A method and an implantable apparatus for automatically delivering a defibrillating drug to a patient upon detection of the onset of atrial... Show moreA method and an implantable apparatus for automatically delivering a defibrillating drug to a patient upon detection of the onset of atrial fibrillation. Atrial activity of a heart is detected and monitored. A delivery time is continuously computed and a delivery signal is emitted as a function of the monitored level of the atrial activity. When the delivery signal is emitted, an infusion pump discharges a defibrillating drug into the bloodstream of the patient. The atrial activity is also continuously monitored for computing a pacing time at which a pacing signal is emitted as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity. When the pacing signal is emitted a pacer paces the atrium of the heart. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
An implantable drug delivery apparatus including a housing that has a housing chamber. An outer deformable body having a reserve chamber is... Show moreAn implantable drug delivery apparatus including a housing that has a housing chamber. An outer deformable body having a reserve chamber is mounted within the housing chamber. An inner deformable body having a dispensing chamber is mounted within the reserve chamber. A dispensing valve is actuated to an open position to allow a fluidic drug to flow from the dispensing chamber, through the dispensing valve and through a catheter into a body of a patient. The fluidic drug is discharged from the dispensing chamber at a dispensing mass flowrate which is greater than a refilling mass flowrate of the fluidic drug passing from the reserve chamber to the dispensing chamber, when the dispensing valve is in an open position. When the dispensing valve is in a closed position, the fluidic drug is prevented from discharging from the dispensing chamber while a recharging amount of the fluidic drug is capable of flowing from the reserve chamber to the dispensing chamber, until the dispensing chamber is at least partially filled. The outer deformable body is normally forced or urged in a direction or manner that tends to reduce a volume of the reserve chamber. Sponsorship: Illinois institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
