The invention relates generally to an oral hydration system and more specifically to an oral hydration system that incorporates a pumping mechanism that provides variable flow rates for hydration and can be reversibly mounted to a variety of structures.
Hydration is essential for humans to survive and operate at optimal levels. For many reasons such as physical exertion, limited mobility and other health factors people can have a hard time staying adequately hydrated. In the healthcare settings dehydration is a constant concern and problem. For severe dehydration and patient immobility, intravenous hydration is generally provided, but due to possible infection and patient discomfort it is desirable to avoid if possible but at least transition to oral hydration as soon as possible. Dehydration increases the frequency and severity of many common health issues ranging from diabetes and heart disease to pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections to name just a few. People who are older or have suffered from stroke or dementia, have a reduced desire to drink and are particularly vulnerable to dehydration. Furthermore, dehydration has been shown to increase the length of patient stay in hospitals as well an increased mortality rate. Therefore, there remains a great need in the healthcare industry for safer and easier access to oral hydration to promote better health and outcomes for patients and reduce unnecessary spending.
In the medical field a basic pitcher, cup and a straw are generally provided for the patient. A cup and straw however require sufficient mobility and coordination from the patient, often leading to accidental spills and a reduced desire to drink adequate amounts of liquid. In addition, even mobile patients often do not have the energy and motivation required to frequently sit up and reach for their cup and pitcher. To address these deficiencies the patient must rely on help from a caregiver or nurse to fill the cup and even assist them with drinking. The patient is then dependent on the caregiver who is often very busy with other patients. This leads to inadequate hydration for the patient and increased workload for the caregiver. It is also difficult to keep an accurate record of the amount of liquid consumed. In addition, a cup and pitcher are exposed to environmental contaminants and therefore there is risk of contaminating the fluid.
Many attempts have been made to improve oral hydration in the healthcare setting yet there remains deficiencies in the designs, there remains concerns related to ease of use for the patient and caregiver, and they can be costly. Previous hydration mounting systems are overly mechanical and very limiting in their adaptation to a variety of structures. Squeeze bulbs with a one-way valve have been utilized to move fluids through a tube for many different reasons. However, squeeze bulbs are hand operated, which can be difficult for a patient to operate. In addition, fluid transfer can be difficult to regulate since squeezing the bulbs often transfers large volumes of fluid. Additionally, prior squeeze bulb configurations do not provide the added options for the user to bite down on the mouthpiece to inject fluid or simply draw fluid by sucking. Furthermore, prior squeeze bulbs are not molded as a single piece with a mouthpiece valve and require additional components therein that could become dislodged and become a choking hazard. Thus, adaptation of such systems provides challenges in that they do not provide for the variety of functional needs required by different user groups.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,790,296, entitled, “Patient Hydration System”, describes a patient hydration system having a bladder, flexible tube, safety guard handle, and a mouthpiece. The patient can either draw liquid through the flexible tube and mouthpiece, or the bladder can be hung from an IV tree to utilize gravity for delivering liquid to the mouthpiece. Liquid flow is regulated using a bite-valve, where biting opens the valve to permit flow of liquids, and when the bite is released the flow stops. While biting the valve can stop and start the flow of fluid, the rate of flow is dictated largely by the gravitational force exerted on the fluid. Thus, when the valve is open a patient may receive too much liquid too fast creating a choking hazard. Additionally, this system is not convenient to disconnect the supply tube and reservoir to refill.
US Publication 2014/0050816, entitled, “Hydration System” describes a patient hydration system with a fluid reservoir connected by a tube and terminating at a valved mouthpiece. Liquid is transferred through the tubing using gravity or suction. The flow of fluid can be regulated using a bite valve or a hand valve biased in the closed position. A removable holder and safety ring is coupled to the tube to facilitate gripping and sanitation with a very similar design to U.S. Pat. No. 8,790,296 B2. A mouthpiece is described as being of sufficient size to stay in the user's mouth to fit behind the lips or teeth of the subject. A supply tube with a bendable quality is described as attaching to a reservoir.
US Publication 20130161350, entitled, “Medical Patient Oral Hydration System” describes an oral hydration system including a hydration water bladder with a holster and rotatable semi rigid boom. A supply tube connects to the reservoir and terminates in a backflow prevention bite valve. This system is overly complicated and limited in its ability to mount to a variety of structures. This systems requires the holster to be wrapped around a structure and does not provide an option for mounting the holster over an arm rest or other similar structures that require a semi rigid hook shape to hang. Furthermore, this system does not provide a method for resting the holster or reservoir in a self supporting vertical or inclined position on a flat surface. This system also requires a separate holster be mounted to a structure for holding the reservoir. Additionally the rotatable semi rigid boom is permanently attached to the holster and is not removable if the patient's mobility improves and the boom is no longer necessary. Additionally, a user must provide enough suction to initially prime a supply tube and if the mouthpiece is compressed and the proximal valve is opened before suction, before the user begins sucking, the supply tube will loose its prime.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,405, entitled, “Drinking Device for Handicapped Persons” describes a reusable hydration system with a fluid source and bendable tube with a mouthpiece that can be positioned near the users mouth for easy access. A mounting bracket and plate support the fluid bottle and provide means for it to be hung from and IV tree. A one-way valve is utilized to maintain fluid in the supply tube.
Hydration systems are also used in outdoor sporting goods; however, their designs suffer from similar deficiencies as the above medical devices. They frequently operate using a bite valve together with suction to deliver liquid from a reservoir. When the user releases pressure on the mouthpiece the valve closes preventing liquid from leaking out. However, for people exercising or on the move, it is often difficult to use a hand to grab the mouthpiece and forego much needed breathing to suck on the mouthpiece to receive fluids.
Therefore, there remains a need for an improved hydration system that safely and conveniently deliver liquids to individuals or patients in need of hydration.
The invention addresses the above deficiencies and provides related benefits. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a more efficient and safe method for an individual to maintain proper hydration. In particular, when mobility of the individual or strength is lessened.
In one aspect of the invention an oral hydration system is provided, which includes a fluid reservoir; a supply tube fluidly coupled to the reservoir at its distal end; and a mouthpiece pump molded as a single piece utilizing one pliable material and deformable along its entire length. The mouthpiece pump is preferably fluidly coupled at its distal end to a proximal end of the supply tube. Preferably, the mouthpiece pump or the supply tube has a one-way distal valve, and the mouthpiece pump is sealed proximally with a proximal face in a form of a mouthpiece containing a proximal valve that seals until the pump is deformed by a user for the purpose of creating a priming and pumping action to draw fluid from the reservoir, through the supply tube and out of the mouthpiece pump to the user. Preferably, the mouthpiece pump can be safely compressed or bitten at any portion of the mouthpiece pump without risk of biting or dislodging a rigid or secondary piece.
Relatedly, an oral hydration system is provided, which includes a fluid reservoir having a bendable and semi rigid mount configured to reversibly mount the oral hydration system to a structure by bending the mount around the structure or hooking over an object that cannot be wrapped around such as a reclining chair or couch; a supply tube fluidly coupled to the reservoir at its distal end; and a compressible chamber configured as a squeeze bulb mouthpiece fluidly coupled to a proximal end of the supply tube, wherein the squeeze bulb mouthpiece is molded as a single piece with a proximal face containing a valve that seals the mouthpiece pump until deformed by the user.
The mount improves user access to the hydration system by permitting the mounting of the hydration system to a variety of structures. In the medical industry the mount is particularly useful for bed rails, back of a chair, or wheelchair. Preferably, the one or more mounts are reversibly bendable yet remain sufficiently rigid to support the hanging weight of a reservoir, filled with liquid, in a straightened orientation extending perpendicularly from the reservoir and compressed between objects such as a bed mattress and frame. Furthermore, the bendable yet semi rigid nature of the one or more mounts allow the reservoir to be adjusted in a vertical orientation when attached to an inclined or angled structure such as a hospital bed. In some embodiments, one or more mounts are co-molded or bonded to the reservoir. However, in other embodiments the one or more mounts are releasably attached to reservoir.
In embodiments where the reservoir includes a lid, the one or more mounts can be formed of a shape memory material and joined to the lid. In some embodiments, the one or more mounts are co-molded or bonded to the lid. In other embodiments the one or more mounts are releasably attached to the lid.
The supply tube is generally bendable or flexible and can be formed any suitable tubing material used in the corresponding art, such as polysiloxanes (silicone) and other polymers used in the medical device industry. Preferably the supply tube is a medical grade tubing. In some embodiments the supply tube has a bendable guidewire that maintains a bent shape that can be adjustably bent to a variety of orientations and released to maintain the orientations. The guidewire permits movement of the supply tube while permitting the supply tube to stay in a desired position upon release. In further embodiments, the guidewire is configured for reversible connection to a brush sized to brush the interior of the mouthpiece and/or supply tube. In some embodiments, the supply tube is reversibly attached to the reservoir, optionally at a lid, a bendable handle forming part of the reservoir, and/or the mount. Attachment may be by way of magnetic attraction between complementary magnets mounted to the corresponding structures.
In another related aspect, the invention also provides a hydration system, which includes a fluid reservoir having a means for reversibly mounting the hydration system to a structure; a supply tube fluidly coupled to the reservoir at its distal end; a reversibly compressible chamber fluidly coupled to the supply tube; a mouthpiece proximate to or at a proximal end of the collapsible chamber; and at least two valves that, together with the chamber, regulate the flow of fluid through the hydration system, wherein a distal valve is positioned at a distal end of the chamber or along the supply tube and closes in response to compression of the chamber to reduce backflow of fluid into the reservoir during compression, and a proximal valve is positioned at the mouthpiece and biased in a closed position for regulating the delivery of fluid out of the mouthpiece and prevent air induction upon decompression of the chamber.
The means for mounting the hydration system can be any suitable structure, which includes the bendable mount, two or more mounts, a hook, a detachable loop, or others.
The compressible chamber, together with the valves provides a pumping mechanism to deliver fluid from the reservoir and out from the mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the chamber is configured as a bellows with alternating folds to direct compression of the chamber longitudinally. In other embodiments the chamber is configured to compress radially. The chamber can be configured as a single chamber or can have two or more sub-chambers, which may further retain different volumes of fluid.
The distal valve can be biased in an open position, such that it temporarily closes only when applying a sufficient fluidic pressure distally from a compressing chamber, thereby preventing or reduce backflow while pumping the chamber to deliver fluid from the mouthpiece. In a preferred embodiments, the distal valve is biased closed and opens in response to a vacuum force induced by decompression of a compressed chamber or suction initiated by the user or a combination of both.
The proximal valve is biased closed and opens in response to a positive force applied by sufficient compressing or pumping the compressible chamber or by applying a vacuum force by sucking from the proximal end. In some embodiments, the proximal valve is a bite valve configured to open when biting the mouthpiece. In still further embodiments, the proximal valve is a bite valve that can also be opened by applying sufficient compression or pumping force to the chamber.
In still further embodiments the hydration system can include a third valve positioned between the distal and proximal valves, optionally at the proximal region of the compressible chamber. In some embodiments the third valve is biased in a closed position and is selectively opened during compression of the chamber to deliver fluid proximally. In some embodiments the distal valve and third valve are each biased in a closed position, such that compression of the chamber selectively opens the third valve, and release of the chamber selectively closes the third valve and opens the distal valve to refill the chamber under vacuum.
The hydration system may also be equipped with an inline flow rate control valve positioned distal to the distal valve that regulates a maximum rate of flow independent of compression. In further embodiments, the flow rate control valve has an adjustable selector to select or index the maximum rate of flow through the flow rate valve. The flow rate control valve regulates the time needed for the chamber and mouthpiece to refill with fluid. This provides a user with an initial bolus of fluid and a delay for chamber refilling, thus preventing overconsumption of fluids. Selection of indexing may be by way of a twist valve that opens w en twisting the selector in a first direction and closes when twisting in an opposing direction.
The hydration system can also include a safety ring positioned around the outside of the mouthpiece pump to limit entry of the hydration system into a user's mouth that is to receive hydration.
The mouthpiece is generally formed consistent with insertion into the mouth of an individual requiring hydration. The mouthpiece is typically nonrigid and can be formed of pliable polymer, high density foam, silicone, pva, eva, or other suitable materials. The mouthpiece can be integral with the chamber and the chamber reversibly connected to the supply tube, thereby permitting disconnection and reconnection. Such connection can be by way of barbed fittings, luer locks, complementary threads, friction fit or other suitable connection approaches.
In another related aspect, a fluid reservoir with lid is provided, where the reservoir includes a coated bendable mount that maintains a bent shape under pressure exerted by the reservoir when filled with an aqueous solution, wherein a force need to bend the bendable mount is about three to four times the force exerted by the reservoir in the filled state.
Relatedly, a fluid reservoir with lid is also provided, which includes a bendable guidewire that maintains a bent shape without applying a continuous bending force, a supply tube fluidly connected to the reservoir and an adapter configured to accept the guidewire and the supply tube, thereby providing an adjusting mechanism for the supply tube.
In another related aspect, an oral hydration system is provided, which includes: a fluid reservoir; and one or more handles reversibly attached or permanently attached to the reservoir or a reservoir lid, where the one or more handles can be reversibly bent or shaped and maintained in the bend or shape while supporting the reservoir when filled with fluid, to enable the reservoir to remain in an upright or inclined position, on a flat surface, or to reversibly hang or attach the reservoir to a variety of different shaped objects.
In yet another related aspect, a method for hydration is provided, which includes providing one of the embodied hydration systems filled with a hydrating liquid; and opening the proximal valve to deliver fluid to an individual in need of hydration. In some embodiments the proximal valve is a bite valve that is biased closed, and thus the step of opening the proximal valve includes biting the bite valve. In some embodiments the distal valve remains closed while the proximal valve is open. In some embodiments the chamber is compressed or pumped to increase flow of fluid through the opened proximal valve. In some embodiments sufficient compression or pumping opens the proximal valve whether or not undergoing biting. In embodiments where the hydration system has a third valve positioned between the distal and proximal valves, optionally at the proximal region of the compressible chamber, wherein third valve is biased in a closed position, the method can also include opening the third valve by compressing the chamber. Refilling the chamber under vacuum can be by way of releasing a compressed chamber to open the distal valve by vacuum.
Embodiments of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, which are part of the specification and represent preferred embodiments. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. And, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the invention is discussed according to different detailed embodiments; however, the skilled artisan would recognize that features of one embodiment can be combined with other embodiments and is therefore within the intended scope of the invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. If a definition set forth in this document is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a well-accepted definition set forth in the art, the definition set forth in this document prevails over a contradictory definition.
The term “proximal” and “proximate” as used herein refers to a position which is nearest to the patient receiving hydration through the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is proximate to the supply tube, which is proximate to the reservoir since fluid travels from the reservoir, through the supply tube and into the mouthpiece. The term “at a proximal end” as used herein refers to the half or portion closest to the patient.
The term “distal” as used herein refers to a position which is farthest from to the patient receiving hydration through the mouthpiece. The reservoir is distal to the supply line, which is distal to the mouthpiece.
The term “fluidly coupled” or “fluidly connected” as used herein refers to the joining of two structures, each having a lumen through which a fluid may pass. A variety of complementary structures are known in the art to fluidly couple lumens. Among these include luer locks, complementary mating structures, or friction fit connection.
Among the improvements of the oral hydration systems herein, include an improved pumping mechanism, which results in a variable delivery rate under precise control. In particular, the hydration system permits a caregiver to initially prime a supply of liquid which can be later selectively delivered aggressively or passively as needed by a patient even when in a weakened state.
Among the additional improvements of the oral hydration systems herein, include a bendable mount configured to reversibly mount the hydration system to a structure by bending the mount around the structure or bending the mount to form a handle. In particular, the mount facilitates mounting the hydration system to a bed rail or other appropriate structures.
Among the additional improvements of the oral hydration systems herein, include a supply tube operably connected to a bendable guidewire that permits the supply tube to be bent to a desired position then released to function as a boom, thereby permitting adjustable positioning for a variety of patients.
Although the invention has particular benefit for those in the medical industry, such as for the treatment of hydration in human patients, adaptations of the invention are also envisioned for use with sports, gym workout, outdoor activities, driving, pets, children, infants or anywhere improved access to hydration is desired.
As depicted collectively in
Also as shown in
In each of the related aspects, the reservoir 12 provides a housing for maintaining a supply of liquid and therefore may be adapted from other hydration systems or may be improved as demonstrated herein. Examples of suitable reservoirs 12 include, but are not limited to a bottle, a cup, a glass, a pitcher, a box, or a bag. The reservoir 12 can be either rigid or flexible and can be constructed from any suitable material such as glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polypropylene, polystyrene, and other opaque or transparent polymers. To this end, the reservoir 12 can be either disposable or reusable depending on the materials used. In some embodiments the reservoir 12 is insulated or has an insulating sleeve, which can be reversibly removable. In some embodiments the reservoir includes a mechanism for temperature change and adjustment. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the reservoir can have volume measurement and time of day indicia and/or can be made of a material or textured so that it can be written on using pens or markers used in the medical field, such as ballpoint pens, felt tip pens, and others.
In medical applications, it may be desirable to have the reservoir 12 prefilled with liquid; however, in some embodiments the reservoir 12 is fillable or refillable by an outside source. In furtherance of the above, the reservoir 12 can be pre-filled and refillable after use. A refillable reservoir 12 should have at least one opening large enough to be filled with hydrating liquid, which may include one or more of water, electrolyte liquid, juice, melting ice, thickened liquids, bowel prep, vitamins, medicaments, soft foods, or any other suitable oral liquids. A refillable reservoir 12 also provides a convenient mode to administer one or more therapeutic or analytes in that doses may be adjusted depending on volume.
Thus reservoir 12 may be open (as shown in
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In
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The length of the supply tube 14 can vary depending on the position of the oral hydration system 10 in relation to the individual in need of hydration. Accordingly, the hydration system 10 includes further notable advantages. For example, the hydration system 10 can include means for attaching the supply tube to the reservoir 12 and/or to the mount 22. These means for attachment 32 can be formed integral with the reservoir 12 or mount 22 or attach separately. Nonlimiting examples of suitable means for attachment 32 include a hook, hook and loop (VELCRO), a strap, and a stick on. However, a particularly useful embodiment is shown in
The supply tube 14 can be semi-rigid and bendable or can be made semi-rigid and bendable using a suitably formed guidewire 38 so that the supply tube 14 can be suspended and directionally boomed toward the user.
This improves patient access to the supply tube 14, prevents the user from pulling the supply tube 14 and reservoir 12 too far, and prevents the user from rolling or sitting on the chamber 16 or mouthpiece 18. An elevated and boomed supply tube 14 also minimizes contact with other surfaces and possible contamination. Such a guidewire 38 can be made from any materials that provide enough rigidity to support the supply tube 14 such that it may be temporarily bent and directed or boomed toward the mouth of the user then moved away as desired. Preferably, the supply tube 14 is formed from a bendable polysiloxane (silicone) or other suitable medical grade bendable polymer to permit bending and preferably the guidewire 38 is formed from a bendable metal alloy. This configuration maintains a bent shape when releasing the bending force thereby providing a supply tube 14 that can be adjustably bent and released for positioning in a variety of orientations. The bendable guidewire 38 may be permanently connected to the supply tube 14 or temporarily connected to the supply tube 14, such as by slidable insertion or movement. This allows a patient with limited mobility to benefit from the boomed supply tube 14 and as their mobility improves, the guidewire 38 can be removed from the hydration system and they can use their hands to reach for the mouthpiece pump 16. Still further, as shown in
The supply tube 14 terminates proximally at the distal end of a reversibly compressible chamber 16, which itself is fluidly coupled to at least two valves 20a, 20b to form a pumping mechanism. The artisan will appreciate the volume of the compressible chamber 16 can vary but when used in medical situations it is usually at least 1 mL but less than 250 mL, more typically the volume is about 25 mL to 50 mL. The chamber 16 is preferably embodied as a squeeze bulb formed from a polymer, such as a polysiloxane (silicone) that is elastic and contoured to form a mouthpiece 18, such that the chamber 16 deforms when squeezing and returns to its original form when squeezing pressure is released. The chamber 16 can compress longitudinally and/or radially. For instance, longitudinal compression can be achieved by incorporating a bellows configuration having alternating folds and squeezing to induce further folding. A bellows configuration provides an advantage in that the actuating the pumping mechanism is primarily by longitudinal compression, which may prevent leakage during accidentally applied radial forces. A radial compressible chamber 16 can be by way of molding the chamber 16 using a pliable plastic or rubber so that it can be squeezed akin to a squeeze bulb. Further, in configurations where radial compression is desired, the chamber 16 can be made of a same material across the entire chamber 16 or may be made with materials that more easily compress about its mid-region, thereby providing relatively stiffer ends and a relatively softer mid region to further direct pumping or compression at the mid-region. As shown in
As will follow, the chamber 16 can have a single undivided central volume or can be formed of two sub-chambers 42a, 42b, such as a smaller proximal sub-chamber 42b and a larger distal sub-chamber 42a. This two sub-chamber 42a, 42b configuration may provide additional advantages in that a slow or low volume delivery approach can be employed from the proximal sub-chamber 42b without affecting the larger distal sub-chamber 42a. This approach permits a smaller aliquot of fluid to be easily delivered without spilling by patients with significant impairment.
As shown in
In some embodiments the distal end of the chamber 16 (also referred to herein as “an inlet side”) is fluidly coupled to the supply tube 14; whereas the proximal end of the chamber 16 (also referred to as “an outlet side”) terminates at or with the mouthpiece 18. The chamber 16 is preferably integral with the mouthpiece 18.
Fluidly connected to the distal or inlet side of the chamber 16 is preferably the distal valve 20a. The distal valve 20a may be any suitable valve such as a diaphragm valve, duck bill valve, a ball valve, a flap valve, a louver valve, or any other valve that closes to block or interfere with the flow of fluid distally during compression of the chamber and permits the flow of fluid proximally to refill the chamber by vacuum during release of a compressed chamber. Preferably, compressing the chamber 16 closes the distal valve 20a to forcibly direct liquid proximally from the chamber 16 and decompressing a compressed chamber 16 opens the distal valve 20a to draw liquid into the chamber 16 from the supply line 14 or reservoir 12.
Fluidly connected to the proximal or outlet side of the chamber 16 or mouthpiece 18 is a proximal valve 20b. The proximal valve 20b may be any suitable valve such as a diaphragm valve, a duck bill valve, a ball valve, a flap valve, a louver valve, or any other valve that regulates flow of liquid. Preferably, the proximal valve 20b is biased closed and substantially compressing the chamber 16 opens the proximal valve to eject liquid proximally from the oral hydration system 10. In some embodiments decompressing a compressed chamber 16 closes the proximal valve 20b to form a vacuum that draws liquid into the chamber 16 from the supply line 14.
With reference to
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Accordingly, among the advantages of the hydration system 10 is the selective delivery of liquid using different approaches, each configured to deliver liquid in different amounts or at different delivery forces. In a first approach, outlined in
As shown in
In embodiments where the chamber 16 is provided as a bellows configuration with alternating folds (not shown), a user may push the chamber 16 proximally toward their mouth for longitudinal compression along the folds to forcibly eject liquid. In either variation, when a user squeezes the chamber 16 with their fingers, hand, mouth or teeth, the distal valve 20a at the inlet side of the chamber 16 remains closed, which directs liquid flow proximally towards the subject in need of hydration. When the user releases pressure from the chamber 16 it decompresses to about its original volume, which closes the proximal valve 20b and creates a vacuum that opens the distal valve 20a, which pulls liquid from the supply tube 14 into the chamber 16, thereby refilling the chamber 16. Once the vacuum pressure is reduced, the distal valve 20a is permitted to return to its biasing closed state. A benefit of this first approach is that the pumping can be performed either by a subject in need of hydration or a caretaker in instances where the subject is too weak. In addition, by closing the distal valve 20a after refilling the chamber 16, the distal valve 20a helps maintain liquid in the chamber 16 by preventing backflow into the supply tube 14.
In the second approach outlined in
In some embodiments the distal sub-chamber 42a and proximal sub-chamber 42b incorporate a same compressing mechanism to inducing pumping; however, in other embodiments each incorporates a different compressing mechanism to induce pumping. For instance, both the distal sub-chamber 42a and proximal sub-chamber 42b can be configured to compress radially to pump fluid. In other embodiments, the distal sub-chamber 42a can be configured to compress primarily radially, while the proximal sub-chamber 42b can be configured as a bellows that compresses primarily longitudinally. In still other embodiments the distal sub-chamber 42a can be configured to compress primarily longitudinally via bellows, while the proximal sub-chamber 42b can be configured to compresses primarily radially.
Referring back to
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As depicted in
In view of the above, the oral hydration system 10 can be used to maintain hydration or to treat dehydration in a subject by providing any of the above described hydration systems 10, filled with a hydrating fluid; and opening the proximal valve 20b to deliver fluid to an individual in need of hydration. In embodiments where the proximal valve 20b is a bite valve, the method may include opening the proximal valve 20b by biting the bite valve. Biting can deform the valve 20b for opening or can pressurize a proximal sub-chamber 42b to forcibly eject the fluid. In each configuration, preferably the distal valve 20a remains closed while the proximal valve 20b is open.
In embodiments where the hydration system 10 includes a third valve 20c positioned between the distal and proximal valves 20a, 20b, optionally at the proximal region of the compressible chamber 16, and where the third valve 20c is biased in a closed position, the method also includes opening the third valve 20c by the compression of the chamber 16. Furthermore, closing the proximal valve 20b and optionally a third valve 20c and releasing the chamber 16 to open the distal valve 20b refills the chamber under vacuum.
The invention described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The specific embodiments previously described are therefore to be considered as illustrative of, and not limiting, the scope of the invention.
This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/575,662, which is a U.S. national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of international application no. PCT/US2017/014466, filed Jan. 21, 2017, now expired, which claims benefit of priority to U.S. patent application No. 62/282,000 filed Jan. 22, 2016, now expired; the content of each is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62282000 | Jan 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15575662 | Nov 2017 | US |
Child | 16659538 | US |