Implantable drug-delivery devices, and apparatus and methods for refilling the devices
In various embodiments, a needle is employed in refilling drug-delivery devices.
1. An implantable drug-delivery device, comprising:
a drug reservoir;
a needle entry port comprising a throat for receiving a refill needle therethrough, the throat opening into a vestibule that is in fluid communication with the drug reservoir; and
a visualization ring surrounding the needle entry port, the visualization ring being visible through ocular tissue so as to visually indicate a position of the needle entry port,
wherein the vestibule (i) is wider than the throat, and (ii) comprises a stop on a wall opposite the throat for halting progress of a needle into the vestibule through the throat.
2. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the stop is sized so as to halt the progress of a needle comprising an exit port at a point at which the exit port is in fluid communication with the vestibule.
3. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the stop is cupshaped.
4. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the stop is constructed of a biocompatible material.
5. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the stop is constructed of at least one of a metal, a plastic, or a composite material.
6. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the stop is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of PDMS, polyimide, polypropylene, PEEK, polycarbonate, an acetyl film, polyoxymethylene plastic, gold, stainless steel, nickel, and chrome.
7. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a check valve located between the vestibule and the drug reservoir.
8. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the needle entry port further comprises a self-sealing material.
9. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring is constructed of a biocompatible material.
10. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring is constructed of a material that withstands penetration by the refill needle.
11. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring is visible through a patient's conjunctiva.
12. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring comprises a light emitting diode.
13. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a light emitting diode and optical fiber for conducting light from the light emitting diode to and around the visualization ring.
14. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring comprises a material that enhances surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing.
15. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 further comprising electronics to move or vibrate the visualization ring.
16. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring comprises a magnetic material.
17. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visualization ring comprises a fluorescent pigment.
18. The implantable drug-delivery device of claim 17 , wherein the fluorescent pigment is selected from the group consisting of a luminescent aerogel, a nanoparticle, a phthalocyanine pigment, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, coumarin, cyanine, an Alexa Fluor, a DyLight Fluor, a quantum dot, a green fluorescent protein, and a luciferin.