Implantable pump with reservoir level detector

• US 7,905,878 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medos International Sarl (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Margairaz, Philippe, Ginggen, Alec, Utard, Thierry, Petithory, Jean-Sebastien, Crivelli, Rocco
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gilbert; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US11/552,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20070106280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604 65- 67, 604/131, 604/132
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1684 by detecting the amount of infusate remaining, e.g. signalling end of infusion

Abstract

An implantable pump includes a base plate and a can that are parts of the pump housing. The base plate bottom divides the housing into a first electronics chamber and a second chamber. A bellows mechanism is connected to the base plate and is disposed within the second chamber. The bellow mechanism has an expandable sidewall and a bottom plate. The bellow mechanism divides the second chamber into a medicament receiving portion and a non-medicament-receiving portion. The bellow mechanism has an intermediate plate disposed within the medicament-receiving portion. A coil is disposed in a recess on the lower surface of the base plate, and the coil is spaced from an internal wall of the recess. The amount of fluid remaining in the implantable pump can be monitored by energizing the coil. A primary magnetic field is generated by the energized coil. A secondary magnetic field, which is dependant on the position of the bottom and intermediate plate of the bellow mechanism, couples back to the primary field affecting the electrical characteristics of the coil. The amount of fluid remaining in the reservoir is determined based on the resulting changes in the electrical characteristics of the coil.

Claims

1. An implantable pump comprising:

a housing;

a base plate connected to said housing, said base plate dividing said housing into a first electronics chamber and a second chamber, said base plate having a lower surface with a recess disposed on the lower surface, said recess having an internal wall, an external wall and a top wall disposed between the internal wall and the external wall;

a bellow mechanism connected to said base plate and disposed within said second chamber, said bellow mechanism having an expandable side wall and a bottom plate, said bellow mechanism dividing said second chamber into a medicament receiving portion and a non-medicament receiving portion; and

a coil disposed in the recess on the lower surface of the base plate, said coil is spaced from said internal wall of said recess.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein said bellow mechanism having an intermediate plade disposed within said medicament receiving portion.