Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080243093 | DETECTING NEEDLE ENTRY INTO A PORT OF AN INFUSION DEVICE - Systems for detecting needle insertion into a port chamber of an implantable medical device include a pressure sensor. The system detects characteristic pressure profiles associated with needle insertion into the port chamber through a septum and may generate a sensory cue to a clinician that proper needle placement has been achieved. Methods for detecting needle insertion into a port chamber of an implantable medical device includes detecting characteristic pressure profiles associated with needle insertion into the port chamber through a septum. | 10-02-2008 |
20080281279 | SEPTUM PORT LOCATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN IMPLANTABLE THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCE DELIVERY DEVICE - An implantable medical device system includes an implantable device and an external locator device for percutaneously locating detecting port opening of the implantable device. The implantable device includes a port chamber forming the port opening, a septum sealing the port chamber relative to an exterior of the device, and a coil positioned at a known location relative to the port opening. The locator device includes a controller, at least one X-loop electrically coupled to the controller and oriented along a first major axis, and at least one Y-loop electrically coupled to the controller and oriented along a second major axis differing from the first major axis. The system is configured such that when the locator is spatially proximate the coil, an induced voltage in at least the Y-loop(s) is read by the controller to indicate a location of the coil relative to the locator device. | 11-13-2008 |
20090082757 | PRESSURE BASED REFILL STATUS MONITOR FOR IMPLANTABLE PUMPS - The present invention includes systems and methods for detecting fluid flow into or out of a port chamber or a reservoir of an implantable medical device utilizing a pressure sensor. The system detects characteristic pressure profiles associated with fluid flowing into the medical device, out of the medical device, and also whether one or both of the port chamber or reservoir are substantially empty or substantially full. In addition, the present invention may generate a sensory cue to a clinician to indicate the fluid status. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082782 | NEEDLE TO PORT TRAJECTOR INDICATOR - A system includes (i) a needle for insertion into a port of an implantable infusion device, and (ii) a receiver apparatus having a port location signal receiver module capable of receiving a signal from the implantable infusion device regarding spatial orientation of the port. The system further includes a processor operably coupled to the receiver apparatus and capable of determining the orientation of the needle relative to the port based on the received signal. The system also includes a display operably coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to cause the display to graphically render trajectory of the needle relative to the port. The port is graphically rendered as a target structure having a reference area. The needle is graphically rendered as an object moveable relative to the target structure. Occupation of the reference area by the object indicates trajectory alignment of the port and the needle. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082834 | PROXIMITY SIGNATURE FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION WITH IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Systems, devices and methods employing coded magnetic fields or transfer of encryption key information via proximity telemetry are described. The systems, methods and devices help prevent or reduce unintended or unintentional distance telemetry communication between an external medical device and an implantable medical device. | 03-26-2009 |
20090270949 | EXTERNAL STIMULUS FOR ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION WITH IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - The present invention relates to systems, devices and methods for accessing an implantable medical device when the security key is not known. The systems, methods and devices help to access an implantable medical device through a back door to permit non-secure communications. The systems, devices, and methods require short range external stimulus to indicate to the implantable medical device that a valid communication is about to be received. | 10-29-2009 |
20100125246 | PRESSURE BASED REFILL STATUS MONITOR FOR IMPLANTABLE PUMPS - The present invention includes systems and methods for detecting fluid flow into or out of a port chamber or a reservoir of an implantable medical device utilizing a pressure sensor and calculating the fluid status of the reservoir. The system detects characteristic pressure profiles associated with fluid flowing into the medical device, out of the medical device, and also whether one or both of the port chamber or reservoir are substantially empty or substantially full. In addition, the present invention may generate a sensory cue to a clinician to indicate the fluid status. | 05-20-2010 |
20100280446 | AUTOMATED CATHETER LENGTH DETERMINATION FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE - Examples disclosed herein include methods and systems for automatically estimating the length of an implantable catheter by measuring the pressure decay response to pumping fluid through the catheter. The decay time for a unit fluid pressure pulse generated within the catheter is proportional to the length of the catheter, i.e. as the length of the catheter increases so does the decay time. The catheter length can therefore be estimated based on, e.g., the decay time of the pressure pulse. The estimated catheter length can also be analyzed to determine if it is representative of the actual length of the catheter, or, e.g., is affected by one or more catheter malfunctions including cuts and occlusions. Systems for automatically estimating catheter length include an implantable catheter, a pumping mechanism, a pressure sensor placed in a location to measure pressure within the catheter, and a processor that calculates the length of the catheter from a pressure pulse measured while fluid is delivered through the catheter. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280531 | SNAP-ON SUTURE RING FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A suture bar for securing an implantable medical device into a body. The suture bar including a body member having a length disposed between a first and a second end, the body member being formed of a generally elongate tube that is piercable by a suture needle. The suture bar also including a first and second connector fixedly attached on the first and second end of the body member, the first and second connector operable to connect the implantable medical device to a pocket in a body. | 11-04-2010 |
20100331669 | SEPTUM PORT LOCATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN IMPLANTABLE THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCE DELIVERY DEVICE - An implantable medical device system includes an implantable device and an external locator device for percutaneously locating detecting port opening of the implantable device. The implantable device includes a port chamber forming the port opening, a septum sealing the port chamber relative to an exterior of the device, and a coil positioned at a known location relative to the port opening. The locator device includes a controller, at least one X-loop electrically coupled to the controller and oriented along a first major axis, and at least one Y-loop electrically coupled to the controller and oriented along a second major axis differing from the first major axis. The system is configured such that when the locator is spatially proximate the coil, an induced voltage in at least the Y-loop(s) is read by the controller to indicate a location of the coil relative to the locator device. | 12-30-2010 |
20110172633 | THERAPY SYNCHRONIZATION - A system employing multiple implantable therapy delivery devices may be configured to provide coordinated or synchronized therapy by allowing the devices to communicate with each other, directly or indirectly. Fault tolerance or redundancy may be incorporated into the system to allow for correction of failed devices in real time or pseudo real time. | 07-14-2011 |
20110184354 | DETECTING NEEDLE ENTRY INTO A PORT OF AN INFUSION DEVICE - Systems for detecting needle insertion into a port chamber of an implantable medical device include a pressure sensor. The system detects characteristic pressure profiles associated with needle insertion into the port chamber through a septum and may generate a sensory cue to a clinician that proper needle placement has been achieved. Methods for detecting needle insertion into a port chamber of an implantable medical device includes detecting characteristic pressure profiles associated with needle insertion into the port chamber through a septum. | 07-28-2011 |
20110237935 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding an External Needle to an Implantable Device - A system can include an implantable device, an instrument, a display device and a processor. The implantable device can include a port and a localizer for generating a navigation field. The instrument can include a tracking device for sensing the navigation field. The processor can be operably coupled to the tracking and display devices and operable to determine a real-time location of the instrument relative to the port and a trajectory of the instrument relative to an insertion axis of the port. The processor system can be operable to cause the display device to graphically render the instrument as a plurality of two or three-dimensional rings positioned around an axis coincident with the determined trajectory and in spaced relation to each other along the axis. A first ring of the plurality of rings can be positioned at the determined instrument location relative to a graphical representation of the port location. | 09-29-2011 |
20110237936 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding an External Needle to an Implantable Device - A support tool or a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to a patient includes an antenna array for receiving or sensing a navigation field. The navigation field can be generated from a localizer. The localizer can be incorporated or included in an implanted device. | 09-29-2011 |
20110237937 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding an External Needle to an Implantable Device - A system to generate a navigation field relative to an implanted device is disclosed. The system can include a small and/or thin localizer array positioned in the implanted device. A power management scheme and circuits can be provided to conserve and resource power in the implanted device. | 09-29-2011 |
20110238034 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding an External Needle to an Implantable Device - A support tool for a supply assembly delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device. The supply assembly defines a supply axis. The support tool includes a support member defining an opening. The opening has a support axis, and the opening is configured to receive the supply assembly. The support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly. The corresponding surface of the supply assembly nests against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis. | 09-29-2011 |
20110254686 | RESERVOIR MONITORING FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICES - A number of parameters related to the operation of a fluid delivery device are determined based on a pressure within the device sensed using a pressure sensor. In one example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from a reservoir of a fluid delivery device is determined based on a sensed pressure of the reservoir. In another example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from the reservoir is determined based on a sensed pressure of a refill port assembly of the device. In another example, an initial temperature of the reservoir as a therapeutic fluid is removed from the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. In another example, a temperature of a therapeutic fluid added to the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257591 | VOLUME MONITORING FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICES - Unexpected changes in the volume of therapeutic fluid in the reservoir of a fluid delivery device are detected based on changes in the pressure of the reservoir measured over a period of time by a pressure sensor. Additionally, an ambulatory reservoir fluid volume gauge is provided to indicate an actual volume of therapeutic fluid in a fluid delivery device reservoir. The actual volume of therapeutic fluid in the reservoir indicated by the ambulatory reservoir fluid volume gauge is determined based on changes in the pressure in the reservoir measured over a period of time by a pressure sensor. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257593 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DETECTING CATHETER COMPLICATIONS - A method for determining status of an implanted catheter includes acquiring raw pressure data from a pressure sensor of in an implantable infusion device. The pressure sensor is in communication with a lumen of the catheter operably coupled to the infusion device. The catheter has a delivery region, in communication with the lumen, intended to be positioned in a fluid-filled target location of a patient. The method further includes filtering the raw pressure data to remove the DC component, leaving the AC component within a relevant physiological frequency range; rectifying the AC component to produce a rectified pressure signal; calculating a mean magnitude of the rectified signal; and determining whether the mean magnitude is below a predetermined threshold. If the mean magnitude is below the threshold, the catheter is determined to be in a state other than a normal state. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257907 | PRESSURE-BASED TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICES - A number of parameters related to the operation of a fluid delivery device are determined based on a pressure within the device sensed using a pressure sensor. In one example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from a reservoir of a fluid delivery device is determined based on a sensed pressure of the reservoir. In another example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from the reservoir is determined based on a sensed pressure of a refill port assembly of the device. In another example, an initial temperature of the reservoir as a therapeutic fluid is removed from the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. In another example, a temperature of a therapeutic fluid added to the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. | 10-20-2011 |
20110264006 | Detecting Empty Medical Pump Reservoir - A medical device system comprises a reservoir configured to store a therapeutic fluid and a medical pump configured to deliver the therapeutic fluid from the reservoir to a patient. The system also comprises a sensor that can detect a characteristic associated with the pump and a processor to determine if the characteristic detected indicates the reservoir is empty or near empty. The characteristic may comprise a property associated with the energization of an actuation mechanism configured to be energized to provide a pump stroke. The characteristic may also comprise a characteristic of a noise made by an actuator within the pump at the end of a pump stroke. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264034 | MEDICAL THERAPY MODIFICATION AUTHORIZATION TECHNIQUES - Techniques for programming therapy delivered a patient via a medical device are described. One example technique includes receiving a request for a modification to a therapy delivered to a patient via medical device, transmitting a request to a remote networking device for authorization for the modification to the therapy in response to the request for the modification to the therapy, receiving a response to the request for authorization, where the response to the request for authorization indicates whether the requested modification is authorized, and modifying the therapy according to the requested modification when the requested modification is determined to be authorized. In some examples, the medical device includes a medical fluid delivery device. | 10-27-2011 |
20120238949 | AUTOMATED CATHETER LENGTH DETERMINATION FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE - Disclosed are methods and systems for automatically estimating the length of an implantable catheter by measuring the pressure decay response to pumping fluid through the catheter. The decay time for a unit fluid pressure pulse generated within the catheter is proportional to the catheter length, i.e. as the catheter length increases so does the decay time. The catheter length can therefore be estimated based on, e.g., the decay time of the pressure pulse. The estimated catheter length can also be analyzed to determine if it is representative of the actual catheter length, or, e.g., is affected by one or more catheter malfunctions including cuts and occlusions. Systems for automatically estimating the catheter length include an implantable catheter, a pumping mechanism, a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within the catheter, and a processor that calculates the catheter length from a pressure pulse measured while delivering fluid through the catheter. | 09-20-2012 |
20120265144 | ESTIMATING THE VOLUME OF FLUID IN THERAPEUTIC FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE RESERVOIR - A number of parameters related to the operation of a fluid delivery device are determined based on pressures within the device sensed using multiple pressure sensors. In one example, the volume of therapeutic fluid within a reservoir of a fluid delivery device is estimated based on a measured pressure differential. In another example, the rate at which a therapeutic fluid is added to or removed from the reservoir is estimated based on the measured pressure differential. | 10-18-2012 |
20120277717 | LIMITING PRESSURE IN AN IMPLANTED CATHETER - A method includes receiving data regarding a catheter being used with the infusion device. The catheter has a lumen operably coupled to a reservoir of the infusion device and is configured to deliver fluid from the infusion device to a target location of a patient. The method further includes infusing fluid from the reservoir into the lumen of the catheter at a first rate and monitoring pressure via a pressure sensor in communication with the lumen of the catheter. Monitoring the pressure includes acquiring pressure data from the pressure sensor at a first frequency. The method also includes (i) determining whether the monitored pressure exceeds a first threshold, wherein the first threshold is based on the data regarding the catheter; and (ii) decreasing the rate at which the fluid is delivered from the reservoir into the catheter if the monitored pressure is determined to exceed the threshold. | 11-01-2012 |
20120283639 | DETECTING EMPTY MEDICAL PUMP RESERVOIR - A medical device system comprises a reservoir configured to store a therapeutic fluid and a medical pump configured to deliver the therapeutic fluid from the reservoir to a patient. The system also comprises a sensor that can detect a characteristic associated with the pump and a processor to determine if the characteristic detected indicates the reservoir is empty or near empty. The characteristic may comprise a characteristic of a noise made by an actuator within the pump at the end of a pump stroke. | 11-08-2012 |
20130296830 | Method And Apparatus For Guiding An External Needle To An Implantable Device - A support tool for a supply assembly delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device. The supply assembly defines a supply axis. The support tool includes a support member defining an opening. The opening has a support axis, and the opening is configured to receive the supply assembly. The support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly. The corresponding surface of the supply assembly nests against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis. | 11-07-2013 |
20130303896 | Method And Apparatus For Guiding An External Needle To An Implantable Device - A system can include an implantable device, an instrument, a display device and a processor. The implantable device can include a port and a localizer for generating a navigation field. The instrument can include a tracking device for sensing the navigation field. The processor can be operably coupled to the tracking and display devices and operable to determine a real-time location of the instrument relative to the port and a trajectory of the instrument relative to an insertion axis of the port. The processor system can be operable to cause the display device to graphically render the instrument as a plurality of two or three-dimensional rings positioned around an axis coincident with the determined trajectory and in spaced relation to each other along the axis. A first ring of the plurality of rings can be positioned at the determined instrument location relative to a graphical representation of the port location. | 11-14-2013 |
20140058327 | NEEDLE TO PORT TRAJECTORY INDICATOR - A system includes (i) a needle for insertion into a port of an implantable infusion device, and (ii) a receiver apparatus having a port location signal receiver module capable of receiving a signal from the implantable infusion device regarding spatial orientation of the port. The system further includes a processor operably coupled to the receiver apparatus and capable of determining the orientation of the needle relative to the port based on the received signal. The system also includes a display operably coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to cause the display to graphically render trajectory of the needle relative to the port. The port is graphically rendered as a target structure having a reference area. The needle is graphically rendered as an object moveable relative to the target structure. Occupation of the reference area by the object indicates trajectory alignment of the port and the needle. | 02-27-2014 |
20140153719 | PROXIMITY SIGNATURE FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION WITH IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Systems, devices and methods employing coded magnetic fields or transfer of encryption key information via proximity telemetry are described. The systems, methods and devices help prevent or reduce unintended or unintentional distance telemetry communication between an external medical device and an implantable medical device. | 06-05-2014 |