Implantable drug-delivery devices, and apparatus and methods for filling the devices

• US 9,987,417 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2015
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Original Assignee: MiniPumps, LLC
• Inventors: Shih, Jason, Tai, Yu-Chong, Pang, Changlin, Caffey, Sean, Peck, Raymond, Jiang, Fukang, Humayun, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenberg, Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US14/706,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20150314064A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1403 Flushing or purging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0072 Means for increasing tightness of the septum, e.g. compression rings, special materials, special constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0081 Means for facilitating introduction of a needle in the septum, e.g. guides, special construction of septum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0235 having an additional inlet, e.g. for a guidewire or a catheter tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14212 Pumping with an aspiration and an expulsion action
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/148 flexible, e.g. independent bagsA61M5/155 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/36 with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281

Abstract

In various embodiments, a tool is employed in filling a drug-delivery device. The tool may include, for example, a needle that is admitted through a fill port of the drug-delivery device.

Claims

1. A method of filling an implantable drug-delivery pump having a drug chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tool comprising;

(i) first and second independent fluid channels;

(ii) a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel; and

(iii) a needle configured for insertion into a fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump and having a single lumen in fluid communication with the first and second fluid channels;

coupling the tool to the fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump; and

using the tool to (i) purge the drug chamber and (ii) pump fluid from the fluid reservoir into the drug chamber via the first fluid channel without exceeding a maximum pressure in the drug chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the purging step comprises pumping fluid from the fluid reservoir into the drug chamber via the first fluid channel and thereafter suctioning the fluid from the drug chamber via the second fluid channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tool further comprises a third independent fluid channel and a second fluid reservoir in fluid communication therewith, the purging step comprising pumping fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the drug chamber via the third fluid channel and thereafter suctioning the fluid from the drug chamber via the second channel.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling fluid flow during filling of the implantable drug-delivery pump via opening and closing at least one of first and second valves associated with the first and second independent fluid channels, respectively.

5. A method of filling an implantable drug-delivery pump having a drug chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tool comprising;

(i) first and second independent fluid channels;

(ii) a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel; and

(iii) first and second pumps each fluidly coupled to one of the fluid channels;

coupling the tool to a fill port of the implantable drug delivery pump; and

using the tool to;

(i) apply positive pressure to the first fluid channel so as to drive fluid from the fluid reservoir therethrough;

(ii) apply negative pressure to the second fluid channel so as to suction the fluid from the drug chamber; and

(iii) control fluid flow via opening and closing at least one of first and second valves associated with the first and second fluid channels, respectively, so as to prevent fluid pressure at an outlet of the tool from exceeding a predefined level.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the positive pressure is applied by the first pump and the negative pressure is applied by the second pump.

7. A method of filling an implantable drug-delivery pump having a drug chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tool comprising;

(i) first and second independent fluid channels;

(ii) a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid channel; and

(iii) a needle configured for insertion into a fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump and having first and second lumens therethrough, the first and second lumens being fluidly isolated from each other and in fluid communication with the first and second fluid channels, respectively;

coupling the tool to the fill port of the implantable drug-delivery pump; and

using the tool to (i) purge the drug chamber and (ii) pump fluid from the fluid reservoir into the drug chamber via the first fluid channel without exceeding a maximum pressure in the drug chamber.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising controlling fluid flow during filling of the implantable drug-delivery pump via opening and closing at least one of first and second valves associated with the first and second independent fluid channels, respectively.