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; 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 configured so that when actuated, the actuator bends in the medial portion and produces a displacement of the second end in a first direction relative to the first end,the actuator being disposed with the first end constrained, the second end unconstrained, and oriented so that when the actuator is actuated, the second end is displaced toward the fluid reservoir and exerts a force on the reservoir such that fluid within the reservoir is communicated through the fluid communicator.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for delivering a fluid to a patient are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a delivery system includes a reservoir for containing a fluid and a fluid communicator in fluid communication with the reservoir. An electrochemical actuator is coupled to the reservoir and configured to exert a force on the reservoir upon actuation such that fluid within the reservoir is communicated through the fluid communicator. The actuator includes a first end that is constrained and a second end that is not constrained. The actuator is configured to bend at a location along a length of the actuator when actuated such that the second end of the actuator is displaced in a direction toward the fluid reservoir. The actuator can be an electrochemical actuator. The apparatus can further include a transfer structure disposed between the actuator and the reservoir configured to contact the reservoir upon actuation of the actuator.
4 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a reservoir configured to contain a fluid; a fluid communicator configured to be placed in fluid communication with the reservoir; 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 configured so that when actuated, the actuator bends in the medial portion and produces a displacement of the second end in a first direction relative to the first end, the actuator being disposed with the first end constrained, the second end unconstrained, and oriented so that when the actuator is actuated, the second end is displaced toward the fluid reservoir and exerts a force on the reservoir such that fluid within the reservoir is communicated through the fluid communicator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing removably couplable to a user; a reservoir configured to contain a fluid and disposed within the housing; an actuator having a constrained first end portion and an unconstrained second end portion; and a transfer structure disposed between the actuator and the reservoir, the transfer structure having a first end portion pivotably coupled to the housing and an unconstrained second end portion, the transfer structure having a surface configured to contact the reservoir upon actuation of the actuator, the actuator being configured such that when actuated, a force is exerted by the second end portion of the actuator onto the transfer structure and the unconstrained second end portion of the transfer structure pivots about a pivot location and exerts a force on the reservoir such that fluid within the reservoir is communicated out of the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing removably couplable to a user; a reservoir configured to contain a fluid and disposed within the housing; an actuator having a constrained first end portion and an unconstrained second end portion; a transfer structure disposed between the actuator and the reservoir, the actuator being configured so that when actuated, a first force is exerted by the actuator onto the transfer structure; and a spring coupled to the transfer structure, the spring configured to exert a second force onto the transfer structure, the first force and the second force collectively configured to cause the transfer structure to exert a force on the reservoir such that fluid within the reservoir is communicated out of the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification