Implantable reservoir and system for delivery of a therapeutic agent

Abstract

There is disclosed method and apparatus for retaining a reservoir for a therapeutic agent between the scalp and cranium of a subject, including providing a deformable pouch or rigid cylinder for dispensing the therapeutic agent from the reservoir to a location in the body of the subject. In one embodiment, a pump is used to pump the agent from the reservoir to the location in the subject's body. In another example embodiment, there is provided method and apparatus for forming at least one cavity in the cranium of the subject, and placing at least a portion of the pump in the cavity. Power is applied to the pump in a variety of ways.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a reservoir sized and shaped for implantation between a scalp and a cranium, wherein the reservoir includes a low profile substantially concealable by the scalp;    an inlet valve coupled with the reservoir, and the inlet valve is shaped to subcutaneously receive injections to fill the reservoir; and    an implantable pump coupled with the reservoir.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir includes a pouch, and the pouch is confined by a hermetic enclosure.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a first end of the reservoir has a fixed dimension and contains the inlet valve and an outlet port, and the second end is coupled with the implantable pump, and the implantable pump includes a push rod adapted to collapse the pouch and push out a liquid in the pouch through the outlet port.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable pump draws a liquid out of the pouch.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is a coiled tube having a substantially planar profile, and the inlet valve is coupled with the reservoir near a first end of the coiled tube.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising an outlet port coupled near a second end of the coiled tube opposed to the first end.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one deployment line coupled near an edge of the reservoir, wherein the deployment line is pulled to deploy the reservoir into a desired position.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein in an implanted condition, a first portion of the scalp surrounding the reservoir is substantially flush with a second portion of the scalp overlying the reservoir.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a reservoir sized and shaped for implantation between a scalp and a cranium;    an inlet valve coupled with the reservoir, and the inlet valve is sized and shaped for implantation behind an ear; and    an implantable pump coupled with the reservoir.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir includes a low profile substantially concealable by the scalp.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein in an implanted condition, a first portion of the scalp surrounding the reservoir is substantially flush with a second portion of the scalp overlying the reservoir.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir includes two or more reservoirs, and each reservoir is coupled with at least one of two or more inlet valves positionable behind at least one ear.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir includes a pouch, and the pouch is confined by a hermetic enclosure.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein a first end of the reservoir has a fixed dimension and contains an outlet port, and the second end is coupled with the implantable pump, and the implantable pump includes a push rod adapted to collapse the pouch and push out a liquid in the pouch through the outlet port.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the implantable pump draws a liquid out of the pouch.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising at least one deployment line coupled near an edge of the reservoir, wherein the deployment line is pulled to deploy the reservoir into a desired position.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a reservoir sized and shaped for implantation between a scalp and a cranium;    an implantable pump coupled with the reservoir; and    an outlet valve coupled with the pump and remotely positionable away from the implantable pump, wherein the outlet valve is electronically coupled with the implantable pump to synchronize opening and closing of the valve with pumping of the implantable pump.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir includes a low profile substantially concealable by the scalp.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein in an implanted condition, a first portion of the scalp surrounding the reservoir is substantially flush with a second portion of the scalp overlying the reservoir.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the implantable pump is adapted to control a pumped dosage volume by change in volume per pump stroke multiplied by number of pump strokes.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the outlet valve is near a distal end of a catheter coupled with the implantable pump, and the catheter is shaped to carry a liquid between the implantable pump and the outlet valve.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the catheter includes conductors coupled with the valve, and the conductors are embedded within the sidewall of the catheter.