Storage-stable, fluid dispensing device using a hydrogen gas generator
First Claim
1. A storage stable fluid delivery device comprising a liquid chamber containing a liquid to be dispensed, a flexible wall or movable piston positioned between said liquid chamber and a gas chamber into which gas flows from a gas generator structured to produce hydrogen at a substantially constant rate over a period of time such that the fluid flows from the liquid chamber through an outlet as the gas enters the gas chamber, said gas generator containing moisture which participates in the generation of the gas;
- sealing means to prevent substantial permeation of water vapor from the gas generator to the environment during storage; and
wherein the gas generator is an electrochemical gas generating cell comprising a gas-evolving cathode composed of at least a hydrophobic gas permeable layer and a current collector, and an electroactive metal anode wherein said anode is electronically isolated from said cathode by an insulative means which is both ionically and electronically insulative;
an aqueous electrolyte adapted to be in ionic communication with said anode and cathode;
wherein said electrolyte is in contact with said electroactive metal anode during storage;
wherein said gas generating cell contains enough moisture in the electrolyte to sustain water vapor losses due to permeation or leakage during storage, to be consumed in the electrode reactions, to humidify the generated gas, and to remain ionically conductive during the life of the device;
wherein the anode and cathode are connected through an electric circuit consisting of a means to complete the circuit at the time of activation;
and a hydrogen permeable moisture barrier means present to permit small amounts of hydrogen generated inadvertently during storage before the electrical circuit means is activated to substantially permeate out of the device andsaid barrier means having sufficiently low water vapor permeation to prevent the escape of substantial water vapor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage stable fluid delivery device including a gas generator in which moisture (water) is involved in the gas generation reaction in which moisture containment is utility to prevent or retard water loss as disclosed. The moisture containment may be a moisture impermeable membrane as a permanent part of the device and may be utilized in conjunction with the gas generator when the membrane has high gas permeability for the gas being generated. The fluid delivered by such device is typically a liquid having some particular utility in its environment. The liquid dispensed may be a pharmaceutical or some other liquid having a beneficial or curative effect upon an animal or human patient or it may be a liquid such as an insecticide, fumigant, fragrance or other liquid having a relatively high vapor pressure.
198 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A storage stable fluid delivery device comprising a liquid chamber containing a liquid to be dispensed, a flexible wall or movable piston positioned between said liquid chamber and a gas chamber into which gas flows from a gas generator structured to produce hydrogen at a substantially constant rate over a period of time such that the fluid flows from the liquid chamber through an outlet as the gas enters the gas chamber, said gas generator containing moisture which participates in the generation of the gas;
- sealing means to prevent substantial permeation of water vapor from the gas generator to the environment during storage; and
wherein the gas generator is an electrochemical gas generating cell comprising a gas-evolving cathode composed of at least a hydrophobic gas permeable layer and a current collector, and an electroactive metal anode wherein said anode is electronically isolated from said cathode by an insulative means which is both ionically and electronically insulative; an aqueous electrolyte adapted to be in ionic communication with said anode and cathode; wherein said electrolyte is in contact with said electroactive metal anode during storage; wherein said gas generating cell contains enough moisture in the electrolyte to sustain water vapor losses due to permeation or leakage during storage, to be consumed in the electrode reactions, to humidify the generated gas, and to remain ionically conductive during the life of the device; wherein the anode and cathode are connected through an electric circuit consisting of a means to complete the circuit at the time of activation; and a hydrogen permeable moisture barrier means present to permit small amounts of hydrogen generated inadvertently during storage before the electrical circuit means is activated to substantially permeate out of the device and said barrier means having sufficiently low water vapor permeation to prevent the escape of substantial water vapor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29)
- sealing means to prevent substantial permeation of water vapor from the gas generator to the environment during storage; and
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25. A fluid delivery device having a hydrogen generating cell as a gas generating component comprising
a continuous solid electroactive metal anode structurally integrated as part of a cell housing; -
a cathode in contact with said electrolyte; a suitable aqueous electrolyte in contact with at least a portion of said anode and cathode; an electrical insulator insulating the cathode and anode from one another, which is structured such that anode and cathode communicate ionically through said electrolyte; circuitry means to electrically connect said anode and cathode; and vent means to permit generated gas to exit said cell and enter chamber which collects gas to exert a force on fluid. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A fluid delivery device having an electrolyte-containing hydrogen generating cell as a motive component comprising
an electrically conductive housing to house said electrolyte; -
said electrolyte being an aqueous material containing metallic anode particles; a cathode material; a separator physically separating said anode particles from the cathode; vent means to permit flow of H2 gas from said cell; and vapor barrier means in communication with said electrolyte to separate said electrolyte from said flow aperture, said vapor barrier having a low moisture permeability and a high hydrogen gas permeability. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification