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Publication Number
US-8821474-B2
Publication Date
2014-09-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A drug delivery device includes a first portion, formed primarily from elastomeric material, and a closure portion, cooperating with an opening of the first portion so as to complete an inflatable drug reservoir. The closure portion extends into the first portion inwards from the opening, defining at least one region of overlap between the first portion and the closure portion. The first portion and the closure portion define an outlet flow path for releasing a drug from the drug reservoir, with at least part of the outlet flow path passing between the first portion and the closure portion in the region of overlap. The region of overlap is disposed so as to be acted upon by a pressure within the drug reservoir thereby changing a flow impedance of the outlet flow path to provide an at least partially pressure compensated flow regulating mechanism.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a drug delivery device providing a drug reservoir integrated with an at least partially pressure-compensated flow regulating mechanism. The drug delivery device comprises a first portion formed primarily from elastomeric material, at least partially defining an inflatable drug reservoir, and a closure portion cooperating with an opening of the first portion to complete the inflatable drug reservoir. The first portion and closure portion define an outlet flow path for releasing a drug from the drug reservoir.
A closure portion is implemented as an insert inserted within a flexible sleeve so as to provide a region of overlap between the first portion and the closure portion. At least part of the outlet flow path passes between the first portion and the closure portion in the region of overlap. The region of overlap is disposed so as to be acted upon by a pressure within the drug reservoir, so that the region of overlap changes a flow impedance of the outlet flow path when the pressure within the reservoir varies.
The disclosed pressure-responsive change in flow impedance provides an at least partially pressure compensated flow regulating mechanism for releasing drug from the inflatable drug reservoir. Expanded embodiments further specify that flow path structures in the outlet flow path can include helical and variable-geometry flow channels, porous inserts and porous/textured multi-channel flow path layers, and elongated channels.
Other embodiments include thread-based clearance microflow passages extending through the region of overlap to define at least part of the flow path through clearance spaces around or within the thread, and configurations that include a needle pierceable septum and percutaneous refilling.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim set includes 2 independent claims. Both claims focus on an integrated inflatable drug reservoir and an outlet flow path whose flow impedance changes with reservoir pressure to provide at least partially pressure compensated flow regulation.
Insert-defined overlap region for pressure-compensated flow impedance
A first portion formed primarily from elastomeric material defines an inflatable drug reservoir and includes an opening with a flexible sleeve extending inwards; a closure portion completes the inflatable drug reservoir; the closure portion is implemented as an insert inserted within the flexible sleeve to provide a region of overlap between the first portion and the closure portion; the first portion and closure portion define an outlet flow path such that at least part of the outlet flow path passes between the first portion and closure portion in the region of overlap; the region of overlap is disposed to be acted upon by a pressure within the drug reservoir to change a flow impedance of the outlet flow path when reservoir pressure varies, thereby providing an at least partially pressure compensated flow regulating mechanism.
Thread-through overlap clearance spaces for pressure-compensated flow regulation
A first portion formed primarily from elastomeric material at least partially defines an inflatable drug reservoir and includes an opening; a closure portion cooperates with the opening to complete the inflatable drug reservoir; the closure portion extends into the first portion inwards from the opening to define at least one region of overlap between the first portion and the closure portion; the first portion and closure portion define an outlet flow path for releasing a drug such that at least part of the outlet flow path passes between the first portion and closure portion in the region of overlap; the region of overlap is disposed to be acted upon by a pressure within the drug reservoir so as to change a flow impedance of the outlet flow path when the pressure within the reservoir varies, thereby providing an at least partially pressure compensated flow regulating mechanism; and a thread extends through the region of overlap such that clearance spaces around or within the thread define at least part of the flow path through the region of overlap.
Across the independent claims, the pressure-compensated flow regulation is achieved by arranging an outlet flow path to pass through an overlap region between an elastomeric inflatable reservoir portion and a closure portion, where reservoir pressure varies the flow impedance. The second independent claim further centers the overlap region flow path contribution on clearance spaces defined around or within a thread extending through the overlap.
Stated Advantages
provides an at least partially pressure compensated flow regulating mechanism for releasing a drug
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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