Patent · US Expired

Device and method useful in monitoring fluid flow in a drug injector

US4411651A · kind A · utility

125Cited by
3References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 26, 1981
Grant dateOct 25, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 26, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2205/0294
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fluid flow monitoring method and device for a drug injector (10). More particularly, a flow monitoring device is disclosed for an implantable or externally located drug injector having a conduit (18) for carrying fluid from a reservoir (14) to a user's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the drug injector (10) is of the type having a first valve (22) located proximal to the reservoir (14) for blocking the flow of fluid through the conduit (18), a second valve (24) located distal to the reservoir (14) for blocking the flow of fluid through the conduit (18), and a pump (20) located between the first and second valves (22) and (24) for alternately increasing and decreasing the volume of a conduit portion (68) located between the first and second valves (22) and (24). The valves are controlled so that the first valve (22) is open and the second valve (24) closed when the pump (20) is increasing the volume of its associated conduit portion, thereby drawing fluid from the reservoir (14) into the conduit (18). The valves are further controlled so that the first valve (22) is closed and the second valve (24) open when the pump (20) is decreasing the volume of its associated conduit thereby…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.