Heat-activated drug delivery system and thermal actuators therefor
First Claim
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1. An infusion system for dispensing a fluid, said system comprising:
- a) an enclosure defining an interior chamber and having an outlet formed at one end;
b) a syringe piston mounted for movement within said chamber, the portion of said interior chamber between said syringe piston and said outlet defining a variable volume compartment for containing a fluid; and
c) motive means for causing said syringe piston to move toward said outlet, forcing said fluid out of said variable volume compartment, said motive means including;
i) a thermally responsive expansion material for creating hydraulic pressure in response to a temperature increase, andii) actuator means for converting said hydraulic pressure into linear motion.
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Abstract
A thermal actuator, also known as a heat capacitance motor, derives its energy from the physical expansion of paraffin wax as it changes from solid to liquid when heated within an enclosure such as a cylinder. This energy is converted into mechanical force which causes translation of a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder, thus creating hydrostatic pressure which is converted to work. The thermal actuator may be utilized in various drug delivery systems in which the hydrostatic pressure created by the actuator is used expel the contents of a syringe.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An infusion system for dispensing a fluid, said system comprising:
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a) an enclosure defining an interior chamber and having an outlet formed at one end; b) a syringe piston mounted for movement within said chamber, the portion of said interior chamber between said syringe piston and said outlet defining a variable volume compartment for containing a fluid; and c) motive means for causing said syringe piston to move toward said outlet, forcing said fluid out of said variable volume compartment, said motive means including; i) a thermally responsive expansion material for creating hydraulic pressure in response to a temperature increase, and ii) actuator means for converting said hydraulic pressure into linear motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification