PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA USING A MINIATURE ELECTROCHEMICALLY DRIVEN INFUSION-PUMP

We describe a miniature electrochemically driven, wrist-worn infusion pump. Generation of gas by an electrolytic reaction compresses a reser voir containing medication and provides a predictable and controllable infusion rate. The pump was used for patient-controlled analgesia (PC A) in women who required analgesia after Caesarean section. It was acc epted readily and was convenient for both patients and nursing staff. This portable system, using a novel motive force, has advantages of co nvenience over larger systems and has sophisticated features not prese nt in existing small systems. It has potential as a routine PCA device and it may have uses in other situations requiring convenient infusio n or intermittent injection in an ambulatory setting.