Implantable fluid delivery apparatuses and implantable electrode

• US 7,044,942 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2002
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Inventors: Jolly, Claude, Hochmair, Ingeborg
• Primary Examiner(s): SIRMONS, KEVIN C
• Application Number:
  US10/281,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20030097121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 604/891.1, 604/892.1, 604/890.1, 604/288.01, 604/288.02, 604/288.04, 604/20, 604/25
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0241 having means for filtering
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/025 through bones or teeth, e.g. through the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0662 Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0668 Middle ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

Implantable fluid delivery systems and implantable electrodes are provided. The fluid delivery systems may include an implantable fluid source, a first catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid source, and an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the first catheter. The electrodes include a front end and back end for ease of implantation. One or more of the electrodes may be combined with a fluid delivery system to provide fluid to the body of a subject.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering fluid to the body of a subject comprising:

a first catheter in fluid communication with a fluid source;

a micro-septum connector, the micro-septum connector including an implantable spear connector in communication with the first catheter, the implantable spear connector including a needle, and an implantable port connector having a septum into which the needle is inserted;

a second catheter in fluid communication with the implantable port connector; and

an implantable electronic prosthesis having one or more fluid channels is in fluid communication with the second catheter.

2. An apparatus for delivering fluid to the inner ear of a subject comprising:

a first catheter in fluid communication with a fluid source;

a micro-septum connector, the micro-septum connector including an implantable spear connector in communication with the first catheter, the implantable spear connector including a needle, and an implantable port connector having a septum into which the needle is inserted;

a fixation device for affixing the implantable port connector to the inner ear of a subject;

a second catheter in fluid communication with the implantable port connector; and

an electrode having one or more fluid channels in fluid communication with the second catheter.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fixation device is affixed to a promontory bone of the subject.