OCCLUSION DETECTION TECHNIQUES FOR A FLUID INFUSION DEVICE HAVING A ROTARY PUMP MECHANISM AND SENSOR CONTACT ELEMENTS
First Claim
1. A fluid pump mechanism comprising:
- a stator comprising a fluid chamber defined therein, and further comprising a stator cam element having a stator cam surface;
a rotor comprising;
an endcap having a reference surface;
an axial extension section protruding from the endcap, wherein at least a portion of the axial extension section fits inside the fluid chamber;
a rotor cam element having a variable height rising from the reference surface, the rotor cam element cooperating with the stator cam element to axially displace the rotor, relative to the stator, as a function of angular position of the rotor;
a sensor contact element on the reference surface and located in an area that is unoccupied by the rotor cam element; and
a sensing element terminating at or near the stator cam surface, the sensing element cooperating with a detection circuit to detect whether or not the stator cam surface is in contact with the sensor contact element;
wherein the detection circuit monitors characteristics of a detection signal obtained from the sensing element in response to angular position of the rotor to determine an operating condition of the fluid pump mechanism.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid infusion device includes a pump mechanism having a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a reference surface and a cam element rising from the reference surface. The stator includes a cam element with a stator cam surface. The cam elements cooperate to axially displace the rotor as it rotates. A drive motor is coupled to actuate the rotor to pump medication fluid from a fluid cartridge module to a body, via a subcutaneous conduit. A sensor contact element resides on the reference surface in an area unoccupied by the rotor cam element. A sensing element terminates at the stator cam surface, and cooperates with a detection circuit to detect when the stator cam surface contacts the sensor contact element. The circuit monitors a detection signal obtained from the sensing element to determine an operating condition of the pump mechanism.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A fluid pump mechanism comprising:
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a stator comprising a fluid chamber defined therein, and further comprising a stator cam element having a stator cam surface; a rotor comprising; an endcap having a reference surface; an axial extension section protruding from the endcap, wherein at least a portion of the axial extension section fits inside the fluid chamber; a rotor cam element having a variable height rising from the reference surface, the rotor cam element cooperating with the stator cam element to axially displace the rotor, relative to the stator, as a function of angular position of the rotor; a sensor contact element on the reference surface and located in an area that is unoccupied by the rotor cam element; and a sensing element terminating at or near the stator cam surface, the sensing element cooperating with a detection circuit to detect whether or not the stator cam surface is in contact with the sensor contact element; wherein the detection circuit monitors characteristics of a detection signal obtained from the sensing element in response to angular position of the rotor to determine an operating condition of the fluid pump mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fluid infusion device for delivering a medication fluid to a body, the fluid infusion device comprising:
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a fluid pump mechanism that cooperates with a fluid cartridge module, the fluid pump mechanism comprising a rotor and a stator, the rotor comprising a reference surface and a rotor cam element having a variable height rising from the reference surface, the stator comprising a stator cam element having a stator cam surface, the rotor cam element cooperating with the stator cam element to axially displace the rotor, relative to the stator, as a function of angular position of the rotor; a subcutaneous conduit in fluid communication with an outlet valve of the fluid pump mechanism; a drive motor coupled to actuate the rotor of the fluid pump mechanism to pump medication fluid from the fluid cartridge module to the body, via the subcutaneous conduit; a sensor contact element on the reference surface of the rotor, the sensor contact element located in an area that is unoccupied by the rotor cam element; and a sensing element terminating at or near the stator cam surface, the sensing element cooperating with a detection circuit to detect whether or not the stator cam surface is in contact with the sensor contact element; wherein the detection circuit monitors characteristics of a detection signal obtained from the sensing element in response to angular position of the rotor to determine an operating condition of the fluid pump mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A fluid pump mechanism comprising:
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a stator comprising a stator cam element having a stator cam surface; a rotor comprising a reference surface and a rotor cam element having a variable height rising from the reference surface, the rotor cam element cooperating with the stator cam element to axially displace the rotor, relative to the stator, as a function of angular position of the rotor; an inlet valve that opens and closes as a function of angular and axial position of the rotor; an outlet valve that opens and closes as a function of angular and axial position of the rotor; a sensor contact element on the reference surface and located in an area corresponding to a valve state in which the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is open; and a sensing element terminating at or near the stator cam surface, the sensing element cooperating with a detection circuit to detect whether or not the stator cam surface is in contact with the sensor contact element; wherein the detection circuit monitors characteristics of a detection signal obtained from the sensing element in response to angular position of the rotor to determine an operating condition of the fluid pump mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification