US3731669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
External implantation of energy to power internal devices
Assignee: CAMBRIDGE NUCLEAR Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-16
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1990-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A means and method is used to permit injection and/or extraction of radioisotopic energy source material to or from an energy source implanted in the body. Radioisotope injections are used to maintain energy sources for prosthetic organs and the like at desired energy outputs over long time periods thereby permitting minimization in size of implanted energy sources and maximization of economy. Preferably the radioisotopic material is thulium 171 in the form of microspheres.
Inventors
- 👤 J Fitzgerald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/378; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/02; A61M39/0208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of providing power to a power source implanted in the body, said method comprising, periodically injecting radioisotopic material in flowable form through body tissue into a self-sealing conduit means in said power source without removing said power source, said injections taking place at predetermined timed intervals to maintain the power output of said source above a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 2 wherein said radioisotopic material is injected by means of a hypodermic-type needle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 3 wherein said needle is passed through the skin of the body and thence through an elongated conduit having self-sealing membranes at ends thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 4 wherein said needle is withdrawn after said injection and said conduit is flushed to irrigate and decontaminate said conduit and tip of outer needle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 4 wherein said conduit is straight and is positioned to prevent radiation streaming paths from said energy source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 5 wherein said conduit is tortuous and said needle is flexible so as to pass easily through said tortuous conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 4 wherein said needle is surrounded by a tube when it is passed into said conduit with said tube stopping in said conduit when said needle passes therethrough, and removing said needle from said conduit after injection of said material while maintaining said tube in said conduit to allow flushing of said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 3 wherein said flowable material is in the form of a liquid suspension having a volatile component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A power source for use in the body, or in conjunction with an implant said power source comprising, means defining a chamber for carrying a radioisotopic material, conduit means defining a conduit interconnected with said chamber and having an end constructed and arranged to be positioned under the skin of a body whereby radioisotopic material can be introduced into said chamber said conduit defining first and second self-sealing membranes, said conduit means comprising radiation shielding and said conduit being positioned to shield radiation streaming paths from said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A power source in accordance with claim 10 wherein an interconnecTing passageway leads from said second membrane to said chamber and said interconnecting passageway is tortuous.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A power source in accordance with claim 11 wherein said power source contains radioisotopic material in flowable form.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A power source in accordance with claim 12 wherein said radioisotopic material is in the form of microspheres.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A power source in accordance with claim 10 wherein two of said chambers are defined by said first-mentioned means with a conduit means for each of said chambers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A power source in accordance with claim 10 wherein said self-sealing membranes are pervious to gaseous flow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2893936A
Cited
US3195540A
Cited
US3379191A
Cited
US3527220A
Cited
US3563028A
Cited
US3536423A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |