Implantable vascular access device
View Patent ↗An implantable dual chambered catheter device includes a first chamber and a second chamber integrally joined. The first chamber includes a hollow first elastomeric member contained within a first slotted outer housing. A first end of the first elastomeric member is fitted with a first end cap shaped and dimensioned to accept conventional catheter tubes and the second end of the first elastomeric member is closed. The second chamber includes a hollow second elastomeric member contained within a second slotted outer housing. A first end of the second elastomeric member is fitted with a second end cap shaped and dimensioned to accept conventional catheter tubes and the second end of the second elastomeric member is closed. Needle access to the first and second chambers of the implantable catheter device is through respective slots formed within the first and second outer housings.
1. An implantable dual chambered device, comprising:
a first chamber and a second chamber integrally joined;
the first chamber includes a hollow, cylindrical first elastomeric member contained within a first slotted outer housing, a first end of the first elastomeric member is fitted with a first end cap shaped and dimensioned to accept conventional tubes and the second end of the first elastomeric member is closed;
the second chamber includes a hollow, cylindrical second elastomeric member contained within a second slotted outer housing, a first end of the second elastomeric member is fitted with a second end cap shaped and dimensioned to accept conventional tubes and the second end of the second elastomeric member is closed;
wherein needle access to the first and second chambers of the implantable device is through respective slots formed within the first and second outer housings.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second end caps are titanium.
3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second chambers are tubular.
4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the first and second elastomeric members are cylindrical.
5. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the first and second slotted outer housings are cylindrical.
6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the first and second elastomeric members are cylindrical.
7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the first and second elastomeric members are respectively held within the first and second outer housings under radial compressive stresses.
8. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the first and second slotted outer housings are titanium or other suitable implantable materials.
9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second slotted outer housings are titanium or other suitable implantable materials.
10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second elastomeric members are respectively held within the first and second outer housings under radial compressive stresses.
11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein compressive stresses applied to the first and second elastomeric members create a bulge in the first and second elastomeric members along respective slots formed in the first and second outer housings.
12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the compressive stresses are applied circumferential stresses ranging from approximately 6 psi to 87 psi.
13. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the radial compressive stresses applied to the first and second elastomeric members provide compressive circumferential hoop stresses in the first and second elastomeric member which serve to seal needle holes in the first and second elastomeric members following needle withdrawal.
14. The device according to claim 10 , wherein applied circumferential stresses range from approximately 6 psi to 87 psi.
15. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the first and second elastomeric members include uncompressed outer dimensions slightly larger than the inner dimensions of the respective first and second outer housings in which they are positioned.
16. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second elastomeric members include uncompressed outer dimensions slightly larger than the inner dimensions of the respective first and second outer housings in which they are positioned.
17. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second elastomeric members are constructed from implantable grade silicone rubber or suitable implantable elastomeric materials.
18. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second elastomeric members have a preferred durometer of 60 Shore A.
19. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the compressive stresses applied to the first and second elastomeric members provide compressive hoop stresses sufficient to seal needle puncture holes in the elastomeric members.
20. The device according to claim 19 , wherein the compressive stresses include stresses applied to the first and second elastomeric members by the first and second end caps to increase the size of the bulge in the first and second elastomeric members.