AUTOMATED FILLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20080269713A1
• Filed: 04/22/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kavazov, Julian D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,963,954 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/413
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/16 Holders for containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/20 Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2013 having two piercing ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2051 having tap means, e.g. tap means activated by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2065 having aligning and guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2068 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2072 for internal venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2075 for external venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/341 angularly adjustable or angled away from the axis of the injector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• 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 5/165 Filtering accessories, e.g. blood filters, filters for infusion liquids A61M1/14 , A61M1/34, A61M1/3627, A61M1/3679, A61M1/3687 take precedence; needle sets with incorporated air inlet filters A61M5/162
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/36 with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to transferring fluidic media from a vial to a reservoir. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir by moving a housing portion to move a plunger head located in the reservoir to draw fluidic media from the vial to the reservoir. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir while the reservoir is held by a holding unit and vibrated by a vibrator to remove air from the fluidic media. In some embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir by moving a handle operatively connected to a bias member for assisting with the transfer of fluidic media. In other embodiments, the transfer of fluidic media may be assisted by a bias member and a needle connecting atmosphere and the vial.

Claims

1. A system for transferring fluidic media, the system comprising:

a first housing portion having a latitudinal dimension; and

a second housing portion operatively connected to the first housing portion, the second housing portion for moving relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion;

one of the first and second housing portions removably connectable to a transfer guard, the transfer guard for providing a fluid path from a vial to a reservoir;

the other of the first and second housing portions from said one of the first and second housing portions operatively engagable to a plunger head positioned in the reservoir;

the first and second housing portions configured such that fluidic media is transferred from the vial to the reservoir in a case where the one of the first and second housing portions is connected to the transfer guard, and the other of the first and second housing portions is operatively engaged to the plunger head, and the second housing portion is moved relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion.

2. The system according to claim 1,

the first housing portion having at least one tab insertable into at least one aperture of the transfer guard.

3. The system according to claim 2, the system further comprising:

a plunger arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the plunger arm connectable to the plunger head; and

a handle connected to the second end of the plunger arm.

4. The system according to claim 3,

the second housing portion having a recess;

the handle insertable into the recess of the second housing portion;

the other of the first and second housing portions from said one of the first and second housing portions operatively engaged to the plunger head when the handle is inserted into the recess of the second housing portion.

5. The system according to claim 3, the system further comprising:

a fill volume control device supported by the one of the first and second housing portions that is removably connectable to the transfer guard;

the fill volume control device having a plurality of selectable positions, wherein each selectable position of the plurality of selectable positions corresponds to a volume of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial to the reservoir when the second housing portion moves relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion.

6. The system according to claim 5,

the plunger head moveable in the reservoir until the handle contacts the fill volume control device.

7. The system according to claim 6, the fill volume control device comprising:

at least one fill volume tab;

wherein the handle contacts the fill volume control device when the handle contacts one of the at least one fill volume tab.

8. The system according to claim 7,

the handle having at least one aperture;

at least one of the at least one fill volume tab insertable into the at least one aperture of the handle.

9. The system according to claim 7,

wherein each tab of the at least one tab is of varying lengths.

10. The system according to claim 7,

wherein each fill volume tab of the at least one fill volume tab corresponds to a selectable position of the plurality of selectable positions.

11. The system according to claim 7,

the at least one fill volume tab having a plurality of edges.

12. The system according to claim 11,

wherein each edge of the plurality of edges corresponds to a selectable position of the plurality of selectable positions.

13. The system according to claim 5,

the fill volume control device at least partially rotatable about the one of the first and second housing portions that is removably connectable to the transfer guard.

14. The system according to claim 13, the system further comprising:

a second handle connected to the fill volume control device, the second handle for rotating the fill volume control device to select a position of the plurality of selectable positions.

15. The system according to claim 14, the system further comprising:

the one of the first and second housing portions that is removably connectable to the transfer guard having an abutment for inhibiting advancement of the second handle beyond the abutment.

16. The system according to claim 14, the system further comprising:

protrusions located at each of the plurality of selectable positions, the protrusions for at least partially inhibiting movement of the second handle.

17. The system according to claim 1, the system further comprising:

a door operatively connected to the second housing portion.

18. The system according to claim 17, the system further comprising:

at least one handle grip located on at least one of the second housing portion and the door of the second housing portion.

19. The system according to claim 17, the system further comprising:

a door operatively connected to the first housing portion.

20. The system according to claim 19, the system further comprising:

at least one handle grip located on at least one of the first housing portion and the door of the first housing portion.

21. The system according to claim 1, the system further comprising:

a base located on a bottom end of the first housing portion.

22. The system according to claim 21, the system further comprising:

an adhesive pad located on a bottom surface of the base.

23. The system according to claim 21, the system further comprising:

a friction pad located on a bottom surface of the base.

24. The system according to claim 23,

wherein the friction pad comprises a rubber material.

25. The system according to claim 1, the system further comprising:

a pressure control valve for providing an air path between the vial and atmosphere.

26. The system according to claim 1, the transfer guard comprising:

a needle for connecting the vial and the reservoir;

the transfer guard including a first end for at least partially surrounding a port of the vial when the needle of the transfer guard pierces a septum in the port of the vial.

27. The system according to claim 26,

the transfer guard including a second end for at least partially surrounding a port of the reservoir when the needle of the transfer guard pierces a septum in the port of the reservoir.

28. The system according to claim 27, the transfer guard further comprising:

at least one tab located in at least one of the first end and the second end for securing at least one of the vial and the reservoir in the at least one of the first end and the second end of the transfer guard.

29. The system according to claim 27,

at least one of the first end and the second end having a plurality of apertures;

at least one of the vial and the reservoir including a plurality of tabs located on the corresponding port, the plurality of tabs insertable into the plurality of apertures of the at least one of the first end and the second end of the transfer guard.

30. The system according to claim 29:

at least one of the vial and the reservoir at least partially rotatable about the at least one of the first end and the second end;

wherein at least one tab of the plurality of tabs is rotatable from a position within at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures to a locked position.

31. The system according to claim 30, the system further comprising:

at least one abutment for locking at least one tab of the plurality of tabs into the locked position.

32. The system according to claim 1, the system further comprising:

at least one seal member positioned between the plunger head and the reservoir.

33. The system according to claim 1,

the second housing portion having a threaded portion;

the transfer guard having a threaded portion for engaging the threaded portion of the second housing portion when the transfer guard is connected to the second housing portion.

34. The system according to claim 1, the system further comprising:

a threaded member supported by the first housing portion;

the plunger head having a threaded portion for engaging the threaded member when the plunger head is connected to the threaded member of the first housing portion.

35. The system according to claim 1,

the second housing portion moveable relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion between at least a first position and a second position.

36. The system according to claim 35,

wherein the transfer guard is connectable to the second housing portion while the second housing portion is in the second position.

37. The system according to claim 35, the system further comprising:

a bias member arranged to impart a bias force on the second housing portion.

38. The system according to claim 37,

wherein the bias member comprises a spring.

39. The system according to claim 37, the system further comprising:

a latch for supporting the second housing portion when the second housing portion is in the second position and the latch is in a first latch position and for allowing the second housing portion to move to the first position when the latch is in a second latch position;

wherein in a case where the latch is in the first latch position, the bias member is biased toward an expanded position and is held compressed by the second housing portion;

wherein in a case where the latch is in the second latch position, the bias member pushes on the second housing portion so as to move the second housing portion to the first position.

40. The system according to claim 39, the system further comprising:

a first button for moving the latch between the first latch position and the second latch position.

41. The system according to claim 40,

the first button for moving the latch between the second latch position and the first latch position.

42. The system according to claim 40, the system further comprising:

a second button for moving the latch between the second latch position and the first latch position.

43. A method for transferring fluidic media, the method comprising:

providing a first housing portion having a latitudinal dimension; and

locating a second housing portion operatively connected to the first housing portion, the second housing portion for moving relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion;

configuring one of the first and second housing portions to be removably connectable to a transfer guard, the transfer guard for providing a fluid path from a vial to a reservoir;

configuring the other of the first and second housing portions from said one of the first and second housing portions to be operatively engageable to a plunger head positioned in the reservoir; and

configuring the first and second housing portions such that fluidic media is transferred from the vial to the reservoir in a case where the one of the first and second housing portions is connected to the transfer guard, and the other of the first and second housing portions is operatively engaged to the plunger head, and the second housing portion is moved relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion.

44. A system for transferring fluidic media, comprising:

a holding unit for holding a reservoir, the holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; and

a vibrator for vibrating the holding unit so as to vibrate the reservoir.

45. The system of claim 44,

the vibrator configured to vibrate the holding unit when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media, so as to vibrate the reservoir and cause air bubbles within the fluidic media to travel upwards within the reservoir.

46. The system of claim 44,

the vibrator configured to shake the holding unit sufficiently when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media so as to shake air bubbles free in the fluidic media.

47. The system of claim 44, the holding unit comprising:

a first holder; and

a second holder;

the plunger arm moveable within a space between the first holder and the second holder when the reservoir is being held by the first holder and the second holder and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media.

48. The system of claim 47,

the first holder and the second holder connected to the vibrator.

49. The system of claim 47,

wherein said space is also at least partially between the plunger arm and the vibrator.

50. The system of claim 44,

the holding unit configured such that, when the holding unit is holding the reservoir, fluidic media is fillable into the reservoir through a port of the reservoir that is located to an opposite side of said plunger head from said plunger arm.

51. The system of claim 44,

the holding unit configured such that the plunger arm is moveable in a direction toward the vibrator when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media.

52. The system of claim 44, the system further comprising:

one or more latches for preventing the plunger arm from being moved when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and prior to a time when the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media.

53. The system of claim 44, the system further comprising:

a transfer guard for transferring fluidic media from a vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir, the transfer guard including a first end for at least partially surrounding a port of the reservoir when a needle of the transfer guard pierces a septum in the port of the reservoir.

54. The system of claim 44,

the holding unit configured such that a handle connected to the plunger arm is moveable within a space between the reservoir and the vibrator when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media.

55. A method for transferring fluidic media, the method comprising:

providing a holding unit for holding a reservoir, the holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; and

locating a vibrator for vibrating the holding unit so as to vibrate the reservoir.

56. A system for transferring fluidic media, the system comprising:

a housing portion having a latitudinal dimension, the housing portion for supporting a reservoir connectable to a transfer guard for providing a fluid path from a vial to the reservoir;

a bias member operatively engageable with a handle that is operatively engageable to a plunger head positioned in a reservoir, the bias member for moving the handle relative to the latitudinal dimension of the housing portion;

the housing portion and the bias member configured such that fluidic media is transferred from the vial to the reservoir in a case where the housing portion is supporting the reservoir, the bias member is operatively engaged with the handle, the handle is operatively engaged with the plunger head, and the handle is moved relative to the latitudinal dimension of the housing portion.

57. The system according to claim 56, the system further comprising:

a latch for supporting the handle when the latch is in a first position, and for releasing the handle to allow the handle to move when the latch is moved to a second position;

the bias member biased toward an expanded position and held compressed by the handle in a case where the latch is in the first position and the latch is supporting the handle; and

the bias member pushes on the handle so as to move the handle in a case where the latch is moved to the second position to release the handle.

58. The system according to claim 56,

wherein the bias member comprises a spring.

59. The system according to claim 56, the system further comprising:

a plunger arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the plunger arm connectable to the plunger head, the second end of the plunger arm connectable to the handle.

60. The system according to claim 56,

the bias member operatively connected between the housing portion and the handle.

61. The system according to claim 56,

the bias member operatively connected between the reservoir and the handle.

62. A method for transferring fluidic media, the method comprising:

providing a housing portion having a latitudinal dimension, the housing portion for supporting a reservoir connectable to a transfer guard for providing a fluid path from a vial to the reservoir;

locating a bias member operatively engagable with a handle that is operatively engagable to a plunger head positioned in a reservoir, the bias member for moving the handle relative to the latitudinal dimension of the housing portion; and

configuring the housing portion and the bias member such that fluidic media is transferred from the vial to the reservoir in a case where the housing portion is supporting the reservoir, the bias member is operatively engaged with the handle, the handle is operatively engaged with the plunger head, and the handle is moved relative to the latitudinal dimension of the housing portion.

63. A system for automated pressure equalization, the system comprising:

a transfer guard, the transfer guard comprising;

a first needle having a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from an interior volume of a vial to an interior volume of a reservoir;

a second needle having a fluid path for communicating between atmosphere and the interior volume of the vial; and

a bias member connected between an end of the reservoir and a plunger head positioned in the reservoir, the bias member for providing a retaining force behind the plunger head as the plunger head is moved within the reservoir to transfer fluidic media from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir;

the bias member and the transfer guard configured to equalize pressure relative to atmosphere in the interior volume of the vial in a case where the second needle communicates between atmosphere and the interior volume of the vial and the plunger head is moved within the reservoir to transfer fluidic media from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir.

64. The system according to claim 63, the system further comprising:

a membrane located in the fluid path of the second needle, the membrane for substantially preventing addition of water vapor through the second needle to the interior volume of the vial.

65. The system according to claim 64,

wherein the membrane comprises one of a hydrophobic membrane and a hydrophilic membrane.

66. The system according to claim 63, the system further comprising:

a filter located in the fluid path of the first needle, the filter for degassing fluidic media transferred from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir.

67. The system according to claim 66,

wherein the filter comprises one of a hydrophobic filter and a hydrophilic filter.

68. The system according to claim 63,

wherein the bias member comprises a spring.

69. A method for automated pressure equalization, the method comprising:

providing a transfer guard, said providing comprising;

locating a first needle having a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from an interior volume of a vial to an interior volume of a reservoir;

locating a second needle having a fluid path for communicating between atmosphere and the interior volume of the vial;

locating a bias member connected between an end of the reservoir and a plunger head positioned in the reservoir, the bias member for providing a retaining force behind the plunger head as the plunger head is moved within the reservoir to transfer fluidic media from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir; and

configuring the bias member and the transfer guard to equalize pressure relative to atmosphere in the interior volume of the vial in a case where the second needle communicates between atmosphere and the interior volume of the vial and the plunger head is moved within the reservoir to transfer fluidic media from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir.