Implantable lubrication device and method of treating a human or mammal patient by means of the device

Abstract

A lubrication device for lubricating a joint of a human or mammal patient, which is entirely implantable in a patient's body, comprises a reservoir for storing a lubricating fluid and a fluid connection for introducing the lubricating fluid into the joint when the device is implanted in the patient's body. Further, the fluid connection comprises a fluid connection device connecting the reservoir with the joint such that a lubricating fluid flow is established from the reservoir into the joint. The fluid connection comprises either an infusion needle adapted to be intermittently placed into the joint for injecting the lubricating fluid, or a tube adapted to be permanently placed into the joint for continuously injecting the lubricating fluid.

1 .- 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A method of treating a human or mammal patient by means of an implantable lubrication device, comprising the steps of
 dissecting free a proper location for the lubrication device within said patient's body including an area of said joint;   placing the lubrication device at said proper location within the patient's body in such a way that said fluid connection is arranged to introduce said lubricating fluid into said joint at said area of said joint;   closing the patient's body after placement of the lubrication device such that the lubrication device is entirely implanted in the patient's body; and   introducing postoperatively a lubricating fluid into the reservoir of said lubrication device such that said joint is adequately lubricated.   
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein the infusion member of said fluid connection comprises a tube and the step of placing the lubrication device at said proper location comprises the steps of
 placing the reservoir of said lubrication device at said proper location;   creating a hole in the joint capsule at said area of said joint; and   introducing said tube in said hole in such a way that an open end of the tube is placed in continuous communication with said joint such that lubricating fluid stored in said reservoir is continuously injected into said joint.   
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein the infusion member of said fluid connection comprises an infusion needle and the step of placing said lubrication device at said proper location comprises the steps of
 placing the reservoir of said lubrication device at said proper location; and   placing said infusion needle in close relation to said area of said joint in such a way that a drive mechanism of said infusion needle introduces said infusion needle intermittently into said joint such that lubricating fluid stored in said reservoir is intermittently injected into said joint.   
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein a lubricating fluid flow into said joint is established within the implanted fluid lubrication device by a pump or a motor connected to said fluid connection device or by changing the volume of a reservoir comprised in said reservoir by a flexible outer wall or a gas chamber of said reservoir. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said lubrication device is placed at said proper location in such a way that a continuous or intermittent circular lubricating fluid flow is established within said lubrication device via said joint. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 55 , wherein a filter device of said fluid connection device removes impurities from said circular lubricating fluid flow. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said lubricating fluid is introduced postoperatively into said reservoir through a refill injection port of said reservoir. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein the lubrication device is placed at said proper location in such a way that said infusion member is placed in communication with a hip or knee joint capsule. 
     
     
         59 .- 99 . (canceled) 
     
     
         100 . A method of treating a human or mammal patient by means of an implantable lubrication device, comprising the steps of
 dissecting free a proper location for the lubrication device within said patient's body;   expanding a cavity in close relation to said joint by introducing gas through a needle-like or tube-like instrument inserted into said patient's body;   placing at least two laparoscopic trocars in said cavity and inserting a camera and at least one dissecting tool through said laparoscopic trocars into said cavity;   dissecting free an area of said joint with said inserted dissecting tool;   placing the lubrication device at said proper location in such a way that said fluid connection is arranged through said laparoscopic trocars to introduce said lubricating fluid into said joint at said area of said joint;   closing the patient's body after placement of the lubrication device such that the lubrication device is entirely implanted in the patient's body; and   introducing postoperatively a lubricating fluid into the reservoir of said lubrication device such that said joint is adequately lubricated.   
     
     
         101 . The method according to  claim 100 , wherein the infusion member of said fluid connection comprises a tube and the step of placing the lubrication device at said proper location comprises the steps of
 placing the reservoir of said lubrication device at said proper location;   creating a hole in the joint capsule at said area of said joint; and   introducing said tube in said hole in such a way that an open end of the tube is placed in continuous communication with said joint such that lubricating fluid stored in said reservoir is continuously injected into said joint.   
     
     
         102 . The method according to  claim 100 , wherein the infusion member of said fluid connection comprises an infusion needle and the step of placing said lubrication device at said proper location comprises the steps of
 placing the reservoir of said lubrication device at said proper location; and   placing said infusion needle in close relation to said area of said joint in such a way that a drive mechanism of said infusion needle introduces said infusion needle intermittently into said joint such that lubricating fluid stored in said reservoir is intermittently injected into said joint.   
     
     
         103 . The method according to  claim 100 , wherein a lubricating fluid flow into said joint is established within the implanted fluid lubrication device by a pump or a motor connected to said fluid connection device or by changing the volume of a reservoir comprised in said reservoir by a flexible outer wall or a gas chamber of said reservoir. 
     
     
         104 . The method according to  claim 100 , wherein said lubrication device is placed at said proper location in such a way that a continuous or intermittent circular lubricating fluid flow is established within said lubrication device via said joint. 
     
     
         105 . The method according to  claim 104 , wherein a filter device of said fluid connection device removes impurities from said circular lubricating fluid flow. 
     
     
         106 . The method according to  claim 100 , wherein said lubricating fluid is introduced postoperatively into said reservoir through a refill injection port of said reservoir. 
     
     
         107 . The method according to  claim 100 , wherein the lubrication device is placed at said proper location in such a way that said infusion member is placed in communication with a hip or knee joint capsule.