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Publication Number
US-10907625-B2
Publication Date
2021-02-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention provides an actuator having a wedge shaped member arranged to move in substantially linear reciprocating motion. A drive member is operatively coupled to the wedge shaped member. The wedge shaped member is arranged to deflect the drive member as the wedge shaped member moves. A shape memory material has a first end electrically connected to a first electrical connection terminal and fixed with respect to the first electrical connection terminal, and a second end electrically connected to the wedge shaped member and fixed with respect to the wedge shaped member. The wedge shaped member is electrically connected to a second electrical connection terminal. The actuator may be used in a pump having a pumping chamber with a membrane the displacement of which changes the pumping chamber volume. The drive member of the actuator is operatively coupled to the pumping chamber membrane. The pump may be used in an infusion system for the infusion of a liquid therapeutic product.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an actuator for a pump that includes a wedge shaped member arranged to move in substantially linear reciprocating motion. A drive member is operatively coupled to the wedge shaped member, and the wedge shaped member is arranged to deflect the drive member as the wedge shaped member moves. The actuator further includes a shape memory material having a first end and a second end, with the first end electrically connected to a first electrical connection terminal and fixed with respect to the first electrical connection terminal, and the second end electrically connected to the wedge shaped member and fixed with respect to the wedge shaped member.
The wedge shaped member comprises electrically conductive material that is electrically connected between a second electrical connection terminal and the second end of the shape memory material. Multiple embodiments provide different electrical and mechanical coupling arrangements, including electrically conductive sliding contact between components, pivoting electrical connection at a pivot point, and alternative connector and spring paths. The actuator is implemented with an electrically heated shape-memory element, and the wedge is part of the electrical circuit.
The pump includes a pumping chamber with a membrane that is driven by the actuator to alternately open and close pumping chamber inlet and outlet check valves, thereby pumping a liquid therapeutic product. A system implementation is described as an insulin infusion system using the pump with a wearable insulin infusion setup and wireless handset control. Control is provided using wireless handset functionality with the pump actuator and includes control electronics and battery-powered operation.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim and focuses the inventive coverage on a wedge-based linear reciprocating pump actuator that integrates shape memory actuation with an electrically conductive wedge circuit. The independent claim contains multiple core inventive features, with dependent claims refining motion conversion, sliding interfaces, electrical connection via intermediate parts, biasing elements, and specific shape memory materials.
Wedge reciprocating motion to deflect a drive member
A wedge shaped member arranged to move in substantially linear reciprocating motion, with a drive member operatively coupled so that the wedge shaped member is arranged to deflect the drive member as the wedge shaped member moves.
Electrically connected shape memory material with fixed ends
A shape memory material having a first end and a second end, where the first end is electrically connected to a first electrical connection terminal and fixed with respect to the first electrical connection terminal, and the second end is electrically connected to the wedge shaped member and fixed with respect to the wedge shaped member.
Electrically conductive wedge as part of the electrical connection
The wedge shaped member comprises electrically conductive material that is electrically connected between a second electrical connection terminal and the second end of the shape memory material.
Across the provided claim coverage, the core inventive structure is a wedge shaped member providing substantially linear reciprocating motion to deflect a drive member, combined with a shape memory material whose ends are fixed to electrical connection points and integrated into the electrical circuit through an electrically conductive wedge connected between a second electrical connection terminal and the shape memory material.
Stated Advantages
High movement accuracy with a simple, low-tolerance, low-wear design.
Inexpensive manufacture.
Suitable for disposable short-term products.
Documented Applications
A pump and infusion system implemented as a wearable insulin infusion setup with wireless handset control.
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