An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.

A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

A method for making a fluid delivery device including a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion is adapted to be secured to a user and includes a conduit fluidly connecting a reservoir containing a fluid and a moveable pumping member. The moveable pumping member can expand an expandable structure with the fluid. The reusable portion is selectively engageable to the disposable portion and contains a drive device for engaging the moveable pumping member of the disposable portion. The drive device has a rotatable pumping actuation member with a plurality of projections for engaging the moveable pumping member and thereby moving the fluid to expand the expandable structure.

Improvements in fluid volume measurement systems are disclosed for a pneumatically actuated diaphragm pump in general, and a peritoneal dialysis cycler using a pump cassette in particular. Pump fluid volume measurements are based on pressure measurements in a pump control chamber and a reference chamber in a two-chamber model, with different sections of the apparatus being modeled using a combination of adiabatic, isothermal and polytropic processes. Real time or instantaneous fluid flow measurements in a pump chamber of a diaphragm pump are also disclosed, in this case using a one-chamber ideal gas model and using a high speed processor to obtain and process pump control chamber pressures during fluid flow into or out of the pump chamber.

A method of dispensing a therapeutic fluid from a line includes providing an inlet line connectable to an upstream fluid source. The inlet line is in downstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a pump outlet. The method also includes actuating a force application assembly so as to restrict retrograde flow of fluid through the inlet while pressurizing the pumping chamber to urge flow through the pump outlet. A corresponding system employs the method.

A device and a method for the metered dispensing of a liquid for the purpose of releasing an active substance in a human or animal body, and to a use of a device. A device for the metered delivery of a liquid for the purpose of releasing an active substance in a human or animal body comprises a metering apparatus for metering a defined volume of a liquid, an inlet in fluidic communication with the metering apparatus for supplying liquid into the metering apparatus and an outlet in fluidic communication with the metering apparatus for dispensing the defined volume of the liquid. The metering apparatus comprises a wall which encloses a metering cavity for receiving the liquid. By means of manual pressure on the wall, the metering cavity may be reduced, so that the defined volume of the liquid is delivered from the metering cavity to the outlet.

A panel fastener is provided that has a head having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; an engagement feature on the first surface of the head, the engagement feature being configured to be engaged by a driving tool; a shank extending from the second surface of the head; a threaded portion extending from the shank, the threaded portion having first and second helical threads arranged in an intertwined manner; the first thread extending farther radially from the central axis than does the second thread; and the shank being located between the head and the threaded portion.

Fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems. The fill stations may be opened and closed to accept a reservoir and to allow fluid to be introduced into the reservoir for use with personal pump systems. The fill stations may hold the reservoir at a tilt relative to an underlying surface and may discourage overfilling of the reservoir. The filling stations may also include viewing windows having fluid lines marked thereon for indicating volume of fluid within the reservoir.

A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.