Infusion pump

• US 20050063838A1
• Filed: 11/06/2002
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hermann L. Keller
• Original Assignee: Hermann L. Keller
• Inventors: Keller, Hermann L
• Granted Patent: US 7,601,148 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/413.200
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/095 Piezoelectric drive

Abstract

Known variable flow pumps (VF pumps) are characterized by significant inaccuracies in the delivery quantities. In addition, they cause cosmetic problems in the carrier after implantation as a result of their external configuration. The invention provides an implantable VF pump, which resolves the disadvantages. To achieve this, the battery-driven delivery device is configured according to piezoelectric principles and the external surface of the upper pump housing shell is provided with expansion joints.

Claims

1. An infusion pump comprising a housing, a reservoir which is received in the housing and can be filled with a fluid and has a piercing mandrel and outlet, a catheter, a battery-driven delivery device which is arranged between reservoir and catheter and whose delivery rate can be adjusted via an electronic control unit, characterized in that the delivery device (23) is designed to operate according to the piezoelectric principle.

2. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the delivery device (23) is a tube (piezo pump 23) consisting of piezoelectric crystals and made up of at least two tube portions (23a) and (23b), and an electric current or a voltage can be applied to said tube portions (23a) and (23b).

3. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the piezo pump (23) delivers medium at one end into a side port (29), with closure of a tube portion (23a) or (23b), and, at the other end, a catheter (25) can be attached to the side port (29).

4. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface (16) of the upper shell (12) of the housing (11) has expansion joints (18).

5. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface (17) of the lower shell (13), starting from the side port (29), has a wave-shaped extension in which the catheter (25) attached to the side port (29) is received.

6. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir (20) is made of a flexible film and has naps on its inner surface.

7. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir (20) is received in a pressure body (27) made of a compressible synthetic foam.

8. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, between battery (21) and piezo pump (23), a control unit (22) is provided for activating and deactivating the tube portions (23a) and (23b) of the piezo pump (23).

9. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that activation or deactivation takes place by means of a current or a voltage being applied to the tube portions (23a), (23b).

10. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (22) is programmable via a data processor (33) and a read head (34) communicating with the data processor (33).

11. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the communication takes place via telephone lines or similar telephony devices.

12. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that data are coded and transmitted using tone dialling.

13. The infusion pump as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the read head (34) has a signal emitter (35) for administering a bolus.