Piezoelectric-Actuated Fluid-Delivery Devices and Associated Systems and Methods
AssigneeVolcano Corporation
InventorsNorman H. Hossack, Stephen Davies
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Abstract
Minimally invasive therapeutic fluid delivery devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices include at least a flexible elongate member with a chamber situated in the distal portion thereof, the chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a piezoelectric actuator that alters a volume of the chamber to eject a portion of the therapeutic fluid. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of piezoelectrically actuatable chambers that can eject a droplet of a drug orthogonally to the length of the flexible elongate member. In another embodiment, the device includes a piezoelectrically actuatable chamber that ejects along the length of the flexible elongate member.
Claims30
An flexible therapeutic fluid delivery device comprising:
- a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the flexible elongate member configured for minimally invasive insertion into a patient,
- a chamber situated in the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the chamber having an outlet configured to eject a therapeutic fluid;
- a piezoelectric actuator positioned adjacent to the chamber such that, when actuated, the piezoelectric actuator alters a volume of the chamber to eject a portion of the therapeutic fluid;
- and
- a plurality of electrical leads coupled to the piezoelectric actuator.
A method for applying a therapeutic fluid to a tissue within a patient using an elongated fluid delivery device, the method comprising:
- inserting the elongated fluid delivery device into a patient, the elongated fluid delivery device having an electrically actuated ejection system adjacent a distal end thereof;
- positioning the distal end of the elongated fluid delivery device close to the tissue;
- actuating the ejection system to eject a portion of a therapeutic fluid with sufficient velocity to contact the tissue;
- and
- removing the elongated fluid delivery device from the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.