U.S. patent application number 13/391387 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for visual indicator and fluid dispenser.
Invention is credited to Lucien Vouillamoz.
Application Number | 20120191051 13/391387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43304199 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120191051 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vouillamoz; Lucien |
July 26, 2012 |
VISUAL INDICATOR AND FLUID DISPENSER
Abstract
A visual indicator display device includes a bracelet, a
transparent capillary chamber, and a displacement member. The
transparent capillary chamber is matched to an indicia and has a
primary length and a width less than the primary length. The
displacement member is functionally disposed at one end of the
capillary chamber and is responsive to a measureable input for
moving a fluid contained therein a defined amount.
Inventors: |
Vouillamoz; Lucien;
(Motiers, CH) |
Family ID: |
43304199 |
Appl. No.: |
13/391387 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
August 20, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB10/02055 |
371 Date: |
April 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61235725 |
Aug 21, 2009 |
|
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|
61349897 |
May 31, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/264 ;
116/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/14248 20130101;
A61M 5/1452 20130101; G12B 11/00 20130101; G01F 23/02 20130101;
G04C 17/00 20130101; A61M 5/14244 20130101; G04B 1/265
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/264 ;
116/200 |
International
Class: |
A61M 25/00 20060101
A61M025/00; G12B 11/00 20060101 G12B011/00 |
Claims
1. A visual indicator display device comprising: a bracelet adapted
to be worn around an appendage of a living organism; a transparent
capillary chamber for containing at least one fluid, the capillary
chamber matched to an indicia for measuring such fluid, the chamber
having a primary length and a width less than the primary length; a
displacement member functionally disposed at one end of the
capillary chamber which is responsive to a measureable input for
moving the fluid contained therein a defined amount.
2. The visual indicator of claim 1 wherein the primary length is a
circumferential length.
3. The visual indicator of claim 1 wherein the width is a radial
width.
4. The visual indicator of claim 1, wherein the primary length is a
spline length.
5. The visual indicator of claim 1, wherein the bracelet is the
capillary chamber and the capillary chamber is flexible.
6. The visual display of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid is
a fluid selected from a group of fluids consisting of a drug, an
oil, and a perfume.
7. The visual display of claim 6, wherein the indicator indicates
an amount of such fluid administered to a living organism.
8. The visual display of claim 7, wherein the dispensed fluid is
dispensed onto an absorptive pad held adjacent the skin of the
living organism.
9. The visual display of claim 7, wherein the dispensed fluid is
dispensed onto an absorptive pad held against a housing to which
the display is attached, near the skin of the living organism.
10. The visual indicator of claim 7, wherein the dispensed fluid is
a dispensed via a catheter into the body of the living
organism.
11. The visual display of claim 1 wherein the displacement member
is a piston located at the first end of the capillary chamber, the
piston having a rear face and a front driving face to advance the
fluids in the capillary chamber in a first direction.
12. The visual display of claim 11 further comprising a first
flexible reservoir containing first fluid located between the front
face of the piston and the first end of the capillary chamber,
where the reservoir is responsive to the piston to move the fluid
in the capillary chamber.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/235,725, filed 21 Aug. 2009 and U.S. Provisional
Application 61/349,897, filed 31 May 2010, the contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Further, no reference to
third party patents or articles made herein is to be construed as
an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate
such material by virtue of prior invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to indicators and in particular
analog visual indicators used to dispense a measured amount of
liquid.
[0004] Analog indicators have existed since time immemorial. The
hour glass, for example, uses sand or fluid which, influenced by
the weight of gravity, moves from one reservoir to another by
passing through a small aperture therebetween. Another example of
an ancient analog indicator is the "Clepsydra", as illustrated in
"Horloges Anciennes" by Richard Muhe and Horand M. Vogel, French
Edition, Office du Livre, Fribourg, 1978, page 9.
[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,598 describes an
instrument 1 having a movement 2, a drive shaft 3, cams 4, pistons
5, fluid filled capillaries 6 and a relief chamber 7 used to
indicate time. Automated fluid dosage devices exist. A typical
insulin pump is a computerized device that looks like a pager and
is usually worn on the patient's waistband or belt. The pump is
programmed to deliver small, steady doses of insulin throughout the
day. Additional doses are given to cover food or high blood glucose
levels. The pump holds a reservoir of insulin that is attached to a
system of tubing called an infusion set. Most infusion sets are
started with a guide needle, then the plastic cannula (a tiny,
flexible plastic tube) is left in place, taped with dressing, and
the needle is removed. The cannula is usually changed every 2 or 3
days or when blood glucose levels remain above target range.
However, such devices are bulky and are not always located at a
place on the body that is easy to access or read.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 2, a wrist worn device, such as the
"GLUCOWATCH" is known. This prior art device, said to be developed
in 2001, has a casing 8 supported on a bracelet 9. A reservoir
dispenses insulin onto a patch similar to a transdermal medication
patch used for smoking cessation and hormone therapy. It therefore
provides a non-invasive, needle-free method of enhancing and
controlling the transport of water-soluble ionic drugs out of the
skin and surrounding tissues using a low level of electrical
current.
[0007] These prior devices are cumbersome, requiring significant or
dedicated space for indicating the value, lack accuracy or only are
too costly for many users.
[0008] What is needed is a visual indicator that provides a quickly
read indication of a measured dosage value and is inexpensive to
manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A visual indicator display device includes a bracelet, a
transparent capillary chamber, and a displacement member. The
transparent capillary chamber is matched to an indicia and has a
primary length and a width less than the primary length. The
displacement member is functionally disposed at one end of the
capillary chamber and is responsive to a measureable input for
moving a fluid contained therein a defined amount.
[0010] An object of the invention is to provide a visual indicator
which takes up minimal space.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible
visual indicator which adapts to requirements which do not readily
permit a straight, rigid indicator, such as when such indicator is
worn on a wrist, ankles, a head or around or along some part of
human body, or on objects such as clothes and sporting
articles.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an aesthetic,
comfortable, reliable and intellectually attractive indicator.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of
fluids such as drugs, medication, ointment, oils or perfumes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side, cross-sectional view of an analog
indicator of the prior art.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of a second indicator of the prior
art.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side, cross sectional view of a first embodiment
of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 4B is a second perspective view of the second
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5A is a second embodiment of the invention, used as a
drug dispenser.
[0020] FIG. 5B is a side view of a cartridge for use in the
embodiment of FIG. 5A.
[0021] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a cartridge for use in the
embodiment of FIG. 5A, shown in a flexed state.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a partially disassembled view of the fluid
displacement device of the invention, having one reservoir.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a reservoir and
displacement member of the invention, showing features which aid in
initializing the invention.
[0024] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in
the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be
exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve
understanding of the invention and its embodiments. Furthermore,
when the terms `first`, `second`, and the like are used herein,
their use is intended for distinguishing between similar elements
and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological
order. Moreover, relative terms like `front`, `back`, `top` and
`bottom`, and the like in the description and/or in the claims are
not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position.
Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms
may be interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments
described herein are capable of operating in other orientations
than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] The following description is not intended to limit the scope
of the invention in any way as they are exemplary in nature and
serve to describe the best mode of the invention known to the
inventors as of the filing date hereof. Consequently, changes may
be made in the arrangement and/or function of any of the elements
described in the disclosed exemplary embodiments without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0026] A visual indicator display device includes a bracelet, a
transparent capillary chamber, and a displacement member. The
transparent capillary chamber is matched to an indicia and has a
primary length and a width less than the primary length. The
displacement member is functionally disposed at one end of the
capillary chamber and is responsive to a measureable input for
moving a fluid contained therein a defined amount.
[0027] A suitable fluid may be an oil, a lotion, or a liquid such
as a drug or other medication. The displacement member is attached
to one end of the capillary chamber which is responsive to a
measureable input for displacing the indicator surface thus
allowing the user to read a measurement from the indicia.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, an analog indicator 10 of the invention
indicates dosage. The indicator 10 includes a reservoir 12, a pump
14, a measuring device 16, a feedback circuit in a controller 20
and a power supply 22'. The reservoir 12 has a longitudinal axis 24
along which a indicia or a scale device 26 is disposed and is
adapted for containing a fluid 28 bounded by at least an indicator
surface 30. In a preferred embodiment, the pump 14 is made up of
the plunger 32 mounted on a screw 33 driven by a micro motor 34.
The plunger 32 generally uses an O-ring seal 29 disposed about its
circumference, to seal against the fluid 28 passing between the top
and bottom surface 31 and 35, respectively, of the plunger. The
pump 14 pumps the fluid 28 out of the reservoir 12, and into the
catheter 36. In a preferred embodiment, the measuring device 16 is
an electronic clock which measures time and communicates a measured
value of time to the feedback circuit 20. The feedback circuit 20,
powered by the power supply 22, receives a measured time input from
the measuring device 16 corresponding to a position on the scale
device 26 and, in response thereto, activates the pump 14 to pump
or move the fluid 28 out of the reservoir 12, until the surface 30
reaches a desired position in relation to the corresponding
position on the indicia 26 (generally calibrated to equal a desired
rate of dispensing of the fluid). The power supply 22 powers the
pump 14 and feedback circuit 20. As shown, the reservoir 12
communicates the fluid 28 into the catheter 36. A clasp 52 connects
ends of the device 10 to create a bracelet 21.
[0029] Further, optionally, an optical fiber and an LED light
source illuminate the fluid 28 in the reservoir 12 in a known
manner.
[0030] A potentiometer 56 regulates the voltage setting to a
displacement control system 60. The displacement control system 60
includes an incremental position sensor 62, for example, the
tracker NSE-5310 (the specification of which is attached as
Appendix A to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/235,725, filed 21
Aug. 2009, incorporated herein by reference hereto) located
adjacent the plunger 32. This control system 60 includes encoding
for direct digital output, in which a hall element array on the
chip 62 is used to derive the incremental position of an external
magnetic strip 64 placed adjacent the chip at a distance of
approximately 0.3 mm (typically), the magnetic strip 64 being
attached to the plunger 32 in order to translate therewith. This
sensor array detects the ends of the magnetic strip to provide a
zero reference point.
[0031] In an alternate embodiment, the power supply 22 can be solar
cells, a wound watch spring, movement captured by an oscillating
mass (such as used in automatic watches), or a pneumatic system
storing compressed air.
[0032] To return the fluid 28 to an initial position, such as 6:00
AM, for example, the plunger 32 may be returned by a return spring
40 or a magnetic device (not shown). Other options are conceivable,
of course, which include the return line 42, which allows simple
reversing of the motor 34 to reset the indicator 10.
[0033] A suitable motor 34 is referred to by its trademark
SQUIGGLE.TM., available from New Scale Technologies, Inc. of New
York, USA.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an application of the
analog indicator of the invention is a wrist watch or necklace 10
worn around the user's wrist. The reservoir 12' may be made of a
transparent or translucent material, or a mixture of transparent
and translucent material, formed in any desired shape. It may be
made of plastic, rubber, silicon or any suitable material. An
elastic material has the advantage that the bracelet 21' may be
stretched over the user's wrist. In addition, the fluidic display
23 may be supplemented with a standard watch face 39 on the casing
43.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 5A, the invention may be configured as
a device 10'' used to administer doses of liquid drugs 28 such as
insulin. In such an embodiment, the flexible tube is a disposable
drug reservoir cartridge 12' attached to housing 13 containing a
dosage control device 18. The device 10'' is carried like a wrist
watch, with the flexible cartridge 12' serving as a portion of the
band thereof. The indicator 10'' includes the reservoir 12', a
linear drive 14', an optional feedback circuit 16', a controller
20', and a power supply 22'. The reservoir 12' has a longitudinal
axis 24' along which indicia 26' is disposed and is adapted for
containing the fluid 28 bounded by at least an indicator surface
30'. In a preferred embodiment, the linear drive 14' drives a
spherical plunger 32' mounted on a long flexible threaded shaft 33'
which is driven by a micro motor 34'. The shaft 33' is preferably
made of a superelastic material such as NITINOL. The linear drive
14' drives the plunger 32' against the piston 35 (preferably made
of a flexible material such as rubber) which in turn presses the
fluid 28 along the reservoir 12' and ultimately through the cannula
tube or catheter 36', which then guides the fluid 28 into the
patient's body. The electronics of the device 10'' ensures that a
programmed dosage of fluid is administered at regular intervals or
constantly as prescribed by a physician. Note that optionally, the
fluid 28, instead of passing into a wearer's body via a cannula,
charges an absorptive patch 25 worn by the patient, for slow
diffusion of the drug into the patient's body through the skin.
Where a medication is administered via a patch 25, the patch may
include an outer layer which is semi-permeable, in order to prevent
the medication from evaporating before it has its intended effect
(i.e. diffusion into the skin). Further, a perfume may be delivered
in a similar manner. Particularly for the perfume dispensing
embodiment, the patch may be located partially or entirely under
the housing 13, or to the side of the housing and may be affixed
thereto using a temporary adhesive rather than directly to the
living organism, in order to avoid the need to attach the same to
the living organism. Such a patch may be sized to be replaced in a
defined area (such as circular area marked 39) against the back or
any side of the housing 13, adjacent the living organism, much like
a "POST-IT" note, so that replacement patches can readily replace
soiled patches.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the number of turns of the linear
drive 14' is recorded and controlled so as to ensure the proper
dosage. The electronics are powered by the power supply 22'.
Alternatively, the position of the piston 35 can be controlled in
the manner as described in the above embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
The cartridge 12' installs on one side 13' of the housing 13, with
its piston 35 adjacent the plunger 32', and on the other side 13'',
adjacent a piercing mechanism 50 which includes a piercing tube 52
connected to a slidable tab 54. The user may slide the tab 54 to
cause the piercing tube 52 to pierce the upper membrane 56 of the
cartridge 12', in order to permit the communication of the fluid 28
through the cannula 38 into the patient's body. Where perfume is
dispensed, this piercing served to open one end of the cartridge
12' to allow the delivery of perfume into the air, or via a
conductive channel (not shown), to, near, or adjacent the skin of
the user (for example, directly to and through the patch).
[0037] In the embodiment using an external magnetic strip (having a
magnetic characteristic where the magnetic field generated thereby
increases or decreases along the length of the cartridge) attached
to or integrated on the cartridge 12', the computer controller can
use this to regulate the dosage administered to the patient.
[0038] As with the prior embodiment, the power supply 22' can be a
battery, solar power, a wound watch spring, an oscillating mass
(such as used in automatic watches), or a pneumatic system storing
compressed air,
[0039] After a cartridge 12' is fully dispensed, a button (not
shown) on the housing 13 can be activated to retract the plunger
32'. The piston 35 remains stationary to prevent any aspiration of
fluid from the patient, should the cannula still be connected to
the body. Once retracted, the device 10'' can be reloaded with a
replacement cartridge 12'.
[0040] As with the earlier embodiment, a suitable motor 34 is the
SQUIGGLE.TM. motor already described.
[0041] Note, that the housing 13 can be fitted with a watch face 39
and corresponding movement (not shown), in order that the drug
administration device can also serve as a wrist watch.
[0042] Optionally, the threaded rod 33' of the drug administration
device 10'' is enclosed in a tube 41 which connects on the side
13'' of the housing 13' and wraps around the wearer's wrist to
reconnect to the side 13' of the housing, giving the visual effect
of a two or multi-banded wrist watch.
[0043] It is foreseen that the cartridge 12' used in such drug
administration device 10'' would include a chemical litmus-type
indicator which would indicate whether the insulin or other drug is
suitable for continued injection. This indication could be
expressed by an element of the cartridge 12' changing color, from a
color that indicates the fluid is suitable for use, to another
color that indicates the fluid is no longer suitable for use.
[0044] Still further, the device 10'' can be used as a perfume
dispenser by replacing the cannula with an aspirating head which
can be manually (via a dispenser head or button) or automatically
(via the dosage control of the invention) operated.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 6, in an alternate embodiment, a cam
152 attached to the stem of a watch movement 132, connects to a
fluid displacement device 90 via a piston shaft 160, mounted on
sealed bearings 162 to axially translate, which is guided in its
axial translation by a cam surface 164 thereof. The piston shaft
160 is connected to a piston head 166 which acts against a flexible
rolling diaphragm 170 of a reservoir 36' (alternatively, of course
the piston may have an O-ring mounted about it's periphery or be
otherwise sealed, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3) The rolling
diaphragm 170 has a flange 172 which is sealingly fixed at one end
so as to effectively separate a fluid 28 from below the piston head
166, from a fluid 28' (which may include air as a fluid gas) above
the piston. The reservoir 36' is shown in an extreme position. A
passageway 112' leads to the capillary channel 120, and a
passageway 110' provides a return passage to the opposite side of
the piston head 166.
[0046] The cam 152 is formed resembling a nautilus spiral so as to
progressively move the piston shaft 160 and therefore the piston
head 166 to displace a determined amount of fluid 28 into the
capillary channel 120, at a rate which will indicate the time
accurately. Of course, a similar determined amount of drug or
perfume may be administered to living organism in this manner as
well
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 7, again, the alternate fluid
displacement device 90 is shown in which the reservoir 36'' is in
an essentially filled position. A keyway 180 formed on the piston
shaft 160 mates with a set screw 182 which screws into the keyway
via threads in the fluid display subassembly 90', in order to
prevent the piston shaft from rotating on its axis, thereby better
maintaining the relationship between the extreme end 184 of the
piston shaft and the cam surface 164'. In addition, an adjustment
screw 186 having an O-ring seal 190 mounted in a recess therein
includes an "ALLEN" or "TORX" interface in an exterior end 192
thereof which allows factory adjustment of the position of the
meniscus 30 for calibration purposes. A septum or access port 194
(not shown) or pair thereof, made of an elastic material, may also
be used to allow removal and injection of air and fluid 28' and 29'
into and out of capillary channel 102 and/or reservoir 36''.
[0048] It should be noted that the invention 10, 10', 10'' may be
made exclusive of all electronics (such as would typically be the
case where the invention is positioned in the luxury watch market).
In such embodiment, the power source 22'' may be movement from an
oscillating mass, which winds a watch spring, which powers a gear
train, for which the rate of rotation is controlled by a
pendulum-like regulator or oscillating disk (e.g., a
balancier/turbion), which has a characteristic period, as known in
the art.
[0049] Other embodiments are shown and described in appendices
attached to the priority filings, which is incorporated herein in
this written description. Further, this application incorporates by
reference the contents of PCT Appl. No. PCT/EP2010/______ of the
same applicant, entitled FLUID INDICATOR, filed on the 20 of Aug.
2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference
thereto and relied upon.
[0050] It should be appreciated that the particular implementations
shown and described herein are representative of the invention and
its best mode and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention in any way. Furthermore, any connecting lines
shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to
represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical
couplings between various elements. It should be noted that many
alternative or additional physical connections or functional
relationships may be present and apparent to someone of ordinary
skill in the field.
[0051] Moreover, the apparatus, system and/or method contemplates
the use, sale and/or distribution of any goods, services or
information having similar functionality described herein.
[0052] The specification and figures are to be considered in an
illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all
modifications described herein are intended to be included within
the scope of the invention claimed, even if such is not
specifically claimed at the filing of the application. Accordingly,
the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims
appended hereto or later amended or added, and their legal
equivalents rather than by merely the examples described above. For
instance, steps recited in any method or process claims should be
construed as being executable in any order and are not limited to
the specific order presented in any claim. Further, the elements
and/or components recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled
or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations
to produce substantially the same result as the present invention.
Consequently, the invention is not limited to the specific
configuration recited in the claims.
[0053] Benefits, other advantages and solutions mentioned herein
are not to be construed as necessary, critical, or essential
features or components of any or all the claims.
[0054] As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any
variation thereof, are intended to refer to a non-exclusive listing
of elements, such that any process, method, article, composition or
apparatus of the invention that comprises a list of elements does
not include only those elements recited, but may also include other
elements described in this specification. The use of the term
"consisting" or "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of" is
not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the enumerated
elements named thereafter, unless otherwise indicated. Other
combinations and/or modifications of the above-described elements,
materials or structures used in the practice of the present
invention may be varied or otherwise adapted by the skilled artisan
to other design without departing from the general principles of
the invention.
[0055] The patents and articles mentioned above are hereby
incorporated by reference herein, unless otherwise noted, to the
extent that the same are not inconsistent with this disclosure.
[0056] Other characteristics and modes of execution of the
invention are described in the appended claims.
[0057] Further, the invention should be considered as comprising
all possible combinations of every feature described in the instant
specification, appended claims, and/or drawing figures which may be
considered new, inventive and industrially applicable.
[0058] Multiple variations and modifications are possible in the
embodiments of the invention described here. Although certain
illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described here, a wide range of modifications, changes, and
substitutions is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. While
the above description contains many specifics, these should not be
construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather
as exemplifications of one or another preferred embodiment thereof.
In some instances, some features of the present invention may be
employed without a corresponding use of the other features. In
addition, the term "flexible" as used herein encompasses the
concept of variable, in that a variable volume reservoir should be
considered a flexible chamber, even if no individual components
flex. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the foregoing description
be construed broadly and understood as being given by way of
illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the
invention being limited only by the claims which ultimately issue
in this application.
* * * * *