Implantable fluid delivery devices, systems, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9801660-B2
Application number	US-201414448087-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2014
Priority date	Jul 31, 2014
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for delivering fluid are provided. Devices include a housing configured for intravaginal deployment and retention, at least one reservoir configured to contain a fluid, and a fluid dispensing mechanism configured to dispense the fluid past the cervix and to the uterus of the subject. Methods include intravaginally deploying and retaining a device in the subject, and dispensing the fluid from the device such that the fluid is driven past the cervix to the uterus of the subject.

First claim

We claim:

1. An implantable fluid delivery device, comprising:
a housing configured for intravaginal deployment and retention in a subject;
at least one reservoir associated with the housing and configured to contain a fluid; and
a fluid dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to dispense the fluid from the at least one reservoir past the cervix and to the uterus of the subject,
wherein the device is configured to dispense the fluid when an estrus condition of the subject detected by the device meets a predetermined threshold,
wherein the at least one reservoir comprises a tube extending from a gas reservoir of the device, the tube comprising at least one gas chamber configured to (i) receive gas from the gas reservoir, (ii) inflate the tube, and (iii) urge the tube into an extended position, and
wherein the at least one gas chamber of the tube is in fluid communication with the fluid contained in the tube such that when the gas chamber inflates, the fluid is driven out of the tube.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tube is sized to extend past the cervix of the subject in the extended position.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the tube is configured to have a coiled unstressed position, and
the extended position is an uncoiled position.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of drugs, semen, ova, and combinations thereof.

5. A method of delivering fluid to a subject, comprising:
intravaginally deploying and retaining a device in the subject, the device comprising at least one reservoir containing a fluid and a fluid dispensing mechanism; and
dispensing the fluid from the device such that the fluid is driven past the cervix to the uterus of the subject, wherein the dispensing occurs after an estrus condition of the subject detected by the device meets a predetermined threshold,
wherein the at least one reservoir comprises a tube extending from a gas reservoir of the device, the tube comprising at least one gas chamber, which is in fluid communication with the fluid contained in the tube, and
wherein dispensing the fluid from the device comprises inflating the at least one gas chamber of the tube with gas from a gas reservoir of the device, thereby urging the tube into an extended position and driving the fluid from the tube.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the tube is sized to extend past the cervix of the subject in the extended position.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein
the tube is configured to have a coiled unstressed position, and
the extended position is an uncoiled position.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of drugs, semen, ova, and combinations thereof.

9. An implantable fluid delivery device, comprising:
a housing configured for intravaginal deployment and retention in a subject;
at least one reservoir associated with the housing and configured to contain a fluid; and
a fluid dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to dispense the fluid from the at least one reservoir past the cervix and to the uterus of the subject,
wherein the at least one reservoir comprises a tube extending from a gas reservoir of the device, the tube comprising at least one gas chamber configured to (i) receive gas from the gas reservoir, (ii) inflate the tube, and (iii) urge the tube into an extended position,
wherein the at least one gas chamber of the tube is in fluid communication with the fluid contained in the tube such that when the gas chamber inflates, the fluid is driven out of the tube, and
wherein the fluid comprises a drug, semen, ova, or a combination thereof.

Assignees

• Palo Alto Res Ct Inc

Inventors

• Johnson David Mathew
• Uhland Scott A
• Abhishek Ramkumar
• Krivacic Robert Thomas
• Sheridan Martin

Classifications

• A61M31/002

  Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time (artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50) · CPC title

• A61B17/43 Primary

  for artificial insemination · CPC title

• A61D7/00

  Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals (for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00 {; devices for implanting pellets, radon seeds or the like A61M37/0069}) · CPC title

• A61B17/435

  for embryo {or ova} transplantation · CPC title