SYSTEMS AND METHODS ALLOWING FOR RESERVOIR FILLING AND INFUSION MEDIUM DELIVERY

• US 20090171291A1
• Filed: 01/13/2009
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Moberg, Sheldon B., Kavazov, Julian D., Luan, Truong Gia, Hanson, Ian B., Bente, Paul F. IV, Mounce, R. Paul, Kovelman, Paul H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,840,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/154
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1406 Septums, pierceable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14252 with needle insertion means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14573 with a replaceable reservoir for quick connection/disconnection with a driving system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• 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 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/385 using hydrophobic filters

Abstract

A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.

Claims

1. A method for using a system, the system comprising a reservoir, a piston disposed at least partially within the reservoir, a plunger shaft connected to the piston, and a handle, the plunger shaft having a mating portion for mating with a linkage portion of a drive device, the handle having a handle mating portion for mating with the mating portion of the plunger shaft, the method comprising:

mating the handle mating portion of the handle with the mating portion of the plunger shaft so as to connect the handle to the plunger shaft;

establishing a transfer path for transferring an infusion medium from an infusion medium container to the reservoir; and

pulling the handle to move the plunger shaft so as to move the piston to allow the infusion medium to fill into the reservoir from the infusion medium container.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

disconnecting the handle from the plunger shaft.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

mating the linkage portion of the drive device with the mating portion of the plunger shaft after the handle has been disconnected from the plunger shaft.

4. The method of claim 3,

wherein the drive device comprises a motor;

and

wherein the method further comprises;

controlling the motor to move the linkage portion of the drive device to move the plunger shaft so as to move the piston to force the infusion medium out of the reservoir.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein the handle comprises a gripping arm;

and

wherein the step of mating the handle mating portion of the handle with the mating portion of the plunger shaft, comprises;

mating the handle mating portion of the handle with the mating portion of the plunger shaft; and

rotating the handle so as to position the gripping arm of the handle in a position to grip the plunger shaft.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of establishing the transfer path, comprises:

connecting a transfer guard to a port of the reservoir; and

connecting the infusion medium container to the transfer guard.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

disconnecting the transfer guard from the port of the reservoir; and

connecting the port of the reservoir to an infusion path that allows for a transfer of the infusion medium from the reservoir to a body of a user.

8. A method, comprising:

mating a handle mating portion of a handle with a mating portion of a plunger shaft;

pulling the handle to move the plunger shaft to move a piston within a reservoir to cause an infusion medium to fill into the reservoir;

mating a linkage portion of a drive device with the mating portion of the plunger shaft; and

controlling the drive device to drive the plunger shaft so as to move the piston to force the infusion medium out of the reservoir.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

disconnecting the handle from the plunger shaft after pulling the handle and before mating the linkage portion of the drive device with the mating portion of the plunger shaft.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

connecting a transfer guard to a port of the reservoir; and

connecting an infusion medium container that contains the infusion medium to the transfer guard.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

disconnecting the transfer guard from the port of the reservoir; and

connecting the port of the reservoir to an infusion path to allow for a transfer of the infusion medium from the reservoir to a body.

12. A method, comprising:

mating a handle mating portion of a handle with a mating portion of a plunger shaft, the plunger shaft connected to a piston that is within a reservoir;

establishing a transfer path for transferring an infusion medium from an infusion medium container to the reservoir; and

pulling the handle to move the plunger shaft so as to move the piston to allow the infusion medium to fill into the reservoir from the infusion medium container.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

disconnecting the handle from the plunger shaft.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

mating a linkage portion of a drive device with the mating portion of the plunger shaft after the handle has been disconnected from the plunger shaft.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

controlling the drive device to move the plunger shaft so as to move the piston to force the infusion medium out of the reservoir.