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

• US 9,050,407 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): Eisenberg, Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US13/709,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20130102962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 604/123, 604/149, 604/122, 60428801-28804, 141/4, 141/37
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. A tool for refilling an implantable drug-delivery pump, the tool comprising:

first and second independent fluid channels;

a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel;

first and second pumps each fluidly coupled to one of the fluid channels, wherein (i) the first pump is configured to apply positive pressure to the first fluid channel so as to drive fluid from the fluid reservoir therethrough, and (ii) the second pump is configured to apply negative pressure to the second fluid channel; and

means for engaging a fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump,

wherein the engaging means comprises a needle insertable into the fill port and having a single lumen in fluid communication with the first and second fluid channels.

2. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a third independent fluid channel, a second fluid reservoir in fluid communication therewith, and a third pump fluidly coupled to the third fluid channel and configured to apply positive pressure to the third fluid channel so as to drive fluid from the second fluid reservoir therethrough.

3. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a pressure-release valve for maintaining a pressure inside the fluid reservoir below a critical valve.

4. A tool for refilling an implantable drug-delivery pump, the tool comprising;

first and second independent fluid channels;

a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel;

first and second pumps each fluidly coupled to one of the fluid channels, wherein (i) the first pump is configured to apply positive pressure to the first fluid channel so as to drive fluid from the fluid reservoir therethrough, and (ii) the second pump is configured to apply negative pressure to the second fluid channel;

means for engaging a fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump; and

governing circuitry that prevents fluid pressure at an outlet of the lumen from exceeding a predefined level.

5. The tool of claim 4 further comprising first and second valves, responsive to the governing circuitry, for controlling fluid flow through the first and second fluid channels, respectively.

6. A tool for refilling an implantable drug-delivery pump, the tool comprising:

first and second independent fluid channels;

a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel;

first and second pumps each fluidly coupled to one of the fluid channels, wherein (i) the first pump is configured to apply positive pressure to the first fluid channel so as to drive fluid from the fluid reservoir therethrough, and (ii) the second pump is configured to apply negative pressure to the second fluid channel; and

means for engaging a fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump,

wherein the engaging means comprises a needle has first and second lumens therethrough, the first and second lumens being fluidly isolated from each other, the first lumen in fluid communication with the first fluid channel and the second lumen in fluid communication with the second fluid channel, the needle being configured for insertion into the fill port.

7. A tool for refilling an implantable drug-delivery pump, the tool comprising:

first and second independent fluid channels;

a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel;

first and second pumps each fluidly coupled to one of the fluid channels, wherein (i) the first pump is configured to apply positive pressure to the first fluid channel so as to drive fluid from the fluid reservoir therethrough, and (ii) the second pump is configured to apply negative pressure to the second fluid channel;

means for engaging a fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump; and

a bubble detector in at least one of the first or second fluid channels.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein the bubble detector is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasonic bubble detector, an optical bubble detector, a thermal bubble detector, and an electrical bubble detector.

9. A tool for refilling an implantable drug-delivery pump, the tool comprising:

first and second independent fluid channels;

a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel;

first and second pumps each fluidly coupled to one of the fluid channels, wherein (i) the first pump is configured to apply positive pressure to the first fluid channel so as to drive fluid from the fluid reservoir therethrough, and (ii) the second pump is configured to apply negative pressure to the second fluid channel;

means for engaging a fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump; and

a degasser in at least one of the first or second fluid channels.