Methods for use in assessing a flow condition of a fluid
First Claim
1. A method of assessing a flow condition of a fluid, comprising:
- determining a time period associated with a delivery of a fluid, the fluid comprising a component to support an electrochemical reaction such that the electrochemical reaction is mass-transport limited;
monitoring a rate of electrochemical reaction in a fluid path of the fluid delivery for the determined time period; and
determining a rate of the fluid delivery based at least in part on the monitored rate of electrochemical reaction;
wherein the fluid comprises a drug and the component comprises a reactant in the electrochemical reaction that is dilute relative to the fluid, and the reactant is an ionic species.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for use in assessing a flow condition of a fluid, or a fluid in a flow path, is provided. The device comprises at least one electrochemical cell, comprising a working electrode and at least one other electrode, sufficient for communication with the fluid, or sufficient for communication with a flow path, such that when sufficient fluid is in the flow path, the cell is in communication with the fluid. The fluid comprises a component sufficient to affect a mass-transport limited electrochemical reaction at the working electrode. The device also comprises at least one microcontroller operably connected to the at least one electrochemical cell for providing a potential or a current to the working electrode and for assessing the electrochemical reaction. A method of assessing a flow condition of a fluid, or a fluid in a flow path, is also provided. The device and the method of the present invention may be used in connection with the delivery of a fluid-borne or fluidized drug or medicament to a subject.
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Citations
64 Claims
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1. A method of assessing a flow condition of a fluid, comprising:
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determining a time period associated with a delivery of a fluid, the fluid comprising a component to support an electrochemical reaction such that the electrochemical reaction is mass-transport limited; monitoring a rate of electrochemical reaction in a fluid path of the fluid delivery for the determined time period; and determining a rate of the fluid delivery based at least in part on the monitored rate of electrochemical reaction; wherein the fluid comprises a drug and the component comprises a reactant in the electrochemical reaction that is dilute relative to the fluid, and the reactant is an ionic species. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of assessing a flow condition of a fluid, comprising:
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determining a time period associated with a delivery of a fluid, the fluid comprising a component to support an electrochemical reaction such that the electrochemical reaction is mass-transport limited; monitoring a rate of electrochemical reaction in a fluid path of the fluid delivery for the determined time period; and determining a rate of the fluid delivery based at least in part on the monitored rate of electrochemical reaction; wherein the fluid comprises a drug and the component comprises a reactant in the electrochemical reaction that is dilute relative to the fluid, and the drug is insulin and the reactant is ionic zinc. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of assessing a flow condition of a fluid, comprising:
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determining a time period associated with a delivery of a fluid, the fluid comprising a component to support an electrochemical reaction such that the electrochemical reaction is mass-transport limited; monitoring a rate of electrochemical reaction in a fluid path of the fluid delivery for the determined time period; and determining a rate of the fluid delivery based at least in part on the monitored rate of electrochemical reaction; wherein the fluid comprises a reactant in the electrochemical reaction and the component at least in part interferes with transport of the reactant, and the fluid comprises a drug and the reactant is an ionic species. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method of assessing a flow condition of a fluid, comprising:
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determining a time period associated with a delivery of a fluid, the fluid comprising a component to support an electrochemical reaction such that the electrochemical reaction is mass-transport limited; monitoring a rate of electrochemical reaction in a fluid path of the fluid delivery for the determined time period; and determining a rate of the fluid delivery based at least in part on the monitored rate of electrochemical reaction; wherein the fluid comprises a reactant in the electrochemical reaction and the component at least in part interferes with transport of the reactant, and the fluid comprises insulin and the reactant is ionic zinc. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification