Subcutaneous peritoneal injection catheter

A method for injecting a drug into a peritoneal cavity in a direction toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an injection conduit, comprising:
• a shallow vessel with an open top;
• a penetrable membrane covering the open top of the vessel;
• a hollow stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the stem being attached to the vessel such that the stem forms a passageway extending from the vessel;
• and
• a diametrally enlarged flange attached to the stem such that, when the conduit is implanted underneath a layer of skin adjacent the peritoneal cavity and the flange is secured adjacent the parietal peritoneal membrane, the distal end of the hollow stem is directed toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane;
• implanting the injection conduit underneath a layer of skin adjacent the peritoneal cavity with the membrane being generally parallel to the skin, the hollow stem penetrating the parietal peritoneal membrane and extending into the peritoneal cavity, the diametrally enlarged flange being secured adjacent the parietal peritoneal membrane, the distal end of the hollow stem being directed toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane, and the passageway communicating between the vessel and the peritoneal cavity;
• and
• injecting a drug into the peritoneal cavity by penetrating the layer of skin and the penetrable membrane with a hollow needle and forcing the drug through the hollow needle into the vessel with the hollow stem carrying the drug into the peritoneal cavity in a direction toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane.

A subcutaneously implantable injection conduit for injecting a drug into a peritoneal cavity, comprising:

• an injection receiver having a diametrally enlarged convergent receiving surface and an opening at the center of the receiving surface;
• a diametrally enlarged, penetrable membrane across the receiving surface in spaced relationship therewith, said membrane forming a receiving reservoir in combination with the receiving surface;
• mounting means for implanting the conduit under a layer of skin adjacent to the peritoneal cavity;
• a hollow stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the stem being attached to the injection receiver such that the stem forms a passageway extending from the opening in the receiving surface, the stem having a length sufficient that the stem penetrates the parietal peritoneal membrane and extends into the peritoneal cavity;
• and
• a diametrally enlarged flange attached to the stem such that, when the conduit is implanted under a layer of skin adjacent the peritoneal cavity and the flange is secured adjacent the parietal peritoneal membrane, the distal end of the hollow stem is directed toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane.

A subcutaneously implantable injection conduit for injecting insulin into a peritoneal cavity in a direction toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane, comprising:

• an injection receiver having a penetration-resistant, diametrally enlarged, convergent receiving surface and an opening at the center of the receiving surface;
• a diametrally enlarged, penetrable cover across the receiving surface in spaced relationship therewith, the cover forming a receiving reservoir in combination with the receiving surface;
• a hollow stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the stem being attached to the receiver such that the stem forms a passageway extending from the opening in the receiving surface, and the stem having a length sufficient that, when the injection conduit is implanted in tissue adjacent the peritoneal cavity, the stem penetrates the parietal peritoneal membrane and extends from the injection receiver into the peritoneal cavity;
• and
• a diametrally enlarged flange attached adjacent the distal end of the hollow stem such that the flange inhibits the stem from retracting into tissue into which the conduit is implanted, and such that, when the flange is secured adjacent the parietal peritoneal membrane, the distal end of the stem is directed toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane, whereby the insulin, upon entering the peritoneal cavity through the hollow stem, contacts the mesenteric peritoneal membrane and is absorbed into the blood circulation of the portal venous system via said mesenteric peritoneal membrane, whereby the insulin is transported directly to the liver.