Drug or fluid delivery devices

Abstract

A drug or fluid delivery device includes a pump having a control module. A cassette is removably mounted to the control module. A reservoir is contained within the cassette, and contains a fluid to be delivered to a patient. A protrusion extends from an interior surface of the cassette, creating and maintaining a crease in the reservoir as the fluid is emptied therefrom, thereby creating a fluid path along which the fluid travels to reduce occurrences of the reservoir deleteriously sealing off pockets of fluid as the reservoir is emptied.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drug or fluid delivery device, comprising:
 a pump having a control module;   a cassette that is removably mounted to said control module;   a reservoir contained within said cassette, said reservoir containing a fluid to be delivered to a patient; and   at least one defined fluid path that is preformed within said reservoir, along which the fluid travels to reduce occurrences of said reservoir deleteriously sealing off pockets of fluid as said reservoir is emptied,   wherein said at least one defined fluid path is provided by features in said reservoir   selected from a group consisting of: at least one seal; and at least one material flap.   
     
     
         2 . A drug or fluid delivery device, comprising:
 a pump having a control module;   a cassette that is removably mounted to said control module;   a reservoir contained within said cassette, said reservoir containing a fluid to be delivered to a patient; and   at least one tube within said reservoir, through which the fluid travels to reduce occurrences of said reservoir deleteriously sealing off pockets of fluid as said reservoir is emptied,   wherein at least one perforation is optionally provided in said tube.   
     
     
         3 . A drug or fluid delivery device, comprising:
 a pump having a control module;   a cassette that is removably mounted to said control module;   a reservoir contained within said cassette, said reservoir containing a fluid to be delivered to a patient,   wherein a port of said reservoir is located at a position other than at a top corner of said reservoir, to promote satisfactory emptying of said reservoir as fluid is pumped outwardly therefrom.