Reservoir device with integrated mounting means

• US 20070066955A1
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Original Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Inventors: Ethelfeld, Erik, Sparholt, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 8,821,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/415
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1406 Septums, pierceable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1462 Containers with provisions for hanging, e.g. integral adaptations of the container accessories for hanging the container A61M5/1414
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1475 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/16 Holders for containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14252 with needle insertion means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2583/005 Dispensers provided with a replaceable cartridge, recharge or pouch located within the dispenser

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a housing and a flexible reservoir adapted to contain a fluid and having a septum member formed from a needle-penetratable self-sealing material. The flexible reservoir is arranged within the housing in combination with mounting means arranged within or formed by the housing, wherein the mounting means engages the septum member to thereby mount the flexible reservoir relative to the housing. In this way a secure fixation between the reservoir and the housing is provided without having to interfere with the general flexibility of the reservoir, e.g. substantially the entire flexible reservoir apart from the outlet/mounting means may be arranged free to move relative to the housing, this allowing the reservoir to be emptied to a high degree.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing (251, 551),

mounting means (562, 675, 677, 780) arranged within or formed by the housing,

a flexible reservoir (260, 560, 660) adapted to contain a fluid and comprising a septum member (261, 561, 661) formed from a needle-penetratable flexible material, at least a portion of the flexible reservoir being arranged within the housing,

wherein the mounting means engages the septum member to thereby mount the flexible reservoir relative to the mounting means.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein substantially the entire flexible reservoir apart from the septum member is free to move relative to the mounting means.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the reservoir (400) comprises first and second flexible foil portions (404, 405) sealed together to form an enclosed cavity for containing the fluid, the reservoir having a pouch-like configuration.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid conduit (350) having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir through the septum member (261),

wherein the fluid conduit and the reservoir are moveable relative to each other from an initial position in which there is no fluid communication therebetween and a connected position in which the fluid conduit inlet is arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir through the septum member.

5. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the inlet of the fluid conduit is in the form of a pointed needle portion and the septum member is formed from a self-sealing material.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the septum member has been mounted on an outer surface portion of the reservoir by means of welding.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising an expelling assembly (270) adapted to expel a fluid contained in the reservoir through a fluid communication made in the septum member.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising an expelling assembly (300, 670) having an inlet (321, 672) and an outlet (322) and an internal flow path arranged therebetween, the inlet being adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir, the expelling assembly being adapted to expel a fluid contained in the reservoir through the outlet of the expelling assembly.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the expelling assembly comprises a fluid connector (350) serving as the inlet for the expelling assembly,

wherein the fluid connector (350) is arranged within the interior of the expelling assembly in an initial state, the fluid connector comprising an inlet (351) and an outlet (353), whereby the fluid connector is arranged to be operated from the initial state and to an operating state in which fluid communication is established between the interior of the reservoir and the interior of the expelling assembly via the fluid connector and with the outlet of the fluid connector being arranged in the flow path of the expelling assembly.

10. An apparatus as in claim 8, further comprising:

a transcutaneous device (212) adapted to penetrate the skin of a subject,

a mounting surface (232) adapted for application to the skin of the subject,

wherein the reservoir comprises a fluid drug, and

the expelling assembly, in a situation of use, is adapted for expelling the drug out of the reservoir and through the skin of the subject via the transcutaneous device.

11. A method of mounting a flexible reservoir, comprising the steps:

providing a supporting structure (251, 551) comprising mounting means,

providing a flexible reservoir comprising a needle-penetratable flexible septum member, and

engaging the septum member and the mounting means to mount the reservoir relative to the mounting means.