DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE IN ASSESSING A FLOW CONDITION OF A FLUID

• US 20080267787A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rush, Benjamin M.
• Application Number:
  US12/163,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20080267787A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• 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 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• 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: A61M 5/16886 for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/09 Flow through the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/043 Micropumps
• 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 1/64 by measuring electrical currents passing through the fluid flow; measuring electrical potential generated by the fluid flow, e.g. by electrochemical, contact or friction effects G01F1/58 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/708 Measuring the time taken to traverse a fixed distance
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/7088 using electrically charged particles as tracers
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 25/10 of flowmeters

Abstract

A device for use in assessing a flow condition of a fluid, or a fluid in a flow path, is provided. The device comprises at least one electrochemical cell, comprising a working electrode and at least one other electrode, sufficient for communication with the fluid, or sufficient for communication with a flow path, such that when sufficient fluid is in the flow path, the cell is in communication with the fluid. The fluid comprises a component sufficient to affect a mass-transport limited electrochemical reaction at the working electrode. The device also comprises at least one microcontroller operably connected to the at least one electrochemical cell for providing a potential or a current to the working electrode and for assessing the electrochemical reaction. A method of assessing a flow condition of a fluid, or a fluid in a flow path, is also provided. The device and the method of the present invention may be used in connection with the delivery of a fluid-borne or fluidized drug or medicament to a subject.

Claims

1. A method of assessing a flow condition of a fluid, comprising:

determining a time period associated with a delivery of a fluid, the fluid comprising a component to support an electrochemical reaction such that the electrochemical reaction is mass-transport limited;

monitoring a rate of electrochemical reaction in a fluid path of the fluid delivery for the determined time period; and

determining a rate of the fluid delivery based at least in part on the monitored rate of electrochemical reaction;

wherein the fluid comprises a drug and the component comprises a reactant in the electrochemical reaction that is dilute relative to the fluid, and the reactant is an ionic species.