IMPLANTABLE INFUSION DEVICE HAVING FILTER

• US 20090264870A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Christenson, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,608,729 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14212 Pumping with an aspiration and an expulsion action
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/165 Filtering accessories, e.g. blood filters, filters for infusion liquids A61M1/14 , A61M1/34, A61M1/3627, A61M1/3679, A61M1/3687 take precedence; needle sets with incorporated air inlet filters A61M5/162
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/38 using hydrophilic or hydrophobic filters

Abstract

An implantable infusion device for delivering a fluid medication to a patient. The infusion device has an internal bacterial filter positioned between the reservoir and the pump, configured to provide a pathway for fluid to be pulled from the reservoir to the pump, regardless of the orientation of the infusion device. The configuration of the filter provides a fluid pathway from the reservoir to the pump, even in the presence of a gas bubble.

Claims

1. An implantable infusion device comprising:

a reservoir comprising an interior having a pressure of no more than about 5 psig;

a bulkhead housing a pump having an inlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir interior; and

a bacterial filter positioned between the reservoir interior and the pump inlet, the bacterial filter extending at least about 180 degrees and at least partially defining a fluid pathway.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir interior has a pressure of no more than about 1 psig.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the bacterial filter extends at least about 270 degrees.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the bacterial filter is annular.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the reservoir interior has a pressure of no more than about −

2 psig.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the reservoir interior has a pressure of no more than about −

4.5 psig.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the bacterial filter extends at least about 270 degrees.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the bacterial filter is annular.

9. The device of claim 1, comprising an outlet aperture from the reservoir interior to the bulkhead.

10. The device of claim 1, comprising an outlet from the aperture approximately the same size as the filter.

11. An implantable infusion device comprising:

a reservoir having an interior with a pressure of no more than about 1 psig;

a bulkhead housing a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir interior; and

a bacterial filter positioned between the reservoir interior and the pump inlet, the filter configured to inhibit air lock of the device.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the reservoir interior has a pressure of no more than about −

2 psig.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the reservoir interior has a pressure of no more than about −

4.5 psig.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the bacterial filter is in fluid communication with the pump inlet, and extends at least about 180 degrees.

15. An implantable infusion device comprising:

a reservoir having an interior;

a bulkhead housing a pump having an inlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir interior; and

a bacterial filter positioned between the reservoir interior and the inlet, the filter comprising a plurality of filter elements in fluid communication with each other at least partially defining a fluid pathway extending at least about 180 degrees.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the reservoir interior has a pressure of no more than about 1 psig.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the reservoir interior has a pressure of no more than about −

2 psig.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the reservoir interior has a pressure of no more than about −

4.5 psig.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of filter elements at least partially define a fluid pathway extending at least about 270 degrees.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of filter elements at least partially defines a pathway of about 360 degrees.