ALIGNMENT AND CONNECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20110160678A1
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Quitoviera, Neil Andre, Chong, Colin A., Bikovsky, Rafael, Ibranyan, Arsen, Yavorsky, Matthew William, Alexander, Mona-Lisa
• Granted Patent: US 8,998,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/244
• 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 2005/1583 Needle extractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1585 Needle inserters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1066 having protection means, e.g. sliding sleeve to protect connector itself, shrouds to protect a needle present in the connector, protective housing, isolating sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 Glucose concentration
• 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 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A connecting structure for connecting a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member may include a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber in which a needle and a pierceable member surrounding a piercing end of the needle may be supported. The second member may include a connection portion that has a septum supported in an interior chamber having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure upon moving the first member and the second member together to push the pierceable member toward the piercing end of the needle to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the pierceable member and the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

Claims

1. A connecting structure for connecting a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the connecting structure comprising:

a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;

a needle supported within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end;

a pierceable member provided within the interior chamber, adjacent the opening of the receptacle structuring, the pierceable member surrounding the piercing end of the needle;

a connection portion provided on the second member, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are moved relative to each other; and

a septum supported by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening of the connection portion;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to push the pierceable member toward the piercing end of the needle to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the pierceable member and the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

2. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1,

wherein the pierceable member is collapsible from a first state to a second state;

and

wherein the pierceable member is collapsed from the first state to the second state as the connection portion pushes the pierceable member toward the end of the needle.

3. The connecting structure as recited in claim 2,

wherein the pierceable member is expandable from the second state to the first state;

and

wherein the pierceable member is expanded from the second state to the first state as the connection portion is withdrawn from the opening of the receptacle structure.

4. The connecting structure as recited in claim 2, wherein the pierceable member includes a plurality of corrugations to allow the pierceable member to be collapsible.

5. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1,

the pierceable member having an interior volume;

wherein the piercing end of the needle is arranged in the interior volume of the pierceable member.

6. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1, the system further comprising:

a receptacle supported by the connection portion of the second member in a position to guide the needle as the needle pierces the septum.

7. The connecting structure as recited in claim 6,

the septum having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;

wherein the septum is positioned in the opening of the connection portion such that the first surface of the septum is pierced by the needle before the second surface of the septum as the first and second members are moved together; and

wherein the receptacle is positioned adjacent the first surface of the septum.

8. The connecting structure as recited in claim 6, wherein the receptacle is a conically-shaped member.

9. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the septum includes a perforation through which the piercing end of the needle is inserted.

10. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1,

wherein the second member comprises a reservoir for containing fluidic media;

and

wherein the connection portion of the second member comprises a portion of the reservoir.

11. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1,

wherein the receptacle structure is fixed with respect to a base portion;

and

wherein the connection portion of the second member is provided in a housing that is connectable to the base portion.

12. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1,

the needle having a first opening into which fluid may flow and a second opening out of which fluid may flow;

wherein the second opening of the needle is provided in fluid flow communication with a needle injection site channel; and

wherein the needle injection site channel has an opening that is connectable to a needle inserting device for receiving at least a portion of a needle from the needle inserting device.

13. The connecting structure as recited in claim 12,

wherein the receptacle structure is fixed with respect to a base portion;

wherein the connection portion of the second member is provided in a housing that is connectable to the base portion; and

wherein the housing includes a recess through which a needle inserting device may extend when connected to the opening of the needle injection site channel.

14. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1, the system further comprising:

a groove provided in one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion; and

a protrusion arranged on the other of the receptacle structure and the connection to be received in the groove of the one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion as the first member and the second member are moved together;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the protrusion is received into the groove and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

15. The connecting structure as recited in claim 14,

wherein the protrusion is arranged on the connection portion;

wherein the needle is arranged to extend out of the receptacle structure a first distance; and

wherein the protrusion includes a portion that extends from the connection portion a second distance greater than the first distance that the needle extends out of the receptacle structure.

16. The connecting structure as recited in claim 15, wherein the protrusion extends in a same direction as the needle to engage the receptacle before the needle contacts the septum.

17. The connecting structure as recited in claim 1, the structure further comprising:

a receptacle provided on a third member, the receptacle having an interior and an opening into the interior; and

a protrusion member provided on the second member, the protrusion member having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle of the third member;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the protrusion member is received into the receptacle and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

18. A method of making a connecting structure for connecting a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the method comprising:

providing a receptacle structure on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;

supporting a needle within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end;

providing a pierceable member within the interior chamber, adjacent the opening of the receptacle structuring, the pierceable member surrounding the piercing end of the needle;

providing a connection portion on the second member, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are moved relative to each other; and

supporting a septum by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening of the connection portion;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to push the pierceable member toward the piercing end of the needle to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the pierceable member and the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

19. An alignment system for aligning a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the alignment system comprising:

a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;

a connection portion provided on the second member, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are moved relative to each other;

a groove provided in one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion;

a protrusion arranged on the other of the receptacle structure and the connection portion to be insertable into the groove of the one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion as the opening of the receptacle structure receives the connection portion;

a needle supported within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end; and

a septum supported by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening of the connection portion;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the protrusion is received into the groove and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure piercing to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

20. The alignment system of claim 19,

wherein the protrusion is arranged on the connection portion;

wherein the needle is arranged to extend out of the receptacle structure a first distance; and

wherein the protrusion includes a portion that extends from the connection portion a second distance greater than the first distance that the needle extends out of the receptacle structure.

21. The alignment system of claim 20, wherein the protrusion is arranged on the connection portion such that the portion of the protrusion is received in the groove of the receptacle structure before the needle pierces septum.

22. The alignment system of claim 20, the system further comprising:

a pierceable member provided within the interior chamber, adjacent the opening of the receptacle structuring, the pierceable member surrounding the end of the needle, the pierceable member arranged to extend out of the receptacle structure a third distance;

wherein the second distance that the portion of the protrusion extends from the connection portion is greater than the third distance that the pierceable member extends out of the receptacle structure; and

wherein the protrusion is arranged on the connection portion such that the portion of the protrusion is insertable into the groove of the receptacle structure before the connection portion receives a portion of the pierceable member.

23. The alignment system of claim 19, wherein the protrusion extends in a same direction as the needle to engage the receptacle before the needle contacts the septum.

24. The alignment system of claim 19,

wherein the second member comprises a reservoir for containing fluidic media;

and

wherein the connection portion of the second member comprises a portion of the reservoir.

25. The alignment system of claim 24, wherein the protrusion extends substantially along the portion of the reservoir.

26. The alignment system of claim 19,

wherein the receptacle structure is fixed with respect to a base portion;

and

wherein the connection portion of the second member is provided in a housing that is connectable to the base portion.

27. The alignment system of claim 19, the structure further comprising:

a receptacle provided on a third member, the receptacle having an interior and an opening into the interior; and

a protrusion member provided on the second member, the protrusion member having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle of the third member;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the protrusion member is received into the receptacle and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

28. A method of manufacturing an alignment system for aligning a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the method comprising:

providing a receptacle structure on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;

providing a connection portion on the second member, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are moved relative to each other;

providing a groove in one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion;

arranging a protrusion on the other of the receptacle structure and the connection portion to be insertable into the groove of the one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion as the opening of the receptacle structure receives the connection portion;

supporting a needle within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end; and

supporting a septum by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening of the connection portion;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the protrusion is received into the groove and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure piercing to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

29. An alignment system for aligning a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the alignment system comprising:

a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;

a connection portion provided on the second member, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are moved relative to each other;

a receptacle provided on a third member, the receptacle having an interior and an opening into the interior; and

a protrusion member provided on the second member, the protrusion member having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle of the third member;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the protrusion member is received into the receptacle and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure piercing to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

30. The alignment system of claim 29,

wherein the second member comprises a reservoir for containing fluidic media;

and

wherein the connection portion of the second member comprises a portion of the reservoir.

31. The alignment system of claim 30, wherein the protrusion member is separate and apart from the portion of the reservoir.

32. The alignment system of claim 30, wherein the portion of the reservoir comprises a port of the reservoir from which fluidic media is expelled.

33. The alignment system of claim 29,

wherein the receptacle structure is fixed with respect to a base portion;

and

wherein the connection portion of the second member is provided in a housing that is connectable to the base portion.

34. The alignment system of claim 29,

wherein the second opening of the needle is provided in fluid flow communication with a needle injection site channel;

and

wherein the needle injection site channel has an opening that is connectable to a needle inserting device for receiving at least a portion of a needle from the needle inserting device.

35. The alignment system of claim 29,

wherein the receptacle structure is fixed with respect to a base portion;

wherein the connection portion of the second member is provided in a housing that is connectable to the base portion; and

wherein the housing includes a recess through which a needle inserting device may extend when connected to the opening of the needle injection site channel.

36. The alignment system of claim 29, the system further comprising:

a needle supported within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end; and

a septum supported by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening of the connection portion;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the protrusion is received into the groove and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.

37. The alignment system of claim 36, wherein the protrusion member extends in a same direction as the needle to engage the receptacle before the needle contacts the septum.

38. The alignment system of claim 36, the system further comprising:

a pierceable member provided within the interior chamber, adjacent the opening of the receptacle structuring, the pierceable member surrounding the end of the needle, the pierceable member arranged to extend out of the receptacle structure a third distance;

wherein the second distance that the portion of the protrusion extends from the connection portion is greater than the third distance that the pierceable member extends out of the receptacle structure; and

wherein the protrusion is arranged on the connection portion such that the portion of the protrusion is insertable into the groove of the receptacle structure before the connection portion receives a portion of the pierceable member.

39. A method of manufacturing an alignment system for aligning a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the method comprising:

providing a receptacle structure on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;

providing a connection portion on the second member, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are moved relative to each other;

providing a receptacle on a third member, the receptacle having an interior and an opening into the interior; and

providing a protrusion member on the second member, the protrusion member having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle of the third member;

wherein, upon moving the first member and the second member together, the protrusion member is received into the receptacle and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure piercing to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.