Ultrasonic Actuator-Driven Medical Fluid Pumps

Abstract:
The fluid pump developed can be used to transport different types of medical fluids. For example, the insulin in an infusion or pain killers in a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system. The pump works according to the peristaltic principle. The main components of the pump are an elastic fluid channel, an extrusion mechanism, and a piezoceramic drive. The extrusion mechanism contains a wobbling extrusion body that mechanically distorts the fluid channel. To increase dispensing accuracy, and to also use less electricity, the extrusion mechanism is driven by a piezoelectric ultrasonic actuator. The external diameter of the actuator used is 10 mm, and the height is 4 mm. The ultrasonic actuator was modelled using the FEM (finite element method) tool. Drive electronics drive the fluid pump, which convert an electric DC voltage of 3V to an 15V AC voltage necessary for operating the ultrasonic actuator.