Drug delivery platform utilizing hydrogel pumping mechanism

A drug delivery platform for delivering a controlled infusion of a drug to an individual, comprising:

• a reservoir for receiving the drug therein;
• a pressure source engageable with the reservoir, the pressure source expandable from a first configuration wherein the pressure source exerts a first pressure on the reservoir to a second configuration wherein the pressure source exerts a second pressure on the reservoir greater than the first pressure so as to urge the drug from the reservoir;
• an output conduit having an input and output and being movable with respect to the reservoir, the output conduit movable between a retracted position wherein the input of the output conduit is isolated from the drug in the reservoir and an extended position wherein the input of the output conduit communicates with the drug and the output of the output conduit is receivable in the individual;
• an actuation mechanism operatively connected to the pressure source and to the output conduit, the actuation mechanism movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position;
• wherein:
• the pressure source expands from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to movement of the actuation mechanism to the actuated position;
• the pressure on the reservoir generated by the pressure source is independent of the movement of the actuation mechanism;
• and
• the actuation mechanism urges the output conduit to the extended position as the actuation mechanism moves toward the actuated position.