SMART CONNECTION INTERFACE

• US 20160015885A1
• Filed: 07/16/2015
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Pananen, Jacob E., Bazargan, Afshin, Vazquez, Pablo, Yu, Edmond W.
• Granted Patent: US 11,185,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1418 Threaded type
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1481 with connection retaining means, e.g. thread or snap-fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/18 Arrangements for indicating condition of container contents, e.g. sterile condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1005 Detection of disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1016 Unlocking means providing a secure or comfortable disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1022 additionally providing electrical connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1044 Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1094 at least partly incompatible with standard connectors, e.g. to prevent fatal mistakes in connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0227 Materials having sensing or indicating function, e.g. indicating a pressure increase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0272 Electro-active or magneto-active materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0288 Electro-rheological or magneto-rheological materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/121 interface between cassette and base
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 : by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 : by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 : Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 : Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 : Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 : Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 : Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1055 : Rotating or swivel joints in general F16L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 : for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 : Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 : Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• 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 5/14566 : with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 : for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 : Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/00 : Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/02 : operating with propagation of electric current
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/08 : operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The reservoir, a base and a cap are connected to form an integrated unit that is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing. The cap and the infusion pump are each provided with at least one sensor or at least one detectable feature, arranged to interact with at least one corresponding detectable feature or sensor on the other of the cap and infusion pump device, to detect one or more of the presence, position or other characteristic of the cap when the cap is aligned or coupled with the infusion pump housing. The detectable feature and sensor may be magnetic, RF, mechanical, optical or any combination.

Claims

1. A connector interface system, comprising:

a cap to connect to a reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit for installation into an infusion pump device; and

at least one mechanically detectable feature arranged on the cap for detection by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

2. A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of mechanically detectable features arranged at different respective locations on the cap.

3. A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of mechanically detectable features in locations that allow the mechanically detectable features to mechanically interact with the at least one sensor element to provide detectable signals for detection of axial or rotational motion or position of the cap or the reservoir relative to the reservoir receptacle, when the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle.

4. A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature is arranged on the cap or on the reservoir, at a location to be detected by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir/cap unit is fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device, but not detected by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir/cap unit is not fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

5. A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises at least one protrusion on an outer surface of the cap or the reservoir.

6. A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of protrusions at mutually different locations on the cap or the reservoir.

7. A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises first and second protrusions located about 180 degrees from each other with respect to a central axis through the reservoir/cap unit.

8. A connector interface system, comprising:

a reservoir to be received within a reservoir receptacle of an infusion pump device, the reservoir to contain infusion media to be selectively dispensed from the reservoir when the reservoir is received within the reservoir receptacle;

a connector interface to connect the reservoir with the infusion pump device, the connector interface comprising a cap to connect to the reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit;

an infusion set coupled to the cap via a tubing for conveying infusion media dispensed from the reservoir; and

at least one mechanically detectable feature arranged on the cap for detection by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

9. A connector interface system as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of mechanically detectable features arranged at different respective locations on the cap.

10. A connector interface system as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of mechanically detectable features in locations that allow the mechanically detectable features to mechanically interact with the at least one sensor element to provide detectable signals for detection of axial or rotational motion or position of the cap or the reservoir relative to the reservoir receptacle, when the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle.

11. A connector interface system as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature is arranged on the cap or on the reservoir, at a location to be detected by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir/cap unit is fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device, but not detected by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir/cap unit is not fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

12. A connector interface system as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises at least one protrusion on an outer surface of the cap or the reservoir.

13. A connector interface system as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of protrusions at mutually different locations on the cap or the reservoir.

14. A connector interface system as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises first and second protrusions located about 180 degrees from each other with respect to a central axis through the reservoir/cap unit.

15. An infusion pump system, comprising:

an infusion pump device having a reservoir receptacle to receive a reservoir containing infusion media and to selectively dispense the infusion media from the reservoir when the reservoir is received within the reservoir receptacle;

the reservoir for containing the infusion media;

at least one sensor element held by the infusion pump device;

a connector interface to connect the reservoir with the infusion pump device, the connector interface comprising a cap to connect to the reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit; and

at least one mechanically detectable feature arranged on the cap for detection by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

16. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of mechanically detectable features arranged at different respective locations on the cap.

17. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of mechanically detectable features in locations that allow the mechanically detectable features to mechanically interact with the at least one sensor element to provide detectable signals for detection of axial or rotational motion or position of the cap or the reservoir relative to the reservoir receptacle, when the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle.

18. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature is arranged on the cap or on the reservoir, at a location to be detected by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir/cap unit is fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device, but not detected by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir/cap unit is not fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

19. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises at least one protrusion on an outer surface of the cap or the reservoir.

20. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises a plurality of protrusions at mutually different locations on the cap or the reservoir.

21. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature comprises first and second protrusions located about 180 degrees from each other with respect to a central axis through the reservoir/cap unit.

22. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein the infusion pump device includes electronics for controlling the selective dispensing of infusion media from the reservoir when the reservoir is received within the reservoir receptacle, the electronics configured to inhibit dispensing of infusion media from the reservoir unless the at least one mechanically detectable feature is detected by the sensor element.

23. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor element comprises at least one moveable actuator arranged on the infusion pump device, and wherein the at least one mechanically detectable feature is provided on at least one predefined location of the cap or the reservoir, for engagement with at least one moveable actuator on the infusion pump device when the reservoir/cap unit is fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

24. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 23, wherein the infusion pump device has a housing portion in which a channel is located, the channel having a longitudinal dimension, the channel being open to the reservoir receptacle on one end of its longitudinal dimension, and

wherein the at least one moveable actuator comprises a moveable member arranged within the channel, the moveable member having a first end arranged within the housing portion of the infusion pump device, the moveable member having a second end arranged to extend through the open end of the channel and into the reservoir receptacle for engaging the cap or the reservoir when the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

25. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 24, wherein the moveable member is made of a compressible material that compresses in at least one dimension and expands in at least one other dimension when the second end of the moveable member is engaged by the cap or the reservoir as the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

26. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 24, wherein the at least one sensor element comprises an electrical switch located in the infusion pump device housing, wherein the first end of the moveable member is arranged adjacent the electrical switch, and wherein the moveable member is arranged to activate the electrical switch when the moveable member expands in said other dimension;

27. An infusion pump system as recited in claim 24, wherein the moveable member includes at least one seal for sealing the channel to inhibit the passage of fluid through the channel, the at least one seal comprising at least one seal structure on the moveable member and that engages an inner surface of the channel.