PARTIALLY IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES WITH CARTRIDGE MOVEMENT SENSOR AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20100217240A1
• Filed: 02/21/2009
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: IncuMED, LLC
• Inventors: Mann, Alfred E., He, Tom Xiaohai
• Granted Patent: US 8,202,260 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• 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 39/04 having pierceable self-sealing members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure

Abstract

Partially implantable medical devices and methods associated with partially implantable medical devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a fluid cartridge, comprising:

a percutaneous port including an interior configured to receive the fluid cartridge;

an implantable operative portion, including a fluid transfer device, operably connected to the percutaneous port; and

a cartridge sensor configured to sense movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the percutaneous port includes an exterior having a porous region configured to promote soft tissue ingrowth.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the porous region comprises a layer of a fiber mesh.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fiber mesh comprises biocompatible metal fibers and/or biocompatible polymer fibers.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the porous region defines a porosity of about 60 to 95% and includes pores that are about 50 to 200 microns in size.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge sensor is configured to sense rotational movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge sensor is exposed to the interior of the percutaneous port.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge sensor comprises first and second circumferentially spaced sensors.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and second circumferentially spaced sensors each include a pair of substantially circumferentially aligned electrical contacts.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a controller operably connected to the cartridge sensor and configured to perform a predefined operation in response to sensed movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to perform a predefined operation in response to a sensed rotational movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein

the fluid transfer device is configured to transfer fluid at a plurality of flow rates;

and

the predefined operation comprises increasing or decreasing the flow rate.

13. An apparatus for use with a fluid cartridge, comprising:

a percutaneous port including an interior configured to receive the fluid cartridge;

an implantable operative portion, including a fluid transfer device, operably connected to the percutaneous port; and

means for sensing movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the percutaneous port includes an exterior having a porous region configured to promote soft tissue ingrowth.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the porous region comprises a layer of a fiber mesh.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fiber mesh comprises biocompatible metal fibers and/or biocompatible polymer fibers.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the porous region defines a porosity of about 60 to 95% and includes pores that are about 50 to 200 microns in size.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

a controller operably connected to the means for sensing and configured to perform a predefined operation in response to sensed movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to perform a predefined operation in response to a sensed rotational movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein

the fluid transfer device is configured to transfer fluid at a plurality of flow rates;

and

the predefined operation comprises increasing or decreasing the flow rate.

21. A method of operating a medical device including an implantable operative portion and percutaneous port configured to receive a fluid cartridge, the method comprising the step of:

sensing movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the step of sensing movement comprises sensing rotational movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the step of sensing rotational movement comprises sensing rotational movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port in a first direction and/or sensing rotational movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port in a second direction.

24. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the step of sensing movement comprises sensing when a pair of electrical contacts are in contact with an electrically conductive member on the fluid cartridge.

25. A method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of:

in response to an initial sensing of fluid cartridge movement relative to the percutaneous port, determining whether a predetermined movement occurred prior to the expiration of a predetermined time period.

26. A method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of:

performing a predefined operation in response to sensed movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the implantable operative portion includes a fluid transfer device configured to transfer fluid at a plurality of flow rates;

and

the predefined operation comprises increasing or decreasing the flow rate.