On-demand wireless infusion rate control in an implantable micropump for patient-tailored treatment of chronic conditions

Abstract

Wireless infusion rate control and programmability for an implantable, low power, electrochemical micropump is presented. Flow rate control was achieved through adjustment of the wiper position of a current potentiometer in the wireless receiver (0.6-3.2 mA output current with a resolution of 0.2 mA per step). An off-the-shelf Bluetooth module and Basic Stamp microcontroller kit was used to initiate amplitude-shift keying (ASK) modulation of the inductive power signal. Accurate flow control of two model regimens was achieved on benchtop. Wireless transmission (power transfer and control) was not affected by simulated tissue material placed between the transmitter and receiver.

Wireless programmable electrochemical drug delivery micropump with fully integrated electrochemical dosing sensors

“…The dashed orange line shows the onset of delivery due to the opening of the valve Due to the chronological nature of system design, several restrictions were placed on the performance of the final prototype that could be mitigated through future work. The output current range (and as a result the infusion flow rate), as well as, the allowable coil misalignment and distance were limited compared to that attained previously for the micropump without the integrated sensors (Sheybani and Meng 2014). This can be attributed to decreased power transfer efficiency when the power signal is modulated with the sensing signal and could potentially be mitigated by redesigning the system to increase power amplification, including multiple receiving coils, or increasing the operation frequency of the sensing signal.…”

“…Preliminary results for successful power transmission through the simulated brain tissue material were previously demonstrated (Sheybani and Meng 2014). The results showed no significant difference between infusion flow rates for wireless transmission through air vs. simulated tissue; one way analysis of variance, p<0.05).…”

“…For implantable pumps, wireless power and data transmission eliminate transcutaneous wires and catheters thereby reducing surgical complexity, improving patient mobility, and allowing drug administration outside of clinical settings. Preliminary proof of concept prototypes for wireless actuator operation (Sheybani and Meng 2014) and wireless sensing were presented . Here, an advanced integrated system is presented that for the first time utilizes wireless powering and data telemetry simultaneously to achieve programmable closedloop drug delivery.…”