Patent ID: 6589205
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A pump comprising:a passive pump adapted to provide a flow of medication to a patient; a regulator adapted to regulate the flow of the medication from the passive pump to the patient to obtain a constant flow rate, wherein the regulator includes a pressure sensing chamber, a valving chamber, and a flow line between the pressure sensing chamber and the valving chamber; an actuator adapted to adjust the regulator to change the constant flow rate to a new constant flow rate, wherein the actuator is adapted to respond to flow rate control commands received over a communications link; and a needle valve connected to the actuator and positioned to mechanically alter the flow rate through the flow line of the regulator, wherein the needle valve is turned by the actuator a number of degrees to mechanically alter the flow rate through the flow line to a new flow rate within a range of possible new flow rates corresponding to the number of degrees the needle valve is turned by the actuator.