CATHETER DRUG PUMP

• US 20120016299A1
• Filed: 07/19/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Original Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Inventors: CAFFEY, SEAN
• Granted Patent: US 8,585,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/96.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• 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: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence

Abstract

A miniaturized drug pump can actively dispense fluid at a controlled (or controllable) flow rate emerging at or near the distal tip of a catheter.

Claims

1. A drug-delivery pump system for use in connection with a catheter, the system comprising:

a controllable drug pump dimensioned to fit within and move smoothly through a catheter'"'"'s lumen;

a user-operable controller physically separate from the pump; and

means facilitating communication between the controller and the pump, the pump having an outlet for facilitating controlled delivery of drug therethrough in response to the controller.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a guide catheter to which the drug pump is affixed in an in-line configuration, the guide catheter being dimensioned to fit within the lumen.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a guide catheter having an end to which the drug pump is affixed, the guide catheter being dimensioned to fit within the lumen.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the guide catheter further comprises a balloon for stopping blood flow during drug delivery.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the pump comprises:

a drug reservoir;

an outlet;

an electrolyte chamber; and

an expandable diaphragm separating the chamber and the reservoir and providing a fluid barrier therebetween.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the pump comprises at least one fill port for providing external access to at least one of the reservoir or the chamber.

7. The system of claim 5 further comprising at least one additional electrolyte chamber.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the pump has outlet ports along a side wall thereof.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the outlet is on a front face of the pump.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication-facilitating means comprises a wire.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication-facilitating means comprises wireless transmission and reception circuitry.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the pump is in the form of a cartridge removably insertable into a catheter to an end thereof.

13. A catheter drug-delivery pump system comprising:

a catheter;

a controllable drug pump integrated therewith in an in-line configuration;

a user-operable controller physically separate from the pump; and

means facilitating communication between the controller and the pump, the pump having an outlet for facilitating controlled delivery of drug outside the catheter in response to the controller.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a battery and circuitry for operating the pump, the battery and circuitry being located within the pump.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising a battery and circuitry for operating the pump, the battery and circuitry being located within the catheter and not within the pump.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising one or more sensors proximate to the outlet.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a flow sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, or thermal sensor.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the one or more sensors measure at least one environmental conditions selected from pH, drug concentration, and pressure.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein the catheter comprises first and second fluidly separated lumens, the pump residing in the first lumen and the second lumen being dimensioned to accommodate a guidewire.