Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12440617-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A novel embodiment of a pump system, for example, of the type that would be used in a wearable drug delivery system, comprises dual linear-actuated plungers disposed in a pump chamber. The plungers are coupled to a leadscrew having both left-hand and right-hand threads such that rotation of leadscrew in a first direction moves the plungers together and rotation of leadscrew in a second, opposite direction moves the plungers apart. Movement of the plungers away from each other draws one or more doses of a liquid drug from a reservoir into the pump chamber, while movement of the plungers together forces liquid drug to a patient interface for delivery to the patient.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a linear-activated drug dosing pump system for wearable delivery that uses a pump chamber comprising a tube-like structure with at least one end open-ended. A leadscrew extends along a longitudinal axis of the pump chamber and defines left-hand and right-hand threads, and a first plunger is coupled to the leadscrew via the left-hand threads while a second plunger is coupled to the leadscrew via the right-hand threads.
Rotation of the leadscrew in a first direction causes the first and second plungers to move toward each other, and rotation of the leadscrew in a second, opposite direction causes the first and second plungers to move away from each other. Moving the plungers toward each other generates positive pressure to force liquid through an outlet conduit to a patient interface, while moving the plungers away from each other generates negative pressure that draws liquid from a reservoir through an inlet conduit into the pump chamber.
One-way valves prevent backflow between the reservoir and the pump chamber and prevent patient-side fluid from entering the pump chamber. The pump chamber includes inlet and outlet ports positioned relative to the plungers for safety, including a blocked configuration when the plungers touch, and the chamber can use a non-circular cross-section option to prevent plunger rotation and includes venting for air management.
Volume or dose control can be performed from leadscrew turns or using sensors, including a pressure gauge with ideal gas law, a linear encoder, and ultrasonic sensing, and a single-plunger variant is also described.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim coverage is provided by a single independent claim directed to a pump system with an open-ended tube-like pump chamber, a dual-thread leadscrew, and two plungers whose relative motion reverses between positive and negative pressure operation. Dependent claims further specify porting/fluid-path components and dosing-volume determination linked to leadscrew motion or sensor input.
Dual threaded leadscrew with two plungers moving toward and away
A pump chamber comprising a tube-like structure with at least one end open-ended, a leadscrew along the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber having left-hand and right-hand threads, a first plunger coupled to the leadscrew via the left-hand threads, and a second plunger coupled to the leadscrew via the right-hand threads, where rotation in a first direction moves the first and second plungers toward each other and rotation in an opposite direction moves them away from each other.
Inlet and outlet ported pump chamber sidewall
An inlet port and an outlet port defined in a sidewall of the pump chamber.
Reservoir inlet conduit with inlet one-way valve
An inlet conduit and a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump chamber through the inlet conduit, and an inlet one-way valve that allows fluid to flow from the reservoir to the pump chamber while preventing reverse flow to the reservoir.
Negative pressure draw from reservoir during plunger separation
When the plungers move away from each other, negative pressure is created between the plungers in the pump chamber that draws liquid from the reservoir into the pump chamber via the inlet conduit.
Algorithmic volume determined from leadscrew turns
Algorithmically determining the volume of the space between the first and second plungers based on the number of turns of the leadscrew.
Single unit delivery by predetermined reduction of plunger space
Sending a single unit of liquid to a patient interface by moving the first and second plungers to reduce the space between them by a predetermined amount corresponding to the single unit of liquid.
Across the independent claim and dependent refinements provided, the central inventive structure is the dual-thread leadscrew coupled to two plungers whose relative motion reverses (toward each other vs. away from each other). Further inventive coverage includes defined inlet/outlet porting, reservoir inlet conduit with an inlet one-way valve, liquid draw driven by negative pressure during plunger separation, and dosing/volume operation where the volume and single unit delivery are tied to predetermined plunger-space reduction and/or algorithmic determination from leadscrew turns.
Stated Advantages
Smaller pump cross-sectional area.
Reduced device profile and improved comfort.
Ability to use a smaller motor.
Documented Applications
Wearable delivery of a drug using the linear-activated drug dosing pump system with positive pressure forcing liquid to a patient interface and negative pressure drawing liquid from a reservoir.
Interested in licensing this patent?