Method for control of the volume flux of a liquid in an osmotic micropump and osmotic micropump

US7976535B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Acuros GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Rudolf Ehwald · Berlin, DE
• Holger Woehlecke · Berlin, DE
• Helge Adleff · Berlin, DE
• Max Ehwald · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 3, 2006
• Grant date: Jul 12, 2011
• Expiry date: Jun 30, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L2400/0472
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention refers to a method for control of a volume flow in an osmotic micropump and an osmotic micropump. According to the invention, the osmotically driven volume flow of the solvent through the sempipermeable diaphragm of an osmotic micropump is controlled by the transfer of a solute, which is not freely permeable through the diaphragm, from a source chamber to the pump's delivery chamber. According to the invention, the delivery chamber is formed as a dilution chamber, wherein the solution is flow out along a convective dilution path close to the semipermeable diaphragm. Due to the entrance of the solvent, a stationary osmotic gradient can be achieved along the convective flow path in the dilution chamber. The invention allows the maintenance and control of the flow rate. It is able to move a volume which is large in comparison to the combined volume of the source chamber and the dilution chamber.