Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An implantable infusion system comprising a constant pressure reservoir (22) for releasing a fluid, an outlet conduit (10) connected to said reservoir, a flow restriction element (12) inserted into said conduit, said flow restriction element having an insertion length (L), characterized in that there is provided means to vary the effective length (L) of said flow restriction element following implantation of said system wherein flow rate characteristics of said outlet conduit are adjusted so that the delivery rate of fluid from said reservoir is altered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An implantable infusion system comprising a constant pressure reservoir (22) for releasing a fluid, an outlet conduit (10) connected to said reservoir, a flow restriction element (12) inserted into said conduit, said flow restriction element having an insertion length (L), characterized in that there is provided means to vary the effective length (L) of said flow restriction element following implantation of said system wherein flow rate characteristics of said outlet conduit are adjusted so that the delivery rate of fluid from said reservoir is altered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The infusion system of Claim 1, further comprising: a delivery catheter (24), means (36) to attach said outlet conduit to said catheter, said flow restriction element having one end passing through said means to attach into said outlet conduit and having a second end external to said means to attach.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The infusion system of Claim 2, wherein said means to vary the effective length of said flow restriction element is connected to said second end of said flow restriction element and said means to vary the effective length of said flow restriction element is placed in an adjustment conduit (48) attached to said outlet conduit (10) at one end and sealed on the other end by a penetrable septum (46).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The infusion system of Claim 3, wherein said means to vary the effective length of said flow restriction element comprises a flexible stylet (42), said stylet having one end coupled to said second end of said flow restriction element (12) and having another end connected to a linearly movable element disposed external to an implantation site for said system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The infusion system of Claim 4, wherein said stylet (42) passes through an insertion needle (44) that penetrates the skin into said adjustment conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
The infusion system of Claim 3, wherein said adjustment conduit (48) defines a fluid cylinder, said means to vary the effective length comprises a sealed piston actuator (58) coupled to second end of said flow restriction element, a self-sealing septum (46) at one end of said fluid cylinder and a syringe (55) penetrable through the skin at an implantation site and said self-sealing septum, said syringe delivering or removing fluid (56) from said fluid cylinder whereby in response to a pressure differential across said piston actuator said piston coupled to said flow restriction element moves until an equilibrium position is reached thereby varying the effective length (L) of said flow restriction element in said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
The infusion system of claim 2, further comprising a housing for said reservoir, a rotating seal (72) mounted on said housing, a lead screw (78) coupled to said seal on one side for rotation therewith, a lead nut (76) mounted on said lead screw, said second end of said flow restriction element coupled to said lead nut and, means (82) external to said housing couplable to said seal to rotate said seal and thereby vary the effective length of said flow restriction element by linear movement of said lead nut on said lead screw.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The infusion system of Claim 1, wherein said outlet conduit (10) comprises a rigid member connected at each end to a rigid coupling, said flow restriction element (12) inserted into said conduit through one of said rigid couplings and seal means (40) through which said flow restriction element passes in said coupling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The infusion system of Claim 1, further comprising an outlet catheter (24) in fluid communication with said outlet conduit, an auxiliary infusion chamber (92) separated from said constant pressure reservoir (22) and having a penetrable self-sealing septum (94), said auxiliary infusion chamber coupled to said outlet catheter to provide a flow path to an infusion site without fluid from said constant pressure reservoir passing through said auxiliary infusion chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The infusion system of Claim 9, wherein said outlet catheter comprises a double lumen catheter (106) having one flow path from said auxiliary chamber (92) and a second flow path from said constant pressure reservoir (22).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The infusion system of Claim 10, further comprising a second auxiliary chamber (92′), a T-connector (100) providing a fluid coupling to said second flow path without fluid from said constant pressure reservoir (22) passing through said second auxiliary chamber.