Variable flow infusion pump system
First Claim
1. An implantable infusion pump for dispensing an active substance at one or varying flow rates to a patient comprising:
- a pump housing defining an upper surface, an active substance chamber, a propellant chamber separated from the active substance chamber by a first flexible membrane, a catheter, an exit opening in fluid communication with the active substance chamber and an entrance opening in fluid communication with the catheter; and
a module attached to the pump housing, the module including a bottom surface contacting the upper surface of the pump housing, an entry formed in the bottom surface in fluid communication with the exit opening of the housing, an exit in fluid communication with the entrance opening of the housing, a valve portion having a longitudinally varying cross section along its length disposed within a valve body, a motor for longitudinally moving the valve portion within the valve body, a first pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the active substance in the active substance chamber, and a second pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the active substance downstream of the first pressure sensor,wherein during operation of the pump system, a fluid dispelled from the active substance chamber by a force from the propellant chamber passes through the exit opening of the housing, through the entry of the module, through the valve body of the module, through the exit of the module, through the entrance opening of the housing, and through the catheter.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable infusion pump system is disclosed. The pump system preferably includes an implantable pump and a removable module. The module may provide for varying flow rates of fluid being dispensed from the pump or may provide for a constant flow rate of such fluid. In the case of varying flow rate capabilities, the module preferably includes one or more sensors to determine information relating to the flow rate, electronics for analyzing the flow rate information, and a mechanism for physically altering the flow rate. Methods of dispensing a medicament to a patient are also disclosed, as are variations of the pump system.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An implantable infusion pump for dispensing an active substance at one or varying flow rates to a patient comprising:
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a pump housing defining an upper surface, an active substance chamber, a propellant chamber separated from the active substance chamber by a first flexible membrane, a catheter, an exit opening in fluid communication with the active substance chamber and an entrance opening in fluid communication with the catheter; and a module attached to the pump housing, the module including a bottom surface contacting the upper surface of the pump housing, an entry formed in the bottom surface in fluid communication with the exit opening of the housing, an exit in fluid communication with the entrance opening of the housing, a valve portion having a longitudinally varying cross section along its length disposed within a valve body, a motor for longitudinally moving the valve portion within the valve body, a first pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the active substance in the active substance chamber, and a second pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the active substance downstream of the first pressure sensor, wherein during operation of the pump system, a fluid dispelled from the active substance chamber by a force from the propellant chamber passes through the exit opening of the housing, through the entry of the module, through the valve body of the module, through the exit of the module, through the entrance opening of the housing, and through the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An implantable infusion pump for dispensing an active substance at varying flow rates to a patient comprising:
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a pump housing defining an active substance chamber, a propellant chamber separated from the active substance chamber by a first flexible membrane, and a catheter in fluid communication with the active substance chamber; and a module contacting and in fluid communication with the pump housing, the module including; a fixed flow resistor in fluid communication with the active substance chamber; a first pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the active substance prior to entering the fixed flow resistor; a second pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the active substance subsequent to exiting the fixed flow resistor; and a valve portion having a longitudinally varying cross section along its length disposed within a valve body; and
a motor for longitudinally moving the valve portion within the valve body,wherein during operation of the pump, a fluid dispelled from the active substance chamber by a force from the propellant chamber passes into the module, through the fixed flow resistor, through the valve body, into the pump housing and through the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. An implantable infusion pump for dispensing an active substance at varying flow rates to a patient comprising:
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a pump housing having upper and lower portions, an active substance chamber, a propellant chamber defined by first and second flexible membranes captured between the upper and lower portions, an outlet duct having a catheter attached thereto, an exit opening in fluid communication with the active substance chamber and an entrance opening in fluid communication with the outlet duct; a module attached to the pump housing, the module including a bottom surface contacting the upper surface of the pump housing, an entry formed in the bottom surface in fluid communication with the exit opening of the housing, an exit in fluid communication with the entrance opening of the housing, a valve portion having a longitudinally varying cross section along its length disposed within a valve body, means for longitudinally moving the valve portion within the valve body, a first pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the active substance in the active substance chamber, and a second pressure sensor for sensing the pressure downstream of the first pressure sensor; and a cap connected with the pump housing and covering the module, wherein during operation of the pump system, a fluid dispelled from the active substance chamber by a force from the propellant chamber passes through the exit opening of the housing, through the entry of the module, through the valve body of the module, through the exit of the module, through the entrance opening of the housing, through the outlet duct, and through the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification