Fluid delivery device with electrically activated energy source
First Claim
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1. A device for infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:
- (a) a housing having an outlet;
(b) a fluid reservoir containing a fluid disposed within said housing, said fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet in communication with said outlet of said housing;
(c) an expandable mass disposed within said housing proximate said reservoir, said expandable mass comprising a semi-solid, which will respond to a change in electric field in a manner to act upon said fluid within said reservoir to cause said fluid to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and
(d) control means operably associated with said expandable mass for changing the electric field acting upon said expandable mass.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable delivery apparatus for infusing medicinal fluids into a patient that includes a novel electroresponsive polymer gel material that, upon being stimulated by an electrical field, uniquely functions as an internal energy source for expelling the medicinal fields from the device.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A device for infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising:
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(a) a housing having an outlet;
(b) a fluid reservoir containing a fluid disposed within said housing, said fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet in communication with said outlet of said housing;
(c) an expandable mass disposed within said housing proximate said reservoir, said expandable mass comprising a semi-solid, which will respond to a change in electric field in a manner to act upon said fluid within said reservoir to cause said fluid to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and
(d) control means operably associated with said expandable mass for changing the electric field acting upon said expandable mass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18)
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11. An implantable device for implantation within a patient for infusing medicinal fluid into the patient at a controlled rate comprising:
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(a) a housing having an outlet;
(b) a fluid reservoir containing a fluid disposed within said housing, said reservoir having an inlet and an outlet in communication with said outlet of said housing;
(c) an electroresponsive, expandable polymer gel disposed within said housing proximate said reservoir, said polymer gel upon being stimulated by electric current, will expand so as to act upon said fluid within said reservoir to cause said fluid to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and
(d) stimulation means for stimulating said polymer gel, said stimulation means comprising a source of electric current. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20)
(a) a base;
(b) a pair of spaced-apart electrodes connected to said plate; and
(c) a source of electricity connected to said electrodes.
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16. The device as defined in claim 11 further including an impedance frit disposed between said fluid reservoir and said outlet of said housing.
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17. The device as defined in claim 11 further including a delivery cannula connected to said outlet of said housing for delivery fluid to the patient.
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19. The device as defined in claim 11 further including fill means carried by said housing for filling said reservoir.
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20. The device as defined in claim 19 in which said fill means comprises a septum carried by said housing, said septum being pierceable by a cannula inserted into said septum.
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21. An implantable device for implantation within a patient for infusing medicinal fluid into the patient at a controlled rate comprising:
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(a) a housing having an outlet;
(b) a fluid reservoir containing a fluid disposed within said housing, said reservoir having an inlet and an outlet in communication with said outlet of said housing;
(c) an electroresponsive, expandable polymer disposed within said housing proximate said reservoir, said polymer, upon being stimulated, expanding to act upon said fluid within said reservoir to cause said fluid to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir;
(d) stimulation means for stimulating said expandable polymer, said stimulation means comprising a source of electrical current; and
(e) delivery means connected to said outlet of said housing for delivering fluid to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification