Infusion device and driving mechanism for same
First Claim
1. A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium comprising:
- an inlet for receiving infusion medium;
an outlet for discharging infusion medium;
a piston channel through which infusion medium is communicated between the inlet and the outlet, the piston channel having an input side for receiving infusion medium received by the inlet, the piston channel also having a discharge side for discharging infusion medium from the piston channel for communication to the outlet;
a piston moveable within the piston channel between an quiescent position and a forward position to drive infusion medium from the piston channel toward the outlet;
a valve member facing a first end of the piston channel, the first end of the piston channel being on the discharge side of the piston channel, the valve member being moveable between closed and open positions to open and close the first end of the piston channel in conjunction with movement of the piston between quiescent and forward positions; and
a valve seat located adjacent the end of the piston channel that faces the valve member for contacting the valve member when the valve member is in closed position, the valve seat including a first surface and a second surface;
the valve member including at least one generally rigid stop surface for contacting the first surface of the valve seat upon valve member being in a closed position, the valve member further including a generally compliant portion extending toward the valve seat, beyond the generally rigid stop surface for contacting the second surface of the valve seat when the valve member is in a closed position,wherein the first surface of the valve seat is projected toward the valve member relative to the second surface of the valve seat and is arranged to contact the at least one generally rigid stop surface, upon the valve member being in the closed position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium a coil capable of being electrically activated to provide an electromagnetic field. The coil surrounds a piston channel extending in an axial direction. The piston channel provides a passage for communication of infusion medium to an outlet chamber located at one end of the piston channel. An armature is located adjacent the coil, on one side of the axial channel. The armature is moveable toward a forward position, in response to the electromagnetic field produced by activation of the coil. A piston is located within the piston channel and is moveable axially within the channel to a forward position, in response to movement of the armature to its forward position. The armature and piston are moved toward a retracted position, when the coil is not energized. In the retracted position of the piston, a piston chamber is formed between the piston and a valve member and is filled with infusion medium. As the piston is moved to its forward position, the piston chamber volume is reduced and pressure within the piston chamber increases to a point where the pressure moves the valve member into an open position. When the valve member is in the open position, medium from the piston chamber is discharged into an outlet chamber located on the opposite side of the coil relative to the armature. An outlet is provided in flow communication with the outlet chamber, for discharging infusion medium from the outlet chamber.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium comprising:
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an inlet for receiving infusion medium; an outlet for discharging infusion medium; a piston channel through which infusion medium is communicated between the inlet and the outlet, the piston channel having an input side for receiving infusion medium received by the inlet, the piston channel also having a discharge side for discharging infusion medium from the piston channel for communication to the outlet; a piston moveable within the piston channel between an quiescent position and a forward position to drive infusion medium from the piston channel toward the outlet; a valve member facing a first end of the piston channel, the first end of the piston channel being on the discharge side of the piston channel, the valve member being moveable between closed and open positions to open and close the first end of the piston channel in conjunction with movement of the piston between quiescent and forward positions; and a valve seat located adjacent the end of the piston channel that faces the valve member for contacting the valve member when the valve member is in closed position, the valve seat including a first surface and a second surface; the valve member including at least one generally rigid stop surface for contacting the first surface of the valve seat upon valve member being in a closed position, the valve member further including a generally compliant portion extending toward the valve seat, beyond the generally rigid stop surface for contacting the second surface of the valve seat when the valve member is in a closed position, wherein the first surface of the valve seat is projected toward the valve member relative to the second surface of the valve seat and is arranged to contact the at least one generally rigid stop surface, upon the valve member being in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium comprising:
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an inlet for receiving infusion medium; an outlet for discharging infusion medium; a piston channel through which infusion medium is communicated between the inlet and the outlet, the piston channel having an input side for receiving infusion medium received by the inlet, the piston channel also having a discharge side for discharging infusion medium from the piston channel for communication to the outlet; a piston moveable within the piston channel between an quiescent position and a forward position to drive infusion medium from the piston channel toward the outlet; a valve member facing a first end of the piston channel, the first end of the piston channel being on the discharge side of the piston channel, the valve member being moveable between closed and open positions to open and close the first end of the piston channel in conjunction with movement of the piston between quiescent and forward positions; and a valve seat located adjacent the end of the piston channel that faces the valve member for contacting the valve member when the valve member is in closed position; the valve member including at least one generally rigid stop surface for contacting the valve seat upon the valve member being in a closed position, the valve member further including a generally compliant portion extending toward the valve seat, beyond the generally rigid stop surface for contacting the valve seat when the valve member is in a closed position, wherein the valve seat includes at least one projecting surface and at least one further surface, the at least one projecting surface is projected toward the valve member relative to the at least one further surface, the at least one projecting surface arranged to contact the generally rigid stop surface, and the at least one further surface arranged to contact the generally compliant portion, upon the valve member being in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification