Patent ID: 7089783

Claim:
A method for detecting a leak in an implantable drug pump, comprising: causing a first valve of an implantable drug pump to move from an open position, in which fluid can flow from a first reservoir formed in a housing of the implantable drug pump to an outlet port formed in the housing of the implantable drug pump, to a closed position, in which fluid is prevented from flowing from the first reservoir to the outlet port; causing a second valve to move from a closed position, in which fluid is prevented from flowing from a second reservoir formed in the housing of the implantable drug pump to the outlet port, to an open position, in which fluid is free to flow from the second reservoir to the outlet port; actuating a driver mechanism to cause a radiolucent fluid disposed within the second reservoir to flow through the second valve and into the outlet port to be delivered to a patient's body; and radiographically viewing the radiolucent fluid flowing through the implantable drug pump to determine if any leaks exist in the implantable drug pump and structures connected to the implantable drug pump; wherein the implantable drug pump includes a first inlet port in communication with the first reservoir, and a second inlet port in communication with the second reservoir; wherein, prior to the step of causing a second valve to move from a closed position to an open position, the radiolucent fluid is introduced into the second reservoir through the second inlet port.