PATCH-SIZED FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A delivery device for delivering an infusion medium to a user, the device comprising:
- a disposable housing portion adapted to be secured to a user;
a durable housing portion configured to be selectively engaged with and disengaged from the disposable housing portion to allow disposal of the disposable housing portion without disposing of the durable housing portion;
a reservoir supported by the disposable housing portion, the reservoir having an interior for containing a fluidic medium and a plunger moveable within the interior of the reservoir along an axial direction of the reservoir;
a slide member supported by the durable housing portion, the slide member having an end for engaging the plunger when the disposable housing portion and durable housing portion are engaged, the slide member further having an engagement surface for contacting and engaging a drive surface of a piezoelectric stack drive device;
a shaft supported by the durable housing portion, the shaft extending along the engagement surface of the slide member; and
a piezoelectric stack drive device supported by the shaft and the piezoelectric stack drive device arranged to be located between the engagement surface of the slide member and the shaft to selectively move the slide member in the axial direction of the reservoir when the disposable housing portion and durable housing portion are engaged;
wherein movement of the slide member by operation of the piezoelectric stack drive device is transferred to movement of the plunger in the axial direction of the reservoir, when the slide member is engaged with the plunger.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.
22 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A delivery device for delivering an infusion medium to a user, the device comprising:
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a disposable housing portion adapted to be secured to a user; a durable housing portion configured to be selectively engaged with and disengaged from the disposable housing portion to allow disposal of the disposable housing portion without disposing of the durable housing portion; a reservoir supported by the disposable housing portion, the reservoir having an interior for containing a fluidic medium and a plunger moveable within the interior of the reservoir along an axial direction of the reservoir; a slide member supported by the durable housing portion, the slide member having an end for engaging the plunger when the disposable housing portion and durable housing portion are engaged, the slide member further having an engagement surface for contacting and engaging a drive surface of a piezoelectric stack drive device; a shaft supported by the durable housing portion, the shaft extending along the engagement surface of the slide member; and a piezoelectric stack drive device supported by the shaft and the piezoelectric stack drive device arranged to be located between the engagement surface of the slide member and the shaft to selectively move the slide member in the axial direction of the reservoir when the disposable housing portion and durable housing portion are engaged; wherein movement of the slide member by operation of the piezoelectric stack drive device is transferred to movement of the plunger in the axial direction of the reservoir, when the slide member is engaged with the plunger. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of making a delivery device for delivering art infusion medium to a user, the method comprising:
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providing a first housing portion adapted to be secured to a user; providing a second housing portion configured to be selectively engaged with and disengaged from the first housing portion to allow disposal of the first housing portion without disposing of the second housing portion; supporting a reservoir on the first housing portion, the reservoir having an interior for containing a fluidic medium; arranging a plunger within the interior of the reservoir and moveable along an axial direction of the reservoir; supporting a slide member on the second housing portion in a position at which an end of the slide member engages the plunger when the disposable housing portion and durable housing portion are engaged, the slide member further having an engagement surface for contacting and engaging a drive surface of a piezoelectric stack drive device; supporting a shaft on the durable housing portion in a position at which the shaft extends along the engagement surface of the slide member; and supporting a piezoelectric stack drive device on the shaft in a position between the engagement surface of the slide member and the shaft to selectively move the slide member in the axial direction of the reservoir when the second housing portion and the first housing portion are engaged; wherein movement of the slide member by operation of the piezoelectric stack drive device is transferred to movement of the plunger in the axial direction of the reservoir, when the slide member is engaged with the plunger. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification