Method and apparatus for fluid delivery

• US 9,132,265 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2014
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Gill, Steven Streatfield
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhisma
• Assistant Examiner(s): DARB, HAMZA A.
• Application Number:
  US14/262,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20140236128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 604/535, 604/891.1, 604/890.1, 604/288.01, 604/288.02, 604/288.03, 604/288.04, 604/151, 604/175, 604/174, 604/258, 604/523, 604/513
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0205 for injecting media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0229 having means for facilitating assembling, e.g. snap-fit housing or modular design
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0232 having means for facilitating the insertion into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/025 through bones or teeth, e.g. through the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1066 having protection means, e.g. sliding sleeve to protect connector itself, shrouds to protect a needle present in the connector, protective housing, isolating sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• 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 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• 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 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body

Abstract

A method for delivering fluid to a brain of a subject using a modular fluid delivery apparatus is described. The method comprises taking a subject having a first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus subcutaneously implanted therein, the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus comprising a first end having a first fluid connector portion attached thereto and a second end being connected to one or more catheters implanted within the brain of the subject. The method also comprises taking a second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus, the second part comprising a third end comprising a second fluid connector portion. The method further comprises making an incision in the subject to gain access to the first fluid connector portion of the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus, and connecting the first fluid connector portion to the second fluid connector portion.

Claims

1. A method for delivering fluid to a brain of a subject who has a first part of using a modular fluid delivery apparatus subcutaneously implanted therein, the first part comprising a first length of tubing that has (i) a first end having a first fluid connector portion attached thereto and (ii) a second end connected to one or more catheters implanted within the brain of the subject, the method comprising the steps of:

making an incision in the subject to gain access to the first fluid connector portion of the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus; and

after the incision has been made in the subject, passing a second fluid connector portion of a second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus through the incision and connecting the first fluid connector portion to the second fluid connector portion, the second part comprising a second length of tubing having an end that comprises the second fluid connector portion.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the subsequent step of pumping fluid into the brain of the subject through the first and second parts of the modular fluid delivery apparatus and the one or more implanted catheters.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the subsequent step of disconnecting the first fluid connector portion from the second fluid connector portion and completely withdrawing the second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus from the subject.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the subsequent step of closing the incision in the subject, thereby leaving the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus subcutaneously implanted in the subject.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the fluid pumped into the brain of the subject during the pumping step comprises a cytotoxic drug.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the fluid pumped into the brain of the subject during the pumping step comprises a neurotrophin.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the fluid pumped into the brain of the subject during the pumping step comprises a mononclonal antibody.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the fluid pumped into the brain of the subject during the pumping step comprises a viral particle.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an initial step of implanting the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus in the subject.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of implanting the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus in the subject includes implanting the one or more catheters in the brain of the subject.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid connector portion implanted in the subject comprises a sealing member configured to prevent fluid egress when the first fluid connector portion is unconnected to the second fluid connector portion.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the sealing member comprises a septum seal.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first length of tubing implanted in the subject has a single lumen.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising initial steps of:

making one or more incisions in the subject;

implanting the one or more catheters in the brain of the subject;

subcutaneously implanting the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus in the subject; and

closing the one or more incisions such that the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus and the one or more catheters are entirely subcutaneously implanted within the subject.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein prior to the step of closing the one or more incisions, the method further comprises the steps of:

connecting the first fluid connector portion to the second fluid connector portion; and

pumping fluid to the one or more implanted catheters through the first and second parts of the modular fluid delivery apparatus.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of making the incision in the subject to gain access to the first fluid connector portion occurs after the step of closing the one or more incisions.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the subsequent step of:

pumping fluid to the one or more implanted catheters through the first and second parts of the modular fluid delivery apparatus.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the subsequent steps of:

disconnecting the first fluid connector portion from the second fluid connector portion; and

completely withdrawing the second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus from the subject.

19. A method for delivering fluid to a brain of a subject, the method comprising the steps of:

making one or more incisions in a subject;

implanting one or more catheters in the brain of the subject;

subcutaneously implanting a first part of a modular fluid delivery apparatus in the subject, the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus comprising a first length of tubing having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first fluid connector portion attached thereto and the second end being connected to the one or more catheters;

making a subsequent incision in the subject to gain access to the first fluid connector portion of the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus;

after the subsequent incision has been made in the subject, passing a second fluid connector portion of a second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus through the subsequent incision and connecting the first fluid connector portion to the second fluid connector portion, the second part comprising a second length of tubing having an end that comprises the second fluid connector portion; and

pumping fluid into the brain of the subject through the modular fluid delivery apparatus and the one or more catheters.

20. A method for delivering fluid to a brain of a subject who has a first part of a modular fluid delivery apparatus subcutaneously implanted therein, the first part comprising a first length of tubing that has (i) a first end having a first fluid connector portion attached thereto and (ii) a second end connected to one or more catheters implanted within the brain of the subject, the method comprising the steps of:

making an incision in the subject through which a second length of tubing of a second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus can be passed, the incision uncovering and thereby providing access to the first fluid connector portion of the first part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus; and

subsequently connecting, through the incision, the first fluid connector portion to a second fluid connector portion at an end of the second length of tubing of the second part of the modular fluid delivery apparatus.