Implantable infusion device and reservoir for same
First Claim
1. An implantable infusion device for delivering infusion medium, the device comprising:
- a housing having a reservoir section and an outlet;
a reservoir disposed within the reservoir section of the housing and coupled in fluid flow communication with the outlet, the reservoir defining a chamber that contains at least one flexible diaphragm, each diaphragm having an outer peripheral edge within the chamber, a convolution adjacent the peripheral edge and a generally flat central portion that is free to flex within the chamber, wherein the convolution enhances the flexibility of the diaphragm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable infusion device includes of a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material and contains a reservoir. The reservoir defines a chamber that contains at least one flexible diaphragm. A ring is provided in alignment with the peripheral edge of each diaphragm. The ring has a central opening that is aligned with the convolution and central portion of each diaphragm, to allow the diaphragm to flex within the ring. In this manner, the volume on one side of each diaphragm may be varied to correspond to a varying volume of infusion medium. Similarly, the volume within the reservoir chamber on the other side of the diaphragms is varied as the diaphragms flex, to correspond to the expansion and contraction of a propellant medium within the reservoir.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An implantable infusion device for delivering infusion medium, the device comprising:
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a housing having a reservoir section and an outlet;
a reservoir disposed within the reservoir section of the housing and coupled in fluid flow communication with the outlet, the reservoir defining a chamber that contains at least one flexible diaphragm, each diaphragm having an outer peripheral edge within the chamber, a convolution adjacent the peripheral edge and a generally flat central portion that is free to flex within the chamber, wherein the convolution enhances the flexibility of the diaphragm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
the at least one diaphragm comprises a pair of diaphragms;
the reservoir further contains an inner ring disposed in alignment with the peripheral edge of each diaphragm, the inner ring having a central opening arranged in alignment with the convolution and the central portion of each diaphragm, to allow the central portion of each diaphragm to flex within the central opening of the inner ring toward the other diaphragm;
the reservoir section of the housing comprises an outer ring, a first cover disposed on one side of the outer ring and a second cover disposed on the opposite side of the outer ring to define an open interior located between the first and second covers and within the outer ring, and the pair of diaphragms and the inner ring are provided within the open interior of the reservoir section.
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12. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one diaphragm comprises a pair of diaphragms and wherein the peripheral edges of the pair of diaphragms are coupled together, while the convolution and central portion of each diaphragm is free to flex relative to the other diaphragm.
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13. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one diaphragm comprises a pair of diaphragms defining a variable volume therebetween and wherein the outlet is coupled in fluid flow communication with the volume between the diaphragms.
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14. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 13, wherein a propellant medium is provided in the portion of the reservoir chamber that is not between the two diaphragms.
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15. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 13, further comprising a drive mechanism for driving fluid out of the volume between the diaphragms and through the outlet.
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16. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 13, further comprising an inlet for receiving infusion medium, the inlet provided in fluid flow communication with the volume between the diaphragms.
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17. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one diaphragm comprises a pair of diaphragms defining a variable volume in the portion of the reservoir chamber that is not between the two diaphragms and wherein the outlet is coupled in fluid flow communication with the portion of the reservoir chamber that is not between the two diaphragms.
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18. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 17, wherein a propellant medium is provided in the portion of the reservoir chamber between the two diaphragms.
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19. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 17, further comprising a drive mechanism for driving fluid out of the portion of the reservoir chamber that is not between the two diaphragms and through the outlet.
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20. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 17, further comprising an inlet for receiving infusion medium, the inlet provided in fluid flow communication with the portion of the reservoir chamber that is not between the two diaphragms.
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21. An implantable infusion device as recited in claim 1, wherein the reservoir section of the housing comprises a cover having a curved inner surface, and wherein the at least one diaphragm comprises a diaphragm having a curved central portion having a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the curved inner surface of the cover.
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22. A process of making an implantable infusion device, the process comprising:
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providing a first diaphragm having a peripheral edge, a convolution adjacent the peripheral edge and a generally smooth central portion;
providing an inner ring having a central opening;
arranging the first diaphragm adjacent one side of the inner ring with the peripheral edge of the first diaphragm aligned with the inner ring and the convolution and central portion of the first diaphragm aligned with the central opening of the inner ring;
disposing the aligned first diaphragm and inner ring in a reservoir chamber; and
providing an outlet in fluid flow communication with one side of the first diaphragm. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
disposing an infusion medium on said one side of the first diaphragm; and
disposing a propellant medium on the opposite side of the first diaphragm.
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24. A process as recited in claim 22, further comprising:
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providing a second diaphragm having a peripheral edge, a convolution adjacent the peripheral edge and a generally smooth central portion;
arranging the second diaphragm adjacent the opposite side of the inner ring with the peripheral edge of the second diaphragm aligned with the inner ring and the convolution and central portion of the second diaphragm aligned with the central opening of the inner ring; and
disposing the aligned second diaphragm within the chamber, wherein a first variable volume is defined between the first and second diaphragms and a second variable volume is defined as the portion of the reservoir chamber that is not between the first and second diaphragms.
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25. A process as recited in claim 24, further comprising:
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disposing an infusion medium in the first variable volume; and
disposing a propellant medium in the second variable volume.
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26. A process as recited in claim 24, further comprising:
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disposing a propellant medium in the first variable volume; and
disposing an infusion medium in the second variable volume.
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Specification