FLUID CONDUIT ASSEMBLY WITH AIR VENTING FEATURES

• US 20160144102A1
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Published: 05/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Montalvo, Susan McConnell
• Granted Patent: US 9,833,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/205 comprising air venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/145 using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. pressurised by means of pistons
• 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 5/38 using hydrophilic or hydrophobic filters

Abstract

A fluid conduit assembly for delivery of a medication fluid, and an associated fluid delivery system, are disclosed here. The fluid conduit assembly includes a trapping chamber having an interior volume to receive the medication fluid. The fluid conduit assembly also includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, a first outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, and a second outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber. The first outlet arrangement accommodates flow of liquid from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume. The second outlet arrangement accommodates flow of gas from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume.

Claims

1. A fluid conduit assembly for delivery of a medication fluid, the fluid conduit assembly comprising:

a trapping chamber comprising an interior volume to receive the medication fluid;

an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume;

a first outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, the first outlet arrangement accommodating flow of liquid from the interior volume and inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume; and

a second outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, the second outlet arrangement accommodating flow of gas from the interior volume and inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume.

2. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hollow needle coupled to the inlet, wherein the medication fluid enters the interior volume of the trapping chamber via the hollow needle during a fluid delivery operation.

3. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first outlet arrangement comprises:

a delivery hole formed in a wall of the trapping chamber; and

a first membrane covering at least a portion of the delivery hole, the first membrane having hydrophilic properties.

4. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 3, wherein the second outlet arrangement comprises:

a vent hole formed in the wall of the trapping chamber; and

a second membrane covering at least a portion of the vent hole, the second membrane having hydrophobic properties.

5. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 3, wherein the first membrane completely covers the delivery hole.

6. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the second outlet arrangement comprises:

a vent hole formed in a wall of the trapping chamber; and

a second membrane covering at least a portion of the vent hole, the second membrane having hydrophobic properties.

7. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 6, wherein the first outlet arrangement comprises:

a delivery hole formed in the wall of the trapping chamber; and

a first membrane covering at least a portion of the delivery hole, the first membrane having hydrophilic properties.

8. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 6, wherein the second membrane completely covers the vent hole.

9. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a length of hollow tubing in fluid communication with the first outlet arrangement.

10. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the trapping chamber is integrally formed in a reservoir cap of a fluid infusion device.

11. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the trapping chamber is integrally formed in a fluid connector.

12. A fluid conduit assembly comprising:

a trapping chamber comprising an interior volume to receive fluid;

an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume;

a delivery hole formed in a wall of the trapping chamber;

a first membrane covering the delivery hole, the first membrane having hydrophilic properties to accommodate flow of liquid from the interior volume through the delivery hole while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume through the delivery hole;

a vent hole formed in the wall of the trapping chamber; and

a second membrane covering the vent hole, the second membrane having hydrophobic properties to accommodate flow of gas from the interior volume through the vent hole while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume through the vent hole.

13. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 12, further comprising a hollow needle coupled to the inlet, wherein the hollow needle is compatible with a fluid delivery source that delivers fluid to the interior volume of the trapping chamber via the hollow needle.

14. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

a length of hollow tubing in fluid communication with the delivery hole.

15. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 12, wherein the vent hole exits into external airspace surrounding the trapping chamber.

16. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 12, wherein the trapping chamber is integrally formed in a reservoir cap of a fluid infusion device.

17. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 12, wherein the trapping chamber is integrally formed in a fluid connector.

18. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a fluid infusion pump; and

a fluid conduit assembly coupled to the fluid infusion pump, the fluid conduit assembly comprising;

a trapping chamber having an interior volume to receive fluid from a fluid source;

a liquid outlet arrangement that allows liquid to flow from the interior volume to a fluid delivery conduit while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume to the fluid delivery conduit; and

a gas outlet arrangement that allows gas to exit the interior volume while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume.

19. The fluid delivery system of claim 18, wherein:

the liquid outlet arrangement comprises a delivery hole formed in a wall of the trapping chamber, and a first membrane covering the delivery hole, the first membrane having hydrophilic properties; and

the gas outlet arrangement comprises a vent hole formed in the wall of the trapping chamber, and a second membrane covering the vent hole, the second membrane having hydrophobic properties.

20. The fluid delivery system of claim 18, wherein:

the fluid conduit assembly comprises a reservoir cap for the fluid infusion pump; and

the trapping chamber is integrated in the reservoir cap.

21. The fluid delivery system of claim 20, wherein:

the reservoir cap includes a pressure vent formed therein to equalize pressure inside a housing of the fluid infusion pump; and

the pressure vent is external to the trapping chamber.

22. The fluid delivery system of claim 21, wherein:

the liquid outlet arrangement comprises a delivery hole formed in a wall of the trapping chamber, and a first membrane covering the delivery hole, the first membrane having hydrophilic properties;

the gas outlet arrangement comprises a vent hole formed in the wall of the trapping chamber, and a second membrane covering the vent hole, the second membrane having hydrophobic properties; and

the second membrane also covers the pressure vent.