Robotic implantable medical device and/or component restoration system

• US 4,771,772 A
• Filed: 10/27/1986
• Issued: 09/20/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lowell D. James
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: DeWitt, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kartchner, Gene B.
• Application Number:
  US06/923,487
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303 R, 128/675, 128/673, 604/151, 604/167, 604/266-269, 604/250, 73/861.12, 73/432 B
• US Class Current: 604/892.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0019 Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers

Abstract

In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to that body such as introducing a material into the body, relieving the body of a material, monitoring a condition within the body, or introducing electrical stimulus into the body, servicing apparatus is provided in association with the device for maintaining the device in effective operating condition. The device and servicing apparatus may be arranged in a single housing such that a portion of the device extends from the housing into operable position in the body, in separate but operably connected housings, or the servicing apparatus may be split between the device and a separate housing. The actual servicing of the device may be done within a service housing where the portion of the device to be serviced is drawn into the service housing and mechanically or chemically serviced, the servicing instrumentality may be moved from a service housing to the device to be serviced when servicing is necessary, or a portion of the servicing instrumentality may be built in or permanently positioned with respect to the device and operated by the remainder of the servicing apparatus located in a common housing with the device or in a separate housing.

Circuitry is preferably provided to initiate and control the servicing operation.

Claims

1. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body, and having a housing and a portion of such device extending from the housing through a hole therein into operative position in the body, such portion periodically needing servicing to maintain it in effective operating condition;

positioning means for drawing said portion of the device that extends from the housing into the housing for periodic servicing and for reextending said portion into operating position in the body when servicing is complete;

servicing means associated with said device and located within said housing for mechanically treating said device to enable it to maintain effective operation; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means and said positioning means so as to periodically carry out a servicing function with respect to said device.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the servicing means includes mechanical cleaning means.

3. A combination according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical cleaning means is a brush which is brought into contact with the surface of the device to be serviced.

4. A combination according to claim 3, wherein the mechanical cleaning means includes means for moving the brush against the surface to be serviced.

5. A combination according to claim 4, wherein the means for moving the brush rotates the brush about and against the surface to be serviced.

6. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the servicing means includes means for replacing a portion of the device to be serviced.

7. A combination according to claim 6, wherein the means for replacing a portion of the device includes means for removing the portion of the device to be replaced and for inserting a replacement therefor.

8. A combination according to claim 7, wherein the means for removing and replacing is a rotary tray having a plurality of stations and including means for rotating said tray, said tray being positioned so that when the device to be serviced is withdrawn into the housing, the portion thereof to be replaced is at a station, and upon rotation of the tray, the portion of the device to be replaced is removed from the device and a replacement portion is inserted in the device as the next station is positioned at the device.

9. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the means for exercising control of the servicing means includes a timing circuit to initiate servicing on a preset periodic basis.

10. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the means for exercising control of the servicing means includes means for receiving a signal from outside the body to initiate servicing.

11. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the means for exercising control of the servicing means includes means for monitoring the progress of the servicing and means for stopping servicing when servicing is completed.

12. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the means for exercising control of the servicing means includes means for monitoring operation of the device to be serviced to determine when servicing is necessary, and means for initiating servicing when servicing is necessary.

13. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter, and wherein a portion of the servicing means is extended from a position normally within the housing into the catheter for servicing of the catheter, and is withdrawn back into the housing after servicing; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter.

14. A combination according to claim 13, wherein the housing has an opening communicating with the device to be serviced and includes positioning means for extending the servicing means from the housing to proper servicing position and for withdrawing the servicing means into the housing when servicing is complete.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the housing communicates with the catheter through a Y connection, wherein the servicing means is an obturator, and wherein the positioning means extends the obturator from the housing through the catheter to thereby clean the catheter and then withdraws it back into the housing.

16. A combination according to claim 14, wherein means are provided to block the ends of the catheter to be serviced when servicing is necessary, and wherein a servicing fluid is pumped from the housing into the catheter for servicing the catheter, and pumped back into the housing after servicing.

17. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein a portion of the servicing means is permanently positioned with respect to the catheter and the remaining portion of the servicing means is located in the housing and causes operation of the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned when servicing is necessary, wherein the catheter includes a lumen, wherein the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned with respect to the catheter includes a flexible lumen wall, wherein the servicing means causes movement of the flexible lumen wall to thereby dislodge build-up of material in the lumen when servicing is desired, wherein the catheter has an outer wall and a flexible inner lumen wall, a closed compartment being formed between the outer and inner walls, and wherein the servicing means includes means for supplying a pressurized fluid to the compartment between the walls to thereby cause the flexible lumen wall to expand into the lumen when servicing is required to thereby break up and dislodge any catheter blockage.

18. A combination according to claim 17, wherein the means for supplying pressurized fluid includes a fluid reservoir and fluid pump in the service housing whereby fluid is pumped from the reservoir to the compartment between the catheter walls when servicing is required.

19. A combination according to claim 18, wherein the pump is a syringe type pump having a variable internal reservoir and having a combination inlet-outlet;

wherein the housing includes a reservoir;

wherein a passageway extends from the reservoir to the inlet-outlet of the pump;

wherein a passageway extends from the inlet-outlet of the pump to the catheter to be serviced;

wherein valves are provided in the passageway between the reservoir and the inlet-outlet of the pump and in the passageway between the catheter and the inlet-outlet of the pump so that with the valve to the catheter open and the valve to the reservoir closed, fluid may be pumped between the catheter and the internal reservoir of the pump, and with the valve to the catheter closed and the valve to the reservoir open, fluid can be pumped between the housing reservoir and the internal reservoir of the pump, but cannot flow into the catheter.

20. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein a portion of the servicing means is permanently positioned with respect to the catheter and the remaining portion of the servicing means is located in the housing and causes operation of the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned when servicing is necessary, wherein the catheter includes a lumen, wherein the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned with respect to the catheter includes a flexible lumen wall, wherein the servicing means causes movement of the flexible lumen wall to thereby dislodge build-up of material in the lumen when servicing is desired, wherein pairs of electromagnets are embedded in opposite sides of the lumen wall and wherein the servicing means causes energization of the pairs of magnets to either attract or repel to thereby cause movement of the lumen wall.

21. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein a portion of the servicing means is permanently positioned with respect to the catheter and the remaining portion of the servicing means is located in the housing and causes operation of the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned when servicing is necessary, wherein the catheter includes a lumen, wherein the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned with respect to the catheter includes a flexible lumen wall, and wherein the servicing means causes movement of the flexible lumen wall to thereby dislodge build-up of material in the lumen when servicing is desired, wherein electromagnets and pieces of magnetic material are associated as pairs and positioned in opposite sides of the lumen wall, and wherein the servicing means causes energization of the magnets to cause them to attract the magnetic material to thereby cause movement of the lumen wall.

22. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein a portion of the servicing means is permanently positioned with respect to the catheter and the remaining portion of the servicing means is located in the housing and causes operation of the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned when servicing is necessary, wherein the catheter includes a lumen, wherein the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned with respect to the catheter is an expandable tube positioned in the lumen and wherein the servicing means includes means for supplying a pressurized fluid to the expandable tube to thereby cause it to expand into a lumen when servicing is required to thereby break up and dislodge any catheter blockage.

23. A combination according to claim 22, wherein the means for supplying pressurized fluid includes a fluid reservoir, and fluid pump in the service housing whereby fluid is pumped from the reservoir to the tube when servicing is required.

24. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein a portion of the servicing means is permanently positioned with respect to the catheter and the remaining portion of the servicing means is located in the housing and causes operation of the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned when servicing is necessary, wherein the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned with respect to the catheter is a wire, and wherein the servicing means includes means for moving the wire within the catheter when servicing is desired.

25. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein a portion of the servicing means is permanently positioned with respect to the catheter and the remaining portion of the servicing means is located in the housing and causes operation of the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned when servicing is necessary, wherein servicing of the catheter to be serviced includes heating at least a portion of the catheter, wherein a passageway for heated fluid is provided in the catheter about the portion to be heated, and wherein the servicing means causes the flow of heated fluid through such passageway.

26. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein a portion of the servicing means is permanently positioned with respect to the catheter and the remaining portion of the servicing means is located in the housing and causes operation of the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned when servicing is necessary, wherein servicing of the catheter to be serviced includes heating at least a portion of the catheter, wherein a heating element is provided in the catheter about the portion to be heated, and wherein the servicing means causes energization of the heating element.

27. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein a portion of the servicing means is permanently positioned with respect to the catheter and the remaining portion of the servicing means is located in the housing and causes operation of the portion of the servicing means permanently positioned when servicing is necessary, wherein electrode pairs are embedded in opposite sides of the catheter walls, and wherein the servicing means causes energization of the electrodes to create an electric field between them to cause electrophoresis to take place when servicing is necessary.

28. In combination with a device adapted for at least partial implantation in a living body to perform a function with respect to such living body and having as part of said device at least one catheter through which fluid flows during normal operation of the device and which needs periodic cleaning to maintain the catheter in open condition to allow the required flow of fluid therethrough, and means for causing normal operation of the device and normal flow of fluid through said catheter;

servicing means in addition to the means for causing normal operation of the device associated with said device for maintaining the catheter in substantially open condition, said servicing means being at least partially located in a housing coupled to said catheter; and

means for exercising control of said servicing means so as to carry out the servicing function with respect to said catheter, wherein the catheter and servicing means are connected by means of a passageway, and wherein the device is serviced by supplying a servicing fluid from the servicing means to the catheter, such servicing fluid being in addition to the fluid which flows through the catheter during normal operation of the device, wherein the servicing fluid is supplied to the catheter to flow into the body, wherein the servicing means includes means for moving a smaller catheter within the catheter to be serviced, and wherein means are provided to supply servicing fluid through said smaller catheter into the catheter to be serviced.