Electrokinetic Infusion Pump System

Abstract

Various methods and devices are provided for delivering an infusion liquid using an electrokinetic infusion pump. The electrokinetic infusion pump can generally include an infusion housing having an infusion reservoir. The infusion reservoir has an infusion outlet and is capable of containing an infusion liquid. A plunger is movably coupled to the infusion housing and is adapted to be manually displaced relative to the infusion housing to load the infusion reservoir with infusion liquid. A movable partition can be disposed within the infusion housing and has a first surface in communication with an electrokinetic solution and a second surface, isolated from the first surface, in communication with the infusion reservoir. The electrokinetic infusion pump can further include an electrokinetic engine integrated within the plunger and adapted to selectively deliver electric potential across an electrokinetic porous media to cause the electrokinetic solution within the electrokinetic engine to displace the movable partition to effect delivery of at least a portion of the infusion liquid through the infusion outlet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This Application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60 / 718,400, filed Sep. 19, 2005 entitled “Electrokinetic Pump Integrated within a Plunger of a Syringe Assembly;” No. 60 / 718,398, filed Sep. 19, 2005 entitled “Reduced Size Electrokinetic Pump Using an Indirect Pumping mechanism with Hydraulic Assembly;” No. 60 / 718,399, filed Sep. 19, 2005 entitled “Electrokinetic Syringe Pump with Manual Prime Capacity and Method of Use;” No. 60 / 718,364, filed Sep. 19, 2005 entitled “Syringe-Type Electrokinetic Infusion Pump for Delivery of Therapeutic Agents;” No. 60 / 718,578, filed Sep. 19, 2005 entitled “Syringe-Type Electrokinetic Infusion Pump and Method of Use;” No. 60 / 718,289, filed Sep. 19, 2005 entitled “Manual Prime Capability of an Electrokinetic Syringe Pump and Method of Use;” No. 60 / 718,572, filed Sep. 19, 2005 entitled “Electrokinetic Infusion Pump with Detachable Controller and Method of Use;” No. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention generally provides methods and devices for delivering an infusion liquid using an electrokinetic infusion pump. In one embodiment, an electrokinetic infusion pump is provided which includes an infusion housing having an infusion reservoir. The infusion reservoir has an infusion outlet and is capable of containing an infusion liquid. A plunger is movably coupled to the infusion housing and is adapted to be manually displaced relative to the infusion housing to load the infusion reservoir with infusion liquid. A movable partition can be disposed within

Problems solved by technology

However, with most conventional diagnostic and therapeutic medical systems, precise movement of large and small aqueous volumes of drugs and other bio-fluids is difficult to achieve.

This difficulty arises because conventional systems employ mechanical components to effect fluid transport and delivery.

Modification of such systems, to enable highly precise movement of small and large aqueous volumes of a solution containing biomaterials, would be impractical, as the complexity of such systems would make

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