Programmable dose control module

• US 20040059315A1
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Erickson, John, Blischak, Brian, Daglow, Terry
• Granted Patent: US 7,150,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection

Abstract

The invention is directed to a dose control module for manipulating the dosage of one or more pharmaceutical solutions emanating from an implantable drug infusion pump. The dose control module has a processor and other circuitry for manipulating flow valves and other dose manipulators. Effluent catheters from one or more implantable drug infusion pumps may be connected to the dose control module. The dose control module may direct the effluent pharmaceutical solution to one or more catheters. These catheters direct the pharmaceutical solutions to treatment locations. The invention is also directed to induction coil valves for use in or with the dose control module. The use of induction coils permits the dose control module to determine valve position and counteract large directional magnetic fields produced by MRIs.

Claims

1. A dose control module for controlling dosage rates of at least one treatment solution, the dose control module comprising:

in an implantable housing separate from a treatment solution reservoir;

a processor for interpreting instructions;

a set of prescription parameters;

a first set of instructions, interpretable by the processor, for implementing a prescription in accordance with the prescription parameters; and

a control circuitry for generating a first signal, the processor directing the control circuitry, the signal controlling flow rate.

2. The dose control module of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one valve, the first signal controlling the state of the at least one valve to produce a flow rate in accordance with the prescription.

3. The dose control module of claim 1, further comprising:

a communications interface for interacting with a separate programming unit.

4. The dose control module of claim 3, wherein the communications interface receives instructions for adjusting the prescription parameters.

5. The dose control module of claim 3, wherein the communications interface transmits dosage data.

6. The dose control module of claim 1, further comprising:

a valve array in communication with the control circuitry and to which more than one pharmaceutical delivery pump may be connected.

7. The dose control module of claim 1, further comprising:

a second set of instructions, interpretable by the processor, for interpreting a second signal from a valve.

8. The dose control module of claim 7, wherein the second signal indicates a position of the valve.

9. The dose control module of claim 7, wherein the second signal is indicative of an external electromagnetic field.

10. The dose control module of claim 9, further comprising:

a third set of instructions, interpretable by the processor, for generating a third signal for inducing in a coil an electromagnetic field opposing the external electromagnetic field.

11. The dose control module of claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, interpretable by the processor, for degaussing a flow manipulator.

12. A dose control system for controlling dosage rates of at least one treatment solution to a patient, the dose control system comprising:

at least one treatment solution reservoir;

a set of prescribed dosage rates;

a dose control module located in an implantable housing separate from the at least one treatment solution reservoir, comprising;

a processor for interpreting at least one set of instructions;

a time keeping mechanism;

a communications circuitry;

a set of prescription parameters;

instructions, interpretable by the processor, for implementing a prescription in accordance with the set of prescription parameters; and

a control circuitry for generating a signal, the processor directing the control circuitry, the signal controlling flow rate; and

a patient control unit accessible by the patient, the patient control unit selectively communicating with the dose control module through the communications circuitry, the patient control unit permitting the patient to select the prescription from the set of prescribed dosage rates.

13. The dose control system of claim 12, further comprising:

instructions for determining a strength of the at least one treatment solution using calculations associated with degradation.

14. The dose control system of claim 12, wherein the patient control unit comprises a storage means for dosage data, the dose control module transmitting the dosage data through the communications circuitry to the patient control unit.

15. The dose control system of claim 14, wherein the patient control unit comprises a set of instructions for determining a level of treatment solution in the at least one treatment solution reservoir.

16. The dose control system of claim 12, wherein the dose control module comprises instructions for altering a dosage rate to match a default dosage rate upon expiration of a prescribed period of time.

17. The dose control system of claim 16, wherein measurement of the prescribed period of time is restarted upon communication with the patient control unit.

18. The dose control system of claim 12, wherein the set of prescribed dosage rates is stored in the dose control module.

19. The dose control system of claim 12, where in the set of prescribed dosage rates is stored in the patient control unit.

20. A method for adjusting dosage rates of at least one pharmaceutical solution delivered through a dose control system, the method comprising:

receiving a data associated with a user request for one of a set of prescribed dosage rates;

determining whether complying with the request violates a delivery rule;

determining a strength of the at least one pharmaceutical solution; and

if the request does not violate a delivery rule, manipulating the dosage rate of the at least one pharmaceutical solution to comply with the user request.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

periodically confirming the user request; and

in the event that the user request is not confirmed, manipulating the dosage rate to comply with a default delivery instructions.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the method is implemented in an implantable dose control module.

23. A method for manipulating the dosage rate of at least one pharmaceutical solution, the method comprising:

manipulating a state of at least one valve with a control signal from an implantable dose control module, the at least one valve coupled to a pharmaceutical solution reservoir, the implantable dose control module located in a housing separate from the pharmaceutical solution reservoir.