PUMP ASSEMBLY COMPRISING ACTUATOR SYSTEM

• US 20100063448A1
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Original Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Inventors: Kragh, Karsten Randrup, Jensen, Finn
• Application Number:
  US12/529,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20100063448A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14224 Diaphragm type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type

Abstract

The invention provides a pump assembly comprising an actuator lever, an actuator for moving the actuator lever, a supporting structure, a pump comprising a pump member moveable by actuation of the actuator lever, a first pivoting joint formed between the actuator lever and the supporting structure, and a second pivoting joint formed between the actuator and the supporting structure. The actuator lever and the actuator are coupled to each other by a coupling joint arranged between the first and the second pivoting joint in such a way that rotation of the actuator in a first direction causes the actuator lever to rotate in an opposite second direction. By providing an actuator system comprising two actuator elements linked to each other by a coupling joint ensuring counter rotation of the two members, a system is provided which can be made less susceptible to the influence of acceleration.

Claims

1. A pump assembly (600) comprising:

an actuator lever (630),

an actuator comprising an actuator member (640) for moving the actuator lever,

a supporting structure (620),

a pump (150, 300) comprising a pump member (151) moveable by actuation of the actuator lever,

a first pivoting joint (633) formed between the actuator lever and the supporting structure, and

a second pivoting joint (643) formed between the actuator member and the supporting structure,

wherein the actuator lever and the actuator member are coupled to each other by a coupling joint (650) arranged between the first and the second pivoting joint,

whereby rotation of the actuator member in a first direction causes the actuator lever to rotate in an opposite second direction.

2. A pump assembly as in claim 1, wherein the coupling joint provides a variable gear ratio for the translation of rotational movement from the actuator member to the actuator lever.

3. A pump assembly as in claim 2, wherein the coupling joint comprises a pin (635) and a guide slot (645) in which the pin is arranged to slide, the position of the pin in the guide slot determining the actual gear ratio between the actuator lever and the actuator member.

4. A pump assembly as in claim 1, wherein the actuator lever is moved between a first position and a second position, the assembly comprising first and second stop means (628, 629) adapted to restrict movement of the actuator lever in the first respectively the second position.

5. A pump assembly as in claim 4, wherein the stop means is arranged on the supporting structure and is adapted to engage the actuator lever (630, 637) in the first respectively the second position.

6. A pump assembly as in claim 4, wherein the pump member has:

a first position corresponding to the first position of the actuator lever and a first resting condition of the pump, and

a second position corresponding to the second position of the actuator lever and a second actuated condition of the pump,

wherein the pump member exerts a first force on the actuator lever in the first position and exerts a second higher force on the actuator lever in the second position.

7. A pump assembly as in claim 6, wherein the pump comprises a flexible member (154) which is stretched by the pump member when the pump member is moved between its first and second positions.

8. A pump assembly as in claim 6, wherein the coupling joint has a first gear ratio when the actuator lever is in the first position and second lower gear ratio when the actuator lever is in the second position.

9. A pump assembly as in claim 1, wherein the actuator is a coil-magnet actuator, the coil (636) and magnet(s) (641) being arranged on the actuator member respectively the supporting structure.

10. A pump assembly as in claim 1, wherein the pump is adapted to pump a liquid between an inlet and an outlet (322) thereof, the pump member performing a pump stroke when actuated by the actuator lever.

11. A pump assembly as in claim 10, wherein the pump comprises inlet and outlet valves (161, 171) associated with the pump inlet respectively the pump outlet, and a pump chamber (153) actuated by the pump member to perform a pump stroke respectively a suction stroke.

12. A pump assembly as in claim 10, further comprising:

a reservoir (760) adapted to contain a fluid drug and comprising an outlet in fluid communication with or being adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the pump inlet, and

a transcutaneous access device (1017) comprising a distal end adapted to be inserted through the skin of a subject, the transcutaneous access device comprising an inlet in fluid communication with or being adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the pump outlet.

13. A pump assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a power source and processor means for controlling the actuator.