Apparatus and method for implanted self-powered medication dispensing having timing and evaluator means
First Claim
1. A self-contained and powered apparatus adapted to be totally implanted within a selected animal body, including human, for periodically evaluating selected internal physiological states of such body and for periodically dispensing selected medication therein according to such states while leaving the body ambulatory at all times, comprising:
- a. a unitary housing adapted to be completely implanted and secured within and to the body at a selected site and having therein various compartments enclosed by said housing and adapted for mounting a medication storage member, a micro size power source, miniaturized driving and dispensing means adapted to being powered by such source for dispensing medication from such storage member, miniaturized electrical data evaluation and timing circuit means adapted to being powered by such source and to processing physiological data including data obtained from sensor means external of the housing to control the operation of said driving and dispensing means and said housing being further adapted to receive connections from external sensor means through the wall of the housing;
b. a storage member mounted within the implanted housing and adapted to store selected medication to be dispensed in selected quantities;
c. a micro size power source mounted within the implanted housing and secured proximate said storage member and having a useful working life in terms of at least several days;
d. miniaturized electro-mechanical driving means mounted within the implanted housing and adapted for being connected to and powered by said source;
e. miniaturized dispensing means mounted within the implanted housing and connected to receive said medication from Said storage member and adapted to be powered by said driving means at selected times and being adapted when so powered to withdraw from said storage member successive measured quantities of selected said medication and to discharge such medication from the implanted housing into said body;
f. sensing means selectively placed within said body externally of the implanted housing and adapted to produce sensed signals convertible to electrical data corresponding to a sensed condition within said body;
g. connector means connected to said sensing means and passing through the wall of said housing and adapted to transfer such signals to the housing to be processed therein;
h. miniaturized electrical data evaluation and timing means mounted within the implanted housing and connected to be energized by said power source and comprising;
1. miniaturized electrical circuit means connected through said connector means to said sensing means and adapted to receive selected data from said sensing means and convert such data into an electrically processable form and adapted for electrically evaluating such sensed data at selected times; and
2. timing means operatively connected to said circuit means and providing electrical time base information thereto whereby said driving means is energized and actuates said dispensing means in coordination with selected evaluations.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing drugs and other medications within the body is adapted to be entirely implanted and to dispense such substances over a long period of time, e.g., one to several years, in accordance with the actual needs of the patient. A self-powered dispensing device stores a single or plural substances in powdered, liquid, or other dispensable form. Logic and self-timing means control dispensing by monitoring single or plural sensors implanted in the body and evaluating the sensed data in order to control both the conditions under which and the kind of dispensing which takes place.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A self-contained and powered apparatus adapted to be totally implanted within a selected animal body, including human, for periodically evaluating selected internal physiological states of such body and for periodically dispensing selected medication therein according to such states while leaving the body ambulatory at all times, comprising:
- a. a unitary housing adapted to be completely implanted and secured within and to the body at a selected site and having therein various compartments enclosed by said housing and adapted for mounting a medication storage member, a micro size power source, miniaturized driving and dispensing means adapted to being powered by such source for dispensing medication from such storage member, miniaturized electrical data evaluation and timing circuit means adapted to being powered by such source and to processing physiological data including data obtained from sensor means external of the housing to control the operation of said driving and dispensing means and said housing being further adapted to receive connections from external sensor means through the wall of the housing;
b. a storage member mounted within the implanted housing and adapted to store selected medication to be dispensed in selected quantities;
c. a micro size power source mounted within the implanted housing and secured proximate said storage member and having a useful working life in terms of at least several days;
d. miniaturized electro-mechanical driving means mounted within the implanted housing and adapted for being connected to and powered by said source;
e. miniaturized dispensing means mounted within the implanted housing and connected to receive said medication from Said storage member and adapted to be powered by said driving means at selected times and being adapted when so powered to withdraw from said storage member successive measured quantities of selected said medication and to discharge such medication from the implanted housing into said body;
f. sensing means selectively placed within said body externally of the implanted housing and adapted to produce sensed signals convertible to electrical data corresponding to a sensed condition within said body;
g. connector means connected to said sensing means and passing through the wall of said housing and adapted to transfer such signals to the housing to be processed therein;
h. miniaturized electrical data evaluation and timing means mounted within the implanted housing and connected to be energized by said power source and comprising;
1. miniaturized electrical circuit means connected through said connector means to said sensing means and adapted to receive selected data from said sensing means and convert such data into an electrically processable form and adapted for electrically evaluating such sensed data at selected times; and
2. timing means operatively connected to said circuit means and providing electrical time base information thereto whereby said driving means is energized and actuates said dispensing means in coordination with selected evaluations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- a. a unitary housing adapted to be completely implanted and secured within and to the body at a selected site and having therein various compartments enclosed by said housing and adapted for mounting a medication storage member, a micro size power source, miniaturized driving and dispensing means adapted to being powered by such source for dispensing medication from such storage member, miniaturized electrical data evaluation and timing circuit means adapted to being powered by such source and to processing physiological data including data obtained from sensor means external of the housing to control the operation of said driving and dispensing means and said housing being further adapted to receive connections from external sensor means through the wall of the housing;
Specification