DEVICE FOR PUMPING LIQUID BY ELECTROLYSIS IN A COMPACT BODY
Cross-Reference To Related Application's)
[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/720,058 entitled DEVICE FOR PUMPING LIQUID BY ELECTROLYSIS IN A COMPACT BODY, filed on August 20, 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research Or Development
[0002] This invention was made with government support under R01AI076247 and R01AI090831 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.
Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a miniaturized and inexpensive device for pumping liquid by electrolysis.
Background of the Invention
[0004] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0005] All publications and patent applications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. [0006] Pumping liquid in a compact cartridge is essential for many applications, such as point of care in-vitro diagnostic devices. Current point-of-care (POC) diagnostic devices rely on syringe or peristaltic pumping methods that require fluid-sealed coupling, bulky structural supports and high power consumption for the motors and actuators. Alternatively, pumping by electrolysis presents several advantages. In general, an electrolytic pump (e-Pump) is made of a disposable pump body in contact with, and controlled by, an instrument. The pump body is composed of a chamber containing liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte can consist of an aqueous solution of electrochemically inert ions (e.g., Na2S04) at high concentration. An electrical current applied to the electrodes cause water electrolysis, thereby generating gas. This generated gas produces the necessary pressure to pump the liquid reagent in the downstream chamber or channel to its intended destination. Electrolytic pumping has been utilized in commercial products such as integrated devices for nucleic acid testing as disclosed in Combimatrix Device: Anal. Chem. 2006, 78, 4184-4193, and US 6,793,462 B2, or insulin infusion pumps as disclosed in US 6,458,102 Bl.
[0007] Despite the advantages of an e-pump, several factors limit the application of electrolytic pumping to point-of-care diagnostics. For example, the liquid electrolyte can evaporate, leak from the device, and mix with downstream reagents in commercially available electrolytic pumps. In most common devices, the electrolyte is separated from downstream reagents through a gas permeable membrane which does not prevent electrolyte evaporation. While in some designs a movable barrier such as an expendable bladder or rubber plunger may prevent or decrease electrolyte evaporation and facilitate electrolyte containment, the stroke volume of the electrolytic pump may be limited by a mechanical barrier.
[0008] Additionally, metal electrodes on e-pumps often corrode during extended storage. Various electrode materials, alloys, or electrode plating have been used to make the electrodes resistant to corrosion; however, such specialized electrode material increases the cost of production. Moreover, plating the electrodes only temporarily prevents corrosion.
[0009] The contact between the electrolyte and the electrodes can be severed if the electrolyte is not properly contained. During operation, bubbles formed in the electrolytic chamber can interfere with or terminate the conduction of current, especially for high flow rate pumping (e.g., approximately 1 ml/min). To ensure uninterrupted stable electrolyte contact with the electrodes, various electrode arrangements such as inter-digitation, parallel spring coils, angular electrodes, and electrodes on opposing walls have been designed. To maintain fluidic contact in arbitrary orientations, alternative matrices infused with electrolyte, such as a hydrogel, or a cotton matrix have been proposed as disclosed in US 8,285,328 B2. However, these designs introduce additional structures that impede the conduction of gas bubbles downstream and render the pump susceptible to interruption of pumping over extended operation.
[0010] Thus, even though some e-pump devices are known in the art, all or almost all of them suffer from various disadvantages. Consequently, there is a need to provide an improved e-pump that can be manufactured without the use of expensive materials and provides consistent and effective operation and function.
Summary of The Invention
[0011] The inventors have discovered devices and methods for making an electrolytic pump (e- pump) device that is miniaturized and made inexpensively for pumping liquid by electrolysis at a sustainable and controllable flow rate between 0.05 to 2.5 ml/minute over a period of several minutes. The pump device includes design features to address electrolyte storage and corrosion prevention to facilitate the integration into commercial diagnostic products.
[0012] The contemplated pump device includes a pump body including an electrolyte chamber having an electrode barrier, an outlet barrier, and an electrolyte solution, wherein the electrolyte solution is contained between the electrode barrier and the outlet barrier and each of the outlet barrier and the electrode barrier have an electrolyte surface and an outside surface. The pump device also includes an electrode member comprising two or more electrodes, wherein the electrode member is configured to be inserted into the electrolyte chamber through the electrode barrier. The pump device may also include a connector member attached to the electrode member through which an electrical circuit is provided. The connector member may be configured to connect to the electrode member and facilitate insertion of the electrode member into the electrolyte chamber. [0013] In some embodiments, the electrode barrier of the contemplated pump device is a thin film. The thin film electrode barrier may be formed on one end of electrolyte chamber with plastic film, laminated metal film, and/or metalized plastic film.
[0014] The electrode member of the contemplated pump device may include two or more electrodes partially embedded in at least one electrode holder.
[0015] The pump body of the contemplated pump device may include guide walls positioned outside the electrolyte chamber and proximal to the electrode barrier wherein the guide walls secure and align the electrode member upon insertion of the electrode member.
[0016] In some embodiments, the electrode member of the contemplated pump device is inserted into the electrolyte chamber thereby imparting a pressure or a force that compromises or at least partially unseals the outlet barrier on the other end of the electrolyte chamber. In additional embodiments, when the electrode member is inserted, the shape of the electrode member seals the area of penetration of the electrode barrier to contain the electrolyte.
[0017] Additional embodiments include the contemplated pump device further comprising a plunger member attached to the outside surface of the outlet barrier. Using a pump device of this configuration, the pump body is moved down onto a stationary electrode member to allow the electrode member to puncture the electrode barrier.
[0018] Other embodiments include the contemplated pump device wherein the outlet barrier further comprises an actuation member attached to the electrolyte surface of the outlet barrier, wherein the actuation member is activated upon contact with the electrode member upon insertion of the electrode member into the electrolyte chamber to thereby actuate the outlet barrier.
[0019] The inventive subject matter also includes the contemplated pump device wherein the outlet barrier comprises a seal structure that is moved in a direction away from the electrolyte chamber when the two or more electrodes are inserted into the electrolyte chamber. The seal structure may be a thin film or a cover lid. [0020] For manufacturing the contemplated pump device, the pump body may be made of a moisture-resistant plastic. Examples include high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene. In additional embodiments, the pump body and the outlet barrier may be made together of moisture-resistant plastic by injection molding.
[0021] The contemplated electrode barrier of the disclosed pump device may be made of a plastic film, a laminated metal film, or a metalized plastic film positioned on the electrolyte chamber.
[0022] The contemplated pump device is a small or miniature electrolytic pump device. In some embodiments, the overall cross-sectional area is no more than 2.0 cm2. In some embodiments, the contemplated pump device is capable of pumping electrolyte at a rate of between 50 pl/min up to 2.5 ml/min.
[0023] ETsing the presently disclosed pump device, electrolytic pumping of electrolyte volumes up to 500 mΐ may be accomplished effectively and cost-efficiently at rates up to approximately 2.5 ml/min.
[0024] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing in which like numerals represent like components.
Brief Description of The Drawing
[0025] FIG. l is a schematic of the electrolytic pump (e-pump), according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates of the penetration of the electrolyte chamber by the electrode prior to operation, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates the opening the cover lid of the electrolyte chamber to facilitate proper connection to the fluidic path downstream of the pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention. [0028] FIG. 4 is a graph of a flow rate (ml/min) relative to current (mA) using an electrolytic pump, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a depiction of a feature of the e-pump as further described herein, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a depiction of a feature of the e-pump as further described herein, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a depiction of a feature of the e-pump as further described herein, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a depiction of a feature of the e-pump as further described herein, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a depiction of a feature of the e-pump as further described herein, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 10 is schematic of the e-pump in which the electrode member is inserted at a perpendicular angle, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a schematic of the e-pump as further described herein in which the electrolyte chamber is a capsule formed of two clam shells in which the electrode barrier and the outlet barrier is formed by one clam shell, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
Detailed Description
[0036] Aspects of the contemplated electrolytic pump (e-pump) device assembly includes an electrode member that is stored separate from the electrolyte chamber and is easily and effectively inserted into the electrolyte chamber for use. This introduction of the electrodes into the electrolyte at the time of use prevents corrosion of the electrodes during storage between the time of manufacture and the time of use of the e-pump device.
[0037] In general, the contemplated e-pump device includes a disposable pump body or housing that contains the electrolyte chamber in a provided capsule or with the pump body walls forming a hollow cavity with two ends where one end is an electrode barrier and the other end is an outlet barrier. Altogether, either the capsule alone or the hollow cavity with the electrode barrier and outlet barrier form a sealed chamber for holding the electrolyte. Each of the electrode barrier and the outlet barrier has two sides or surfaces— an electrolyte surface and an outside surface. The electrolyte surface is the side contacting the electrolyte and the outside surface is the side outside the electrolyte chamber.
[0038] Aspects according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in FIG. 1 in which an electrolytic pump device assembly includes an electrolyte chamber 1 filled with electrolyte during fabrication and the electrolyte is contained or sealed within the electrolyte chamber between an outlet barrier (e.g., cover lid or thin film) 3 at one end and a thin film electrode barrier 13 at the other end. The e-pump does not necessarily require a particular orientation. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the electrodes puncture the electrode barrier 13 (e.g., a thin film) from below the electrolyte chamber with the outlet barrier of the electrolyte chamber that connects to the downstream fluidic channel 2 on top, and the outlet barrier 3 (e.g., a cover lid or thin film) also on top. The outlet barrier 3 is sealed to the electrolyte chamber 1, for example, via a press fit design (for a cover lid) or thermal bonding (for a thin film), in a manner that ensures appropriate containment of the electrolyte. The electrode barrier 13 of the electrolyte chamber is a thin film designed to allow for easy penetration by the electrodes when the device is engaged with the electrode member 5. The electrolyte chamber 1 may be a separate capsule or an integral part (e.g., cavity) of the pump body.
[0039] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the electrodes 4 are made of a conductive material of sufficient mechanical strength and appropriate shape to allow for easy penetration of the electrolyte chamber wall by the electrodes prior to operation. For example, the electrodes may be made of stainless steel (e.g., stainless steel nails). Additionally, or alternatively, the electrodes may be made of steel, iron, gold, platinum, graphite, or any conductive combination of metal alloys capable of sustaining an electrolysis reaction in an electrolyte solution. The electrodes are embedded in a gasket septum, called the electrode/septum assembly or electrode member 5.
[0040] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary design that enables penetration of the electrolyte chamber by the electrodes through the electrode barrier prior to operation. One or multiple sets of guiding walls 7 extend from the side of the pump body facing the electrode member. During storage, the electrode member is inserted into these guiding walls such that the electrodes are positioned external to the electrolyte chamber until the pump is ready to be used.
[0041] With reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the e-pump connector 6 on the pump device is designed as a protruding feature which may be handled by hand or mechanically as the electrode member is being inserted into or is receiving the electrolyte chamber. When the pump body is engaged with the device, the e-pump connector 6 facilitates the electrode member inward along the guide wall(s) 7. This inward displacement causes the electrodes 4 to penetrate the wall of the electrolyte chamber. In addition to guiding the inward displacement of the el ectr ode/ septum assemble, the guide wall also aligns the e-pump connector 6 so the metallic contacts 8 in the connector make electrical connection with the electrodes. The e-pump connector member 6 connects to a power supply thereby providing an electrical circuit to the electrode member.
[0042] With continued reference to FIG. 2, in order to provide further structural guidance during the engagement process, the electrolyte chamber wall facing the electrodes may contain features such as one or more cross-slits 11. These features prevent bending or twisting of the electrodes, which could lead to unintentional contact between the electrodes. Such contact would short out the electrodes and render the pump non-operational.
[0043] During the engagement process, slot features 10 on the interior surface of the guide walls vent most of the air between electrode member and the electrolyte chamber to prevent unintentional pressure buildup inside the pump body. At the same time, the guide walls and the electrode member with corresponding grooves 12 are designed to prevent electrolyte leakage when the electrodes are fully inserted into the electrolyte chamber.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 3, the outlet barrier 3 of the electrolyte chamber 1 must be opened during the engagement process in order to facilitate proper connection to the fluidic path downstream of the e-pump. In this example, the outlet barrier 3 may be designed with one or more structural posts 14 that extend into the interior of the electrolyte chamber. When the electrodes 4 are inserted into the electrolyte chamber, the electrodes push into these posts and transfer the applied force to the outlet barrier 3. This force breaks open the bond between the outlet barrier and the electrolyte chamber. Breaking of this bonding may be facilitated by a set of ribs 15 under the outlet barrier that focus the applied force to the seam between the outlet barrier and the electrolyte chamber.
[0045] During e-pump operation, sufficient venting of generated gas bubbles is advantageous so that contact between the electrodes and the electrolyte is maintained. Furthermore, if the electrolyte chamber is not vented out properly, the capillary pressure of the gas bubbles may push the electrolyte out of the electrolyte chamber, and the displaced electrolyte may contaminate downstream reagents. Proper venting requires a sufficiently large gap between the cover lid and electrolyte chamber after the engagement process. The size of the gap may be controlled by adjusting the difference between the height of the electrolyte chamber and the sum of the heights of the posts and electrodes inside the electrolyte chamber.
[0046] The pump rate of the electrolytic pumping may be controlled by the magnitude of the current supplied by the instrument current source, which in turn controls the rate of gas generation by electrolysis. The presently disclosed electrolytic pump coupled to a variable current source is able to generate controllable flow rates from tens or hundreds of microliters per minute (50-900 pl/min) up to 2.5 milliliters per minute (2.5 ml/min) as shown in FIG. 4. In additional embodiments, the flow rates range from 50 mΐ/min to 2.4 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 2.3 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 2.2. ml/min, 50 pl/min to 2.1 ml/min, 50 pl/min 2.0 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.9 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.8 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.7 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.6 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.5 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.4 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.3 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.2 ml/min, 50 pl/min to 1.1 ml/min, or 50 pl/min to 1.0 ml/min. Lower and higher flow rates may be achieved by other embodiments of the electrolytic pump described herein made with different electrode materials, areas of electrode exposed to electrolyte, and varying the electrolyte concentration. In addition, lower and higher pump rates may be achieved by modifying the electronics of the instrument’s pumping control.
[0047] Furthermore, some embodiments of the present invention include mechanisms or conditions that facilitate bursting of bubbles during operation of the e-pump, to ensure stable contact between the electrolyte and electrodes, and containment of electrolyte in the electrolyte chamber. Highly concentrated electrolyte solutions, such as about 1M Na2S04, tend to foam during operation, which prevents bursting of gas bubbles. Conversely, the bubbles bursts more readily when the electrolyte concentration is reduced to a lower concentration, (e.g., less than 1M Na2S04, but sufficiently high to ensure proper conductivity of the electrolyte fluid, ensuring proper pump operation). During pump operation, parasitic corrosion of electrodes generates particulates that also retard bursting of gas bubbles. Accordingly, driving electrolysis using alternating current may improve the stability of pumping by distributing the particulate between the two electrodes instead of only at one electrode.
[0048] In additional embodiments, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic elements may be incorporated into the electrolyte chamber in various configurations to facilitate the bursting of the destabilizing bubbles. Such elements may be in the form of coatings on the chamber walls or as flat/folded porous membranes inserted within or molded onto the chamber walls. For example, a hydrophobic coating (e.g., Teflon®) or membrane (e.g., Teflon®) may be applied to the electrolyte surface of the outlet barrier in the electrolyte chamber to repel the electrolyte and induce the bursting of the bubbles. Additionally or alternatively, a hydrophilic coating (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG)) or hydrophilic membrane (e.g., polyethersulfone) may be applied to the electrolyte surface of the electrode barrier in the electrolyte chamber. The electrolyte solution is attracted to the hydrophilic coating or hydrophilic membrane and expels the bubbles towards the outlet.
[0049] The contemplated e-pump of the present disclosure may use any suitable electrolyte solution. A suitable electrolyte solution is any aqueous solution of electrochemically inert ions. For example, sodium sulfate (Na2S04) may be used. In addition to Na2S04, various alternative electrolyte solutions are available to conduct electrolysis including, but not limited to, aqueous solutions of K2S04 as well as sodium and potassium salts of phosphate buffers (P043 , HP042 , and H2P0 ), and nitrate (N03 ).
[0050] The electrolytic pump body may be manufactured from a moisture-resistant plastic, metalized plastic, metal film laminated on plastic, or any combination of these materials bonded together to form moisture barriers. In a typical embodiment, the pump body is made from a moisture-resistant plastic. Examples of a moisture-resistant plastic suitable for the pump body include high density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or polypropylene. These plastics may be modified or mixed. For lower production cost, HDPE or polypropylene may be used without mixing or modification. The thickness of the material for the pump body may be any suitable thickness for manufacturing and intended use. For example, the material thickness may be of between 0.7 mm to 3 mm. More typically, the material is of between 1 mm to 1.5 mm.
[0051] As disclosed herein, the outlet barrier may be a cover lid or a thin film, or in the case of a capsule forming the electrolyte chamber, the outlet barrier is a portion of the capsule opposite the insertion point of the electrode member. In the form of a cover lid, the outlet barrier may be made from a similar or the same material as the pump body. As such, the cover lid outlet barrier may be made from a moisture-resistant plastic, metalized plastic, metal film laminated on plastic, or any combination of these materials bonded together to form moisture barriers. Examples of a moisture-resistant plastic suitable for the cover lid include high density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or polypropylene. These plastics may be modified or mixed. For lower production cost, HDPE or polypropylene may be used without mixing or modification. The thickness of the material for the cover lid may be any suitable thickness for manufacturing and intended use. For example, the material thickness of the cover lid may be of between 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. more typically, the material is of between 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm.
[0052] In typical embodiments, the thin film electrode barrier may also be manufactured from a moisture-resistant plastic film, metalized plastic film, or metal film laminated on plastic. Examples of a moisture-resistant plastic include HDPE and/or polypropylene. The thin film may be bonded to the pump body by thermal bonding or adhesives. The thickness of the thin film may be of between 0.1 mil to 30 mil, 0.2 mil to 30 mil, 0.3 mil to 30 mil, 0.4 mil to 30 mil, 0.5 mil to 30 mil, 0.6 mil to 30 mil, 0.7 mil to 30 mil, 0.8 mil to 30 mil, 0.9 mil to 30 mil, 1 mil to 30 mil, 0.1 mil to 25 mil, 0.2 mil to 25 mil, 0.3 mil to 25 mil, 0.4 mil to 25 mil, 0.5 mil to 25 mil, 0.6 mil to 25 mil, 0.7 mil to 25 mil, 0.8 mil to 25 mil, 0.9 mil to 25 mil, 1 mil to 25 mil, 0.1 mil to 20 mil, 0.2 mil to 20 mil, 0.3 mil to 20 mil, 0.4 mil to 20 mil, 0.5 mil to 20 mil, 0.6 mil to 20 mil, 0.7 mil to 20 mil, 0.8 mil to 20 mil, 0.9 mil to 20 mil, 1 mil to 20 mil, 0.1 mil to 15 mil, 0.2 mil to 15 mil, 0.3 mil to 15 mil, 0.4 mil to 15 mil, 0.5 mil to 15 mil, 0.6 mil to 15 mil, 0.7 mil to 15 mil, 0.8 mil to 15 mil, 0.9 mil to 15 mil, 1 mil to 15 mil, 0.1 mil to 10 mil, 0.2 mil to 10 mil, 0.3 mil to 10 mil, 0.4 mil to 10 mil, 0.5 mil to 10 mil, 0.6 mil to 10 mil, 0.7 mil to 10 mil, 0.8 mil to 10 mil, 0.9 mil to 10 mil, 1 mil to 10 mil, 0.1 mil to 5 mil, 0.2 mil to 5 mil, 0.3 mil to 5 mil, 0.4 mil to 5 mil, 0.5 mil to 5 mil, 0.6 mil to 5 mil, 0.7 mil to 5 mil, 0.8 mil to 5 mil, 0.9 mil to 5 mil, or 1 mil to 5 mil.
[0053] In other contemplated embodiments, the thin film electrode barrier may be an integral film formed by injection molding with the pump body, thereby further simplifying the assembly process of the pump. See for example, FIG. 2.
[0054] Other embodiments of the contemplated e-pump include different arrangements of the electrolyte chamber and electrodes, and/or different components and methods to expose the electrolyte to the electrodes.
[0055] In typical embodiments, the e-pump is considered to be small or miniature in size. For example, the overall cross-sectional area of the electrolyte chamber may be of between 0.5 cm2 to 2cm2. In example embodiments, the overall length orthogonal to the cross-sectional area, when the electrode member is inserted, may be of between 1 cm to 3 cm. Additionally, the pump body/ housing may be of between 0.8 cm to 2.5 cm, and the electrolyte chamber may be of between 4 mm to 1 cm with an electrolyte volume capacity of approximately 50 pL to 500 pL. In some embodiments, the electrode member may be of between 6 mm to 1.5 cm.
[0056] In some embodiments, a secondary capsule may be used inside the pump body to contain electrolyte. A capsule may be formed by different combinations of structural plastic walls (e.g., moisture-resistant plastic, metalized plastic, metal film laminated on plastic, or any combination of these materials bonded together to form moisture barriers) and thin films (e.g., moisture- resistant plastic film, metalized plastic film, or metal film laminated on plastic). A typical capsule design is a section of a hollow component 16, which may have different cross-sectional shapes including circle, oval, or square, closed by a thin film or cover lid 17 and thin film 18, as shown in FIG. 5. Thin films may be bonded to the walls at the open end or ends of the hollow component, and if a cover lid is used (instead of a thin film), the cover lid may be press fit. With reference to FIG. 6, another design using fewer components may be composed of two clam shells 19 and 20 forming the electrolyte chamber and the electrode barrier and outlet barrier.
[0057] In a specific embodiment, the cover lid 3 of the electrolyte chamber 1 in FIG. 3, or the equivalent component of another embodiment, such as component 17 in FIG. 5, may be press fit into the electrolyte chamber or capsule. The force applied by the electrodes displaces the press fit component to allow venting of the gas to the fluidic path downstream.
[0058] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the electrodes 21 are integrated inside of the pump chamber body 22 with sharp tips pointing towards the electrolyte capsule. The penetration of electrolyte capsule 23 may be accomplished by the instrument connector 25 pushing the moving capsule 23 into the stationary electrodes 20. The electrodes penetrate through the capsule and connect with the metal contacts 24 on the connector 25 to enable electrolytic pumping.
[0059] In some embodiments, the electrolyte capsule contains a spike insert 26 within the capsule or pump body 27. The spike may be pushed up by the inserted electrode 28 and disrupts the top cover 29 of the capsule or pump body as shown in FIG. 8.
[0060] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, electrodes 30 are integrated in the pump body. The connector members 31 connect with the electrodes 30 without displacement when the pump body 32 is inserted in the device assembly. In this configuration, the top cover 33 pushes the electrolyte capsules 34 into the electrodes by a plunger member 35 that slides within the e- pump body.
[0061] Additional embodiments of the contemplated e-pump system include an e-pump system in which the electrode member may be inserted into the e-pump pump body at any angle. While examples are shown here, a person of ordinary skill in the art readily understands that the parallel and perpendicular angles shown in the present drawings are examples and the angle of the insertion could be any angle between perpendicular and parallel occurring above or below the perpendicular plane. For example, with reference to FIG. 10, the pump body 37 is designed such that the electrode guide wall and the enclosed electrodes are oriented at an angle (e.g., perpendicular) to the direction of gravity. The electrode member 38 is also oriented in the corresponding perpendicular angle. The outlet barrier 36 is designed with an additional structural component (e.g., an actuation member) attached to the electrolyte side of the outlet barrier. This structural component makes contact with the inserted electrode membrane during the engagement process, thereby actuating disruption (e.g., opening) of the outlet barrier 36. [0062] In some embodiments of the contemplated e-pump assembly, the electrode barrier and the outlet barrier are a part of one component. For example, with reference to FIG. 11, the pump body 41 includes the capsule 39 made of two clam shells in which the first clam shell 40 includes both the electrode barrier and the outlet barrier and the second clam shell is oriented to enclose the electrolyte together with the first clam shell, with the second clam shell having a relative orientation like the clam shell 19 of FIG. 6.
[0063] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language ( e.g .,“such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the full scope of the present disclosure, and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the claimed invention.
[0064] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the full scope of the concepts disclosed herein. The disclosed subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.