Infusion pump and method for use
First Claim
1. A device for delivering controllable quantities of a fluid comprising:
- (a) a first chamber having a fixed volume and holding a gas;
(b) a second chamber;
(c) a device for transferring the gas from the first chamber to the second chamber;
(d) a first sensor for sensing pressure in at least one of the first chamber and second chamber;
(e) a second sensor for sensing the differential pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber. (f) a space within the device that contains a fluid;
(g) a port for delivery of the fluid; and
(h) a processor for determining the volume of the second chamber;
wherein each sensor is never in contact with the fluid in the space.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid dispensing system provides a non-contact method of monitoring the change in the fluid volume over time. This approach avoids the use of probes or sensors that come into direct contact with the fluid to be dispensed. The system comprises an apparatus comprising three chambers. The first chamber has a fixed volume and contains a pressurized gas. A solenoid valve is used to control the flow of gas from the first chamber into the second. The second chamber is sealed so that the combined mass of air in the first and second chambers remains fixed. The third chamber is adjacent to the second and contains medication in the form of incompressible fluid that is to be administered to a human or animal subject via a suitable delivery port. A piston is disposed between the second and third chambers and is movable responsive to the flow of gas into the second chamber to dispense fluid from the third chamber as desired. By sensing the pressure in the first and second chambers at any point in time, a processor is programmed to calculate the flow rate or dispensed volume of the fluid being delivered using principles derived from the Ideal Gas Law.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for delivering controllable quantities of a fluid comprising:
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(a) a first chamber having a fixed volume and holding a gas;
(b) a second chamber;
(c) a device for transferring the gas from the first chamber to the second chamber;
(d) a first sensor for sensing pressure in at least one of the first chamber and second chamber;
(e) a second sensor for sensing the differential pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber. (f) a space within the device that contains a fluid;
(g) a port for delivery of the fluid; and
(h) a processor for determining the volume of the second chamber;
wherein each sensor is never in contact with the fluid in the space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device for delivering controllable quantities of fluid comprising:
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(a) a plurality of chambers further comprising at least;
(i) a first chamber having a fixed volume for holding a gas; and
(ii) a second chamber;
(b) a device for transferring the gas from the first chamber to the second chamber;
(c) a first sensor for sequentially sensing pressure in the first and second chambers;
(d) a space within the device that contains a fluid and a port for delivery of the fluid; and
(e) a processor for determining the volume of the second chamber;
wherein the sensor is never in contact with the fluid in the space. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for delivering controllable quantities of a fluid, comprising, in combination:
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(a) a first chamber having a fixed volume for holding a gas;
(b) a second chamber;
(c) a device for transferring the gas from the first chamber to the second chamber;
(d) a third chamber for holding a fluid, wherein a combined volume of the second and third chambers is fixed;
(e) a movable boundary disposed between the second and third chambers;
(f) a dispensing port for dispensing the fluid from the third chamber;
(g) a pressure sensing apparatus; and
(h) a processor for determining the volume of the second chamber;
wherein the pressure sensing apparatus is selected from the group of pressure sensing apparatuses containing;
(i) a first sensor for sensing pressure in at least one of the first chamber and second chamber, and a second sensor for sensing the differential pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber;
(ii) a first sensor for sequentially sensing pressure in the first chamber and the second chamber; and
(iii) a first sensor for sequentially sensing pressure in the first chamber and the second chamber, and a second sensor for sensing the differential pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification