Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable infusion pump having a refillable infusate reservoir in fluid communication with a delivery site via a flow path. This flow path includes a flow resistance. The infusion pump includes a sensing device(s), positioned relative to the flow path, to provide data regarding a flow rate along the flow path. The infusion pump effects a division of a total flow period into at least a plurality of unit dose periods, each unit dose period effecting delivery of a unit dose of infusate. The cumulative effect of delivering the total number of unit dose periods is the delivery of a desired dose over the total flow period. The present invention permits a reservoir pressure to vary over any portion of total flow period but effects a constant-pressure state over each unit dose cycle.

Abstract: A vascular access system (20) utilizing a catheter (22) having at least one lumen with a bidirectional check valve assembly (24).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for catheterization is provided. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for bone catheterization, i.e. access to an internal cavity of an animal, by means of a bone associated therewith. The preferred apparatus includes a tap arrangement and a cannula arrangement, provided in fluid flow communication with one another. The tap arrangement is constructed and arranged for anchoring within a bone, in fluid flow communication with the cavity. The cannula is preferably oriented for fluid flow access therewith, from a remote location. In preferred applications, the cannula arrangement is provided in communication with a medical access port and/or infusion pump arrangement. A preferred tool is described, for implanting the apparatus in a bone of the subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for catheterization is provided. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for bone catheterization, i.e. access to an internal cavity of an animal, by means of a bone associated therewith. The preferred apparatus includes a tap arrangement and a cannula arrangement, provided in fluid flow communication with one another. The tap arrangement is constructed and arranged for anchoring within a bone, in fluid flow communication with the cavity. The cannula is preferably oriented for fluid flow access therewith, from a remote location. In preferred applications, the cannula arrangement is provided in communication with a medical access port and/or infusion pump arrangement. A preferred tool is described, for implanting the apparatus in a bone of the subject.

Abstract: A zero net external displacement implantable pump for the transfer of accumulated body fluids, such as transfer of ascites fluid from the peritoneum to the vasculative system. The pump includes a pair of bellows type displacement chambers which are alternately compressed and expanded by action of a pivoted rocker member. The fluid to be transferred is drawn into the chambers on the expansion strokes and expelled on the compression strokes. The rocker member may be operated manually or power driven. Single action and double action pumps are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid infusate for the chronic vascular infusion of a hydrophobic biologically-active compound, such as cyclosporin, comprising a solution of a therapeutically-effective amount of the biologically-active compound in a mixture of about 10-80% glycerol and about 90-20% ethanol, by volume.

Abstract: An implantable intravascular access system, including an implantable, catheter obturator controller manifold for use with an implantable intravascular catheter. The catheter includes a lumen, having an expanded state and a normal state, an obturator, and an obturator plenum having an inflated state and a contracted state. The lumen can be closed or opened by hydraulically actuating the expansion or contraction of the obturator plenum when the lumen is in its normal state. When the obturator plenum is expanded to its inflated state, the obturator substantially blocks the lumen such that substantially no fluid can pass through the lumen when the lumen is in its normal state. The manifold comprises a housing, a receiving mechanism for receiving the catheter, an actuating mechanism for hydraulically actuating the expansion or contraction of the plenum, and a first entry mechanism for entering the housing.

Abstract: An implantable, anti-reflux, fluid displacement peritoneovenous shunt system. The system includes a double chambered multi-micro-orifice ascites collection device, a magnetically driven pump, and an anti-reflux, anti-backdiffusion, non-thrombogenic catheter tip, all connected by flexible tubing. The shunt is used to transfer fluid from the peritoneum to the cardivascular system to prevent accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The magnetically operated pump may be of either the reciprocating diaphragm or piston type or it may be a rotary driven bellows displacement pump.

Abstract: An implantable access system for infusion of liquids into a body or aspiration of liquid samples from the body. The system includes a septum/manifold (16) and catheter (10) connected thereto, both of specific design. The septum/manifold includes a pair of manifold chambers (24, 25) each closed with a self-sealing septum (20, 22) and each having a first access entry (19) and second access entry (26, 27) (35, 36). The catheter includes a pair of concentric inner and outer tubes (11, 12). The inner tube (11) is collapsible and closed at its distal end. The outer tube (12) closely engages the inner tube and defines a catheter lumen (28) therewith when the inner tube is collapsed by evacuation. The inner and outer tubes are joined together longitudinally over a small portion of the circumference of the inner tube.

Abstract: A system for the measurement of a metabolite in a physiological fluid is disclosed which comprises a catheter which includes an internal metabolite sensor downstream from a semipermeable region where dynamic equilibrium is attained between the external metabolite and a higher concentration of the same metabolite contained in an infusate which is flowed through the catheter. The changing metabolite concentration also can open and close a chemical valve to control the codelivery of a drug through the catheter.

Abstract: An ascites shunt is described in the form of an implantable, anti-reflux, fluid displacement, compression pump-catheter system. The system includes a double chambered multi-micro-orifice ascites collection device, an anti-reflux, anti-backdiffusion tubular compression pump, and an anti-reflux, anti-backdiffusion, non-thrombogenic catheter, all connected in series by flexible tubing. The shunt is used to transfer fluid from the peritoneum to a blood vessel to prevent accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The pump and intravascular catheter include check valve tips of particular design to prevent both reflux and diffusion of blood components into the system.

Abstract: An implantable, anti-reflux, fluid displacement peritoneovenous shunt system. The system includes a double chambered multi-micro-orifice ascites collection device, a magnetically driven pump, and an anti-reflux, anti-backdiffusion, non-thrombogenic catheter tip, all connected by flexible tubing. The shunt is used to transfer fluid from the peritoneum to the cardiovascular system to prevent accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The magnetically operated pump may be of either the reciprocating diaphragm or piston type or it may be a rotary driven bellows displacement pump.

Abstract: Catheters for long term implantation having polymer surfaces in face-to-face contact which are provided with a thin film coating of a glow discharge plasma polymerized fluorocarbon to prevent adhesion of the contacting surfaces. The polymerized fluorocarbon film, between about 50 and 1000 Angstroms in thickness, is bonded to the substrate material giving a low surface energy without changing its bulk properties. The low surface energy will prevent adhesion of cured polymer surfaces in contact and act as a lubricant. The smooth pinhole-free films will control or prevent diffusion into or out of the bulk material. These biocompatible films provide an alternative use for polymers whose bulk properties are unacceptable but whose surface properties are desirable.