A new type of capsule medical micropump

We propose a new type of capsule micropump using an ICPF (ionic conducting polymer film) actuator as the servo actuator. This micropump consists of two active one-way valves which make use of the same ICPF actuator, and a tank. The overall size of this micropump prototype is 13 mm in diameter and 23 mm in length. The actuating mechanism is as follows. (1) The ICPF actuator diaphragm is bent to the anode side by application of electricity, and the volume of the pump chamber increases, resulting in the inflow of liquid from the tank to the chamber. (2) By changing the current direction, the volume of the pump chamber decreases, and so the liquid flows from the chamber to the outlet. (3) The ICPF actuator is supplied with a sine voltage, and the micropump provides liquid flow from the tank to the outlet. The characteristic of the micropump is measured. The experimental results indicate that the micropump has the satisfactory responses.