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An implantable closed loop programmable bolus injector with multiple dose control
Author(s) -
Athens Thasos A.,
Pitsillides Koullis,
Axelsson Michael
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1098.15
Subject(s) - injector , bolus (digestion) , plunger , syringe driver , common rail , computer hardware , computer science , syringe , medicine , engineering , surgery , mechanical engineering
Implantable pumps for use with telemetric devices for animal pharmacologic studies are typically hindered by only being able to release such agents over a long time, i.e. through slow infusion. We have previously developed a single‐dose bolus injector that can be used in combination with a biotelemetry system (Endosomatic Systems Inc, Davis CA). It did not, however, support multiple doses, resulting in the need to implant multiple single‐dose injectors. This is a redesign of the hardware and software of the single‐dose bolus injector enable it to deliver up to 3 uniform injections which allows for multiple tests to be conducted.The injector consists of a nitinol spring that is activated by a battery, an infrared transceiver pair for distance measurement and a microcontroller. Preliminary tests were taken with a prototype of the new design. When activated by the control system, the nitinol spring pushed the plunger of the injector syringe in three equidistant steps thus creating a step‐pressure waveform. The pressure in the closed testing environment was monitored. Data were obtained showing, in this case, the three programmable steps taken by the injector. The percent difference of developed pressure of the first to second step is 5.8% and between the second and third step is 1.1%. These data indicate that the injector can deliver multiple bolus doses of pharmacologic agents in a controlled and programmable way.