US20070269322A1 - Low power electromagnetic pump - Google Patents
Low power electromagnetic pump Download PDFInfo
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- US20070269322A1 US20070269322A1 US11/437,571 US43757106A US2007269322A1 US 20070269322 A1 US20070269322 A1 US 20070269322A1 US 43757106 A US43757106 A US 43757106A US 2007269322 A1 US2007269322 A1 US 2007269322A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- armature
- electromagnet
- housing
- pump
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/14—Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
- A61M5/142—Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
- A61M5/14244—Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
- A61M5/14276—Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body specially adapted for implantation
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B17/00—Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors
- F04B17/03—Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors driven by electric motors
- F04B17/04—Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors driven by electric motors using solenoids
- F04B17/042—Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors driven by electric motors using solenoids the solenoid motor being separated from the fluid flow
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/82—Internal energy supply devices
- A61M2205/8206—Internal energy supply devices battery-operated
- A61M2205/8212—Internal energy supply devices battery-operated with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/14—Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
- A61M5/142—Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
- A61M5/14212—Pumping with an aspiration and an expulsion action
- A61M5/14216—Reciprocating piston type
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of electromagnetic pumps, and further relates to the use of low power electromagnetic pumps for use in implantable medical device applications.
- small electromagnetic pumps are used for pumping liquids such as medicines, drugs, insulin, chemotherapy liquids, and other life critical drugs to a patient. These pumps are sometimes required to be quite small given the fact that they oftentimes will be implanted into the patient's body. If the pump is implanted, it is desirable that it have a low power requirement so that the battery which powers the electromagnetic pump has a long life.
- the pump have a simplified structure and method of assembly while simultaneously having improved performance. More requirements are that the pump operate in a manner preventing damage to fragile drugs, such as insulin, and that moving parts of the pump be resistant to wear, thus prolonging the useful working life of the pump.
- the low power electromagnetic pump operates at an extremely low power, and it may be used in implantable drug delivery systems, although the principles of this invention can be variously applied.
- the low power electromagnetic pump may be employed in applications external to a patient's body.
- the present invention provides an electromagnetic pump comprising a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber in fluid communication with an inlet tube, a fluid output chamber in fluid communication with an outlet tube, and a check valve operatively associated with the fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from the inlet tube toward the outlet tube and blocking fluid flow in a direction from the outlet tube to the inlet tube.
- An electromagnet is carried by the housing and located external to the fluid containing region, and a barrier of fluid impervious material isolates the electromagnet from the fluid chambers of the pump.
- An armature is positioned in the fluid containing region of the housing and comprises a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet, and the armature has a plunger portion extending from the pole portion.
- the armature is supported in the housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by the energized electromagnet to force fluid from the output chamber through the outlet tube, and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to the rest position when the electromagnet is de-energized.
- a retainer element can be joined to the armature, and a main spring can be captured between the retainer element and a retainer plate.
- the main spring is for providing a biasing force during the return stroke. Guiding of the armature as it reciprocates is provided by the cooperation between the plunger portion and the adjacent housing of the pump, which is formed as a surrounding wall or cylinder in the pump housing.
- the pump can be used for delivering an infusion medium to a patient.
- the pump also has an interior fluid containing region, and the inlet and outlet tubes are in fluid communication with that region.
- the electromagnet is located external to that fluid containing region of the housing, and is separated from the fluid containing region of the housing by a barrier. There is a gap in the fluid containing region of the housing between the pole portion and the electromagnet.
- the pole portion is located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet, which results in movement of the armature to force fluid out of said region through said outlet.
- the electromagnet can comprise a case and a core or coil spindle positioned inside the case.
- the case and core comprise a magnetic material.
- the case has a thickness, a length, and a diameter, and the core has a diameter and a length.
- the case surrounds the coil and core, the case being spaced from the coil so as to be in insulated relation to the coil for example by encapsulant material such as potting compound or epoxy.
- the ratio of the case diameter to the core diameter is in a range from about 2.5 to about 7, and the ratio of the case length to the case diameter is in a range from about 1.3 to about 2.3.
- the case diameter can be less than about 0.28 inches so that the pump can be installed in an implantable drug delivery system.
- the housing has a pump chamber which has a volume defined by a region within the housing surface bounded by the check valve, an axial end face of the plunger portion, and a bypass check valve. Also, a ratio of the volume of the pump chamber to a stroke volume is less than about 0.9 so as to enable the pump to move a liquid containing gas bubbles having a volume up to about 300 microliters against a pressure increase of at least five pounds per square inch.
- the delivered stroke volume of the pump is between about 0.1 microliters to about 0.35 microliters.
- the voltage supplied to the coil to energize the electromagnet ranges between about 1.5 volts to about 6.0 volts. In one of the preferred embodiments, the voltage supplied to the coil is terminated at time intervals ranging between about 1 millisecond to about 6 milliseconds. This time range can longer or shorter in other embodiments.
- FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the pump at rest with gap exaggerated.
- FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the pump showing one stage of the forward stroke.
- FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the pump showing a more forwardly stroke than FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the pump showing the return stroke.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic of the circuitry of the electromagnetic pump.
- FIG. 7 is a graph further illustrating operation of the electromagnetic pump.
- FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view further illustrating the main check valve of the electromagnetic pump.
- the present invention is for a low power electromagnetic pump of the type shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,227,818 to Falk et al. for a Low Power Electromagnetic Pump issued May 8, 2001; and 6,264,439 to Falk et al. for a Low Power Electromagnetic Pump issued Jul. 24, 2001, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the pump 10 .
- the pump 10 comprises a body or housing 32 which may be embodied to have a cylindrical shape.
- the housing 32 is generally hollow and has an fluid receiving chamber 15 at its inlet 19 that is in fluid communication with an inlet tube 14 .
- the housing 32 also has a fluid output chamber 17 at its outlet 21 that is in fluid communication with an outlet tube 20 , and the fluid receiving and output chambers 15 , 17 , respectively, are in fluid communication with one another, as will be described presently.
- the check valve 24 is operatively associated with the fluid containing region of pump 10 for allowing fluid flow in a direction from the inlet tube 14 through outlet tube 20 , and blocking fluid flow in a direction from the outlet tube 20 through the inlet tube 14 .
- fluid for example insulin, drugs, medications, chemotherapy drugs, and life critical drugs
- fluid for example insulin, drugs, medications, chemotherapy drugs, and life critical drugs
- FIG. 1 shows the pump 10 at rest, and the pumping cycle will be described in greater detail presently.
- the inlet tube 14 receives incoming drugs, medicines, insulin, and other fluids to be moved by the pump 10 .
- the pump 10 contains an armature 45 having a plunger portion 49 .
- the inlet tube 14 is in fluid communication with and leads to a pump chamber 122 defined in the housing 32 , that is the volume bounded by the inlet check valve 24 , a bypass check valve 74 , and an axial end face 53 of the plunger portion 49 .
- An armature shaft chamber 124 is defined in the housing 32 , and it is sized to accommodate the pump armature 45 therein.
- the armature shaft chamber 124 leads to and is in fluid communication with a main spring retainer chamber 126 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the armature shaft chamber 124 .
- the main spring retainer chamber 126 is in fluid flow communication with and leads to a pole button chamber 128 having a diameter greater than the diameter the main spring retainer chamber 126 .
- the pole button chamber 128 is in fluid flow communication with and leads to a flow passage 130 , which is in fluid communication with the fluid output chamber 17 .
- an armature chamber 132 can be viewed as a combination of the armature shaft chamber 124 , the main spring retainer chamber 126 , and the pole button chamber 128 .
- the armature chamber 132 is sized such that the pump armature 45 can be positioned therein.
- the housing 32 further defines, between the armature shaft chamber 124 and pole button chamber 128 , a fluid bypass chamber 136 .
- a passage or orifice 44 defined in the housing 32 leads from the armature shaft chamber 124 to a plug chamber 134 .
- the orifice 44 provides for fluid communication between the armature shaft chamber 124 and the plug chamber 134 .
- the orifice 44 may be of relatively small diameter made by drilling and the like.
- the plug chamber 134 leads to and is in fluid flow communication with bypass chamber 136 .
- the bypass chamber 136 is in fluid flow communication with the pole button chamber 128 .
- the seat ferrule 56 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted to the housing 32 and joins to the inlet tube 14 . It is noted that upstream of the seat ferrule 56 there is a reservoir of fluid to be pumped (not shown in the figures).
- the pump armature 45 is located in the fluid containing region defined in the housing 32 .
- the armature comprises a pole portion 48 located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet 100 .
- the plunger portion 49 is joined to and extends from the pole portion 48 .
- the armature pole portion 48 is located for movement within the pole button chamber 128 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the armature 45 is movably supported in housing 32 for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by the electromagnet 100 to force fluid out through outlet 21 , and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to the rest position. In FIG. 1 , armature 45 is shown at rest.
- Armature pole portion 48 which occupies a major portion of the pole button chamber 128 in which it is positioned, is in the general form of a disc. It has a lateral dimension as viewed in FIG. 1 which is several times greater than the longitudinal dimension thereof.
- Pole portion 48 comprises a solid, monolithic body of magnetic material having a first axial end face 50 that faces toward barrier or plate 51 and a second, opposite axial end face 52 that faces toward inlet tube 14 .
- the first and second axial end faces 50 , 52 , respectively, of the pole portion 48 are disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of armature 45 , as shown.
- the pole portion 48 comprises a magnetic material, such as a heat treated chrome-molybdenum-iron alloy.
- a heat treated chrome-molybdenum-iron alloy examples include 29-4 and 29-4C chrome-molybdenum iron alloy. These alloys have high corrosion resistance, and have adequate magnetic characteristics for use in the pump 10 when heat treated.
- the alloy is heat treated to provide it with a BH characteristic that yields the requisite level of magnetic flux density and a relatively low level of coercive force, wherein B is the flux density and H is the magnetic field.
- BH characteristics are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
- the alloy is sufficiently resistant to corrosive effects of insulin stabilized for use in implantable drug delivery systems and does not harm the insulin or other drug to be used in the system.
- the armature pole portion 48 terminates at the first end face 50 and serves as a pole face that faces the electromagnet 100 .
- the armature end face 50 together with electromagnet 100 define the magnetic circuit gap which is closed during the forward stroke of the armature 45 .
- the first end face 50 is of a relatively large cross-sectional area as compared to the cross sectional area of the armature plunger portion 49 .
- the plunger portion 49 of the armature 45 is movably positioned within the interior region of housing portion 32 and extends axially from armature pole portion 48 in a direction toward the inlet tube 14 .
- Plunger portion 49 is substantially cylindrical in shape having an outer diameter slightly less than the diameter of the interior passage in the housing 32 to allow reciprocal movement of plunger 49 within housing portion 32 during the forward and return strokes of armature 45 .
- the plunger portion 49 terminates in an axial end face 53 that faces in a direction toward the tube 14 .
- Plunger portion 49 has an enlarged, generally cylindrical formation 54 on the end adjacent pole portion 48 and which formation 54 has a diameter slightly greater than that of plunger portion 49 .
- annular head or enlargement 55 At the end of formation 54 adjacent pole portion 48 there is provided an annular head or enlargement 55 .
- the second axial end face 52 of pole portion 48 is provided with a recess 57 bordered by an annular peripheral flange 58 .
- the recess 57 is of a diameter sized to receive the outer end of the annular head or enlargement 55 , and the recess 57 is surrounded by a flange 58 .
- the flange 58 is sized such that it can be crimped onto and over formation annular head or enlargement 55 , as shown in FIG. 1 , thereby securely joining the armature plunger portion 49 and the armature pole portion 48 .
- the main check valve 24 is shown in FIG. 1 , positioned at the end of the armature shaft chamber 124 .
- the main check valve means 24 allows fluid from an upstream location, for example a reservoir, to enter the pump 10 when it is activated (the forward stroke of the pump 10 ).
- the check valve 24 comprises a retainer 29 joined to a check valve element 27 .
- a weak check valve spring 25 biases against the retainer 29 and the ferrule 56 to keep the check valve 24 closed, such that the check valve element 27 is biased into the valve seat 30 .
- the check valve 24 opens allowing fluid from an upstream location, such as a reservoir, to enter the pump 10 through the inlet tube 14 .
- the pump 10 Before the electromagnet 100 is activated, the pump 10 is in the deactivated state, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the pump armature 45 is drawn to the electromagnet 100 as will be described in connection with FIG. 2 (this shows the forward stroke of the pump 10 ).
- the electromagnet 100 is isolated from the fluid being pumped by the barrier or plate 51 .
- the plate 51 may be embodied as a thin plate-like diaphragm.
- the plate 51 prevents fluids being pumped from contacting the parts and components of the electromagnet 100 , or in other words, provides a fluid seal between the electromagnet 100 and the pump interior.
- the electromagnet 100 serves to cyclically generate an electromagnetic field and is used to pull the armature 45 towards it when it is activated, which draws fluid into the pump 10 .
- the armature 45 returns to its at rest state ( FIG. 1 ).
- the check valve 24 is closed shortly after the armature 45 contacts plate 51 .
- the check valve 24 prevents backflow out of the pump 10 .
- FIG. 1 also shows a retainer element 59 .
- the retainer element 59 comprises an annular body 60 having a lip portion 61 that extends about its periphery.
- the retainer element 59 also defines a central opening or bore (not shown) into which the cylindrical formation 54 of the armature 45 is positioned.
- the retainer element 59 is joined to the cylindrical formation 54 by welding, laser welding, friction fit, or combinations thereof.
- FIG. 1 also shows a retainer plate 80 , which defines a bypass fluid chamber opening 82 , an outlet opening 84 , and a central opening 86 .
- the central opening 86 is sized receive a crimped flange 58 that surrounds the annular enlarged head 55 .
- the retainer plate 80 also comprises an annular retainer plate flange 88 surrounding the central opening 86 .
- the outer weld ring 94 of the pump 10 comprises an annular support protrusion or lip 95 .
- the support protrusion 95 contacts a peripheral edge of the retainer plate 80 .
- the retainer plate 80 is thus positioned between the housing 32 and the support protrusion 95 , and becomes trapped therebetween upon welding or joining the outer weld ring 94 and the housing 32 . This prevents movement of the retainer plate 80 as the pump 10 cycles. Due to this configuration, the retainer plate 80 itself need not be welded.
- the electromagnet 100 comprises a case 101 .
- a second weld ring 112 is provided on the case 101 adjacent the pump housing 32 .
- the outer diameter of the second weld ring 112 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the outer weld ring 94 , such that the respective outer surfaces are substantially flush.
- the pump housing 32 and electromagnet case are placed in abutting relation on opposite sides of the barrier 51 .
- the assembly is secured together by a weld joining the respective outer surfaces of the outer weld rings 94 and second weld ring 112 .
- the electromagnet case 101 houses a coil spindle or core 102 .
- the case 101 and core 102 are made from a magnetic material.
- the case has a first case end 106 and a second case end 108 .
- the first case end 106 is joined to the pump housing 32 as described above, such that the core 102 is separated from the fluid containing region of the pump housing 32 by the barrier 51 .
- a coil 104 comprising a wire or conductor is wound around the coil spindle or core 102 .
- a locator 105 is provided and it is joined to the core 102 adjacent the first case end 106 .
- a washer 107 also of magnetic material, is provided and it is joined to the other end of the core 102 adjacent the second case end 108 .
- a locator 105 is provided, and one of the purposes of the locator 105 and washer 107 is to center the core 102 within the case 101 during the potting process that is used to form the electromagnet 100 .
- potting compound, encapsulant material, or epoxy 109 is introduced into the case 101 .
- the potting compound flows between the case 101 and coil 104 , between the core 102 and coil 104 , and between the conductors that make up the coil 104 .
- Potting compound 109 is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
- the potting compound joins the coil 104 to the case 101 , the coil 104 to the core 102 , and the conductors of the coil 104 to one another.
- the cured potting compound 109 thus insulates and stabilizes the internal components of the electromagnet 100 .
- potting compound 109 located between coil 104 and case 101 serves to space coil 104 from case 101 in an insulated manner.
- Such insulated spacing of case 101 from coil 104 can be accomplished by other means such as insulated spacer components positioned between coil 104 and case 101 or by having washers like washer 107 at each end of the assembly and provided with inwardly extending annular flanges positioned to space and support coil 104 and case 101 relative to each other.
- a body of potting compound or a potting cap 110 can be joined to a second end 108 of the electromagnet 100 .
- a pair of terminals 111 extends from the second end 108 of the electromagnet 100 , and each of the terminals is surrounded by and insulated by the potting cap 110 .
- a conductor 114 is joined to each of the pair of terminals 111 .
- the conductors 114 lead to a battery powered charging circuit 115 which is depicted in FIG. 1 as a box, and is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6 .
- the battery powered circuit 115 delivers pulses of energy to the pump in a manner to be described presently
- the pulses of energy energize the electromagnet pump 100 , and this causes the pole portion 48 of the armature 45 to be drawn toward the electromagnet 100 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the armature 45 compresses the main spring 90 as it moves towards the electromagnet 100 .
- fluid is drawn into the pump 10 .
- the electromagnet 100 is de-energized, the main spring 90 expands, as shown in FIG. 5 , and applies force on the retainer element 59 , which moves the armature 45 back to its at rest position in the pump 10 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the efficiency of the pump 10 is increased by the electromagnet 100 and the magnetic components that make up the magnetic circuit, reducing the degree of saturation of the magnetic circuit at peak coil current. This is done by reducing the diameter, designated S in FIG. 1 , of the core 102 , to thus reduce the resistance of each coil turn, by increasing the clearance or distance, designated E in FIG. 1 , between the coil case 101 and the core 102 , to reduce the leakage of flux, and by shortening the length, designated C in FIG. 1 , of the coil 104 which further reduces flux leakage.
- these above-described features also reduce the inductance of the coil 104 , which reduces the current rise time and the energy consumed by the coil 104 during the period when the magnetic force is too low to move the plunger portion 49 .
- the coil 104 length, designated C in FIG. 1 is about 0.35 inches
- the coil spindle or core 102 diameter designated S is about 0.08 inches
- the coil case 104 thickness designated T is about 0.013 inches.
- case diameter CD is less than about 0.28 inches so that the pump can be installed in, for example, an implantable drug delivery system.
- the ratio of the case diameter, designated CD in FIG. 1 , to the core diameter S is in a range from about 2.5 to about 7.0
- the ratio of the case length, designated CL in FIG. 1 , to the case diameter CD is in a range from about 1.3 to about 2.3.
- a plug 42 is mounted to the housing 32 in a plug chamber 134 .
- a bypass check valve 74 is positioned internal to the housing 32 , between the orifice 44 and the bypass chamber 136 .
- Spring 76 is located between check valve element 78 and the end 43 of the plug 42 .
- the bypass check valve 74 controls fluid communication between the orifice 44 and bypass fluid chamber 136 . That is, during the return stroke after the electromagnet 100 has been deactivated and the armature 45 begins to return to its starting position (rest position) shown in FIG. 1 , the bypass check valve 74 opens. Fluid from the armature shaft chamber 124 moves through the orifice 44 , forces on element 78 and opens the bypass check valve 74 . The fluid then moves into the bypass chamber 136 .
- the pumping cycle of the pump 10 is diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 2-5 . Since the internal volume of the pump 10 does not change either during the pumping stroke or the return stroke in the absence of air within the pump 10 , the volume of an incompressible fluid leaving the pump 10 is always equal to the volume of fluid entering the pump. As shown, when the armature 45 is in its rest position, no fluid flow passes through the inlet tube 14 , because check valve 24 blocks fluid flow through the pump 10 .
- the electromagnet 100 is energized which creates a magnetic field in the vicinity of the plate barrier 51 ( FIG. 3 ).
- the armature pole portion 48 is drawn towards the barrier 51 .
- movement of the armature 45 is to the left, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . That is, the armature 45 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow designated 140 in those drawings. This is generally called the forward pumping stroke.
- the main spring 90 is compressed between the lip 61 of the retainer element 59 and the retainer plate 80 during the forward pumping stroke.
- the armature 45 moves the distance of its stroke determined by the time when the electromagnet 100 deactivates (it de-energizes) and the return stroke, shown in FIG. 5 , follows.
- the armature 45 moves in the direction of the arrow designated 144 to its rest position as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5 . This movement is accomplished when main spring 90 releases its stored energy, which moves armature 45 toward check valve 24 .
- the check valve 24 closes prior to the return stroke, thus preventing any backflow of fluid out of the pump 10 .
- the above-described cycle typically is repeated at predetermined intervals in order to deliver the prescribed amount of drugs, medicine, insulin, chemotherapy, pain management drugs, and chemicals to the patient.
- the pump 10 can comprise titanium, titanium alloys, and other non-corrosive materials, it is well suited for these applications.
- the portion of the housing 32 that accommodates the plunger portion 49 is formed as a surrounding wall or cylinder 35 as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the plunger portion 49 is adjacent the cylinder 35 and is guided by the cylinder 35 , so that no parts have to be aligned during assembly of the plunger portion 49 and housing 32 .
- the plunger portion 49 has a greater length as compared with pistons/plungers used in other low power electromagnetic pumps. This increased plunger portion 49 length tends to reduce leakage between the cylinder wall 35 of the housing 32 and the plunger portion 49 . Clearance between the cylinder 35 and the piston portion 49 can therefore be increased for ease of manufacture, while retaining the accuracy of the volume delivered by the pump 10 .
- Another way is to provide one or more shims in housing 32 .
- One such shim is designated 64 and is installed between the plunger portion axial end face 53 and the main check valve 24 .
- Still another way is by means of check valve 24 , i.e. by way of a pump component in housing 32 .
- the check valve assembly can be adjusted to change the axial location of the end face of check valve element 27 which contacts the plunger axial end face 53 when the armature is in the rest position. This, in turn, adjusts the extent of axial movement of plunger 49 thereby adjusting the stroke volume.
- the attachment of the pole portion 48 to the plunger portion 49 has also been improved and simplified, in that the number of crimps in the flange 58 has been decreased from eight to six in one of the preferred embodiments.
- Ep is the energy required to drive the pump and Vb is the battery voltage.
- Erecharge The energy which must be supplied by the battery to recharge the capacitor, Erecharge, can be shown to be
- the pump 10 is designed to deliver 0.25 microliters per pulse rather than the 0.5 microliters per pulse delivered by other low power electromagnetic pumps. For a given rate of drug delivery, the pump 10 operates at twice the pulse frequency of the other pumps and requires less than 50% of the energy per pulse. The small pulse volume both shortens the time interval between pulses and requires less energy to be delivered by the capacitor.
- the pump 10 can be operated efficiently at least over the range of voltages from about 1.5 volts to about 6.0 volts by terminating the external voltage to the coil 104 at suitable time intervals.
- the time ranges between about 1 millisecond to about 6 milliseconds.
- the time range can be longer or shorter in other embodiments.
- the smaller stroke volume of the pump 10 compared with the earlier low power electromagnetic pumps could have been obtained by shortening the stroke length, by reducing the piston diameter, or by a combination of both. Shortening the stroke length would have increased the energy efficiency. This would, however, also have increased the difficulty of setting the stroke volume precisely, increased the effect of seat wear on the stroke volume, and increased the pump chamber dead volume, which would have consequently increased the difficulty associated with pumping bubbles.
- the nominal stroke length of the pump 10 can be selected to be the same as prior pumps, in which case the reduction in stroke volume is obtained almost entirely by decreasing the diameter of the plunger portion 49 . In other embodiments, it may be feasible to reduce the stroke length by about 50%, thus reducing the stroke volume to about 0.1 microliters.
- the inlet check valve 24 design is improved over past check valves.
- the initial motion of the plunger is inhibited by the fact that the opening of the check valve 24 is limited by the motion of the piston.
- This effect is reduced in the pump 10 because the diameter of the check valve 24 is increased relative to diameter of the plunger portion 49 .
- the ratio of the sealing diameter of component 64 of check valve 24 to the diameter of end face 53 of the armature plunger is greater than about 0.6 to reduce inhibiting the initial motion of armature plunger 49 .
- the pump 10 can pump against a normal 6 (six) pounds per square inch (hereinafter p.s.i.) pressure head. This is higher than the 4 p.s.i. considered normal for other low power electromagnetic pumps. Operation against the higher pressure head increases the safety margin should a patient travel to a high altitude and the pump develop a leak. So long as the pressure of the reservoir that supplies the pump 10 is less than the ambient pressure, a leak across the pump may disable the pump 10 but it will not cause life-threatening overdelivery of drug.
- p.s.i. pounds per square inch
- the volume of air retained within the pump chamber 122 at rest must be small enough compared with the stroke volume so that the pressure decrease within the pump chamber during the pumping stroke is sufficient to open the inlet check valve and draw flow into the pump chamber 122 .
- the required pressure decrease is the pressure increase against which the pump 10 is operating combined with the pressure differences required to open the two check valves. It is noted that if the pump 10 failed to meet this criterion, then even a very small bubble (comparable in volume to the pump 10 displacement) entering the pump 10 would be sufficient to cause the pump to cease operation.
- the pump 10 is to operate while pumping bubbles which are much larger than the pump displacement, e.g.
- the pressure in the pump chamber 122 may be equal to the outlet pressure of the pump 10 or it may be equal to the sum of the outlet pressure and the pressure required to hold the bypass check valve open. This depends upon how quickly and completely the bypass check valve seals at the end of the return stroke and whether there is a significant leak between the plunger portion 49 and cylinder 35 between pump pulses. The calculation proceeds by determining first how far the plunger portion 49 must travel before the pressure in the pump chamber 122 decreases to a low enough value to open the main check valve 24 . This depends in part on the specific heat ratio, ⁇ , of the gas.
- the resulting delivered pulse volume is:
- Vs is the stroke volume
- Vbub is the volume of the bubble
- ⁇ Pbcv is the pressure drop across the bypass check valve 74
- ⁇ Pmcv is the pressure drop across the main check valve 24
- Poutlet is the delivery pressure
- Pinlet is the inlet pressure
- the accuracy of other low power electromagnetic pumps depends, in part, on the presence of an orifice in the outlet tube that limits the speed at which the plunger may pull an accumulator of relatively low compliance located at the end of the outlet tube. In that case, the pressure drop across the orifice and the back pressure which develops in the accumulator during the stroke combine to reduce the inertial overdelivery of fluid when the pressure increase across the pump is small or negative.
- a bubble passes through one of these other pumps, it first reduces the fluid delivery per stroke while the bubble is located within the pump chamber. Relatively quickly the bubble passes from the pump chamber into the pump body, where it is usually trapped until it redissolves in the passing flow.
- the pump may tend to overdeliver fluid because the bubble in the pump body provides compliance upstream of the orifice negating the effect of the orifice in limiting the piston speed and the flow rate.
- the pump 10 is designed to have relatively short inlet and outlet tubes, 14 , 20 , respectively, as compared to those of other low power electromagnetic pumps, and these result in reduced inertial flow. Also, the pump 10 can include an accumulator designed to have relatively large compliance so that the difference between the pulse volume delivered by the pump 10 with a bubble in the pump body 32 and with only fluid in the pump body 32 is relatively small.
- the pump 10 may be provided with a compliant element within the pump body 32 to further reduce the inaccuracy associated with inertial flow.
- the pump 10 incorporates a bypass circuit 37 around the plunger portion 49 .
- This serves several purposes. It allows passage of air through the pump 10 without breaking down the liquid seal, which inhibits leakage of air through the plunger portion 49 and cylinder 35 . Efficient pumping of air by the pump 10 relies upon maintenance of this liquid seal.
- Another purpose of the bypass circuit 37 is to allow rapid return of the piston portion 49 to its rest position after the pumping stroke. This is of importance primarily in applications of the pump 10 , which require rapid pumping rates.
- the performance of the pump mechanism is dependent on the piston-cylinder seal, i.e. the liquid seal between the outer surface of armature plunger portion 49 and the inner surface of cylinder 35 .
- This seal may be comprised of if air enters the piston-cylinder interface, i.e. the space or clearance between the outer surface of armature plunger portion 49 and the inner surface of cylinder 35 .
- the mechanism depends on this seal in both the forward pumping stroke and the return stroke.
- the piston-cylinder seal sustains suction in the pump chamber 122 while at the same time resisting the pressure required to push fluid or air from the outlet chamber 17 into the outlet tube 20 which may be in fluid communication with an accumulator/catheter.
- Air retained in the outlet chamber 17 is at a higher pressure than the negative pressure created in the pump chamber 122 and thus tends to enter the piston-cylinder interface from the outlet chamber side. It will enter the piston-cylinder interface if the pressure exceeds the bubble point of this space. If this happens the pump mechanism will not be able to sustain suction in the pump chamber 122 or push out fluid. The stoke volume will be significantly diminished or will go to zero at low reservoir pressures.
- the pump chamber volume stroke volume ratio
- the dead space in the pump chamber volume and the retention of fluid in the dead spaces can be addressed using hydrophilic materials or coatings. Hydrophilic surfaces in small cracks can draw in water and will retain water tenaciously. Less viscous hydrophilic coating materials will actually fill in cracks and other small spaces and decrease the dead volume of the pump chamber 122 thus increasing the pump chamber volume: stroke volume ratio.
- the piston-cylinder interface bubble point must resist air entry from the outlet chamber 17 during the forward stroke and must resist air entry from the pump chamber 122 during the return stroke. If the bubble point is too low during the forward stroke and air enters the piston-cylinder interface, the pump may not develop enough pressure to open the main check valve 24 . If air enters the piston-cylinder interface during the return stroke, the bypass check valve 74 may open late or not at all and the volume of air pumped will be small. Bubble point is strongly affected by the size of the interface and by the hydrophilicity of the interior surfaces of the interface. Bubble point is increased by decreasing the clearance between the piston and the cylinder and by making the surface of the piston and cylinder more hydrophilic using coatings, or surface treatments, or simply by using materials which are intrinsically hydrophilic.
- Coating materials may be poly ethylene glycol (PEG), acrylic or other forms of hydrogels or any other hydrophilic coating.
- Solvent based coatings can be used to enter and fill fine cracks and crevices.
- Plasma treatments and abrasive treatments may be used to enhance the hydrophilic nature of surfaces.
- Materials such as titanium, sapphire and glass which are naturally hydrophilic are currently used, however aggressively hydrophilic coatings such as the hydrogels or PEG mentioned above could have a dramatic effect would significantly improved the low pressure pumping capability of the pump.
- the pump 10 and other low power electromagnetic pump designs allow the main check valve 24 to be held closed at rest by a strong return spring.
- the force of the return spring 90 is immediately removed from the main check valve 24 and the check valve 24 is then held closed by the weak check valve spring 25 .
- the strong return spring 90 prevents leakage back through the pump 10 between pumping strokes and is essential if the pump 10 is to deliver accurate small fluid volumes.
- the weak spring 25 which tends to hold the check valve 24 closed during the pumping stroke but which allows the check valve 24 to open with a minimal pressure difference in the flow direction, is important to the efficient pumping of air.
- the simplified structure and method of assembly of the pump of this invention advantageously reduce cost of manufacture.
- the various characterizing features of the pump described hereinabove contribute to its enhanced energy and operational efficiency.
- the pump of this invention requires less than 50% of the energy per pulse required by pumps heretofore available. For example, it has been determined that the energy required by the pump described herein to pump a unit volume is 4 millijoules/microliter whereas the pump described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,733 requires energy of 11 millijoules/microliter to pump a unit volume.
- the pump of this invention has improved capability to continue operation with bubbles in the flow
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to the field of electromagnetic pumps, and further relates to the use of low power electromagnetic pumps for use in implantable medical device applications.
- Presently, small electromagnetic pumps are used for pumping liquids such as medicines, drugs, insulin, chemotherapy liquids, and other life critical drugs to a patient. These pumps are sometimes required to be quite small given the fact that they oftentimes will be implanted into the patient's body. If the pump is implanted, it is desirable that it have a low power requirement so that the battery which powers the electromagnetic pump has a long life.
- There exists a need for a low power electromagnetic pump to satisfy the various requirements. These requirements include a simpler construction to reduce costs, increased energy efficiency to increase the life of an implanted device, efficient operation of the pump at battery voltage, efficient operation at variable voltage as the battery is depleted, reduced MRI signature, and improved tolerance to bubbles in the flow. Also, the safety and accuracy of the pump should not be compromised.
- Other requirements are that the pump have a simplified structure and method of assembly while simultaneously having improved performance. More requirements are that the pump operate in a manner preventing damage to fragile drugs, such as insulin, and that moving parts of the pump be resistant to wear, thus prolonging the useful working life of the pump.
- It would therefore be desirable to provide a simpler electromagnetically operated pump that can be produced at reduced costs, which has increased energy efficiency to increase the life of an implanted device, which is safe, which operates efficiently at battery voltage, which operates efficiently at variable voltage as the battery is depleted, that has a reduced MRI signature, and that has improved capability to pump bubbles in the flow. It would also be desirable for the pump to be compatible with drugs, such as insulin, or other liquids to be pumped, and to have a relatively simple structure and method of assembly, along with improved performance. It would be desirable if the pump could operate in a manner that prevents damage to fragile drugs being pumped, such as insulin, while at the same time resists the detrimental effects of the drugs, insulin, or other fluids being pumped. It would also be desirable for the pump to have wear resistant moving parts.
- The low power electromagnetic pump operates at an extremely low power, and it may be used in implantable drug delivery systems, although the principles of this invention can be variously applied. For example, the low power electromagnetic pump may be employed in applications external to a patient's body.
- The present invention provides an electromagnetic pump comprising a housing having an interior fluid containing region including a fluid receiving chamber in fluid communication with an inlet tube, a fluid output chamber in fluid communication with an outlet tube, and a check valve operatively associated with the fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from the inlet tube toward the outlet tube and blocking fluid flow in a direction from the outlet tube to the inlet tube. An electromagnet is carried by the housing and located external to the fluid containing region, and a barrier of fluid impervious material isolates the electromagnet from the fluid chambers of the pump. An armature is positioned in the fluid containing region of the housing and comprises a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet, and the armature has a plunger portion extending from the pole portion. The armature is supported in the housing for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by the energized electromagnet to force fluid from the output chamber through the outlet tube, and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to the rest position when the electromagnet is de-energized.
- A retainer element can be joined to the armature, and a main spring can be captured between the retainer element and a retainer plate. The main spring is for providing a biasing force during the return stroke. Guiding of the armature as it reciprocates is provided by the cooperation between the plunger portion and the adjacent housing of the pump, which is formed as a surrounding wall or cylinder in the pump housing.
- The pump can be used for delivering an infusion medium to a patient. The pump also has an interior fluid containing region, and the inlet and outlet tubes are in fluid communication with that region. The electromagnet is located external to that fluid containing region of the housing, and is separated from the fluid containing region of the housing by a barrier. There is a gap in the fluid containing region of the housing between the pole portion and the electromagnet. The pole portion is located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet, which results in movement of the armature to force fluid out of said region through said outlet.
- The electromagnet can comprise a case and a core or coil spindle positioned inside the case. The case and core comprise a magnetic material. The case has a thickness, a length, and a diameter, and the core has a diameter and a length. The case surrounds the coil and core, the case being spaced from the coil so as to be in insulated relation to the coil for example by encapsulant material such as potting compound or epoxy. The ratio of the case diameter to the core diameter is in a range from about 2.5 to about 7, and the ratio of the case length to the case diameter is in a range from about 1.3 to about 2.3. Also, the case diameter can be less than about 0.28 inches so that the pump can be installed in an implantable drug delivery system.
- The housing has a pump chamber which has a volume defined by a region within the housing surface bounded by the check valve, an axial end face of the plunger portion, and a bypass check valve. Also, a ratio of the volume of the pump chamber to a stroke volume is less than about 0.9 so as to enable the pump to move a liquid containing gas bubbles having a volume up to about 300 microliters against a pressure increase of at least five pounds per square inch.
- The delivered stroke volume of the pump is between about 0.1 microliters to about 0.35 microliters. Also, the voltage supplied to the coil to energize the electromagnet ranges between about 1.5 volts to about 6.0 volts. In one of the preferred embodiments, the voltage supplied to the coil is terminated at time intervals ranging between about 1 millisecond to about 6 milliseconds. This time range can longer or shorter in other embodiments.
- At the outset, it noted that like reference numbers are intended to identify the same structure, portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the figures.
-
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the pump at rest with gap exaggerated. -
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the pump showing one stage of the forward stroke. -
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the pump showing a more forwardly stroke thanFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the pump showing the return stroke. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic of the circuitry of the electromagnetic pump. -
FIG. 7 is a graph further illustrating operation of the electromagnetic pump. -
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view further illustrating the main check valve of the electromagnetic pump. - The present invention is for a low power electromagnetic pump of the type shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,227,818 to Falk et al. for a Low Power Electromagnetic Pump issued May 8, 2001; and 6,264,439 to Falk et al. for a Low Power Electromagnetic Pump issued Jul. 24, 2001, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
-
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of thepump 10. Thepump 10 comprises a body orhousing 32 which may be embodied to have a cylindrical shape. Thehousing 32 is generally hollow and has anfluid receiving chamber 15 at itsinlet 19 that is in fluid communication with aninlet tube 14. Thehousing 32 also has afluid output chamber 17 at itsoutlet 21 that is in fluid communication with anoutlet tube 20, and the fluid receiving andoutput chambers check valve 24 positioned in thepump 10. Thecheck valve 24 is operatively associated with the fluid containing region ofpump 10 for allowing fluid flow in a direction from theinlet tube 14 throughoutlet tube 20, and blocking fluid flow in a direction from theoutlet tube 20 through theinlet tube 14. - In the fluid circuit in which the
pump 10 is employed, fluid (for example insulin, drugs, medications, chemotherapy drugs, and life critical drugs) enters theinlet tube 14, is moved through thepump 10, and exits thepump 10 through theoutlet tube 20.FIG. 1 shows thepump 10 at rest, and the pumping cycle will be described in greater detail presently. - The
inlet tube 14 receives incoming drugs, medicines, insulin, and other fluids to be moved by thepump 10. Thepump 10 contains anarmature 45 having aplunger portion 49. Theinlet tube 14 is in fluid communication with and leads to apump chamber 122 defined in thehousing 32, that is the volume bounded by theinlet check valve 24, abypass check valve 74, and an axial end face 53 of theplunger portion 49. Anarmature shaft chamber 124 is defined in thehousing 32, and it is sized to accommodate thepump armature 45 therein. Thearmature shaft chamber 124 leads to and is in fluid communication with a mainspring retainer chamber 126 having a diameter greater than the diameter of thearmature shaft chamber 124. The mainspring retainer chamber 126 is in fluid flow communication with and leads to apole button chamber 128 having a diameter greater than the diameter the mainspring retainer chamber 126. Thepole button chamber 128 is in fluid flow communication with and leads to aflow passage 130, which is in fluid communication with thefluid output chamber 17. Thus, anarmature chamber 132 can be viewed as a combination of thearmature shaft chamber 124, the mainspring retainer chamber 126, and thepole button chamber 128. Thearmature chamber 132 is sized such that thepump armature 45 can be positioned therein. - The
housing 32 further defines, between thearmature shaft chamber 124 andpole button chamber 128, afluid bypass chamber 136. A passage ororifice 44 defined in thehousing 32 leads from thearmature shaft chamber 124 to aplug chamber 134. Theorifice 44 provides for fluid communication between thearmature shaft chamber 124 and theplug chamber 134. Theorifice 44 may be of relatively small diameter made by drilling and the like. Theplug chamber 134 leads to and is in fluid flow communication withbypass chamber 136. Thebypass chamber 136 is in fluid flow communication with thepole button chamber 128. These chambers thus provide for a bypass path or passage in thepump 10 - The
seat ferrule 56 shown inFIG. 1 is mounted to thehousing 32 and joins to theinlet tube 14. It is noted that upstream of theseat ferrule 56 there is a reservoir of fluid to be pumped (not shown in the figures). - The
pump armature 45 is located in the fluid containing region defined in thehousing 32. The armature comprises apole portion 48 located for magnetic attraction by theelectromagnet 100. Theplunger portion 49 is joined to and extends from thepole portion 48. Thearmature pole portion 48 is located for movement within thepole button chamber 128 as shown inFIG. 1 . Thearmature 45 is movably supported inhousing 32 for movement from a rest position through a forward pumping stroke when attracted by theelectromagnet 100 to force fluid out throughoutlet 21, and for movement in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to the rest position. InFIG. 1 ,armature 45 is shown at rest. -
Armature pole portion 48, which occupies a major portion of thepole button chamber 128 in which it is positioned, is in the general form of a disc. It has a lateral dimension as viewed inFIG. 1 which is several times greater than the longitudinal dimension thereof.Pole portion 48 comprises a solid, monolithic body of magnetic material having a firstaxial end face 50 that faces toward barrier orplate 51 and a second, oppositeaxial end face 52 that faces towardinlet tube 14. Thus, the first and second axial end faces 50, 52, respectively, of thepole portion 48 are disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel ofarmature 45, as shown. - In a preferred embodiment, the
pole portion 48 comprises a magnetic material, such as a heat treated chrome-molybdenum-iron alloy. Examples include 29-4 and 29-4C chrome-molybdenum iron alloy. These alloys have high corrosion resistance, and have adequate magnetic characteristics for use in thepump 10 when heat treated. The alloy is heat treated to provide it with a BH characteristic that yields the requisite level of magnetic flux density and a relatively low level of coercive force, wherein B is the flux density and H is the magnetic field. BH characteristics are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the alloy is sufficiently resistant to corrosive effects of insulin stabilized for use in implantable drug delivery systems and does not harm the insulin or other drug to be used in the system. - Thus, the
armature pole portion 48 terminates at thefirst end face 50 and serves as a pole face that faces theelectromagnet 100. The armature end face 50 together withelectromagnet 100 define the magnetic circuit gap which is closed during the forward stroke of thearmature 45. Thefirst end face 50 is of a relatively large cross-sectional area as compared to the cross sectional area of thearmature plunger portion 49. - The
plunger portion 49 of thearmature 45 is movably positioned within the interior region ofhousing portion 32 and extends axially fromarmature pole portion 48 in a direction toward theinlet tube 14.Plunger portion 49 is substantially cylindrical in shape having an outer diameter slightly less than the diameter of the interior passage in thehousing 32 to allow reciprocal movement ofplunger 49 withinhousing portion 32 during the forward and return strokes ofarmature 45. Theplunger portion 49 terminates in anaxial end face 53 that faces in a direction toward thetube 14. - The
armature pole portion 48 andplunger portion 49 are joined together in the following manner.Plunger portion 49 has an enlarged, generallycylindrical formation 54 on the endadjacent pole portion 48 and whichformation 54 has a diameter slightly greater than that ofplunger portion 49. At the end offormation 54adjacent pole portion 48 there is provided an annular head orenlargement 55. The second axial end face 52 ofpole portion 48 is provided with arecess 57 bordered by an annularperipheral flange 58. Therecess 57 is of a diameter sized to receive the outer end of the annular head orenlargement 55, and therecess 57 is surrounded by aflange 58. Theflange 58 is sized such that it can be crimped onto and over formation annular head orenlargement 55, as shown inFIG. 1 , thereby securely joining thearmature plunger portion 49 and thearmature pole portion 48. - The
main check valve 24 is shown inFIG. 1 , positioned at the end of thearmature shaft chamber 124. In a manner to be described presently, the main check valve means 24 allows fluid from an upstream location, for example a reservoir, to enter thepump 10 when it is activated (the forward stroke of the pump 10). Thecheck valve 24 comprises aretainer 29 joined to acheck valve element 27. A weakcheck valve spring 25, as compared to amain spring 90 to be described presently, biases against theretainer 29 and theferrule 56 to keep thecheck valve 24 closed, such that thecheck valve element 27 is biased into thevalve seat 30. During a forward pumping stroke, to be described presently, thecheck valve 24 opens allowing fluid from an upstream location, such as a reservoir, to enter thepump 10 through theinlet tube 14. Before theelectromagnet 100 is activated, thepump 10 is in the deactivated state, shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . When thepump 10 activates, thepump armature 45 is drawn to theelectromagnet 100 as will be described in connection withFIG. 2 (this shows the forward stroke of the pump 10). Theelectromagnet 100 is isolated from the fluid being pumped by the barrier orplate 51. Theplate 51 may be embodied as a thin plate-like diaphragm. Theplate 51 prevents fluids being pumped from contacting the parts and components of theelectromagnet 100, or in other words, provides a fluid seal between theelectromagnet 100 and the pump interior. Theelectromagnet 100 serves to cyclically generate an electromagnetic field and is used to pull thearmature 45 towards it when it is activated, which draws fluid into thepump 10. When theelectromagnet 100 is deactivated, thearmature 45 returns to its at rest state (FIG. 1 ). Thecheck valve 24 is closed shortly after thearmature 45contacts plate 51. Thus, thecheck valve 24 prevents backflow out of thepump 10. -
FIG. 1 also shows aretainer element 59. Theretainer element 59 comprises anannular body 60 having alip portion 61 that extends about its periphery. Theretainer element 59 also defines a central opening or bore (not shown) into which thecylindrical formation 54 of thearmature 45 is positioned. Theretainer element 59 is joined to thecylindrical formation 54 by welding, laser welding, friction fit, or combinations thereof. -
FIG. 1 also shows aretainer plate 80, which defines a bypass fluid chamber opening 82, anoutlet opening 84, and acentral opening 86. Thecentral opening 86 is sized receive a crimpedflange 58 that surrounds the annularenlarged head 55. Theretainer plate 80 also comprises an annularretainer plate flange 88 surrounding thecentral opening 86. There is provided amain spring 90. When the pump is assembled, as shown inFIG. 1 , afirst end 91 of themain spring 90 abuts thelip portion 61 of theretainer element 59, and thesecond end 92 of themain spring 90 abuts against theannular flange 88 of theretainer plate 80. - Also shown in
FIG. 1 , is theouter weld ring 94 of thepump 10. Theouter weld ring 94 comprises an annular support protrusion orlip 95. Thesupport protrusion 95 contacts a peripheral edge of theretainer plate 80. Theretainer plate 80 is thus positioned between thehousing 32 and thesupport protrusion 95, and becomes trapped therebetween upon welding or joining theouter weld ring 94 and thehousing 32. This prevents movement of theretainer plate 80 as thepump 10 cycles. Due to this configuration, theretainer plate 80 itself need not be welded. - The
electromagnet 100 comprises acase 101. Asecond weld ring 112 is provided on thecase 101 adjacent thepump housing 32. The outer diameter of thesecond weld ring 112 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of theouter weld ring 94, such that the respective outer surfaces are substantially flush. Thepump housing 32 and electromagnet case are placed in abutting relation on opposite sides of thebarrier 51. The assembly is secured together by a weld joining the respective outer surfaces of the outer weld rings 94 andsecond weld ring 112. - As further shown in
FIG. 1 , theelectromagnet case 101 houses a coil spindle orcore 102. Thecase 101 andcore 102 are made from a magnetic material. The case has afirst case end 106 and asecond case end 108. Thefirst case end 106 is joined to thepump housing 32 as described above, such that thecore 102 is separated from the fluid containing region of thepump housing 32 by thebarrier 51. - A
coil 104 comprising a wire or conductor is wound around the coil spindle orcore 102. Alocator 105 is provided and it is joined to thecore 102 adjacent thefirst case end 106. Awasher 107, also of magnetic material, is provided and it is joined to the other end of thecore 102 adjacent thesecond case end 108. Alocator 105 is provided, and one of the purposes of thelocator 105 andwasher 107 is to center thecore 102 within thecase 101 during the potting process that is used to form theelectromagnet 100. - During this potting process potting compound, encapsulant material, or
epoxy 109 is introduced into thecase 101. The potting compound flows between thecase 101 andcoil 104, between the core 102 andcoil 104, and between the conductors that make up thecoil 104. Pottingcompound 109 is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. After curing, the potting compound joins thecoil 104 to thecase 101, thecoil 104 to thecore 102, and the conductors of thecoil 104 to one another. The curedpotting compound 109 thus insulates and stabilizes the internal components of theelectromagnet 100. In particular, pottingcompound 109 located betweencoil 104 andcase 101 serves tospace coil 104 fromcase 101 in an insulated manner. Such insulated spacing ofcase 101 fromcoil 104 can be accomplished by other means such as insulated spacer components positioned betweencoil 104 andcase 101 or by having washers likewasher 107 at each end of the assembly and provided with inwardly extending annular flanges positioned to space andsupport coil 104 andcase 101 relative to each other. - In addition, a body of potting compound or a
potting cap 110 can be joined to asecond end 108 of theelectromagnet 100. A pair ofterminals 111 extends from thesecond end 108 of theelectromagnet 100, and each of the terminals is surrounded by and insulated by thepotting cap 110. As shown, aconductor 114 is joined to each of the pair ofterminals 111. Theconductors 114 lead to a battery powered chargingcircuit 115 which is depicted inFIG. 1 as a box, and is shown in greater detail inFIG. 6 . The battery poweredcircuit 115 delivers pulses of energy to the pump in a manner to be described presently - The pulses of energy energize the
electromagnet pump 100, and this causes thepole portion 48 of thearmature 45 to be drawn toward theelectromagnet 100, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . When thepole portion 48 is so attracted, thearmature 45 compresses themain spring 90 as it moves towards theelectromagnet 100. At substantially the same time fluid is drawn into thepump 10. When theelectromagnet 100 is de-energized, themain spring 90 expands, as shown inFIG. 5 , and applies force on theretainer element 59, which moves thearmature 45 back to its at rest position in thepump 10 shown inFIG. 1 . - Also, the efficiency of the
pump 10 is increased by theelectromagnet 100 and the magnetic components that make up the magnetic circuit, reducing the degree of saturation of the magnetic circuit at peak coil current. This is done by reducing the diameter, designated S inFIG. 1 , of thecore 102, to thus reduce the resistance of each coil turn, by increasing the clearance or distance, designated E inFIG. 1 , between thecoil case 101 and thecore 102, to reduce the leakage of flux, and by shortening the length, designated C inFIG. 1 , of thecoil 104 which further reduces flux leakage. In addition to improving the efficiency of thecoil 104 at constant current, these above-described features also reduce the inductance of thecoil 104, which reduces the current rise time and the energy consumed by thecoil 104 during the period when the magnetic force is too low to move theplunger portion 49. - Calculations have shown that for one of the preferred embodiments of the
pump 10 configuration, thecoil 104 length, designated C inFIG. 1 , is about 0.35 inches, the coil spindle orcore 102 diameter designated S is about 0.08 inches, and thecoil case 104 thickness designated T is about 0.013 inches. - In another preferred embodiment, the case diameter CD is less than about 0.28 inches so that the pump can be installed in, for example, an implantable drug delivery system.
- In all embodiments, the ratio of the case diameter, designated CD in
FIG. 1 , to the core diameter S is in a range from about 2.5 to about 7.0, and the ratio of the case length, designated CL inFIG. 1 , to the case diameter CD is in a range from about 1.3 to about 2.3. - Additionally, a
plug 42 is mounted to thehousing 32 in aplug chamber 134. Abypass check valve 74 is positioned internal to thehousing 32, between theorifice 44 and thebypass chamber 136.Spring 76 is located betweencheck valve element 78 and the end 43 of theplug 42. Thebypass check valve 74 controls fluid communication between theorifice 44 and bypassfluid chamber 136. That is, during the return stroke after theelectromagnet 100 has been deactivated and thearmature 45 begins to return to its starting position (rest position) shown inFIG. 1 , thebypass check valve 74 opens. Fluid from thearmature shaft chamber 124 moves through theorifice 44, forces onelement 78 and opens thebypass check valve 74. The fluid then moves into thebypass chamber 136. - The pumping cycle of the
pump 10 is diagrammatically shown inFIGS. 2-5 . Since the internal volume of thepump 10 does not change either during the pumping stroke or the return stroke in the absence of air within thepump 10, the volume of an incompressible fluid leaving thepump 10 is always equal to the volume of fluid entering the pump. As shown, when thearmature 45 is in its rest position, no fluid flow passes through theinlet tube 14, becausecheck valve 24 blocks fluid flow through thepump 10. - Next, the
electromagnet 100 is energized which creates a magnetic field in the vicinity of the plate barrier 51 (FIG. 3 ). Thearmature pole portion 48 is drawn towards thebarrier 51. As this happens, movement of thearmature 45 is to the left, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . That is, thearmature 45 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow designated 140 in those drawings. This is generally called the forward pumping stroke. Themain spring 90 is compressed between thelip 61 of theretainer element 59 and theretainer plate 80 during the forward pumping stroke. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , during the forward pumping stroke, fluid to be pumped enters thepump 10 at theinlet tube 14, as shown by the fluid inflow arrow designated 138 inFIGS. 3 and 4 . This happens because as thearmature 45 moves towards theelectromagnet 100, thecheck valve 24 opens and the fluid to be pumped entersarmature shaft chamber 124. Fluid begins to move through the fluid circuit. Also during the forward pumping stroke, fluid exits thepump 10 through thepassage 130 and out theoutlet tube 20, which is indicated byoutflow arrow 142 inFIGS. 3 and 4 . During the forward pumping stroke, fluid does not pass through thebypass check valve 74, because thebypass check valve 74 remains closed. - The
armature 45 moves the distance of its stroke determined by the time when theelectromagnet 100 deactivates (it de-energizes) and the return stroke, shown inFIG. 5 , follows. Thearmature 45 moves in the direction of the arrow designated 144 to its rest position as shown diagrammatically inFIG. 5 . This movement is accomplished whenmain spring 90 releases its stored energy, which movesarmature 45 towardcheck valve 24. Thecheck valve 24 closes prior to the return stroke, thus preventing any backflow of fluid out of thepump 10. - As this occurs, fluid between the
check valve 24 and the axial end face 53 of thearmature 45 becomes pressurized. This fluid makes its way through theorifice 44 and forces oncheck valve element 78 of thebypass check valve 74. Thebypass check valve 74 opens, and fluid moves through theorifice 44, past thebypass check valve 74, and intobypass chamber 136. Thearrow 146 designates the return fluid flow as shown diagrammatically inFIG. 5 . Sincecheck valve 24 is closed during the return stoke, no fluid exits thepump 10 through theinlet tube 14 during the return stroke. - The above-described cycle typically is repeated at predetermined intervals in order to deliver the prescribed amount of drugs, medicine, insulin, chemotherapy, pain management drugs, and chemicals to the patient. Also, because the
pump 10 can comprise titanium, titanium alloys, and other non-corrosive materials, it is well suited for these applications. - The
pump 10 can be used in combination with other implantable medical devices, and in combination with primary cell batteries, for example lithium batteries. It can also be used in combination with rechargeable power sources, for example rechargeable lithium batteries. It also can be used with capacitors rechargeable by radio frequency energy or other means. Another use for thepresent pump 10 is in life critical situations as a means to deliver drugs, medicines, pain killers, wherein thepump 10 is located external to the patient. - It is noted that the portion of the
housing 32 that accommodates theplunger portion 49 is formed as a surrounding wall orcylinder 35 as shown inFIG. 4 . Theplunger portion 49 is adjacent thecylinder 35 and is guided by thecylinder 35, so that no parts have to be aligned during assembly of theplunger portion 49 andhousing 32. To allow for this, theplunger portion 49 has a greater length as compared with pistons/plungers used in other low power electromagnetic pumps. This increasedplunger portion 49 length tends to reduce leakage between thecylinder wall 35 of thehousing 32 and theplunger portion 49. Clearance between thecylinder 35 and thepiston portion 49 can therefore be increased for ease of manufacture, while retaining the accuracy of the volume delivered by thepump 10. - Further simplification of the
pump 10 is achieved by incorporating asolid pole portion 50 of non-corrosive magnetic material rather than a pole button or portion in which the magnetic material is encapsulated in titanium or other material. Additional simplification of the assembly process may be achieved by the improved method used to pot and face the coil as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,439 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,485. - The simplified assembly process, the increased
plunger portion 49 length, and the better control of theplunger portion 49 andcylinder 35 diameters have made it possible to predict more accurately the structural requirements for obtaining the desired stroke volume. Stroke volume is defined as the cross sectional area ofplunger 49 times the total displacement ofplunger 49 during the forward armature stroke. It is desired that the stroke volume be less than about 0.4 microliters. Obtaining a desired stroke volume, in turn, advantageously allows reduction of the amount of magnetic material in the pump, reduction in the degree of saturation in the pump magnetic circuit and increase in the stroke frequency associated with a fixed fluid delivery rate. Thearmature pole portion 48 andplunger portion 49 are of fixed length, and the structural relationship thereof tohousing 32 and/or components of the pump in the housing provides a selected stroke volume. One way of accomplishing this is by precisely machiningarmature plunger 49 to the exact length for a desired stroke volume. - Another way is to provide one or more shims in
housing 32. This affects the structural relationship betweenhousing 32 andarmature 49 thereby affecting the stroke volume. One such shim is designated 64 and is installed between the plunger portionaxial end face 53 and themain check valve 24. This reduces the manufacturing time required to arrive at the desired stroke volume, and as a result, the cost of thepump 10 is reduced. Still another way is by means ofcheck valve 24, i.e. by way of a pump component inhousing 32. The check valve assembly can be adjusted to change the axial location of the end face ofcheck valve element 27 which contacts the plungeraxial end face 53 when the armature is in the rest position. This, in turn, adjusts the extent of axial movement ofplunger 49 thereby adjusting the stroke volume. - The attachment of the
pole portion 48 to theplunger portion 49 has also been improved and simplified, in that the number of crimps in theflange 58 has been decreased from eight to six in one of the preferred embodiments. - The
electromagnetic pump 10 also has simplified circuitry as shown inFIG. 6 , which is a schematic of the circuitry 119. There is acircuit 115 that is capable of charging acapacitor 117 to the battery voltage. Thecapacitor 117 can then be fully or partially discharged through thecoil 104 to create a magnetic field so that pulses of energy can be delivered to theelectromagnet 100 at timed intervals. Thecircuit 115 includes abattery 116, acapacitor 117, adiode 118 in parallel with apump coil 104, and first and second timer controlledswitches battery 116 is a lithium battery. When thefirst switch 120 is closed andsecond switch 121 is: open, thecapacitor 117 charges and stores energy in an electric field. Then thefirst switch 120 is opened and thesecond switch 121 is closed such that the charge from thecapacitor 117 is rapidly delivered to thecoil 104. This results in current flow through thecoil 104, causing a magnetic field to be created, and the magnetic field draws thearmature pole portion 48 toward it which causes fluid to be moved out of thepump 10. When thesecond switch 121 is opened thediode 118 provides a current path for the coil current to flow through, and this allows the stored energy of thecoil 104 to be slowly dissipated. This decreases the likelihood of a voltage spike when thesecond switch 121 opens which protects the components of the circuit components described above. - Energy can be saved if it is possible to recharge the
capacitor 117 directly from thebattery 116 without a circuit to increase the voltage. However, if this is done by simply connecting thebattery 116 to an initially fully discharged capacitor, the efficiency of this process can be no greater than 50%. A large increase in the efficiency of the recharge can be achieved if the capacitor voltage at the start of the recharge is not much below the battery voltage. - If it is assumed that the capacitor voltage at the end of the pulse delivered to the solenoid is Vf, and if the capacitor is to be recharged to the battery voltage, Vb, then the energy lost by the battery during the recharge is Vb×Q where Q is the charge delivered to the capacitor. Q is equal to C×(Vb−Vf) where C is the capacitance of the capacitor. The energy gained by the capacitor during recharge is equal to ½×C(Vb2−Vf2). The efficiency of recharging the capacitor from a constant voltage source is as follows:
-
recharge efficiency=½×(1+Vf/Vb). - If the capacitor voltage at the end of the discharge is to be close to the battery voltage it is necessary that the capacitance be larger than the minimum value required to drive the pump. The minimum capacitance required to drive the pump, Cmin, can be expressed as
-
Cmin=2×Ep/Vb 2 - wherein Ep is the energy required to drive the pump and Vb is the battery voltage. The energy which must be supplied by the battery to recharge the capacitor, Erecharge, can be shown to be
-
Erecharge/Ep=2C/Cmin(1−(1−Cmin/C)1/2 - In order to take advantage of this relationship, it is necessary that the capacitor energy retained at the end of the pulse driving the solenoid is not lost between pulses. The capacitor must therefore have low leakage. It also must have capacitance significantly higher than the minimum required to drive the solenoid and, therefore, should have high energy density to avoid occupying excessive space on the circuit board. This requires a capacitor with relatively high capacitance, which must have low leakage so that the charge is not lost between pulses. A solid tantalum capacitor is suitable for this purpose.
- In order to minimize the energy lost by leakage from the capacitor between pulses it is desirable for the interval between pulses be short and that the capacitor be small. In a preferred embodiment, the
pump 10 is designed to deliver 0.25 microliters per pulse rather than the 0.5 microliters per pulse delivered by other low power electromagnetic pumps. For a given rate of drug delivery, thepump 10 operates at twice the pulse frequency of the other pumps and requires less than 50% of the energy per pulse. The small pulse volume both shortens the time interval between pulses and requires less energy to be delivered by the capacitor. - The
pump 10 can be operated efficiently at least over the range of voltages from about 1.5 volts to about 6.0 volts by terminating the external voltage to thecoil 104 at suitable time intervals. In one of the preferred embodiments the time ranges between about 1 millisecond to about 6 milliseconds. The time range can be longer or shorter in other embodiments. By winding thecoil 104 with wire of different diameter, this voltage range could be shifted to higher or lower values as required. - The
pump 10 is able to deliver accurate pulse volumes when operated with a wide range of catheter designs. This has been accomplished by specifying a soft accumulator to ensure that the catheter-accumulator combination does not generate a negative pressure pulse strong enough to draw additional fluid volume through thepump 10. - Several of the above-listed objectives are achieved because the stroke volume delivered by the
pump 10 is reduced from the 0.5 microliters delivered by the other pumps to about 0.25 microliters. For example, with reduced stroke volume it is possible to reduce the volume of magnetic material used in the pump by approximately 50%. This reduces the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signature of thepump 10. Additionally, with reduced stroke volume, thecoil 104 delivers fewer ampere-turns to the magnetic circuit. This makes it possible to both reduce thecoil 104 volume and to reduce the degree of saturation of the magnetic circuit, thus improving the efficiency of thepump 10. - With reduced stroke volume, the size of the capacitors necessary to achieve efficient recharge of the capacitor from a constant voltage source is reduced, thus saving space on the circuit board and reducing the leakage current from the capacitor between strokes. Also, with reduced stroke volume, the stroke frequency associated with a fixed drug delivery rate is increased, further reducing the loss of capacitor energy between strokes.
- The smaller stroke volume of the
pump 10 compared with the earlier low power electromagnetic pumps could have been obtained by shortening the stroke length, by reducing the piston diameter, or by a combination of both. Shortening the stroke length would have increased the energy efficiency. This would, however, also have increased the difficulty of setting the stroke volume precisely, increased the effect of seat wear on the stroke volume, and increased the pump chamber dead volume, which would have consequently increased the difficulty associated with pumping bubbles. The nominal stroke length of thepump 10 can be selected to be the same as prior pumps, in which case the reduction in stroke volume is obtained almost entirely by decreasing the diameter of theplunger portion 49. In other embodiments, it may be feasible to reduce the stroke length by about 50%, thus reducing the stroke volume to about 0.1 microliters. - Also, the
inlet check valve 24 design is improved over past check valves. In earlier low power electromagnetic pumps, the initial motion of the plunger is inhibited by the fact that the opening of thecheck valve 24 is limited by the motion of the piston. This effect is reduced in thepump 10 because the diameter of thecheck valve 24 is increased relative to diameter of theplunger portion 49. In particular, as shown inFIG. 8 , the ratio of the sealing diameter ofcomponent 64 ofcheck valve 24 to the diameter of end face 53 of the armature plunger is greater than about 0.6 to reduce inhibiting the initial motion ofarmature plunger 49. - The
pump 10 can pump against a normal 6 (six) pounds per square inch (hereinafter p.s.i.) pressure head. This is higher than the 4 p.s.i. considered normal for other low power electromagnetic pumps. Operation against the higher pressure head increases the safety margin should a patient travel to a high altitude and the pump develop a leak. So long as the pressure of the reservoir that supplies thepump 10 is less than the ambient pressure, a leak across the pump may disable thepump 10 but it will not cause life-threatening overdelivery of drug. - In one of the preferred embodiments the
pump 10 is used in a drug delivery application in which it is implanted in a human body, and thepump 10 is used for the delivery of liquid. This assists in ensuring that under normal conditions no air will enter thepump 10. However, if some air should enter into the pump it is desirable that thepump 10 continue to operate so that it passes any air bubble and resumes delivery of the drug. Failure to do so might require that thepump 10 be explanted from the patient or some other intervention to resolve bubble problems. The ability of thepump 10 to continue to operate when air is present within the pump depends upon several factors. For one, the volume of air retained within thepump chamber 122 at rest must be small enough compared with the stroke volume so that the pressure decrease within the pump chamber during the pumping stroke is sufficient to open the inlet check valve and draw flow into thepump chamber 122. The required pressure decrease is the pressure increase against which thepump 10 is operating combined with the pressure differences required to open the two check valves. It is noted that if thepump 10 failed to meet this criterion, then even a very small bubble (comparable in volume to thepump 10 displacement) entering thepump 10 would be sufficient to cause the pump to cease operation. In addition, if thepump 10 is to operate while pumping bubbles which are much larger than the pump displacement, e.g. 50 microliters, then it is important that the liquid seal between theplunger portion 49 and cylindrical shaped surroundingwall 35 not break down during the course of passing the large bubble, or that theplunger portion 49 andcylinder 35 clearance be small enough to prevent significant air leakage through this clearance during the pumping stroke. - The ability of the
pump 10 to move air has been increased beyond that of the other pumps by reducing the volume of thepump chamber 122, i.e., the volume bounded by the inlet check valve 24 (end face 64 of the check valve element), the bypass check valve 74 (orifice 44 and the included portion of the valve element end face) and the axial end face 53 of theplunger portion 49. The pump can pump continuously while passing bubble volumes up to about 300 microliters. In particular, a ratio of the volume of the pump chamber to the stroke volume is less than about 0.9 so as to enable the pump to move liquid containing gas bubbles having a volume up to about 300 microliters against a pressure increase of at least five pounds per square inch. Pumping did not fail after passage of this volume of air and it is probable that thepump 10 is capable of pumping still larger bubbles. - In estimating the capability of the
pump 10 to continue operation with bubbles in the flow, two extreme situations are possible. In the first it is assumed that only liquid enters thepump 10 and only liquid leaves, but a bubble of volume Vbub remains continuously in thepump chamber 122. This situation can only exist if the volume of the bubble is smaller than the volume of thepump chamber 122. If the bubble is much larger than the volume of thepump chamber 122, which would be the case if a 50 microliter bubble is passing through the pump, then only air enters thepump 10 and only air leaves thepump chamber 122. However, some liquid remains continuously in thepump chamber 122. Thus, the bubble volume Vbub is taken to be the volume of thepump chamber 122 minus the volume of liquid remaining in thepump chamber 122. There may occur some intermediate situation in which some liquid and some air continue to pass through thepump 10, but that is not specifically considered. - At the beginning of the pump cycle with the
plunger portion 49 in its rest position, the pressure in thepump chamber 122 may be equal to the outlet pressure of thepump 10 or it may be equal to the sum of the outlet pressure and the pressure required to hold the bypass check valve open. This depends upon how quickly and completely the bypass check valve seals at the end of the return stroke and whether there is a significant leak between theplunger portion 49 andcylinder 35 between pump pulses. The calculation proceeds by determining first how far theplunger portion 49 must travel before the pressure in thepump chamber 122 decreases to a low enough value to open themain check valve 24. This depends in part on the specific heat ratio, γ, of the gas. However, if there is significant heat transfer between the liquid and the gas, it is probably valid to assume that the gas expands isothermally (γ=1) rather than adiabatically. During the remainder of the pumping stroke gas or liquid is drawn into thepump chamber 122 and this amount of gas or liquid represents the amount of gas or liquid delivered during a pump cycle. - For a relatively small bubble retained in the pump chamber when the pump is delivering liquid, the resulting delivered pulse volume is:
-
- Where Vs is the stroke volume, Vbub is the volume of the bubble, ΔPbcv is the pressure drop across the
bypass check valve 74, ΔPmcv is the pressure drop across themain check valve 24, Poutlet is the delivery pressure, and Pinlet is the inlet pressure. - For a large bubble, when the pump is ingesting and delivering air, the volume delivered becomes:
-
- One of the major differences between these two situations results from the fact that when the outlet pressure is greater than the inlet pressure, the gas is compressed by the pump so that the volume delivered is smaller than the volume ingested by the
pump 10. Note that if the bubble volume is zero, thepump 10 delivers a volume of liquid equal to the stroke volume. If thepump 10 is delivering gas, then the delivery volume is reduced by the pressure rise across the pump even with no bubble resident in thepump chamber 124. - The accuracy of other low power electromagnetic pumps depends, in part, on the presence of an orifice in the outlet tube that limits the speed at which the plunger may pull an accumulator of relatively low compliance located at the end of the outlet tube. In that case, the pressure drop across the orifice and the back pressure which develops in the accumulator during the stroke combine to reduce the inertial overdelivery of fluid when the pressure increase across the pump is small or negative. When a bubble passes through one of these other pumps, it first reduces the fluid delivery per stroke while the bubble is located within the pump chamber. Relatively quickly the bubble passes from the pump chamber into the pump body, where it is usually trapped until it redissolves in the passing flow. However, while the bubble is located in the pump body the pump may tend to overdeliver fluid because the bubble in the pump body provides compliance upstream of the orifice negating the effect of the orifice in limiting the piston speed and the flow rate.
- The
pump 10 is designed to have relatively short inlet and outlet tubes, 14, 20, respectively, as compared to those of other low power electromagnetic pumps, and these result in reduced inertial flow. Also, thepump 10 can include an accumulator designed to have relatively large compliance so that the difference between the pulse volume delivered by thepump 10 with a bubble in thepump body 32 and with only fluid in thepump body 32 is relatively small. - In another embodiment, the
pump 10 may be provided with a compliant element within thepump body 32 to further reduce the inaccuracy associated with inertial flow. - The
pump 10 incorporates abypass circuit 37 around theplunger portion 49. This serves several purposes. It allows passage of air through thepump 10 without breaking down the liquid seal, which inhibits leakage of air through theplunger portion 49 andcylinder 35. Efficient pumping of air by thepump 10 relies upon maintenance of this liquid seal. Another purpose of thebypass circuit 37 is to allow rapid return of thepiston portion 49 to its rest position after the pumping stroke. This is of importance primarily in applications of thepump 10, which require rapid pumping rates. - From the foregoing it is clear that the performance of the pump mechanism is dependent on the piston-cylinder seal, i.e. the liquid seal between the outer surface of
armature plunger portion 49 and the inner surface ofcylinder 35. This seal may be comprised of if air enters the piston-cylinder interface, i.e. the space or clearance between the outer surface ofarmature plunger portion 49 and the inner surface ofcylinder 35. The mechanism depends on this seal in both the forward pumping stroke and the return stroke. - During the forward stroke, the piston-cylinder seal sustains suction in the
pump chamber 122 while at the same time resisting the pressure required to push fluid or air from theoutlet chamber 17 into theoutlet tube 20 which may be in fluid communication with an accumulator/catheter. Air retained in theoutlet chamber 17 is at a higher pressure than the negative pressure created in thepump chamber 122 and thus tends to enter the piston-cylinder interface from the outlet chamber side. It will enter the piston-cylinder interface if the pressure exceeds the bubble point of this space. If this happens the pump mechanism will not be able to sustain suction in thepump chamber 122 or push out fluid. The stoke volume will be significantly diminished or will go to zero at low reservoir pressures. - The ability of the mechanism to pump air through the maximum pressure difference depends on three parameters:
- 1. The pump chamber volume: stroke volume ratio;
- 2. The bubble point of the piston-cylinder interface;
- 3. The retained volume of fluid after each stroke.
- The dead space in the pump chamber volume and the retention of fluid in the dead spaces can be addressed using hydrophilic materials or coatings. Hydrophilic surfaces in small cracks can draw in water and will retain water tenaciously. Less viscous hydrophilic coating materials will actually fill in cracks and other small spaces and decrease the dead volume of the
pump chamber 122 thus increasing the pump chamber volume: stroke volume ratio. - The piston-cylinder interface bubble point must resist air entry from the
outlet chamber 17 during the forward stroke and must resist air entry from thepump chamber 122 during the return stroke. If the bubble point is too low during the forward stroke and air enters the piston-cylinder interface, the pump may not develop enough pressure to open themain check valve 24. If air enters the piston-cylinder interface during the return stroke, thebypass check valve 74 may open late or not at all and the volume of air pumped will be small. Bubble point is strongly affected by the size of the interface and by the hydrophilicity of the interior surfaces of the interface. Bubble point is increased by decreasing the clearance between the piston and the cylinder and by making the surface of the piston and cylinder more hydrophilic using coatings, or surface treatments, or simply by using materials which are intrinsically hydrophilic. - Coating materials may be poly ethylene glycol (PEG), acrylic or other forms of hydrogels or any other hydrophilic coating. Solvent based coatings can be used to enter and fill fine cracks and crevices. Plasma treatments and abrasive treatments may be used to enhance the hydrophilic nature of surfaces. Materials such as titanium, sapphire and glass which are naturally hydrophilic are currently used, however aggressively hydrophilic coatings such as the hydrogels or PEG mentioned above could have a dramatic effect would significantly improved the low pressure pumping capability of the pump.
- It is noted that the
pump 10 and other low power electromagnetic pump designs allow themain check valve 24 to be held closed at rest by a strong return spring. When the pumping stroke begins, however, the force of thereturn spring 90 is immediately removed from themain check valve 24 and thecheck valve 24 is then held closed by the weakcheck valve spring 25. Thestrong return spring 90 prevents leakage back through thepump 10 between pumping strokes and is essential if thepump 10 is to deliver accurate small fluid volumes. Theweak spring 25, which tends to hold thecheck valve 24 closed during the pumping stroke but which allows thecheck valve 24 to open with a minimal pressure difference in the flow direction, is important to the efficient pumping of air. - In conclusion, the simplified structure and method of assembly of the pump of this invention advantageously reduce cost of manufacture. The various characterizing features of the pump described hereinabove contribute to its enhanced energy and operational efficiency. As previously mentioned the pump of this invention requires less than 50% of the energy per pulse required by pumps heretofore available. For example, it has been determined that the energy required by the pump described herein to pump a unit volume is 4 millijoules/microliter whereas the pump described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,733 requires energy of 11 millijoules/microliter to pump a unit volume. In addition, the pump of this invention has improved capability to continue operation with bubbles in the flow
- While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (55)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/437,571 US20070269322A1 (en) | 2006-05-19 | 2006-05-19 | Low power electromagnetic pump |
PCT/US2007/069295 WO2007137194A2 (en) | 2006-05-19 | 2007-05-18 | Low power electromagnetic pump and implantable infusion device including the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/437,571 US20070269322A1 (en) | 2006-05-19 | 2006-05-19 | Low power electromagnetic pump |
Publications (1)
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US20070269322A1 true US20070269322A1 (en) | 2007-11-22 |
Family
ID=38704850
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/437,571 Abandoned US20070269322A1 (en) | 2006-05-19 | 2006-05-19 | Low power electromagnetic pump |
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US (1) | US20070269322A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007137194A2 (en) |
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US20080234638A1 (en) * | 2007-03-24 | 2008-09-25 | David Christopher Antonio | Valves, Valved Fluid Transfer Devices and Ambulatory Infusion Devices Including The Same |
WO2009158655A2 (en) | 2008-06-26 | 2009-12-30 | Calibra Medical, Inc. | Disposable infusion device with redundant valved safety |
US20100201183A1 (en) * | 2009-02-09 | 2010-08-12 | Andreas Gruendl | Brake unit of a slip-controlled motor vehicle brake system with a fluid supply device |
US20100217244A1 (en) * | 2009-02-21 | 2010-08-26 | Mann Alfred E | Fluid cartridges including a power source and partially implantable medical devices for use with same |
US20100217239A1 (en) * | 2009-02-21 | 2010-08-26 | Mann Alfred E | Partially implantable medical devices and methods |
US20100217243A1 (en) * | 2009-02-21 | 2010-08-26 | Mann Alfred E | Partially implantable medical devices and treatment methods associated with same |
US20100217242A1 (en) * | 2009-02-21 | 2010-08-26 | Mann Alfred E | Partially implantable medical devices and delivery/manifold tube for use with same |
WO2011084230A1 (en) * | 2010-01-08 | 2011-07-14 | Medtronic, Inc. | Air tolerant implantable piston pump |
US8740861B2 (en) | 2007-03-24 | 2014-06-03 | Medallion Therapeutics, Inc. | Valves, valved fluid transfer devices and ambulatory infusion devices including the same |
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WO2007137194A9 (en) | 2008-12-24 |
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