Implantable micro-pump assembly
First Claim
1. A bio- implantable pump assembly for ocular implantation to selectively reduce ocular pressure comprising:
- a main body having an interior chamber with an intake conduit and a discharge conduit coupled thereto to allow for fluid flow into and through said interior chamber;
a first valve means for selectively allowing a fluid to flow into said interior chamber from said intake conduit, and a second valve means for selectively allowing said fluid to discharge from said interior chamber through said discharge conduit; and
, fluid displacement means comprised of artificial muscle disposed within said main body for generating pressure to pump said fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Self-powered, bio- implantable, pressure adjustable mini-pump systems for medical applications including body fluid pressure control, drainage control, and drug delivery systems. The mini-pump systems include a primary mini-pump chamber having an anterior end attached to an implantable intake conduit. The device of the invention is further equipped with an adjustable variable flow valve or shunt in the form of a first cantilever slab, in combination with an anterior end one-way valve in the form of another cantilever slab. The posterior end of the mini-pump chamber is connected to a drainage conduit, via another one-way valve. Opposing diaphragm elements in the form of a pair of oscillatory flexing miniature ionic polymer metal composite IPPC artificial muscles, is used to vary the volume of the primary mini-pump chamber and thereby effect pumping action. A key feature of the invention is a secondary power generation system, which, in one embodiment of the invention comprises a relatively large piece of IPPC artificial muscle which, for certain types of implants, may be attached to local muscle tissue. Contraction and expansion of the local muscle tissue causes flexure of the IPPC artificial muscle, thereby generating a voltage for driving the diaphragm elements.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A bio- implantable pump assembly for ocular implantation to selectively reduce ocular pressure comprising:
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a main body having an interior chamber with an intake conduit and a discharge conduit coupled thereto to allow for fluid flow into and through said interior chamber;
a first valve means for selectively allowing a fluid to flow into said interior chamber from said intake conduit, and a second valve means for selectively allowing said fluid to discharge from said interior chamber through said discharge conduit; and
, fluid displacement means comprised of artificial muscle disposed within said main body for generating pressure to pump said fluid.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A bio- implantable pump assembly comprising:
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a main body having an interior chamber with an intake conduit and a discharge conduit fluidly coupled thereto to allow for fluid flow into and through said interior chamber;
a first valve means for selectively allowing a fluid to flow into said interior chamber from said intake conduit, and a second valve means for selectively allowing said fluid to discharge from said interior chamber through said outlet; and
,a fluid displacement means connected to a source of power for generating pressure to pump said fluid;
wherein said source of power for said fluid displacement means is an artificial muscle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A bio- implantable pump assembly comprising:
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a main body having an interior chamber;
an intake conduit and a discharge conduit extending from said main body and fluidly coupled to said interior chamber to allow for fluid flow into and through said interior chamber;
a first valve means for selectively allowing a fluid to flow into said interior chamber through said intake conduit, and a second valve means for selectively allowing said fluid to discharge from said interior chamber through said discharge conduit; and
,a fluid displacement means disposed within said interior chamber for generating pressure to pump said fluid; and
,an artificial muscle means electrically connected to said fluid displacement means for supplying electrical power thereto.
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18. A bio- implantable pump assembly for implantation into an anterior chamber of an eye for controlling ocular pressure comprising:
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a main body having an interior chamber with an intake conduit and a discharge conduit to allow for fluid flow into and through said interior chamber; and
,an fluid displacement means comprised of artificial muscle disposed within said main body for generating pressure to pump said fluid. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification