Moving basal engine for a fluid delivery device
A fluid delivery device comprises a fluid reservoir for containing medicament. The fluid reservoir is sealed proximate one end with a sliding seal piston. A delivery path is configured to fluidly couple the fluid reservoir and a patient wearing the fluid delivery device. A basal engine mechanism is configured to directly or indirectly move the sliding seal piston in the fluid reservoir at a controlled basal rate. A bolus mechanism configured to move the basal engine relative to the fluid reservoir and directly or indirectly move the sliding seal piston in the fluid reservoir a discrete bolus amount at a time.
1. A fluid delivery device comprising:
a fluid reservoir configured to contain medicament, the fluid reservoir being sealed proximate a proximal end with a sliding seal piston;
a delivery path configured to fluidly couple the fluid reservoir and a patient wearing the fluid delivery device;
a hydraulic fluid passage having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the hydraulic fluid passage being coupled to the proximal end of the fluid reservoir;
a basal actuator including a basal element slidingly coupled to an inside surface of a hydraulic fluid reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic fluid reservoir being fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the hydraulic fluid passage, the basal actuator configured to force a sliding seal element in a distal direction to force the hydraulic fluid to flow out of the hydraulic fluid reservoir through hydraulic fluid passage moving the sliding seal piston at a controlled basal rate; and
a bolus actuator directly coupled to a proximal end of the basal actuator, configured to directly or indirectly move the sliding seal piston a discrete bolus amount at a time.
2. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic fluid passage is straight.
3. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic fluid passage is of a constant shape and cross-sectional area.
4. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic fluid passage is not of constant shape and/or cross-sectional area.
5. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic fluid passage is u-shaped such that the basal actuator is substantially parallel with the fluid reservoir.
6. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the bolus actuator slides within the hydraulic fluid reservoir.
7. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the sliding seal element is in contact with the basal actuator and the hydraulic fluid.
8. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the basal actuator includes the sliding seal element.
9. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the sliding seal element is in contact with the hydraulic fluid that is in contact with the sliding seal piston.
10. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir is contained within a housing having an adhesive patch configured to be adhered to a skin surface of the patient.
11. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the delivery path includes a needle.
12. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the bolus actuator comprises a plunger, wherein depression of the plunger is configured to move the sliding seal element in the hydraulic fluid reservoir a discrete bolus amount at a time.
13. The fluid delivery device of claim 12 , wherein the bolus actuator further comprises a pawl, having an end, for preventing a backward motion of the plunger.
14. The fluid delivery device of claim 12 , wherein a distance that the plunger can be depressed in one application of force is limited.
15. The fluid delivery device of claim 12 , wherein a distance the plunger can be depressed is configured to be limited each time a release element is actuated.
16. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir contains a medicament.
17. The fluid delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the medicament is insulin.