VARIABLE FLOW INFUSION PUMP SYSTEM

• US 20100069892A1
• Filed: 11/19/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aqulinx Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palyon Medical Corporation
• Inventors: David, Sidney, Saar, David, Wallmann, Frank, Steinbach, Bernd, Lederer, Klaus G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• 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 5/14586 pressurised by means of a flexible diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line

Abstract

An implantable infusion pump system is disclosed. The pump system preferably includes an implantable pump and a removable module. The module may provide for varying flow rates of fluid being dispensed from the pump or may provide for a constant flow rate of such fluid. In the case of varying flow rate capabilities, the module preferably includes one or more sensors to determine information relating to the flow rate, electronics for analyzing the flow rate information, and a mechanism for physically altering the flow rate. Methods of dispensing a medicament to a patient are also disclosed, as are variations of the pump system.

Claims

1. An implantable infusion pump system for dispensing an active substance at one or varying flow rates to a patient comprising:

a constant flow pump having a housing having an active substance chamber, an outlet duct, and an upper surface; and

a removable module having a bottom surface contacting the upper surface of the constant flow pump, such that the module facilitates fluid communication between the active substance chamber and the outlet duct.

2. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 1, further comprising a catheter for delivering the active substance to a target site within the patient, the catheter attached to the outlet duct.

3. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 2, wherein the catheter is removably attached to the outlet duct.

4. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a propellant chamber.

5. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 4, wherein the housing further includes a first flexible membrane separating the active substance chamber and the propellant chamber.

6. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 5, wherein the housing further includes a second flexible membrane enclosing the propellant chamber with the first flexible membrane.

7. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 6, wherein the housing further includes an upper portion and a lower portion.

8. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 7, wherein the upper and lower portions removably screwed together and capture the first and second flexible membranes therebetween.

9. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 8, wherein the upper portion includes a first opening allowing for replenishment of the active substance chamber and a second opening allowing for direct injection of a fluid to the outlet duct.

10. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 9, wherein the first and second openings are covered with septa.

11. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the housing includes an upstanding extension forming a shoulder.

12. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 11, further comprising a cap removably connected with the shoulder and covering the module.

13. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 1, wherein the module further includes a needle valve portion having a longitudinally varying cross section along its length.

14. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 13, wherein the needle valve portion includes a central point with cross sections on either side of the central point being mirror images.

15. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 13, wherein the needle valve portion is disposed within a valve body.

16. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 15, wherein the module further includes means for longitudinally moving the needle portion within the valve body.

17. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 16, wherein longitudinal movement of the needle portion within the valve body is generally transverse to a flow of a fluid from the active substance chamber through the valve body.

18. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 16, wherein the means for longitudinally moving the needle portion within the valve body include a motor and an offset cam.

19. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 16, wherein the means for longitudinally moving the needle portion within the valve body include a motor, an axle, an eccentric cam body and a bearing, the bearing having an interior rotating portion connected to the eccentric cam body and an exterior portion abutting the needle portion.

20. The implantable infusion pump system according to claim 16, wherein the upper surface of the housing includes an exit opening in fluid communication with the active substance chamber and a entrance opening in fluid communication with the outlet duct.