Portable data acquisition and control apparatus for implanted drug infusion pump interrogation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Device Technology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Implantable drug infusion pumps are widely used clinically.
• Methods for diagnosing suspected pump failures are needed.
• Previous benchtop apparatus was cumbersome for in vivo monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable apparatus for diagnosing implantable drug infusion pump failures.
• To provide a simpler and more accessible method for in vivo pump monitoring.

Main Methods:

• A portable interrogation unit was created, comprising a laptop computer, data acquisition software, an analog/ASCII interface, a pressure transducer, and fluid conduits.
• Communication with the implanted pump is achieved via percutaneous needle puncture of the drug reservoir refill septum.
• Pump performance is assessed by incrementally filling the reservoir and simultaneously measuring reservoir pressure.

Main Results:

• The apparatus generates a real-time plot of pressure versus volume.
• This pressure-volume plot quickly identifies or rules out reservoir pressure as a failure mode.
• Diagnostic runs are saved for archival purposes.

Conclusions:

• The portable pump interrogation apparatus offers a practical solution for diagnosing implantable drug infusion pump failures.
• This device is expected to be as beneficial as the previously developed benchtop apparatus for pump technology development and clinical use.