Fluid dispensing pump
First Claim
1. A self-contained electrochemical micropump comprising:
- a thin-walled cylindrical shaped electroconductive housing having a first closed end with at least one aperture therein and a second open end;
an anode member in intimate contact with the internal surface of said first closed end;
a thin ionomeric membrane with a first surface in contact with the anode member;
a cathode member in intimate contact with a second surface of said ionomeric membrane;
a button-cell battery having its negative pole in intimate contact with said cathode member;
an electrically insulating grommet having a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends open, said grommet being sized and adapted to fit snugly within said housing and to contact the periphery of said membrane to hold it securely in place against the closed end of said housing;
retaining means for retaining said button cell in position in secure contact with said cathode, said retaining means interacting with said grommet or said housing to maintain its position, said retaining means having an opening which permits air access to said cathode; and
actuatable electroconductive means secured to said housing and actuable to create an electroconductive connection between the positive pole of said battery in said housing.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a self-contained device which continuously dispenses a packaged fluid. The device is particularly suited for applications where several months may lapse before performance is manually initiated, after which a consistent steady flow is required for an extended period until the packaged fluid is exhausted. The device is also particularly suited for applications where ease of fabrication and where availability of materials are important factors. A button cell battery provides a driving force to reduce atmospheric oxygen at a simple air cathode, ions are transported through an ion-exchange membrane, and oxygen gas is released at a simple anode. The effective transport of oxygen gas pressurizes a chamber resulting in fluid contained in a flexible bladder within the chamber to be forced through an outlet. This device is intended to be very low in cost and thus disposable.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A self-contained electrochemical micropump comprising:
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a thin-walled cylindrical shaped electroconductive housing having a first closed end with at least one aperture therein and a second open end; an anode member in intimate contact with the internal surface of said first closed end; a thin ionomeric membrane with a first surface in contact with the anode member; a cathode member in intimate contact with a second surface of said ionomeric membrane; a button-cell battery having its negative pole in intimate contact with said cathode member; an electrically insulating grommet having a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends open, said grommet being sized and adapted to fit snugly within said housing and to contact the periphery of said membrane to hold it securely in place against the closed end of said housing; retaining means for retaining said button cell in position in secure contact with said cathode, said retaining means interacting with said grommet or said housing to maintain its position, said retaining means having an opening which permits air access to said cathode; and actuatable electroconductive means secured to said housing and actuable to create an electroconductive connection between the positive pole of said battery in said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification