DEVICE AND METHOD EMPLOYING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY
First Claim
1. A medical device for pumping a fluid, comprising:
- an actuator having a portion disposed in a displacement cavity;
a shape memory alloy wire attached to the actuator to impart movement of the actuator in a first direction in the displacement cavity;
a digital timing circuit for activating the shape memory alloy wire including an energy source for providing electrical energy to the shape memory alloy wire; and
a reservoir containing a fluid and being in fluid communication with the displacement cavity so that as the shape memory wire imparts movement to the actuator in the first direction, a predetermined volume of fluid is drawn from the reservoir into the displacement cavity.
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Accused Products
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.
104 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A medical device for pumping a fluid, comprising:
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an actuator having a portion disposed in a displacement cavity; a shape memory alloy wire attached to the actuator to impart movement of the actuator in a first direction in the displacement cavity; a digital timing circuit for activating the shape memory alloy wire including an energy source for providing electrical energy to the shape memory alloy wire; and a reservoir containing a fluid and being in fluid communication with the displacement cavity so that as the shape memory wire imparts movement to the actuator in the first direction, a predetermined volume of fluid is drawn from the reservoir into the displacement cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification