TRANSCUTANEOUS CONDUIT INSERTION MECHANISM WITH A LIVING HINGE FOR USE WITH A FLUID INFUSION PATCH PUMP DEVICE

• US 20150265765A1
• Filed: 03/18/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Yeung, Hubert K., Yavorsky, Matthew William
• Granted Patent: US 9,610,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1585 Needle inserters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• 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 5/162 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 5/16804 Flow controllers

Abstract

A fluid infusion device and an insertion mechanism are disclosed. The insertion mechanism actuates an assembly having a fluid conduit and a needle. An embodiment of the insertion mechanism includes a first sliding block, a second sliding block, a torsion spring, and a living hinge. The first block is coupled to the conduit to move the conduit in an insertion direction. The second block is coupled to the needle to move the needle in the insertion direction and in a retraction direction, wherein movement of the second block in the insertion direction pushes the first block in the insertion direction. The living hinge is coupled between the torsion spring and the second block. Rotation of the torsion spring during an insertion action actuates the living hinge to move the second block in the insertion direction and, thereafter, in the retraction direction.

Claims

1. An insertion mechanism for actuating a transcutaneous conduit assembly having a fluid conduit and a needle, wherein at least a portion of the needle is initially inside the fluid conduit, the insertion mechanism comprising:

a first sliding block coupled to the fluid conduit to move the fluid conduit in an insertion direction;

a second sliding block coupled to the needle to move the needle in the insertion direction and in a retraction direction, wherein movement of the second sliding block in the insertion direction pushes the first sliding block in the insertion direction;

a torsion spring; and

a living hinge coupled between the torsion spring and the second sliding block, wherein rotation of the torsion spring during an insertion action actuates the living hinge to move the second sliding block in the insertion direction and, thereafter, in the retraction direction.

2. The insertion mechanism of claim 1, wherein the living hinge consists of:

a first living hinge segment coupled to the torsion spring;

a second living hinge segment coupled to the second sliding block; and

a flexible junction segment integrally formed with the first living hinge segment and the second living hinge segment.

3. The insertion mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

the living hinge comprises N living hinge segments integrally formed with N−

1 flexible junction segments;

each of the flexible junction segments serves as a hinge for two adjacent living hinge segments; and

N is an integer greater than one.

4. The insertion mechanism of claim 1, wherein the living hinge is a one-piece component formed from a molded material.

5. The insertion mechanism of claim 4, wherein the living hinge is a one-piece injection molded plastic component.

6. The insertion mechanism of claim 1, wherein the living hinge and the second sliding block are integrally formed as a one-piece component.

7. The insertion mechanism of claim 1, wherein the living hinge and the torsion spring are integrally formed as a one-piece component.

8. A fluid infusion device for delivering a medication fluid to a body, the fluid infusion device comprising:

a housing;

a fluid pump mechanism within the housing;

an inlet conduit assembly in fluid communication with a fluid inlet of the fluid pump mechanism, the inlet conduit assembly comprising structure compatible with a removable fluid cartridge module;

a transcutaneous conduit assembly in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the fluid pump mechanism, the transcutaneous conduit assembly comprising a fluid conduit and a needle; and

an insertion mechanism for actuating the transcutaneous conduit assembly, the insertion mechanism comprising;

a first sliding block coupled to the fluid conduit to move the fluid conduit in an insertion direction;

a second sliding block coupled to the needle to move the needle in the insertion direction and in a retraction direction, wherein movement of the second sliding block in the insertion direction pushes the first sliding block in the insertion direction;

a torsion spring; and

a living hinge coupled between the torsion spring and the second sliding block, wherein rotation of the torsion spring during an insertion action actuates the living hinge to move the second sliding block in the insertion direction and, thereafter, in the retraction direction.

9. The fluid infusion device of claim 8, wherein the living hinge and the second sliding block are integrally formed as a one-piece component.

10. The fluid infusion device of claim 8, wherein the living hinge and the torsion spring are integrally formed as a one-piece component.

11. The fluid infusion device of claim 8, wherein the living hinge consists of:

a first living hinge segment coupled to the torsion spring;

a second living hinge segment coupled to the second sliding block; and

a flexible junction segment integrally formed with the first living hinge segment and the second living hinge segment.

12. The fluid infusion device of claim 8, wherein:

the living hinge comprises N living hinge segments integrally formed with N−

1 flexible junction segments;

each of the flexible junction segments serves as a hinge for two adjacent living hinge segments; and

N is an integer greater than one.

13. The fluid infusion device of claim 8, further comprising a lock mechanism to maintain the first sliding block and the second sliding block in an initial position and to maintain the torsion spring in a loaded state, wherein the lock mechanism is automatically released to activate the insertion mechanism in response to installation of the removable fluid cartridge module.

14. The fluid infusion device of claim 8, wherein the living hinge is a one-piece injection molded plastic component.

15. A fluid infusion device for delivering a medication fluid to a body, the fluid infusion device comprising:

a housing that receives a removable fluid cartridge module;

a transcutaneous conduit assembly comprising a fluid conduit and a needle;

an insertion mechanism for inserting the fluid conduit into the body, the insertion mechanism comprising;

a first sliding block coupled to the fluid conduit to move the fluid conduit in an insertion direction;

a second sliding block coupled to the needle to move the needle in the insertion direction and in a retraction direction, wherein movement of the second sliding block in the insertion direction pushes the first sliding block in the insertion direction;

a torsion spring; and

a living hinge coupled between the torsion spring and the second sliding block, wherein rotation of the torsion spring during an insertion action actuates the living hinge to move the second sliding block in the insertion direction and, thereafter, in the retraction direction; and

a lock mechanism to maintain the first sliding block and the second sliding block in an initial position and to maintain the torsion spring in a loaded state, wherein the lock mechanism is automatically released to activate the insertion mechanism when the removable fluid cartridge module is installed in the housing.

16. The fluid infusion device of claim 15, wherein the living hinge and the second sliding block are integrally formed as a one-piece component.

17. The fluid infusion device of claim 15, wherein the living hinge and the torsion spring are integrally formed as a one-piece component.

18. The fluid infusion device of claim 15, wherein the living hinge consists of:

a first living hinge segment coupled to the torsion spring;

a second living hinge segment coupled to the second sliding block; and

a flexible junction segment integrally formed with the first living hinge segment and the second living hinge segment.

19. The fluid infusion device of claim 15, wherein:

the living hinge comprises N living hinge segments integrally formed with N−

1 flexible junction segments;

each of the flexible junction segments serves as a hinge for two adjacent living hinge segments; and

N is an integer greater than one.

20. The fluid infusion device of claim 15, wherein the living hinge is a one-piece injection molded plastic component.