Incremental motion pump mechanisms powered by shape memory alloy wire or the like
US6375638B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/106
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A drive mechanism for a medication delivery device includes a force receiving member, a force applying member and a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The force applying member is operatively coupled to the force receiving member to move the force receiving member to a different position relative to the force applying member. The shape memory alloy actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy material and is operatively coupled to the force applying member. The shape memory alloy actuator is heat activated to distort the shape memory actuator from a first shape to a second shape to activate the force applying member to act upon the force receiving member to move the force receiving member to a different position relative to the force applying member. Also, the shape memory alloy actuator is returned to the first shape from the second shape after the force receiving member is moved to a different position relative to the force applying member. In addition, the shape memory alloy actuator may be activated by applying and removing an electrical current to the shape memory element. For example, the drive mechanism may further include a power source coupled to the shape memory actuator …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.