TWO CHAMBER PUMPS AND RELATED METHODS
Two chamber pumps and related methods provide a platform for measuring flow rate in about real time without contacting the material being pumped. Pressure and optional temperature sensors disposed in a pressurized chamber allow for fluid delivery calculations after being calibrated or by knowing the initial volume of the fluid to be delivered.
1 . A device comprising:
a pressurizable first chamber;
a second chamber for holding a fluid;
at least one flow lumen in fluid communication with the second chamber;
at least one pressure sensor disposed in the first chamber; and
a flow controller disposed along the flow lumen;
a microprocessor for computing flow rate from data provided by the pressure sensor;
wherein a pressurized substance in the first chamber effects a change of volume of the second chamber; and
wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller.
2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a fill port for filling the second chamber with the fluid.
3 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed in the first chamber.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the flow controller is a clamp.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the flow controller is a flow restrictor.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is pressurized prior to filling the second chamber with the fluid.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is made from an expandable material.
8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the expansion of the expandable material is a function of the pressure of the first chamber.
9 . A device comprising:
a pressurizable first chamber;
a second chamber for holding a fluid;
at least one flow lumen in fluid communication with the second chamber;
at least one pressure sensor disposed in the first chamber;
a flow controller disposed along the flow lumen; and
a microprocessor to compute at least flow rate of fluid transferred through the at least one flow lumen from the second chamber;
wherein a pressurized substance in the first chamber effects a change of volume of the second chamber whereby the fluid flows from the second chamber through the flow lumen; and
wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller.
10 . The device of claim 9 , further comprising a fill port for filling the second chamber with the fluid.
11 . The device of claim 9 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed in the first chamber.
12 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the flow controller is a clamp.
13 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the flow controller is a flow restrictor.
14 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the first chamber is pressurized prior to filling the second chamber with the fluid.
15 . The device of claim 9 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor; wherein the microprocessor gathers data from the temperature sensor to compute the at least a flow rate of fluid transferred through the flow lumen from the second chamber.
16 . A method comprising:
providing a pump having:
(a) a pressurizable first chamber;
(b) a second chamber for holding a fluid;
(c) at least one pressure sensor disposed in the first chamber;
(d) a flow lumen in fluid communication with the second chamber; and
(e) a flow controller;
wherein a pressurized substance in the first chamber is able to cause the fluid to flow from the second chamber and through the flow restrictor thereby changing the volume of the second chamber.
17 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing at least one temperature sensor disposed in the first chamber.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the flow controller is a clamp.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the flow controller is a flow restrictor.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising a microprocessor for computing flow rate from data provided by the pressure sensor;
wherein the microprocessor controls the flow controller.