PROPELLANT BAG IMPROVEMENT

• US 20110106010A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aqulinx Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palyon Medical Corporation
• Inventors: Bitz, Falko, Steinbach, Bernd
• Granted Patent: US 8,231,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/140
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14593 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An improved propellant pillow and method for filling a propellant chamber of an implantable pump with propellant through the use of such an improved propellant pillow are disclosed. The propellant pillow includes an improved design that prevents the damage of such during evacuating and filling procedures.

Claims

1. A pillow for use in filling a gas pressure driven implantable pump comprising:

a propellant bag for containing a propellant, the bag being formed of permeable material facilitating release of the propellant therefrom; and

a self-sealing septum structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a septum opening extending from the bottom surface partially through the septum structure,

wherein the bottom surface is affixed to the bag.

2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the septum structure includes two separate septa.

3. The pillow of claim 2, wherein a first septum includes the bottom surface and the septum opening and a second septum is solid and includes the top surface.

4. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the bag is unitary.

5. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the bag includes a bag opening aligned with the septum opening.

6. The pillow of claim 5, wherein the bag opening is formed subsequent to affixation of the septum structure to the bag.

7. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the bag is constructed of polypropylene or polyethylene.

8. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the septum structure is constructed of silicone rubbersee above.

9. A process for filling of a propellant chamber of a gas pressure driven implantable pump with a propellant comprising the steps of:

providing a pump having a medicament chamber and a propellant chamber;

providing a propellant pillow including a permeable propellant bag and a self-sealing septum structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a septum opening extending from the bottom surface partially through the septum structure, the bottom surface being affixed to the bag;

filling the pillow with the propellant, wherein the filling step includes laterally inserting a syringe into the septum structure;

inserting the pillow filled with the propellant in the propellant chamber; and

closing the propellant chamber.

10. The process of claim 9, further comprising the step of evacuating the propellant chamber of substantially all gases.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein the evacuating step is performed after the inserting step.

12. The process of claim 9, further comprising the step of evacuating the pillow of substantially all gases.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the evacuating step is performed through the use of the syringe inserted into said septum opening.

14. The process of claim 9, wherein the septum structure includes a first septum including the bottom surface and the septum opening and a second septum including the top surface.

15. The process of claim 14, further comprising the steps of affixing the first septum to the bag and affixing the second septum to the first septum.

16. The process of claim 15, wherein the first and second septa are affixed through the use of an adhesive.

17. A pillow for use in filling a gas pressure driven implantable pump comprising:

a propellant bag for containing a propellant, the bag being formed of permeable material facilitating release of the propellant therefrom;

a first septum including a septum opening; and

a second septum being of a solid construction,

wherein the first septum is affixed to the bag and the second septum is affixed to the first septum.

18. The pillow of claim 17, wherein the bag is unitary.

19. The pillow of claim 17, wherein the bag includes a bag opening aligned with the septum opening.

20. The pillow of claim 19, wherein the bag opening is formed subsequent to affixation of the septum structure to the bag.