DRUG-DELIVERY PUMPS WITH DYNAMIC, ADAPTIVE CONTROL

• US 20110202032A1
• Filed: 08/18/2010
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Original Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Inventors: Brennan, Jeffrey, Jiang, Fukang, Shih, Jason, Caffey, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 9,199,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14593 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/148 flexible, e.g. independent bagsA61M5/155 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16804 Flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection

Abstract

In various embodiments, actuation of a drug-delivery pump is controlled based on a change in a condition of the pump.

Claims

1. A drug-delivery pump, comprising:

a drug reservoir;

a cannula for conducting liquid from the reservoir to a target site;

a pump actuator for forcing the liquid from the reservoir through the cannula; and

circuitry for controlling the actuator based on a change in a condition of the pump.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the circuitry maintains delivery of a substantially fixed dosage of the liquid at periodic time intervals to the target site.

3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the circuitry comprises memory for storing conditions of the pump at the time of previous delivery events.

4. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a flow sensor for measuring a flow rate of the liquid through the cannula.

5. The pump of claim 4, wherein the circuitry controls the actuator based, at least in part, on an analysis of the flow rate.

6. The pump of claim 5, wherein the circuitry further controls the actuator based on stored conditions of the pump from previous doses.

7. The pump of claim 5, wherein the circuitry further controls the actuator based on real-time data from the actuator.

8. The pump of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

an electrolyte chamber;

an expandable diaphragm separating the chamber and the reservoir and providing a fluid barrier therebetween; and

electrolysis electrodes for causing evolution of a gas in the electrolyte chamber to thereby expand the diaphragm so that the liquid is forced from the reservoir into the cannula.

9. The pump of claim 8, wherein diaphragm expansion is adjusted by varying actuation current supplied to the electrodes.

10. The pump of claim 8, wherein diaphragm expansion is adjusted by varying an actuation duration of the electrodes.

11. The pump of claim 8, wherein the electrolysis electrodes are driven with a constant current.

12. The pump of claim 8, wherein the electrolysis electrodes are driven with a time-varying current waveform.

13. The pump of claim 1, wherein the circuitry maintains delivery of a substantially fixed dosage of the liquid over time through continuous infusion to the target site.

14. A method of delivering a drug to a patient from a drug-delivery pump comprising a drug reservoir and a pump actuator for forcing liquid from the reservoir into the patient, the method comprising:

establishing fluid communication between the drug reservoir and the patient; and

controlling the pump actuator based on a change in a condition of the pump so as to deliver a dosage of liquid from the drug reservoir into the patient.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein controlling the pump actuator comprises maintaining delivery of a substantially fixed dosage of the liquid at periodic time intervals to the patient.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising storing conditions of the pump at each time interval.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising measuring a flow rate of the liquid into the patient.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein controlling the pump actuator comprises analyzing at least one of the flow rate, stored conditions of the pump from previous doses, or real-time data from the pump actuator.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the pump is an electrolysis-driven pump and wherein controlling the pump comprises varying actuation current supplied to electrolysis electrodes.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the pump is an electrolysis-driven pump and wherein controlling the pump comprises varying an actuation duration of electrolysis electrodes.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the pump is an electrolysis-driven pump and wherein controlling the pump comprises driving electrolysis electrodes with a constant current.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the pump is an electrolysis-driven pump and wherein controlling the pump comprises driving electrolysis electrodes with a time-varying current waveform.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein controlling the pump actuator comprises maintaining delivery of a substantially fixed dosage of the liquid over time through continuous infusion to the patient.

24. A drug-delivery pump, comprising:

a drug reservoir;

an electrolyte chamber;

an expandable diaphragm separating the chamber and the reservoir and providing a fluid barrier therebetween;

a cannula for conducting liquid from the reservoir to a target site;

electrolysis electrodes for causing evolution of a gas in the electrolyte chamber to thereby expand the diaphragm so that the liquid is forced from the reservoir into the cannula; and

circuitry for adjusting expansion of the diaphragm based on conditions of the target site.

25. The pump of claim 24, wherein the conditions include changes in one or more biochemical parameters, and wherein the pump further comprises a sensor therefor.

26. The pump of claim 24, wherein the conditions include changes in electrical activity, and wherein the pump further comprises a sensor therefor.

27. The pump of claim 24, wherein the conditions include changes in pressure, and wherein the pump further comprises a sensor therefor.