Piston-actuated attachable topical fluid delivery system

• US 6,224,572 B1
• Filed: 05/04/1995
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sterling Investments LC
• Original Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Stephen C., Davis, Clark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US08/434,463
• Time in Patent Office: 2,189 Days
• Field of Search: 604/181, 604/131, 604/134, 604/136, 604/139, 604/143, 604/146, 604/154, 604/156, 604/157, 604/186, 604/191, 604/201, 604/207, 604/213, 604/232, 604/71, 604/195, 604/196 , 604/31, 604/33, 604/503-505
• US Class Current: 604/181
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/003 Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type

Abstract

A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid from a fluid reservoir to a patient. The device includes an inlet channel in communication with a fluid reservoir and a dosing chamber, and an outlet channel disposed in communication with the dosing chamber. A reciprocating dosing actuator is moveable in a reciprocating motion between first and second positions for alternately (i) transporting a dose of fluid conveyed by the inlet channel into the intermediate dosing chamber, and (ii) ejecting the dose from the dosing chamber through the outlet channel to the patient, respectively.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to a patient comprising:

inlet means configured for placement in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir containing a supply of the fluid;

outlet means disposed in fluid communication with the inlet means such that said inlet and outlet means reside in series;

a housing defining an intermediate dosing chamber therein disposed between and in fluid communication with the inlet means and the outlet means, said housing including a piston receiving opening in communication with the chamber;

a resilient sheet of material disposed over the piston receiving opening and including an aperture positioned in alignment with said opening, wherein cross-sectional dimensions of the aperture do not exceed cross-sectional dimensions of the chamber;

an elongate piston slidably disposed in the aperture of the resilient sheet so that one end of the piston extends into the chamber;

shaft means coupled to a proximal end of the piston;

first and second shape memory means attached to opposing portions of the shaft means, said first shape memory means being operable to move the piston to the first position when said first shape memory means is caused to contract, and said second shape memory means being operable to move the piston to the second position when said second shape memory means is caused to contract; and

means for alternately passing electrical current through the first and second shape memory means to thereby alternately cause the first shape memory means and the second shape memory means to contract in alternating tandem, so as to cause said piston to slide back and forth through the aperture in a reciprocating motion between first and second positions to pump fluid from the reservoir through the outlet means and to the patient by alternately producing a negative and a positive pressure within the chamber.

2. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

support means, said shaft means being pivotally mounted to the support means at a pivot point;

said shaft means further comprising first and second opposing ends, said first end having first and second opposing sides, and said shaft means being coupled at the second end thereof to the piston;

the first shape memory means being secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the first side of the first end of the shaft means;

the second shape memory means being secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the second side of the first end of the shaft means; and

wherein the means for alternately passing electrical current through the first and second shape memory means to thereby cause the first and second shape memory means to contract in alternating tandem mobilizes the shaft means in reciprocating pivotal movement, such that contraction of the first shape memory means causes pivotal movement of the shaft means and linear movement of the piston into the first position, and contraction of the second shape memory means causes pivotal movement of the shaft means and linear movement of the piston into the second position.

3. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 2, further comprising a linkage member pivotally attached to the second end of the shaft means and also pivotally attached to the piston so as to intercouple said shaft means and piston to thereby enable the pivotal movement of the shaft means to cause a generally linear reciprocating movement of the piston between first and second positions.

4. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the first and second opposing sides of the first opposing end of the shaft means includes a finger member formed thereon, and wherein the attachment of the first and second shape memory means to said first and second opposing sides, respectively, comprises said first and second shape memory means being looped around the finger member of said first and second opposing sides, respectively.

5. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 further comprising support means on each side of the resilient sheet of material adjacent the aperture for contacting and preventing distending and collapsing of the sheet of material as the piston slides through the aperture.

6. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 wherein the resilient sheet of material is a material selected from the group consisting of latex rubber, silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers.

7. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein the inlet port resides within one-fourth of the chamber length from the piston-receiving opening of the housing, and wherein the outlet port resides within one-fourth of the chamber length from the second end of the chamber.

8. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 wherein cross-sectional dimensions of the aperture do not exceed cross-sectional dimensions of the piston.

9. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein said inlet means includes:

a first conduit for conveying fluid from a fluid reservoir to the dosing chamber, and

first check valve means disposed in the first conduit for allowing the fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the dosing chamber, and for preventing the fluid from flowing from the dosing chamber to the fluid reservoir,

and wherein said outlet means includes

a second conduit having a distal end for carrying fluid from the dosing chamber to said distal end, and

second check valve means disposed in the second conduit for allowing the fluid to flow from the dosing chamber through the distal end of the second conduit, and for preventing the fluid from flowing from the distal end of the second conduit to the dosing chamber.

10. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein said inlet means includes:

a first conduit having conduit side walls for conveying fluid from a fluid reservoir to the dosing chamber, and

normally closed first valve means disposed in the first conduit for (i) preventing fluid flow within said first conduit responsive to positive pressure, and (ii) permitting fluid flow within said first conduit responsive to negative pressure.

11. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 10, wherein the first conduit and the first valve means collectively comprise:

an enlarged valve chamber having a valve-head seating brim, said brim defining a valve port and having an inlet side and an opposing outlet side;

a resilient membrane anchored to the conduit side walls so as to face the outlet side of the brim;

a neck member anchored at one end to the resilient membrane and including an opposing end extending into the valve port, said neck member being narrower at said opposing end than the valve port so as to permit fluid flow through said valve port;

a valve head being wider than the valve port and anchored to the opposing end of the neck member so as to reside within the enlarged valve chamber, said valve head being seated against the inlet side of the brim so as to cover the valve port in a natural biased position.

12. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 11, the valve head being sufficiently wide so as to prevent passage thereof through the valve port and wherein the resilient membrane is configured and positioned so as to be expandable toward the outlet side of the brim such that (i) positive pressure within the first conduit operates to force the valve head against the inlet side of the brim to thereby seal said valve head against the brim and block fluid flow within the first conduit through the valve port, and (ii) negative pressure within the first conduit operates to stretch the resilient membrane toward the outlet side of the brim to thereby move the valve head away from the brim and permit fluid flow within the first conduit through the valve port.

13. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 11, wherein the outlet side of the brim includes at least one groove formed therein which communicates with the valve port and extends from the valve port radially outward therefrom along said outlet side of the brim a sufficient distance so as to maintain fluid flow through the valve port when the resilient membrane is moved into contact with said outlet side of said brim.

14. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein said outlet means includes:

a second conduit having a distal end for carrying fluid from the dosing chamber to said distal end, and

normally closed second valve means disposed in the second conduit for (i) preventing fluid flow within said second conduit responsive to negative pressure, and (ii) permitting fluid flow within said second conduit responsive to positive pressure.

15. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 14, wherein the second conduit and the second valve means collectively comprise:

an inlet passage, an enlarged accumulation chamber, and an outlet passage, wherein an interior side of the accumulation chamber comprises a membrane-seating surface having first and second openings formed therein, the inlet and outlet passages being disposed in communication with the accumulation chamber via the first and second openings, respectively, such that the inlet passage, accumulation chamber and outlet passage respectively reside in series;

a resilient membrane anchored within the accumulation chamber and being seated against the membrane-seating surface so as to cover the first and second openings in a natural biased position.

16. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 15, wherein the resilient membrane is configured and positioned so as to be expandable away from the first and second openings and into the accumulation chamber such that (i) negative pressure within either the inlet passage or the outlet passage operates to pull the membrane toward the membrane-seating surface in sealing contact therewith to thereby block fluid flow within the second conduit, and (ii) positive pressure within either the inlet passage or the outlet passage operates to force the resilient membrane away from the membrane-seating surface to thereby permit fluid to forcibly expand the membrane and accumulate within the accumulation chamber and flow within the second conduit through the first and second openings.

17. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 further comprising frequency varying means connected to the actuation means for selectively varying the frequency of reciprocating motion of the piston to thereby vary the rate of pumping of the fluid.

18. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 17 wherein said actuation means includes:

pushing means for alternately pushing the piston in a direction into the dosing chamber, and releasing the piston from being pushed, and

biasing means for forcing the piston in a direction out of the dosing chamber when the piston is released by the pushing means,

wherein said frequency varying means includes stop means for stopping the movement of the piston in the direction out of the dosing chamber at selectable distances.

19. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein the outlet means includes a distal end portion configured for attachment to an intravenous needle to thereby permit the fluid delivery device to deliver fluid into a vein of the patient.

20. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device is portable and miniaturized and configured for attachment to the patient to thereby enable the device to be carried by the patient, such that movement of the device is confined to movement with the patient.

21. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 20 wherein said device is dimensioned and sized to be swallowable by the patient to thereby enable said device to deliver fluid within an intracorporeal region of the patient.

22. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 20 further including attachment means for attaching the device to an exterior portion of the patient to thereby enable the device to deliver the fluid to the patient in a topical manner.

23. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 further comprising control means including timing means, said control means being connected to the actuation means for activating and deactivating the actuation means responsive to a timing signal produced by the timing means.

24. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1 further comprising control means including sensing means responsive to physiological conditions of the patient, said control means being connected to the actuation means for activating and deactivating the actuation means responsive to an actuation signal produced by the sensing means.

25. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1, wherein said inlet means comprises:

a first conduit having conduit side walls for conveying fluid from a fluid reservoir to the dosing chamber, and first valve means disposed within said first conduit, said first conduit and first valve means collectively comprising;

an enlarged valve chamber having a valve-head seating brim, said brim defining a valve port and having an inlet side and an opposing outlet side;

a resilient membrane anchored to the conduit side walls so as to face the outlet side of the brim;

a neck member anchored at one end to the resilient membrane and including an opposing end extending into the valve port, said neck member being narrower at said opposing end than the valve port so as to permit fluid flow through said valve port;

a valve head being wider than the valve port and anchored to the opposing end of the neck member so as to reside within the enlarged valve chamber, said valve head being seated against the inlet side of the brim so as to cover the valve port in a natural biased position;

wherein the outlet means comprises;

a second conduit having a distal end for carrying fluid from the dosing chamber to said distal end, and second valve means disposed within the second conduit, said second conduit and second valve means collectively comprising;

an inlet passage, an enlarged accumulation chamber, and an outlet passage, wherein an interior side of the accumulation chamber comprises a membrane-seating surface having first and second openings formed therein, the inlet and outlet passages being disposed in communication with the accumulation chamber via the first and second openings, respectively, such that the inlet passage, accumulation chamber and outlet passage respectively reside in series; and

a resilient membrane anchored within the accumulation chamber and being seated against the membrane-seating surface so as to cover the first and second openings in a natural biased position.

26. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 25, the valve head being sufficiently wide so as to prevent passage thereof through the valve port and wherein the resilient membrane is configured and positioned so as to be expandable toward the outlet side of the brim such that (i) positive pressure within the first conduit operates to force the valve head against the inlet side of the brim to thereby seal said valve head against the brim and block fluid flow within the first conduit through the valve port, and (ii) negative pressure within the first conduit operates to stretch the resilient membrane toward the outlet side of the brim to thereby move the valve head away from the brim and permit fluid flow within the first conduit through the valve port.

27. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 25, wherein the resilient membrane is configured and positioned so as to be expandable away from the first and second openings and into the accumulation chamber such that (i) negative pressure within either the inlet passage or the outlet passage operates to pull the membrane toward the membrane-seating surface in sealing contact therewith to thereby block fluid flow within the second conduit, and (ii) positive pressure within either the inlet passage or the outlet passage operates to force the resilient membrane away from the membrane-seating surface to thereby permit fluid to forcibly expand the membrane and accumulate within the accumulation chamber and flow within the second conduit through the first and second openings.

28. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 1, further comprising reservoir means disposed in communication with the inlet means for containing a supply of the fluid, said reservoir means having interior side walls including a rigid portion and a freely moveable flexible portion, said freely moveable flexible portion of the side walls being moveable into contiguous contact against the rigid portion to thereby substantially eliminate free space within the reservoir means.

29. A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to a patient comprising:

inlet means configured for placement in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir containing a supply of the fluid;

outlet means disposed in fluid communication with the inlet means such that said inlet and outlet means reside in series;

a housing defining an intermediate dosing chamber therein disposed between and in fluid communication with the inlet means and the outlet means, said housing including a piston-receiving opening in communication with the chamber;

a resilient sheet of material disposed over the piston-receiving opening and including an aperture positioned in alignment with said opening, wherein cross-sectional dimensions of the aperture do not exceed cross-sectional dimensions of the chamber;

an elongate piston slidably disposed in the aperture of the resilient sheet so that one end of the piston extends into the chamber; and

actuation means connected to the piston for causing said piston to slide back and forth through the aperture in a reciprocating motion between first and second positions to pump fluid from the reservoir through the outlet means by alternately producing a negative and a positive pressure within the chamber, respectively, such that when the actuation means advances the piston progressively out of the dosing chamber to the first position a negative pressure is produced in the chamber thereby to cause a dose of fluid to flow from the inlet means into the chamber, and when the actuation means advances the piston progressively into the dosing chamber to the second position a positive pressure is produced in the chamber thereby to forcibly eject the dose of fluid through the outlet means to the patient;

wherein said inlet means comprises;

a first conduit having conduit side walls for conveying fluid from a fluid reservoir to the dosing chamber, and first valve means disposed within said first conduit, said first conduit and first valve means collectively comprising;

an enlarged valve chamber having a valve-head seating brim, said brim defining a valve port and having an inlet side and an opposing outlet side;

a resilient membrane anchored to the conduit side walls so as to face the outlet side of the brim;

a neck member anchored at one end to the resilient membrane and including an opposing end extending into the valve port, said neck member being narrower at said opposing end than the valve port so as to permit fluid flow through said valve port;

a valve head being wider than the valve port and anchored to the opposing end of the neck member so as to reside within the enlarged valve chamber, said valve head being seated against the inlet side of the brim so as to cover the valve port in a natural biased position;

wherein the outlet means comprises;

a second conduit having a distal end for carrying fluid from the dosing chamber to said distal end, and second valve means disposed within the second conduit, said second conduit and second valve means collectively comprising;

an inlet passage, an enlarged accumulation chamber, and an outlet passage, wherein an interior side of the accumulation chamber comprises a membrane-seating surface having first and second openings formed therein, the inlet and outlet passages being disposed in communication with the accumulation chamber via the first and second openings, respectively, such that the inlet passage, accumulation chamber and outlet passage respectively reside in series; and

a resilient membrane anchored within the accumulation chamber and being seated against the membrane-seating surface so as to cover the first and second openings in a natural biased position;

wherein the actuation means further comprises;

support means;

rigid shaft means having a pivot point and first and second opposing ends, said shaft means being pivotally mounted to the support means at the pivot point, said first end having first and second opposing sides, said shaft means being coupled at the second end thereof to the piston;

first shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the first side of the first end of the shaft means;

second shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the second side of the first end of the shaft means;

means for alternately passing electrical current through the first and second shape memory means to thereby cause the first and second shape memory means to contract in alternating tandem so as to mobilize the shaft means in reciprocating pivotal movement, such that contraction of the first shape memory means causes movement of the piston into the first position and contraction of the second shape memory means causes movement of the piston into the second position;

a linkage member pivotally attached to the second end of the shaft means and also pivotally attached to the piston so as to intercouple said shaft means and piston to thereby enable the pivotal movement of the shaft means to cause a generally linear reciprocating movement of the piston between first and second positions;

reservoir means disposed in communication with the inlet means for containing a supply of the fluid, said reservoir means having interior side walls including a rigid portion and a freely moveable flexible portion, said freely moveable flexible portion of the side walls being moveably into continuous contact against the rigid portion to thereby substantially eliminate free space within the reservoir means.

30. A fluid delivery device as defined in claim 29, wherein the intermediate dosing chamber comprises an elongate chamber defined by interior side walls of the housing, said elongate chamber having first and second opposing ends and wherein the piston-receiving opening is formed in said first end, said elongate chamber further including (i) an inlet port formed in said interior side walls of the housing so as to reside near the piston-receiving opening of the housing with respect to the rest of the chamber, and (ii) an outlet port formed in said interior side walls so as to reside near the second end of the chamber with respect to the rest of the chamber, and wherein the inlet means comprises an inlet channel disposed in communication with the dosing chamber through the inlet port, and wherein the outlet means comprises an outlet channel disposed in communication with the dosing chamber through the outlet port;

wherein the inlet port resides as close as practical to the piston-receiving opening of the housing, and wherein the outlet port resides as close as practical to the second end of the chamber.