Fill-status sensors for drug pump devices

• US 8,920,376 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2011
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Original Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Inventors: Caffey, Sean, Li, Po-Ying, Tai, Yu-Chong, Brennan, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): MEDWAY, SCOTT J
• Application Number:
  US13/091,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20110270188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 203/630, 604/114, 604/131, 604/135, 604/140, 604/141, 604/143, 604/152, 604/158, 604/173, 604/21, 604/65, 604/891.1, 604/892.1
• US Class Current: 604/141
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14526 the piston being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14593 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1684 by detecting the amount of infusate remaining, e.g. signalling end of infusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16886 for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters

Abstract

The filling status of a drug reservoir in a drug pump devices may be determined with mechanical and/or magnetic position sensor associated with a reservoir boundary.

Claims

1. A drug pump device comprising:

an electrolysis pump chamber formed in an enclosure comprising an expandable portion, generation of gas within the electrolysis pump chamber creating pressure to thereby expand the expandable portion;

a secondary pump chamber located adjacent the electrolysis pump chamber and connected therewith by a fluid path, an upper surface of the secondary pump chamber being formed by a flexible diaphragm;

a drug reservoir formed between the flexible diaphragm and a dome disposed thereabove; and

a valve in the fluid path, the valve having a closed state that prevents fluid communication between the electrolysis and secondary pump chambers, thereby facilitating pressure buildup in the electrolysis pump chamber, and an open state that allows electrolyte liquid communication between the electrolysis and secondary pump chambers so as to facilitate release of pressure from the electrolysis pump chamber to the secondary pump chamber, thereby causing drug to be expelled from the reservoir.

2. The drug pump device of claim 1, wherein the expandable portion of the enclosure of the electrolysis pump chamber comprises a flexible diaphragm.

3. The drug pump device of claim 2, further comprising a pressure sensor inside the electrolysis chamber.