Flow simulation through porous ceramics used as a throttle in an implantable infusion pump

Abstract

Pain alleviation is one of the most important therapies for chronic or incurable diseases. Consequently, implantable infusion pumps are challenged to provide long-term medication with extended check intervals. With the aim of a treatment serving each patient's individual symptoms pattern, current research focuses especially on the possibilities of adjustable drug flow implementation. Programmable electronic devices are already capable of this performance; yet, they still require several surgeries for exchange of the power source. Against this background, a throttle system for a gas-driven infusion device is being investigated in-silico. The system's centerpiece consists of a nanoporous ceramic throttle unit, yielding flows in the range of micro- to nanoliters per minute. The simulations shall provide information about advantages and drawbacks of variations in the geometric setup. Based on the project's results, the most promising throttle geometries will be chosen for laboratory testing, aiming at a final application to the infusion system. © 2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston.