Method and Apparatus for Fluid Delivery

• US 20090030373A1
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Gill, Steven Streatfield
• Granted Patent: US 8,747,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0205 for injecting media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0229 having means for facilitating assembling, e.g. snap-fit housing or modular design
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0232 having means for facilitating the insertion into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/025 through bones or teeth, e.g. through the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1066 having protection means, e.g. sliding sleeve to protect connector itself, shrouds to protect a needle present in the connector, protective housing, isolating sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• 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 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 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1408 in parallel, e.g. manifolds, sequencing valves access sites A61M39/02; tube connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body

Abstract

Fluid delivery apparatus is described for the delivery of fluids to regions of the body, especially for delivery to regions of the brain. The apparatus includes a first length of implantable tubing having a first end and a first fluid connector portion attached to the first end of the first length of implantable tubing. The first fluid connector portion is releaseably connectable to a complementary second fluid connector portion. An implantable housing is also provided for enclosing and protecting the first fluid connector portion. The implantable housing is openable to provide access to the first fluid connector portion. For example, the housing may have a hinged lid or cover portion. A corresponding method is also described.

Claims

1. Fluid delivery apparatus comprising;

a first length of implantable tubing having a first end;

a first fluid connector portion attached to the first end of the first length of implantable tubing, the first fluid connector portion being releaseably connectable to a complementary second fluid connector portion; and

an implantable housing for enclosing the first fluid connector portion, wherein the implantable housing is openable to provide access to the first fluid connector portion.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the implantable housing comprises a body portion having an opening through which the first fluid connector portion can be accessed and a cover for closing the opening.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the cover is attached to the body portion by a hinge.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the cover is attached to the body portion by a screw thread.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the implantable housing, when closed, protects the first fluid connector portion.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the implantable housing defines a cavity for enclosing a coil of said first length of tubing.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a sealing member, wherein the sealing member prevents fluid egress from the first end of the first length of tubing when the first fluid connector portion is unattached to a complimentary second fluid connector portion.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first fluid connector portion is arranged to provide a substantially sterile fluidic connection with a complimentary second fluid connector portion.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the implantable housing is configured for subcutaneous implantation in the torso.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first length of tubing comprises a bundle of one or more single lumen tubes encased in a protective sheath.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first length of tubing comprises N lumens, wherein N equals at least two.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 comprising a first fluid router attached to the second end of the first length of tubing, the first fluid router being arranged to establish fluid communication between each of the N lumens of the first length of tubing and N output ports.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 comprising N catheters, each catheter being in fluid communication with an output port of the first fluid router.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each catheter is suitable for the delivery of fluid to the central nervous system.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the first fluid router is skull mountable.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first fluid connector portion comprises a plurality of chambers, each chamber comprising a septum seal through which a needle can be passed.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising;

a second length of tubing having a first end; and

a second fluid connector portion attached to the first end of the second length of tubing, wherein the second fluid connector portion is releaseably connectable to the first fluid connector portion.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the second fluid connector portion comprises one or more hollow needles.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the second length of tubing comprises a bundle of one or more single lumen tubes encased in a protective sheath.

20. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the second length of tubing comprises M lumens, wherein M equals at least two.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein a second fluid router is attached to the second end of the second length of tubing, the second fluid router being arranged to establish fluid communication between each of the M lumens of the second length of tubing and M input ports.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 comprising an external pump assembly for pumping fluid into any one or more of the M input ports of the second fluid router.

23. Implantable apparatus comprising tubing having a first end and a second end, the first end having a fluid connector portion attached thereto and the second end being connected to one or more catheters for delivering fluid to the brain of a subject, wherein the fluid connector portion is arranged to receive fluid from an external pump assembly and said tubing is sufficiently long to enable said fluid connector portion to be implanted in the torso of the subject.

24. A method of drug delivery comprising the steps of;

(i) taking a subject having the first part of modular fluid delivery apparatus implanted therein, the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus comprising a first length of tubing having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first fluid connector portion attached thereto and the second end being connected to one or more catheters implanted so as to deliver fluid to one or more anatomical sites within the subject; and

(ii) taking the second part of a modular fluid delivery apparatus, the second part comprising a second length of tubing having a third end comprising a second fluid connector portion, making an incision in the subject to gain access to the first fluid connector portion of the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus, and connecting said first fluid connector portion to said second fluid connector portion.

25. A method according to claim 24 comprising the step (iii) of pumping fluid to said one or more implanted catheters through said first and second parts of the modular fluid delivery apparatus.

28. A method according to claim 24 wherein step (i) comprises the step of implanting the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus in a subject.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein step (i) comprises the step of implanting a plurality of catheters in the brain of the subject.

26. A method according to 25 and comprising the further step (iv) of disconnecting the first fluid connector portion from the second fluid connector portion and completely withdrawing the second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus from the subject.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein steps (ii) to (iv) are repeated in sequence a plurality of times.