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Publication Number
US-12268839-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A patch pump utilizes piezoelectricity to dispense medicament from a cartridge syringe to a patient. Pump can include a plurality of piezoelectric elements that when energized cause linear motion of a pushrod that interfaces with the syringe in the cartridge to advance the syringe and dispense the medicament. The high torque generated by the piezoelectric elements is directly converted into the same amount of torque on the lead screw, so no torque increasing gear reduction system is needed and the pushrod utilized to drive the syringe can be contained within and connected directly to the motor assembly. Such a piezoelectric-based system can therefore be made smaller and with fewer moving parts than an electromagnetic motor of the same capability such that the pump has a smaller size than has heretofore been possible with prior art electromagnetic-based syringe pumps and other pumps that utilize gear reduction systems.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a user-wearable infusion pump that drives medicament from a reservoir to an outlet port using a cartridge plunger mechanism. A pushrod is disposed adjacent the plunger and is advanced by a threaded lead screw, and rotation of a drive tube causes rotation of the threaded lead screw to linearly advance the lead screw to move the pushrod against the plunger and drive medicament out of the outlet port.
The drive tube includes a plurality of markings on an outer circumferential surface, and an optical encoder monitors the markings to determine rotational positions of the drive tube. The disclosure describes monitoring multiple output channels including an index channel, and uses markings on an otherwise functional rotating component to determine rotational positions.
The disclosure also includes safety and operational behavior, including occlusion detection via a force transducer, auto-braking friction when motors are deactivated, and a requirement for a specific AC drive signal to prevent unintended motion. It also describes integrating encoder markings and using an optical encoder monitoring scheme to reduce size and moving parts relative to gear reduction systems.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims. The claims center on a drive mechanism using a drive tube, threaded lead screw, and pushrod to advance a plunger in a reservoir/cartridge, together with an optical encoder that monitors markings on the outer circumferential surface of the drive tube to determine rotational positions.
Drive mechanism for linearly advancing a pushrod against a plunger
A user-wearable infusion pump includes a reservoir configured to include a medicament, a plunger disposed within the reservoir, a pushrod disposed adjacent the plunger, a threaded lead screw coupled to the pushrod, and a drive tube connected to the threaded lead screw such that rotation of the drive tube causes rotation of the threaded lead screw to linearly advance the lead screw to move the pushrod against the plunger and drive medicament from the reservoir out of the outlet port.
Optical encoder monitoring drive tube markings for rotational position determination
The drive tube includes a plurality of markings on an outer circumferential surface of the drive tube, and an optical encoder is configured to monitor the plurality of markings on the outer circumferential surface of the drive tube to determine rotational positions of the drive tube.
Cartridge-based reservoir with plunger and outlet-port medicament delivery
A user-wearable infusion pump includes a cartridge including a reservoir configured to include a medicament, an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir and a plunger disposed within the reservoir.
Drive unit for cartridge-plunger actuation using drive tube rotation
The pump includes a drive unit including a pushrod configured to drive the plunger, a threaded lead screw coupled to the pushrod and a drive tube connected to the threaded lead screw such that rotation of the drive tube causes rotation of the threaded lead screw to linearly advance the lead screw to move the pushrod against the plunger to drive medicament from the reservoir out of the outlet port.
Across both independent claims, the core coverage is the same: a user-wearable infusion pump with a drive mechanism where drive tube rotation turns a threaded lead screw to linearly advance a pushrod against a plunger, and an optical encoder that monitors markings on the drive tube to determine rotational positions.
Stated Advantages
Smaller size and fewer moving parts than a gear reduction system.
Occlusion detection via a force transducer.
Auto-braking friction when motors are deactivated.
Prevents unintended motion by requiring a specific AC drive signal.
Cost/complexity reduction by integrating encoder markings on an otherwise functional rotating component.
Documented Applications
User-wearable infusion pump operation using a medicament reservoir/cartridge and a dispensing mechanism driven by a drive tube and optical encoder monitoring.
Occlusion detection during infusion pump operation using a force transducer.
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