Abstract: An external infusion device that infuses a fluid into an individual's body includes a housing, a reservoir, a drive system, a power supply, electrical elements, and a tab. The reservoir contains the fluid, and the drive system forces the fluid from the reservoir. The electrical elements control the power to the drive system to regulate the rate that fluid is forced from the reservoir. The tab mates with the housing, and contains at least one electrical element. The tab is removable, and may be replaced with a different tab. The different tab may change the rate fluid is forced from the reservoir. A tab may be removed from one external infusion device and installed in a different external infusion device. The tab may be limited to use in a predetermined number of external infusion devices and may include a power supply.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluid are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a miniature pump that includes a shape memory wire that obtains a plastic condition below a transformation temperature and has a memorized shape such that the shape memory wire produces a work stroke by returning to the memorize shape at least at the transformation temperature. A spring biased against the shape memory wire is deflected by the work stroke to deform the shape memory wire from the memorized shape below the transformation temperature. A fluid pump is coupled to the shape memory wire and driven by the biased spring and shape memory wire to produce a fluid flow. The miniature pump can be incorporated into a self-contained infusion device in the form of a compact self-adhesive patch including a fluid reservoir, control electronics and power supply that is place directly at the infusion site of a user.

Abstract: An implantable medication delivery device that is highly space efficient and can reliably and safely deliver controlled medication doses to a target site. The system includes a variable volume medication reservoir that is exposed to an ambient pressure equal to the ambient pressure at a system outlet port. A pump/valve subassembly is provided to draw medication from the reservoir and force a medication dose along a fluid transfer passageway to the outlet port. The pump/valve subassembly incorporates a safety mechanism, e.g., a balanced valve, which normally blocks medication flow to the outlet port and opens only in response to a pump induced unbalancing force. A protective shell is also disclosed for protecting the ambient reservoir.

Abstract: An external infusion device that infuses a fluid into an individual's body includes a housing, a reservoir, a drive system, a power supply, electrical elements, and a tab. The reservoir contains the fluid, and the drive system forces the fluid from the reservoir. The electrical elements control the power to the drive system to regulate the rate that fluid is forced from the reservoir. The tab mates with the housing, and contains at least one electrical element. The tab is removable, and may be replaced with a different tab. The different tab may change the rate fluid is forced from the reservoir. A tab may be removed from one external infusion device and installed in a different external infusion device. The tab may be limited to use in a predetermined number of external infusion devices and may include a power supply.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluid are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a miniature pump that includes a shape memory wire that obtains a plastic condition below a transformation temperature and has a memorized shape such that the shape memory wire produces a work stroke by returning to the memorize shape at least at the transformation temperature. A spring biased against the shape memory wire is deflected by the work stroke to deform the shape memory wire from the memorized shape below the transformation temperature. A fluid pump is coupled to the shape memory wire and driven by the biased spring and shape memory wire to produce a fluid flow. The miniature pump can be incorporated into a self-contained infusion device in the form of a compact self-adhesive patch including a fluid reservoir, control electronics and power supply that is place directly at the infusion site of a user.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluid are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a miniature pump that includes a shape memory wire that obtains a plastic condition below a transformation temperature and has a memorized shape such that the shape memory wire produces a work stroke by returning to the memorize shape at least at the transformation temperature. A spring biased against the shape memory wire is deflected by the work stroke to deform the shape memory wire from the memorized shape below the transformation temperature. A fluid pump is coupled to the shape memory wire and driven by the biased spring and shape memory wire to produce a fluid flow. The miniature pump can be incorporated into a self-contained infusion device in the form of a compact self-adhesive patch including a fluid reservoir, control electronics and power supply that is place directly at the infusion site of a user.

Abstract: A reusable external infusion device infuses a fluid into an individual's body. The infusion device controls the rate that fluid flows from a reservoir inside a housing, through an external tube, and into the individual's body. Essentially, the infused fluid is insulin. However, many other fluids may be administered through infusion such as, HIV drugs, drugs to treat pulmonary hypertension, iron chelation drugs, pain medications, anti-cancer treatments, vitamins, hormones, and others.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluid are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a miniature pump that includes a shape memory wire that obtains a plastic condition below a transformation temperature and has a memorized shape such that the shape memory wire produces a work stroke by returning to the memorize shape at least at the transformation temperature. A spring biased against the shape memory wire is deflected by the work stroke to deform the shape memory wire from the memorized shape below the transformation temperature. A fluid pump is coupled to the shape memory wire and driven by the biased spring and shape memory wire to produce a fluid flow. The miniature pump can be incorporated into a self-contained infusion device in the form of a compact self-adhesive patch including a fluid reservoir, control electronics and power supply that is place directly at the infusion site of a user.

Abstract: A feedthrough connector for an implantable medical device includes a hermetically sealed housing containing an electrical circuit and a tubular barrel with an open end and a closed end defining a tubular channel that protrudes into the sealed housing while maintaining the seal of the housing. The inside of the tubular channel is open to the outside of the sealed housing through the open end and the tubular barrel also has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings extending between an outer peripheral surface and the tubular channel. An electrical contact assembly electrically in common with the electrical circuit within the housing serves to make electrical contact with an electrical lead axially inserted into the open end of the tubular channel.

Abstract: A feedthrough connector for an implantable medical device includes a hermetically sealed housing containing an electrical circuit and a tubular barrel with an open end and a closed end defining a tubular channel that protrudes into the sealed housing while maintaining the seal of the housing. The inside of the tubular channel is open to the outside of the sealed housing through the open end and the tubular barrel also has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings extending between an outer peripheral surface and the tubular channel. An electrical contact assembly electrically in common with the electrical circuit within the housing serves to make electrical contact with an electrical lead axially inserted into the open end of the tubular channel.

Abstract: An external infusion device that infuses a fluid into an individual's body includes a housing, a reservoir, a drive system, a power supply, electrical elements, and a tab. The reservoir contains the fluid, and the drive system forces the fluid from the reservoir. The electrical elements control the power to the drive system to regulate the rate that fluid is forced from the reservoir. The tab mates with the housing, and contains at least one electrical element. The tab is removable, and may be replaced with a different tab. The different tab may change the rate fluid is forced from the reservoir. A tab may be removed from one external infusion device and installed in a different external infusion device. The tab may be limited to use in a predetermined number of external infusion devices and may include a power supply.

Abstract: A connector assembly mounted on an implantable cardiac stimulation device has an actuator mechanism for fixing and sealing electrical leads inserted into lead receptacles within the connector assembly without the use of setscrews. Fixing and sealing of the leads is accomplished by compressing resilient lead lock seals of O-ring shape, disposed in annular recesses, with lip portions of a plunger drawn toward the molded support by the actuator mechanism. In a first embodiment of the actuator mechanism, rotation of a cam actuator transversely journaled within the support, using a torque wrench or similar tool, moves a cam slide attached to the plunger through a fixed displacement between lock and unlock positions as an offset camming portion of the actuator engages the surfaces of a slot within the cam slide.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, in the form of a cardiac defibrillator, has a support structure of molded thermoplastic foam surrounding the components of the device within a case to provide the components with shock and vibration resistance. The thermoplastic foam is produced by a process using dry nitrogen blowing, so as to be chemically inert. This prevents harmful outgassing of chemicals from the foam. The thermoplastic foam is a low density, crosslinked foam of polyethylene or polypropylene composition. The support structure includes an opposite pair of supports molded from the thermoplastic foam, so as to have facing portions configured to the irregular shape and size of the components. Each support is made by preheating an opposing pair of dies and a thermoplastic foam element, compressing the preheated foam element between the opposing dies, and heating for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature, cooling the dies, and then removing the formed support from the dies.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulation device having a reduced volumetric configuration contains a pair of high-voltage cylindrical discharge capacitors positioned at rounded edges within a device container. The capacitors have electrical contact tabs at one end which are inserted directly through apertures formed within an associated electronic module. The capacitor tabs are connected directly to the electronic module eliminating the need for secondary connectors or point to point wiring, thus reducing the number of connections. Direct connection of the capacitors to the electronic module allows for optimal positioning of the module within the container. Specifically, the generally planar module is oriented perpendicular to planar cover surfaces of the container. Irregularly shaped components attached to the surface of the module advantageously extend away from the surface into remaining voids within the container.

Abstract: A medication infusion pump is provided for controlled delivery of medication to a patient, wherein the pump includes a space-efficient flexible drive plunger for advancing a piston within a medication-containing syringe or cartridge for administration of the medication to a patient. The infusion pump comprises a compact housing defining a syringe chamber for receiving and supporting the barrel of a medication-containing syringe or cartridge having a nose end adapted for luer connection to catheter tubing through which the medication is delivered to the patient. An open rear end of the syringe barrel carries a piston which can be advanced in a controlled manner to dispense the medication. In the preferred form, the flexible drive plunger comprises a spring tape with a free end adapted for removable connection to the piston.

Abstract: An improved infusion pump is provided for controlled delivery of medication from a syringe to a patient, wherein a pump housing includes a syringe chamber and associated lock members for receiving and supporting the syringe in one of two different positions. The syringe includes a medication-containing barrel connected to a luer fitting at a nose end thereof by a luer neck of reduced cross sectional size. In one position, the syringe seats into the chamber with the luer neck protruding through an outlet port of mating size and with the luer fitting disposed outside the housing, such that the housing defines a lock member engaged axially between the syringe barrel and luer fitting to secure the barrel against axial displacement. In another position, a retainer key is adapted for installation into the syringe chamber at a position spaced inboard from the outlet port and defines an alternative lock member for axially securing the syringe with the luer fitting disposed inside the housing.

Abstract: A mechanical drive system for use in driving a disposable cassette containing a reciprocating fluid pump and active valves from a main pump unit is disclosed which utilizes a single power module cam to drive both the reciprocating pump and the valves. By using a unitary power module cam, the system completely eliminates the possibility of a timing error between the operation of the reciprocating pump and the valves. A one-way clutch is used to prevent the system from slipping into a reverse operation, and the operation of the valve actuators prevents the possibility of free flow through a cassette installed onto the main pump unit.

Abstract: A programmable infusion pump apparatus having a power supply (4, 11), a first circuit (6) responsive to the and assisting the power supply (4), power generating circuit (8) for generating sufficient power to drive a pump drive mechanism (12), a power storage circuit (10) for storing the power generated by the power generating circuit (8), a sensing system (16) for sensing stored power levels and the condition of the power supply (11), a microprocessor (18); a plurality of actuators (24, 26, 28, 30) for display and changing parameter values stored in RAM of the microprocessor (18), a memory (34) operably connected to microprocessor (18); display screen (40) for displaying parameter values and other information concerning the apparatus and a tone transducer (22) for providing an audio output from the apparatus to indicate certain conditions.

Abstract: A solenoid drive apparatus for driving a lead screw of an External Infusion Pump (1) having a housing (302), solenoid winding (356) within the housing (302), a solenoid armature (358) which is driven by the field of the solenoid winding (356), push rod (362) which is driven by the armature (358), pawn (314) which is driven by push rod (362), a first pawl (320) which is driven by pawn (314) and a second pawl (326) which is an antibacklash device, a ratchet wheel (318) having teeth (319) around its periphery and engaged by the first pawl (320) and the second pawl (326) and the drive shaft (316) which is drawn by the ratchet of the ratchet wheel (318).

Abstract: A solenoid drive apparatus for driving a lead screw of an External Infusion Pump (1) having a housing (302), solenoid winding (356) within the housing (302), a solenoid armature (358) which is driven by the field of the solenoid winding (356), push rod (362) which is driven by the armature (358), pawn (314) which is driven by push rod (362), a first pawl (320) which is driven by pawn (314) and a second pawl (326) which is an antibacklash device, a ratchet wheel (318) having teeth (319) around its periphery and engaged by the first pawl (320) and the second pawl (326) and the drive shaft (316) which is drawn by the ratchet of the ratchet wheel (318).