Controlled force fluid delivery system
First Claim
1. A fluid delivery system comprising:
- a central chamber with an inlet valve and an outlet valve;
a piston assembly moving in and out of the central chamber;
a force source connected to the piston assembly, wherein the force source generates a force to move the assembly in and out of the central chamber thereby moving fluid out of and into the central chamber;
a position sensor connected to the piston assembly, wherein the position sensor determines a position change of the piston assembly; and
a processor connected to the position sensor, and the force source, wherein the processor receives the position change of the piston assembly, modifies the amount and duration of force generated by the force source, and controls the opening of the outlet valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controlled force fluid delivery system which provides fluid delivery with continuity over a wide range of flow rate. The system sets the force provided by an energy storage device, e.g. a spring and the opening of system outlet valve in response to a low volume due command. Specifically at a low flow rate, the controlled force is decreased and/or the outlet valve of the system closes before the fluid flow reaches stable velocity whereas at a high flow rate the controlled force is increased and/or the outlet valve does not close until the fluid stops flowing. The system also reduces fluid flow rate variation in part by adjusting the timing and the level of opening and closing the outlet valve, and the speed of pumping the fluid out of system central cassette chamber.
53 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A fluid delivery system comprising:
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a central chamber with an inlet valve and an outlet valve;
a piston assembly moving in and out of the central chamber;
a force source connected to the piston assembly, wherein the force source generates a force to move the assembly in and out of the central chamber thereby moving fluid out of and into the central chamber;
a position sensor connected to the piston assembly, wherein the position sensor determines a position change of the piston assembly; and
a processor connected to the position sensor, and the force source, wherein the processor receives the position change of the piston assembly, modifies the amount and duration of force generated by the force source, and controls the opening of the outlet valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification