| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for the high volume manufacture of fluid infusion devices which embody a self-contained, stored-energy source for expelling fluids from the reservoir of the device into an ambulatory patient at precisely controlled rates over extended periods of time. In accordance with the method of the invention, the base and cover infusion components of the devices of the invention are manufactured in injection molded arrays which comprise a cover array which is superimposed over and connected to a base array with the elastomeric membrane being captured therebetween. The elastomeric membrane material, which forms the stored-energy source of the infusion devices, is continuously unrolled from a large roll of film-backed membrane material which is rotatably mounted on a turret assembly upon which a second back-up roll of elastomeric membrane material is also mounted. After being unrolled, the film backing is separated from the membrane and the membrane is introduced into a novel tenter apparatus which controllably, biaxially stretches the membrane material. Following the stretching step, the membrane is automatically cut and then sealed between the cover components and base components of the cover and base arrays. The finished, individual infusion devices are then separated from the arrays and automatically packaged for shipping.
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