Minipumps, LLC

University of Southern California

Jiang, Fukang

Bouey, Natasha Yvette

Chou, Man Ting

Li, Po-ying

Tai, Yu-chong

Pang, Changlin

Lotfi, Atoosa

Po-Ying Li

Yu-Chong Tai

Mark Salman Humayun

Sean Caffey

Jason Shih

Ellis Fan-chuin Meng

Changlin Pang

Jonathan K Lee

Alice Lai

Po-Jui Chen

Fukang Jiang

Damien Craig Rodger

Jeffrey David Brennan

Patrick Ryan

Rajat N Agrawal

Atoosa Lotfi

Ronalee Lo

Mark S Humayun

Kenrick Kuwahara

Shengtao Li

Natasha Yvette Bouey

Man Ting Chou

Ellis Meng

Raymond Peck

Stuart Long

Po-jui Chen

Ronalee Lo Mann

Saloomeh Saati

Microscale valves for use in, e.g., micropump devices, may be formed of a slitted diaphragm bonded o the interior of a valve tube. A bump in the diaphragm and/or a backward-leakage stopper may increase the breakdown pressure of the valve. A push-rod may be used to pre-load the valve membrane to thereby increase the cracking pressure.

Diaphragm check valves and methods of manufacture thereof

In various embodiments, a needle is employed in refilling drug-delivery devices.

Implantable drug-delivery devices, and apparatus and methods for refilling the devices

Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made during a 'priming' stage when liquid is pumped through the internal fluid path but does not exit the pump.

Drug-delivery pump with intelligent control

Microscale valves for use in, e.g., micropump devices, may be formed of a slitted diaphragm bonded to the interior of a valve tube. A bump in the diaphragm and/or a backward-leakage stopper may increase the breakdown pressure of the valve. A push-rod may be used to pre-load the valve membrane to thereby increase the cracking pressure.

Elastomeric check valves for use, e.g., in small pump devices, may include a molded elastomeric valve body forming a pocket that extends from an opening at the valve inlet to a terminus inside the valve body, and having a slit extending from the terminus to a valve outlet.

Molded and packaged elastomeric check valve

Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made based on the flow 'tail' that occurs in a piston- or plunger-type pump as relaxation of the plunger material continues to push fluid out of the drug reservoir; this residual flow eventually ceases after the plunger returns to its natural state.

The accuracy of drug delivery with drug pump devices may be improved by a combination of pump operation at high flow resistances and pump pressures, pressure-relief mechanisms, and sensor-based feedback for pump control.

Accurate flow control in drug pump devices

The filling status of a drug reservoir in a drug pump devices may be determined with mechanical and/or magnetic position sensor associated with a reservoir boundary.

Fill-status sensors for drug pump devices

Embodiments of an implantable device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient include a reservoir configured to contain a liquid comprising the therapeutic agent, and a cannula in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cannula is shaped to facilitate insertion thereof into a patient's eyeball.

MEMS device and method for delivery of therapeutic agents

Drug pump devices may be remotely controlled and/or reprogrammed by a smartphone or other wireless handheld device.

Remote-controlled drug pump devices

Embodiments of an implantable device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient includes a reservoir configured to contain a liquid comprising the therapeutic agent and a cannula in fluid communication with the reservoir. The device and related methods may provide such features as constant-flow operation, an electrolytic mode of pumping, and/or wireless communication.

Growing community of inventors

Monrovia, CA, United States of America

Po-Ying Li