Apparatus and method for measuring the amount of fluid contained in an implantable medical device
First Claim
1. A method of measuring the amount of a fluid present within an implantable pump while implanted within a body, comprising the steps of:
- providing a support member, a pressure sensitive resistor member disposed on a first side of the support member, a spring member including a first end adjacent to the pressure sensitive resistor member, an expandable fluid reservoir member including a first end adjacent to a second end of the spring member;
adding the fluid to the expandable fluid reservoir member;
dispensing a portion of the fluid from the expandable fluid reservoir member; and
measuring a force at the pressure sensitive resistor member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable pump apparatus and method of operating the implantable pump for infusing a fluid into a body are described. The implantable pump apparatus includes a support member. A pressure sensitive resistor member is disposed on a first side of the support member. A spring member includes a first end which is adjacent to the pressure sensitive resistor member. An expandable fluid reservoir member includes a first end which is adjacent to a second end of the spring member. The level of fluid within the expandable fluid reservoir member is determined by measuring a force applied to the pressure sensitive resistor member.
104 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of measuring the amount of a fluid present within an implantable pump while implanted within a body, comprising the steps of:
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providing a support member, a pressure sensitive resistor member disposed on a first side of the support member, a spring member including a first end adjacent to the pressure sensitive resistor member, an expandable fluid reservoir member including a first end adjacent to a second end of the spring member;
adding the fluid to the expandable fluid reservoir member;
dispensing a portion of the fluid from the expandable fluid reservoir member; and
measuring a force at the pressure sensitive resistor member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification