Implantable pump with infinitely variable resistor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implantable device for dispensing an active substance to a patient comprising:
- a housing defining;
a chamber;
an outlet for delivering said active substance to a target site within said patient, said outlet in fluid communication with the chamber;
a capillary in fluid communication between said chamber and said outlet;
a polymer filament located in the capillary for dynamically varying a flow rate of said active substance between said chamber and said outlet, said filament having a first state with a first length and a first cross sectional dimension and a second state with a second length and a second cross sectional dimension, the first length being less than the second length and the first cross sectional dimension being greater than the second cross sectional dimension, wherein the second cross sectional dimension of the filament allows for a greater flow rate than the first cross sectional dimension; and
means for elongating the filament from the first state to the second state.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A variable hydraulic resistor for use with implantable pumps is disclosed. The variable hydraulic resistor according to the present invention is particularly useful in varying the flow rate of a medication fluid from an otherwise constant flow implantable pump. An implantable pump is also disclosed, which does not require a complicated clinching system or the like, and which may include an undulating membrane and chamber design to reduce the height of the pump.
164 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An implantable device for dispensing an active substance to a patient comprising:
a housing defining; a chamber; an outlet for delivering said active substance to a target site within said patient, said outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; a capillary in fluid communication between said chamber and said outlet; a polymer filament located in the capillary for dynamically varying a flow rate of said active substance between said chamber and said outlet, said filament having a first state with a first length and a first cross sectional dimension and a second state with a second length and a second cross sectional dimension, the first length being less than the second length and the first cross sectional dimension being greater than the second cross sectional dimension, wherein the second cross sectional dimension of the filament allows for a greater flow rate than the first cross sectional dimension; and means for elongating the filament from the first state to the second state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
15. An implantable device for dispensing an active substance to a patient comprising:
-
a housing defining; a chamber; an outlet for delivering said active substance to a target site within said patient, said outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; a capillary in fluid communication between said chamber and said outlet, said capillary having an inner surface; a flow control element received within said capillary, said element having a first state with a first length and an outer surface opposing said inner surface of said capillary defining therebetween a first passageway for a flow of said active substance therethrough, said element having a second state with a second length and said outer surface and said inner surface defining therebetween a second passageway for the flow of said active substance therethrough, the first length being less than the second length and the first passageway being less in size than the second passageway; and means for elongating the flow control element from the first state to the second state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A method of varying a flow rate of an active substance being dispensed to a patient comprising:
-
providing an implantable device including a capillary having an inner surface, a flow control element received within said capillary, said flow control element having an outer surface opposing said inner surface of said capillary defining therebetween a passageway for flow of said active substance therethrough to a target site within a patient, and means for elongating said flow control element from a first state to a second state; implanting said implantable device in said patient; and elongating said flow control element from the first state to the second state to alter a cross sectional dimension of the passageway to alter the flow of said active substance therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
-
Specification