Abstract: An implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device is disclosed that includes a base structure having at least a first opening and a second opening, the base structure defining a chamber, a septum covering the first opening and configured to substantially prevent leakage from the first opening to an exterior of the device, a drug delivery tube comprising a first and second distal end, wherein the first distal end of the tube communicates with the chamber through the second opening, and at least one rate-limiting permeable membrane disposed across a passage between the base structure and the second distal end of the drug delivery tube, which membrane passively regulates drug delivery. The drug delivery device is used to provide controlled drug delivery to an internal portion of the body and is advantageously leak-proof and does not rely on a pressure differential to drive the drug from the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a check valve for placement near the distal end of a catheter. A continuously smooth outer surface for the catheter with check valve system assures that there is no propensity for a blood clot to form in cracks on the system's outer surface. The check valve is a formed from a low durometer, highly elastic, elastomer cylindrical tube that is shrunk into a cylindrical groove that would typically be located near the catheter's distal end. When pressurized fluid is injected through the catheter, the cylinder that is placed over one or more holes in the cylindrical groove in the catheter is forced to expand radially outward which allows the fluid to be injected into the blood vessel. When the pressure is removed, the elastomer tube retracts to its normal position which position tightly covers the holes thereby preventing any blood from entering the catheter.

Abstract: An improved valve port system provides blood access in a patient through a subcutaneous fluid flow conduit during a dialysis procedure. The system includes several elements, including a engagement member defined by a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a tubular lumen therebetween. The distal end has a tapered bevel defined thereat and a tapered protrusion proximate thereto defined upon an exterior surface of the tubular body. In addition, the system provides a dialysis port member having a housing with a generally cylindrical valve rotatably positioned therein. The valve includes an open end, a closed end and an orifice near the closed end. The valve further includes a longitudinal groove defined along an interior surface thereof. The groove, which is capable of being in registry with the protrusion, is coincident with the protrusion so as to intussuscept the protrusion therein.

Abstract: Implantable drug delivery system comprising a reservoir module provided with a drug reservoir and a drug expelling means arranged to expel a drug liquid from said drug reservoir to a dispenser module that comprises a predetermined number of drug delivery openings for delivering a drug, received from said drug reservoir, to tissue.

Abstract: An implantable, refillable, rate controlled drug delivery device is disclosed that includes a base structure having at least a first opening and a second opening, the base structure defining a chamber, a septum covering the first opening and configured to substantially prevent leakage from the first opening to an exterior of the device, a drug delivery tube comprising a first and second distal end, wherein the first distal end of the tube communicates with the chamber through the second opening, and at least one rate-limiting permeable membrane disposed across a passage between the base structure and the second distal end of the drug delivery tube, which membrane passively regulates drug delivery. The drug delivery device is used to provide controlled drug delivery to an internal portion of the body and is advantageously leak-proof and does not rely on a pressure differential to drive the drug from the device.

Abstract: A device for applying a filamentous implant by means of a pressure-generating and fluid-containing unit which is connected to a housing containing the thread to be implanted. The housing opens out into a channel used for delivering the thread externally. The pressure generation unit generates a static pressure on a fluid contained inside the device, said fluid pushing the thread to be implanted through the distal narrowed tip of the channel, towards the exterior or into a tissue or a body cavity. The fluid remains inside the device in the course of this process. The distal end of the device can be plugged in order to prevent the fluid from exiting after application of the implant. The application can be stopped once an adequate quantity of the implant material has been implanted by severing the thread in the vicinity of the distal end of the channel or at the proximal end.

Abstract: A catheter with valve for implantation in a vascular structure of a living being. The catheter is in the general shape of a “T” with the top of the “T” implanted within the lumen of a vascular structure, and the leg of the “T” extending out of the vascular structure through an incision in the vascular structure. The lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter completely occupies the lumen of the vascular structure, causing all blood flow through the vascular structure to be directed through the implanted portion of the catheter. A valve is placed in the wall of the implanted portion of the catheter which opens into the lumen of the leg of the “T” of the catheter upon application of sufficient differential pressure between the lumens of the two portions of the catheter.

Abstract: An implanted single- or dual-lumen device for repeated accessing of a vessel within a body, especially for hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapy treatments. The device is characterized by having: no septum for sealing but uses a resilient material to form a seal; a smooth streamlined flowpath; low flow resistance; substantially no stagnation points, such that the device is easily and completely flushed; and a positive locking mechanism that accepts and retains a matching needle apparatus. The device is joined to a catheter, in most cases, such that fluids can be extracted from or injected into the vessel to be accessed. The device is designed for the high flowrates, on the order of 400 milliliters per minute, associated with hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapies. A corresponding straight-needle apparatus is designed to mate and lock with the access device, where alignment and open flowpath is ensured.

Abstract: An implantable vascular access device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, an interior chamber defined therein and a valve positioned between the inlet and the interior chamber. The valve is subcutaneously manipulated between an open position, in which fluid can flow between the inlet and the interior chamber, and a closed position in which the valve occludes the inlet. The device may include any combination of multiple inlets, outlets and/or interior chambers. In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes two separate interior chambers suitable for the inflow and outflow of a typical hemodialysis procedure. A method for accessing a vascular structure is provided which includes the steps of subcutaneously implanting the device connecting one end of a cannula to the outlet of the device and another end of the cannula to a selected vascular structure. The valve of the device is manipulated to permit fluid communication between the inlet of the device and the selected vascular structure.

Abstract: A body lumen access system comprises a distal access cannula and a proximal access cannula. The distal access cannula is attached to or within the body lumen and the proximal access cannula is attached to an implantable port or is transcutaneously positioned and attached to a luer or other external connector. The distal and proximal access cannulas are usually implanted separately, cut to length, and attached at a subcutaneous junction location. Preferably, the proximal access cannula has a larger lumen diameter than that of the distal access cannula in order to reduce flow resistance within the cannula system. In some cases the distal and proximal access cannulas may be formed integrally.

Abstract: The displacement of refill valves in an implantable drug delivery device is reduced to permit the housings of a drug delivery device to remain compact in size while permitting reservoirs of increased depth to be used. In a preferred embodiment, a collapsible link is provided as a telescoping member incorporating a coil spring. As the valve is pulled into contact with its seat, a detectable pressure increase is sensed in the refill device. In accordance with the invention, as the drug supply contained in the reservoir depletes, the reservoir surface moves towards a collapsed position, compressing the coil spring and eventually contacting the valve stem, thereby lifting the valve from its seat. By virtue of telescoping link, the valve stem length and therefore the valve travel may be reduced as compared to prior art devices, thus eliminating the need for increased housing depth when deeper reservoirs are used. The collapsible link may be comprised of a second spring combined with a telescoping link.