Regulator

• US 20070129678A1
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olsen, James
• Application Number:
  US11/294,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20070129678A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/134
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14264 with means for compensating influence from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28

Abstract

A flow regulator (508, 508′, 508″, 508″″) may be used in a drug delivery system. The regulator has an adjustable flow rate. A spring 528 that is adjustable to control the flow rate is controlled by either a motor (560, 560′), magnetic actuator (561) or ultrasonic actuator (563).

Claims

1. An implantable flow regulator for use with a drug delivery system, the regulator implantable in a person, the flow regulator comprising:

a) a chamber;

b) a diaphragm dividing the chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber;

c) a third subchamber in fluid communication with the first subchamber through a first inlet;

d) a valve operatively connected to the diaphragm, the valve for controlling flow from the third subchamber to the first subchamber through the first inlet, wherein pressure differences between the first subchamber and the second subchamber result in movement of the diaphragm and the movement of the diaphragm controls operation of the valve;

e) the first subchamber having a first outlet and the second subchamber having a second inlet and a second outlet;

f) a flow restrictor having a first end in fluid communication with the first outlet and a second end in fluid communication with the second inlet, wherein flow of a drug from a drug delivery system through the second outlet is regulated;

g) a housing having a cavity in which the diaphragm and valve are positioned;

h) a valve biasing spring; and

i) a motor operatively connected to the valve biasing spring, thereby controlling flow rate of the drug, wherein the motor is positioned in the cavity of the housing.

2. The regulator of claim 1, further comprising:

a) the motor having a direction of rotation; and

b) a drive operatively connected to the motor, the drive having a first component that moves along an axis of rotation of the motor and a second component that is rotated by the motor.

3. The regulator of claim 2, further comprising the drive is a cam drive.

4. The regulator of claim 1, further comprising a battery positioned in the housing, the battery operatively connected to the motor for powering the motor.

5. The regulator of claim 4, further comprising:

a) electronic controls positioned in the housing, the electronic controls, for controlling the operation of the motor; and

b) a telemetry antenna positioned in the housing and operatively connected to the electronic controls, whereby the telemetry antenna is adapted and configured to receive a signal from a telemetry transceiver.

6. The regulator of claim 1, further comprising:

a) an RF pickup coil positioned in the housing; and

b) a charge capacitor positioned in the housing, the charge capacitor operatively connected to the RF coil, whereby the charge capacitor is chargeable by an RF generator outside of a person, and the charge capacitor is operatively connected to the motor for powering the motor.

7. The regulator of claim 6, further comprising:

a) electronic controls positioned in the housing, the electronic controls, for controlling the operation of the motor; and

b) a telemetry antenna positioned in the housing and operatively connected to the electronic controls, whereby the telemetry antenna is adapted and configured to receive a signal from a telemetry transceiver.

8. An implantable flow regulator for use with a drug delivery system, the regulator implantable in a person, the flow regulator comprising:

a) a chamber;

b) a diaphragm dividing the chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber;

c) a third subchamber in fluid communication with the first subchamber through a first inlet;

d) a valve operatively connected to the diaphragm, the valve for controlling flow from the third subchamber to the first subchamber through the first inlet, wherein pressure differences between the first subchamber and the second subchamber result in movement of the diaphragm and the movement of the diaphragm controls operation of the valve;

e) the first subchamber having a first outlet and the second subchamber having a second inlet and a second outlet;

f) a flow restrictor having a first end in fluid communication with the first outlet and a second end in fluid communication with the second inlet, wherein flow of a drug from a drug delivery system through the second outlet is regulated;

g) a housing having a cavity in which the diaphragm and valve are positioned;

h) a valve biasing spring; and

i) an actuator operatively connected to the biasing spring, thereby controlling flow rate of the drug, wherein the actuator is positioned in the cavity of the housing.

9. The regulator of claim 8, further comprising:

a) the actuator having a direction of rotation; and

b) a drive operatively connected to the actuator, the drive having a first component that moves along an axis of rotation of the actuator and a second component that is rotated by the actuator.

10. The regulator of claim 9, further comprising the drive is a cam drive.

11. The regulator of claim 10, wherein the actuator is a magnetic actuator adapted and configured to be rotated by a magnetic coupled adjuster outside of a person.

12. The regulator of claim 10, wherein the actuator is an ultrasonic actuator, adapted and configured to be rotated by an ultrasonic transducer outside of a person.

13. The regulator of claim 8, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.