Laminated patient infusion device

Abstract

A device for delivering fluid to a patient including an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool, and a dispenser including at least two laminated layers of material defining a passageway connected to the exit port assembly, and an expandable accumulator in fluid communication with the passageway for controlling fluid flow from a reservoir to the exit port assembly. The laminated construction provides many benefits including simplifying the design and manufacturing of the device, in order to further reduce the size, complexity and costs of the device so that the device lends itself to being small and disposable in nature.

1 . A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising: 
 A) a reservoir;    B) an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool; and    C) a dispenser including at least two laminated layers of material defining a passageway connecting the reservoir to the exit port assembly, and an expandable accumulator in fluid communication with the passageway.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one layer of the dispenser comprises a resilient diaphragm.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least two laminated layers of the dispenser further comprise: 
 a first layer;    a second layer received against the first layer, the second and the first layers including at least one groove defining the passageway connected to the exit port assembly, the second layer including an opening in fluid communication with the passageway, and wherein the resilient diaphragm is received on the second layer covering the opening; and    a third layer received over the diaphragm on the second layer, the third layer having an pulse chamber over the diaphragm and in alignment with the opening of the second layer, and a port in fluid communication with the pulse chamber.    
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the pulse chamber has a predetermined volume.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein one of the second and the third layers defines a recess receiving the diaphragm, and wherein the recess has a depth about equal to a thickness of the diaphragm such that the diaphragm is secured in a substantially fluid-tight manner between the second and the third layers.  
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein a length and a width of the recess are greater than a length and a width of the diaphragm.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least two laminated layers of the dispenser further comprise: 
 a first layer defining the passageway connected to the exit port assembly and an opening in fluid communication with the passageway, and wherein the resilient diaphragm is received on the first layer covering the opening;    a second layer received over the diaphragm on the first layer, the second layer having an pulse chamber over the diaphragm and in alignment with the opening of the first layer, and a port in fluid communication with the pulse chamber; and    a third layer received on the second layer and defining a secondary chamber in fluid communication with the port of the second layer.    
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a spring biasing the diaphragm away from the pulse chamber.  
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least two laminated layers of the dispenser further comprise: 
 a first layer having a surface defining a recess and a groove extending from the recess;    wherein the resilient diaphragm is received on the surface of the first layer such that the recess and the diaphragm define the expandable accumulator and the groove and the diaphragm defines the passageway connected to the exit port assembly.    
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the surface of the first layer further defines a valve seat in the groove.  
     
     
         11 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         12 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         13 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least two laminated layers of the dispenser further comprise: 
 a first layer; and    a second layer received against the first layer, at least one the second and the first layers having a groove defining the passageway connected to the exit port assembly, the second layer including a surface facing away from the first layer and having a recess, and an opening providing fluid communication between the recess and the passageway;    wherein the resilient diaphragm is received on the second layer covering the recess to form the expandable accumulator.    
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 14 , further comprising an actuator for pushing the diaphragm into the recess to reduce the volume of the accumulator.  
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein the actuator comprises a rotatable cam.  
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a third layer received against the diaphragm and on the second layer and having a bore aligned with the recess of the second layer; and    wherein the actuator comprises a piston slidingly received in the bore.    
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 17 , further comprising a magnetic coil received in the third layer coaxial with the piston for biasing the piston against the diaphragm upon being energized.  
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a fourth layer received against the third layer and having a bore aligned with the bore of the third layer; and    wherein the dispenser includes a gas generator received in the bore of the fourth layer for pressurizing the bore and biasing the piston against the diaphragm upon being actuated.    
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 17 , comprising multiple accumulators arranged sequentially with respect to the passageway.  
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least two laminated layers of the dispenser further comprise: 
 first and second layers wherein the diaphragm is positioned between the layers, and one of the layers has a groove defining the passageway connected to the exit port assembly, and the other of the layers has a recess separated from the passageway by the diaphragm; and    the dispenser further includes an actuator received in the recess for pushing the diaphragm into the passageway upon being actuated.    
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein the actuator comprises a piece of piezoelectric material arranged to push the diaphragm upon the piezoelectric material assuming one of a deformed state and an undeformed state.  
     
     
         23 . A device according to  claim 22 , comprising multiple pieces of piezoelectric material arranged sequentially with respect to the passageway.  
     
     
         24 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two laminated layers of the dispenser comprise: 
 a first layer;    a second layer received against the first layer, the second and the first layers defining the passageway connected to the exit port assembly, and one of the layers including a bore communicating with the passageway; and    the dispenser further includes a piston slidingly received in the bore.    
     
     
         25 . A device according to  claim 24 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a spring biasing the piston towards the passageway.  
     
     
         26 . A device according to  claim 24 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a magnetic coil received in one of the layers coaxial with the piston for biasing the piston one of towards and away from the passageway upon being energized.  
     
     
         27 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet valve controlling flow from the reservoir into the accumulator, and an outlet valve controlling flow between the accumulator and the exit port assembly.  
     
     
         28 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the passageway includes openings for the valves and the valves each include a layer of resilient fluid-tight material covering the opening and a layer of piezoelectric material covering the layer of resilient fluid-tight material and arranged such that upon the piezoelectric material assuming one of a deformed state and an undeformed state, the layer of piezoelectric material forces the layer of resilient fluid-tight material into the opening of the passageway and substantially closes the passageway.  
     
     
         29 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the dispenser further includes a bar extending parallel with the passageway and pivotally mounted about a pivot point, and wherein the valves comprise gates extending from the bar into the passageway on opposite sides of the pivot point.  
     
     
         30 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the valves comprise one-way valves.  
     
     
         31 . A device according to  claim 30 , wherein the valves comprise duck bill valves.  
     
     
         32 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the laminated layers further define a bore bisecting the passageway and the dispenser further comprises a valve assembly including: 
 a valve member movably received in the bore and including an opening;    a spring biasing the valve member such that the opening of the valve member is normally offset from the passageway and the passageway is blocked by the valve member; and    an actuator for moving the valve member upon being actuated such that the opening of the valve member aligns with the passageway.    
     
     
         33 . A device according to  claim 32 , wherein the actuator comprises a gas generator for pressurizing the bore upon being actuated.  
     
     
         34 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         35 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir contains a therapeutic fluid.  
     
     
         36 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fill port connected to the reservoir.  
     
     
         37 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is pressurized.  
     
     
         38 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a transcutaneous patient access tool connected to the exit port assembly.  
     
     
         39 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         40 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         41 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         42 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         43 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an inlet valve connected to an inlet of the accumulator;    a outlet valve connecting an outlet of the accumulator to the exit port assembly; and    a priming mechanism for maintaining the inlet valve and the outlet valve simultaneously open.    
     
     
         44 . A device according to  claim 43 , wherein the priming mechanism comprises: 
 a pivotally movable first link operatively connected to the inlet valve such that the inlet valve is opened upon pivoting movement of the first link;    a pivotally movable second link operatively connected to the outlet valve such that the outlet valve is opened upon pivoting movement of the second link; and    a movable priming rod operatively connected to the first and the second links for pivoting the links upon movement of the rod.    
     
     
         45 . A device according to  claim 44 , wherein: 
 the inlet and the outlet valves each include a valve member movable between open and closed positions;    the first link extends between the valve member of the inlet valve and the priming rod and is pivotally movable about a pivot point of the first link located between the valve member of the inlet valve and the priming rod;    the second link extends between the valve member of the outlet valve and the priming rod and is pivotally movable about a pivot point of the second link located between the valve member of the outlet valve and the priming rod; and    the priming rod is linearly movable.    
     
     
         46 . A device according to  claim 44 , further comprising: 
 a fill port adapted to receive a needle; and    a collar connected to the priming rod and received in the fill port, the collar adapted to receive a needle inserted into the fill port so that the inserted needle causes movement of the collar and the priming rod and pivoting movement of the links.    
     
     
         47 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the exit port assembly comprises a transcutaneous access tool having a known internal fluid volume.  
     
     
         48 . A device according to  claim 47 , further comprising a processor controlling the dispenser, and wherein the processor is programmed to cause the dispenser to deliver a volume of fluid equal to the known internal fluid volume of the access tool upon receiving a command.  
     
     
         49 . A device according to  claim 47 , further comprising a flow detector positioned between the dispenser and the access tool.  
     
     
         50 . A device according to  claim 49 , further comprising a processor controlling the dispenser and receiving signals from the flow detector, and wherein the processor is programmed to cause the dispenser to deliver a predetermined flow of fluid for a predetermined period upon receiving a command and upon receiving a signal from the flow detector indicative of an initial flow of fluid to the access tool, the predetermined flow of fluid for the predetermined period producing a volume of fluid substantially equal to the known internal fluid volume of the access tool.  
     
     
         51 . A device according to  claim 47 , further comprising a fluid detector positioned between the dispenser and the access tool.  
     
     
         52 . A device according to  claim 51 , further comprising a processor controlling the dispenser and receiving signals from the fluid detector, and wherein the processor is programmed to cause the dispenser to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid upon receiving a command and upon receiving a signal from the fluid detector indicative of fluid initially entering the fluid detector, the predetermined volume of fluid substantially equal to the known internal fluid volume of the access tool.  
     
     
         53 . A device according to  claim 47 , wherein the access tool comprises a needle.  
     
     
         54 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a gas removal filter connected to the dispenser for removing gas bubbles from fluid entering the dispenser.  
     
     
         55 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         56 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is gas permeable.  
     
     
         57 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a fill port including,    a passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir,    a valve positioned within the passageway and allowing one-way flow into the reservoir, and    a removable septum sealing the passageway.    
     
     
         58 . A device according to  claim 57 , wherein the fill port further comprises a funnel having a small open end removably received in the passageway and a large open end receiving the septum.  
     
     
         59 . A device according to  claim 58 , wherein the fill port further comprises a first wall having an opening removably receiving the large open end of the funnel when the small open end of the funnel is removably received in the passageway.  
     
     
         60 . A device according to  claim 59 , wherein the fill port further comprises a second wall spaced from the first wall more than a thickness of the septum and having an opening allowing passage of a needle and preventing passage of the septum.  
     
     
         61 . A device according to  claim 57 , wherein the fill port further comprises a first wall having an opening preventing passage of the septum, and a second wall spaced from the first wall at least about a thickness of the septum and having an opening allowing passage of a needle, and wherein the second wall and the opening of the second wall are adapted to allow passage of the septum upon at least a predetermined force applied to the septum.  
     
     
         62 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein the predetermined force is less than a force required to pull a needle out of the septum.  
     
     
         63 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the exit port assembly comprises a plurality of exit port assemblies and each assembly comprises an independently deployable transcutaneous access tool adapted to provide fluid communication with the dispenser upon deployment.  
     
     
         64 . A device according to  claim 63 , wherein each access tool comprises a needle.  
     
     
         65 . A device according to  claim 63 , where each access tool is maintained in a sterile state prior to deployment.  
     
     
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