Electrochemical actuator
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsYet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.
Claims45
An actuator system constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, comprising:
- at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode and a positive electrode,
- wherein one or both of the negative and positive electrodes is an actuator, and comprises a first portion and a second portion, and
- wherein upon charge and/or discharge, a species is intercalated, de-intercalated, alloys with, oxidizes, reduces, or plates with the first portion to a different extent than the second portion, and experiences a resulting dimensional change relative to the second portion, thereby imparting to the actuator a differential strain between the first and second portions causing a displacement of at least a portion of the actuator,
- which actuator displacement does mechanical work without the need to be coupled to a structure which does said work.
2-21. (canceled)
(canceled)
25-28. (canceled)
An actuator system constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, comprising:
- at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode and a positive electrode,
- wherein one or both of the negative and positive electrodes is an actuator, and comprises a first portion and a second portion, and
- wherein upon charge and/or discharge, a species is intercalated, de-intercalated, or alloys with the first portion to a different extent than the second portion, and experiences a resulting dimensional change relative to the second portion, thereby imparting to the actuator a differential strain between the first and second portions causing a displacement of at least a portion of the actuator,
- which actuator displacement does mechanical work without the need to be coupled to a structure which does said work.
30-39. (canceled)
(canceled)
48-56. (canceled)
An actuator system constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, comprising:
- at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode and a positive electrode,
- wherein one or both of the negative and positive electrodes is an actuator, and comprises a first portion and a second portion, and
- wherein upon oxidation and/or reduction of the first portion to a different extent than the second portion, and experiences a resulting dimensional change relative to the second portion, thereby imparting to the actuator a differential strain between the first and second portions causing a displacement of at least a portion of the actuator,
- which actuator displacement does mechanical work without the need to be coupled to a structure which does said work.
58-85. (canceled)
An actuator system constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation, comprising:
- at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode and a positive electrode,
- wherein one or both of the negative and positive electrodes is an actuator, and comprises a first portion and a second portion, and
- wherein upon charge and/or discharge, a species is electrochemically deposited at the first portion to a different extent than the second portion, and experiences a resulting dimensional change relative to the second portion, thereby imparting to the actuator a differential strain between the first and second portions causing a displacement of at least a portion of the actuator,
- which actuator displacement does mechanical work without the need to be coupled to a structure which does said work.
87-113. (canceled)
An actuator device, comprising:
- at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a species that can intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with a first portion of the electrochemical cell to an extent different than a second portion of the electrochemical cell, the first and/or second portions thereby undergoing a dimensional change upon discharge causing actuator displacement which does mechanical work, wherein the electrochemical cell is constructed and arranged to be charged in manufacture, and is partially discharged after use or is not further charged after first discharge.
115-134. (canceled)
An infusion pump, comprising:
- at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an intercalation species, wherein the negative and/or positive electrode undergoes a dimensional change upon charge and/or discharge so as to cause infusion of a fluid into a body.
136-143. (canceled)
An actuator constructed and arranged to be used in a physiological setting, comprising:
- a first portion adjacent a second portion, wherein the first portion undergoes a dimensional change upon exposure to a bodily fluid comprising a species, and wherein resulting electrochemical intercalation of the species into the first portion, de-intercalation of the species from the first portion, or oxidation/reduction of the first portion as a result of contact with the species, imparts a dimensional change of the actuator.
145-150. (canceled)
An electrochemical actuator for administering a drug into a body, comprising:
- at least one negative electrode;
- at least one positive electrode;
- and
- a species,
- wherein the electrochemical actuator is subjected to an applied voltage or current, whereby application of the voltage or current or cessation thereof includes intercalation of the species in at least one electrode of the electrochemical actuator, resulting in a volumetric or dimensional change of the electrochemical actuator, and
- wherein the volumetric or dimensional change results in administration of a drug into a body.
An actuator system as in claim 13 wherein negative electrode comprises lithium metal and the positive electrode comprises aluminum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.