Drug-delivery pumps and methods of manufacture
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of administering a drug, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a pump comprising an electrolysis chamber, a drug chamber and a perforated shell thereover, the shell being in contact with a surrounding fluid;
activating the electrolysis chamber to dispense a volume of drug from the drug chamber, whereby the drug chamber decreases in volume as drug is dispensed therefrom; and
deactivating the electrolysis chamber to stop dispensation of the drug whereby the electrolysis chamber decreases in volume, the decrease in volume of the electrolysis chamber causing a buildup of vacuum pressure on the drug chamber via a common membrane, fluid being admitted through the shell perforations to offset the decreased volume of the drug chamber and prevent the buildup of vacuum pressure thereon.
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Abstract
Embodiments of an implantable electrolytic pump include a first expandable diaphragm and a second flexible diaphragm, and first and second chambers each for containing a fluid, wherein the first expandable diaphragm separates the first and second chambers and provides a fluid barrier therebetween, and the second chamber is formed between the first expandable diaphragm and the second flexible diaphragms. The pump may further include electrolysis electrodes within the first chamber for causing generation of a gas therein and to thereby expand the expandable diaphragm so that fluid is forced from the second chamber into a cannula.
140 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of administering a drug, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a pump comprising an electrolysis chamber, a drug chamber and a perforated shell thereover, the shell being in contact with a surrounding fluid; activating the electrolysis chamber to dispense a volume of drug from the drug chamber, whereby the drug chamber decreases in volume as drug is dispensed therefrom; and deactivating the electrolysis chamber to stop dispensation of the drug whereby the electrolysis chamber decreases in volume, the decrease in volume of the electrolysis chamber causing a buildup of vacuum pressure on the drug chamber via a common membrane, fluid being admitted through the shell perforations to offset the decreased volume of the drug chamber and prevent the buildup of vacuum pressure thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification