Abstract:
A method and device for long term monitoring of the blood level of various blood constituents. The monitoring is accomplished by capillary filtration and collection of an ultrafiltrate of blood. Filtration of the ultrafiltrate occurs through a filter composed of hollow fibers which are implanted within an interstitial body space in fluid communication with blood capillaries. The ultrafiltrate is drawn through the filter and into an ultrafiltrate collector which extends externally of the body. The collector provides a vacuum for withdrawing the ultrafiltrate and holds discrete liquid samples of the ultrafiltrate. The method and device is particularly suited for long term monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients or other blood chemical constituents in other patients.
Abstract:
A method and device for long term monitoring of the blood level of various blood constituents. The monitoring is accomplished by capillary filtration and collection of an ultrafiltrate of blood. Filtration of the ultrafiltrate occurs through a filter composed of hollow fibers which are implanted within an interstitial body space in fluid communication with blood capillaries. The ultrafiltrate is drawn through the filter and into an ultrafiltrate collector which extends externally of the body. The collector provides a vacuum for withdrawing the ultrafiltrate and holds discrete liquid samples of the ultrafiltrate. The method and device is particularly suited for long term monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients or other blood chemical constituents in other patients.
Abstract:
A non-intravascular infusion access device and method for long-term continuous infusion of drugs. The infusion access device includes a porous membrane made of a material which is biocompatible for long-term patency inside the body. The porous membrane is connected to a conducting tubing which exits from the body and is connected to a drug infusion system. At the exit site is a cuff of porous material. The cuff serves to anchor the access device in position as the surrounding body tissue grows back around the cuff. There are also two small suture retainers for stabilizing the position of the access device relative until tissue ingrowth occurs in and around the cuff.
Abstract:
An implantable filtration and collection device for collecting a filtrate containing a physiological constituent of the body present in an interstitial body space. The device is operable with a negative pressure generating source to withdraw the filtrate from the interstitial body space. The device includes a porous filter made of a material compatible for long-term patency inside the body and adapted to be implanted inside the body in fluid communication with the interstitial space. The pores in the filter are sized not to exceed a predetermined dimension corresponding to the size of the physiological constituent being filtered. A collector in the form of an elongate tube is connected to the filter and and serves to communicate the filtrate externally of the body where it may be withdrawn from the collector by a negative pressure generating source.