초록 ▼

An infusion pump comprises an elastomeric hemispheric deformable rolling diaphragm, an external rigid housing with internal area no greater than that of the rolling diaphragm exterior, and a rigid cap structure which sealingly fastens the rim of the rolling diaphragm to the rim of the external housi

An infusion pump comprises an elastomeric hemispheric deformable rolling diaphragm, an external rigid housing with internal area no greater than that of the rolling diaphragm exterior, and a rigid cap structure which sealingly fastens the rim of the rolling diaphragm to the rim of the external housing. Thickness of the flexing wall of the diaphragm is tapered from rim to a region on the central axis to provide approximately constant pressure as the pump empties its contents. The rigid housing has an port in its center opposite its rim to allow insertion of fluid to roll the diaphragm inward, and to allow outflow of the stored pressurized fluid as desired. The housing and/or cap structure may have an external belt mounting fixture to facilitate donning the infusion pump for ambulatory users. The simplified design enables low manufacturing cost and hence single-use disposability.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An ambulatory infusion system, comprising: an elastomeric hollow flexural diaphragm body of approximately hemispheric shape, wherein the elastomeric diaphragm body has a rim, an opposed end and a wall thickness that decreases from the rim to the opposed end, said wall thickness geometry being def

1. An ambulatory infusion system, comprising: an elastomeric hollow flexural diaphragm body of approximately hemispheric shape, wherein the elastomeric diaphragm body has a rim, an opposed end and a wall thickness that decreases from the rim to the opposed end, said wall thickness geometry being defined by translation of an outer contour toward a central axis by a distance equal to a thickness of the rim, said wall thickness further being made constant over a central area opposed to the rim;a rigid outer housing with interior of approximately hemispheric shape, said interior of the outer housing has an area not exceeding an area of an outer surface of the elastomeric diaphragm body, and said outer housing has an input/output port;wherein the input/output port is surrounded by a multiplicity of small bumps or posts having a height between 0.010 to 0.060 inches on an inner surface of the outer housing and said small bumps or posts are configured to separate the outer surface of the elastomeric diaphragm body from the inner surface of the outer housing;and a cap structure that sealingly attaches the rim of the elastomeric diaphragm body to the interior of the outer housing. 2. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the rim of the flexural diaphragm body is extended at uniform thickness to provide an attachment section. 3. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 2, wherein the rim of the flexural diaphragm body is terminated by an integral larger diameter ring providing a location and sealing surface. 4. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 2, wherein one or more circumferential raised ribs are added to an exterior of the rim of the flexural diaphragm body to provide enhanced sealing. 5. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the contour of the interior of the outer housing is made substantially flat over a circular area that is concentric with the axis of symmetry. 6. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the cap structure attaches to the outer housing by thread means, bayonet mounting means, or snap-fit means. 7. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the cap structure includes a conically tapered interior structure that, when the cap is pressed onto the outer structure, will radially compress the elastomeric rim outward to seal and attach said rim to the interior of the outer housing. 8. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the outer housing is made from a transparent material and the inner elastomeric diaphragm is marked by printed or molded symbols to visually indicate the amount of fluid remaining in the pump assembly during infusion. 9. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the outer housing includes an external belt or sash mounting fixture, to facilitate donning the infusion pump for ambulatory users. 10. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the cap structure includes an external belt or sash mounting fixture, to facilitate donning the infusion pump for ambulatory users. 11. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the flexural diaphragm is comprised of one or more of polyisoprene, polychloroprene, silicone rubber, and natural rubber. 12. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the outer housing is comprised of one or more of polypropylene, polyetheretherketone, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyvinylchloride or polystyrene. 13. An ambulatory infusion system comprising: an elastomeric hollow flexural diaphragm body of approximately hemispheric shape, wherein the elastomeric diaphragm body has a rim, an opposed end and a wall thickness that decreases from the rim to the opposed end, said wall thickness geometry being defined by translation of an outer contour toward a central axis by a distance equal to a thickness of the rim, said wall thickness further being made constant over a central area opposed to the rim;a rigid outer housing with interior of approximately hemispheric shape, said interior of the outer housing has an area not exceeding an area of an outer surface of the elastomeric diaphragm body, and said outer housing has an input/output port;wherein the input/output port is surrounded by a multiplicity of radial grooves on an inner surface of the outer housing having a depth between 0.010 to 0.080 inches and said radial grooves are configured to separate the outer surface of the elastomeric diaphragm body from the inner surface of the outer housing;and a cap structure that sealingly attaches the rim of the elastomeric diaphragm body to the interior of the outer housing.