Patent · US Expired

Programmable implantable infusate pump

US4443218A · kind A · utility

686Cited by
11References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 9, 1982
Grant dateApr 17, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 9, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S128/13
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A programmable implantable infusion pump includes a housing containing a variable volume infusate chamber and variable volume control fluid pressure and displacement reservoirs. A conduit conducts infusate from the chamber exteriorly of the housing. A restricted fluid path exists between the two reservoirs which are filled with an incompressible control fluid. A loaded spring applies a constant force to the pressure reservoir causing fluid flow between the two reservoirs. The differential pressure across the flow restriction is sampled by a microprocessor which computes the fluid flow rate, that rate being proportional to the infusate flow rate from the chamber. When the fluid flow rate deviates from a programmed value, the processor issues an error command to a battery-driven motor which reloads the spring to reestablish the constant force on the pressure reservoir. The infusate flow rate may be changed automatically during the day in accordance with a programmed schedule and that schedule may be changed by reprogramming the processor using a telemetry receiver contained in the housing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.