Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting occlusions and fluid-loss conditions (e.g., disconnects and/or leakages) in an infusion pump are discussed. For example, electrokinetic infusion pumps may develop an occlusion in the fluid flow path, which can disrupt control of fluid dispersed from the pump. As well, an infusion set disconnect can also result in a fluid-loss that can be disruptive. Such disruptions can be troublesome to systems that control the infusion pump, such as closed loop controllers. Accordingly, systems and methods described herein can be used to detect such occlusions and fluid-loss conditions during infusion pump operation. For example, a position sensor can be used to monitor fluid flow from the infusion pump, with the measurement being compared with an expected value to detect an occlusion or fluid-loss condition. Other algorithms for utilizing the position sensor are also described.

Abstract: The present application is directed to systems and methods associated with infusion pumps, which can optionally utilize an electrokinetic driving mechanism. Infusion pumps, including electrokinetically-driven pumps, are discussed, along with schemes for controlling their operation. As well, systems and methods of detecting malfunctions in infusion pumps are discussed. Any number of malfunctions can be detected including the presence of occlusions and/or leaks. In some instances, a measurement associated with some aspect of electrokinetic phenomena (e.g., an electrode measurement such as voltage or current) is compared with one or more sample values, the comparison allowing an indication of pump malfunction to be determined. A variety of such measurements and comparison techniques are discussed in the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present application is directed to systems and methods associated with infusion pumps, which can optionally utilize an electrokinetic driving mechanism. Infusion pumps, including electrokinetically-driven pumps, are discussed, along with schemes for controlling their operation. As well, systems and methods of detecting malfunctions in infusion pumps are discussed. Any number of malfunctions can be detected including the presence of occlusions and/or leaks. In some instances, a measurement associated with some aspect of electrokinetic phenomena (e.g., an electrode measurement such as voltage or current) is compared with one or more sample values, the comparison allowing an indication of pump malfunction to be determined. A variety of such measurements and comparison techniques are discussed in the present disclosure.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a piston assembly having a piston housing filled with an electrolyte; a housing within the piston housing that divides the piston housing into a first portion and a second portion, the housing having apertures, a shaft connecting the housing to a piston head outside of the piston housing; and a porous material inside of the housing in contact with the electrolyte. Additionally, there are provided a method for filling the delivery chamber with a delivery fluid by withdrawing the piston head from within the delivery chamber. Yet another embodiment provides a method for filling a fluid delivery assembly by withdrawing a shaft from within the fluid delivery assembly to simultaneously displace a moving pump element within the delivery chamber and bypass fluid around a housing in the pump chamber.

Abstract: An electrokinetic device is capable of operating for extended periods of time, e.g. days to a week, without producing significant gaseous byproducts and without significant evolution of the pump fluid. Features of the electrokinetic device include: the electrodes in the electrokinetic device are capacitive with a capacitance of at least 10?4 Farads/cm2; at least part of the inner surfaces of the electrodes have an area greater than the effective area of the porous dielectric material; at least part of the inner surfaces of the electrodes have a current flux less than 20 microamperes/cm2; and at least part of the inner surfaces of the electrodes have a current flux that varies by less than a factor of two. The electrokinetic device can have one or several of these features in any combination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid delivery system having a first chamber, a second chamber and a third chamber; a flow-through pump element separating the first chamber from the second chamber; a moveable pump element separating the second chamber from the third chamber; a first outlet in communication with the third chamber; and second outlet in communication with the second chamber. Additionally, the present invention provides methods of operating a fluid delivery system having a first chamber, a second chamber and a delivery chamber by reducing the volume of the second chamber while increasing the volume of the delivery chamber without operation of a flow-through pump element that separates the second chamber from the first chamber.

Abstract: An electrokinetic pump achieves high and low flow rates without producing significant gaseous byproducts and without significant evolution of the pump fluid. A first feature of the pump is that the electrodes in the pump are capacitive with a capacitance of at least 10?4 Farads/cm2. A second feature of the pump is that it is configured to maximize the potential across the porous dielectric material. The pump can have either or both features.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting occlusions and fluid-loss conditions (e.g., disconnects and/or leakages) in an infusion pump are discussed. For example, electrokinetic infusion pumps may develop an occlusion in the fluid flow path, which can disrupt control of fluid dispersed from the pump. As well, an infusion set disconnect can also result in a fluid-loss that can be disruptive. Such disruptions can be troublesome to systems that control the infusion pump, such as closed loop controllers. Accordingly, systems and methods described herein can be used to detect such occlusions and fluid-loss conditions during infusion pump operation. For example, a position sensor can be used to monitor fluid flow from the infusion pump, with the measurement being compared with an expected value to detect an occlusion or fluid-loss condition. Other algorithms for utilizing the position sensor are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting occlusions and fluid-loss conditions (e.g., disconnects and/or leakages) in an infusion pump are discussed. For example, electrokinetic infusion pumps may develop an occlusion in the fluid flow path, which can disrupt control of fluid dispersed from the pump. As well, an infusion set disconnect can also result in a fluid-loss that can be disruptive. Such disruptions can be troublesome to systems that control the infusion pump, such as closed loop controllers. Accordingly, systems and methods described herein can be used to detect such occlusions and fluid-loss conditions during infusion pump operation. For example, a position sensor can be used to monitor fluid flow from the infusion pump, with the measurement being compared with an expected value to detect an occlusion or fluid-loss condition. Other algorithms for utilizing the position sensor are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling the flow of fluid from infusion pumps, such as pumps utilizing an electrokinetic engine, are discussed. In particular, a closed loop control technique can be utilized to regulate movement of a non-mechanically-driven moveable partition, which can be used to drive the flow of an infusion fluid. For example, one or more fluid shot amounts can be delivered by the infusion pump. One or more measured amounts can be determined for the fluid shot amount(s). An average measured amount can be calculated from the measured amounts, and a correction factor can be calculated using the average measured amount and an expected shot amount. Subsequently, a fluid shot amount can be delivered base upon the correction factor. Variations of this method, and systems for implementing the method, or portions thereof, are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of pumping fluid including the steps of providing an electrokinetic pump comprising a pair of double-layer capacitive electrodes having a capacitance of at least 10?2 Farads/cm2 and being connectable to a power source, a porous dielectric material disposed between the electrodes and a reservoir containing pump fluid; connecting the electrodes to a power source; and moving pump fluid out of the reservoir substantially without the occurrence of Faradaic processes in the pump. The invention also includes an electrokinetic pump system having a pair of double-layer capacitive electrodes having a capacitance of at least 10?2 Farads/cm2; a porous dielectric material disposed between the electrodes; a reservoir containing pump fluid; and a power source connected to the electrodes; the electrodes, dielectric material and power source being adapted to move the pump fluid out of the reservoir substantially without the occurrence of Faradaic processes in the pump.

Abstract: A heat transfer system comprising a primary heat exchanger for receiving heat from a heat source; a secondary heat exchanger for exhausting heat to a heat sink; a conduit connecting the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger; and an electrokinetic pump for pumping a heat exchange fluid between the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger through the conduit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell, the fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly; a fuel reservoir containing a liquid fuel; a conduit coupling the fuel reservoir to the fuel cell; and an electrokinetic fuel pump coupled to the conduit, the electrokinetic fuel pump having a plurality of electrodes; wherein the electrokinetic fuel pump moves fuel from the fuel reservoir through the conduit to the fuel cell; and wherein the electrokinetic fuel pump electrodes do not deleteriously affect the performance of the membrane-electrode assembly.