Fluid conduit assembly with gas trapping filter in the fluid flow path

• US 10,279,126 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2014
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Chattaraj, Sarnath, Dang, Kiem H., Gulati, Poonam S., Zhang, Guangping
• Primary Examiner(s): Medway, Scott J
• Application Number:
  US14/508,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20160095987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/162 Needle sets, i.e. connections by puncture between reservoir and tube ; Connections between reservoir and tube in jet-action syringes A61M5/30; connectors for tubes having sealed ends and a needle for piercing them A61M39/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/38 using hydrophilic or hydrophobic filters

Abstract

A fluid delivery system and a fluid conduit assembly suitable for use with the system are disclosed herein. The system includes a fluid infusion pump and a fluid conduit assembly coupled to the pump to deliver medication fluid to a user. The fluid conduit assembly includes a structure defining a flow path for the medication fluid, and a gas trapping filter coupled to the structure and positioned in the flow path. The gas trapping filter functions to filter particulates from the medication fluid and retain gas bubbles from the medication fluid.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a fluid infusion pump to deliver a medication fluid from a fluid reservoir, the fluid infusion pump comprising a housing and a reservoir chamber that resides in the housing, the reservoir chamber accommodating the fluid reservoir; and

a reservoir cap for the fluid reservoir, coupled to the fluid infusion pump to deliver the medication fluid to a user, the reservoir cap defining a flow path for the medication fluid;

the reservoir cap comprising;

a lower body section that engages the fluid reservoir, the lower body section comprising a retaining cavity formed therein, and further comprising a plurality of vent holes formed in a top portion of the lower body section, the lower body section configured to couple with the housing of the fluid infusion pump, and configured to seal and secure the fluid reservoir inside the reservoir chamber, and the plurality of vent holes facilitating venting of the reservoir chamber;

a venting membrane affixed to an upper interior surface of the lower body section and covering the plurality of vent holes;

a hollow needle in the lower body section, the hollow needle fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir to the retaining cavity when the lower body section is coupled to the fluid reservoir;

an upper body section affixed to the lower body section, the upper body section comprising a conduit coupled to a length of tubing extending from the upper body section and in fluid communication with the hollow needle, the length of tubing carrying medication fluid from the upper body section during a fluid delivery operation;

a gas trapping filter positioned in the flow path to filter particulates from the medication fluid, and the gas trapping filter having micro-cavities formed therein to retain and trap gas bubbles from the medication fluid; and

a hydrophilic reservoir membrane affixed within a cavity formed in the upper body section, to allow the medication fluid to pass during the fluid delivery operation, wherein the gas trapping filter is positioned between the reservoir membrane and a downstream end of the hollow needle;

wherein the gas trapping filter is positioned in the retaining cavity downstream of the hollow needle, upstream of the conduit, and upstream of the length of tubing;

wherein the gas trapping filter physically obstructs a fluid flow path into the length of tubing such that the medication fluid is not diverted around the gas trapping filter, and to inhibit downstream flow of gas bubbles into the length of tubing; and

wherein the fluid flow path is defined by the hollow needle, the retaining cavity of the lower body section, the conduit of the upper body section, and the length of tubing, such that during the fluid delivery operation the medication fluid is forced out of the fluid reservoir, into the hollow needle, into the retaining cavity of the lower body section, through the gas trapping filter, into the conduit of the upper body section, and through the length of tubing.

2. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein:

the gas trapping filter comprises a drug impregnated therein; and

a quantity of the drug is released into the medication fluid as the medication fluid flows through the gas trapping filter during a fluid delivery operation.

3. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the gas trapping filter has a pore size within the range of 0.45 to 5.00 microns.

4. A reservoir cap for a reservoir of a medication fluid, the reservoir cap comprising:

a lower body section to receive the reservoir of medication fluid, the lower body section comprising a retaining cavity formed therein, and further comprising a plurality of vent holes formed in a top portion of the lower body section, the lower body section configured to couple with a housing of a fluid infusion device that controls delivery of the medication fluid from the reservoir, and configured to seal and secure the fluid reservoir inside a reservoir chamber that resides in the housing, and the plurality of vent holes facilitating venting of the reservoir chamber;

a venting membrane affixed to an upper interior surface of the lower body section and covering the plurality of vent holes;

a hollow needle in the lower body section, the hollow needle carrying fluid from the reservoir of medication fluid into the retaining cavity when the lower body section is coupled to the reservoir of medication fluid;

an upper body section affixed to the lower body section, the upper body section comprising a conduit coupled to a length of tubing extending from the upper body section and in fluid communication with the hollow needle, the length of tubing carrying medication fluid from the upper body section during a fluid delivery operation;

a partially hydrophilic gas trapping filter positioned in the retaining cavity downstream of the hollow needle, upstream of the conduit, and upstream of the length of tubing to filter particulates from the medication fluid, the gas trapping filter having micro-cavities formed therein to retain and trap gas bubbles from the medication fluid; and

a hydrophilic reservoir membrane affixed within a cavity formed in the upper body section, to allow the medication fluid to pass during the fluid delivery operation, wherein the gas trapping filter is positioned between the reservoir membrane and a downstream end of the hollow needle;

wherein the gas trapping filter physically obstructs a fluid flow path into the length of tubing such that the medication fluid is not diverted around the gas trapping filter, and to inhibit downstream flow of gas bubbles into the length of tubing; and

wherein the fluid flow path is defined by the hollow needle, the retaining cavity of the lower body section, the conduit of the upper body section, and the length of tubing, such that during the fluid delivery operation the medication fluid is forced out of the fluid reservoir, into the hollow needle, into the retaining cavity of the lower body section, through the gas trapping filter, into the conduit of the upper body section, and through the length of tubing.

5. The reservoir cap of claim 4, wherein:

the gas trapping filter comprises a drug impregnated therein; and

a quantity of the drug is released into the medication fluid as the medication fluid flows through the gas trapping filter.

6. The reservoir cap of claim 4, wherein the gas trapping filter has a pore size within the range of 0.45 to 5.00 microns.

7. The reservoir cap of claim 4, wherein the gas trapping filter adsorbs or absorbs lubricating oil associated with manufacturing of the reservoir.

8. The reservoir cap of claim 4, wherein the gas trapping filter comprises a partially hydrophilic membrane.

9. The reservoir cap of claim 4, wherein the gas trapping filter comprises a partially hydrophilic sponge, felt, or fiber composite material.

10. The reservoir cap of claim 4, wherein the gas trapping filter adsorbs or absorbs silicone oil.