Drug-delivery pumps and methods of manufacture

• US 8,684,997 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2012
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): Schmidt, Emily
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US13/541,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20120323218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 604/500, 604/506, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/892.1
• US Class Current: 604/506
• 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. A method of administering a drug, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pump comprising an electrolysis chamber, a drug chamber and an osmosis chamber, the osmosis chamber being in contact with the drug chamber and with a surrounding fluid; and

activating the electrolysis chamber to dispense a volume of drug from the drug chamber, whereby the drug chamber decreases in volume following drug dispensation, the osmosis chamber being separated by a fluid barrier from the electrolysis chamber and the drug chamber, and admitting water from the surrounding fluid to offset the decreased volume of the drug chamber and prevent buildup of vacuum pressure thereon.

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

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the drug is dispensed through at least one cannula in fluid communication with the drug chamber.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the dispensing of the drug using at least one check valve.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the dispensing of the drug using at least one flow sensor.