A system for the metering and delivery of small discrete volumes of liquid is
comprised
of a small or minimal number of inexpensive components. One such component is a
movable member, such as a miniature precision reciprocating displacement pump head,
which is driven by an actuator that comprises a shape memory alloy material. The
operating mechanism of the system is of little or minimal complexity. The system
facilitates the precise metering and delivery of the small discrete volumes of
liquid. Potential applications for the system include subcutaneous, long-term,
automated drug delivery, for example, the delivery of insulin to a person with
diabetes. In such an application, the small, simple and inexpensive nature of the
invention would allow for its use as both a portable and a disposable system.
