Implantable drug-delivery devices, and apparatus and methods for refilling the devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9901687-B2
Application number	US-201313868649-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 23, 2013
Priority date	Jan 3, 2008
Publication date	Feb 27, 2018
Grant date	Feb 27, 2018

Abstract

In various embodiments, a needle is employed in refilling drug-delivery devices.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An implantable drug-delivery device, comprising:
a drug reservoir;
a needle entry port comprising a throat for receiving a refill needle therethrough, the throat opening into a vestibule that is in fluid communication with the drug reservoir; and
a visualization ring surrounding the needle entry port, the visualization ring being visible through ocular tissue so as to visually indicate a position of the needle entry port,
wherein the vestibule (i) is wider than the throat, and (ii) comprises a stop on a wall opposite the throat for halting progress of a needle into the vestibule through the throat.

2. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the stop is sized so as to halt the progress of a needle comprising an exit port at a point at which the exit port is in fluid communication with the vestibule.

3. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the stop is cupshaped.

4. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the stop is constructed of a biocompatible material.

5. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the stop is constructed of at least one of a metal, a plastic, or a composite material.

6. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the stop is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of PDMS, polyimide, polypropylene, PEEK, polycarbonate, an acetyl film, polyoxymethylene plastic, gold, stainless steel, nickel, and chrome.

7. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a check valve located between the vestibule and the drug reservoir.

8. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the needle entry port further comprises a self-sealing material.

9. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring is constructed of a biocompatible material.

10. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring is constructed of a material that withstands penetration by the refill needle.

11. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring is visible through a patient's conjunctiva.

12. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring comprises a light emitting diode.

13. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a light emitting diode and optical fiber for conducting light from the light emitting diode to and around the visualization ring.

14. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring comprises a material that enhances surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing.

15. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 further comprising electronics to move or vibrate the visualization ring.

16. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring comprises a magnetic material.

17. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring comprises a fluorescent pigment.

18. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 17 , wherein the fluorescent pigment is selected from the group consisting of a luminescent aerogel, a nanoparticle, a phthalocyanine pigment, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, coumarin, cyanine, an Alexa Fluor, a DyLight Fluor, a quantum dot, a green fluorescent protein, and a luciferin.

Assignees

• Meng Ellis Fan Chuin
• Humayun Mark S
• Lo Mann Ronalee
• Li Po Ying
• Saati Saloomeh
• Univ Southern California

Inventors

• Meng Ellis Fan Chuin
• Humayun Mark S
• Lo Mann Ronalee
• Li Po Ying
• Saati Saloomeh

Classifications

• A61M2205/583

  by visual feedback · CPC title

• A61M5/158

  Needles {for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body} · CPC title

• A61M5/46

  having means for controlling depth of insertion · CPC title

• A61M2205/582

  by tactile feedback · CPC title

• A61F9/0017 Primary

  implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts · CPC title