Patent Publication Number: US-8985357-B1

Title: Fluid delivery device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/661,647 filed Jun. 19, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to an apparatus for delivering fluids and more particularly to an apparatus for safely and effectively delivering fluid medication to infants and toddlers. 
     Infants and toddlers often resist the administering of medicine or refuse to ingest the medicine once administered. A syringe or eyedropper is typically used to administer medicine to infants and toddlers, which are often times sensed as a foreign object. As a result, the infant often will seek to push the object away from or out of its mouth. Even if the infant has adjusted to a syringe or eyedropper, the unfamiliar taste of many medicines will still cause the infant to spit out the medicine once it has been administered. 
     Syringes and eyedroppers are usually rigid, and in the case of a struggling infant, could possibly be dangerous to the infant&#39;s eyes, mouth, and throat. When actually administering the medication if it is injected directly to the back of the throat it often causes a gag reflex. This reflex causes the infant to spit up an unmeasurable amount of the medicine. The important question of proper dosage arises when the medicine has been spilled or spit out by the infant or toddler. It becomes very difficult to estimate or measure how much medicine has been ingested and how much medicine still needs to be given for a proper dosage when the infant refuses a portion of the medicine. There is not only the obvious risk of over dosage, but the risk of under dosage making the medicine ineffective. An under dosage could be as significant as an over dosage if the medicine is critically needed by the infant. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved apparatus for safely and effectively delivering medication in to infants and toddlers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an improved apparatus for safely and effectively delivering fluid medication to infants and toddlers. The apparatus includes a tube, which may be part of a syringe, including a fluid reservoir and a downstream opening, and a hollow elastomeric nipple which extends over a part of the tube and over the downstream opening in the tube so that the opening in the tube is generally aligned with the opening in the nipple. Preferably, the tube is frictionally held in place within the nipple with an interference fit. Numerous other features of the invention enhance the safety and effectiveness of the apparatus. 
     Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded side elevational view of a fluid delivery device in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of the fluid delivery device of  FIG. 1 , shown assembled. 
         FIG. 3  is an end elevational view of the faceplate of the fluid delivery device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the nipple of the fluid delivery device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the nipple of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of the nipple of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of an alternative nipple design. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the fluid delivery device in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of the fluid delivery device of  FIG. 8 , shown assembled. 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of the fluid delivery device of  FIG. 9  taken along line  10 - 10 . 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of a pacifier of the fluid delivery device of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the pacifier of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of an alternative syringe for use in the fluid delivery device of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid delivery device, specifically a pediatric medicine delivery device, indicated generally at  10 , in accordance with this invention. The pediatric medicine delivery device  10  includes a syringe, indicated generally at  20 , and a nipple, indicated generally at  30 . The syringe  20  includes a body or tube  21  that, in the illustrated embodiment, is generally hollow and cylindrical in shape, defines a fluid reservoir, and is formed from a clear plastic material. However, the tube  21  may be formed having any desired shape and may be formed from any desired material. The pediatric medicine delivery device  10  has a blunt, soft, non-harmful form to allow the safe introduction of medicine should the infant or toddler be moving his or her head rapidly or flailing his or her arms. 
     The tube  21  extends along a longitudinal directional flow axis A from a first upstream end  18  to a second downstream end  16 . The upstream end  18  includes an upstream opening  19  and an optional annular flange  22  provided to facilitate the handling of the pediatric medicine delivery device  10 . The downstream end  16  includes stepped frusto-conical outer surface portions  14  and  15  and has a downstream opening or delivery orifice  23 . The tapered shape of the downstream end  16  is significant as it relates to the shape of the hollow nipple  30 , but other shapes may be used as will be apparent. A plurality of indicia  26  is provided on the outer surface of the tube  21 . The indicia  26  provide a visual indication of the amount of fluid that is disposed within the syringe tube  21 . 
     The nipple  30  of the pediatric medicine delivery device  10  includes a mounting flange  31  and an annular groove  32 . An integrally molded rib or nib  33  is provided in the groove  32 . As will be described in detail below, the mounting flange  31 , the groove  32 , and the nib  33  are provided to facilitate the connection to and orientation of a faceplate  50 . The nipple  30  is preferably formed from a conventional flexible elastomeric material, such as silicone or rubber, although any desired material can be used. The nipple  30  may be provided with one or more differently scented flavors (such as bubble gum, strawberry, and cherry, for example) to mask the taste of some medications and to make it more appealing for infants and toddlers. The scented nipples will help reduce the anxiety of taking medication. 
     The nipple  30  has an upstream end  34  that includes an upstream opening  35  and a downstream end or tip  36  having a downstream opening or spout  37 . Downstream opening  37  is adapted to allow a fluid to flow therethrough when sucked upon by an infant or a toddler or when injected using a syringe. The nipple downstream opening  37  may be a traditional opening such as a pair of slits that are oriented in the shape of an X or any other desired shape to allow for the different types of viscosities found in different medications allowing the infant and toddlers to suck down the medicine. However, a preferred opening configuration will be explained in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the syringe  20  includes a plunger  40  that extends into the tube  21  and provides a means for forcing the tube contents through the downstream opening  23 . The plunger  40  includes a plastic rod  42  having an integrally formed push plate  46  on one end and an elastomeric piston  44  on the other end, as is well known in the art. Alternatively, an eyedropper-type bulb can be used in place of the plunger. 
     The nipple  30  is generally hollow, with frusto-conical steps  38  and  39  near the downstream end  36  and generally corresponding frusto-conical steps  14  and  15  of the tube  21 . The tube steps  14  and  15  are slightly larger than the steps  38  and  39  to provide a frictional interference fit of the tube  21  within the nipple  30 . The elastomeric nature of the nipple  30  allows for a secure but easily removable fit of the tube  21 . When so secured, the delivery orifice  23  is disposed within the nipple  32  such that when the nipple  32  is sucked upon by an infant or a toddler, or when injected using a syringe, fluid medicine (not shown) disposed within the tube  21  with be ingested by the infant or toddler. The precise amount of such fluid medicine that is ingested by the infant or toddler can be quickly and easily determined by with reference to the indicia  26  provided on the syringe tube  21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tip of the downstream end  16  of the tube which defines the tube downstream opening  23  is pressed snuggly against the interior surface of the nipple which defines the nipple downstream opening  37 . This fit assures that no fluid can be trapped between the tube opening  23  and the nipple opening  37 . This feature is particularly important when the fluid being administered is medication to assure that the administered dosage is proper. 
     Referring in addition to  FIG. 3 , the faceplate  50  is an annular plate having a flat or planar center section  52  for facilitating a connection with the nipple  30  and a rounded or curved outer perimeter  54 . Preferably, the faceplate  50  is formed from a flexible plastic material such as polypropylene, but any suitable material may be used. A soft fabric plush toy (not shown) may also be incorporated into the faceplate design. The faceplate  50  has a central aperture  56 , which is sized to fit snuggly within the nipple groove  32 . The aperture  56  includes a slot  58 , which corresponds to the nipple nib  33  and allows the faceplate  50  to be mounted on the nipple  30  in a preferred orientation, as will be explained below. 
     The faceplate includes a design  60 , which assists in proper orientation of the device  10 . The design  60  may include animal or toy shapes, etc. to create a more interactive and fun experience for the infant or toddler. The orientation marking of  FIG. 3  is an animal face, the proper orientation of which is readily apparent. Of course, the faceplate  50  could have numerous other types of orientation markings, such as a simple depiction of an arrow. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the nipple nib  33  is positioned in the groove  32  at a specific circumferential position with respect to the nipple downstream opening  37 . Of course, non-mechanical orientation devices or methods may also be used. For example, visual alignment markings on the nipple and faceplate could be used. Also, a visual marking on the nipple alone would suffice, although not preferred. 
     The nipple interior is hollow, with a syringe tube pocket  43  including the frusto-conical surfaces  38  and  39  corresponding to the tube surfaces  14  and  15 , and a cylindrical surface  41  corresponding to the outer surface diameter of the tube  21 . The syringe pocket  43  is designed to correspond to the interior shape of the nipple  30  to secure the nipple to the syringe tube  21 , but an additional benefit is that an infant or toddler can bite down on the nipple without closing the fluid delivery passageway through the tube and impeding fluid flow from the tube  21 . 
       FIG. 6  more clearly shows the downstream opening  37 . The opening  37  includes an integrally molded and centrally positioned fluid diverter  70  that divides the opening  37  into two passageways  72 . The diverter  70  has flat parallel side walls  71 . Opening  37  is also defined by angularly or transversely extending and generally conically shaped curved walls  75 . The diverter  70  cooperates with the walls  75  to direct fluid flowing through the opening  37  in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A of the device  10 . 
     The purpose of the design of the spout or opening  37  is to prevent fluid form being forced directly down the throat of a user, which may otherwise occur if the syringe plunger is moved to quickly. The design of opening  37  allows fluid to be directed toward the cheeks of the user rather than directly at the throat. The orientation of the opening  37  is significant for this feature. To this end, the nib  33  is positioned in the groove  32  in alignment with the wall  70 . Therefore, if the nib is positioned at the top or bottom of the device as it is inserted into the mouth of the user, the fluid will be deflected toward the cheeks of the user. In any event, in any orientation, the fluid will be deflected away from a path directly into the throat of the user. 
       FIG. 7  shows an alternative nipple  30 ′ having a downstream opening  37 ′. The opening  37 ′ includes an integrally molded diverter  80  that divides the opening  37 ′ into two passageways  82 . The diverter  80  has side walls  81  which are angled relative to the longitudinal axis A of the device  10 . Opening  37 ′ is also defined by angularly or transversely extending curved walls  85 . The diverter  80  cooperates with the walls  85  to direct fluid flowing through the opening  37 ′ in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A of the device. 
       FIGS. 8-11  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Fluid delivery device  110 , includes a syringe  120 , and a pacifier  130 . The syringe  120  includes a body or tube  121  that is generally hollow and cylindrical in shape and is formed from a clear plastic material. The tube  121  extends along a longitudinal axis A′ from a first upstream end  118  to a second downstream end  116 . The upstream end  118  includes an upstream opening  119  and an optional annular flange  122  provided to facilitate the handling of the device  110 . The downstream end  116  includes stepped frusto-conical outer surface portions  114  and  115  and a downstream opening or delivery orifice  123 . A plurality of indicia  126  is provided on the outer surface of the tube  121  between the upstream end  118  and an optional mounting flange  124 . Finger flanges  125  are provided on the tube  121  to facilitate handling and use of the device  110 . The syringe  120  includes a plunger  140  that is supported on an inner surface  141  of the tube  121 . 
     The pacifier  130  includes a flange  131  and a nipple  132 . The flange  131  and nipple  132  are integrally formed by molding. The nipple  132  has an upstream opening  135  and a downstream opening  137 . The nipple  130  is generally hollow and has frusto-conical steps  138  and  139  adjacent the downstream end  136  generally corresponding to the frusto-conical steps  114  and  115  of the tube  121 . The tube steps  114  and  115  are slightly larger than the steps  138  and  139  to provide a frictional interference fit of the tube  121  within the nipple  130 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a preferred pacifier  130 . The nipple  132  and flange  131  include an orientation device such as an animal picture to facilitate proper orientation of the nipple as previously explained. 
       FIG. 13  shows an alternative syringe  90 , which is a one piece elastomeric device having a bulb  92  and a spout in the form of a tube  94 . The syringe  90  can be used with the delivery device  10  in place of the syringe  20 . The syringe  90  has a downstream end  96  that has an opening  98 . The outer surface of the downstream end  96  may be inserted into the nipple  30  in a frictional interference engagement with a portion of the inside surface of the nipple, such as frusto-conical surface  39 . Of course, many other shapes of the end  96  or the inside surface of the nipple may be used to provide the interference fit. For example, the end  96  could have a stepped frusto-conical shape similar to that of the downstream end of the tube  21 . 
     The pediatric medicine delivery device  10  can be used to allow an infant or toddler to suck out the fluid contents, thereby controlling the fluid flow. Alternatively, the device  10  may be used by a caregiver to control the flow of fluid. 
     The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.