Importance

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Abstract

Self-powered, bio- implantable, pressure adjustable mini-pump systems for medical applications including body fluid pressure control, drainage control, and drug delivery systems. The mini-pump systems include a primary mini-pump chamber having an anterior end attached to an implantable intake conduit. The device of the invention is further equipped with an adjustable variable flow valve or shunt in the form of a first cantilever slab, in combination with an anterior end one-way valve in the form of another cantilever slab. The posterior end of the mini-pump chamber is connected to a drainage conduit, via another one-way valve. Opposing diaphragm elements in the form of a pair of oscillatory flexing miniature ionic polymer metal composite IPPC artificial muscles, is used to vary the volume of the primary mini-pump chamber and thereby effect pumping action. A key feature of the invention is a secondary power generation system, which, in one embodiment of the invention comprises a relatively large piece of IPPC artificial muscle which, for certain types of implants, may be attached to local muscle tissue. Contraction and expansion of the local muscle tissue causes flexure of the IPPC artificial muscle, thereby generating a voltage for driving the diaphragm elements.

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First Claim