Fluid dispensing device with a flow detector

摘要

A portable therapeutic fluid delivery device with a flow detector comprising a heating element and two temperature sensors is presented. Upon activation of the heating element, a flow condition of the fluid inside the delivery tube is determined based on a signal provided by the temperature sensors. A temperature gradient within the therapeutic fluid is detected. The determined flow condition can be one of: air bubbles within the delivery tube, occlusion within the delivery tube, or leakage within the delivery tube. The device can have two parts, for example, a reusable part and a disposable part. Upon pairing of these parts, the heating element and the temperature sensors touch the delivery tube.

主权项

1. A portable therapeutic fluid delivery device for delivering a therapeutic fluid into a body of a patient, the fluid delivery device comprising:
a first part comprising,
a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism including a rotary motor and at least one gear;a flow detector comprising at least one heating element and at least two temperature sensors, anda processor; a second part comprising,
a reservoir,an exit port, anda delivery tube communicating between the reservoir and the exit port; wherein the first part and the second part are designed such that upon pairing of the first part with the second part, the at least one heating element and the at least two temperature sensors touch the delivery tube, and wherein the processor, upon activation of the at least one heating element, detects a flow condition of the therapeutic fluid inside the delivery tube based on a signal provided by the at least two temperature sensors: and wherein the rotary motor is configured to automatically adjust motor operation in a positive or negative feedback, so that the fluid delivery device is configured to adjust or control delivery of the therapeutic fluid through the delivery tube based, at least in part, on the determined flow rate such that the therapeutic fluid is delivered at substantially a pre-determined delivery rate.