SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A THERAPEUTIC AGENT
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir configured to contain a fluid;
a fluid communicator configured to be placed in fluid communication with the reservoir;
a first actuator having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion between the first end and the second end, the first actuator being disposed with the first end constrained, the second end unconstrained, and configured so that when actuated, the first actuator bends in the medial portion and produces a displacement of the second end and exerts a first force on the reservoir;
a transfer structure disposed between the first actuator and the reservoir, the transfer structure having a surface configured to engage the reservoir such that the first force exerted by the first actuator is distributed by the transfer structure across a surface of the reservoir engaged by the transfer structure; and
a second actuator having a first configuration and a second configuration, the second actuator being disposed and oriented so that when the second end of the first actuator is displaced toward the fluid reservoir, the second actuator moves from its first configuration toward its second configuration and exerts a second force on the transfer structure,the combination of the first force and the second force collectively configured to urge the transfer structure toward the reservoir such that fluid within the reservoir is communicated through the fluid communicator.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A delivery system includes a reservoir configured to contain a fluid and a fluid communicator configured to be placed in fluid communication with the reservoir. A first actuator is coupled to the reservoir and configured to exert a first force on the reservoir upon actuation. A transfer structure disposed between the first actuator and the reservoir is configured to engage the reservoir distribute the first force across a surface of the reservoir. A second actuator is disposed and oriented so that when the first actuator is displaced toward the fluid reservoir, the second actuator moves from a first configuration to a second configuration and exerts a second force on the transfer structure. The combination of the first and second forces collectively urge the transfer structure towards the reservoir such that fluid within the reservoir is communicated through the fluid communicator.
19 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a reservoir configured to contain a fluid; a fluid communicator configured to be placed in fluid communication with the reservoir; a first actuator having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion between the first end and the second end, the first actuator being disposed with the first end constrained, the second end unconstrained, and configured so that when actuated, the first actuator bends in the medial portion and produces a displacement of the second end and exerts a first force on the reservoir; a transfer structure disposed between the first actuator and the reservoir, the transfer structure having a surface configured to engage the reservoir such that the first force exerted by the first actuator is distributed by the transfer structure across a surface of the reservoir engaged by the transfer structure; and a second actuator having a first configuration and a second configuration, the second actuator being disposed and oriented so that when the second end of the first actuator is displaced toward the fluid reservoir, the second actuator moves from its first configuration toward its second configuration and exerts a second force on the transfer structure, the combination of the first force and the second force collectively configured to urge the transfer structure toward the reservoir such that fluid within the reservoir is communicated through the fluid communicator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a housing configured to be removably coupled to a user; a reservoir configured to contain a fluid and disposed within the housing; and an actuator having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion between the first end and the second end, the actuator being disposed with the first end constrained, the second end unconstrained, and configured so that when actuated, the actuator bends in the medial portion and produces a displacement of the second end and exerts a first force on the reservoir; and a containment structure coupled to the first end of the actuator and configured so that when the second end of the actuator is displaced toward the fluid reservoir, substantially all of the first force generated by the displacement of the second end of the actuator is transferred to the reservoir and not to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a housing configured to be removably coupled to a user and having a visualization window; a reservoir configured to contain a fluid; a first actuator having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion between the first end and the second end, the first actuator being disposed with the first end constrained, the second end unconstrained, and configured so that when actuated, the first actuator bends in the medial portion and produces a displacement of the second end and exerts a first force on the reservoir; a transfer structure disposed between the first actuator and the reservoir, the transfer structure having a surface configured to engage the reservoir such that the first force exerted by the first actuator is distributed by the transfer structure across a surface of the reservoir engaged by the transfer structure; and a second actuator having a first configuration and a second configuration, the second actuator being disposed and oriented so that when the second end of the first actuator is displaced toward the fluid reservoir, the second actuator moves from its first configuration toward its second configuration and exerts a second force on the transfer structure, the second actuator including a fluid level indicator that is visible through the visualization window as the second actuator moves from the first configuration to the second configuration. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification