Patents by Inventor Alice Lai

Alice Lai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9849238
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made during a “priming” stage when liquid is pumped through the internal fluid path but does not exit the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLC
    Inventors: Po-Ying Li, Shengtao Li, Jonathan K. Lee, Patrick Ryan, Alice Lai, Sean Caffey, Mark S. Humayun
  • Patent number: 9333297
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made based on the flow “tail” that occurs in a piston- or plunger-type pump as relaxation of the plunger material continues to push fluid out of the drug reservoir; this residual flow eventually ceases after the plunger returns to its natural state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
    Inventors: Po-Ying Li, Shengtao Li, Jonathan K. Lee, Patrick Ryan, Alice Lai, Sean Caffey, Mark S. Humayun
  • Patent number: 8939930
    Abstract: The accuracy of drug delivery with drug pump devices may be improved by a combination of pump operation at high flow resistances and pump pressures, pressure-relief mechanisms, and sensor-based feedback for pump control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
    Inventors: Po-Ying Li, Jonathan Lee, Alice Lai, Yu-Chong Tai, Sean Caffey, Stuart Long
  • Publication number: 20140094770
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made during a “priming” stage when liquid is pumped through the internal fluid path but does not exit the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Po-Ying Li, Shengtao Li, Jonathan K. Lee, Patrick Ryan, Alice Lai, Sean Caffey, Mark S. Humayun
  • Publication number: 20140094771
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made based on the flow “tail” that occurs in a piston- or plunger-type pump as relaxation of the plunger material continues to push fluid out of the drug reservoir; this residual flow eventually ceases after the plunger returns to its natural state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Po-Ying Li, Shengtao Li, Jonathan K. Lee, Patrick Ryan, Alice Lai, Sean Caffey, Mark S. Humayun
  • Publication number: 20140088555
    Abstract: Drug-delivery devices may utilize electrolysis pumps to push a plunger so as to deliver drug from a reservoir. The volume and/or rate of drug delivery may be monitored based on pressure measurements in the pump chamber. Pressure signatures characteristic of end-of-dose and occlusion events may be used to detect when plunger movement stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Po-Ying Li, Patrick Ryan, Shengtao Li, Jonathan K. Lee, Alice Lai, Sean Caffey, Yu-Chong Tai
  • Publication number: 20140088554
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. Depending on the mode of operation, fluid may be dispensed continuously or in discrete pulses, and the manner of adjustment or calibration may be tailored to the operational mode in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Po-Ying Li, Shengtao Li, Jonathan K. Lee, Patrick Ryan, Alice Lai, Sean Caffey, Mark S. Humayun
  • Publication number: 20140074062
    Abstract: Drug pump devices with syringe or pen-injection configurations may utilize pre-filled drug vials or cartridges; the prefilled vials may be equipped with mechanisms for stirring their contents and/or changing a chemical environment therein to improve therapies. To facilitate combination therapies, multiple drug pump devices may be assembled into a larger system. Lancet insertion devices for use in conjunction with the drug pump devices may feature improved safety characteristics and/or mechanisms for minimizing pain and discomfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Sean Caffey, Alice Lai, Po-Ying Li
  • Publication number: 20120041427
    Abstract: Electrolytically driven drug pump devices may be configured so as to ensure sustained contact of the electrolysis electrodes with the electrolyte, thereby improving the reliability and/or pump capacity of the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: MiniPumps, LLC
    Inventors: SEAN CAFFEY, Po-Ying Li, Yu-Chong Tai, Mark Humayun, Alice Lai, Jason Shih, Michelle Journey
  • Publication number: 20110275987
    Abstract: In piston-pump drug-delivery devices, changes in friction between the piston and vial in which it moves may be reduced and/or compensated for by suitable surface coatings and/or feedback control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: MiniPumps, LLC
    Inventors: SEAN CAFFEY, Po-Ying Li, Yu-Chong Tai, Mark Humayun, Jason Shih, Alice Lai