Drug-delivery pumps and methods of manufacture

• US 8,231,609 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2009
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Original Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Inventors: Pang, Changlin, Jiang, Fukang, Shih, Jason, Caffey, Sean, Humayun, Mark, Tai, Yu-Chong
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Jackie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US12/463,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20100004639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 604/891.1, 604/892.1, 604/164, 604/500, 604/502, 604/141, 604/132
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14264 with means for compensating influence from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1408 in parallel, e.g. manifolds, sequencing valves access sites A61M39/02; tube connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14593 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16886 for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/227 by etching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1092 All laminae planar and face to face
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1093 with covering of discrete laminae with additional lamina

Abstract

Embodiments of an implantable electrolytic pump include an electrolysis chamber, a drug chamber and an osmosis chamber, the osmosis chamber having a first portion in contact with the drug chamber and a second portion exposed to facilitate contact with a surrounding fluid. The pump further includes a cannula for conducting liquid from the drug chamber and electrolysis electrodes within the electrolysis chamber for causing generation of a gas therein, the electrolysis and drug chambers being in contact such that gas electrolysis within electrolysis chamber forces fluid from the drug chamber into the cannula, contact between the drug chamber and the osmosis chamber permitting fluid admitted into the osmotic chamber from the surrounding fluid to offset volume loss from the drug chamber and prevent buildup of vacuum pressure thereon.

Claims

1. An implantable electrolytic pump comprising:

an electrolysis chamber, a drug chamber and an osmosis chamber, the osmosis chamber having a first portion in contact with the drug chamber and a second portion exposed to facilitate contact with a surrounding fluid;

a cannula for conducting liquid from the drug chamber; and

electrolysis electrodes within the electrolysis chamber for causing generation of a gas therein, the electrolysis and drug chambers being in contact such that gas electrolysis within electrolysis chamber forces fluid from the drug chamber into the cannula, contact between the drug chamber and the osmosis chamber permitting fluid admitted into the osmotic chamber from the surrounding fluid to offset volume loss from the drug chamber and prevent buildup of vacuum pressure thereon.

2. The pump of claim 1, further comprising a perforated shell above the osmosis chamber.

3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the osmosis chamber is at least partially anchored to the perforated shell.

4. The pump of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the osmosis chamber comprises an osmotic diaphragm.

5. The pump of claim 1, further comprising at least one osmosis chamber fluid within the osmosis chamber.

6. The pump of claim 5, wherein the at least one osmosis chamber fluid comprises at least one solvent and at least one solute.

7. The pump of claim 6, wherein the fluid comprises a saline solution, a solution comprising magnesium sulfate, or a solution comprising sodium sulfate.

8. The pump of claim 1, further comprising a refill port in fluid communication with the osmosis chamber.

9. The pump of claim 1, further comprising circuitry, disposed below the electrolysis chamber and electrically connected to the electrodes, for operating the electrodes.

10. The pump of claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrolysis chamber, the drug chamber and the osmosis chamber comprises or consists essentially of parylene.