Fluid Delivery Device

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of systems, apparatus, and methods for delivering a fluid. In one illustrative embodiment, a fluid delivery device includes a master piston coupled with at least one slave piston to move in unison with the master piston. A fluid power source, such as an electroosmotic plump, is also provided, which is configured to drive the master piston. The various pistons may be sized differently to provide for delivery rates that vary in proportion to the size difference between the pistons. In some embodiments, the fluid delivery device may provide both a driving force and a suction force such that a first fluid can be delivered out of a chamber while a second fluid is delivered into that chamber or a separate chamber.

1 . A fluid delivery device, comprising: 
 a master piston;    at least one slave piston coupled to the master piston to move in unison with the master piston, and    a fluid power source configured to drive the master piston.    
   
   
       2 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery device is configured to be implanted in a human body.  
   
   
       3 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid power source comprises an electrochemical pump.  
   
   
       4 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid power source comprises an osmotic pump.  
   
   
       5 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the slave piston has a cross-sectional area that differs from that of the master piston.  
   
   
       6 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the master piston is configured to drive a first fluid out of a first fluid chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 6 , wherein the slave piston is configured to drive a second fluid out of a second fluid chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 6 , wherein the slave piston is configured to pull a second fluid into a second fluid chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 6 , wherein the slave piston is configured to simultaneously drive a second fluid out of a second fluid chamber and pull a third fluid into the second fluid chamber.  
   
   
       10 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second slave piston coupled to the slave piston to move in unison with the slave piston.  
   
   
       11 . The fluid delivery device of  claim 10 , wherein the master piston, the slave piston, and the second slave piston each have different cross-sectional areas.  
   
   
       12 . An implantable fluid delivery device, comprising: 
 a first chamber configured to store a fluid;    a port in fluid communication with the first chamber;    a master piston slidably received in the first chamber so as to be capable of pushing a fluid stored in the first chamber out of the port;    a second chamber configured to store a fluid, wherein the second chamber is sealed apart from the first chamber;    a port in fluid communication with the second chamber;    a slave piston slidably positioned in the second chamber, wherein the slave piston is coupled with the master piston; and    a fluid power source configured to drive the master piston.    
   
   
       13 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 12 , wherein the second chamber port is configured to provide a suction force into the second chamber.  
   
   
       14 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 12 , wherein the second chamber port is configured to provide a driving force directing fluid out of the second chamber.  
   
   
       15 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a displaceable member positioned to drive a fluid from a third chamber, wherein the second chamber port is in fluid communication with the displaceable member such that the driving force from the fluid directed out of the second chamber is used to cause the displaceable member to drive the fluid in the third chamber out of the third chamber.    
   
   
       16 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 15 , wherein the displaceable member comprises a collapsible bag.  
   
   
       17 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 15 , wherein the displaceable member comprises a piston.  
   
   
       18 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 14 , wherein the second chamber further comprises a second port, and wherein the second port is configured to provide a suction force into the second chamber.  
   
   
       19 . An implantable fluid delivery device, comprising: 
 first means for housing a fluid;    first means for driving the fluid;    second means for housing a second fluid;    second means for driving the second fluid;    means for coupling the first driving means to the second driving means; and    means for providing a fluid pressure against the first driving means.    
   
   
       20 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second means for driving a fluid each comprise a piston.  
   
   
       21 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 19 , wherein the first fluid is substantially identical to the second fluid.  
   
   
       22 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 19 , wherein the means for providing a fluid pressure comprises an electrochemical pump.  
   
   
       23 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 19 , wherein the means for providing a fluid pressure comprises an osmotic pump.  
   
   
       24 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 19 , wherein the means for providing a fluid pressure comprises a gas generation cell.  
   
   
       25 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 third means for housing a third fluid;    third means for driving the third fluid; and    means for coupling the second driving means to the third driving means.    
   
   
       26 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 25 , wherein each of the means for housing a fluid are sized differently.  
   
   
       27 . The implantable fluid delivery device of  claim 19 , wherein the second means for driving the second fluid is configured to provide a suction force to draw a third fluid into the second means for housing a second fluid.  
   
   
       28 . A method for delivering a fluid to a human body, the method comprising: 
 driving a first fluid out of a first chamber to a part of the human body, wherein the force used to drive the first fluid out of the first chamber is generated by a fluid power source; and    providing a driving force in a second chamber to deliver a second fluid, wherein the force used to provide the driving force is generated by the fluid power source.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the second fluid is delivered out of the second chamber.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a third fluid is delivered into the second chamber while the second fluid is delivered out of the second chamber.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the second fluid is delivered into the second chamber.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first fluid comprises a medicament.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first fluid is substantially identical to the second fluid.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the step of driving a first fluid out of a first chamber to a part of the human body comprises driving the first fluid into a part the human body.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein driving a first fluid out of a first chamber to a part of the human body comprises driving the first fluid onto a part of the human body.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the driving force is provided by an electrochemical pump.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the driving force is provided by an osmotic pump.