Template system for multi-reservoir implantable pump

• US 7,914,510 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2010
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aqulinx Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palyon Medical Corporation
• Inventors: David, Sidney, Steinbach, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Stigell; Theodore J
• Application Number:
  US12/715,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20100160859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 604115-117, 604/500, 604/502, 604/510, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/892.1, 60428801-28804, 128/DIG.12, 128/DIG.13
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0238 having means for locating the implanted device to insure proper injection, e.g. radio-emitter, protuberances, radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• 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 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14586 pressurised by means of a flexible diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/427 Locating point where body is to be pierced, e.g. vein location means using ultrasonic waves, injection site templates

Abstract

A template system for use in conjunction with a multiple reservoir or chambered implantable infusion pump is disclosed. The template system preferably includes at least one template having opening(s) for guiding a needle or syringe to various ports of the multiple reservoir pump. Preferably, each template includes at least two surfaces for cooperating with a like portions of the implantable pump, for properly seating the template on the pump. A kit is also disclosed including three templates for guiding injections into different ports of the pump.

Claims

1. A method of refilling an implantable infusion pump implanted in a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a first template including first means for aligning with pump alignment means of said pump to ensure alignment of said first template with respect to said pump and a second template including second means for aligning with the pump alignment means to ensure alignment of said second template with respect to said pump, said first and second templates being separate from each other;

placing said first template over a section of skin of the patient adjacent said pump, so as to align said first means for aligning with said pump alignment means;

injecting a needle through an opening formed in said first template, through the skin of the patient, and into a first port of said pump;

placing said second template over a section of skin of the patient adjacent said pump, so as to align said second means for aligning with said pump alignment means; and

injecting a needle through an opening formed in said second template, through the skin of the patient, and into a second port of said pump.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second means for aligning include two recessed surfaces and said pump alignment means include two raised portions, the recessed surfaces being capable of cooperating with the raised portions.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second means for aligning include two protrusions and said pump alignment means include two depressions, the protrusions being capable of cooperating with the depressions.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second means for aligning include at least one recessed surface and at least one protrusion and said pump alignment means include at least one raised portion and at least one depression, the recessed surface being capable of cooperating with the raised portion and the protrusion being capable of cooperating with the depression.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of placing a third template having third means for aligning with said pump alignment means to ensure alignment of said third template with respect to said pump over a section of skin of the patient, so as to align said third means for aligning with said pump alignment means, said third template being separate from said first and second templates.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of injecting a needle through an opening formed in said third template, through the skin of the patient, and into a third port of said pump, the third port allowing for direct injection into the patient.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said third means for aligning include two recessed surfaces and said pump alignment means include two raised portions, the recessed surfaces being capable of cooperating with the raised portions.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said third means for aligning include two protrusions and said pump alignment means include two depressions, the protrusions being capable of cooperating with the depressions.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein said third means for aligning include at least one recessed surface and at least one protrusion and said pump alignment means include at least one raised portion and at least one depression, the recessed surface being capable of cooperating with the raised portion and the protrusion being capable of cooperating with the depression.

10. The template according to claim 1, wherein said first and second templates are constructed of material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene and polysulfone.

11. A method of refilling an implantable infusion pump implanted in a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a first template having a first opening, a first template structure, and a second template structure over a section of skin of the patient adjacent the pump, so as to align the first template structure with a first pump structure of the pump and to align the second template structure with a second pump structure of the pump, wherein the aligned template and pump structures ensure proper alignment of the first template with respect to the pump;

injecting a needle through the opening of the first template, and into a first port of the pump; and

placing a second template having a second opening, a third template structure, and a fourth template structure over a section of skin of the patient adjacent the pump, so as to align the third template structure with the first pump structure and to align the fourth template structure with the second pump structure, wherein the second template is separate from the first template and the aligned template and pump structures ensure proper alignment of the second template with respect to the pump;

injecting a needle through the second opening of the second template, and into a second port of the pump, wherein the template structures are either recessed surfaces or raised portions and the corresponding pump structures are the other of recessed surfaces or raised portions.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first template structure is a recessed surface and the first pump structure is a raised portion and the second template structure is a recessed surface and the second pump structure is a raised portion.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the third template structure is a recessed surface and the first pump structure is a raised portion and the fourth template structure is a recessed surface and the second pump structure is a raised portion.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first template structure is a raised portion and the first pump structure is a recessed surface and the second template structure is a raised portion and the second pump structure is a recessed surface.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the third template structure is a raised portion and the first pump structure is a recessed surface and the fourth template structure is a raised portion and the second pump structure is a recessed surface.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of placing a third template having a third opening, a fifth template structure, and sixth template structure over a section of skin of the patient adjacent the pump, so as to align the fifth template structure with the first pump structure and to align the sixth template structure with the second pump structure, wherein third template is separate from the first and second templates and the aligned template and pump structures ensure proper alignment of the third template with respect to the pump.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of injecting a needle through the third opening of the third template, and into a third port of the pump, the third port allowing for direct injection into the patient.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the fifth template structure is a recessed surface and the first pump structure is a raised portion and the sixth template structure is a recessed surface and the second pump structure is a raised portion.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the third template structure is a recessed surface and the first pump structure is a raised portion and the fourth template structure is a recessed surface and the second pump structure is a raised portion.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first and second template structures are one of a recessed surface or raised portion and the first and second pump structures are the other of a recessed surface or raised portion.