Propellant bag improvement

Abstract

An improved propellant pillow and method for filling a propellant chamber of an implantable pump with propellant through the use of such an improved propellant pillow are disclosed. The propellant pillow includes an improved design that prevents the damage of such during evacuating and filling procedures.

1 . A method comprising the steps of:
 inserting a syringe through a side surface of a self-sealing septum structure and into an opening extending partially through the septum structure;   actuating the syringe to inject a propellant into the opening and a propellant pillow connected to the septum structure;   placing the propellant pillow in a propellant chamber of an implantable pump; and   sealing the propellant chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of evacuating the propellant chamber of substantially all gases. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the evacuating step is performed after the placing step. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of evacuating the propellant pillow of substantially all gases. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the evacuating step is performed with the syringe subsequent to the inserting step and prior to the actuating step. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of connecting the septum structure to the propellant pillow. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting step includes affixing a bottom surface of a first septum to the propellant chamber and a second septum to the first septum so as to form the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second septum forms a closed top surface of the septum structure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first septum is cylindrical. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second septa are affixed through the use of an adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inserting step occurs in a lateral direction with respect to the septum structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of allowing the propellant to permeate from the propellant pillow. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising the steps of:
 connecting a septum structure formed from a self sealing material to a propellant pillow formed of a permeable material, such that an opening extends from the propellant pillow and partially through the septum structure.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 connecting a first septum to the propellant pillow; and   connecting a second septum to the first septum.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first septum is cylindrical. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second septum is solid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the connecting steps include utilizing an adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 placing the propellant pillow and septum structure in a propellant chamber of an implantable pump; and   sealing the propellant chamber   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of evacuating the propellant pillow of substantially all gases. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising the steps of:
 connecting a septum structure formed from a self sealing material to a propellant pillow formed of a permeable material, such that an opening extends from the propellant pillow and partially through the septum structure   inserting a syringe through a side surface of the septum structure and into the opening;   evacuating the propellant pillow of substantially all gases;   actuating the syringe to inject a propellant into the opening and a propellant pillow connected to the septum structure;   placing the propellant pillow in a propellant chamber of an implantable pump; and   sealing the propellant chamber.