Fluid delivery device, system and method

• US 20040115067A1
• Filed: 10/09/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Therasense Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Therasense Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reggiardo, Christopher V., Rush, Benjamin M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,916,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0288 Electro-rheological or magneto-rheological materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/702 automatically during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/065 using a shape memory element
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 13/00 Pumps specially modified to deliver fixed or variable measured quantities
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/03 driven by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/22 of reciprocating-piston type
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/09 Flow through the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/043 Micropumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/08 having tubular flexible members F04B43/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 51/00 Testing machines, pumps, or pumping installations
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2251/08 Shape memory
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/021 of the piston type G01F11/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for the metering and delivery of small discrete volumes of liquid is comprised of a small or minimal number of inexpensive components. One such component is a movable member, such as a miniature precision reciprocating displacement pump head, which is driven by an actuator that comprises a shape memory alloy material. The operating mechanism of the system is of little or minimal complexity. The system facilitates the precise metering and delivery of the small discrete volumes of liquid. Potential applications for the system include subcutaneous, long-term, automated drug delivery, for example, the delivery of insulin to a person with diabetes. In such an application, the small, simple and inexpensive nature of the invention would allow for its use as both a portable and a disposable system.

Claims

1. A pump comprising:

a movable member at least partially defining a fluid cavity, the member being movable between a first position associated with a first volume of the cavity and a second position associated with a second volume of the cavity, and the member capable of being cycled between the first position and the second position at least one time;

an actuator including a shape memory alloy material to drive the movable member from the first position to the second position as the shape memory alloy material goes through a dimensional change caused by one thermally induced phase transition; and

a biasing element arranged to drive the movable member from the second position to the first position.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first volume is a minimum volume of the cavity and the second volume is a maximum volume of the cavity.

3. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first volume is a maximum volume of the cavity and the second volume is a minimum volume of the cavity.

4. The pump of claim 1, further comprising an inlet and an outlet both in fluid communication with the cavity.

5. The pump of claim 4, wherein fluid is drawn into the cavity through the inlet by the movable member being moved from the first position to the second position, and fluid is expelled from the cavity through the outlet by the movable member being moved from the second position to the first position.

6. The pump of claim 4, wherein fluid is drawn into the cavity through the inlet by the movable member being moved from the second position to the first position, and fluid is expelled from the cavity through the outlet by the movable member being moved from the first position to the second position.

7. The pump of claim 1, further comprising an inlet and an outlet both in fluid communication with the cavity, the inlet including a first check valve permitting fluid to only flow from the inlet to the cavity, the outlet including a second check valve permitting fluid to only flow from the cavity out the outlet.

8. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a movable member at least partially defining a fluid cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet, the member being movable between a first position associated with a first volume of the cavity and a second position associated with a second volume of the cavity, and the member capable of being cycled between the first position and the second position at least one time;

an actuator including a shape memory alloy material to drive the movable member from the first position to the second position as the shape memory alloy material goes through a dimensional change caused by one thermally induced phase transition;

a biasing element arranged to drive the movable member from the second position to the first position;

a controller that provides electrical energy to the actuator; and

a fluid reservoir coupled to the inlet of the cavity.

9. A method of fluid delivery comprising:

providing a movable member to at least partially define a fluid cavity;

changing the temperature of a shape memory alloy material to move the member from a first position associated with a first volume of the cavity to a second position associated with a second volume of the cavity in one generally uninterrupted motion;

returning the shape memory alloy material generally back to an original temperature; and

moving the member from the second position back to the first position.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising cycling through all but said providing.