Abstract:
A method of controlling the output of an electrokinetic pump includes: (1) measuring an initial pressure in an electrokinetic pump system; (2) applying a pump drive signal to the electrokinetic pump to begin a pump stroke; (3) measuring the pressure after a predetermined time of applying the pump drive signal; (4) identifying when the pressure has returned to the initial pressure plus a constant; and (5) stopping the pump drive signal to complete the stroke.
Abstract:
A wound treatment system includes a patch, first and second fluid reservoirs, an electrokinetic pump assembly, and a controller. The patch is configured to enclose a wound area and includes an inlet and an outlet. The first fluid reservoir is fluidically connected to the inlet and the second fluid reservoir is fluidically connected to the outlet. The electrokinetic pump assembly is configured to pump a first treatment fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the patch through the inlet and to pump fluid from the patch through the outlet and into the second fluid reservoir. The controller is configured to operate the electrokinetic pump assembly and to include an electronic memory containing computer readable instructions for operating the electrokinetic pump assembly to perform a wound therapy protocol in the wound area.
Abstract:
A reciprocating electrokinetic pump system includes a buffer reservoir to automatically refill the buffer in the system. Also described is a wound treatment system that can include the reciprocating EK pump system and/or that can provide accurately monitored negative pressure wound therapy, such as with a pressure sensor attached directly to the wound patch.
Abstract:
An electrokinetic system includes a first electrokinetic pump, a second electrokinetic pump, a reservoir having delivery fluid therein, and a controller. The first electrokinetic pump is configured to provide a first range of flow rates. The second electrokinetic pump is configured to provide a second range of flow rates. The second range includes flow rates that are greater than the flow rates of the first range. The reservoir is fluidically attached to the first electrokinetic pump and the second electrokinetic pump. The controller is configured to apply voltage to one of the first or second electrokinetic pumps and then apply voltage to the other of the first or second electrokinetic pumps so as to vary the flow rate range of delivery fluid pump from the reservoir.
Abstract:
A method of controlling the output of an electrokinetic pump to deliver a target stroke volume includes applying a pump drive signal to the electrokinetic pump for a pump stroke time duration and then determining a volume of a delivery fluid pumped. Then, comparing the volume of the delivery fluid pumped to the target stroke volume; generate a new time interval for applying the pump drive signal. Then apply the pump drive signal to the electrokinetic pump for the new time interval. A system for delivery of fluid includes an electrokinetic pump under the control of an electronic controller. The electronic controller contains computer readable instructions to determine an output of the electrokinetic pump and then generate a stroke time delivery adjustment for precise pumping schemes.