EP0209644A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Electrochemically driven drug dispenser
Assignee: Ivac Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1986-04-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-04-18
Abstract
Abstract An improved drug dispenser (12 + 14) in which an electrochemical pump (12) is coupled through a bladder (32) or other suitable means to a drug-containing vessel (14) such that the pump's variable pressure source can be used to accurately control the delivery rate of small quantities of drugs into the human body. The drug dispenser (12 + 14) can be made small and implantable, has no moving parts which can wear out and break down and consumes little power from its power source. (24)
Inventors
- 👤 Henri J.R. Maget
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/142; A61M5/14244; A61M5/14276; A61M2005/14204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An electrochemically driven drug dispenser, comprising: a drug-containing vessel having discharge means; and an electrochemical pump operatively coupled to the drug-containing vessel, wherein the electrochemical pump is employed to pump an electrochemically active gas and pressurize a drug in the drug-containing vessel in order to dispense the drug through the discharge means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electrochemically driven drug dispenser, comprising: a drug-containing vessel having discharge means; and an electrochemical pump operatively coupled to the drug-containing vessel, wherein the electrochemical pump is employed to pump an electrochemically active gas and pressurize a drug in the drug-containing vessel in order to dispense the drug through the discharge means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrochemical pump includes: a container; an electrolytic membrane disposed within the container to form a first and second chamber, the membrane being used to transport the electrochemically active gas after being oxidized; a pair of electrodes disposed on either side of and in contact with the electrolytic membrane; and means for supplying an electrical voltage to the electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein: the discharge means includes a delivery port through which the drug is delivered, the delivery port including a check valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 3, and further comprising: a flexible and expansible diaphragm disposed between the second chamber and the drug-containing vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 4, wherein: the diaphragm includes a bellows structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 3, and further comprising: a sliding wall disposed between the second chamber and the drug-containing vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein: the discharge means includes a membrane specifically tailored for the release of the fluid from the drug-containing vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 4, and further comprising: controller means for regulating the electrical current drawn by the pump, the controller means being disposed in series with the means for supplying a voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein: the controller means further includes means for varying the electrical current linearly as a function of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein: the controller means further includes means for varying the electrical current non-linearly as a function of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
'The dispenser as defined in claim 8, and further comprising: an electrochemically active material disposed within the first and second chambers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 11, wherein: the electrochemically active material includes hydrogen gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The dispenser as defined in claim 11, wherein: the electrochemically active material includes oxygen gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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