Infusion device and overfill protection mechanism for use with same
First Claim
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1. An implantable infusion device, comprising:
- a collapsible member defining a reservoir for containing a variable volume of fluid therein, wherein the collapsible member comprises a reservoir surface that moves between a full position and a refill position in response to a change in volume of the fluid contained in the reservoir;
a housing connected to the collapsible member, the housing defining;
a refill port for receiving the fluid; and
a refill passageway connecting the refill port to the reservoir;
a valve plunger for selectively occluding the refill passageway, wherein the valve plunger comprises a free distal end configured to abut the reservoir surface of the collapsible member during movement between the full position and the refill position; and
a displacement sensor coupled to the housing and operable to detect a position of the free distal end of the valve plunger at any time during movement of the reservoir surface between the full position and the refill position, the displacement sensor electrically coupled to electronics configured to provide feedback corresponding to the detected position of the free distal end.
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Abstract
A medical device and displacement-based over-pressurization mechanism (OPM) for use with the same. The OPM may be positioned in or along a refill passageway of the device. It may include a valve plunger having a portion in biased, abutting contact with a reservoir surface that moves as the reservoir volume changes. The reservoir surface may move between a full position and a refill position. The OPM is preferably configured to close and occlude the refill passageway when the reservoir and reservoir surface reach the full position, e.g., before reaching an overfill position. A sensor may also be provided to detect a position of the valve plunger.
43 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An implantable infusion device, comprising:
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a collapsible member defining a reservoir for containing a variable volume of fluid therein, wherein the collapsible member comprises a reservoir surface that moves between a full position and a refill position in response to a change in volume of the fluid contained in the reservoir; a housing connected to the collapsible member, the housing defining;
a refill port for receiving the fluid; and
a refill passageway connecting the refill port to the reservoir;a valve plunger for selectively occluding the refill passageway, wherein the valve plunger comprises a free distal end configured to abut the reservoir surface of the collapsible member during movement between the full position and the refill position; and a displacement sensor coupled to the housing and operable to detect a position of the free distal end of the valve plunger at any time during movement of the reservoir surface between the full position and the refill position, the displacement sensor electrically coupled to electronics configured to provide feedback corresponding to the detected position of the free distal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for refilling fluid in an implantable infusion device, the method comprising;
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connecting a transfer device to a refill port of the infusion device, the infusion device defining a reservoir and a refill passageway connecting the refill port to the reservoir; transporting the fluid from the transfer device along the refill passageway to the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is defined by a collapsible member that comprises a reservoir surface movable between a full position and a refill position in response to a change in volume of the fluid within the reservoir; biasing a valve plunger, which is positioned along the refill passageway, into contact with the reservoir surface; detecting a position of the valve plunger with a sensor at any time during movement of the reservoir surface between the full position and the refill position, the sensor electrically coupled to electronics configured to provide feedback corresponding to the detected position of the valve plunger; and closing the valve plunger to occlude the refill passageway when the reservoir surface reaches the full position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. An implantable infusion device, comprising:
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a collapsible member defining a reservoir for containing a variable volume of fluid therein, wherein the collapsible member comprises a reservoir surface that moves between a full position and a refill position in response to a change in volume of the fluid contained in the reservoir; a housing connected to the collapsible member, the housing defining;
a refill port for receiving the fluid; and
a refill passageway connecting the refill port to the reservoir;a valve plunger for selectively occluding the refill passageway, wherein the valve plunger comprises a free distal end configured to abut the reservoir surface of the collapsible member during movement between the full position and the refill position; and a displacement sensor at least partially positioned within the refill passageway, the sensor operable to detect a position of the free distal end of the valve plunger at any time during movement of the reservoir surface between the full position and the refill position, the displacement sensor electrically coupled to electronics configured to provide feedback corresponding to the detected position of the free distal end. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification