EXTERNAL IMPLANTATION OF ENERGY TO POWER INTERNAL DEVICES

• US 3,731,669 A
• Filed: 10/16/1970
• Issued: 05/08/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cambridge Nuclear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Joseph J. Fitzgerald
• Inventors: Fitzgerald, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/081,432
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1R,1.1,1.2,2R,260,217,419R,419P 3/1,DIG.2 176/14
• US Class Current: 600/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

A means and method is used to permit injection and/or extraction of radioisotopic energy source material to or from an energy source implanted in the body. Radioisotope injections are used to maintain energy sources for prosthetic organs and the like at desired energy outputs over long time periods thereby permitting minimization in size of implanted energy sources and maximization of economy. Preferably the radioisotopic material is thulium 171 in the form of microspheres.

Claims

2. A method of providing power to a power source implanted in the body, said method comprising, periodically injecting radioisotopic material in flowable form through body tissue into a self-sealing conduit means in said power source without removing said power source, said injections taking place at predetermined timed intervals to maintain the power output of said source above a predetermined level.

3. A method in accordance with the method of claim 2 wherein said radioisotopic material is injected by means of a hypodermic-type needle.

4. A method in accordance with the method of claim 3 wherein said needle is passed through the skin of the body and thence through an elongated conduit having self-sealing membranes at ends thereof.

5. A method in accordance with the method of claim 4 wherein said needle is withdrawn after said injection and said conduit is flushed to irrigate and decontaminate said conduit and tip of outer needle.

6. A method in accordance with the method of claim 4 wherein said conduit is straight and is positioned to prevent radiation streaming paths from said energy source.

7. A method in accordance with the method of claim 5 wherein said conduit is tortuous and said needle is flexible so as to pass easily through said tortuous conduit.

8. A method in accordance with the method of claim 4 wherein said needle is surrounded by a tube when it is passed into said conduit with said tube stopping in said conduit when said needle passes therethrough, and removing said needle from said conduit after injection of said material while maintaining said tube in said conduit to allow flushing of said conduit.

9. A method in accordance with the method of claim 3 wherein said flowable material is in the form of a liquid suspension having a volatile component.

10. A power source for use in the body, or in conjunction with an implant said power source comprising, means defining a chamber for carrying a radioisotopic material, conduit means defining a conduit interconnected with said chamber and having an end constructed and arranged to be positioned under the skin of a body whereby radioisotopic material can be introduced into said chamber said conduit defining first and second self-sealing membranes, said conduit means comprising radiation shielding and said conduit being positioned to shield radiation streaming paths from said chamber.

11. A power source in accordance with claim 10 wherein an interconnecTing passageway leads from said second membrane to said chamber and said interconnecting passageway is tortuous.

12. A power source in accordance with claim 11 wherein said power source contains radioisotopic material in flowable form.

13. A power source in accordance with claim 12 wherein said radioisotopic material is in the form of microspheres.

14. A power source in accordance with claim 10 wherein two of said chambers are defined by said first-mentioned means with a conduit means for each of said chambers.

15. A power source in accordance with claim 10 wherein said self-sealing membranes are pervious to gaseous flow.