Abstract: An implantable drug infusion device which features an improved flow regulator which permits the flow rate to be independent of reservoir pressure within a given pressure range. The flow regulator features a membrane having a hole, the membrane itself positioned above a bottom layer such that sufficient deflection of the membrane causes the membrane to engage against the bottom layer. As liquid flows through the hole a drag force is applied to the edge of the hole resulting in a deflection of the membrane. Once contact is made between the membrane and the bottom layer, then flow reduced. In a further embodiment the bottom layer features a variable flow channel such that upon membrane deflection flow may only proceed through the hole and through the flow channel. By tailoring the shape and length of the variable flow channel the flow characteristics of the regulator versus pressure may be adjusted. In a further embodiment the flow regulator also features a flow sensor integrated therewith.

Abstract: A medical information communication system and corresponding methods are described. The system permits monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient, or remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD. The IMD is capable of bi-directional communication with a communication module, a mobile telephone and/or a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located outside the patient's body. The system may comprise the IMD, the communication module and/or a mobile telephone and/or a PDA, a remote computer system, and a communication system capable of bi-directional communication, where the communication module, the mobile telephone and/or the PDA are capable of receiving information from the IMD or relaying information thereto.

Abstract: Coating an implantable device, such as micro electromechanical devices, is highly desirable to protect the implantable device from corrosion. A coating method includes depositing, preferably by plasma glow discharge, a reactant monomer on at least one surface of an implantable device, preferably at ambient temperature. The method will likely decrease the manufacturing time required for assembling such devices because completely assembled devices can be coated.

Abstract: Coating an implantable device, such as micro electromechanical devices, is highly desirable to protect the implantable device from corrosion. A coating method includes depositing, preferably by plasma glow discharge, a reactant monomer on at least one surface of an implantable device, preferably at ambient temperature. The method will likely decrease the manufacturing time required for assembling such devices because completely assembled devices can be coated.

Abstract: An implantable beneficial agent infusion device featuring a unique safety valve assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a seal in the safety valve assembly is normally closed and only opens upon a deflectable or moveable member to which the seal is attached being electrically, magnetically or electromagnetically activated. The valve assembly is preferably small in size and made of corrosion resistant materials. The valve assembly may be employed in either a passive or an active implantable drug or beneficial agent infusion system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for reducing the risk of overdosage from a patient activated implantable drug delivery system. In one embodiment, an implantable drug delivery system is configured to deliver a drug. An external activation unit is operable by a user to request activation of the implantable drug delivery system. The activation unit includes a controller to reject a request to activate the implantable drug delivery system prior to expiration of a lockout interval. The controller issues an activation signal to the implantable drug delivery system in response to a request received after expiration of the lockout interval. The controller restarts the lockout interval upon activating the drug delivery system.

Abstract: A medical information communication system and corresponding methods are described. The system permits monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient, or remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD. The IMD is capable of bi-directional communication with a communication module, a mobile telephone and/or a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located outside the patient's body. The system may comprise the IMD, the communication module and/or a mobile telephone and/or a PDA, a remote computer system, and a communication system capable of bi-directional communication, where the communication module, the mobile telephone and/or the PDA are capable of receiving information from the IMD or relaying information thereto.

Abstract: A emergency medical information communication system and corresponding methods are described. The system permits an emergency alert to be issued on the basis of information sensed or processed by an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient. The IMD is capable of bidirectional communication with a communication module, a mobile telephone and/or a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located outside the patient's body. The communication module, a mobile telephone or a PDA is capable of communicating an emergency alert generated by the IMD to a remote computer via a communication system. At the remote computer system it may be determined that emergency remedial action is required. If so, the action is executed remotely from the remote computer system in the IMD via the communication system.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for updating or installing new software loaded into the memory of an implantable medical device(IMD) implanted within a body of a patient is described. The updated or new software may be installed in the memory of the IMD without the patient having to travel to a clinic or hospital, and may be effected by employing modem telecommunication and Internet techniques in conjunction with a remote computer system.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for automatically generating invoices when medical services are provided to a patient are described. Invoices are automatically generated by the system, for example, when monitoring of certain aspects of the performance of an implantable medical device(IMD) implanted within a body of a patient is initiated by the patient or remotely, or when the delivery of a therapy to the patient through the IMD is initiated locally or remotely. The IMD is capable of bi-directional communication with a communication module, a mobile telephone and/or a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located outside the patient's body.

Abstract: A system and method for locating an implantable medical device. The system consists of a flat “pancake” antenna coil positioned concentric with the implantable medical device target, e.g. the drug reservoir septum. The system further features a three location antenna array which is separate from the implantable device and external to the patient. The antenna array features three or more separate antennas which are used to sense the energy emitted from the implanted antenna coil. The system further features a processor to process the energy ducted by the antenna array. The system senses the proximity to the implant coil and, thus, the implant device by determining when an equal amount of energy is present in each of the antennas of the antenna array and if each such ducted energy is greater than a predetermined minimum. When such a condition is met, the antenna array is aligned with the implant coil. Thus the needle port through the antenna array is lined up with the septum of the drug reservoir.

Abstract: An implantable drug infusion device which features an improved flow regulator which permits the flow rate to be independent of reservoir pressure within a given pressure range. The flow regulator features a membrane having a hole, the membrane itself positioned above a bottom layer such that sufficient deflection of the membrane causes the membrane to engage against the bottom layer. As liquid flows through the hole a drag force is applied to the edge of the hole resulting in a deflection of the membrane. Once contact is made between the membrane and the bottom layer, then flow reduced. In a further embodiment the bottom layer features a variable flow channel such that upon membrane deflection flow may only proceed through the hole and through the flow channel. By tailoring the shape and length of the variable flow channel the flow characteristics of the regulator versus pressure may be adjusted. In a further embodiment the flow regulator also features a flow sensor integrated therewith.

Abstract: A pulse waveform is provided to at least one surface of an implantable device to protect it from corrosion from a corrosive fluid. The pulse waveform can be delivered through ether anodic or cathodic monophasic or asymetrical biphasic pulses using one electrode and an indiferent or sacrificial electrode. The electrode and the indiferent or sacrificial electrode are oriented such that a closed circuit between the two electrodes is completed through the corrosive fluid and the surface to be protected is within the completed circuit path.

Abstract: A system and method for locating an implantable medical device. The system consists of a flat "pancake" antenna coil positioned concentric with the implantable medical device target, e.g. the drug reservoir septum. The system further features a three location antenna array which is separate from the implantable device and external to the patient. The antenna array features three or more separate antennas which are used to sense the energy emitted from the implanted antenna coil. The system further features a processor to process the energy ducted by the antenna array. The system senses the proximity to the implant coil and, thus, the implant device by determining when an equal amount of energy is present in each of the antennas of the antenna array and if each such ducted energy is greater than a predetermined minimum. When such a condition is met, the antenna array is aligned with the implant coil. Thus the needle port through the antenna array is lined up with the septum of the drug reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable drug infusion device which features a reliable and leak proof weld joint. The implantable drug infusion device features a hermetic enclosure; a drug reservoir positioned within the hermetic enclosure, a drug handling component, the drug handling component joined with a top surface of a docking station, the drug reservoir joined with a bottom surface of the docking station by a welded joint. The drug handling component typically being a MEMS-type device and fashioned from a silicon-glass or silicon--silicon sandwich. The docking station functions to isolate the thermal stresses created during the formation of the welded joint from the other joints and particularly from the joint between top surface of the docking station and the drug handling component.