초록 ▼

A closed loop infusion system controls the rate that fluid is infused into the body of a user. The closed loop infusion system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user. The sensor produces a sensor signa

A closed loop infusion system controls the rate that fluid is infused into the body of a user. The closed loop infusion system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user. The sensor produces a sensor signal, which is representative of the condition of the user. The sensor signal is used to generate a controller input. The controller uses the controller input to generate commands to operate the delivery system. The delivery system infuses a liquid into the user at a rate dictated by the commands from the controller. Preferably, the sensor system monitors the glucose concentration in the body of the user, and the liquid infused by the delivery system into the body of the user includes insulin. The sensor system uses the sensor signal to generate a message that is sent to the delivery system. The message includes the information used to generate the controller input. The sensor may be a subcutaneous sensor in contact with interstitial fluid. Also, two or more sensors may be used by the sensor system.

대표청구항 ▼

A closed loop infusion system controls the rate that fluid is infused into the body of a user. The closed loop infusion system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user. The sensor produces a sensor signa

A closed loop infusion system controls the rate that fluid is infused into the body of a user. The closed loop infusion system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user. The sensor produces a sensor signal, which is representative of the condition of the user. The sensor signal is used to generate a controller input. The controller uses the controller input to generate commands to operate the delivery system. The delivery system infuses a liquid into the user at a rate dictated by the commands from the controller. Preferably, the sensor system monitors the glucose concentration in the body of the user, and the liquid infused by the delivery system into the body of the user includes insulin. The sensor system uses the sensor signal to generate a message that is sent to the delivery system. The message includes the information used to generate the controller input. The sensor may be a subcutaneous sensor in contact with interstitial fluid. Also, two or more sensors may be used by the sensor system. r as recited in claim 1, wherein the spring injector mechanism comprises: a spring disposed within the housing; a piston configured to be moved by the spring; and a shaft configured to be moved by the piston; wherein the shaft is configured to inhibit grasping thereof so as to inhibit cocking of the spring injector mechanism. 17. The needleless injector as recited in claim 1, further comprising an ampule from which the shaft forces fluid when the shaft is moved. 18. The needleless injector as recited in claim 1, further comprising an ampule permanently attached to the housing. 19. The needleless injector as recited in claim 1, further comprising an ampule threadedly attached and adhesively bonded to the housing. 20. The needleless injector as recited in claim 1, further comprising an ampule threadedly attached and sonically welded to the housing. 21. The needleless injector as recited in claim 1, wherein the spring injector mechanism comprises a closed, but not ground, music wire helical spring. 22. The needleless injector as recited in claim 1, wherein: the housing comprises: two housing sections formed of injection molded plastic and configured to be substantially mirror images of one another; the spring injector mechanism comprises: a spring disposed within the housing; a piston configured to be moved by the spring; and a shaft configured to be moved by the piston. 23. A needleless injector comprising: a housing; a spring injector mechanism comprising a shaft, a piston, and a spring disposed at least partially within the housing and at least partially outside of the housing, the spring injector mechanism being configured to cause fluid to be injected; and wherein the spring injector mechanism is cocked by grasping at least a portion of the shaft that is outside of the housing, and the shaft, subsequent to the cocking, remains moveable relative to the piston. 24. A needleless injector comprising: a polymer housing having proximal and distal ends; an aluminum piston slidably disposed within the housing; a music wire helical spring disposed within the housing and configured to urge the piston toward the distal end of the housing when the spring is released; a glass reinforced polymer shaft disposed at least partially within the housing and partially outside of the housing and configured to be moved distally by the piston; a stamped sheet steel trigger attached to the housing and configured to release the spring; and wherein the injector is cocked by pulling on the shaft section that is partially outside of the housing which pulls the piston until the piston is engaged by the trigger; and wherein the shaft remains movable in any axial direction even after the injector is cocked. 25. A low cost, disposable needleless injector system comprising: a needleless spring injector mechanism; an ampule permanently attached to the needleless spring injector mechanism from which fluid is forced by the needleless spring injector mechanism, and wherein said spring injector mechanism includes a shaft and wherein said shaft is configured to be pulled to cock the spring injector mechanism and wherein the shaft remains moveable subsequent to the cocking of the spring injector mechanism. 26. The low cost, disposable needleless injector system as recited in claim 25, wherein the ampule is adhesively bonded to the needleless spring injector. 27. The low cost, disposable needleless injector system as recited in claim 25, wherein the ampule is sonically welded to the needleless spring injector. 28. The low cost, disposable needleless injector system as recited in claim 25, wherein the ampule is integrally formed with respect to the needleless spring injector. 29. A needleless injector system comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends; a piston slidably disposed within the housing; a spring disposed within the housing and configured to urge the piston toward the distal end of the housing w