SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFILLING AN IMPLANTED DELIVERY DEVICE

• US 20080294148A1
• Filed: 05/20/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Albert Gardner
• Original Assignee: Albert Gardner
• Inventors: Gardner, Albert
• Application Number:
  US12/123,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20080294148A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/06 Body-piercing guide needles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation

Abstract

An apparatus for refilling an implanted delivery device has a needle connected to an output port of a three-way valve. One input port is sealed and the other is connected to a fluid source. When the valve is in a fluid delivery position, fluid from the fluid source flows through the needle, and when the valve is in a stylet insertion position, fluid from the fluid source is prevented from flowing through the needle. When the valve is in the stylet insertion position, a stylet can be inserted through the second input port and into the lumen of the needle, thereby occluding the needle'"'"'s lumen. In this configuration, a practitioner inserts the needle with stylet therein into the body of the patient to engage the devices'"'"'s refill port. The stylet is removed, the fluid delivery path is opened, and medication is delivered to the device'"'"'s reservoir without being contaminated with tissue.

Claims

1. An apparatus for refilling an implanted delivery device in a human or animal subject, comprising:

a needle having a lumen extending therethrough, wherein the needle has a proximal end and a distal end;

a three-way valve for regulating flow of a fluid, wherein an output port of the valve is connected to the proximal end of the needle;

a fluid source, wherein the fluid source is connected to a first input port of the valve, wherein when the valve is in a fluid delivery position, fluid from the fluid source flows through the needle, and wherein when the valve is in a stylet insertion position, fluid from the fluid source is prevented from flowing through the needle; and

a stylet for removable insertion through a second input port of the valve and into the lumen of the needle when the valve is in the stylet insertion position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the needle is a huber needle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the needle is a non-coring intrathecal needle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a stopcock.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third port of the stopcock is sealed with a material that permits the stylet to be inserted but prohibits flow of a fluid therethrough.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the material is a latex-free material.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stylet substantially occludes the lumen of the needle when installed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid source is a syringe.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switch for manipulating the valve from the stylet insertion position to the fluid delivery position.

10. A method for refilling a reservoir of a medical pump implanted in a human or animal subject, comprising:

inserting a needle into a human or animal subject, wherein the needle has an inner lumen and wherein a stylet substantially occludes the inner lumen;

guiding the needle towards a refill port of the medical pump;

engaging the refill port with the needle;

removing the stylet from the needle; and

injecting a fluid into the medical pump.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising removing residual medication from the medical pump prior to injecting the fluid into the pump.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the needle is connected to a valve that regulates flow of a fluid therethrough.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the valve is a three-way valve.

14. A kit for refilling an implantable medical pump, comprising:

a needle;

a stylet;

a three-way stopcock having two input ports and one output port, wherein one of the input ports is sealed; and

a syringe, wherein all of the above are packaged together in a single kit.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the needle is an intrathecal needle.

16. An apparatus for fluid delivery to a reservoir, said apparatus comprising:

a valve operable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position allows communication between a first port and a second port, and wherein the second position allows communication between the first port and a third port;

a needle in communication with the first port, said needle having a lumen extending therethrough;

a fluid source in communication with the second port; and

a stylet insertable through the third port and extending through the lumen of the needle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the stylet substantially occludes the lumen of the needle when installed.