Implantable infusion devices including apparatus for confirming fluid flow and systems, apparatus and methods associated with same

• US 10,646,646 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2016
• Issued: 05/12/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Ring, Lawrence Scott, Lord, Peter C., Gibson, Scott R., Bowman, Sam W., Shelton, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Nathan R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Snyder, Melissa A
• Application Number:
  US15/084,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20160206814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,504 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/16863 Occlusion detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0294 Piezoelectric materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16886 for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/28 by drag-force, e.g. vane type or impact flowmeter

Abstract

Implantable infusion apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of a sensor that is associated with the catheter outlet.

Claims

1. An implantable infusion device, comprising:

a housing;

a fluid transfer device carried within the housing;

a power supply carried within the housing and operably connected to the fluid transfer device;

a catheter, including an outlet, operably connected to the fluid transfer device; and

a sensor device, which is not powered by the power supply within the housing, located within the catheter adjacent to the catheter outlet and configured to be powered by a wireless query and to measure a characteristic that is indicative of fluid flow through the catheter outlet.

2. An implantable infusion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid transfer device comprises an electromagnet pump.

3. An implantable infusion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a pressure sensor device.

4. An implantable infusion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a flow sensor device.

5. An implantable infusion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor device includes an antenna.

6. An implantable infusion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a passive sensor device.

7. An implantable infusion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a plurality of spaced sensor devices.

8. An implantable infusion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the catheter defines a closed distal end;

the catheter outlet is located proximal of the closed distal end of the catheter; and

the sensor device is located between the catheter outlet and the closed distal end of the catheter.

9. An implantable infusion device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor device comprises a pressure sensor device.