TWO CHAMBER PUMPS AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20100008795A1
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated
• Inventors: DiPerna, Paul M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,986,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1486 the bags being substantially completely surrounded by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16809 by repeated filling and emptying of an intermediate volume pressure infusion using positive displacement pumps A61M5/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16886 for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/06 Pumps having fluid drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/10 Pumps having fluid drive

Abstract

Two chamber pumps and related methods provide a platform for measuring flow rate in about real time without contacting the material being pumped. Pressure and optional temperature sensors disposed in a pressurized chamber allow for flow material delivery calculations after being calibrated or by knowing the initial volume of the flow material to be delivered.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a pressurizable first chamber;

a second chamber for holding a flow material;

at least one flow lumen in flow material communication with the second chamber;

at least one sensor disposed in the first chamber;

a flow controller disposed along the flow lumen; and

a microprocessor for computing flow rate from data provided by the sensor;

wherein a pressurized substance in the first chamber effects a change of volume of the second chamber; and

wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fill port for filling the second chamber with the flow material.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed in the first chamber.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow controller is a flow restrictor.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow controller is a flow metering device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is pressurized prior to filling the second chamber with the flow material.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is made from an expandable material.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the expansion of the expandable material is a function of the pressure of the first chamber.

10. A device comprising:

a pressurizable first chamber;

a second chamber for holding a flow material;

at least one flow lumen in flow material communication with the second chamber;

at least one sensor disposed in the first chamber;

a flow controller disposed along the flow lumen; and

a microprocessor to compute at least flow rate of flow material transferred through the at least one flow lumen from the second chamber;

wherein a pressurized substance in the first chamber effects a change of volume of the second chamber whereby the flow material flows from the second chamber through the flow lumen; and

wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a fill port for filling the second chamber with the flow material.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed in the first chamber.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the flow controller is a flow restrictor.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the first chamber is pressurized prior to filling the second chamber with the flow material.

16. The device of claim 10, further comprising at least one temperature sensor;

wherein the microprocessor gathers data from the temperature sensor to compute the at least a flow rate of flow material transferred through the flow lumen from the second chamber.

17. A method comprising:

providing a pump having;

(a) a pressurizable first chamber;

(b) a second chamber for holding a flow material;

(c) at least one sensor disposed in the first chamber;

(d) a flow lumen in flow material communication with the second chamber; and

(e) a flow controller;

wherein a pressurized substance in the first chamber is able to cause the flow material to flow from the second chamber and through the flow restrictor thereby changing the volume of the second chamber.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing at least one temperature sensor disposed in the first chamber.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the flow controller is a flow restrictor.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the flow controller is a flow metering device.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising a microprocessor for computing flow rate from data provided by the pressure sensor;

wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller.