Inventors:
Albert Gardner - Stuart FL, US
International Classification:
A61K 9/22
Abstract:
An apparatus for refilling an implanted delivery device has a needle connected to an output port of a three-way valve. One input port is sealed and the other is connected to a fluid source. When the valve is in a fluid delivery position, fluid from the fluid source flows through the needle, and when the valve is in a stylet insertion position, fluid from the fluid source is prevented from flowing through the needle. When the valve is in the stylet insertion position, a stylet can be inserted through the second input port and into the lumen of the needle, thereby occluding the needle's lumen. In this configuration, a practitioner inserts the needle with stylet therein into the body of the patient to engage the devices's refill port. The stylet is removed, the fluid delivery path is opened, and medication is delivered to the device's reservoir without being contaminated with tissue.