Micropump
Inventors
Pedroni, Jesse • Varughese, Jibi • Ridge, Grayson • Weeks, Graham • Moreland, Alex • Presley, Jonathan • Reeh, Jonathan A. • Jefferson, Tiffany • Berry, Seth • Cocking, Seth • McIntire, Justin • Stevens, Jady • Hadley, Chris • Zbranek, John • Berger, Rebecca • Ortiz, Kacey G. • Hitchens, Geoffrey Duncan • Balasubramanian, Ashwin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11779699-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pump including a disposable component including a disposable component inlet port coupled to a first disposable conduit in fluid communication with a fluid medium source, wherein the first disposable conduit includes a disposable piston pump assembly and a disposable bubble eliminator, and the first disposable conduit is in fluid communication with a disposable component outlet port, wherein the disposable bubble eliminator is in fluid communication with a lumen of the first disposable conduit and is operable to reduce a gas content of a fluid medium; wherein the disposable piston pump assembly is operable to pump the fluid medium from the disposable component inlet port, through the first disposable conduit and the disposable bubble eliminator, to the disposable component outlet port; and a reusable component including a reusable movable stage operable to compress the disposable piston pump assembly; and a reusable mechanical actuator operable to drive the movable stage.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an infusion micropump architecture that includes a disposable component comprising a disposable piston pump assembly and a disposable bubble eliminator, and a reusable component for pump-driving, control, and sensing interfaces. The disposable piston pump assembly includes a plunger in direct contact with the fluid medium and pumps the fluid medium through the first disposable conduit and the disposable bubble eliminator to a disposable component outlet port. The disposable bubble eliminator is in fluid communication with a lumen of the first disposable conduit and is operable to reduce a gas content of a fluid medium.
The disposable fluid path uses one-way outlet valves to control fluid direction and prevent backflow between the disposable piston pump assembly, the disposable bubble eliminator, and a disposable flow meter. A first one-way outlet valve is disposed in the first disposable conduit between the piston assembly and the disposable bubble eliminator and prevents fluid from flowing from the disposable bubble eliminator to the disposable piston pump assembly. A second disposable conduit places the disposable bubble eliminator in fluid communication with the disposable flow meter, and a second one-way outlet valve prevents fluid from flowing from the disposable flow meter back toward the disposable bubble eliminator.
The reusable component includes a reusable movable stage operable to compress the disposable piston pump assembly, a reusable mechanical actuator operable to drive the movable stage, and a reusable reception tunnel configured to receive at least a portion of the first disposable conduit. The reusable component further includes a reusable inlet valve operable to close the first disposable conduit when the portion is disposed in the reusable reception tunnel, a reusable flow meter connector operable to connect to the disposable flow meter and convey data, and a reusable bubble detector configured for reusable gas detection, including a reusable ultrasonic sensor positioned to detect gas in the fluid medium.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims: a pump and a kit. Each independent claim defines a disposable fluid-handling path with an infusion micropump and bubble eliminator, paired with a reusable mechanical component for compression/drive and reusable sensing/data interfaces. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features involve coordinated disposable pumping and gas removal, directional flow control using one-way outlet valves, and reusable reception/actuation/connector interfaces.
Disposable bubble-reducing fluid path with piston pump assembly and bubble eliminator
A disposable component comprising a first disposable conduit that comprises a disposable piston pump assembly and a disposable bubble eliminator, wherein the disposable bubble eliminator is in fluid communication with a lumen of the first disposable conduit and is operable to reduce a gas content of a fluid medium, and wherein the disposable piston pump assembly comprises a plunger in direct contact with the fluid medium and is operable to pump the fluid medium through the first disposable conduit and the disposable bubble eliminator to a disposable component outlet port.
Directional flow control using first and second one-way outlet valves
A first one-way outlet valve disposed in the first disposable conduit between the piston assembly and the disposable bubble eliminator and operable to prevent the fluid medium from flowing from the disposable bubble eliminator to the disposable piston pump assembly; and a second disposable conduit that places the disposable bubble eliminator in fluid communication with a disposable flow meter, wherein a second one-way outlet valve disposed in the second disposable conduit between the disposable bubble eliminator and the disposable flow meter is operable to prevent the fluid medium from flowing from the disposable flow meter to the disposable bubble eliminator.
Reusable movable stage and mechanical actuator for compressing the disposable piston pump assembly
A reusable component comprising a reusable movable stage operable to compress the disposable piston pump assembly and a reusable mechanical actuator operable to drive the movable stage.
Reusable reception tunnel and reusable inlet valve for closing the disposable conduit during assembly
A reusable component comprising a reusable reception tunnel configured to receive at least a portion of the first disposable conduit; and a reusable inlet valve operable to close the first disposable conduit when the at least a portion of the first disposable conduit is disposed in the reusable reception tunnel.
Reusable flow meter connector conveying data from the disposable flow meter
A reusable component comprising a reusable flow meter connector operable to connect to the disposable flow meter and to convey data from the disposable flow meter.
Reusable bubble detector for gas detection
A reusable component comprising a reusable bubble detector.
The independent claims cover a pump and kit in which a disposable piston pump assembly directly contacts the fluid medium and pumps through a disposable bubble eliminator configured to reduce gas content, while one-way outlet valves prevent backflow between the piston assembly, bubble eliminator, and disposable flow meter. A reusable component compresses and drives the disposable piston pump assembly using a movable stage and mechanical actuator, and includes reception/closure, flow meter data connection, and a reusable bubble detector for gas detection.
Stated Advantages
Operable to reduce a gas content of a fluid medium.
One-way outlet valves prevent the fluid medium from flowing in unwanted directions between the piston assembly, bubble eliminator, and the disposable flow meter.
Documented Applications
Infusion micropump use in a fluid medium system that includes bubble elimination and flow/occlusion verification through a disposable flow meter connected to the reusable component.
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