Patent ID: 9138537
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for determining status of a catheter of an implanted infusion system, wherein the infusion system includes an implantable infusion device operably coupled to the catheter, the catheter having a delivery region intended to be positioned in a target location of a patient, the delivery region being in communication with a lumen of the catheter, the implantable infusion device (i) configured to cause an agent stored in a reservoir to be delivered via the delivery region of the catheter through the lumen of the catheter, and (ii) having a port in communication with the lumen of the catheter, the method comprising: percutaneously inserting a distal end of a probe into the port, the probe having a lumen, wherein the lumen of the probe is in communication with the catheter when the distal end of the probe is inserted into the port, and wherein the lumen of the probe is in communication with a pressure sensor; measuring pressure via the pressure sensor; developing a pressure modulation profile based on the measured pressure; and comparing the developed pressure modulation profile to a predetermined pressure profile of the target location.