Pacesetter Infusion, Ltd.

Minimed Technologies, Ltd.

Mark W Davis

Raul Diaz

A kit is provided for use in refilling a medication infusion pump of the type adapted for implantation into the body of a patient. The kit comprises a syringe having a plunger mounted for reciprocation within a syringe barrel having a manually operable control valve mounted at a nose end thereof. The syringe further includes a lock for retaining the plunger subsequent to retraction motion with the control valve closed to pull and maintain a vacuum within the syringe barrel. With this construction, the syringe can be connected transcutaneously with a medication reservoir within an implanted infusion pump to aspirate residual medication from the pump. Alternately, the syringe can be used to degas medication within the barrel preparatory to transcutaneous delivery to the pump reservoir. In either case, the syringe is designed for facilitated and safe manipulation to permit rapid pump aspiration and refill at periodic intervals according to patient requirements.

Aspiration and refill kit for a medication infusion pump

A method of significantly enhancing the period of time that an implanted intraperitoneal catheter used for the delivery of therapeutic medication will operate without encountering significant blockage by fibrotic tissue is disclosed. By monitoring and maintaining certain physical parameters in patients having an implantable catheter below desirable levels for the parameters, catheter survival in the patients is maximized. The four parameters used are blood triglyceride level, blood cholesterol level, the level of insulin dosage per day, and mean blood glucose (MBG) level, with the first two being the more accurate parameters.

Method of maximizing catheter longevity in an implantable medication

A method of screening potential recipients of an implantable medication infusion system including an implanted intraperitoneal catheter is disclosed which seeks to select only those candidates who will have a high degree of resistance to catheter blockage due to fibrotic tissue growth. By checking certain physical parameters in candidates for an implantable catheter, and by declining to implant in those candidates who have higher than desirable levels of the parameters, catheter survival in those patients chosen for implant is maximized. The four parameters used are blood triglyceride level, blood cholesterol level, the level of insulin dosage per day, and mean blood glucose (MBG) level, with the first two being the more accurate parameters.

Method of screening and selecting intraperitoneal medication infusion

An implantable catheter for use in delivering insulin or other therapeutic fluids is disclosed which uses a novel terminator design to prevent the growth of fibrotic tissue from obstruction the catheter. The catheter takes advantage of fibrotic encapsulation by utilizing a depression in the surface of the terminator which will effectively keep fibrotic tissue spaced sufficiently away therefrom to allow fluid to be infused. In addition to being capable of long term implant, the catheter is implantable in the omentum, enabling the body's natural absorption of insulin to be successfully mimicked.

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Newbury Park, CA, United States of America

Mark W Davis