Precision dosage apparatus, system and method
US6636010B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2230/04
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A liquid dispensing system increases the precision, reliability, and safety of dispensing medications and other liquids. An electronic brake grounds a power terminal of a pump motor to absorb the kinetic energy of the motor and other mechanically coupled components. The electronic brake reduces overage and overage variation in the dispensing of liquids at very little cost or complexity. A watchdog circuit monitors a controller heartbeat signal and disables the motor in the absence of a regular beat. The watchdog circuit along with redundant power switches greatly reduce the possibility of motor runaway in the event of component failure. A controller begins or ends each dispensing cycle with a diagnostic which determines whether the liquid dispensing system is fully operational. If not, the controller may disable the motor, emit an alarm tone, and display an alarm message.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.