Patch-Sized Fluid Delivery Systems and Methods
First Claim
1. A method for delivering an infusion medium to a user, the method comprising:
- providing a first housing portion and a second housing portion;
providing the first housing portion and the second housing portion with connection structure to allow the first housing portion and the second housing portion to be selectively engaged with each other for operation and disengaged from each other to allow disposal of the first housing portion without disposing of the second housing portion;
supporting a drive shaft with the second housing portion, for movement in a generally linear dimension;
operatively connecting a drive device to the drive shaft, to selectively move the drive shaft in the generally linear dimension;
supporting a pump housing with the first housing portion, the pump housing having a piston channel having a generally linear, longitudinal axis;
providing an inlet port extending to the piston channel and configured for connection to a source of fluidic medium;
providing an outlet port in fluid flow communication with the piston channel;
providing a piston having a surface for receiving a drive force from the drive shaft when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are engaged for operation; and
supporting the piston in the piston channel for movement along the longitudinal axis of the piston channel between fill and dispense positions upon receiving a force from a drive shaft, such that;
in the fill position, the piston is moved to a position to allow fluid flow communication through the inlet port and into the piston channel and piston chamber; and
in the dispense position, the piston is moved to a position to obstruct fluid flow communication through the inlet port and to reduce the volume of the piston chamber to force fluid in the piston chamber out of the outlet port.
1 Assignment
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.
20 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for delivering an infusion medium to a user, the method comprising:
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providing a first housing portion and a second housing portion; providing the first housing portion and the second housing portion with connection structure to allow the first housing portion and the second housing portion to be selectively engaged with each other for operation and disengaged from each other to allow disposal of the first housing portion without disposing of the second housing portion; supporting a drive shaft with the second housing portion, for movement in a generally linear dimension; operatively connecting a drive device to the drive shaft, to selectively move the drive shaft in the generally linear dimension; supporting a pump housing with the first housing portion, the pump housing having a piston channel having a generally linear, longitudinal axis; providing an inlet port extending to the piston channel and configured for connection to a source of fluidic medium; providing an outlet port in fluid flow communication with the piston channel; providing a piston having a surface for receiving a drive force from the drive shaft when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are engaged for operation; and supporting the piston in the piston channel for movement along the longitudinal axis of the piston channel between fill and dispense positions upon receiving a force from a drive shaft, such that; in the fill position, the piston is moved to a position to allow fluid flow communication through the inlet port and into the piston channel and piston chamber; and in the dispense position, the piston is moved to a position to obstruct fluid flow communication through the inlet port and to reduce the volume of the piston chamber to force fluid in the piston chamber out of the outlet port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of making a pump device for conveying a fluidic medium, the method comprising:
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providing a piston chamber having an interior including a fluid portion having a variable volume for containing a fluidic medium; providing an inlet port in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the piston chamber, and configuring the inlet port for connection with a source of fluidic medium, for receiving fluid medium from the source into the interior volume of the piston chamber; providing an outlet port in fluid flow communication with interior volume of the piston chamber; supporting a push plate for back-and-forth movement in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and arranging the push plate in a position for operative engagement with a drive shaft for movement of the push plate in the first direction as the drive shaft is moved in the first direction, and for allowing movement of the push plate in the second direction as the drive shaft is moved in the second direction; supporting a piston head for movement within the piston chamber between a retracted position and an active position to vary the volume of the fluid portion of the piston chamber, and operatively coupling the piston head in a fixed relation to the push plate, for movement from the retracted position to the active position with movement of the push plate in the first direction; wherein, when the piston chamber contains infusion fluid, the volume of the fluid portion of the piston chamber is reduced as the piston head is moved from the retracted position to the active position to provide a pressure within the piston chamber to force the infusion fluid from the fluid portion of the piston chamber and through the outlet port; wherein, the volume of the fluid portion of the piston chamber is increased as the piston head is moved from the retracted position to the active position to provide a pressure within the piston chamber to draw a fluidic medium into the fluid portion of the piston chamber, through the inlet port, when the inlet port is connected in fluid flow communication with the source of fluidic medium. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of making a pump device for conveying a fluidic medium, the method comprising:
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providing a piston channel in a housing, where the piston channel has a generally linear, longitudinal axis; providing an inlet port in fluid flow communication with the piston channel and configured for connection to a source of fluidic medium; providing an outlet port in fluid flow communication with the piston channel; providing a piston having a first piston section and a second piston section coupled together for limited movement, relative to each other, the second piston section having a surface for receiving a drive force from a drive shaft; and supporting the piston within the piston channel for movement along the longitudinal axis of the piston channel between fill, pull and dispense positions, when a drive force is received from a drive shaft such that; in the fill position, the first and second piston sections are separate to form a chamber having volume between the first and second piston sections, and the chamber is aligned in fluid flow communication with the inlet port; in pull positions, the first and second piston sections are separated and the chamber formed between the first and second piston sections is located within the channel, between the inlet port and the outlet port, out of fluid flow communication with the inlet port and the outlet port; and in the dispense position, the chamber between the first and second piston sections is aligned in fluid flow communication with the outlet port. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification