Dosage control apparatus

• US 7,588,046 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Erickson, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Kevin L
• Application Number:
  US11/065,726
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.15, 251/129.21, 604/93.01, 604/131, 604/891.1, 137/1
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/225 with throttling valves or valves varying the pump inlet opening or the outlet opening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88062 Coaxial oppositely directed seats

Abstract

The invention is directed to a dose control apparatus. The apparatus has two armatures pressed against a valve seat by at least one spring. A coil induces a magnetic field that motivates the armatures against the force of the spring, thereby opening the valve. The armatures may move along a common axis in opposite directions. The apparatus may also include a core located between the armatures and a casing about the coil. The core and casing act to guide the magnetic field, reducing the power requirements for creating the field. Current may be periodically reversed in the coil to provide a degaussing field. In addition, a signal may be produced by the coil in the presence an externally applied magnetic field such as an MRI. An opposing magnetic field may be produced by the coil or the current provided to the coil may be adjusted.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering a treatment solution to a desired therapeutic area comprising:

a valve movably operable to modulate flow of a treatment solution through a core;

an induction coil operable to induce movement of said valve via a generated magnetic field; and

energy collection circuitry coupled to said induction coil for inductively recovering magnetic field energy.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said core comprises a head comprised of biocompatible materials.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a cover surrounding said coil guiding a magnetic field produced by said coil.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said energy collection circuitry comprises a switch coupling said circuitry to said coil.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a dose control module coupled to said induction coil for modulating the magnetic field generated by said coil.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve comprises ferrous material and said apparatus further comprises:

a magnet operable to hold said valve in a set position until acted on by the magnetic field.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a spring applying force on said valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein magnetic field energy recovered by said collection circuitry regenerates a power source.

9. A method for delivering a treatment solution to a desired therapeutic area comprising:

providing a valve movably operable to modulate flow of a treatment solution through a core;

providing an induction coil operable to induce movement of said valve;

providing energy collection circuitry couplable to said induction coil;

applying electric current to said induction coil generating a magnetic field thereby moving said valve; and

coupling said energy collection circuitry to said induction coil when electric current is removed from said induction coil, thereby recovering magnetic field energy.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

applying pulsed electric current to said induction coil to move said valve.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

coupling said energy collection circuitry to said coil between applied pulses.

12. The method of claim 9 comprising:

periodically applying a reverse electric current to degauss said valve.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing a dose control module for applying electric current to said induction coil, moving said valve and thereby controlling the flow of a treatment solution.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing a biocompatible casing surrounding said valve and said induction coil.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said magnetic field is a directional magnetic field.

16. A medical apparatus for modulating flow of a treatment solution comprising:

a valve comprising an armature;

an electrically-operated induction coil for inducing armature movement by application of a magnetic field; and

an energy collection circuit operable to recover energy from a magnetic-field using said induction coil.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said energy collection circuit regenerates a power source for said apparatus using said recovered energy.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said moving magnetic field is a degaussing magnetic field.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said induction coil is coupled to a dose control module for modulating said induced armature movement.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:

a patient control unit communicatively connected with said dose control module.