Method and apparatus for guiding an external needle to an implantable device

摘要

A support tool for a supply assembly delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device. The supply assembly defines a supply axis. The support tool includes a support member defining an opening. The opening has a support axis, and the opening is configured to receive the supply assembly. The support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly. The corresponding surface of the supply assembly nests against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis.

主权项

1. A delivery system for delivery of a functional fluid from outside a patient to an implantable medical device inside the patient, the implantable medical device including a port that defines an insertion axis, the delivery system comprising:
a supply assembly configured to contain the functional fluid and that selectively delivers the functional fluid to the implantable medical device, the supply assembly including a three dimensionally contoured outer surface, the supply assembly defining a supply axis; a support tool that includes a main body and a removable member that is removably attached to the main body, an opening being included between the main body and the removable member, the opening receiving the supply assembly, the main body and the removable member cooperating to define a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to and nests with the three dimensionally contoured outer surface of the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains aligned with and fixed relative to the insertion axis, the removable member being removable from the main body to allow the main body to be moved away from the patient while the supply assembly remains in a fixed position relative to the patient; a tracking device that tracks a position and orientation of the support tool relative to the implantable medical device; and a prophylactic member that is removably coupled to the support tool to be disposed between the support tool and the patient to reduce contamination of the support tool.