Patent ID: 8034019

Claim:
A liquid infusion system for use in biomedical applications comprising: a liquid infusion portion comprising a liquid holder configured to store a liquid; a micromotor for propelling the liquid through a delivery tube; a driver microcontroller comprising a first CPU, a first clock, and a first memory unit, wherein the driver microcontroller is configured to administer the liquid using the micromotor; and a monitor microcontroller comprising a second CPU, a second clock, and a second memory unit, wherein the monitor microcontroller is configured to compare a data output of the driver microcontroller to one or more values in the second memory unit and to halt the driver microcontroller when there is a mismatch between the data output and the one or more values, thereby providing independent monitoring of the driver microcontroller; wherein the monitor microcontroller is further configured to monitor a drive current that powers the micromotor, and to determine (a) when the drive current rises above a predetermined range and, upon such determination, to generate an audible alarm indicating blockage of the delivery tube, and (b) when the drive current falls below the predetermined range and, upon such determination, to generate an audible alarm indicating leakage in the delivery tube; wherein the driver microcontroller and the monitor microcontroller are enclosed within a single housing, and wherein the micromotor is powered by a first battery and the driver microcontroller and the monitor microcontroller are powered by a second battery.