 113 . 
         FIG. 115  is a cross-sectional, exploded view of the luer-like reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 116  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the collapsible container as it appears in the collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 117  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another alternate form of the pre-filled reservoir type fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention that includes a sponge-like stored energy source. 
         FIG. 118  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 117 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which is shown in a substantially empty condition. 
         FIG. 119  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 120  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  120 - 120  of  FIG. 119 . 
         FIG. 121  is a cross-sectional, exploded view of the luer-like reservoir access assembly of this latest form of the invention. 
         FIG. 122  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of yet another alternate form of the pre-filled reservoir type fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention that includes a sponge-like stored energy source. 
         FIG. 123  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 122 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which appears in a substantially empty condition. 
         FIG. 124  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 125  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  125 - 125  of  FIG. 124 . 
         FIG. 126  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the collapsible container as it appears in the collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 127  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of still another alternate form of the pre-filled reservoir type fluid dispensing apparatus of the invention that includes a sponge-like stored energy source. 
         FIG. 128  is a foreshortened, longitudinal, cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 127 , but showing the various components of the apparatus as they appear following delivery to the patient of the fluid contained within the apparatus reservoir which appears in a substantially empty condition. 
         FIG. 129  is a top plan view of the collapsible container of this alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 130  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  130 - 130  of  FIG. 129 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Definitions 
     As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings: 
     Unitary Container 
     A closed container formed from a single component. 
     Continuous/Uninterrupted Wall. 
     A wall having no break in uniformity or continuity. 
     Patient 
     Individual seeking medical care. 
     Hermetically Sealed Container 
     A container that is designed and intended to be secure against the entry of microorganisms and to maintain the safety and quality of its contents after pressurizing. 
     Biologic 
     A virus, therapeutic serum, toxin, antitoxin, vaccine, blood, blood component or derivative, allergenic product, or analogous product applicable to the prevention, treatment or cure of diseases or injuries of man. 
     Drug 
     As defined by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, drugs are “articles (other than food) intended for the use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals, or to affect the structure or any function.” 
     Drug Product 
     A finished dosage form (e.g. tablet, capsule, or solution) that contains the active drug ingredient usually combined with inactive ingredients. 
     Artificial Blood Substitutes 
     Blood Substitutes are used to fill fluid volume and/or carry oxygen and other gases in the cardiovascular system. These include volume expanders for inert products, and oxygen therapeutics for oxygen-carrying products. 
     Resuscitation Fluids 
     Infusion of hyperosmotic-hyperoncotic solutions such as hypertonic saline dextran (HSD) as used for resuscitation of traumatic shock and perioperative volume support or as an adjunct to other conventional isotonic crystalloid solutions. Where hypotension is caused by myocardial depression, pathological vasodilatation and extravascation of circulating volume due to widespread capillary leak, a resuscitative effort is attempted to correct the absolute and relative hypovolemia by refilling the vascular tree. Here resuscitation with a small volume of hypertonic-hyperoncotic solution allows systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic and oxygen transport recovery, without an increase in pulmonary artery pressure. Alternate types of normotonic, hyperoncotic, hypertonic, and hypertonic-hyperoncotic solutions can be used for systemic hemodynamic recovery. 
     KVO 
     KVO—keeping-the-vein-open in an IV set up, a phrase that refers to the flow rate of a maintenance IV line established as a prophylactic access. 
     Nutritionals 
     Dietary supplemental enteral nutrition support feeding solutions used for nasoenteric application typically used in nasogastric, nasoduodenal and nasojejunal or intravenous routes of administration. 
     Beneficial Agent 
     The term beneficial agent can include any substance or compound that is biologically active and includes any physiologically or pharmacologically active substance that produces a localized or systemic effect in humans or animals and that can be delivered by the present invention to produce a beneficial and useful result. 
     Diluent 
     A liquid that dilutes, as in an inert solution used to dilute a medicament. An inert liquid carrier of a beneficial agent. 
     Device 
     An instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including any component, part or accessory, which is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, treatment or prevention of disease. A device does not achieve its intended purpose through chemical action in the body and is not dependent upon being metabolized to achieve its purpose. 
     Apparatus 
     An appliance or device for a particular purpose: An integrated group of materials or apparatus used for a particular purpose. The totality of means by which a designated function is performed or a specific task executed, a group of body parts that work together to perform a given function. 
     Reservoir 
     A receptacle or chamber for storing a fluid. A part of a machine, apparatus, where liquid is stored. 
     Liquid Container 
     A receptacle for holding a liquid. A fluid dispenser that is carried or transported. 
     Collapsible 
     To cause to fold, break down, or fall down or inward or as in bent-over or doubled-up so that one part lies on another. 
     Collapsible Container 
     A dispensing apparatus in which one or more walls of the container are made of a material which will deform (collapse) when pressure is applied thereto; or a dispensing apparatus having a collapsible or telescoping wall structure. 
     Aseptic Processing 
     The term ‘aseptic processing’ as it is applied in the pharmaceutical industry refers to the assembly of sterilized components and product in a specialized clean environment. 
     Sterile Product 
     A sterile product is one that is free from all living organisms, whether in a vegetative or spore state. 
     Blow-Fill-Seal Process 
     The concept of aseptic blow-fill-seal (BFS) is that a container is formed, filled, and sealed as a unitary container in a continuous manner without human intervention in a sterile enclosed area inside a machine. The process is multi-stepped, pharmaceutical grade resin is extruded into a tube, which is then formed into a container. A mandrel is inserted into the newly formed container and filled. The container is then sealed, all inside a sterile shrouded chamber. The product is then discharged to a non-sterile area for packaging and distribution. 
     Integrally Formed 
     An article of one-piece construction, or several parts that are rigidly secured together and is smoothly continuous in form and that any such components making up the part have been then rendered inseparable. 
     Septum 
     A word borrowed from the Latin “saeptum” meaning a dividing wall or enclosure; thus, a thin partition or membrane that divides two spaces. 
     Slit Septum 
     A septum that is partially slit to aid in cannula penetration. 
     Penetrating 
     Tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing. 
     Cutting 
     Capable of or designed for incising, shearing, or severing as to cut off from a main body. 
     Frangible 
     An article, item or object that is capable of being ruptured or broken, but does not necessarily imply any inherent materials weakness. A material object, under load that demonstrates a mechanical strain rate deformation behavior, leading to disintegration. 
     Luer-Like Connector 
     A connector used to connect medical apparatus. Classically, the Luer consists of a tapered barrel and a conical male part that fits into it with or without a seal. 
     Surface Treatment 
     The processes of surface treatments, more formally surface engineering, to tailor the surfaces of engineering materials to change, alter or modify the physical surface characteristics and improve the function of the materials properties for its intended purpose. 
     Spring 
     A mechanical element that can be deformed by a mechanical force such that the deformation is directly proportional to the force or torque applied to it. An elastic machine component able to deflect under load in a prescribed manner and to recover its initial shape when unloaded. The combination of force and displacement in a deflected spring is energy which may be stored when moving loads are being arrested. 
     Constant Force Spring 
     Constant force springs are a special variety of extension spring. They are tightly coiled wound bands of pre-hardened spring steel or stainless steel strip with built-in curvature so that each turn of the strip wraps tightly on its inner neighbor. When the strip is extended (deflected) the inherent stress resists the loading force; the same as a common extension spring, but at a nearly constant (zero) rate. The constant-force spring is well suited to long extensions with no load build-up. In use, the spring is usually mounted with the ID tightly wrapped on a drum and the free end attached to the loading force. Considerable flexibility is possible with constant-force springs because the load capacity can be multiplied by using two or more strips in tandem, or back-to-back. Constant force springs are available in a wide variety of sizes. 
     Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , one form of the fluid dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  50 . The dispensing apparatus here comprises a supporting structure  52 , which includes a housing  54  having an upper portion  55  and a generally cylindrically shaped skirt portion  56 . Supporting structure  52  can be constructed from metal, plastic or any suitable material. Connected to portion  56  is a base segment  57 , the details of construction of which will presently be described. 
     Disposed within skirt portion  56  is a carriage assembly  58 , which is movable between a first position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4A  and a second position shown in  FIG. 4B . As best seen by referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , carriage assembly  58  comprises a carriage  60  having a carriage flange  60   a  to which the novel stored energy means of the present invention is operably interconnected. Carriage assembly  58  is releasably locked in its first position by a novel locking means the character of which will be described in the paragraphs, which follow. 
     Carried by carriage assembly  58  is a reservoir defining assembly  64  that defines a fluid reservoir  65 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , reservoir defining assembly  64  includes a top wall  64   a , an accordion-like side wall  64   b  that is connected to top wall  64   a  and a bottom wall  64   c  that is connected to side wall  64   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , bottom wall  64   c  includes a cup-shaped portion  64   e . Reservoir  65  has a combination inlet/outlet  66  that is formed in a reservoir nipple  68  showing a scoreline  69  that also comprises a part of the reservoir assembly  64 . 
     In the preferred form of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , nipple  68  is sealably interconnected with top wall  64   a  in accordance with an aseptic blow-fill-seal technique of a character well understood by those skilled in the art. This blow-fill-seal technique comprises the continuous extrusion through an extruder head of a length of a parison in the form of a hollow tube between and through two co-acting first or main mold halves. The method 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 and thereafter filling a molded container. 
     When the container portion of the container assembly is filled with the desired amount of liquid, the blowing and filling nozzle assembly is retracted from the opening in the parison. A separate pair of co-acting second or upper sealing mold halves are then moved together around the exposed length of parison to form and seal the container upper portion. The finished container assembly, completely formed, filled, and sealed as a unitary structure is then conveyed out of the molding apparatus. Further information concerning aseptic blow-fill and blow-fill-seal techniques is available from Weiler Engineering of Elgin, Ill. and from Rommelag of Waiblingen, Germany. 
     To controllably move the carriage assembly from its first position to its second position and to thereby controllably expel the fluid from the fluid reservoir  65 , novel stored energy means are provided. These novel stored energy means, which are operably associated with carriage assembly  58 , are here provided in the form of three circumferentially spaced-apart, constant force springs  70  ( FIGS. 3 and 8 ). It is to be understood that an alternate number of springs can be used as may be desired. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  8  and  9 , constant force springs  70  are housed within spring retainers  72   a  which form a part of a spring housing  72  which includes a cavity  73  having internal threads  73   a . Housing  72 , in turn, forms a part of the supporting structure  52  of the apparatus. The details of construction and operation of these important constant force springs will presently be described. 
     As will be discussed more fully in the paragraphs which follow during the fluid dispensing step, as the carriage assembly  58  is moved by the constant force springs  70  toward its deployed position, the accordion-like sidewall  64   b  of the reservoir assembly  64  will be urged to move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 4B  and in so doing will cause the fluid contained within the container to be controllably and substantially expelled therefrom. 
     To further control the flow of fluid from reservoir  65  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, novel fluid flow control means are provided. The fluid flow control means, which is carried by the supporting structure  52 , 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 an operating means for controlling fluid flow between the collapsible reservoir and the rate control means. 
     Considering first the rate control means of the invention, this important means comprises a rate control housing  82 , which includes a first cover member  84 , that engages a selector element  86  which is received within a cavity  87  provided in selector member  88  and located therewithin by a flat “F” ( FIG. 23 ). Selector member  88 , which has an enlarged diameter portion  88   a  (See  FIG. 14 ), forms a part of the selector means of the invention for selecting the desired rate of fluid flow from the fluid reservoir toward the administration set. Cover member  84  also has a rate control plate cavity  84   b . As best seen in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , rate control housing  82  includes a second cover member  89  having an outwardly extending attached nipple  92 , the purpose of which will presently be described. 
     Interconnected with rate control housing  82  is a selector knob  94 , that includes a central bore  96 , the enlarged, threaded diameter portion  96   a  of which sealably receives the connector hub  77  of the administration set  76  ( FIG. 12 ). The enlarged diameter portion  96   b  of bore  96 , which includes a groove  96   c , receives the reduced diameter portion  88   b  of selector member  88  ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ). A threaded cap  95  retains selector member  88  in position. As shown in  FIG. 14 , selector member  88  includes an orientation spine  88   s  that is received in groove  96   c . Selector knob  94  also includes an outwardly extending flange  94   c  which carries circumferentially spaced finger-gripping elements  100  which assist in rotating the selector knob ( FIG. 12 ). Flange  94   c  also carries an indicator arrow  101 , which, upon rotation of the selector member, aligns with flow rate indicia  104  imprinted on the rim portion  106   a  of a selector member support  106  that supports selector knob  94  ( FIGS. 2 ,  12  and  13 ). Selector member support  106  also includes a skirt portion  106   b  that is interconnected with rate control housing  82  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 3 and 13 . It is to be noted that the movable components of the dispensing apparatus typically carry conventional 0-rings to provide appropriate sealing of the components within the apparatus with their mating parts. Throughout the drawings these 0-rings are identified as “O”. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , first cover member  84  cooperates with second cover  89  to sealably enclose the rate control plate  110  of the invention ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ) that is disposed between covers  84  and  89  and is oriented therebetween by a spline  84   c  on cover  84  and notches “N” formed on cover  89  and plate  110 . Rate control plate  110  is provided with a plurality of fluid flow channels of different lengths, widths, depths and geometry ( FIG. 32 ) that are in fluid communication with outlet  66  of collapsible reservoir  65  via the operating means of the invention, central passageway  92   a  of nipple  92 , and central passageway  68   a  of nipple  68 . After operating the operating means of the invention in a manner presently to be described to permit fluid to flow into the passageway of the nipples  68  and  92  via the operating means, fluid will flow through passageway  89   a , through a conventional particulate filter  111 , into a well  89   b  and into inlet  110   a  of the rate control plate. From inlet  110   a , the fluid will flow into the various circuitous fluid channels  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c ,  112   d ,  112   e  and  112   f  formed in the rate control plate, each of which is of a different length, width, depth and geometry (see  FIGS. 12 and 32 ). As each of the channels fills with the medicinal fluid to be dispensed to the patient, the fluid will flow into outlet passageways  114   a ,  114   b ,  114   c ,  114   d ,  114   e  and  114   f  respectively formed in rate control cover  84  ( FIG. 28 ). From these outlet passageways, the fluid will flow into and fill circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways  116   a ,  116   b ,  116   c ,  116   d ,  116   e  and  116   f  formed in cover member  84  (see  FIGS. 26 and 27 ). 
     As best seen by referring to  FIG. 21 , selector member  88 , which controllably rotates with knob  94 , is provided with an inlet  120 , a radially extending inlet passageway  122  and an outlet  124  that is in communication with a central passageway  126  via an orifice  86   a  of the selector element  86  ( FIG. 23 ). When the connector hub  77  of the administration set  76  is in position within the cavity  96   a  formed in selector knob  94  in the manner shown in  FIG. 4B , the fluid will flow through the selector film  86  and directly into the inlet  77   a  of the hub  77  of the administration set  76  ( FIGS. 3 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23 ). 
     With the construction just described, by rotating the selector knob  94 , (See  FIG. 4B ) which, in turn, rotates selector member  88 , inlet  120  of the selector member can be selectively brought into index with one of the axially extending passageways formed in selector member  88 , thereby providing fluid communication with a selected one of the circuitous flow passageways formed in rate control plate  110 . Since outlet passageway  124  is in fluid communication with the administration set  76  in the manner previously described, the rate of fluid flow toward the patient can be precisely controlled by selecting a rate control passageway of appropriate length that is formed in rate control plate  110 . 
     Considering now the previously identified operating means of the invention, this important means, which controls fluid flow between collapsible reservoir  65  and passageway  92   a  of nipple  92  of the rate control means, here comprises an operating shaft  128  ( FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  38 ) that is sealably, rotatably mounted within a generally cylindrical-shaped chamber  130  ( FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  36 ) formed in housing  54  of supporting structure  52  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 A and  36 ). Operating shaft  128  can be rotated within chamber  130 , which is closed by a closure cap  130   a , by an “L”-shaped operating handle  134  ( FIG. 2 ) between the position shown in  FIG. 44 , blocking fluid flow from collapsible reservoir  65  toward administration set  76  and the position shown in  FIG. 46  permitting fluid flow from the reservoir toward the administration set. 
     Turning particularly to  FIGS. 38 through 41 , operating shaft  128  can be seen to comprise a body portion  128   a  and a reduced diameter neck portion  128   b . Circumferentially spaced-apart, generally arcuate-shaped cavities  131  and  132 , which are formed in body portion  128   a , are strategically located to receive the end portions of nipples  68  and  92  when the operating shaft is held in position within chamber  130  by integral retainer clips  135  in the manner shown in  FIG. 36 . Also formed within operating shaft  128  is a transversely extending fluid passageway  136 , which, upon rotation of the operating shaft by handle  134 , can be moved into alignment with the fluid passageways  68   a  and  92   a  of nipples  68  and  92  respectively (see  FIG. 46 ). 
     Mounted within each of the cavities  131  and  132  is a spring knife  140 , which, as indicated in  FIGS. 41 and 42 , includes a cutting edge  140   a  formed proximate one extremity and a pair of mounting clips  142  provided proximate the opposite extremity. Tabs  142   a  of the mounting clips are received within slots  144  formed in body portion  128   a  so as to secure the spring knives within the arcuate cavities in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 44 . With this construction, as the operating shaft  128  is rotated by handle  134  from the position shown in  FIG. 44  into the position shown in  FIG. 45  the spring knives will cleanly sever the sealed tip portions  68   b  and  92   b  of nipples  68  and  92  respectively. Continued rotation of operating member  128  will move sealed tip portions  68   b  and  92   b  into the cavities for rotation therewith ( FIG. 45 ) and will move transverse passageway  136  into alignment with passageways  68   a  and  92   a  in a manner shown in  FIG. 46 . With the operating member in this position fluid can flow freely from reservoir  65  toward the rate control means of the invention via passageways  68   a  and  92   a  of nipples  68  and  92 . 
     From passageway  68   a , fluid will flow through passageway  136 , through passageway  92   a , through conventional particulate filter  111 , through well  89   b , through outlet  89   a , into inlet  110   a  of rate control plate  110  of the rate control assembly and then into the various circuitous fluid channels  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c ,  112   d ,  112   e  and  112   f  formed in the rate control plate (see  FIGS. 3 ,  13  and  32 ). Rate control plate  110 , which can be constructed from various plastics, is oriented relative to members  84  and  89  by the previously identified notches “N” and spines “S” and  84   c . Filter  111  is maintained in position within cavity  92   b  of member  92  which is received in a cavity  89   b  formed in plate  89 . As each of the channels fills with the medicinal fluid to be dispensed to the patient, the fluid will flow next into outlet passageways  114   a ,  114   b ,  114   c ,  114   d ,  114   e  and  114   f  respectively formed in rate control cover  84  ( FIG. 28 ). From these outlet passageways, the fluid flows into and fills circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways  116   a ,  116   b ,  116   c ,  116   d ,  116   e  and  116   f  formed in cover member  84  (see  FIGS. 26 and 27 ). By controllably rotating knob  94  which in turn rotates the selector member  88 , inlet  120  thereof can be selectively brought into index with one of the fluid passageways formed in cover member  84  via element  86 , thereby providing fluid communication with a selected one of the circuitous flow passageways formed in rate control plate  110 . Since outlet passageway  124  of the selector member  88  is in fluid communication with the administration set  76  in the manner previously described the fluid can be delivered to the patient at a selected controlled rate of flow. 
     With the apparatus in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  and with the fluid reservoir  65  filled with the medicament to be dispensed to the patient, the dispensing operation can be commenced by removing the top cover  150  which is snapped over a cover connector  152  that protrudes from the rate control cover  84 . With the top cover removed, the administration line  76   a  of the administration set  76  can be unwrapped from the sleeve  106   b  of the selector knob support  106  about which it has been coiled (see  FIG. 3 ). Removal of the top cover  150  also exposes the selector knob  94  so that the fluid flow rate can be selected by rotating the selector knob to the desired flow rate indicated by the indicia  104  imprinted on the rim of the selector knob support  106  ( FIG. 2 ). In this regard, it is to be noted that selector knob  94  is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced cavities  97   c  ( FIG. 17 ) that are engaged by a protuberance  106   p  formed on inwardly extending flange  106   d  of support  106  ( FIGS. 13 and 31 ). With the desired flow rate thusly set, the operating shaft  128  is next rotated through the use of the operating handle  134  from the starting position shown in  FIG. 47  to the fully rotated position shown in  FIG. 49 . In this way, communication is opened between the reservoir outlet  66  and passageway  92   a  of nipple  92  which, in turn, is in communication with the rate control assembly of the invention. 
     Following the controlled rotation of the operating shaft  128  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 44 through 49 , the carriage locking means of the invention can now be manipulated in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 51  to release the carriage  60  from base segment  57  in order to permit the stored energy means, or constant force springs  70  to move the carriage from the fully deployed or extended starting position shown in  FIG. 4A  to the retracted position shown in  FIG. 4B . In this regard, as best seen in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  51 , the carriage locking means here comprises the previously identified base segment  57  which includes a locking sleeve  57   a  that is provided with a cam groove  155  that is adapted to mate with a male thread  157  formed on the base  57  of container  64  (see  FIGS. 4A and 6 ). With this construction, upon rotating base segment  57  so as to release the carriage in the manner shown in  FIGS. 4B and 51 , carriage  60  is then free to move in response to the urging of the constant force springs  70  from the position shown in  FIG. 4A  to the fluid delivery position shown in  FIG. 4B . As the carriage moves into the fluid delivery position the fluid contained within reservoir  65  will be caused to controllably flow toward reservoir outlet  66 , into fluid passageway  68   a  of nipple  68 , through passageway  136  formed in control member  128  and into passageway  92   a  of nipple  92 . From passageway  92   a , fluid will flow through conventional particulate filter  111 , into the well  89   b , through outlet  89   a , and into inlet  110   a  of rate control plate  110  and then into the various circuitous fluid channels  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c ,  112   d ,  112   e  and  112   f  formed in the rate control plate (see  FIG. 32 ). As each of the channels fills with the medicinal fluid to be dispensed to the patient, the fluid will flow into and fill circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways  114   a ,  114   b ,  114   c ,  114   d ,  114   e  and  114   f  formed in cover member  84  (see  FIG. 28 ). By controllably rotating the selector knob  94 , inlet  120  of selector member  88  can be selectively brought into index with one of the fluid passageways  116   a ,  116   b ,  116   c ,  116   d ,  116   e  and  116   f  formed in cover member  84 , thereby providing fluid communication with a selected one of the circuitous flow rate control passageways formed in rate control plate  110  and in this way select the desired rate of fluid flow to the administration set and then on to the patient. 
     In the present form of the invention, administration set  76 , which comprises a part of the dispensing means of the invention for delivering medicinal fluids to the patient, includes, in addition to administration line  76   a , a conventional “Y”-site injection septum or port  76   b , a conventional gas vent and particulate filter  76   c  and a line clamp  76   d . Provided at the distal end of the administration line is a Luer connector  76   e  of conventional construction ( FIG. 2 ) which enables the apparatus to be interconnected with the patient in a conventional manner. 
     The stored energy members or constant-force springs  70 , 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, Calif. Constant force extension springs are basically high stress, long deflection apparatus that offer great advantages when used in applications, such as the present application, where very low or zero gradient is desired, where space is a factor and where very high reliability, accuracy, and linear force tolerance is required. Constant force springs, such as springs  70 , provide markedly superior constant force loading when compared to conventional helical extension or like conventional types of springs. A constant force spring is typically a roll of pre-stressed metal strip that exerts a nearly constant restraining force to resist uncoiling or recoiling. The force is constant over time because the change in the radius of the curvature is constant. Springs  70  can be of a laminate construction, or alternatively spring  70  can comprise a single spring element of the character shown in the drawings. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 52 ,  53 A and  53 B, an alternate form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown. This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 1 through 51  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 52 through 64  to identify like components. As before, the dispensing apparatus here includes a supporting structure which includes an upper portion  154  and a generally cylindrically shaped skirt portion  156  that is interconnected with the upper portion in the manner best seen in  FIG. 52  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within skirt portion  156  is a carriage assembly  60  which is movable between a first position shown in  FIGS. 52 and 53A  and a second position shown in  FIG. 53B . Carriage assembly  60  is of identical construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical to the locking means previously described herein. 
     The primary difference between this latest form of dispensing apparatus of the invention and that previously described resides in the provision of a single, rather than multiple, flow rate control assembly  160  and a reservoir defining assembly  162  of a totally different construction. Reservoir defining assembly  162  here comprises a collapsible container assembly  164  which is carried by carriage assembly  60  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 52 . 
     As best seen by referring to  FIGS. 52 and 54 , collapsible container assembly  162  includes a collapsible container  164  having a collapsible sidewall  164   a , an interconnected bottom wall  164   b  and an interconnected top wall  164   c  to which a sealed reservoir nipple  166  which is scored about its periphery is sealably interconnected. Collapsible container assembly  164  defines a fluid reservoir  168  having an inlet/outlet that is generally identified by the numeral  170  ( FIGS. 52 and 54 ). 
     In the preferred form of this alternate embodiment of the invention, nipple  166  is sealably interconnected with member top wall  164   c  in accordance with an aseptic blow-fill-seal technique of the general character previously described to form a unitary structure. 
     To controllably move the carriage assembly  60  from its first position to its second position, novel stored energy means are provided. This novel stored energy means, which is identical in construction and operation to that previously described, comprises three circumferentially spaced constant force springs  70 . 
     As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, following operation of the operating means, when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion that is substantially similar to base portion  57 , springs  70  will move from their extended position shown in  FIGS. 52 and 53A  to their retracted position shown in  FIG. 53B  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its fully deployed or extended starting position shown in  FIG. 52  to its fully retracted position shown in  FIG. 53B . As the carriage assembly moves toward its retracted position, the collapsible sidewall  164   a  of the collapsible container  164  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 53B . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid or diluent contained within the container will be substantially and controllably expelled therefrom. 
     To further control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  168  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. As before this novel fluid flow control means, comprises two cooperating components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the collapsible reservoir to the patient and an operating means for controlling fluid flow between the collapsible reservoir and the rate control means. As previously mentioned, the rate control means is different from that previously described. However, the flow control means of this embodiment is identical in construction and operation to that previously described. The important alternate form of rate control means will be more fully described in the succeeding paragraphs. 
     As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the important flow control means, which controls fluid flow between collapsible reservoir  164  and the rate control means, comprises an operating shaft  128  that is rotatably mounted within a generally cylindrically shaped chamber  130  formed in upper portion  154  of the supporting structure. As before, operating shaft  128  can be rotated within chamber  130  by an “L”-shaped operating handle between a first position blocking fluid flow from collapsible reservoir  168  toward administration set  76  and a second position permitting fluid flow from the reservoir toward the administration set. 
     Operating shaft  128  includes circumferentially spaced-apart generally arcuate-shaped cavities  131  and  132  that are strategically located to receive the end portion  166   a  of container nipple  166  and also to receive the end portion  172   a  of the rate control means nipple  172  when the operating shaft is held in position within chamber  130  by the retainer clips  125 . As best seen in  FIG. 57 , nipple  172  is affixed to and extends from a cover  173 , which forms a part of the rate control assembly  177  of this latest form of the invention. As in the earlier described embodiment, as the operating shaft  128  is rotated by the operating handle from it first position into its second position spring knives  140  will cleanly sever the sealed tip portions  166   a  and  172   a  of nipples  166  and  172  respectively. Continued rotation of the operating member will capture the tip portions within the cavities for rotation therewith and will move transverse passageway  136  into alignment with fluid passageways  166   p  and  172   p  of the respective nipples. With the operating member in this position fluid can flow freely from reservoir  168  toward the rate control means of the invention via passageways  166   p  and  172   p  of nipples  166  and  172  and  136  of control shaft  128 . 
     From passageway  172   p , fluid will flow through a conventional particulate filter  111  and then into the inlet  179  of the rate control plate  180  of the rate control assembly  160  ( FIG. 64 ). The fluid will then flow through channel  182  and outwardly of outlet  186 . From outlet  186  the fluid will flow into inlet  188  of circuitous flow channel  180   a . Unlike the rate control plate of the previously described embodiment of the invention, rate control plate  180  has but a single micro-channel  180   a . It is apparent that by varying the geometry of the micro-channel, including its length, depth, width and geometry, the rate of fluid flow from reservoir  168  toward the administration set of the apparatus can be precisely controlled. After flowing through the rate control channel  180   a , fluid will flow through outlet  190  of the rate control plate and into inlet  192   a  formed in the upper plate  192  of the rate control assembly. After rate control cover  196  has been mated with upper plate  192  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 52 and 56 , the administration line  76   a  of the administration set  76  can be unwound from the periphery of the upper plate  192  and the hub portion  77  of the administration set can be inserted into the socket  196   a  formed in cover  196 . With the administration set thusly interconnected with the rate control assembly, the fluid will flow from inlet  192   a  into the inlet  76   c  of the administration set and onward toward the patient at a precisely controlled rate. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 65 ,  66  and  67 , an alternate form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  300 . This alternate form of the dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to the previously described embodiments and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 65 through 67  to identify like components. As before, the dispensing apparatus here includes a supporting structure  302  which includes an upper portion  304  and a generally cylindrically shaped skirt portion  306  that is interconnected with the upper portion in the manner best seen in  FIG. 65  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within skirt portion  306  is a carriage assembly  309  which is movable between a first position shown in  FIG. 65  and a second position shown in  FIG. 66 . Carriage assembly  309  is of similar construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also similar to the locking means previously described herein. As before, the locking means secures the carriage assembly and until released prevents forced loading of the reservoir assembly. 
     The primary difference between this latest form of dispensing apparatus of the invention and that previously described resides in the provision of a novel stored energy source, which is of a totally different construction. More particularly, rather than being of a mechanical spring, the novel stored energy means of this latest form of the invention comprises a compressible, expandable sponge-like configuration, which is generally designated in the drawings by  312 . This unique stored energy source, which functions to move the carriage  309  in the first compressed position shown in  FIG. 65  to the second expanded position shown in  FIG. 66  can take several forms. By way of non-limiting example, stored energy source  312  can comprise a microporous, mesoporous, macroporous, ordered structure and can be constructed from Polypropylene (PP), Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), Ethyle-vinyl Acetate (EVA), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE), silicone and porous cellulose acetate. A suitable source of certain of these materials is NUSIL Technology of Carpinteria, Calif. However, practice has shown that any porous plastic material including an open cell, porous foam or sponge-like material is suitable for use in constructing the stored energy source. The stored energy material employed may also be a cellular metal, porous metal, a metal sponge or solid metal foam. The metal foams may be derived from single element or alloys of two or more elements. The metals or alloys comprising the foams may be crystalline or amorphous. They may also have regions that display semi-crystalline characteristics. General examples of these materials include Al, Cu/Al, Sn, Au, Pb, brass, steel and negative Poisson metal foams. 
     As in the last described embodiment of the invention, reservoir defining assembly  162  here comprises a collapsible container assembly  164 , which is of identical construction to that previously described in connection with  FIGS. 52 and 54 . Container assembly  164  is carried by carriage assembly  309  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 65 . Collapsible container assembly  164 , which includes a nipple assembly  166 , defines a fluid reservoir  168  having an inlet/outlet that is generally identified by the numeral  170 . 
     To control the flow of fluid from reservoir  168  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, novel fluid flow control means are provided. The fluid flow control means, which is carried by the supporting structure  302  is identical in construction and operation to that previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1 through 51 . As before, this fluid flow control means here comprises two supporting components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the collapsible reservoir toward the administration set and an operating means for controlling fluid flow between the collapsible reservoir and the rate control means. Because the operating means and the rate control means of this latest form of the invention are substantially identical to those described in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 through 51 , these means will not be further described. 
     In operating the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, with the apparatus in the configuration shown in  FIG. 65  and with the fluid reservoir  168  filled with the medicament or diluent to be dispensed to the patient, the dispensing operation can be commenced by removing the top cover  150 , which is snapped over a cover connector  152  that protrudes from the rate control cover  84 . With a cover removed, the administration line of the administration set  76  can be unwrapped from the sleeve  104   b  of the selector knob support  104  about which it has been coiled. Removal of the top cover  150  also exposes the selector knob  92  so that the fluid flow rate can be selected by rotating the selector member to the desired flow rate indicated by the indicia imprinted on the rim of the selector knob support  104 . With the desired flow rate appropriately set, the operating shaft  128  is next rotated through the use of the operating handle to open communication between the reservoir outlet  170  and passageway  92   a  of nipple  92  via passageway  166   p , which, in turn, is in communication with the rate control assembly of the invention. 
     Following the controlled rotation of the operating shaft  128 , which is interconnected with structural member  304 , the carriage locking means of the invention can now be manipulated in a manner to release the carriage from base segment  214  in order to permit the stored energy means, or sponge  312  to move the carriage from the starting position shown in  FIG. 65  to the extended position shown in  FIG. 66 . 
     As the carriage moves toward its extended position fluid will be controllably expelled from reservoir  168 , through the flow control means and on to the administration set in the manner previously described. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 67A and 67B , yet another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  315 . This alternate form of the dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to the previously described embodiments and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 67A and 67B  to identify like components. As before, the dispensing apparatus here includes a supporting structure  316  which includes an upper portion  316   a  and a generally cylindrically shaped skirt portion  316   b  that is interconnected with the upper portion in the manner best seen in  FIG. 67A  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within skirt portion  316   b  is a carriage assembly  318  which is movable between a first position shown in  FIG. 67A  and a second position shown in  FIG. 67B . Carriage assembly  318  is of similar construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means somewhat similar to the locking means previously described herein. 
     The primary difference between this latest form of dispensing apparatus of the invention and that described in connection with  FIGS. 65 through 67  resides in the provision of a novel collapsible container  319  which has accordion-wall construction similar to that shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6  of the drawings. 
     Container assembly  319  is carried by carriage assembly  318  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 67A . Collapsible container assembly  319 , which includes a nipple assembly  319   a , defines a fluid reservoir  320  having an inlet/outlet that is generally identified by the numeral  320   a.    
     To control the flow of fluid from reservoir  320  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, novel fluid flow control means are provided which are identical in construction and operation to that previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1 through 51 . 
     In operating the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, with the apparatus in the configuration shown in  FIG. 67A  and with the fluid reservoir  320  filled with the medicament or diluent to be dispensed to the patient, the dispensing operation can be commenced by removing the top cover  150 , which is snapped over a cover connector  152  that protrudes from the rate control cover  84 . With a cover removed, the administration line of the administration set  76  can be unwrapped from the sleeve  104   b  of the selector knob support  104  about which it has been coiled. Removal of the top cover  150  also exposes the selector knob  92  so that the fluid flow rate can be selected by rotating the selector member to the desired flow rate indicated by the indicia imprinted on the rim of the selector knob support  104 . With the desired flow rate appropriately set, the operating shaft  128  is next rotated through the use of the operating handle to open communication between the reservoir outlet  320   a , through passageway  166   p , passageway  136 , and passageway  92   a  of nipple  92 , which, in turn, is in communication with the rate control assembly of the invention. 
     Following the controlled rotation of the operating shaft  128 , the carriage locking means of the invention can now be manipulated in a manner to release the carriage from base segment  316   c  in order to permit the stored energy means, or sponge  312 , to move the carriage from the starting position shown in  FIG. 67A  to the extended position shown in  FIG. 67B . 
     In this latest form of the invention, the carriage release means comprises a threaded connector boss  321  that is rotatably carried by base segment  316   c  and is constructed and arranged to threadably engage a threaded aperture  318   d  formed in the carriage base  318   a , with this construction rotation of the threaded boss using pivotal handle  321   a , will cause the boss to disengage the base segment permitting the stored energy source to move the carriage toward the position shown in  FIG. 67B . 
     As the carriage moves toward its retracted position, fluid will be controllably expelled from reservoir  320 , through the flow control means and on to the administration set in the manner previously described. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 68 ,  68 A,  68 B and  69 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  322 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in some respects to the earlier described embodiments and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 68 and 69  to identify like components. Because the flow control means of this latest form of the invention is of different construction and operates in a different way, the dispensing apparatus  322  includes a supporting structure  324 , which, is of necessity, somewhat different in construction. More particularly, the supporting structure  324  here comprises a connector assembly  326  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  328  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 68  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within outer housing  328  is the carriage assembly, which is movable between a first position shown in  FIG. 68  and a second position shown in  FIG. 69 . Carriage assembly  329  comprises a carriage  330  having a carriage base  330   a  that has proximate its periphery a connector portion  330   b . Carriage assembly  329  is releasably locked to base  328   a  of outer housing  328  in its first position by a novel locking means the character of which will presently be described. 
     Carried by carriage assembly  329  is a reservoir defining assembly  334  that defines a fluid reservoir  335 . Reservoir defining assembly  334  here includes a collapsible container  336  having a sidewall  336   a , an interconnected bottom wall  336   b  and an interconnected top wall  336   c  having a thin wall portion  336   d  to which a sealed reservoir septum assembly  338  is sealably interconnected (see  FIG. 68 ). In a manner presently to be described, fluid reservoir  335  is accessible via a slit septum  338   s , which comprises a part of reservoir septum assembly  338 . As best seen in FIG.  68 , septum  338   s  is disposed within a generally cylindrically shaped holding ring  342 , which in turn is disposed within septum assembly  338 . 
     In the preferred form of this alternate embodiment of the invention, reservoir assembly  334  is formed by the previously described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique to form a hermetically sealed container that contains the fluid to be dispensed. 
     The primary difference between this latest form of dispensing apparatus of the invention and those previously described herein resides in the provision of a totally different operating means for controlling fluid flow between reservoir  335  and the rate control means of the invention. This important operating means here comprises a septum-penetrating assembly generally designated in  FIG. 68  by the numeral  339 . Assembly  339 , which is disposed within a skirt  340  formed on a selector member housing  342  includes a pointed septum-penetrating member  344  having an elastomeric overcoat  344   e , which is received within a guide passageway  346  formed on support member  326 . Assembly  339  includes an internally threaded counterbore  339   c  which threadably mates with externally threaded portion  326   a  of connector assembly  326 . Assembly  339  also includes a cavity  339   a , which closely receives a portion of the somewhat differently configured rate control assembly  350 , the details of construction of which will presently be described. 
     In this latest embodiment of the invention, selector member housing  342  along with septum-penetrating assembly  339  is movable within a guide sleeve  352  that extends outwardly from support member  326 , from the first position shown in  FIG. 68  to the second position shown in  FIG. 69 . In addition to guiding the travel of the septum-penetrating assembly, guide sleeve  352  defines a cylindrical space  352   a  about which the administration line  76   a  of the administration set can be coiled in the manner best seen in  FIG. 68 . 
     Selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354  that is removably receivable between a circumferentially extending rib  342   a  formed on housing  342  and the upper extremity  352   b  of guide sleeve  352 . When the tear strip  354  is removed in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 68B , a rotational force exerted on selector member housing  342  will move the housing along with the septum-penetrating assembly into the second position shown in  FIG. 69  and in so doing will cause the septum-penetrating member  344  to pierce the septum  338   s  in the manner shown in  FIG. 69 . Piercing of the septum  338   s  and thin wall portion  336   d  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  335  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  344   a  formed in septum-penetrating member  344 . As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, from passageway  344   a  fluid will flow through conventional particulate filter  357 , into inlet  360  of rate control cover  362  of the rate control assembly  350 , into inlet  364   p  of rate control plate  364  and then into the various circuitous fluid channels of the rate control plate (see  FIG. 69E ). The fluid will then flow via the sealably connected rate control cover  366  into the various circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways formed in the selector housing  342  (see  FIGS. 69A and 69B ). 
     Considering in greater detail the rate control assembly  350  of this latest form of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 69E  rate control plate  364  is provided with circuitous fluid channels  364   a ,  364   b ,  364   c ,  364   d ,  364   e  and  364   f , each of which is of a different geometry including channel length, depth, width and geometry. As the fluid flows from reservoir  335  into the inlet  364   p  of rate control plate  364  via the orifice of the rate control cover  362 , each of the circuitous fluid channels will fill with the medicinal fluid to be dispensed to the patient. From the circuitous fluid channels, the fluid will flow into outlet passageways  366   a ,  366   b ,  366   c ,  366   d ,  366   e ,  366   f  and  366   p  respectively formed in rate control cover  366 . From these outlet passageways, the fluid flows into and fills circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways  374   a ,  374   b ,  374   c ,  374   d ,  374   e  and  374   f  formed in selector housing  342  (see  FIG. 69B ). 
     As best seen by referring to  FIGS. 69C and 69E , selector member  370  is provided with an inlet passageway  377  and an outlet passageway  378  that is interconnected with inlet passageway  376  by means of an axially extending stub passageway  380  which, in turn, is connected to a circumferentially extending channel passageway  382  formed in selector member  370  ( FIG. 69C ). With this construction, by rotating the selector member  370 , inlet passageway  377  can be selectively brought into index with one of the radial extensions  384  of the axially extending passageways formed in selector member housing  342  thereby providing fluid communication between outlet passageway  378  and the selected one of the circuitous flow passageways formed in rate control plate  364  via annular channel passageway  382  and the selected axially extending passageway formed in the selector member housing  342 . Since outlet passageway  378  is in fluid communication with the administration set  76  of the invention via passageway  386  ( FIG. 69A ), the rate of fluid flow toward the patient can be precisely controlled by selecting a rate control passageway of appropriate configuration and length that is formed in rate control plate  364 . 
     With the apparatus in the configuration shown in  FIG. 68 , and with the fluid reservoir  335  filled with the medicament or diluent to be dispensed to the patient, the dispensing operation can be commenced by removing the top cover  390 , which is snapped over a cover connector  392  that is provided on connector member  326 . With the cover removed, the administration line  76   a  of the administration set  76  can be unwrapped from the selector member housing about which it has been coiled. Removal of the top cover  390  also exposes the selector member  370 , which is secured in position by a selector member retainer component  395 , so that the fluid flow rate can be selected by rotating the selector member to the desired flow rate indicated by the indicia  397  imprinted on the selector member retainer component. 
     In the manner previously described, movement within guide sleeve  352  of the selector member housing  342 , along with septum-penetrating assembly  339  from the first position shown in  FIG. 68  to the second position shown in  FIG. 69  opens fluid communication between reservoir  335  and the rate control assembly  350 . This done, the carriage locking means of this latest form of the invention can be manipulated in a manner to release the carriage  330  from base member  328   a  in order to permit the stored energy means, or springs  70 , to move the carriage from the starting position shown in  FIG. 68  to the position shown in  FIG. 69 . 
     In this regard, as indicated in Figures and  68 ,  69  and  69 D the carriage locking means includes a locking member  400  having a shank portion  400   a  which extends through a keyhole-shaped opening  402  provided in the carriage base  330   a  (see  FIG. 69D ). The carriage locking means also includes a finger-engaging, operating member  406  that is connected to shank portion  400   a . Operating member  406  functions to rotate locking member  400  from a transverse locking position to a release position in alignment with keyhole opening  402  formed in carriage base  330   a . As the operating member is rotated from a locked position to a release position, the stored energy means, or springs  70  ( FIGS. 68 and 69 ) will move the carriage from a position shown in  FIG. 68  into the position shown in  FIG. 69  and in so doing will urge the fluid contained within reservoir  335  to flow toward penetrating member  344 , into passageway  344   a  formed in the penetrating member and into the inlet of rate control cover  362  via filter  357  of the rate of control assembly  350 . The fluid will then flow into the various circuitous fluid channels formed in the rate control plate and then into the various outlet passageways formed in rate control cover  364 . From the rate control cover, the fluid will flow into the various circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways formed in the selector housing  342  (see  FIGS. 69A and 69B ). By rotating the selector member  370 , inlet passageway  377  of selector member  370  can be selectively brought into index with one of the radial extensions  384  formed in selector member housing  342  thereby providing fluid communication between outlet passageway  378  and the selected one of the circuitous flow passageways formed in the rate control plate. From outlet passageway  378  the fluid will flow via passageway  386  toward the patient via the administration set  76 . 
     To recover any medicament that may remain in reservoir  335  following the fluid delivery step, a pierceable septum  410 , which is carried by selector member  370 , can be conveniently pierced using a conventional syringe, or like apparatus (not shown). Piercing of septum  410  opens communication between reservoir  335  and the syringe via central passageway  376 , via the rate control assembly  350 , via central passageway  364   p  and via passageway  344   a  of penetrating member  344  so that any remaining medicament can be readily extracted from reservoir  335 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 70 and 71 , still another alternate form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments and diluents to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  420 . This alternate form of the dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 68 through 69E  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 70 and 71  to identify like components. As before, the dispensing apparatus here includes a supporting structure  324  which includes a connector assembly  326  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  328  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 70  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within wall portion  328  is a carriage assembly  329  which is movable between a first position shown in  FIG. 70  and a second position shown in  FIG. 71 . Carriage assembly  329  is of identical construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical to the locking means previously described herein. 
     The primary difference between this latest form of dispensing apparatus of the invention and that previously described resides in the provision of a reservoir defining assembly  422  of a totally different construction. Reservoir defining assembly  422  here comprises a collapsible container assembly  424 , which is carried by carriage assembly  329  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 70 . 
     As best seen by referring to  FIGS. 70 and 71 , collapsible container assembly  424  includes a collapsible, accordion, or bellows-like sidewall  424   a , an interconnected bottom wall  424   b  and an interconnected top wall  424   c  having a thin wall portion  424   t  to which a sealed reservoir septum assembly  424   d  is integrally formed (see  FIG. 68 ). Reservoir septum assembly  424   d  is substantially identical to the reservoir septum assembly previously described and includes a slit septum  424   s , which provides access to the fluid reservoir  425  of collapsible container assembly  424  of this latest form of the invention. As before, septum assembly  424   d  is preferably sealably interconnected with top wall  424   c  in accordance with the previously described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique. 
     As in the earlier described embodiment, selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354 . When the tear strip is removed, a rotary force exerted on selector member housing  342  will move the internally threaded penetrating assembly  339  into the second position shown in  FIG. 71  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  344  to pierce the septum  424   s . Movement within guide sleeve  352  of the selector member housing  342 , along with septum-penetrating assembly  339  from the first position shown in  FIG. 70  to the second position shown in  FIG. 71  opens fluid communication between reservoir  425  and the rate control assembly  350 , which is identical in construction and operation to that previously described. This done, the carriage locking means of this latest form of the invention, which is also identical in construction and operation to that previously described, can now be manipulated in a manner to release the carriage  330  from base member  328   a.    
     Once again, in order 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  330 , is here provided in the form of three constant force springs  70  which are of identical construction and operation to those previously described. As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the collapsible sidewall  424   a  of the collapsible container assembly  424  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 71 . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container reservoir will be substantially controllably expelled therefrom. 
     From reservoir  425 , the fluid will flow through penetrating member  344 , through conventional particulate filter  357 , through the rate control assembly  350 , through the selector member  370  and toward the patient via the administration set  76 . 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 72 through 77 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  432 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in some respects to that shown in  FIGS. 70 and 71  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 72 through 77  to identify like components. As best seen in  FIGS. 72 and 73  the supporting structure  434  is similar in many respects to the previously described supporting structures and here comprises a connector assembly  436  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  438  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 72  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within outer housing  438  is the carriage assembly  330 , which is of identical construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by carriage assembly  330  is a reservoir defining assembly  440  which is of a somewhat different construction. This important reservoir defining assembly here includes a collapsible container assembly  442  having a sidewall  442   a , an interconnected bottom wall  442   b , an interconnected top wall  442   c  having a thin wall portion  444  and an interconnected neck portion  442   d  which is sealed at the time of manufacture by the previously discussed blow-fill-seal technique to form a hermetically sealed liquid filled container. Neck portion  442   d  forms a part of the novel reservoir access means of the invention. Collapsible container assembly  442  defines a fluid reservoir  447  that, in a manner presently to be described, is accessible via a penetrating member  344  that is adapted to pierce closure wall  444  as well as a pierceable septum membrane  452  which is positioned over closure wall  444  by means of a closure cap  454  which is affixed to the neck portion  442   d  of container assembly  442  (see  FIGS. 72 and 73 ). Penetrating member  344 , pierceable membrane  452  and threaded closure cap  454  also form a part of the novel reservoir access means of the invention ( FIG. 75 ). 
     In the preferred form of this latest alternate embodiment of the invention, closure wall  444  is sealably interconnected with neck portion  442   d  in accordance with the previously described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique. 
     The primary difference between this latest form of dispensing apparatus of the invention and those previously described herein resides in the somewhat differently configured container assembly  442 . In constructing the container assembly  442 , the basic container is formed using the aseptic blow-fill-seal technique earlier described herein and the reservoir portion of the container is sealed by the thin closure wall portion  444 . The piercable membrane  452  is then positioned over the closure wall  444  and the cap  454  is positioned over the piercable membrane  452  and secured to neck portion  442   d  by any suitable means such as adhesive bonding or sonic welding. This done the container assembly  440  is interconnected with connector member  436  by threading cap  454  into threaded counterbore  436   c.    
     Once again, in order 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  330 , is here provided in the form of three constant force springs  70 , which are also identical construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  438   a  of the outer housing  438  to arm the apparatus constant force springs  70  will move from their extended position shown in  FIG. 72  to their retracted position shown in  FIG. 73  and in so doing will controllably apply a substantially constant force to the carriage to move the carriage assembly from its fully deployed or extended starting position shown in  FIG. 72  to its fully retracted position shown in  FIG. 73 . Following operation of the operating means the carriage assembly can then move toward its retracted position at which time the sidewall  442   a  of the collapsible container  442  will be urged to move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIGS. 73 and 77 . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be substantially expelled in a controlled manner therefrom. 
     To control the flow of medicinal fluid or diluent from reservoir  447  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. Once again, this novel fluid flow control means, comprises two cooperating components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the collapsible reservoir and an operating means for controlling fluid flow between the collapsible reservoir and the rate control means. Both the operating means and the rate control means of this latest form of the invention are identical in construction and operation to those described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 68 and 69 . 
     As in the earlier described embodiment, selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354 . When the tear strip is removed, a rotary force exerted on selector member housing  342  will controllably move the housing along with the penetrating assembly into the second position shown in  FIG. 73  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  344  to pierce the membrane, shown here as an elastomeric septum  452  ( FIGS. 75 and 76 ) as well as the closure wall  444  in the manner shown in  FIG. 73 . Piercing of the septum  452  and the closure wall  444  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  447  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  344   a  formed in penetrating member  344 . From reservoir  447 , the fluid will flow through central fluid passageway  344   a  of penetrating member  344 , through conventional particulate filter  357 , through the rate control assembly  350 , through the selector member  370  and toward the patient via the administration set  76 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 78 through 81 , yet another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  452 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIGS. 73 through 77  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 78 through 81  to identify like components. The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 73 through 77  resides in the differently configured reservoir defining container  454 . As shown in  FIG. 78  container  454 , rather than being in the nature of the collapsible bottle, comprises a reservoir defining unitary container having a continuous bellows-like sidewall  454   a  that is movable from the expanded, starting configuration shown in  FIG. 78  to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 79 . This important reservoir defining container here includes, in addition to sidewall  454   a , an interconnected bottom wall  454   b , an interconnected top wall  454   c  and an interconnected neck portion  454   d  which is sealed at the time of manufacture by a thin closure wall  455 . Neck portion  454   d  forms a part of the novel reservoir access means of the invention. Collapsible unitary container  454  defines a fluid reservoir  457  that is accessible via a penetrating member  344  that is identical to that previously described. Penetrating member  344  is adapted to pierce closure wall  455  as well as a pierceable membrane  456  which is positioned over closure wall  455  by means of a closure cap  459  which is affixed to the neck portion  454   d  of container assembly  454  (see also  FIGS. 82 and 83 ). 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 78 and 79  the supporting structure  434  is substantially identical to the supporting structure of the last described embodiment and here comprises a connector assembly  436  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  438  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 78  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within outer housing  438  is the carriage assembly  429  which is of identical construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by carriage assembly is the previously described reservoir defining container  454 . 
     As in the last described embodiment of the invention, closure wall  455  is integrally formed with neck portion  454   d  in accordance with the previously described  454  is formed using the earlier described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique to form a unitary container ( FIG. 82 ). 
     As before, the basic unitary container and the hermetically sealed reservoir portion of the container is closed by the thin closure wall  455 . The piercable septum membrane  456  is then positioned over the closure wall  455  and the cap  459  is positioned over the piercable septum and secured to neck portion  454   d  by any suitable means such as adhesive bonding or sonic welding. It is to be understood that septum  456  can also be constructed as a slit or partially slit member. It is important to note that closure wall  455  effectively prevents the medicament contained within the fluid reservoir from coming in contact with external contaminants. 
     Once again, in order 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  330 , is here provided in the form of three constant force springs  70 , which are also identical construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, following operation at the operating means of the invention, when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  438   a  of the outer housing  438 , springs  70  will move from their extended position shown in  FIG. 78  to their retracted position shown in  FIG. 79  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 78  to its fully deployed, reservoir substantially empty position shown in  FIG. 79 . As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the sidewall  454   a  of the collapsible container  454  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 79 . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
     To control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  457  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. Once again, this novel fluid flow control means, comprises two cooperating components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the collapsible reservoir and an operating means for controlling fluid flow between the collapsible reservoir and the rate control means. Both the operating means and the rate control means of this latest form of the invention are identical in construction and operation to those described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 68 and 69 . 
     As in the earlier described embodiment, selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354 . When the tear strip is removed, a rotary force exerted on threaded selector member housing  342  will controllably move the housing along with the penetrating assembly  344  into the second position shown in  FIG. 79  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  344  to pierce the septum  456  as well as the closure wall  455  in the manner shown in  FIG. 79 . Piercing of the membrane  456  and the closure wall  455  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  457  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  344   a  formed in penetrating member  344 . From reservoir  457 , the fluid will flow through central fluid passageway  344   a  of penetrating member  344 , through conventional particulate filter  357 , through the rate control assembly  350 , through the selector member and toward the patient via the administration set  76 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 82A through 82D , yet another form of the dispensing apparatus 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. 78 through 81  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 82A through 82D  to identify like components. The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 78 through 81  resides in the somewhat differently configured reservoir defining container  458 . More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 82A  container  458  has a differently configured reservoir accessing neck assembly  458   a , which is interconnected with the container top wall  458   b . In addition, to top wall  458   b  the container formed as a unitary structure has a bellows-like sidewall  458   c  that is movable from the expanded, starting configuration shown in  FIG. 82A  to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 82B  and an interconnected bottom wall  458   d . Collapsible container  458  defines a fluid reservoir  459  that is accessible via a penetrating member  344  that is identical to that previously described. Penetrating member  344  is adapted to pierce a closure wall  458   e  that forms an integral part of the sealing portion  460  of the neck assembly. As shown In  FIG. 82D , insert component  459  of the neck assembly is interconnected with the neck assembly base portion  460   a  by an insert molding process or by a subsequent bonding step. With the unique construction thus described, the container of this embodiment need not be sealed at the time of manufacture. Rather, base portion  460   a  of the neck assembly can be left open and then later sealed by the interconnection therewith of the sealing portion  460 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 82A  the supporting structure  434  is substantially identical to the supporting structure of the last described embodiment as is the carriage assembly  429 . Carriage assembly  429  is releasably locked in the first position shown in  FIG. 82A  by locking means which is also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by the carriage assembly is the previously described reservoir defining container  458 . 
     As previously mentioned, a unique feature of this latest embodiment resides in the fact that the basic container  458  can be formed using the earlier described aseptic blow-fill technique, but left unsealed. The container can later be hermetically sealed by mating the sealing portion  460  with the neck base portion  460   a  and then sealably interconnecting the components by any suitable means such as adhesive bonding or sonic welding. However, it is to be understood that, if desired, the sealing portion  460  and the base portion  460   a  can be sealably interconnected during a blow-fill operation. 
     Once again, in order 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  330 , is here provided in the form of three constant force springs  70 , which are also identical in construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As in the earlier described embodiment, selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354 . When the tear strip is removed, rotary force exerted on selector member housing  342  will controllably move the housing, along with the penetrating assembly  344  into the second position shown in  FIG. 82B  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  344  to pierce the closure wall  458   e  in the manner shown in  FIG. 82B . Piercing of the closure wall  458   e  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  459  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  344   a  formed in penetrating member  344 . From reservoir  459 , the fluid will flow through central fluid passageway  344   a  of penetrating member  344 , through conventional particulate filter  357 , through the rate control assembly  350 , through the selector member  370  and toward the patient via the administration set  76 . It is to be noted that due to the novel construction of the reservoir accessing means, or neck assembly  458   a , following penetration of closure wall  458   e , the elastomeric-coated wall of the penetrating member will sealably engage the inwardly protruding collar  460   c  formed on sealing portion  460  of the neck assembly so as to substantially prevent fluid leakage between the collar and the penetrating member. 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, following operation of the operating means of the invention, when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  438   a  of the outer housing  438 , springs  70  will move from their extended position shown in  FIG. 82A  to their retracted position shown in  FIG. 82B  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position to its fully deployed, reservoir substantially empty position shown in  FIG. 82B . As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the sidewall  458   c  of the collapsible container  458  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 82B . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
     To control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  459  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. This novel fluid flow control means, is identical in construction and operation to the control means described in connection with  FIGS. 78 through 81 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 82E and 82F , still another form of the dispensing apparatus 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. 82A through 82D  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 82E and 82F  to identify like components. The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 82A through 82D  resides in the somewhat differently configured reservoir defining container  461 . As shown in  FIG. 82E  container  461 , rather than being of a bellows-like construction, here comprises a container having a collapsible bottle-like construction as a unitary structure. This reservoir defining, bottle-like container here includes a sidewall  461   a , an interconnected bottom wall  461   b , an interconnected top wall  461   c  and an interconnected neck portion  461   d  which is identical to the neck portion  458   a  of the previously described embodiment and is of the construction shown in  FIGS. 82C and 82D . Collapsible container  461  defines a fluid reservoir  463  that is accessible via a penetrating member  344  that is identical in construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 82E and 82F  the supporting structure  434  is substantially identical to the supporting structure of the last described embodiment as is the carriage assembly  429 . Carriage assembly  429  is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by carriage assembly is the previously described reservoir defining container  461 . 
     Once again, in order 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  330 , is here provided in the form of three constant force springs  70 , which are also identical construction and operation to that previously described. 
     To control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  463  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. Once again, this novel fluid flow control means is identical in construction and operation to those previously described. 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 83 through 88 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  462 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 78 through 82  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 83 through 88  to identify like components. As best seen in  FIGS. 83 and 84  the supporting structure  464  is similar in many respects to supporting structure  434  and here comprises a connector assembly  466  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  468  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 83  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within outer housing  468  is the carriage assembly  430 , which is of identical construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by carriage assembly is a reservoir defining assembly  470 , which is of a somewhat different construction. This important reservoir defining assembly here includes a unitary collapsible container assembly  472  having a sidewall  472   a , an interconnected bottom wall  472   b  and an interconnected thin film top wall  472   c . Connected to top wall  472   c  and extending therefrom is a luer-like connector  474  having external threads  474   a  and an integrally formed sealing wall  474   b . Connector  474 , which is interconnected with top wall  472   c  at the time of manufacture of the collapsible container assembly  472 , forms a part of the novel reservoir access means of this latest form of the invention. Collapsible container assembly  472  defines a fluid reservoir  477  that, in a manner presently to be described, is accessible via a slightly differently configured penetrating member  480   a  that penetrates sealing wall  474   b  of top walls  472   c.    
     In the preferred form of this latest alternate embodiment of the invention, luer-like connector  474  is sealably interconnected with top wall  472   c  in accordance with the previously described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique. Connector  474  of container  470  is threadably interconnected with connector member  464  and secured in position by locking tabs  68   e  ( FIG. 85 ). 
     The primary differences between this latest form of dispensing apparatus of the invention and those previously described herein resides in the somewhat differently configured container assembly  470  and the somewhat differently configured penetrating assembly  480 . In constructing the container assembly, the basic container is formed using the aseptic blow-fill-seal technique earlier described herein and the reservoir portion of the container is sealed by the interconnected walls of the container. 
     In order 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  430 , is here provided in the form of three constant force springs  70 , which are also identical in construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, following operation at the operating means of the invention, when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  468   a  of the outer housing  468 , springs  70  will move from their extended position shown in  FIG. 83  to their retracted position shown in  FIG. 84  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 83  to its fully deployed or retracted position shown in  FIG. 84 . As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the collapsible sidewall  472   a  of the collapsible container  472  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 84 . As the container collapses and following operation of the operating means, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
     To further control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  477  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. These important flow control means are identical to those previously described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 68 and 69  and will not here be further discussed. 
     As in the last described embodiment, selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354  that is removably receivable between a circumferentially extending rib  342   a  formed on housing  342  and the upper extremity  352   b  of guide sleeve  352 . When the tear strip  354  is removed and rotary force exerted on selector member housing  342  will move the housing along with the penetrating assembly  480  into the second position shown in  FIG. 84  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  480   a  to penetrate sealing wall  474   b  of top wall  472   c  of the container assembly. 
     Penetrating member  480   a  is of a slightly different construction that is better suited for penetrating sealing wall  474   b  of the container assembly. More particularly, penetrating member  480   a  has a generally cylindrically shaped body portion  481   a , an intermediate tapered portion  481   b  and a reduced diameter sharp penetrating extremity  481   c . To guide the travel of the penetrating member  480   a , the support member  466  here includes a guide passageway  467 , which guides the travel of the penetrating member  480   a  as selector member housing  342 , along with penetrating assembly  480  is moved from the first position shown in  FIG. 83  to the second position shown in  FIG. 84 . As the penetrating member  480   a  pierces wall  474   b , tapered portion  481   b  sealably engages tapered wall  474   c  of luer-like connector  474  thereby forming a substantially fluid seal. 
     Piercing of wall  474   b  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  477  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  481   d  formed in penetrating member  480   a . From passageway  481   d , fluid will flow through conventional particulate filter  357 , into the inlet of the rate control assembly  350  and into the circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways formed in the selector housing  342 . In operating the apparatus in the manner previously described herein, by rotating the selector member  370 , which is carried by selector member housing  342  passageway  376  can be selectively brought into index with one of the radial extensions  384  of the axially extending passageways formed in selector member  370 , thereby providing fluid communication between outlet passageway  378  and the selected one of the circuitous flow passageways formed in rate control plate  364 . Since outlet passageway  378  is in fluid communication with the administration set  76  of the invention via passageway  386 , the rate of fluid flow toward the patient can be precisely controlled by selecting a rate control passageway of appropriate geometry, width and length that is formed in rate control plate  364  (see  FIG. 69E ). 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 89 through 94 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  492 . 
     This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 83 through 88  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 89 through 94  to identify like components. 
     The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 83 through 88  resides in the differently configured reservoir defining container assembly  494  and the somewhat differently configured penetrating assembly  495 . As before, in constructing the container assembly  494 , the basic container is formed using the aseptic blow-fill-seal technique earlier described herein and the reservoir portion of the container is sealed by the interconnected walls of the container. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 89 and 90  the supporting structure  498  is similar in many respects to supporting structure  464  and here comprises a connector assembly  500  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  502  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 89  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within outer housing  498  is the carriage assembly  430 , which is of identical construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by the carriage assembly  430  is the previously identified reservoir defining assembly  494 . 
     Once again, in order 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  430 , is here provided in the form of three constant force springs  70 , which are also identical construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, following operation of the operating means at the invention, when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  502   a  of the outer housing  502 , springs  70  will move from their extended position shown in  FIG. 89  to their retracted position shown in  FIG. 90  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 89  to its fully deployed or extended position shown in  FIG. 90 . As the carriage assembly moves toward its contracted position, container  494   a  will be urged to move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIGS. 90 and 94 . Following operation of the operating means, as the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom through fluid passageway  496   a  formed in the penetrating member  496 . As before, penetrating member  496  is receivable within a luer-like connector  497  having internal threads  497   a . Connector  497 , which forms a part of the novel reservoir access means of this latest form of the invention, is interconnected with top wall  499  of the collapsible container at the time of manufacture of the collapsible container assembly  494 . 
     To further control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  507  of the collapsible container  494   a  toward the administration set  76  and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. Once again, this novel fluid flow control means, comprises two cooperating components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the collapsible reservoir and an operating means for controlling fluid flow between the collapsible reservoir and the rate control means. These components are, in this latest embodiment of the invention, substantially identical in construction and operation to those described in connection with Figure drawings  68  through  69 A. However, as previously mentioned, the penetrating member  496  is of a slightly different construction that is better suited for penetrating top thin sealing wall  509  of top wall  499  of the container assembly. More particularly, penetrating member  496  has a generally cylindrically shaped body portion  496   b  which, as before, is coated with an elastomer, such as silicone, an intermediate tapered portion  496   c  and a reduced diameter penetrating extremity  496   d.    
     Support member  500  includes a guide passageway  500   a , which guides the travel of the penetrating member  496 . Similarly, member  500  has a sealing wall which sealably engages the reduced diameter penetrating extremity  496   d  following its penetration of thin sealing wall  509  of the top wall  499  of the container assembly. 
     In this latest embodiment of the invention, selector member housing  242 , along with penetrating assembly  495  is rotatably movable from the first position shown in  FIG. 89  to the second position shown in  FIG. 90 . In addition to guiding the travel of member  242 , guide sleeve  250  defines a cylindrical space  250   a  about which the administration line  76   a  of the administration set can be coiled in the manner best seen in  FIG. 89 . 
     As in the earlier described embodiment, selector member housing  242  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  252  that is removably receivable between a circumferentially extending rib  242   a  formed on housing  242  and the upper extremity  250   b  of guide sleeve  250 . When the tear strip  252  is removed, a rotational force exerted on selector member housing  242  will move the housing along with the penetrating assembly into the second sealed position shown in  FIG. 90  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  496  to pierce thin sealing container wall  509  in the manner shown in  FIG. 90 . Piercing of wall  509  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  507  to the rate control assembly  350  and then into the circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways formed in the selector housing  242 . In operating the apparatus in the manner previously described herein, by rotating the selector member  370 , which is carried by selector member housing  242 , the rate of fluid flow toward the patient can be precisely controlled. 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 95 through 99 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  512 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 89 through 94  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 95 through 99  to identify like components. 
     The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 88 through 91  resides in the differently configured reservoir defining container  514 . As shown in  FIGS. 95 and 98 , container  514 , rather than being in the nature of the collapsible bottle, comprises a reservoir defining unitary container having a bellows-like sidewall  514   a  that is movable from the expanded, starting configuration shown in  FIG. 95  to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 96 . This important reservoir defining container here includes, in addition to sidewall  514   a , an interconnected bottom wall  514   b  and an interconnected top wall  514   c.    
     Connected to top wall  514   c  and extending therefrom is a luer-like connector  497  which is substantially identical to that previously described. Collapsible unitary container  514  defines a fluid reservoir  517  that is accessible via a penetrating member  496  that is identical to the penetrating member previously described in connection with  FIGS. 89 and 90  and is adapted to pierce a closure wall  514   d  in the manner previously described. 
     As indicated in  FIGS. 95 and 96  the supporting structure  498  is substantially identical to the supporting structure of the last described embodiment. Similarly, the carriage assembly  430 , which is carried within cylindrically shaped outer housing  502 , is of identical construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by carriage assembly  430  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 95  is the previously described reservoir defining container assembly  514 . 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, following the operation of the operating means when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  502   a  of the outer housing  502 , springs  70  will move from their extended position shown in  FIG. 95  to their retracted position shown in  FIG. 96  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 95  to its fully contracted position shown in  FIG. 96 . As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the accordion-like, collapsible sidewall  514   a  of the collapsible container assembly  514  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 96 . As the container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
     To further control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  517  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. These important flow control means are identical to those previously described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 88 through 91  and will not here be further discussed. 
     As in the last described embodiment, selector member housing  242  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  252 . When the tear strip  252  is removed, a rotational force exerted on selector member housing  242  will move the housing along with the penetrating assembly into the second position shown in  FIG. 96  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  496  to pierce the closure wall  514   d  and sealably engage sealing wall  497   b  of member  500 . 
     Piercing of the closure wall  514   d  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  517  to the rate control assembly  250 . The fluid will then flow into the circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways formed in the selector housing  242 . In operating the apparatus in the manner previously described herein, by rotating the selector member  370 , which is carried by selector member housing  242 , the rate of fluid flow toward the patient can be precisely controlled. 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 100 through 105 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  522 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 95 through 99  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 100 through 105  to identify like components. 
     The difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 95 through 99  resides in the slightly differently configured reservoir defining unitary container  524  and the slightly differently configured penetrating assembly  526 . As shown in  FIG. 100  unitary container  524  is similar in most respects to container  494  of  FIG. 89  except that the luer-like connector  527  is provided with a differently configured sealing wall  537  for sealably engaging the slightly differently configured penetrating member  526   a  of penetrating assembly  526 . 
     Reservoir defining container  524  has a collapsible sidewall  524   a  that is movable from the expanded, starting configuration shown in  FIG. 100  to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 101 . This important reservoir defining container here includes, in addition to sidewall  524   a , an interconnected bottom wall  524   b , an interconnected top wall  524   c  to which luer-like connector  527  is attached. Luer-like connector  527  here forms a part of the novel reservoir access means of the invention. 
     Collapsible container assembly  524  defines a fluid reservoir  531  that is accessible via elastomer coated penetrating member  526   a . Penetrating member  526   a  here comprises an elongated body portion  533  that terminates in a substantially punch-like end  535  comprising a cutter means that is adapted to pierce closure wall  537  of luer-like connector  527  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 100 and 101 . After penetrating member  526   a  pierces closure wall  537 , the elongated body portion  533  of the penetrating member sealably engages sealing wall  527   a  of luer-like connector  527  in the manner shown in  FIG. 101  to form a substantially perfect fluid seal. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 100 and 101  the supporting structure  538  is similar in many respects to supporting structure  498  and here comprises a connector assembly  538   a  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  538   b  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 100  of the drawings. Connector assembly  538   a  includes a guide passageway  540  that guides the travel of penetrating member  526   a.    
     Except for the differently configured collapsible container  524  and the differently configured penetrating member  526   a , the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, including the carriage assembly  330 , the locking means, the stored energy source and a flow control means operate in the same manner to accomplish the same result as the apparatus discussed in connection with  FIGS. 95 through 99 . 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 106 through 110 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  532 . 
     This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 100 through 105  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 106 through 110  to identify like components. 
     The difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 100 through 105  resides only in the differently configured reservoir defining container unitary assembly  534 . As shown in  FIG. 106 , container  535  of reservoir defining container assembly  534 , rather than being in the nature of the collapsible bottle, comprises a reservoir defining container having a bellows-like sidewall  535   a  that is movable from the expanded, starting configuration shown in  FIG. 106  to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 107 . This important reservoir defining container here includes, in addition to sidewall  535   a , an interconnected bottom wall  535   b  and an interconnected top wall  535   c.    
     Connected to top wall  535   c  and extending therefrom is luer-like connector  527 , which is identical to that shown in  FIG. 100 . Collapsible container assembly  534  defines a fluid reservoir  537  that is accessible via penetrating member  526   a  that is identical to the penetrating member previously described in connection with  FIGS. 100 and 101  and is adapted to pierce an integrally formed thin film closure wall  539  in the manner previously described. 
     Except for the differently configured collapsible unitary container  535   a , the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, including the carriage assembly  330 , the locking means, the stored energy source and a flow control means operate in the same manner to accomplish the same result as the apparatus discussed in connection with  FIGS. 100 through 105 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 111 through 116 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  542 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in some respects to the earlier described embodiments shown in  FIGS. 72 through 77  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 111 through 116  to identify like components. 
     The primary difference between this latest form of dispensing apparatus and that previously described in connection with  FIGS. 72 through 77  resides in the provision of a novel stored energy source, which is of a totally different construction. More particularly, rather than being constant force springs, the novel stored energy means of this latest form of the invention comprises a compressible, expandable sponge-like configuration, which is generally designated in the drawings by the numeral  544 . This unique stored energy source, which functions to move carriage  546  from the first compressed position shown in  FIG. 111  to the second expanded position shown in  FIG. 112  can take several forms. By way of non-limiting example, stored energy source  544  can comprise a microporous, mesoporous, macroporous, ordered structure and can be constructed from Polypropylene (PP), Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), Ethyle-vinyl Acetate (EVA), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) and porous cellulose acetate. A suitable source of these materials is NUSIL Technologies of Carpinteria, Calif. However, practice has shown that any porous plastic material including an open cell, porous sponge material is suitable for use in constructing the stored energy source. The stored energy source can also comprise a metallized foam as described in greater detail in connection with the embodiments of  FIGS. 65 through 67 . 
     As in the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 72 , the reservoir defining assembly  440  here comprises a collapsible container assembly  442 , which is of identical construction that previously described and is carried by carriage assembly  546  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 111 . Container assembly  442  can be interconnected with the connector member either by threads, or as shown here, by a snap-fit assembly. 
     As before, the carriage assembly  546  is releasably secured to base portion  438   a  of the outer housing  438  by a novel locking means. Following operation of the operating means when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly  546  from the base portion  438   a , sponge  544  will expand from the first compressed position shown in  FIG. 111  to the second expanded position shown in  FIG. 112  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 111  to its fully deployed or extended position shown in  FIG. 112 . As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the sidewall  442   a  of the collapsible container  442  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 112 . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container reservoir  447  will be controllably urged outwardly thereof. 
     To control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  447  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. Once again, this novel fluid flow control means, comprises two cooperating components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the collapsible reservoir and an operating means for controlling fluid flow between the collapsible reservoir and the rate control means. Both the operating means and the rate control means of this latest form of the invention are identical in construction and operation to those described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 72 through 77 . 
     As in the earlier described embodiment, the selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354 . When the tear strip is removed, a rotational force exerted on selector member housing  342  will move the housing along with the penetrating assembly  338  into the second position shown in  FIG. 112  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  344  to pierce the septal membrane  452  as well as the thin sealing closure wall  444  in the manner shown in  FIG. 112 . Piercing of the membrane  452  and the thin sealing closure wall  444  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  447  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  344   a  formed in penetrating member  344 . From reservoir  447 , the fluid will flow through central fluid passageway  344   a  of penetrating member  344 , through conventional particulate filter  357 , through the rate control assembly  350 , through the selector member  370  and toward the patient via the administration set  76 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 117 through 121 , yet another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  552 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIGS. 111 through 116  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 117 through 121  to identify like components. The major difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that shown in  FIGS. 111 through 116  resides in the differently configured reservoir defining container  554 . As shown in  FIGS. 117 and 120 , unitary container  554 , rather than being in the nature of the collapsible bottle, comprises a reservoir defining container having a bellows-like sidewall  554   a  that is movable from the expanded, starting configuration shown in  FIG. 117  to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 118 . This important reservoir defining container here includes, in addition to sidewall  554   a , an interconnected bottom wall  554   b , an interconnected top wall  554   c  and an interconnected neck portion  554   d , which is sealed following filling at the time of manufacture by a thin closure wall  555 . Neck portion  554   d  forms a part of the novel reservoir access means of the invention. Collapsible container  554  defines a fluid reservoir  557  that is accessible via a penetrating member  344  that is identical to that previously described. Elastomer-coated penetrating member  344  is adapted to pierce closure wall  555  as well as a pierceable membrane  452 , which is positioned over closure wall  555  by means of a closure cap  454 , which is affixed to the neck portion  554   d  of container assembly  554  (see also  FIGS. 120 and 121 ). As clearly seen in  FIG. 120  of the drawings, container  554  has a base having a width and a bottom wall  554   b  that includes a cup shaped portion that extends into fluid reservoir  557  by a distance greater than one-sixth the width of the container base. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 117 and 118  the supporting structure is substantially identical to the supporting structure of the last described embodiment and here comprises a connector assembly  436  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  438  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 117  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within outer housing  438  is the carriage assembly  546 , which is of identical construction and operation to that previously described and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by the carriage assembly is the previously described reservoir defining container  554 . 
     As in the last described embodiment of the invention, thin sealing closure wall  555  is sealably interconnected with neck portion  554   d  and top wall  554   c  in accordance with the previously described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique previously discussed. 
     As before, the basic unitary container  554  is formed using the earlier described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique and after filling the reservoir portion of the container is sealed by the thin closure wall  555 . The piercable membrane  452  is then positioned over the closure wall  555  and the cap  454  is positioned over the piercable membrane and secured to neck portion  554   d  by any suitable means such as adhesive bonding or sonic welding. The container along with neck portion  554   d  is then interconnected with connector member  436  and retained in position by the previously described snap-fit tabs. 
     Once again, in order 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  546 , is here provided in the form of a compressible, expandable sponge-like configuration  544 , which is identical in construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention following operation of the operating means, when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  438   a  of the outer housing  438 , sponge  544  will expand and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 117  to its fully deployed or extended position shown in  FIG. 118 . As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the sidewall  554   a  of the collapsible container  554  will be urged to move toward the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 118 . As the collapsible container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
     To control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  557  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. Once again, this novel fluid flow control means, comprises two cooperating components, namely a rate control means for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the collapsible reservoir and an operating means for controlling fluid flow between the collapsible reservoir and the rate control means. Both the operating means and the rate control means of this latest form of the invention are identical in construction and operation to those described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 111 and 112 . 
     As in the earlier described embodiment, selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354 . When the tear strip is removed, a rotational force exerted on selector member housing  342  will move the housing along with the penetrating assembly into the second position shown in  FIG. 118  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  344  to pierce the membrane  452  as well as the closure wall  555  in the manner shown in  FIG. 118 . Piercing of the membrane  452  and the closure wall  555  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  557  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  344   a  formed in penetrating member  344 . From reservoir  557 , the fluid will flow through central fluid passageway  344   a  of penetrating member  344 , through conventional particulate filter  357 , through the rate control assembly  350 , through the selector member  370  and toward the patient via the administration set  76 . 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 122 through 126 , still another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  562 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 83 through 88  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 122 through 126  to identify like components. As best seen in  FIGS. 122 and 123  the supporting structure  564  is similar in many respects to supporting structure  436  of  FIGS. 111 and 112  and here comprises a connector assembly  566  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  568  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 122  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within outer housing  568  is the carriage assembly  546 , which is of identical construction and operation to that described in connection with the preceding embodiment and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by carriage assembly  546  is a reservoir defining assembly  570 , which is of a somewhat different construction. This important reservoir defining assembly here includes a bottle-like collapsible, unitary container assembly  572  having a sidewall  572   a , an interconnected bottom wall  572   b  and an interconnected top wall  572   c . Connected to top wall  572   c  and extending therefrom is a luer-like connector  574  having external threads  574   a  and a thin film sealing wall  574   b . Connector  574 , which is interconnected with top wall  572   c  at the time of manufacture of the collapsible container assembly, forms a part of the novel reservoir access means of this latest form of the invention. Collapsible container assembly  570  defines a fluid reservoir  577  that is accessible via a penetrating member  344  that is identical to that previously described and is adapted to pierce top wall  574   b  and sealably engage a sealing wall  574   c  formed on connector  574 . 
     In the preferred form of this latest alternate embodiment of the invention, following filling of the container the luer-like connector  574  is sealably interconnected with top wall  572   c  in accordance with the previously described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique. 
     In order 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  546 , is here provided in the form of a compressible, expandable sponge-like configuration  544 , which is identical in construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, following operation of the operating means when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  568   a  of the outer housing  568 , sponge  544  will expand from its extended position shown in  FIG. 122  to the position shown in  FIG. 123  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 122  to its fully deployed or extended position shown in  FIG. 123 . As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the collapsible sidewall  572   a  of the collapsible container  572  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 123 . As the container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
     To further control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  577  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. These important flow control means are identical to those previously described in connection with the previously described embodiments and will not here be further discussed. 
     As in the last described embodiment, selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354 . When the tear strip  354  is removed, a rotational force exerted on selector member housing  342  will move the housing along with the penetrating assembly  344  into the second position shown in  FIG. 123  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  344  to penetrate top wall  574   b  of the container assembly. 
     Piercing of wall  574   b  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  577  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  344   a  formed in penetrating member  344 . From passageway  344   a , fluid will flow through conventional particulate filter  357 , into the inlet of the rate control assembly  350  and into the circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways formed in the selector housing  342 . In operating the apparatus in the manner previously described herein, by rotating the selector member  370 , which is carried by selector member housing  342 , the rate of fluid flow toward the patient can be precisely controlled by selecting the rate control passageway of appropriate geometry, width and length that is formed in rate control plate  364 . 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 127 through 130 , yet another form of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention for dispensing medicaments to a patient is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  572 . This alternate form of dispensing apparatus is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 122 through 126  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 127 through 130  to identify like components. As best seen in  FIGS. 127 and 128  the supporting structure  564  is similar in many respects to supporting structure  436  of  FIGS. 111 and 112  and here comprises a connector assembly  566  and a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing  568  that is interconnected with the connector assembly in the manner best seen in  FIG. 127  of the drawings. 
     Disposed within outer housing  568  is the carriage assembly  546 , which is of identical construction and operation to that described in connection with the preceding embodiment and is releasably locked in its first position by locking means also identical in construction and operation to the locking means previously described herein. Carried by carriage assembly  546  is a reservoir defining assembly  574 , which is of a somewhat different construction. This important reservoir defining assembly here comprises a unitary collapsible container assembly  576  having an accordion-like sidewall  576   a , an interconnected bottom wall  576   b  and an interconnected top wall  576   c . Connected to top wall  572   c  and extending therefrom is a luer-like connector  578  having external threads  578   a  and a sealing wall  578   b . Connector  578 , which is interconnected with top wall  576   c  at the time of manufacture of the collapsible container assembly, forms a part of the novel reservoir access means of this latest form of the invention. Collapsible container assembly  576  defines a fluid reservoir  579  that is accessible via a penetrating member  344  that is identical to that previously described and is adapted to pierce top wall  578   b  and sealably engage sealing wall  578   c  formed on connector  578 . 
     In the preferred form of this latest alternate embodiment of the invention, following filling of the container the luer-like connector  578  is sealably interconnected with top wall  576   c  in accordance with the previously described aseptic blow-fill-seal technique. 
     In order 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  546 , is here provided in the form of a compressible, expandable sponge-like configuration  544 , which is identical in construction and operation to that previously described. 
     As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, following operation of the operating means when the locking means of the invention is manipulated in a manner to unlock the carriage assembly from base portion  568   a  of the outer housing  568 , sponge  544  will expand from its compressed position shown in  FIG. 127  to the expanded position shown in  FIG. 128  and in so doing will controllably move the carriage assembly from its starting position shown in  FIG. 127  to its fully deployed or extended position shown in  FIG. 128 . As the carriage assembly moves toward its deployed position, the collapsible sidewall  576   a  of the collapsible container  576  will move into the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 128 . As the container collapses, the medicinal fluid contained within the container will be controllably expelled therefrom. 
     To further control the flow of medicinal fluid from reservoir  579  toward the administration set  76  of the invention and then on to the patient, flow control means are provided. These important flow control means are identical to those previously described in connection with the previously described embodiments and will not here be further discussed. 
     As in the last described embodiment, selector member housing  342  is retained in its first position by a tear strip  354 . When the tear strip  354  is removed, a rotational force exerted on selector member housing  342  will move the housing along with the penetrating assembly  344  into the second position shown in  FIG. 128  and in so doing will cause the penetrating member  344  to penetrate top wall  578   b  of the container assembly. 
     Piercing of wall  578   b  opens a fluid communication path from reservoir  579  to the rate control assembly  350  via a central fluid passageway  344   a  formed in penetrating member  344 . From passageway  344   a , fluid will flow through conventional particulate filter  357 , into the inlet of the rate of control assembly  350  and into the circumferentially spaced-apart fluid passageways formed in the selector housing  342 . In operating the apparatus in the manner previously described herein, by rotating the selector member  370 , which is carried by selector member housing  342 , the rate of fluid flow toward the patient can be precisely controlled by selecting the rate control passageway of appropriate geometry and length that is formed in rate control plate  364 . 
     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.