Flow Actuated Valve for Implantable Drug Delivery Device

摘要

An “MRI-safe” implantable infusion apparatus and method that includes a flow actuated valve (FAV) that closes to prevent a free flow of infusate to a patient during an MRI procedure, and a release mechanism that opens the valve so that the device may return to normal operation following the MRI procedure. In this manner, patient safety is improved and the inconvenience of having to empty the pump reservoir before undergoing an MRI procedure may be avoided.

主权项

1. An implantable infusion apparatus, comprising:
an infusate reservoir; a metering assembly configured to receive infusate from the reservoir and output a metered quantity of infusate at a first flow rate; an outlet configured to deliver the metered quantity of infusate to a delivery site; and a flow activated valve in a fluid path between the reservoir and the outlet, the flow activated valve configured to maintain an open position allowing infusate to flow through the valve at the first flow rate and to close when the rate of flow of the infusate through the valve exceeds a threshold flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate.