Access port indicator for implantable medical device

• US 20040199220A1
• Filed: 04/07/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cantlon, Kurt
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,011 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2055 Optical tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6081 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/427 Locating point where body is to be pierced, e.g. vein location means using ultrasonic waves, injection site templates

Abstract

The invention is directed to an implantable pump. The implantable pump has a port with light emitters indicating the location of the port. The port can be useful in providing bolus injections or the refilling of reservoirs. The light emitters can be arranged in various forms about the port including linear, triangular, square, or circular, among others. If more than one port is located on a device, these ports can be differentiated by differing colors and arrangements of emitters. In addition, various circuitries can be used to activate the emitters. These circuitries can include a coil and capacitor arrangement that provide a separate power source from that of the pump.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device comprising:

a first location;

a first energy emitter positioned to indicate the position of the first location; and

a circuitry operable to activate the first energy emitter.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the first energy emitter is a light emitting source.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the first energy emitter is a VCSEL.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the first energy emitter is sonic emitting source.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the first energy emitter is an electromagnetic emitting source.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second location; and

a second energy emitter positioned to indicate the position of the second location.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 6 wherein the second energy emitter emits energy distinguishable from the first energy emitter.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the first energy emitter further comprises a first set of more than one individual emitters, the more than one individual emitters operable to emit energy as a unit.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the first port is a bolus injection port.

10. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the first port is a reservoir fill port.

11. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the circuitry comprises:

a antennae; and

an instruction circuitry to instruct the first energy emitter to emit energy upon receiving a signal from the antennae.

12. The implantable medical device of claim 11 wherein the circuitry further comprises an energy storage device electrically coupled to the antennae.

13. The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the circuitry comprises a sensor and a switch, the switch closing in response to the sensor detecting a transmitted signal.

14. A transfer system for an implantable medical device, the system comprising:

a transfer device;

an activation device; and

the implantable medical device comprising;

a first location receiving a material from the transfer device;

a first energy emitter to indicate the position of the first location; and

a circuitry coupled to the first energy emitter.

15. The system of claim 14, the implantable medical device further comprising:

a second location; and

a second energy emitter to indicate the position of the second location.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the second energy emitter emits energy distinguishable from the first energy emitter.

17. The system of claim 14, the first energy emitter further comprising a first set of more than one individual emitters, the more than one individual emitters operable to emit energy as a unit.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the first location is a bolus injection port.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the first location is a reservoir fill port.

20. A method for determining a location on an implantable medical device, the method comprising:

receiving a signal; and

activating an energy emitter located on the implantable device in response to the signal; and

emitting energy from the energy emitter to indicated the position of the location.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising deactivating the electromagnetic energy emitter.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of deactivation comprises discharging energy from an energy storage device.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of deactivating comprises opening a switch.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of receiving a signal comprises inducing a current in a coil.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising injecting a fluid into the location.