Infusion device and driving mechanism for same
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium a coil capable of being electrically activated to provide an electromagnetic field. The coil surrounds a piston channel extending in an axial direction. The piston channel provides a passage for communication of infusion medium to an outlet chamber located at one end of the piston channel. An armature is located adjacent the coil, on one side of the axial channel. The armature is moveable toward a forward position, in response to the electromagnetic field produced by activation of the coil. A piston is located within the piston channel and is moveable axially within the channel to a forward position, in response to movement of the armature to its forward position. The armature and piston are moved toward a retracted position, when the coil is not energized. In the retracted position of the piston, a piston chamber is formed between the piston and a valve member and is filled with infusion medium. As the piston is moved to its forward position, the piston chamber volume is reduced and pressure within the piston chamber increases to a point where the pressure moves the valve member into an open position. When the valve member is in the open position, medium from the piston chamber is discharged into an outlet chamber located on the opposite side of the coil relative to the armature. An outlet is provided in flow communication with the outlet chamber, for discharging infusion medium from the outlet chamber.
41 Citations
83 Claims
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1-61. -61. (canceled)
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62. A drive mechanism for delivery of infusion medium comprising:
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an inlet for receiving infusion medium;
an outlet for discharging infusion medium;
a piston channel through which infusion medium is communicated between the inlet and the outlet;
a piston located within the piston channel to define a fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet, the piston being moveable axially within the piston channel between a retracted position and a forward position to drive infusion medium toward the outlet, an armature located on one side of the piston channel and moveable between a retracted position and a forward position;
a coil located in a position relative to the armature to generate an electromagnetic field upon energization sufficient to cause the armature and piston to move from their retracted positions to their forward positions; and
a valve assembly module having a valve member moveable between open and closed positions to selectively open and close one end of the piston channel to the outlet chamber, the valve member being moveable in response to axial movement of the piston within the piston channel. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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74. A method for delivery of infusion medium comprising:
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providing a housing and cover structure having an inlet for receiving infusion medium, an outlet for discharging infusion medium and a piston channel through which infusion medium is communicated between the inlet and the outlet;
energizing a coil to generate an electromagnetic field in the area of a piston and an armature;
moving the piston axially within the piston channel between a retracted position and a forward position to drive infusion medium toward the outlet in response to the generation of the electromagnetic field by energizing the coil, coupling a valve assembly module to the housing and cover structure, the valve assembly module having a moveable valve member moveable between a closed position in which the valve member closes one end of the piston channel and an open position in which the valve member opens the one end of the piston channel;
moving the valve member in the valve assembly module between open and closed positions to selectively open and close the one end of the piston channel, in response to axial movement of the piston within the piston channel toward the forward position. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
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Specification