Systems and Methods for Electrolysis Pump Control
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling a drug-delivery device comprising a drug vial, a plunger movably disposed within the vial, and an electrolysis pump for causing movement of the plunger so as to expel liquid drug from an outlet of the vial, the method comprising:
- causing generation of gas in an electrolysis pump chamber by supplying a drive current to electrolysis electrodes contained in the chamber;
continuously measuring (i) a drive current supplied to the electrolysis electrodes, and (ii) a gas pressure in the electrolysis pump chamber;
based on the measured drive current and the measured gas pressure, computing a volume of electrolysis gas generated in the pump chamber, and inferring at least one of a drug flow rate or a cumulative delivered volume of drug therefrom; and
controlling the drive current based, at least in part, on the inferred drug flow rate or cumulative delivered volume of drug.
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Abstract
Drug-delivery devices may utilize electrolysis pumps to push a plunger so as to deliver drug from a reservoir. The volume and/or rate of drug delivery may be monitored based on pressure measurements in the pump chamber. Pressure signatures characteristic of end-of-dose and occlusion events may be used to detect when plunger movement stops.
20 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a drug-delivery device comprising a drug vial, a plunger movably disposed within the vial, and an electrolysis pump for causing movement of the plunger so as to expel liquid drug from an outlet of the vial, the method comprising:
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causing generation of gas in an electrolysis pump chamber by supplying a drive current to electrolysis electrodes contained in the chamber; continuously measuring (i) a drive current supplied to the electrolysis electrodes, and (ii) a gas pressure in the electrolysis pump chamber; based on the measured drive current and the measured gas pressure, computing a volume of electrolysis gas generated in the pump chamber, and inferring at least one of a drug flow rate or a cumulative delivered volume of drug therefrom; and controlling the drive current based, at least in part, on the inferred drug flow rate or cumulative delivered volume of drug. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A drug-delivery device comprising:
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a drug vial; a plunger movably disposed within the vial; an electrolysis pump comprising a pump chamber and, contained therein, electrolysis electrodes for generating gas in the chamber upon application of a drive current thereto for causing movement of the plunger so as to expel liquid drug from an outlet of the vial; sensors for continuously measuring the drive current supplied to the electrolysis electrodes and a gas pressure in the pump chamber; and a control system for (i) computing, based on the measured drive current and the measured gas pressure, a volume of electrolysis gas generated in the pump chamber, (ii) inferring at least one of a drug flow rate or a cumulative delivered volume of drug from the computed volume of electrolysis gas, and (iii) controlling the drive current based, at least in part, on the inferred drug flow rate or cumulative delivered volume of drug.
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9. A method for monitoring an electrolysis pump, the method comprising:
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causing generation of gas in an electrolysis pump chamber; continuously measuring a gas pressure in the electrolysis pump chamber; monitoring the measured gas pressure for at least one of an end-of-dose signature or an occlusion signature; and upon detection of an end-of-dose signature or an occlusion signature, initiating a control action. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A drug-delivery device comprising:
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a drug vial; a plunger movably disposed within the vial; an electrolysis pump comprising a pump chamber and, contained therein, electrolysis electrodes for generating gas in the chamber upon application of a drive current thereto for causing movement of the plunger so as to expel liquid drug from an outlet of the vial; a sensor for continuously measuring a gas pressure in the pump chamber; and a control system for (i) monitoring the measured gas pressure for at least one of an end-of-dose signature or an occlusion signature, and (ii) upon detection of an end-of-dose signature or an occlusion signature, initiating a control action.
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Specification