Electroosmotic pump comprising flexible electrode, and fluid transfer pump device comprising same

Abstract

An electroosmotic pump according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprising an electrode that can move in a flexible manner, comprises: a membrane which allows movement of a fluid; a first flexible electrode which is disposed on one side of the membrane and is flexible; and a second flexible electrode which is disposed on the other side of the membrane and is flexible, wherein concave curved recesses are formed on the one side and the other side of the membrane.

Description

Electroosmotic pump including flexible electrode and fluid transfer pump device including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to an electroosmotic pump including a flexible electrode and a fluid transfer pump device including the same.

[0002] An electroosmotic pump is a pump that uses the electroosmotic phenomenon that occurs when voltage is applied using electrodes at both ends of a porous membrane to move fluid.

[0003] Figure 1 is a drawing showing an electrode used in a conventional electroosmotic pump.

[0004] As illustrated, materials such as silica and glass are generally used as materials for the porous membrane (11), and when these are immersed in an aqueous solution, their surfaces become negatively charged. When voltage is applied in this state, fluid movement occurs from the (+) electrode section to the (-) electrode section (upper figure in Fig. 1). The porous membrane has multiple paths through which the fluid can pass, and when one of these is enlarged, the surface of the fluid passage (the surface of the porous membrane material) becomes negatively charged, so that mobile ions with a (+) charge that can move in the fluid in contact move to balance the charge (lower figure in Fig. 1). When voltage is applied at this time, the positive ions move along the surface from the (+) electrode part (13) toward the (-) electrode part (15), and the entire fluid connected by the hydrogen bond network flows as if sliding. This phenomenon is called electroosmosis, and a pump that uses this principle is an electroosmotic pump.

[0005] As illustrated, the electrodes (13, 15) used in the electroosmotic pump are generally porous electrodes such as platinum mesh, porous carbon paper or carbon cloth, or various electrodes coated on a porous structure to facilitate the movement of fluid. In addition, it has been reported that it is possible to configure an electrode by utilizing an electrode material coated on a nonporous substrate. When a voltage is applied from a power supply unit (17) with a porous membrane (11) made of silica or the like interposed between these electrodes, the movement of fluid occurs accordingly.

[0006] Meanwhile, conventional electroosmotic pumps have used a separate separator, such as a diaphragm, to separate the pumping solution inside the pump from the fluid to be transported. However, this method has the problem of complicating the structure of the electroosmotic pump. To solve this problem, the inventor of the present application has proposed a new method (Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0129488, title: Electroosmotic pump including flexible electrode and method for manufacturing flexible electrode). That is, the flexible electrode is designed to also function as a separator.

[0007] In the present invention, a configuration is proposed that can further improve mass productivity in the process of actually commercializing the structure of the invention.

[0008] To solve these problems, one embodiment of the present invention proposes a novel electroosmotic pump having an improved structure and a fluid transport pump using the same, which improves the performance of the electroosmotic pump using a flexible electrode.

[0009] However, the technical tasks that this embodiment seeks to accomplish are not limited to the technical tasks described above, and other technical tasks may exist.

[0010] As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical task, an electroosmotic pump according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a membrane that allows movement of a fluid; a first flexible electrode disposed on one side of the membrane and having flexibility; and a second flexible electrode disposed on the other side of the membrane and having flexibility, wherein concave curved grooves are formed on the one side and the other side of the membrane.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a fluid transport pump device comprises: an electro-osmotic pump that alternately generates positive pressure and negative pressure; an inlet passage coupled to one side of the electro-osmotic pump and through which a fluid to be transported is introduced; and a discharge passage coupled to one side of the electro-osmotic pump and through which the fluid to be transported is discharged, wherein when the electro-osmotic pump is driven, the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode move backward or forward, thereby causing the fluid to be transported to be introduced through the inlet passage or discharged through the discharge passage.

[0012] According to the above-described problem-solving means of the present invention, since grooves are formed at both ends of the membrane, the configuration of an electroosmotic pump that combines flexible electrodes can be configured very simply, thereby improving the mass production of the electroosmotic pump.

[0013] Figure 1 is a drawing showing an electrode used in a conventional electroosmotic pump.

[0014] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating an electroosmotic pump according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating an electroosmotic pump according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figures 4 and 5 are exemplary diagrams for explaining the operation of an electroosmotic pump.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a fluid transfer pump including an electroosmotic pump according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a fluid transfer pump including an electroosmotic pump according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figures 8 and 9 are exemplary diagrams for explaining the operation of a fluid transfer pump.

[0020] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity of description, and similar reference numerals have been used throughout the specification to indicate similar elements.

[0021] Throughout the present specification, when a part is said to be “connected” to another part, this includes not only cases where it is “directly connected” but also cases where it is “electrically connected” with another element in between.

[0022] Throughout the present specification, when it is said that a member is located “on” another member, this includes not only cases where the member is in contact with the other member, but also cases where another member exists between the two members.

[0023] Throughout the present invention, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, unless specifically stated otherwise, this does not mean that other components can be included, but rather that other components can be included. The terms "about," "substantially," and the like used throughout the present invention are used in a meaning close to or at the numerical value when manufacturing and material tolerances inherent to the referred meaning are presented, and are used to prevent unscrupulous infringers from unfairly exploiting the disclosure, which contains exact or absolute numerical values ​​to aid understanding of the present invention. The terms "step of doing" or "step of" used throughout the present invention do not mean "step for."

[0024] Figure 2 illustrates an electroosmotic pump according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The illustrated electroosmotic pump (100) includes a membrane (110) that allows movement of fluid, a first flexible electrode (120) arranged on one side of the membrane (110), and a second flexible electrode (130) arranged on the other side of the membrane (110). At this time, it is characterized in that concave curved grooves (112, 114) are formed on one side and the other side of the membrane (110). In this way, as the grooves (112, 114) are formed on both sides of the membrane (110), when the electroosmotic pump (100) is driven, an operation in which the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130) advance or retreat toward the corresponding grooves (112, 114) can be implemented.

[0026] The membrane (110) allows the movement of a fluid, such as a pumping solution, and is installed to allow the movement of fluid or ions, etc., while maintaining a constant gap between the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130). In addition, the membrane (110) may be, for example, a disk membrane manufactured using silica composed of granular materials having a size of several tens of nm to several μm. In addition, the membrane (110) may be made of a porous material or structure as another example, and these are exemplary and not necessarily limited thereto, and may be manufactured in various shapes using various materials. The membrane (110) may form an MEA (membrane electrode assembly) structure together with the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130).

[0027] A first groove (112) and a second groove (114) are formed on both sides of the membrane (110), respectively. The depth and shape of the grooves can be adjusted by considering the pressure generated by the electroosmotic phenomenon and the advance and retreat distances according to the flexibility of each flexible electrode (120, 130). In particular, the first groove (112) and the second groove (114) can be formed in a curved shape corresponding to the advance or retreat shape of each flexible electrode (120, 130). Since the central portion of each flexible electrode (120, 130) becomes maximally convex or concave, the depth of the first groove (112) and the second groove (114) can be determined by considering these characteristics. Unlike the conventional technology, since the grooves (112, 114) are directly formed in the membrane (110), the process of creating a separate space for advancing or retreating the flexible electrode (120, 130) can be omitted.

[0028] In addition, the membrane (110) itself, the space between the first groove (112) and the first flexible electrode (120), and the space between the second groove (114) and the second flexible electrode (130) are filled with a pumping solution. Water, alcohol, an aqueous solution, and a mixture thereof may be used as the pumping solution, and the type thereof is not limited as long as it can be used as a working fluid for driving the pump.

[0029] The first flexible electrode (120) is arranged on one side of the membrane (110) and can perform both the function of applying voltage for driving the electroosmotic pump (100) and the function of sealing one side of the membrane (110) to prevent the fluid to be transported and the pumping solution from mixing. Similarly, the second flexible electrode (130) is arranged on the other side of the membrane (110) and can perform both the function of applying voltage for driving the electroosmotic pump (100) and the function of sealing the other side of the membrane (110) to prevent the fluid to be transported and the pumping solution from mixing. More specifically, the circumference of the first flexible electrode (120) is fixed to the circumference of the membrane (110), and the circumference of the second flexible electrode (130) is fixed to the circumference of the membrane (110), thereby ensuring airtightness.

[0030] The first flexible electrode (120) may include a first flexible film (124) and a first electrode layer (122). The first flexible film (124) and the first electrode layer (122) are combined in a surface contact state, and may be formed by laminating the first flexible film (124) on the first electrode layer (122) or laminating the first electrode layer (122) on the first flexible film (124). For example, the first electrode layer (122) may be formed by coating an electrode material on the first flexible film (124).

[0031] In addition, the second flexible electrode (130) may include a second flexible film (134) and a second electrode layer (132). The second flexible film (134) and the second electrode layer (132) are combined in a surface contact state, and may be formed by laminating the second flexible film (134) on the second electrode layer (132) or laminating the second electrode layer (132) on the second flexible film (134). For example, the second electrode layer (132) may be formed by coating an electrode material on the second flexible film (134).

[0032] Meanwhile, the first electrode layer (122) or the second electrode layer (132) may be formed by laminating multiple layers. For example, it may be formed by coating the same electrode material multiple times or by laminating different electrode materials.

[0033] In addition, the first electrode layer (122) and the second electrode layer (132) are arranged to face one side and the other side of the membrane (110), respectively, so as to be in direct contact with the pumping solution. Accordingly, each flexible film (124, 134) is arranged to face the opposite side of the membrane (110), so as to be in contact with the fluid to be transported, etc.

[0034] In addition, each end of the first electrode layer (122) and the second electrode layer (132) extends to the outside of the housing (150), and can be implemented as a contact (126, 136) that is electrically connected to a power supply (not shown), respectively. At this time, each contact (126, 136) may have flexibility like each electrode layer (122, 132). Alternatively, according to an embodiment, each contact (126, 136) may be formed of a rigid conductor. Each contact (126, 136) may be integrally formed from the same material as each electrode layer (122, 132). Alternatively, each contact (126, 136) may be made of a material having a different flexibility or material from each electrode layer (122, 132), and each contact (126, 136) and each electrode layer (122, 132) may be combined.

[0035] Meanwhile, each flexible film (124, 134) can be applied without limitation to any material that is flexible or processed to have flexibility, and may be composed of, for example, a polymer, a metal, a metallized polymer, a carbonaceous material, or a composite thereof.

[0036] At this time, the polymer may include one or more selected from polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polypropylene (PP), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), nylon, polycarbonate (PC), polyimide (PI), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and cellulose.

[0037] Additionally, the metal may include one or more selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), and stainless steel.

[0038] In addition, a metallized polymer specifically means a polymer on which a metal is deposited, which means a film in which the metal material is coated on a flexible film made of the above-described polymer material. For example, the polymer material on which the metal material is deposited may include at least one selected from an aluminum film coated on polyethylene (PE / Al), an aluminum film coated on polycarbonate (PC / Al), an aluminum film coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET / Al), a titanium film coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET / Ti), and a stainless steel film coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET / stainless steel).

[0039] Additionally, the carbonaceous material may include one or more selected from graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), activated carbon, fullerene, graphite, and carbon fiber.

[0040] In addition, the flexible film is not limited to the types of the above-described polymers, metals, metallized polymers, or carbonaceous materials, and any material made of a flexible material can be utilized.

[0041] Additionally, each electrode layer (122, 132) may be composed of a metal, a metal oxide, a conducting polymer, a metal hexacyanoferrate, a carbon nanostructure, or a composite thereof.

[0042] At this time, the metal may include one or more selected from gold, silver, zinc, lead, manganese, copper, tin, ruthenium, and iridium. In addition, the metal oxide may include one or more selected from vanadium oxide, molybdenum oxide (MoO₃), tungsten oxide (WO₃), ruthenium oxide, iridium oxide, manganese oxide, cerium oxide (CeO₂), polyoxometalate, and ruthenium oxide (RuOx). At this time, RuOx may be hydrous.

[0043] Additionally, the conductive polymer may include one or more selected from polyaniline, a derivative of polyaniline, a polythiophene, a derivative of polythiophene, a polypyrrole, a derivative of polypyrrole, a quinone polymer, a derivative of a quinone polymer, and polythionine.

[0044] Additionally, the metal hexacyanoferrate may include one or more selected from prussian blue, iron hexacyanoferrate (FeHCF), copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF), cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF), and nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF).

[0045] Additionally, the carbon nanostructure may include one selected from carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, carbon nanoparticles, fullerenes, graphite, and activated carbon. In an electrode in which a composite of electrode materials including carbon nanotubes among carbon nanostructures is electrodeposited, a redox reaction can occur more stably and at a faster rate. Additionally, the electrode material may be a variety of polymers that are electrically conductive or negatively charged.

[0046] Meanwhile, a power supply unit (not shown) for applying a driving voltage to the electroosmotic pump (100) may be coupled, and may be electrically connected to the contact (126) of the first flexible electrode (120) and the contact (136) of the second flexible electrode (130). The power supply unit alternately applies positive and negative voltages between the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130), and the direction of movement of the pumping solution within the membrane (110) alternates between forward and reverse directions according to the application of the positive and negative voltages. In addition, the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130) move forward or backward according to the movement of the pumping solution.

[0047] More specifically, depending on the voltage applied between the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130), the first flexible electrode (120) may advance toward the first groove (112) of the membrane (110) and the second flexible electrode (130) may retreat from the second groove (114) of the membrane (110), and the first flexible electrode (120) may retreat from the first groove (112) of the membrane (110) and the second flexible electrode (130) may advance toward the second groove (114) of the membrane (110) may alternately occur.

[0048] Meanwhile, a housing (150) that houses a membrane (110), a first flexible electrode (120), and a second flexible electrode (130) may be provided. In addition, the housing (150) may provide a first space (152) formed on one side of the first flexible electrode (120) on the opposite side of the membrane (110). In addition, the housing (150) may provide a second space (154) formed on one side of the second flexible electrode (130) on the opposite side of the membrane (110). The heights of the first space (152) and the second space (154) may be designed to correspond to the distance at which the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130) become maximally convex or concave. In general, the height of the first space (152) and the second space (154) can be determined at a level corresponding to or longer than the maximum depth of the first groove (112) and the second groove (114). According to this configuration, when the electroosmotic pump (100) is driven, when the first flexible electrode (120) advances toward the first groove (112) of the membrane (110), the second flexible electrode (130) can retreat from the second groove (114) of the membrane (110) and advance toward the second space (154). Additionally, when the second flexible electrode (130) advances toward the second groove (114) of the membrane (110), the first flexible electrode (120) can retreat from the first groove (112) of the membrane (110) and advance into the first space (152).

[0049] In addition, an opening (156) through which a fluid to be transported is introduced or discharged may be formed on one side of the housing (150). Then, when the first flexible electrode (120) advances toward the first groove (112) of the membrane (110), negative pressure is generated so that the fluid to be transported can be introduced into the first space (152) through the opening (156), and when the first flexible electrode (120) retreats from the first groove (112) of the membrane (110) and advances toward the first space (152), positive pressure is generated so that the fluid to be transported can be discharged through the opening (156).

[0050] According to this configuration, the present invention integrates the electrodes and flexible film into a single unit, thereby providing an electroosmotic pump with a much simpler structure than conventional devices. Furthermore, the flexible electrodes create a closed system within the pump, preventing the pumping solution filled within the pump and the fluid to be transported from mixing. Furthermore, by forming a space through which the flexible electrodes can flow through grooves formed on both sides of the membrane, an electroosmotic pump with a simpler structure can be provided.

[0051] Additionally, the surface of the electrode material of the first electrode layer (122) or the second electrode layer (132) can be smoothly processed by a thermocompression or decal transfer method.

[0052] Such an electroosmotic pump (100) can generate pumping power by repeatedly causing electrochemical reactions in forward and reverse directions by supplying voltage with alternating polarities to each of the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130), thereby causing repeated reciprocating movement of the fluid. In addition, by the repeated electrochemical reactions in the forward and reverse directions, each of the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130) can be repeatedly consumed and regenerated.

[0053] Figure 3 illustrates an electroosmotic pump according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 2, the first space (152) is characterized in that it is formed in a concave curved shape corresponding to the changing shape of the first flexible electrode (120). That is, when the first flexible electrode (120) retreats from the first groove (112) and advances into the first space (152), the first space (152) can be formed in a form in which the corner space of the first space (152) is filled in advance so that the first flexible electrode (120) can be in maximum contact with the first space (152). This can also be applied to the second space (154). Through this configuration, a drug such as insulin that has entered the first space (152) through the opening (154) can minimize the time that it stays in the first space (152) and can be discharged immediately through the opening (156).

[0055] Figures 4 and 5 are exemplary diagrams for explaining the operation of an electroosmotic pump. The operation of an electroosmotic pump will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0056] The electroosmotic pump (100) is connected to the first contact (126) of the first flexible electrode (120) and the second contact (136) of the second flexible electrode (130) by a power supply unit (not shown) that alternately applies positive and negative driving voltages, and the direction of movement of the pumping solution (140) within the membrane (110) alternately changes between the forward and reverse directions according to the application of the driving voltage by the power supply unit (not shown), and the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130) move forward or backward according to the movement of the pumping solution (140).

[0057] More specifically, the electroosmotic pump (100) can move the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130) forward (moving in the direction ①) toward the first space (152) as shown in Fig. 4 depending on the applied voltage. In this case, the pumping solution (140) of the second groove (114) can move toward the first groove (112), and at the same time, the second flexible electrode (130) can move forward toward the second groove (114), and the first flexible electrode (120) can move forward toward the first space (152).

[0058] Conversely, as shown in FIG. 5, the first flexible electrode (120) and the second flexible electrode (130) can retreat (move in the ② direction) toward the second space (154). In this case, the pumping solution (140) of the first groove (112) can move toward the second groove (114), and at the same time, the second flexible electrode (130) can retreat toward the second space (154), and the first flexible electrode (120) can retreat toward the first groove (112).

[0059] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a fluid transfer pump including an electroosmotic pump according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] The fluid transfer pump device (200) includes an electroosmotic pump, an inlet path (260), and a discharge path (270) described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0061] An electroosmotic pump includes a membrane (210) that allows movement of a fluid, a first flexible electrode (220) disposed on one side of the membrane (210), and a second flexible electrode (230) disposed on the other side of the membrane (210). In addition, concave curved grooves (212, 214) are formed on one side and the other side of the membrane (210). In addition, the first flexible electrode (220) may include a first flexible film (224) and a first electrode layer (222), and the second flexible electrode (230) may include a second flexible film (234) and a second electrode layer (232). In addition, one end of the first electrode layer (222) and the second electrode layer (232) extends to the outside of the housing (250), which can be implemented as contacts (226, 236) that are electrically connected to a power supply (not shown), respectively. In addition, a housing (250) that houses the membrane (210), the first flexible electrode (220), and the second flexible electrode (230) can be provided. In addition, the housing (250) can provide a first space (252) formed on one side of the first flexible electrode (220) on the opposite side of the membrane (210), and a second space (254) formed on one side of the second flexible electrode (230) on the opposite side of the membrane (210). At this time, the first space (252) can be used as a space where the fluid to be transported introduced through the inlet (260) remains for a certain period of time before being discharged through the discharge channel (270).

[0062] And, the inlet channel (260) is coupled to communicate with the first space (252) so that the fluid to be transported flows into the first space (252). In addition, the discharge channel (270) is coupled to communicate with the first space (252) so that the fluid to be transported is discharged from the first space (252) through the discharge channel (270). In addition, an inlet check valve (262) that only allows the supply of the drug by the electroosmotic pump may be coupled to the inlet channel (260), and a discharge check valve (272) that only allows the discharge of the drug from the electroosmotic pump may be coupled to the discharge channel (270). In addition, a drug storage unit (280) in which the fluid to be transported is stored may be coupled to the inlet side of the inlet channel (260). In addition, a needle (290) that delivers the fluid to be transported to the subject may be coupled to the outlet side of the discharge channel (270).

[0063] Through this configuration, when the electroosmotic pump provides negative pressure, i.e., when the first flexible electrode (220) advances toward the first groove (212), the fluid to be transported can be introduced through the inlet check valve (262) and introduced into the first space (252) through the inlet passage (260). At this time, since the discharge passage (270) is coupled with the discharge check valve (272), the fluid to be transported is not permitted to be introduced through the discharge passage (270).

[0064] In addition, when the electroosmotic pump provides positive pressure, i.e., when the first flexible electrode (220) advances toward the first space (252), the fluid to be transported can be discharged to the outside through the discharge path (270) and the discharge check valve (272). At this time, since the inlet check valve (262) is coupled to the inlet path (260), the fluid to be transported is not permitted to be discharged through the inlet path (260).

[0065] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a fluid transfer pump including an electroosmotic pump according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 3, the shape of the first space (252) is characterized by being formed into a concave curved shape corresponding to the changing shape of the first flexible electrode (220). According to this configuration, a drug such as insulin introduced into the first space (252) through the inlet (260) can minimize the time it remains in the first space (252) and be discharged immediately through the discharge channel (270).

[0067] Meanwhile, the method for configuring the flexible electrode and experimental data refer to the contents of Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0129488 (Title of invention: Electroosmotic pump including flexible electrode and method for manufacturing flexible electrode) published by the applicant of the present invention.

[0068] Fig. 8 is an exemplary diagram for explaining the operation of a fluid transfer pump to suck in a fluid to be transferred, and Fig. 9 is an exemplary diagram for explaining the operation of a fluid transfer pump to discharge a fluid to be transferred.

[0069] First, referring to FIG. 8, the operation of the fluid transfer pump (200) sucking the fluid to be transferred will be described. When power is supplied to the first contact (226) and the second contact (236) of the fluid transfer pump (200) to generate negative pressure, the pumping solution (240) inside the membrane (210) can move toward the second groove (214). At this time, the pumping solution (240) can be positioned not only in the second groove (214) but also in the membrane (210). At the same time, the second flexible electrode (230) retreats (moves in the ② direction) toward the second space (254), and the first flexible electrode (220) retreats toward the first groove (212). Then, the fluid to be transferred stored in the drug storage unit (280) can flow into the first space (252) through the inlet path (260). At this time, the inlet check valve (262) is opened and the discharge check valve (272) is closed, so that the fluid to be transported is not allowed to be discharged through the discharge path (270).

[0070] Next, referring to FIG. 9, the operation of the fluid transfer pump (200) for discharging the fluid to be transferred will be described. When power is supplied through the first contact (226) and the second contact (236) of the fluid transfer pump (200) to generate positive pressure, the pumping solution (240) inside the membrane (210) can move toward the first groove (212). At this time, the pumping solution (240) can be positioned not only in the first groove (212) but also in the membrane (210). At the same time, the second flexible electrode (230) moves forward (moves in the ① direction) toward the second groove (214), and the first flexible electrode (220) moves forward toward the first space (252). Then, the fluid to be transferred stored in the first space (252) can be discharged to the needle (290) through the discharge path (270). At this time, the discharge check valve (272) is opened and the inlet check valve (262) is closed, so that the fluid to be transported is not allowed to move through the drug inlet path (260).

[0071] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0072] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In the electroosmotic pump, A membrane that allows the movement of fluid; a first flexible electrode disposed on one side of the membrane and having flexibility; and A second flexible electrode disposed on the other side of the membrane and having flexibility; An electroosmotic pump in which a concave curved groove is formed on one side and the other side of the membrane.

2. In paragraph 1, When the above electric osmotic pump is operated, An operation in which the first flexible electrode advances toward the curved groove of the membrane and the second flexible electrode retreats from the curved groove of the membrane; An electroosmotic pump, wherein the first flexible electrode alternately moves backward from the curved groove of the membrane and the second flexible electrode moves forward toward the curved groove of the membrane.

3. In paragraph 2, A first space provided on one side of the first flexible electrode on the opposite side of the membrane; Further comprising a second space provided on one side of the second flexible electrode on the opposite side of the membrane, When the above electric osmotic pump is operated, When the first flexible electrode advances toward the curved groove of the membrane, the second flexible electrode retreats from the curved groove of the membrane and advances into the second space, An electroosmotic pump, wherein when the second flexible electrode advances toward the curved groove of the membrane, the first flexible electrode retreats from the curved groove of the membrane and advances into the first space.

4. In paragraph 1, An electroosmotic pump, wherein the first space has a concave curved shape so that the first flexible electrode can be brought into close contact with the first space when the first flexible electrode advances into the first space.

5. In paragraph 1, An electroosmotic pump, wherein the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode seal one side and the other side of the membrane, respectively.

6. In paragraph 1, The first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode are, An electroosmotic pump having a diaphragm shape that advances and retreats by having a fixed peripheral portion and a curved central portion.

7. In paragraph 1, An electroosmotic pump, wherein the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode are made of a flexible film and an electrode material coated thereon.

8. In paragraph 1, The first flexible electrode comprises a first flexible film and a first electrode layer having one surface bonded to the first flexible film, An electroosmotic pump, wherein the second flexible electrode comprises a second flexible film and a second electrode layer having one surface bonded to the second flexible film.

9. In paragraph 7, The first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode are, An electroosmotic pump, wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are arranged so as to face the membrane.

10. In paragraph 7, The first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode are, An electroosmotic pump, wherein the first flexible film and the second flexible film are arranged so as to face opposite sides of the membrane.

11. In paragraph 7, The first flexible film or the second flexible film, An electroosmotic pump composed of a polymer, a metal, a metallized polymer, a carbonaceous material, or a composite thereof.

12. In paragraph 10, The above polymer is, An electroosmotic pump comprising at least one of polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polypropylene (PP), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), nylon, polycarbonate (PC), polyimide (PI), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and cellulose.

13. In paragraph 10, The above metal is, An electroosmotic pump comprising at least one of gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), and stainless steel.

14. In paragraph 10, The above metallized polymer is, An electroosmotic pump comprising at least one of an aluminum film coated on polyethylene (PE / Al), an aluminum film coated on polycarbonate (PC / Al), an aluminum film coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET / Al), a titanium film coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET / Ti), and a stainless steel film coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET / stainless steel).

15. In paragraph 10, The above carbonaceous material is, An electroosmotic pump comprising at least one of graphene, carbon nanotube (CNT), activated carbon, fullerene, graphite, and carbon fiber.

16. In paragraph 7, The first electrode layer or the second electrode layer, An electroosmotic pump comprising a metal, a metal oxide, a conducting polymer, a metal hexacyanoferrate, a carbon nanostructure, or a composite thereof.

17. In paragraph 15, The above metal is, An electroosmotic pump comprising at least one of gold, silver, zinc, lead, manganese, copper, tin, ruthenium and iridium.

18. In paragraph 15, The above metal oxide is, An electroosmotic pump comprising at least one of vanadium oxide, molybdenum oxide (MoO₃), tungsten oxide (WO₃), ruthenium oxide, iridium oxide, manganese oxide, cerium oxide (CeO₂), and polyoxometalate.

19. In paragraph 15, The above conductive polymer is, An electroosmotic pump, comprising at least one of polyaniline, a derivative of polyaniline, polythiophene, a derivative of polythiophene, polypyrrole, a derivative of polypyrrole, a quinone polymer, a derivative of quinone polymer, and polythionine.

20. In paragraph 15, The above metal hexacyanoferrate is, An electroosmotic pump comprising at least one of Prussian blue, FeHCF (iron hexacyanoferrate), CuHCF (copper hexacyanoferrate), CoHCF (cobalt hexacyanoferrate), and NiHCF (nickel hexacyanoferrate).

21. In paragraph 15, The above carbon nanostructure is, An electroosmotic pump comprising at least one of carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, carbon nanoparticles, fullerene, graphite, and activated carbon.

22. In paragraph 7, An electroosmotic pump, wherein the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer is laminated in multiple layers.

23. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a power supply unit that alternately applies positive and negative voltages between the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode, An electroosmotic pump in which the direction of movement of the pumping solution within the membrane alternates between forward and reverse directions according to the application of the positive and negative voltages, and the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode advance or retreat according to the movement of the pumping solution.

24. In a fluid transfer pump device, An electroosmotic pump according to any one of claims 1 to 23, which generates positive and negative pressures alternately; An inlet passage connected to one side of the above electroosmotic pump and into which the fluid to be transported is introduced; and A discharge path coupled to one side of the above-mentioned electroosmotic pump and through which the fluid to be transported is discharged, When the above electric osmotic pump is operated, A fluid transport pump device, wherein the fluid to be transported is introduced through the inlet passage or discharged through the discharge passage as the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode retreat or advance.

25. In paragraph 23, The above inlet path is coupled with an inlet check valve that only allows the drug to be supplied to the above electroosmotic pump, A fluid transport pump device, wherein the discharge path is coupled with a discharge check valve that only allows the discharge of a drug from the electroosmotic pump.

26. In paragraph 23, The above inflow route is, A fluid transfer pump device connected to a drug storage unit to supply drugs.

27. In paragraph 24, As for the above discharge, A fluid transfer pump device connected to a needle to deliver a drug to a subject.

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