Abstract: A portable pump, useful for medical and non-medical uses, has two pouches (3, 4) in pressure transmitting relationship, the first (4) containing an infusate (5) and the second (3), a driving medium (2). The driving medium is pressurized in any of a variety of ways, including activation of osmotic pump, electrochemical reaction (19), release of pressurized fluid or gas (21, 23) or mechanical means (24). The rate of infusion is controlled by a rate controller (18). The infusate pouch is separately manufactured and can be stored apart of the rest of the system. Pulses of pumped fluid can also be delivered according to one aspect of the invention (18, 40).

Abstract: A pump assembly (20) employs electrochemistry to selectively control the delivery rate of a dispensing fluid (21) from a dispensing reservoir (24) by selectively controlling the flow rate of a driving fluid (19) from a driving reservoir (23) to a receiving reservoir (33). A partition (25), separating the driving reservoir from the receiving fluid reservoir, includes at least one aperture (28) which is opened or closed depending upon an electrical signal from a remote programming unit. Flow into the receiving reservoir deflects a barrier member to expel dispensing fluid from the dispensing reservoir. The dispensing fluid flow rate can be programmed to provide an appropriate steady or varying flow rate; user-initiated pulses of dispensing fluid can also be provided. A method of controlled infusion of an infusate employing electrochemistry is also provided.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the pH value of the aspirated gastric fluid of a patient includes a monitor, a sensor assembly engageable with the monitor, and a collecting reservoir engageable with the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a sensor which is moveable on a base member between a cleansing cavity, calibrating cavities, and a monitoring cavity. The monitor includes a suction generating member which is connectable with the patient, and a microprocessor which is connectable with the sensor of the sensor assembly. In the operation of the device, gastric contents from the patient are aspirated by the suction generating member into the monitoring cavity. There, the sensor generates a signal indicative of the pH value of the gastric contents which is transmitted to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An infusion pump assembly (20) is provided which employs electrochemistry to selectively control the delivery rate of a dispensing fluid (21) from a dispensing reservoir (24) by selectively controlling the flow rate of a driving fluid (19) from a driving reservoir (23) to a receiving reservoir (33). A partition (25), separating the driving reservoir from the receiving fluid reservoir, includes at least one aperture (28) which permits flow communication therebetween. As the receiving reservoir increases or expands in size due to receipt of the driving fluid, a barrier member (32) communicates with the dispensing reservoir to expel the dispensing fluid therefrom. The infusion pump assembly includes a disposable infusion pump unit (36) and a separate and remote programming unit (37) operably coupled to a plug member (30), blocking the aperture, for control of the driving fluid flowing through the aperture.