Implantable fluid delivery apparatuses and implantable electrode

• US 20030097121A1
• Filed: 10/24/2002
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Inventors: Jolly, Claude, Hochmair, Ingeborg
• Granted Patent: US 7,044,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0241 having means for filtering
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/025 through bones or teeth, e.g. through the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0662 Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0668 Middle ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

Implantable fluid delivery systems and implantable electrodes are provided. The fluid delivery systems may include an implantable fluid source, a first catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid source, and an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the first catheter. The electrodes include a front end and back end for ease of implantation. One or more of the electrodes may be combined with a fluid delivery system to provide fluid to the body of a subject.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:

an implantable fluid source;

a first catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid source; and

an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the first catheter.

2. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the implantable fluid source includes a reservoir.

3. A fluid delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the reservoir is refillable.

4. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the implantable fluid source includes a pump.

5. A fluid delivery system according to claim 4, wherein the pump is an osmotic pump.

6. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a second catheter in fluid communication with the implantable micro-valve.

7. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, where in the implantable micro-valve includes a magnet.

8. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the implantable micro-valve is self-closing.

9. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for 20 stopping fluid flow through the system.

10. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode in communication with the fluid source.

11. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode in communication with the first catheter.

12. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a cochlear implant in communication with the fluid source.

13. A fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a cochlear implant in communication with the first catheter.

14. A fluid delivery system comprising:

an implantable fluid source; and

an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the fluid source.

15. A fluid delivery system according to claim 14, wherein the fluid source is a canister which may be removed from the system.

16. An electrode for an implantable prosthesis, the electrode comprising:

a flexible front end including one or more metal contacts; and

a back end including one or more metal contacts wherein the flexible front end is substantially thinner than the back end such that forces required to introduce the flexible front end to soft tissue are minimal.

17. An electrode according to claim 16, wherein the flexible front end and the back end are comprised of a polymer matrix.

18. An electrode according to claim 17, wherein each of the metal contacts is connected to a wire that runs through the polymer matrix.

19. An electrode according to claim 16, wherein the flexible front end comprises about one half the mass of the back end.

20. An electrode according to claim 16, further comprising one or more fluid outlets.

21. An electrode according to claim 20, wherein each of the one or more fluid outlets is in communication with at least two fluid channels.

22. An electrode according to claim 16, wherein the back end includes at least two segments, the two segments being fully connected to one another prior to implantation and at least partially disconnected from one another following implantation.

23. An electrode according to claim 16, further comprising a stopper disposed upon an outer wall of the electrode for limiting the extent of implantation.

24. An electrode according to claim 16, further comprising a connector disposed between the flexible front end and the back end such that the flexible front end may be separated from the back end.

25. A cochlear implant comprising:

an implantable housing, the implantable housing including an current source;

an electric lead in communication with the current source, the electric lead including a fluid delivery channel; and

an electrode array, the electrode array including one or more fluid outlets is in communication with the fluid delivery channel.

26. An implantable catheter for fluid delivery comprising:

a flexible polymer based housing having an internal channel in fluid communication with an implantable fluid source; and

one or more outlets disposed on the housing, each of the outlets including at least two outlet channels.

27. An implantable catheter according to claim 26, further comprising an adjustable blocker for closing an incision through which the catheter is inserted.

28. An implantable catheter according to claim 26, further comprising a reinforcing filament for increasing ease of implantation.

29. An implantable catheter according to claim 28, wherein the reinforcing filament includes a wire.

30. An implantable catheter according to claim 28, wherein the reinforcing filament includes a hardened polymer.

31. A micro-septum connector comprising:

an implantable port connector having a septum; and

an implantable spear connector having a needle for insertion into the septum.

32. A micro-septum connector according to claim 31, wherein the implantable port connector comprises:

a fluid source in fluid communication with the needle;

a compression ring for compressing the septum; and

a mechanism for guiding the needle as it is inserted into the septum.

33. A micro-septum connector according to claim 31, further comprising:

a stopping device for preventing direct contact between the implantable port connector and the implantable spear connector; and

a locking device for preventing disengagement of the needle from the septum.

34. A micro-septum connector according to claim 31, further comprising:

a port catheter in fluid communication with the implantable port connector.

35. A micro-septum connector according to claim 34, further comprising:

a bacterial filter disposed between the fluid source and port catheter.

36. A micro-septum connector according to claim 34, further comprising:

a bacterial filter disposed between the implantable port connector and the port catheter.

37. A micro-septum connector according to claim 31, further comprising:

a spear catheter in fluid communication with the needle.

38. An apparatus for delivering fluid to the body of a subject comprising:

an implantable fluid source;

a first catheter in fluid communication with the fluid source; and

a micro-septum connector, the micro-septum connector comprising;

an implantable spear connector in communication with the first catheter, the implantable spear connector including a needle; and

an implantable port connector having a septum into which the needle is inserted.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising:

a second catheter in fluid communication with the implantable port connector.

40. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the fluid source is a fluid pump.

41. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the fluid source is a reservoir.

42. An apparatus for delivering fluid to the body of a subject comprising:

a first catheter in fluid communication with a fluid source;

a micro-septum connector, the micro-septum connector including an implantable spear connector in communication with the first catheter, the implantable spear connector including a needle, and an implantable port connector having a septum into which the needle is inserted;

a second catheter in fluid communication with the implantable port connector; and

an implantable electronic prosthesis having one or more fluid channels is in fluid communication with the second catheter.

43. An apparatus for delivering fluid to the inner ear of a subject comprising:

a first catheter in fluid communication with a fluid source;

a micro-septum connector, the micro-septum connector including an implantable spear connector in communication with the first catheter, the implantable spear connector including a needle, and an implantable port connector having a septum into which the needle is inserted; and

a fixation device for affixing the implantable port connector to the inner ear of a subject.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising:

a second catheter in fluid communication with the implantable port connector.

45. An apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising:

an electrode having one or more fluid channels in fluid communication with the second catheter.

46. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the fixation device is affixed to a promontory bone of the subject.

47. An apparatus for delivering fluid to the body of a subject comprising:

an implantable fluid reservoir, the implantable fluid reservoir including a first septum;

a catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid reservoir; and

a first needle in fluid communication with the catheter.

48. An apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising:

a bacterial filter disposed between the implantable fluid reservoir and the catheter.

49. An apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising:

a flow restrictor disposed between the implantable fluid reservoir and the catheter.

50. An apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising:

an anchor for affixing the first needle to the catheter.

51. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the anchor includes a silicone plug.

52. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the anchor includes one or more metal rings.

53. An apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising:

an access port in fluid communication with the first needle, the access port comprising;

a second septum, the second septum including a micro reservoir; and

a second needle in fluid communication with the micro reservoir.

54. An apparatus according to claim 53, further comprising:

an anchor for affixing the second needle to the second septum.

55. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the anchor includes one or more metal rings.

56. An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the metal rings are embedded in silicone.

57. An implantable access port for delivering fluid to the body of a subject comprising:

an implantable septum, the implantable septum including a micro reservoir; and

a needle in fluid communication with the micro-reservoir.

58. An implantable access port according to claim 57, further comprising an anchor for affixing the needle to the implantable septum.

59. An implantable access port according to claim 58, wherein the anchor includes one or more metal rings.

60. An implantable access port according to claim 59, wherein the metal rings are embedded in silicone.

61. An implantable fluid source for delivery of fluid to the body of a subject comprising:

an implantable fluid reservoir, the implantable fluid reservoir having at least one fluid channel; and

a septum in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel.

62. An implantable fluid source according to claim 61, further comprising:

a bacterial filter in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel.

63. An implantable fluid source according to claim 61, further comprising:

a flow constrictor in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel.