Two chamber pumps and related methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- a pressurizable, fluid-tight, sealed first chamber, the first chamber comprising a flexible material that is expandable and collapsible depending on a pressure of a pressurized substance within the first chamber to define a variable volume of the first chamber;
a second chamber fully enclosed within the pressurized substance of the first 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 calculating flow rate from data provided by the at least one sensor, the flow rate calculation accounting for the variable volume of the first chamber;
wherein the first chamber is configured such that when the pressurized substance having a pressure higher than the flow material in the second chamber is in the first chamber, the pressurized substance effects a change of volume of the second chamber; and
wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller.
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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.
1978 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a pressurizable, fluid-tight, sealed first chamber, the first chamber comprising a flexible material that is expandable and collapsible depending on a pressure of a pressurized substance within the first chamber to define a variable volume of the first chamber; a second chamber fully enclosed within the pressurized substance of the first 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 calculating flow rate from data provided by the at least one sensor, the flow rate calculation accounting for the variable volume of the first chamber; wherein the first chamber is configured such that when the pressurized substance having a pressure higher than the flow material in the second chamber is in the first chamber, the pressurized substance effects a change of volume of the second chamber; and wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21)
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8. A device comprising:
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a pressurizable first chamber, the first chamber comprising a flexible material that is expandable and collapsible depending on a pressure within the first chamber; a second chamber enclosed by the first 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 calculating flow rate from data provided by the at least one sensor, the flow rate calculation accounting for expansion and contraction of the first chamber due to changes in pressure within the first chamber, wherein the first chamber is configured to be filled with a pressurized substance that directly contacts an inner perimeter of the first chamber and that contacts an outer perimeter of the second chamber and that effects a change of volume of the second chamber; and wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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providing a pump including; (a) a pressurizable, fluid-tight, sealed first chamber, the first chamber comprising a flexible material that is expandable and collapsible depending on a pressure of a pressurized substance within the first chamber with a volume of the first chamber being predictably variable as the first chamber expands and collapses; (b) a second chamber fully enclosed within the pressurized substance of the first chamber for holding a flow material; (c) at least one sensor disposed in the first chamber and a microprocessor adapted to calculate flow rate of the flow material from data provided by the sensor based at least in part on the predictably variable volume of the first chamber; (d) a flow lumen in flow material communication with the second chamber; and (e) a flow controller; and causing the flow material to flow from the second chamber and through the flow controller with the pressurized substance in the first chamber having a pressure greater than the flow material in the second chamber thereby changing a volume of the second chamber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification