APPARATUS AND METHOD TO ENHANCE RESERVOIR UTILIZATION IN A MEDICAL INFUSION DEVICE

• US 20040187952A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Steven Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,786,244 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1581 Right-angle needle-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/14 for connecting tubes having sealed ends needle sets A61M5/162; having valves closing automatically on disconnection of line A61M39/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• 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

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow more efficient volume use of a reservoir used in medical infusion devices, such as insulin pumps. The invention provides for having a full reservoir and a full tubing composite when infusion of medication into a patient begins, allowing a volume of medicine substantially equal to the volume of medication in the full reservoir to be infused into the patient.

Claims

1. A method of making a quantity of medication, substantially equal to the total volume of a reservoir in a medical infusion device, available for infusion into a patient, comprising the steps of:

filling substantially all of the volume of a reservoir with a first quantity of medication;

filling substantially all of the volume of a tubing composite with a second quantity of medication; and

coupling the tubing composite to the reservoir.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of filling substantially all of the volume of a tubing composite with a second quantity of medication further comprises the step of drawing medication into the tubing composite from a distal end of the tubing composite.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of filling substantially all of the volume of the tubing composite with a second quantity of medication further comprises the steps of:

attaching a quick-release syringe to the distal end of the tubing composite;

coupling a proximal end of the tubing composite to the reservoir;

inserting a needle portion of the quick-release syringe into a vial of medication; and

actuating a piston portion of the reservoir to draw medication from the vial of medication, through the quick-release syringe, and fill substantially all of the tubing composite.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of filling substantially all of the volume of the reservoir with the first quantity of medication comprises the steps of:

attaching a reservoir syringe to the reservoir;

inserting a needle portion of the reservoir syringe into the vial of medication; and

actuating a piston portion of the reservoir to draw medication from the vial of medication through the reservoir syringe, and fill substantially all of the capacity of the reservoir.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of filling substantially all of the volume of the tubing composite with a second quantity of medication further comprises the step of forcing medication into a proximal end of the tubing composite.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of forcing medication into a proximal end of the tubing composite further comprises the steps of:

attaching a reservoir syringe to the reservoir;

inserting a needle portion of the reservoir syringe into the vial of medication;

actuating a piston portion of the reservoir and drawing sufficient medication from the vial of medication into the reservoir to fill the tubing composite;

detaching the reservoir syringe from the reservoir;

coupling the proximal end of the tubing composite to the reservoir; and

actuating the piston portion of the reservoir to force medication into the proximal end of the tubing composite.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of including an infusion set portion of the tubing composite.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of filling substantially all of the volume of the reservoir further comprises the steps of:

attaching a reservoir syringe to the reservoir;

inserting a needle portion of the reservoir syringe into the vial of medication; and

actuating a piston portion of the reservoir to draw medication from the vial of medication, filling substantially all of the volume of the reservoir.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

coupling an air elimination tubing as a portion of the tubing composite, a proximal end of the air elimination hose suitable for coupling with the reservoir;

after filling substantially all of the volume of the reservoir with the first quantity of medication, and filling substantially all of the volume of a tubing composite with a second quantity of medication, decoupling the air elimination hose portion of the tubing composite from a remaining portion of the tubing composite;

actuating a piston portion of the reservoir to force air in the reservoir or in the air elimination tubing from a distal end of the air elimination hose; and

recoupling the air elimination tubing to the remaining portion of the tubing composite.

10. A quick-release syringe, comprising:

a first quick-release portion suitable for mating with a second quick-release portion of opposite gender; and

a needle portion having a hollow, tubular shape, and sharpened at a distal end to facilitate insertion through a membrane of a vial of medication, a proximal end of the needle portion coupled to the first quick-release portion;

wherein, when the first quick-release portion and the second quick-release portion are mated, a conduit for medication exists from the distal end of the needle portion, through the first quick-release portion, and through the second quick-release portion.

11. An air elimination tubing comprising:

a coupling at a proximal end of the air elimination tubing suitable for attaching to a reservoir; and

a quick-release portion at a distal end of the air elimination tubing suitable for expelling air when medication is forced into the coupling at the proximal end.

12. The air elimination tubing of claim 11 wherein the volume of the air elimination tubing is less than approximately 1% of the volume of the reservoir.

13. The air elimination tubing of claim 11 wherein the volume of the air elimination tubing is less than approximately 3% of the volume of the reservoir.

14. The air elimination tubing of claim 11 wherein the volume of the air elimination tubing is less than approximately 6% of the volume of the reservoir.