Apparatus and methods for minimizing peritoneal injection catheter obstruction

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

• a hollow receptacle for receiving the drug, the hollow receptacle having a penetrable portion;
• a hollow stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the stem being attached to the receptacle such that the stem forms a passageway extending from the chamber;
• a first 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 first flange is secured adjacent the parietal peritoneal membrane, the distal end of the hollow stem is positioned within the peritoneal cavity;
• and
• a cellulicidal material covering at least a portion of the injection conduit for inhibiting cell growth which would inhibit flow through the hollow stem.

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

• a hollow receptacle for receiving the drug, the hollow receptacle having a penetrable portion;
• a hollow stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the stem being attached to the receptacle such that the stem forms a passageway extending from the chamber;
• a first 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 first flange is secured adjacent the parietal peritoneal membrane, the distal end of the hollow stem is directed toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane;
• and
• a cellulicidal material for inhibiting cell growth covering at least a part of the hollow receptacle and the hollow stem.

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 in 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 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;
• a first substantially rigid 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 first flange is secured adjacent the parietal peritoneal membrane, the distal end of the hollow stem is directed toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane;
• and
• structural means adjacent the distal end of the hollow stem for preventing obstruction of the passageway comprising a second substantially rigid, diametrically enlarged flange attached to the stem within the peritoneal cavity.

A method for minimizing peritoneal injection catheter obstruction, 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 passagweway 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;
• penetrating the layer of skin and the membrane with a rigid instrument such that the rigid instrument moves down the passagweway;
• and
• pushing the rigid instrument through the distal end of the hollow stem so as to force obstructing objects away from the catheter.