Fluid delivery device with autocalibration
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of calibrating a volumetric flow rate of a fluid pumping device, the method comprising:
- pumping a liquid using, at least in part, a shape memory element;
detecting arrival of the liquid at a first sensor, wherein the first sensor includes a plurality of electrodes;
detecting arrival of the liquid at a second sensor, wherein the second sensor includes a plurality of electrodes;
measuring the time elapsed from the arrival of the liquid at the first sensor to the arrival of the liquid at the second sensor and substantially simultaneously determining a flow characteristic of the liquid; and
adjusting the volumetric flow rate of the of the device, based, at least in part, on the measured time and the determined flow characteristic.
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Abstract
A micro fluid delivery device is particularly useful in medical applications. The device may be worn or carried by the user and may deliver drugs or other medicaments to the user or patient. The device has a control system that accepts input from the user and controls all aspects of operation of the device. The control system measures the output of the pump and adjusts the output of the pump to achieve the desired dosage rate and size. This eliminates differences from pump to pump that result from inevitable variations in the manufacturing of such small scale affordable devices.
355 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of calibrating a volumetric flow rate of a fluid pumping device, the method comprising:
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pumping a liquid using, at least in part, a shape memory element; detecting arrival of the liquid at a first sensor, wherein the first sensor includes a plurality of electrodes; detecting arrival of the liquid at a second sensor, wherein the second sensor includes a plurality of electrodes; measuring the time elapsed from the arrival of the liquid at the first sensor to the arrival of the liquid at the second sensor and substantially simultaneously determining a flow characteristic of the liquid; and adjusting the volumetric flow rate of the of the device, based, at least in part, on the measured time and the determined flow characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of calibrating a disposable pumping component, the method comprising:
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attaching a disposable pumping component to a reusable component, wherein the reusable component comprises a microprocessor and a shape memory element; pumping a liquid from a reservoir through a known volume portion of the disposable pumping component using the shape memory element; determining a flow characteristic of the liquid while pumping the liquid through the known volume portion; determining an actual dosage volume based, at least in part, on a time to pump the liquid through the known volume portion and the determined flow characteristic; determining a desired dosage volume; and adjusting the actual dosage volume based on a comparison of the actual dosage volume and the desired dosage volume. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of calibrating a pumping system, the method comprising:
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initiating flow of a liquid through a portion of the pumping system having a known volume using, at least in part, a shape memory element; determining, using a plurality of sensors, a flow rate and a flow characteristic of the liquid as the liquid flows through the portion of the pumping system having the known volume; determining an actual dosage volume based, at least in part, on the flow rate and the flow characteristic; determining a desired dosage volume; determining a calibration factor by comparing the desired dosage volume to the actual dosage volume; and modifying delivery of the liquid based on the calibration factor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification