System for locating implantable medical device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing the system according to the present invention.
As seen, the system 1 features a location processor 2 coupled to implant location antenna array 3 which are used to locate implantable medical device 4 positioned beneath skin of patient 5.
Medical device 4 may be of any design desired, such as the Medtronic SynchroMed implantable drug pump, although other devices besides drug pumps may also be used.
In the preferred embodiment device 4 includes a drug reservoir 10 having a septum 11 for drug replenishment.
Drug reservoir outlets such drugs, past pump 13 to outlet catheter 15.
In an additional embodiment (although illustrated here for clarity, the device could further feature a safety valve 12 and, beyond flow restrictor 14, constructed according to the above referenced U.
S.
patent application Ser.
No.
09/017,194, filed Feb.
2, 1998 entitled "Implantable Drug Infusion Device Having A Safety Valve" of Markus Haller and Koen Weijand and U.
S.
patent application Ser.
No.
09/017,194 filed Feb.
2, 1998 entitled "Implantable Drug Infusion Device Having A Flow Regulator" of Markus Hallesr, Phillipe Renaud and Christian Amacker respectively.
Electronic controls 20 powered by battery 21 provide control and energy to pump and safety valve and further to provide control and energy to implant coil 22.
Device further includes a telemetry assembly 23 to provide two-way communication between device 4 and any suitable external device.
As seen, implant coil 22 is positioned such that opening 24 therein is aligned with septum 11.
Coil is aligned with opening centered therein.
In this view implant coil is shown positioned above septum, although implant coil may also be positioned around or, indeed, beneath the septum.
What is important is for coil and thus opening and septum to be aligned.
As further seen, all elements of the device but the outlet catheter are housed within the hermetic enclosure 25 as is well known in the art.
As further seen in this figure, implant location antenna array 3 is movably positioned outside of patient 5