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

Abstract

Pain alleviation is one of the most important thera pies for chronic or incurable diseases. Consequentl y, implantable infusion pumps are challenged to provide long-term medication with extended check intervals. With the ai m of a treatment serving each patient’s individual symptoms pat tern, current research focuses especially on the po ssibilities of adjustable drug flow implementation. Programmable electronic devices are already capable of this perform ance; yet, they still require several surgeries for exchange of the power source. Against this background, a throttle system for a ga s-driven infusion device is being investigated in-s ilico. The system's centerpiece consists of a nanoporous ceramic thrott le unit, yielding flows in the range of micro- to n anoliters per minute. The simulations shall provide information abo ut advantages and drawbacks of variations in the ge ometric setup. Based on the project’s results, the most promising throttle geometries will be chosen for laboratory t esting, aiming at a final application to the infusion system.