Variable length flexible conduit feeder

• US 20030122021A1
• Filed: 12/28/2001
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: McConnell, Susan, Kiliszewski, Lawrence C., Molina, Adam H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,524,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/388.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/08 Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for dispensing flexible conduits, such as tubing or electrical cable, are disclosed, particularly for portable medical devices. An exemplary apparatus for dispensing flexible conduit or cable, includes a flexible conduit housing, including a base for temporarily housing a flexible conduit, the base having an opening for receiving the flexible conduit and a covet attached to the base for substantially closing the opening. The apparatus also includes an interface for mounting the housing. The flexible conduit is dispensable with the flexible conduit housing to a fixable variable length.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing a flexible conduit used to monitor or treat a physiological condition, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible conduit housing including;

a base for temporarily housing a flexible conduit, the base having an opening for receiving the flexible conduit; and

a cover attached to the base for substantially closing the opening; and

an interface for mounting the flexible conduit housing; and

wherein the flexible conduit is dispensable with the flexible conduit housing to a fixable variable length.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the physiological condition is diabetes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit is connectable to an infusion device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an infusion device, and wherein the infusion device is connected to the flexible conduit to assist in dispensing a fluid.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit comprises medical tubing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit comprises electrical cable.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit is connectable to a medical sensor monitor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a medical sensor monitor, and wherein the medical sensor monitor is connected to the flexible conduit to monitor an aspect of the physiological condition.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a replaceable cartridge for holding the flexible conduit that is engageable to the base.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a spool cartridge and the flexible conduit is wound on the spool cartridge.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a spool including a hub for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the flexible conduit is simultaneously dispensable from the replaceable cartridge from two ends.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit housing further includes a spool for dispensing the flexible conduit to a fixable variable length.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the spool includes a hub for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the spool includes a replaceable cartridge.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the two ends of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensable from the spool.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lockable spring driven winder mounted within the flexible conduit housing for dispensing the flexible conduit to the fixable variable length.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a friction retainer.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a ratchet retainer.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the two ends of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensable from the lockable spring driven winder.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base and cover form a clamshell flexible conduit housing.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is coupleable to a device for dispensing a fluid through the flexible conduit.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is selected from a group including a clip, a strap, a clamp and a tape.

24. An apparatus for storing a flexible conduit used to monitor or treat a physiological condition, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible conduit housing;

a flexible conduit; and

a spool cartridge for holding the flexible conduit including a coupler for engaging the spool cartridge into the flexible conduit housing, wherein the flexible conduit housing dispenses the flexible conduit to a fixable variable length.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the physiological condition is diabetes.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the flexible conduit is connectable to an infusion device.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the flexible conduit is medical tubing.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the flexible conduit is connectable to a medical sensor monitor.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the flexible conduit is electrical cable.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the flexible conduit is wound on the spool cartridge and two ends of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensable.

31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the spool cartridge includes a hub with a passage for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

32. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a lockable spring driven winder for dispensing the flexible conduit to the fixable variable length.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a friction retainer.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a ratchet retainer.

35. A method of dispensing flexible conduit to assist in dispensing a fluid or monitoring a physiological condition, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible conduit housing including;

a base for temporarily housing a flexible conduit, the base having an opening for receiving the flexible conduit; and

a cover attached to the base for substantially closing the opening; and

mounting the flexible conduit housing with an interface; and

dispensing the flexible conduit with the flexible conduit housing to a fixable variable length.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the fluid is insulin.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising providing an infusion device;

and connecting the flexible conduit to the infusion device to assist in dispensing a fluid.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the flexible conduit is connectable to an infusion device.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the flexible conduit is medical tubing.

40. The method of claim 35, further comprising providing a medical sensor monitor and connecting the flexible conduit to a medical sensor monitor to assist in monitoring an aspect of the physiological condition.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the flexible conduit is connectable to a medical sensor monitor.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the flexible conduit is electrical cable.

43. The method of claim 35, further comprising providing a replaceable cartridge, and wherein the base is engageable to the replaceable cartridge for holding the flexible conduit.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a spool cartridge and the flexible conduit is wound on the spool cartridge.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a spool having a hub for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the flexible conduit is simultaneously dispensable from the replaceable cartridge from two ends.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein the flexible conduit housing further includes a spool for dispensing the flexible conduit to a fixable variable length.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the spool includes a hub for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the spool includes a replaceable cartridge.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein the two ends of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensable from the spool.

51. The method of claim 35, further comprising providing a lockable spring driven winder mounted within the flexible conduit housing for dispensing the flexible conduit to the fixable variable length.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a friction retainer.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a ratchet retainer.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the two ends of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensable from the lockable spring driven winder.

55. The method of claim 35, wherein the base and cover form a clamshell flexible conduit housing.

56. The method of claim 35, wherein the interface is coupleable to a device for dispensing a fluid through the flexible conduit.

57. The method of claim 35, wherein the interface is selected from a group including a clip, a strap, a clamp and a tape.

58. A method of storing flexible conduit to assist in dispensing a fluid or monitoring a physiological condition, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible conduit housing;

providing a flexible conduit; and

holding the flexible conduit on a spool cartridge including a coupler for engaging the spool cartridge into the flexible conduit housing, wherein the flexible conduit housing dispenses the flexible conduit to a fixable variable length.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the fluid is insulin.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the flexible conduit is connectable to a medical sensor monitor.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the flexible conduit is connectable to an infusion device.

62. The method of claim 58, wherein the flexible conduit is medical tubing.

63. The method of claim 58, wherein the flexible conduit is electrical cable.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the flexible conduit is wound on the spool cartridge and two ends of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensable.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein the spool cartridge includes a hub with a passage for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

66. The method of claim 58, further comprising providing a lockable spring driven winder for dispensing the flexible conduit to the fixable variable length.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a friction retainer.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a ratchet retainer.

69. A method of dispensing a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible conduit housing including;

a flexible conduit;

a base for temporarily housing the flexible conduit, the base having an opening for receiving the flexible conduit; and

a cover attached to the base for substantially closing the opening; and

mounting the flexible conduit housing with an interface;

dispensing the flexible conduit with the flexible conduit housing to a fixable variable length;

attaching a first end of the flexible conduit to an infusion device;

attaching a second end of the flexible conduit to an infusion set; and

dispensing the fluid from the infusion device through the flexible conduit to the infusion set.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the fluid is insulin.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the flexible conduit is held on a replaceable cartridge that is engaged to the base.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a spool cartridge and wherein the flexible conduit is wound on the spool cartridge.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a spool having a hub for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

74. The method of claim 71, wherein the flexible conduit is simultaneously dispensed from the replaceable cartridge from the first and second end.

75. The method of claim 69, wherein the flexible conduit housing further includes a spool for dispensing the flexible conduit to a fixable variable length.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the spool includes a hub for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the spool includes a replaceable cartridge.

78. The method of claim 75, wherein the first and second end of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensed from the spool.

79. The method of claim 69, further comprising providing a lockable spring driven winder mounted within the flexible conduit housing for dispensing the flexible conduit to the fixable variable length.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a friction retainer.

81. The method of claim 79, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a ratchet retainer.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein the first and second end of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensed from the lockable spring driven winder.

83. The method of claim 69, wherein the base and cover form a clamshell flexible conduit housing.

84. The method of claim 69, wherein the interface is coupleable to a housing of the infusion pump.

85. The method of claim 69, wherein the interface is selected from a group including a clip, a strap, a clamp and a tape.

86. A method of using a medical sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible conduit housing, including;

a flexible conduit;

a base for temporarily housing the flexible conduit, the base having an opening for receiving the flexible conduit; and

a cover attached to the base for substantially closing the opening; and

mounting the flexible conduit housing with an interface;

dispensing the flexible conduit with the flexible conduit housing to a fixable variable length;

attaching a first end of the flexible conduit to a medical sensor monitor;

attaching a second end of the flexible conduit to a medical sensor; and

receiving signals at the medical sensor monitor from the medical sensor through the flexible conduit.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein the flexible conduit is held on a replaceable cartridge and engaged to the base.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a spool cartridge and wherein the flexible conduit is wound on the spool cartridge.

90. The method of claim 88, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a spool having a hub for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

91. The method of claim 88, wherein the flexible conduit is simultaneously dispensed from the replaceable cartridge from the first and second end.

92. The method of claim 86, wherein the flexible conduit housing further includes a spool for dispensing the flexible conduit to a fixable variable length.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the spool comprises a hub for engaging the flexible conduit at an adjustable position along a total length of the flexible conduit to adjust the fixable variable length.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the spool includes a replaceable cartridge.

95. The method of claim 92, wherein the first and second end of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensed from the spool.

96. The method of claim 86, further comprising providing a lockable spring driven winder mounted within the flexible conduit housing for dispensing the flexible conduit to the fixable variable length.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a friction retainer.

98. The method of claim 96, wherein the spring driven winder is lockable with a ratchet retainer.

99. The method of claim 96, wherein the first and second end of the flexible conduit are simultaneously dispensed from the lockable spring driven winder.

100. The method of claim 86, wherein the base and cover form a clamshell flexible conduit housing.

101. The method of claim 86, wherein the interface is coupleable to a housing of the medical sensor monitor.

102. The method of claim 86, wherein the interface is selected from a group including a clip, a strap, a clamp and a tape.