Hospira, Inc.

Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Steven T Cho

John Stephen Ziegler

Marwan A Fathallah

James Duane Jacobson

Michael G Lowery

Mohammad M Khair

Patrick B Keely

Hrishikesh Choudhury

Brian Barclay

Tom Johnson

Ryan R Brumund

Frank Walsworth

Keith R Cromack

Harlow B Christianson

James Jara-Almonte

Don J VerLee

A differential pressure based flow sensor assembly and method of using the same to determine the rate of fluid flow in a fluid system. The sensor assembly comprises a disposable portion and a reusable portion. A flow restricting element is positioned along a fluid flow passage between an inlet and an outlet. The disposable portion further has an upstream fluid pressure membrane and a downstream fluid pressure membrane. The reusable portion has an upstream fluid pressure sensor and a downstream fluid pressure sensor. The upstream fluid pressure sensor senses the upstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the flow restricting element. The downstream fluid pressure sensor senses the downstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the flow restricting element and the outlet. The process utilizes output of the sensors to calculate the flow rate of the fluid.

Differential pressure based flow sensor assembly for medication delivery monitoring and method of using the same

A differential pressure based flow sensor assembly and method of using the same to determine the rate of fluid flow in a fluid system. The sensor assembly comprises a disposable portion, and a reusable portion. A flow restricting element is positioned along a fluid flow passage between an inlet and an outlet. The disposable portion further has an upstream fluid pressure membrane and a downstream fluid pressure membrane. The reusable portion has an upstream fluid pressure sensor and a downstream fluid pressure sensor. The upstream fluid pressure sensor senses the upstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the flow restricting element. The downstream fluid pressure sensor senses the downstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the flow restricting element and the outlet. The process utilizes output of the sensors to calculate the flow rate of the fluid.

An anti-microbial filter () for a micro-fluidic system () includes a silicon-based filter membrane () having holes () formed therein. The membrane () is formed on a substrate (). One side of the filter membrane () has an anti-microbial coating () between the holes () on the filter membrane () and the other side can include filter supports formed from a silicon substrate. A method for making the anti-microbial filter () includes forming a filter membrane () on a substrate (), forming holes () in the membrane () by providing a filter mask () and etching holes () through holes () in the mask (). Then portions of the substrate () are removed from the filter membrane () using a masking and etching process to expose the holes (). An anti-microbial coating is applied to the membrane () adjacent the holes ().

Micro-fluidic anti-microbial filter

A medicine delivery system () implantable into a human or animal body includes a medicine delivery unit () and a control unit (). A membrane () seals the delivery opening () of a medicine compartment () and is pre-stressed by an amount less than the predetermined elastic deformation and rupture point limits of the membrane (). A release element () associated with compartment () causes the membrane () to be stressed beyond the deformation and rupture point limits in response to a control signal (). Release element () ruptures the membrane () along a predetermined rupture pattern to permit a first membrane portion (), forming a hinged lid, to separate from a second membrane portion () along the predetermined rupture pattern while remaining attached to the second membrane portion at a hinge ().

Medicine delivery system

A valve ( ) controls fluid flow in a microfluidic system ( ). The valve ( ) has an input port adapted to receive fluid exerting a predetermined level of pressure on the valve ( ) and an output port. The valve ( ) has a variable sized aperture disposed perpendicular to the flow of the fluid ( ). The aperture varies in size between a relatively small aperture ( ) and a relatively large aperture ( ). The small aperture ( ) prevents the flow of the fluid ( ) through the valve ( ) responsive to a relatively high level of capillary forces between the fluid ( ) and the valve ( ) in the small aperture ( ). The large aperture ( ) permits the flow of the fluid ( ) through the valve ( ) responsive to a relatively low level of capillary forces between the fluid ( ) and the valve ( ) in the large aperture ( ).

Microfluidic valve and system therefor

Growing community of inventors

Castroville, CA, United States of America

Steven T Cho