Implantable lubrication device and method of treating a human or mammal patient by means of the device
A lubrication device for lubricating a joint of a human or mammal patient, which is entirely implantable in a patient's body, comprises a reservoir for storing a lubricating fluid and a fluid connection for introducing the lubricating fluid into the joint when the device is implanted in the patient's body. Further, the fluid connection comprises a fluid connection device connecting the reservoir with the joint such that a lubricating fluid flow is established from the reservoir into the joint. The fluid connection comprises either an infusion needle adapted to be intermittently placed into the joint for injecting the lubricating fluid, or a tube adapted to be permanently placed into the joint for continuously injecting the lubricating fluid.
1. An implantable lubrication device for lubricating a joint of a human or mammal patient by adding a biocompatible lubrication fluid, the implantable lubrication device comprising:
an added biocompatible lubrication fluid having lubricational properties for replacing or complementing a synovial fluid of a joint,
an implantable refillable reservoir adapted to store the added biocompatible lubrication fluid, and
an implantable refill injection port connected to said implantable refillable reservoir for refilling said implantable refillable reservoir with said added biocompatible lubrication fluid,
an implantable infusion needle in fluid connection with said implantable refillable reservoir, wherein said implantable infusion needle is arranged for longitudinal displacement and has a tip end having a fluid delivery exit port,
an implantable drive unit coupled to the implantable infusion needle and configured to advance and retract the tip end of the implantable infusion needle for injecting said added biocompatible lubrication fluid into an area of said joint, and
a self-sealing membrane protruding from the implantable refillable reservoir and being configured to be placed in a recess in a bone adjacent to the joint and further configured to be penetrated by said infusion needle.
2. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , wherein said implantable infusion needle is closed at its distal end and has a lateral added biocompatible lubrication fluid delivery exit port.
3. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , wherein said implantable infusion needle is configured to penetrate fibrotic tissue.
4. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , wherein said implantable refillable reservoir has an adjustable volume.
5. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 4 , wherein said implantable refillable reservoir comprises a flexible wall portion.
6. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , wherein said implantable refill injection port comprises a self-sealing membrane.
7. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , further comprising an implantable pump for pumping said added biocompatible lubrication fluid from said implantable reservoir towards said implantable infusion needle.
8. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 7 , wherein said implantable pump is motor driven.
9. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 7 , wherein said implantable pump comprises an automatically controlled motor configured to intermittently pump an amount of said added biocompatible lubrication fluid towards said implantable infusion needle.
10. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 7 , wherein said implantable pump comprises a movable wall.
11. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , wherein the components of the implantable lubrication device are contained within a unitary body.
12. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , comprising a system for manually and non-invasively controlling the implantable lubrication device comprising an implantable switch.
13. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , comprising a system for manually and non-invasively controlling the implantable lubrication device comprising a wireless remote control.
14. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , comprising a system for manually and non-invasively controlling the implantable lubrication device comprising a hydraulic reservoir configured to be manually pressed.
15. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , comprising an internal energy source for powering implantable energy consuming components of the implantable lubrication device.
16. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , comprising an internal energy receiver, and wherein the implantable lubrication device is adapted to be energized non-invasively and wirelessly by an energy transmission device from outside the patient's body.
17. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , comprising at least one sensor for measuring at least one physical parameter of the patient.
18. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , comprising at least one sensor for measuring at least one functional parameter related to the implantable lubrication device.
19. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one functional parameter is correlated to the transfer of energy for charging the internal energy source.
20. The implantable lubrication device according to claim 1 , comprising a feedback device for sending feedback information from inside the patient's body to at least an external control unit outside of the body of the patient.