Constant pressure variable flow pump
AssigneeShiley Infusaid Inc.
InventorSamir F. Idriss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable flow constant pressure implantable pump employs an in-line needle restrictor having a variable insertion distance in a capillary. The degree of insertion determines the effective restriction within the capillary. The restrictor may be repositioned following implantation to vary the drug delivery rate by changing the effective restriction in the capillary. Various couplings may be used such that an auxiliary or bolus port delivers infusate directly into the outlet catheter so that medication from the main chamber does not pass through the auxiliary chamber. A combination of double lumen catheters and T-connectors are employed to provide parallel infusion paths.
Claims11
An infusion system implantable in the living body comprising:
- a constant pressure reservoir for releasing fluid, an outlet conduit connectable to said reservoir,
- a flow restriction element inserted into said conduit, said flow restriction element having an axial insertion length (L) of penetration in said conduit and,
- means to vary the axial insertion length (L) of said flow restriction element from a point distant from an implantation site following implantation of said system wherein flow rate characteristics of said outlet conduit are adjusted so that the delivery rate of fluid from said reservoir is altered.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.