An implantable infusion device (10) includes a lightweight, inert housing
(12) which contains an infusate (18) for administration to a patient, and
an enclosed, gas-impermeable variable volume chamber (30) which contains
a pressure source, such as propellant, mechanical spring, or the like.
The variable volume chamber may be in the form of a rigid-walled
expandable bellows structure or a nonstretchable flexible bag and is
attached to the housing so as not to obstruct the entry port for
introduction of infusate. A recharging fluid flow path (31) is provided
adjacent to where the variable volume chamber is attached to the housing.
The infusate is delivered from the device via a catheter in response to
expansion of the variable volume chamber against the volume of infusate
in the housing. A separate bolus injection port (38) is provided which
allows infusate to be safely introduced directly into the catheter and
overrides the controlled pressure-driven delivery. The lightweight
housing may include integrally formed needle stops (32 and 34) and suture
fastening loops (36).