SEALING ASSEMBLY FOR A FLUID RESERVOIR OF A FLUID INFUSION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A sealing assembly for a fluid infusion device that cooperates with a fluid reservoir having a fluid delivery port, the sealing assembly comprising:
- a base plate;
a hollow fluid delivery needle coupled to the base plate to provide a fluid flow path from the fluid reservoir to a user of the fluid infusion device; and
a sealing element coupled to the base plate and overlying at least a portion of the hollow fluid delivery needle, the sealing element comprising;
a base section;
a tip section extending from the base section;
a retractable body section between the base section and the tip section;
a needle cavity formed in the retractable body section and continuing through the base section to define a needle opening in the base section, the needle cavity sized to receive the hollow fluid delivery needle; and
a self-sealing slit formed in the tip section to accommodate the hollow fluid delivery needle when the sealing element is in a retracted position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A sealing assembly for a fluid infusion device that cooperates with a fluid reservoir having a fluid delivery port, the sealing assembly comprising:
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a base plate; a hollow fluid delivery needle coupled to the base plate to provide a fluid flow path from the fluid reservoir to a user of the fluid infusion device; and a sealing element coupled to the base plate and overlying at least a portion of the hollow fluid delivery needle, the sealing element comprising; a base section; a tip section extending from the base section; a retractable body section between the base section and the tip section; a needle cavity formed in the retractable body section and continuing through the base section to define a needle opening in the base section, the needle cavity sized to receive the hollow fluid delivery needle; and a self-sealing slit formed in the tip section to accommodate the hollow fluid delivery needle when the sealing element is in a retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sealing assembly for a fluid infusion device that cooperates with a fluid reservoir having a fluid delivery port, the sealing assembly comprising:
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a base plate; a hollow fluid delivery needle coupled to the base plate to provide a fluid flow path from the fluid reservoir to a user of the fluid infusion device; and a sealing element coupled to the base plate and overlying at least a portion of the hollow fluid delivery needle, the sealing element comprising; a base section; a tip section extending from the base section; a retractable body section between the base section and the tip section; and a needle cavity formed in the retractable body section and continuing through the base section to define a needle opening in the base section, the needle cavity sized to receive the hollow fluid delivery needle, and the needle cavity defining internal relief features of the retractable body section;
wherein;the internal relief features promote deformation of the sealing element and retraction of the sealing element over the hollow fluid delivery needle in response to a longitudinal force applied to the tip section of the sealing element; and the internal relief features cause the sealing element to automatically extend over the hollow fluid delivery needle into a nominal state in response to removal of the longitudinal force. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification