Implant delivery system with hydration promotor capability

Inventors

Eversull, Christian S. • Leeflang, Stephen A. • Fischer, William G. M. • Roorda, Wouter E.

Assignees

Nano Precision Medical Inc

Abstract

The invention pertains to apparatuses, means and methods to promote uptake of biocompatible fluids into a reservoir of an implantable drug delivery system though a porous membrane. Embodiments of the invention promote fluid uptake by creating a pressure differential between the reservoir of the drug delivery device and the biocompatible fluid outside the device.

Core Innovation

The invention provides an apparatus for promoting fluid uptake into an implantable drug delivery device. The apparatus includes a housing and a tubular outer member extending from the housing in a distal direction, where the tubular outer member has a lumen. An obturator is at least partially slideably disposed within the lumen, and a pressure reducer is slideably disposed within the obturator. A connector for transport of fluids is in fluid contact with the lumen of the tubular outer member.

The apparatus includes an implantable drug delivery device in a location within the lumen of the tubular outer member, so that fluid transport into the device is facilitated via the connector and the lumen. In certain embodiments, the connector is connected either with the housing or with the tubular outer member, and the connector is a valved connector or a 3-way connector. The apparatus can also include a removable sealing means that forms a hermetic seal with the distal end of the tubular outer member, with the connector connected to the sealing means.

The invention also encompasses methods for promoting fluid uptake into an implantable drug delivery device that has a reservoir and a nanoporous membrane in fluid contact with the implantable drug delivery reservoir. The method provides an apparatus with a housing, a tubular outer member, an obturator, a pressure reducer, and a connector in fluid contact with the lumen, then provides the implantable drug delivery device within the lumen. The method operates the pressure reducer to reduce pressure in the implantable drug delivery reservoir, connects an external reservoir containing a biocompatible fluid with the connector, admits the biocompatible fluid into the lumen, and allows the biocompatible fluid to enter the implantable drug delivery reservoir through the nanoporous membrane.

Claims Coverage

The patent includes three independent claims. Across these claims, the coverage focuses on apparatus architecture that promotes fluid uptake using a slideably disposed obturator and pressure reducer in combination with a lumen-connected fluid-transport connector, and a method that combines reduced pressure in the device reservoir with admission of biocompatible fluid through a connector to drive uptake through a nanoporous membrane.

Across the independent claims, the central inventive concept is promoting fluid uptake into an implantable drug delivery device by using a lumen-connected fluid-transport connector together with a slideably disposed obturator and a slideably disposed pressure reducer, and in the method claim by reducing pressure in the implantable reservoir and admitting biocompatible fluid through the lumen so that the fluid enters the reservoir through a nanoporous membrane.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications