# US 12,178,998 B2 · Medical pump with flow control

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- Number: US 12,178,998 B2
- Document ID: US12178998B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/968,599
- Filed: 2022-10-18
- Published: 2023-02-09
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2017-07-06
- Assignees: Quasuras, Inc.
- Applicants: Quasuras, Inc.
- Inventors: Paul M. Diperna; Freeman Rose; Marc Goldman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178998B2

## CPC

- A61M 5/1723: {using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood sugar or pressure}
- A61M 5/14224: {Diaphragm type}
- A61M 5/14248: {of the skin patch type}
- A61M 5/145: using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. by means of pistons
- A61M 5/1452: {pressurised by means of pistons}
- A61M 5/14526: {the piston being actuated by fluid pressure}
- A61M 5/14586: {pressurised by means of a flexible diaphragm}
- A61M 5/14593: {the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure}
- A61M 5/16804: {Active flow controllers}
- A61M 5/16809: {by repeated filling and emptying of an intermediate volume}
- A61M 5/16877: {Passive flow controllers; Devices for setting a flow rate (clamp-type valves A61M39/28)}
- A61M 5/16881: {Regulating valves}
- A61M 39/24: Check- or non-return valves
- A61M 5/31513: {Piston constructions to improve sealing or sliding}
- A61M 2005/14252: {with needle insertion means}
- A61M 2005/14264: {with means for compensating influence from the environment}
- A61M 2005/14533: {cam actuated}
- A61M 2039/2433: {Valve comprising a resilient or deformable element, e.g. flap valve, deformable disc}
- A61M 2039/244: {Hinged closure member, e.g. flap valve}
- A61M 2039/2446: {Flexible disc}
- A61M 2039/246: {being fixed along all or a part of its periphery}
- A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

Methods and devices for accurately pumping small quantities of liquid to a patient with a broad range of flow and low cost.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A medical pump for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:
a pump cavity which is surrounded by a rigid wall and which includes a diaphragm opening;
a diaphragm disposed over and sealed to the diaphragm opening of the pump cavity;
a pump chamber defined by an inside surface of the rigid wall of the pump cavity and an inside surface of the diaphragm which disposed over and sealed to the pump cavity;
a pressure actuator including a piston with a distal end that is operatively coupled to the diaphragm;
an inlet conduit which is in fluid communication with the pump chamber;
a check valve which is operatively coupled to the inlet conduit and which is oriented to allow a flow of liquid to the pump chamber but prevent a flow of liquid from the pump chamber back towards the check valve;
an outlet conduit which is in fluid communication with the pump chamber;
an outlet port which is in fluid communication with the outlet conduit; and
a flow control valve which is operatively coupled to the outlet conduit between the pump chamber and the outlet port, the flow control valve comprising:
a rigid base having a surface and an orifice disposed adjacent the surface, and
a distensible membrane secured to the surface of the rigid base in a normally closed relation relative to the orifice so as to be in approximation with the surface of the rigid base forming a sealed distensible channel between the orifice and an inside surface of the distensible membrane, the distensible membrane being normally closed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The medical pump of claim 1 wherein the flow control valve further comprises a raised boss disposed about the orifice, the raised boss including a seal surface which is disposed above the surface of the rigid base and which forms a releasable seal with the distensible membrane.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The medical pump of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir including an interior volume which is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit and wherein the check valve is operatively coupled to the inlet conduit between the reservoir and the pump chamber.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The medical pump of claim 3 wherein the reservoir is disposed within an interior volume of a rigid reservoir chamber which is fluidly sealed from an ambient atmosphere and which further includes a pressure sensor that measures pressure within the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber and that is coupled to a controller.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The medical pump of claim 4 wherein the controller is configured to analyze a pressure profile received from the pressure sensor and calculate an appropriate amount of fluid delivered to a patient.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The medical pump of claim 4 further comprising a valve disposed in operative communication between the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber and the ambient atmosphere.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The medical pump of claim 6 wherein the valve disposed in operative communication between the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber and the ambient atmosphere comprises an active controllable valve disposed in fluid communication between the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber and the ambient atmosphere.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The medical pump of claim 6 wherein the valve disposed in operative communication between the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber and the ambient atmosphere comprises a passive orifice in fluid communication between the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber and the ambient atmosphere.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The medical pump of claim 6 wherein the valve disposed in operative communication between the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber and the ambient atmosphere comprises a check valve disposed in fluid communication between the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber and the ambient atmosphere and oriented to allow ambient air into the interior volume of the rigid reservoir chamber.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The medical pump of claim 1 further comprising a tissue interface having a lumen in fluid the outlet conduit.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The medical pump of claim 1 wherein the distensible channel comprises the distensible membrane secured to the rigid base under tension.