VARIABLE FLOW INFUSION PUMP SYSTEM

• US 20120253270A1
• Filed: 12/28/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aqulinx Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palyon Medical Corporation
• Inventors: Steinbach, Bernd
• Granted Patent: US 8,915,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/67
• 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 programmable 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. In certain embodiments, the module includes a hermetically sealed housing. Methods of dispensing a medicament to a patient utilizing such a system are also disclosed, as are variations of the pump system.

Claims

1. A programmable module for use with an implantable pump comprising:

a hermetic housing having a completely sealed interior, the interior including a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, an actuation mechanism, and an interface in contact with the actuation mechanism;

a valve unit including a valve in contact with the interface.

2. The programmable module of claim 1, wherein the hermetic housing includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a bracket, wherein the valve unit is disposed within a recess formed by the bracket.

3. The programmable module of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a motor, an offset cam and a flexible membrane.

4. The programmable module of claim 3, wherein operation of the motor and offset cam causes the flexible membrane to flex.

5. The programmable module of claim 4, wherein the valve is a double sided needle valve, and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes translation of a stem of the double sided needle valve.

6. The programmable module of claim 1, wherein portions of the first and second pressure sensors extend out of the hermetic housing.

7. The programmable module of claim 6, wherein the portion of the second pressure sensors extending out of the hermetic housing is in fluid communication with the valve unit.

8. The programmable module of claim 1, wherein the valve unit further includes first, second, and third openings.

9. The programmable module of claim 8, wherein one of the openings is in communication with the second pressure sensor.

10. The programmable module of claim 1, wherein the interior further includes at least one battery and a circuit board in communication with the battery and the first and second pressure sensors.

11. The programmable module of claim 1, wherein the hermetic housing includes a duct formed therethrough.

12. A kit including the programmable module of claim 1 coupled with a constant flow pump.

13. A programmable pump system for dispensing an active substance at varying flow rates to a patient comprising:

a pump including an upper surface, an active substance chamber, a first opening in fluid communication with the active substance chamber and a second opening in fluid communication with a catheter;

a hermetic housing attached to the pump including a first pressure sensor in fluid communication with the active substance chamber, a second pressure sensor, and an actuator; and

a valve unit attached to the pump housing including a third opening in fluid communication with the first opening, a fourth opening in fluid communication with the second opening, a fifth opening in fluid communication with the second pressure sensor, a valve body, a valve stem disposed with in the valve body and in contact with the actuator.

14. The pump system of claim 13, wherein the pump further includes a propellant chamber separated from the active substance chamber by a first flexible membrane.

15. The pump system of claim 13, wherein the valve has a longitudinally varying cross section along its length.

16. The pump system of claim 13, wherein the hermetic housing is completely sealed.

17. The pump system of claim 13, wherein during operation of the pump, a fluid dispelled from the active substance chamber passes through the first opening, through the third opening, through the valve body of the module, through the fourth opening of the valve unit, through the second opening of the housing, and through the catheter.

18. The pump system of claim 17, wherein the pump housing further includes a sixth opening in fluid communication with the active substance chamber, and fluid dispelled from the active substance chamber passes through the sixth opening and into contact with the first pressure sensor.

19. The pump system of claim 18, wherein the valve unit further includes a seventh opening in fluid communication with the second pressure sensor.

20. The pump system of claim 13, wherein the pump further includes a fixed flow resistor, including a capillary.

21. The pump system of claim 20, wherein fluid dispelled from the active substance chamber passes through the fixed flow resistor prior to passing through the first opening.

22. The pump system of claim 13, further comprising a cap attached to the pump and covering the hermetic housing and the valve unit.

23. The pump system of claim 13, wherein the actuator includes a motor, an offset cam and a flexible membrane.

24. The pump system of claim 23, wherein operation of the motor and offset cam causes the flexible membrane to flex, the flexing causing the valve to translate.

25. The pump system of claim 13, wherein the hermetic housing further includes a processor chip capable of processing pressure information from the first and second pressure sensors, an electronic circuit board, the processor chip being mounted on the electronic circuit board and antenna mounted on the valve unit for receiving information representative of a desired flow rate from an outside source.