Fluid delivery device, system and method
First Claim
1. A pump comprising:
- a movable member at least partially defining a fluid cavity, the member being movable between a first position associated with a first volume of the cavity and a second position associated with a second volume of the cavity, and the member capable of being cycled between the first position and the second position at least one time;
an actuator including a shape memory alloy material to drive the movable member from the first position to the second position as the shape memory alloy material goes through a dimensional change caused by one thermally induced phase transition; and
a biasing element arranged to drive the movable member from the second position to the first position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for the metering and delivery of small discrete volumes of liquid is comprised of a small or minimal number of inexpensive components. One such component is a movable member, such as a miniature precision reciprocating displacement pump head, which is driven by an actuator that comprises a shape memory alloy material. The operating mechanism of the system is of little or minimal complexity. The system facilitates the precise metering and delivery of the small discrete volumes of liquid. Potential applications for the system include subcutaneous, long-term, automated drug delivery, for example, the delivery of insulin to a person with diabetes. In such an application, the small, simple and inexpensive nature of the invention would allow for its use as both a portable and a disposable system.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A pump comprising:
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a movable member at least partially defining a fluid cavity, the member being movable between a first position associated with a first volume of the cavity and a second position associated with a second volume of the cavity, and the member capable of being cycled between the first position and the second position at least one time;
an actuator including a shape memory alloy material to drive the movable member from the first position to the second position as the shape memory alloy material goes through a dimensional change caused by one thermally induced phase transition; and
a biasing element arranged to drive the movable member from the second position to the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fluid delivery system comprising:
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a movable member at least partially defining a fluid cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet, the member being movable between a first position associated with a first volume of the cavity and a second position associated with a second volume of the cavity, and the member capable of being cycled between the first position and the second position at least one time;
an actuator including a shape memory alloy material to drive the movable member from the first position to the second position as the shape memory alloy material goes through a dimensional change caused by one thermally induced phase transition;
a biasing element arranged to drive the movable member from the second position to the first position;
a controller that provides electrical energy to the actuator; and
a fluid reservoir coupled to the inlet of the cavity.
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9. A method of fluid delivery comprising:
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providing a movable member to at least partially define a fluid cavity;
changing the temperature of a shape memory alloy material to move the member from a first position associated with a first volume of the cavity to a second position associated with a second volume of the cavity in one generally uninterrupted motion;
returning the shape memory alloy material generally back to an original temperature; and
moving the member from the second position back to the first position. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification