Implantable drug-delivery devices, and apparatus and methods for filling the devices

• US 8,348,897 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2009
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Original Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Inventors: Shih, Jason, Pang, Changlin, Jiang, Fukang, Caffey, Sean, Humayun, Mark, Tai, Yu-Chong, Peck, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenberg, Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US12/463,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20090306595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 604131-133, 604/151, 604/891.1, 604 65- 67
• US Class Current: 604/133
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1403 Flushing or purging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0072 Means for increasing tightness of the septum, e.g. compression rings, special materials, special constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0081 Means for facilitating introduction of a needle in the septum, e.g. guides, special construction of septum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0235 having an additional inlet, e.g. for a guidewire or a catheter tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14212 Pumping with an aspiration and an expulsion action
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/148 flexible, e.g. independent bagsA61M5/155 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/36 with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281

Abstract

In various embodiments, a tool is employed in filling a drug-delivery device. The tool may include, for example, a needle that is admitted through a fill port of the drug-delivery device.

Claims

1. An implantable drug-delivery pump, comprising:

a drug reservoir;

a fill port comprising an elastomeric plug extending at least partially through an aperture in a wall, the fill port being in fluid communication with the drug reservoir; and

internal threads in the aperture for engaging complementary threads on the plug and thereby enhancing retainment of the plug within the aperture.

2. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a parylene coating in or over the aperture.

3. The pump of claim 1, wherein the fill port further comprises a needle guide for guiding a needle therethrough.

4. The pump of claim 3, wherein the fill port has a geometry compatible only with needles having a complementary geometry.

5. The pump of claim 1, wherein the plug consists essentially of silicone.

6. The pump of claim 1, wherein the wall surrounds, at least partially, the drug reservoir.

7. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a tube connecting the aperture of the fill port to the drug reservoir.

8. An implantable drug-delivery pump, comprising:

a drug reservoir;

a fill port comprising an elastomeric plug extending at least partially through an aperture in a wall, the fill port being in fluid communication with the drug reservoir; and

a check valve, closable over the aperture, wherein in a closed state the check valve prevents backflow from the reservoir through the fill port while allowing forward flow into the reservoir.

9. The pump of claim 8, wherein the check valve comprises at least one flap closable over the aperture.

10. The pump of claim 9, wherein the at least one flap comprises parylene.

11. The pump of claim 8, wherein the fill port further comprises a needle guide for guiding a needle therethrough.

12. The pump of claim 11, wherein the fill port has a geometry compatible only with needles having a complementary geometry.

13. The pump of claim 8, wherein the plug consists essentially of silicone.

14. The pump of claim 8, wherein the wall surrounds, at least partially, the drug reservoir.

15. The pump of claim 8 further comprising a tube connecting the aperture of the fill port to the drug reservoir.

16. An implantable drug-delivery pump, comprising:

a drug reservoir;

a cannula for conducting liquid from the reservoir to a target site;

an electrolyte chamber having at least two electrolysis electrodes therein;

an expandable diaphragm separating the chamber and the reservoir and providing a fluid barrier therebetween; and

a plurality of fill ports for providing external access to at least one of the reservoir or the chamber, wherein the fill port comprises an elastomeric plug extending at least partially through an aperture in a wall that comprises internal threads therein for engaging complementary threads on the plug and thereby enhancing retainment of the plug within the aperture.

17. The pump of claim 16, wherein a first fill port provides external access to the reservoir and a second fill port provides external access to the chamber.

18. The pump of claim 16, wherein at least two fill ports each provide external access to the reservoir.

19. The pump of claim 16, wherein at least two fill ports each provide external access to the chamber.