Drug pump with suture loops flush to outer surface

• US 6,592,571 B1
• Filed: 05/24/2000
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Verbeek, Maurice Theodore Yvonne, Philippens, Frans
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US09/578,138
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/892.1, 604/67, 424/422, 361/763, 128/260
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0286 anchored in the skin by suture or other skin penetrating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0223 having means for anchoring the subcutaneous access site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation

Abstract

A pump for pumping drugs, medicaments or other liquids is disclosed in one embodiment having suture loops co-extensive with the outside surface of the pump. At least one depression is formed in the outside surface of the pump. A wire co-extensive with the outer dimensions of the pump passes over the depression forming a space between the wire and the outside surface of the pump in the depression. In this position, the wire forms a suture loop. The surgeon, when suturing the pump of the present invention in place within a pocket of tissue or other similar location, places a suture between the wire and the outside surface of the pump in the depression to secure the pump. In another embodiment, depressions are created in a pump and a soft material is placed in and attached to the depressions. A suture may then be placed through the material of the soft material and the tissue of the patient in a pocket in the tissue of the patient to affixed the pump in the pocket.

Claims

1. In an implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device having a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid, means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having an outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the improvement comprising:

the outer surface of the outer shell being flange-less;

the outside surface having at least one depression extending toward the interior from the outside surface, the depression having a depression surface; and

at least one suture loop spanning the at least one depression and attached to the outside surface so that there is a space between the depression surface and the suture loop, the at least one suture loop being co-extensive with the outside surface surrounding the depression.

2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the at least one suture loop is a wire.

3. The medical device of claim 2 wherein the wire is welded to the outside surface across a depression.

4. The medical device of claim 2 wherein a single wire is attached to the outside surface and crosses all depressions.

5. The medical device of claim 2 wherein at least two wires are attached to the outside surface and cross all depressions.

6. The medical device of claim 1 wherein a single suture loop spans the at least one depression and is attached to the outside surface so that there is a space between the depression surface and the suture loop.

7. The medical device of claim 1 wherein at least two suture loops span the at least one depression and are attached to the outside surface so that there is a space between the depression surface and the suture loops.

8. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the number of depressions is at least two.

9. The medical device of claim 8 wherein the at least two depressions are equally spaced around the outside surface.

10. The medical device of claim 8 wherein the at least two depressions are non-equally spaced around the outside surface.

11. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the depression surface is concave with respect to the interior of the medical device.

12. The medical device of claim 1 wherein a soft material is affixed to and in the at least one depression, the soft material capable of being bonded to or otherwise fixed in the at least one depressions and capable of holding a suture therethrough without tearing, the soft material having an outer surface.

13. In an implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device having a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid, means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having an outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the improvement comprising:

the outer surface of the outer shell being flange-less;

the outside surface having at least one depression extending toward the interior from the outside surface, the depression having a depression surface; and

at least one wire spanning the at least one depression and attached to the outside surface so that there is a space between the depression surface and the at least one wire, the at least one wire being co-extensive with the outside surface surrounding the depression.

14. The medical device of claim 13 wherein the number of depressions is at least two.

15. The medical device of claim 14 wherein the at least two depressions are equally spaced around the outside surface.

16. The medical device of claim 14 wherein the at least two depressions are non-equally spaced around the outside surface.

17. In an implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device having a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid, means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having an outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the improvement comprising:

the outer surface of the outer shell being flange-less;

the outside surface having at least two depressions extending toward the interior from the outside surface, each depression having a depression surface, the at least two depressions being equally spaced around the outside surface; and

at least one suture loop spanning at least one of the at least two depressions and attached to the outside surface so that there is a space between the depression surface and the at least one suture loop, the at least one suture loop being co-extensive with the outside surface surrounding the depression.

18. In an implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device having a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid, means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having an outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the improvement comprising:

the outer surface of the outer shell being flange-less;

the outside surface having at least two depressions extending toward the interior from the outside surface, each of the at least two depressions having a depression surface, the at least two depressions being non-equally spaced around the outside surface; and

at least one suture loop spanning at least one of the at least two depressions and attached to the outside surface so that there is a space between the depression surface and the at least one suture loop, the at least one suture loop being co-extensive with the outside surface surrounding the depression.

19. An implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device comprising:

a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid;

means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid;

an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having a flange-less outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the outside surface having at least one depression extending toward the interior from the outside surface, the at least one depression having a depression surface; and

at least one suture loop spanning the at least one depression and attached to the outside surface so that there is a space between the depression surface and the at least one suture loop, the at least one suture loop being co-extensive with the outside surface surrounding the depression.

20. The medical device of claim 19 wherein the at least one suture loop is a wire.

21. The medical device of claim 20 wherein the wire is welded to the outside surface across a depression.

22. The medical device of claim 20 wherein a single wire is attached to the outside surface and crosses all depressions.

23. The medical device of claim 20 wherein at least two wires are attached to the outside surface and cross all depressions.

24. The medical device of claim 19 wherein the number of depressions is at least two.

25. The medical device of claim 24 wherein the at least two depressions are equally spaced around the outside surface.

26. The medical device of claim 24 wherein the at least two depressions are non-equally spaced around the outside surface.

27. In an implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device having a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid, means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having an outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the improvement comprising:

the outer surface of the outer shell being flange-less;

the outside surface having at least one depression extending toward the interior from the outside surface, the depression having a depression surface; and

wherein a soft material is affixed to and in the at least one depression, the soft material capable of being bonded to or otherwise fixed in the at least one depressions and capable of holding a suture therethrough without tearing, the soft material having an outer surface.

28. The medical device of claim 27 wherein the outer surface of the soft material is co-extensive with the outside surface of the outer shell.

29. The medical device of claim 27 wherein the outer surface of the soft material is below the outside surface of the outer shell.

30. In an implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device having a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid, means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having an outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the improvement comprising:

wherein, the outside surface has at least one depression extending toward the interior from the outside surface, the depression having a depression surface; and

wherein a soft material is affixed to and in the at least one depression, the soft material capable of being bonded to or otherwise fixed in the at least one depression and capable of holding a suture therethrough without tearing, the soft material having an outer surface, the soft material having an outer surface that is above the outside surface of the outer shell.

31. The medical device of claim 30 wherein the soft material is chosen from a group consisting of ETR silicone or a polymer.

32. The medical device of claim 30 wherein the polymer is chosen from a group consisting of polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide or a polyester.

33. The medical device of claim 30 wherein the soft material is affixed to and in the at least one depression by adhesives.

34. The medical device of claim 30 wherein the number of depressions is at least two.

35. The medical device of claim 34 wherein the at least two depressions are equally spaced around the outside surface.

36. The medical device of claim 34 wherein the at least two depressions are non-equally spaced around the outside surface.

37. An implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device comprising:

a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid;

means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid;

an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having a flange-less outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the outside surface having at least one depression extending toward the interior from the outside surface, the at least one depression having a depression surface without a through-hole through the outer shell; and

wherein a soft material is affixed to and in the at least one depression, the soft material capable of being bonded to or otherwise fixed in the at least one depression and capable of holding a suture therethrough without tearing, the sort material having an outer surface.

38. The medical device of claim 37 wherein the outer surface of the soft material is co-extensive with the outside surface of the outer shell.

39. The medical device of claim 37 wherein the outer surface of the soft material is below the outside surface of the outer shell.

40. An implantable medical device for infusing drugs, medicaments or other liquids into a body, the medical device comprising:

a reservoir for the storage of a drug, medicament or other liquid;

means operatively coupled to the reservoir for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid;

an outer shell encasing the reservoir and the means for dispensing the drug, medicament or other liquid, the outer shell having an outside surface, the medical device having an interior, the outside surface having at least one depression extending toward the interior from the outside surface, the at least one depression having a depression surface; and

wherein a soft material is affixed to and in the at least one depression, the soft material capable of being bonded to or otherwise fixed in the at least one depression and capable of holding a suture therethrough without tearing, the sort material having an outer surface, the soft material having an outer surface that is above the outside surface of the outer shell.

41. The medical device of claim 40 wherein the soft material is chosen from a group consisting of ETR silicone or a polymer.

42. The medical device of claim 40 wherein the polymer is chosen from a group consisting of polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide or a polyester.

43. The medical device of claim 40 wherein the soft material is affixed to and in the at least one depression by adhesives.

44. The medical device of claim 40 wherein the number of depressions is at least two.

45. The medical device of claim 44 wherein the at least two depressions are equally spaced around the outside surface.

46. The medical device of claim 44 wherein the at least two depressions are non-equally spaced around the outside surface.