Multi-reservoir implantable pump with variable flow rate capabilities

• US 20060271022A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aqulinx Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palyon Medical Corporation
• Inventors: Steinbach, Bernd, Lederer, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 8,034,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/141 with capillaries for restricting fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14593 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/155 pressurised by gas introduced into the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407

Abstract

A multiple reservoir or chambered implantable pumps is disclosed. The pump according to the present invention is particularly useful in allowing for multiple constant flow rates to be provided from an otherwise constant flow implantable pump. The pump is also useful in allowing for housing of multiple active substances. A multiple reservoir implantable pump is also disclosed, which has at least one chamber capable of providing a constant flow rate and at least one chamber capable of being utilized for patient controlled injections.

Claims

1. An implantable device for dispensing an active substance to a patient comprising:

a propellant chamber defined by a first flexible membrane and a second flexible membrane;

a first active substance chamber separated from said propellant chamber by the first flexible membrane; and

a second active substance chamber separated from said propellant chamber by the second flexible membrane.

2. The implantable device according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet in fluid communication with said first and second active substance chambers.

3. The implantable device according to claim 2, further comprising a first resistor in fluid communication between said first active substance chamber and said outlet, and a second resistor in fluid communication between said second active substance chamber and said outlet.

4. The implantable device according to claim 2, further comprising a bolus port in fluid communication with said outlet, and a bolus septum sealing the bolus port.

5. The implantable device according to claim 1, further comprising a first replenishment opening in fluid communication with said first active substance chamber, and a first septum sealing the first replenishment opening.

6. The implantable device according to claim 5, further comprising a second replenishment opening in fluid communication with said second active substance chamber, and a second septum sealing the second replenishment opening.

7. The implantable device according to claim 6, wherein said first and second replenishment openings are offset from said chambers.

8. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein said propellant chamber contains a propellant capable of expanding isobarically, the propellant cooperating with the first and second flexible membranes to reduce the volume of said first and second active substance chambers upon expansion of the propellant.

9. The implantable device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of suture holes for attaching said device to said patient.

10. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second active substance chambers are filled with the same active substance.

11. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second active substance chambers are filled with two different active substances.

12. A method of providing different constant flow rates of an active substance to a patient comprising the steps of:

providing an implantable device having at least first and second active substance chambers; and

filling at least one of said first and second chambers or both of said chambers with said active substance in order to provide a selected flow rate of said active substance to said patient,

wherein filling only said first chamber with said active substance provides a first flow rate of said active substance, filling only said second chamber with said active substance provides a second flow rate of said active substance, and filling both said first and second chambers with said active substance provides a third flow rate of said active substance.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said implantable device further includes an outlet in fluid communication with said active substance chambers.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said implantable device further includes a first resistor in fluid communication between said first chamber and said outlet, and a second resistor in fluid communication between said second chamber and said outlet.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein said filling step includes utilizing a syringe to pierce a septum located over a replenishment opening associated with one of said first or second active substance chambers.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of filling a bolus port with said active substance to directly apply said active substance to said patient.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein said first and second chambers are filled with the same active substance.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein said first and second chambers are capable of being filled with different active substances.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein said filling step includes filling said first and second active substance chambers with two different active substances.

20. An implantable pump comprising:

a housing defining at least three chambers; and

an outlet in fluid communication with at least two of said chambers,

wherein one of said chambers is juxtaposed between two flexible membranes and contains a propellant capable of expanding isobarically.

21. The implantable pump according to claim 20, further comprising two resistors, each said resistor in fluid communication between said outlet and one of said two chambers in fluid communication with said outlet.

22. The implantable pump according to claim 20, wherein said chambers in fluid communication with said outlet include a first and second active substance chamber.

23. The implantable pump according to claim 22, wherein said housing further includes a first replenishment opening in fluid communication with said first active substance chamber, and a first septum sealing the first replenishment opening.

24. The implantable pump according to claim 23, wherein said housing further includes a second replenishment opening in fluid communication with said second active substance chamber, and a second septum sealing the first replenishment opening.

25. The implantable pump according to claim 24, wherein said first and second replenishment openings are offset from said chambers.

26. The implantable pump according to claim 20, wherein said housing further includes a bolus opening in fluid communication with said outlet, and a bolus septum sealing the bolus opening.

27. The implantable pump according to claim 20, further comprising a plurality of suture holes for attaching said pump to a body of a patient.

28. The implantable pump according to claim 20, wherein two of said chambers are filled with the same active substance.

29. The implantable pump according to claim 20, wherein two of said chambers are filled with two different active substances.