Abstract: A method of detecting a fault condition within an implantable medical pump comprises delivering therapeutic fluid using a medical pump comprising an actuation mechanism configured to be energized to provide a pump stroke, detecting a property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism, and determining whether the property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism indicates that a fault condition exists with the medical pump.

Abstract: A radiopaque marker for inclusion within an implantable medical device (IMD) may comprise one or more radiopaque articles selected from a predetermined set of radiopaque articles. The one or more radiopaque articles may be carried by an object formed of or including, a desiccant. The predetermined set of radiopaque articles may undergo a single qualification process that approves the use of any combination of one or more of the articles as a radiopaque marker within an IMD. This allows a potentially-limitless number of markers to be made available based on a single qualification process. The radiopaque marker may serve to provide information such as the make, model, and feature set of the device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for generating an elective replacement indication (ERI) for an implantable medical device having a non-rechargeable power source. A signal may be sampled that is indicative of a characteristic of the power source. Measurement logic may be configured to obtain samples of a signal indicative of a characteristic of the power source. A control circuit may be configured to determine when a first sample of the signal having a first predetermined relationship to a first threshold is received, and to initiate issuance of an elective replacement indication if a predetermined period of time elapses between receipt of the first sample and receipt of a second sample of the signal having a second predetermined relationship to a second threshold.

Abstract: A power source longevity monitor is configured for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A calculator predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate and the voltage longevity estimate.

Abstract: A power source longevity monitor is configured for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A calculator predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate and the voltage longevity estimate.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an implantable medical device. The system includes an implantable therapeutic substance delivery device for delivering a therapeutic substance, along with a temperature sensor and an indicator device. The delivery device includes a housing maintaining a reservoir for containing the therapeutic substance. Further, the delivery device includes a fill port assembly having a port chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir and including a septum fluidly sealing the chamber. The temperature sensor is associated with the fill port assembly. Finally, the indicator device is adapted to indicate presence of a needle within the port chamber based upon information from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.

Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fault condition within an implantable medical pump comprises delivering therapeutic fluid using a medical pump comprising an actuation mechanism configured to be energized to provide a pump stroke, detecting a property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism, and determining whether the property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism indicates that a fault condition exists with the medical pump.

Abstract: A molded desiccant article for placement in an implantable medical device includes an affixed radiopaque marker. The radiopaque marker may serve to provide information regarding the make and model of the device or may be used for purposes of determining whether the desiccant was placed in the device.

Abstract: A radiopaque marker for inclusion within an implantable medical device (IMD) may comprise one or more radiopaque articles selected from a predetermined set of radiopaque articles. The one or more radiopaque articles may be carried by an object formed of or including, a desiccant. The predetermined set of radiopaque articles may undergo a single qualification process that approves the use of any combination of one or more of the articles as a radiopaque marker within an IMD. This allows a potentially-limitless number of markers to be made available based on a single qualification process. The radiopaque marker may serve to provide information such as the make, model, and feature set of the device.

Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.

Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.

Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.

Abstract: A medical device known as an implantable therapeutic substance delivery device is configured for implanting in humans to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spasticity, cancer, and many other conditions. The infusion device incorporates a stepper motor that controls the infusion flow rate during the service life of the device. The stepper motor is controlled by continuously varying electrical pulse parameters based on the continuously decreasing power source voltage during the service life of the substance delivery device. In particular the stepper motor electrical pulse parameters, especially duty cycle, are selected to efficiently compensate for decreasing battery voltage thereby optimizing the motor performance while maximizing the power source service life.

Abstract: A medical device known as an implantable therapeutic substance delivery device is configured for implanting in humans to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spastisity, cancer, and many other conditions. The infusion device embodiment has active longevity projection that more accurately predicts an elective replacement period for the infusion device to increase the infusion device's effective life, reduce the need for a clinician to perform static longevity forecasts for therapy changes, facilitate elective replacement scheduling for the convenience of the patient and clinician, and many other improvements. The infusion device has a housing, a power source, a therapeutic substance reservoir, a therapeutic substance pump, and electronics. Many embodiments of the therapeutic substance delivery device with active longevity projection and its methods of operation are possible.

Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.

Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.

Abstract: A medical device known as an implantable therapeutic substance delivery device is configured for implanting in humans to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spasticity, cancer, and many other conditions. The infusion device incorporates a stepper motor that controls the infusion flow rate during the service life of the device. The stepper motor is controlled by continuously varying electrical pulse parameters based on the continuously decreasing power source voltage during the service life of the substance delivery device. In particular the stepper motor electrical pulse parameters, especially duty cycle, are selected to efficiently compensate for decreasing battery voltage thereby optimizing the motor performance while maximizing the power source service life.

Abstract: Reservoir volume in a drug delivery device is sensed by providing a capacitor, the capacitance of which varies with bellows position or, alternatively, with the amount of propellant liquid absorbed in a dielectric material. In one embodiment, a capacitance is provided between a surface of the bellows, which acts as a first capacitor plate, and a conductive surface disposed proximate the bellows, which acts as a second capacitor plate. As the bellows moves from its extended full position to its collapsed empty position, the area of overlap, and therefore the capacitance between the first and second plates varies from a maximum value to a minimum value. In another embodiment, a variable capacitor is provided with an absorbent material. The absorbent material absorbs the liquid phase of the propellant in the pump housing and acts as a dielectric between two stationary conductive plates provided in the housing. The amount of liquid propellant absorbed in the absorbent material varies with the reservoir volume.