A hydraulic-driven piezoelectric pump with separable channel for drug delivery

In order to further optimize the overall performance of separable piezoelectric drug delivery pump, a hydraulic-driven piezoelectric pump with separable channel for drug delivery (HPPSCDD) is proposed, which can realize the reuse of piezoelectric actuator. Initially, the influencing factors of the HPPSCDD output performance were analyzed theoretically in the regard of the maximum output flow and optimal working frequency. Then, HPPSCDD prototypes were designed and manufactured. Finally, based on key design parameters combination, the test and analysis of output flow properties were carried out. Experimental results indicated that, the optimum working frequency increases as increase of diaphragm thickness; when diaphragm thickness is fixed, the maximum output flow declines as increase of reservoir chamber height. The optimal performance can reach 8.70 ml/min at 20 Hz for the combination of 0.1 mm diaphragm thickness and 4.7 mm reservoir chamber height. HPPSCDD proposed in this paper has the advantages of simple structure, stable performance and convenient installation, which provides an important reference for the practical application of piezoelectric pump in the field of drug delivery. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.