| abstract |
An apparatus for delivery of a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a syringe pump with a plunger, an electronic control element which releases at least one electric charge at predetermined time intervals, a shape memory element with a contractible length decreasing from an uncharged length to a charged length, and a driving mechanism connected to both the shape memory element and the plunger so that the change in length of the shape memory element causes the driving mechanism to provide an activating force to move the plunger and force the expulsion of the fluid from the syringe pump's chamber. As the apparatus according to the present invention can be manufactured as a disposable unit, the problems associated with reusable syringe pumps are avoided. |