Feedback Controlled Syringe Pump

Abstract

Provided is an automated syringe pump that includes a syringe plunger controller and an elastic member, such as a spring, positioned between a rigid member and a syringe plunger retainer. The controller may include a transducer, such as a linear potentiometer, for generating a signal representative of force applied to a syringe plunger present in the syringe plunger retainer. In addition, the controller may include a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller that provides for at least one of constant pressure on the syringe plunger and constant flow rate of fluid out of a syringe operated by the automated syringe pump. Also provided are methods, systems and kits using the automated syringe pumps.

1 . An automated syringe pump comprising a syringe plunger controller configured to move a syringe plunger relative to a syringe barrel, wherein said syringe plunger controller comprises an elastic member positioned between a rigid member and a plunger retainer. 
     
     
         2 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastic member comprises a spring. 
     
     
         3 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 2 , wherein said elastic member comprises a compression spring and a tension spring. 
     
     
         4 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid member comprises a slide. 
     
     
         5 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 4 , wherein said slide is operatively coupled to a motor. 
     
     
         6 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said plunger controller further comprises a transducer for generating a signal representative of force applied to a plunger present in said plunger retainer. 
     
     
         7 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 6 , wherein said transducer is a position sensor coupled to said plunger retainer and said rigid member. 
     
     
         8 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 7 , wherein said position sensor is a linear potentiometer. 
     
     
         9 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller further comprises a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller that provides for at least one of constant pressure on a plunger and constant flow rate of fluid out of a syringe operated by said automated syringe pump. 
     
     
         10 . An automated syringe pump comprising:
 (a) a syringe holder;   (b) a syringe plunger retainer;   (c) a syringe plunger controller configured to move a syringe plunger held in said syringe plunger retainer relative to a syringe barrel held in said syringe holder, wherein said syringe plunger controller comprises:
 (i) an elastic component; and 
 (ii) a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller; 
   wherein said elastic component and said PID controller together provide for at least one of constant pressure on a plunger and constant flow rate of fluid out of a syringe held in said syringe holder.   
     
     
         11 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 10 , wherein said plunger controller comprises a motor and slide. 
     
     
         12 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 11 , wherein said elastic component comprises a compression spring and a tension spring. 
     
     
         13 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 12 , wherein said compression spring and tension spring are coaxial. 
     
     
         14 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 13 , wherein said controller comprises a transducer for generating an electrical signal representative of force applied to said syringe plunger held in said syringe plunger retainer. 
     
     
         15 . The automated syringe pump according to  claim 14 , wherein said transducer is a linear potentiometer. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forcing fluid out of a fluid loaded syringe, said method comprising:
 (a) positioning a syringe loaded with said fluid into an automated syringe pump comprising a syringe plunger controller configured to move a syringe plunger of said syringe relative to a syringe barrel of said syringe, wherein said syringe plunger controller comprises an elastic member positioned between a rigid member and a syringe plunger retainer; and   (b) causing said syringe plunger controller to move said syringe plunger relative to said syringe barrel to force fluid out of said syringe.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said syringe plunger controller further comprises a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller that provides for at least one of constant pressure on said syringe plunger and constant flow rate of fluid out of said syringe operated by said automated syringe pump. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said elastic component comprises a compression spring and a tension spring. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said controller comprises a transducer for generating an electrical signal representative of force applied to said syringe plunger held in said syringe plunger retainer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said transducer is a linear potentiometer.