Portable infusion device.

摘要

A fluid pump (10) for infusing medical fluids to a patient includes a housing (22) having an inlet port (28) and an outlet port (30). The housing further includes a substantially hemispherically shaped surface (32) which is circumscribed by a periphery (34). An elastomeric membrane (26) is attached to the periphery of the surface and is stretched over the surface to place the membrane in its region of nonlinear elasticity. With this combination, a potential fluid chamber (50) is established between the surface of the housing and the stretched membrane. In operation, fluid is injected through the inlet port and into the potential chamber between the housing and the elastomeric membrane to fill the chamber with the desired medical fluid. A fluid line is connected to the outlet port of the pump and a flow restrictor is coupled with the fluid line to control the flow of fluid from the chamber. Fluid flows from the chamber as a result of the nonlinear contraction of the elastomeric membrane. <IMAGE>