Reservoir connector

• US 6,585,695 B1
• Filed: 10/28/1999
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Minimed, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Adair, Randy W., Srisathapat, Chalirmkiert, Moberg, Sheldon
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lam, Ann Y
• Application Number:
  US09/428,818
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 604/183, 604/181, 604/187, 604/533, 604/523, 604/535, 604/905, 604/240, 604/241, 604/242, 604/403, 604/411, 604/415
• US Class Current: 604/183
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1623 Details of air intake
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/205 comprising air venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• 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 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• 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 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49764 with testing or indicating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. A base is provided which is adapted to receive a reservoir. The base has a base engagement member, such as a detent, projecting therefrom. A cap is provided which is adapted to receive the base. The cap includes a first cap engagement member, such as a detent opening, which is adapted to removably engage the base detent. The cap further includes a second cap detent opening which is adapted to removably engage the base detent. A piercing member, such as a needle, is disposed in the interior of the cap in such a manner that the needle is separated from the reservoir septum when the base detent is in the first cap detent opening, and the needle pierces the reservoir septum when the base detent is in the second cap detent opening. When the reservoir, the base and the cap are connected to form an integrated unit, this unit is then capable of being inserted and secured in the infusion pump housing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a conduit, the apparatus comprising:

a cap having a piercing member that is coupled with the conduit and a vent port in the cap, the vent port covered with hydrophobic material, wherein the vent port permits the passage of air and inhibits the passage of fluids;

a releasable coupler adapted to releasably couple the base with the cap in one of a first and a second position; and

wherein the piercing member is disposed in the cap in a position other than the interior of the reservoir when the base is coupled in the first position, and the piercing member is disposed in the cap to pierce the reservoir septum when the base is coupled in the second position.

2. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a conduit and to a housing having a housing engagement member, said apparatus comprising:

a cap having a piercing member that is coupled with the conduit and including means for venting the housing to the atmosphere without permitting liquids to pass through the venting means;

a releasable coupler adapted to releasably couple the base with the cap in one of a first and a second position;

wherein the piercing member disposed in the cap in a position other than the interior of the reservoir when the base is coupled in the first position, and the piercing member disposed in the cap to pierce the reservoir septum when the base is coupled in the second position; and

a cap engagement member disposed on the cap, the cap engagement member adapted to engage the housing engagement member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cap further comprises a second cap engagement member adapted to engage the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a vent port in the cap, the vent port covered with a hydrophobic material.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cap further comprises a shoulder adapted to sealingly engage the housing.

6. A method of connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a conduit, the method comprising:

inserting the base into a cap having a piercing member and a coupler, the piercing member coupled to the conduit, and the coupler adapted to releasably couple the base with the cap in one of a first and a second position;

releasably coupling the base to the cap in the first position whereby the piercing member is disposed in the cap in a position other than the interior of the reservoir;

releasably coupling the base to the cap in the second position whereby the piercing member is disposed in the cap to pierce the reservoir septum; and

venting the housing through a vent port in the cap, said vent port containing hydrophobic material.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the cap further comprises a second releasable coupler, said method further comprising:

coupling the reservoir, the base and the cap to a housing whereby the second releasable coupler releasably engages with the housing.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the cap further comprises a cap engagement member adapted to engage the exterior of a housing.

9. A method of connecting a reservoir to a housing and to a conduit, said reservoir having a septum and a base with a detent tab, and said housing having a first thread member, the method comprising:

inserting the base to a first detent position in a cap having a piercing member coupled to the conduit and a second thread member, whereby the piercing member is disposed in the cap to be at a position other than the interior of the reservoir;

inserting the base to a second detent position in the cap whereby the piercing member is disposed in the cap to pierce the reservoir septum;

connecting the reservoir, the base and the cap to the housing whereby the second thread member engages with the first thread member; and

venting the housing through a vent that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids.

10. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a conduit, said apparatus comprising:

a cap adapted to receive the base;

means in the cap for piercing the reservoir septum;

means for removably coupling the base with the cap in one of a first and a second position whereby the piercing means is disposed in the cap and does not pierce the reservoir septum when the base is coupled in the first position and whereby the piercing means is disposed in the cap and pierces the reservoir septum when the base is coupled in the second position;

means for coupling the piercing means with the conduit; and

means for permitting air to flow through an opening in the cap without permitting liquids to pass through the opening.

11. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a housing and to a conduit, said apparatus comprising:

a cap adapted to receive the base;

means in the cap for piercing the reservoir septum;

means for removably coupling the base with the cap in one of a first and a second position whereby the piercing means is disposed in the cap and does not pierce the reservoir septum when the base is coupled in the first position and whereby the piercing means is disposed in the cap an pierces the reservoir septum when the base is coupled in the second position;

means for coupling the piercing means with the conduit;

means for removably engaging the cap with the housing; and

a vent that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids.

12. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit, said conduit coupled to a piercing member disposed in a cap, the apparatus comprising:

a base adapted to receive the reservoir and to be received by the cap;

a releasable coupler adapted to releasably couple the base and the reservoir with the cap in one of a first and a second position;

said releasable coupler adapted to position the reservoir septum whereby the piercing member is disposed in the cap in a position other than the interior of the reservoir when the base and reservoir are coupled in the first position, and to position the reservoir septum to be pierced by the piercing member when the base and the reservoir are coupled in the second position; and

a vent that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids.

13. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a conduit, the apparatus comprising:

a cap adapted to receive the base and having a piercing member;

a releasable coupler adapted to releasably couple the base with the cap; and

a vent port in the cap, the vent port covered with hydrophobic material;

wherein the piercing member is coupled to the conduit and disposed in the cap to pierce the reservoir septum when the base is inserted into the cap.

14. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a conduit and to a housing having a housing engagement member, said apparatus comprising:

a cap adapted to receive the base and having a piercing member and means for venting the housing to the atmosphere without permitting liquids to pass through the venting means;

a releasable coupler adapted to releasably couple the base with the cap;

wherein the piercing member is coupled to the conduit and disposed to pierce the reservoir septum when the base is inserted in the cap; and

a cap engagement member disposed on the cap, the cap engagement member adapted to engage the housing engagement member.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the cap further comprises a second cap engagement member adapted to engage the housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a vent port in the cap, the vent port covered with a hydrophobic material.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the cap further comprises a shoulder adapted to sealingly engage the housing.

18. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit and to a housing having a first thread member, the apparatus comprising:

a base adapted to receive the reservoir;

a detent tab projecting from the base;

a cap adapted to receive the base, said cap having a piercing member and a longitudinal entry slot adapted to receive the detent tab and a vent that permits the passage of air and simultaneously and inhibits the passage of fluids;

an annular stop shoulder disposed in the cap at the distal end of the entry slot to prevent further longitudinal movement of the detent tab;

said cap having a detent opening formed adjacent to the annular stop shoulder and adapted to removably engage the detent tab;

a cam surface disposed between the distal end of the entry slot and the detent opening to permit the detent tab to travel from the distal end of the entry slot and to engage the detent opening;

wherein the piercing member is coupled to the conduit and disposed in the cap to pierce the reservoir septum when the base and reservoir are inserted in the cap; and

a second thread member disposed on the cap, the second thread member adapted to engage the first thread member.

19. A method of connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a conduit, the method comprising:

inserting the base and reservoir into a cap having a piercing member and a coupler and a second releasable coupler, the piercing member coupled to the conduit, and the coupler adapted to releasably couple the base with the cap;

piercing the reservoir septum with the piercing member disposed in the cap;

releasably coupling the base to the cap;

coupling the reservoir, the base and the cap to a housing whereby the second releasable coupler releasably engages with the housing; and

venting the housing through a vent port in the cap, said vent port containing hydrophobic material.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the cap further comprises a cap engagement member adapted to engage the exterior of the housing.

21. A method of connecting a reservoir to a housing and to a conduit, said reservoir having a septum and a base with a detent tab, and said housing having a first thread member, the method comprising:

inserting the base and reservoir into a cap having

(i) a piercing member coupled to the conduit;

(ii) a longitudial entry slot adapted to receive the detent tab;

(iii) an annular stop shoulder disposed at the distal end of the entry slot to prevent further longitudinal movement of the detent tab;

(iv) a detent opening formed adjacent to the annular stop shoulder and adapted to removably engage the detent tab; and

(v) a cam surface disposed between the distal end of the entry slot and the detent opening to permit the detent tab to travel from the distal end of the entry slot and to engage the detent opening;

sliding the base and reservoir in the cap until the detent tab abuts the annular stop shoulder;

piercing the septum with the piercing member;

twisting the base and reservoir inside the cap until the detent tab releasably engages with the detent opening by traveling over the cam surface; and

connecting the reservoir, the base and the cap to the housing whereby the second thread member engages with the first thread member.

22. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a conduit, said apparatus comprising:

a cap having a piercing means and adapted to receive the base;

wherein the piercing means is disposed in the cap for piercing the reservoir septum;

means for removably coupling the base and the reservoir with the cap whereby the piercing means is disposed in the cap and pierces the reservoir septum when the base and reservoir are coupled to the cap;

means for coupling the piercing means with the conduit; and

means for permitting air to flow through an opening in the cap without permitting liquids to pass through the opening.

23. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum and a base to a housing and to a conduit, said apparatus comprising:

a cap having a piercing means adapted to receive the base and a vent that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids;

means in the cap for piercing the reservoir septum;

means for removably coupling the base and the reservoir with the cap

wherein the piercing means pierces the reservoir septum when the base and reservoir are coupled to the cap;

means for coupling the piercing means with the conduit; and

means for removably engaging the cap with the housing.

24. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit, said conduit coupled to a piercing member disposed in a cap, the apparatus comprising:

a base adapted to receive the reservoir and to be received by the cap;

a releasable coupler adapted to releasably couple the base with the cap; and

said releasable coupler adapted to position the reservoir septum to be pierced by the piercing member when the base and reservoir is inserted into the cap;

wherein the cap includes a vent that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids.

25. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit, said conduit coupled to a piercing member disposed in a cap, said cap having a longitudinal entry slot, an annular stop shoulder disposed at the distal end of the entry slot, a detent opening formed adjacent to the annular stop shoulder, a cam surface disposed between the distal end of the entry slot and the detent opening, the apparatus comprising:

a base adapted to receive the reservoir and to be received by the cap;

a detent tab projecting from the base, said detent tab adapted to slidably engage the entry slot until said detent tab abuts the annular stop shoulder;

said detent tab adapted to removably engage the detent opening by traveling over the cam surface; and

said detent tab disposed on the base to position the reservoir septum to be pierced by the piercing member when the detent tab abuts the annular stop shoulder;

wherein the cap includes a vent that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids.

26. An apparatus for connecting a syringe to a medication pump housing having a first thread member, the apparatus comprising:

an adapter having a substantially cylindrical shape;

said adapter adapted to axially receive the syringe through the center of the adapter;

a sealing member disposed in the adapter to sealingly engage the syringe;

a shoulder disposed on the adapter to sealingly engage the pump housing; and

a second thread member disposed on the adapter, the second thread member adapted to engage the first thread member; and

means disposed on the adapter for venting the pump housing to the atmosphere without permitting liquid to pass through the venting means.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising an engagement member disposed on the adapter, said engagement member adapted to engage the exterior of the pump housing.

28. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit, the apparatus comprising:

a cap having a piercing member that is coupled with the conduit and a vent that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids;

a coupler adapted to releasably couple the reservoir with the cap;

wherein the piercing member is disposed in the cap to pierce the reservoir septum when the reservoir is releasably coupled and operatively engaged with the cap.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the piercing member pierces the septum and is disposed in a position in the interior of the reservoir when the reservoir is releasably coupled with the cap.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the piercing member is disposed in a position other than the interior of the reservoir when the reservoir is releasably coupled in a first position and the piercing member pierces the reservoir septum and is disposed in a position in the interior of the reservoir when the reservoir is releasably coupled and operatively engaged with the cap in a second position.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the vent includes a hydrophobic material.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, the cap comprises a cap engagement member adapted to engage a housing engagement member of a housing when the reservoir is releasably coupled and operatively engaged with the cap and the so coupled and engaged reservoir and cap are engaged with the housing.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the cap further comprises a second cap engagement member adapted to secure the cap to the housing when the reservoir is releasably coupled and operatively engaged with the cap and the so coupled and engaged reservoir and cap are engaged with the housing.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the cap is coupleable to the reservoir via a base adapted to provide an interface between the reservoir and the cap.

35. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the cap further comprises a cap engagement member adapted to engage a housing engagement member of a housing and a shoulder to form a seal with the housing when the cap is engaged with the housing.

36. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the piercing member is a needle which creates a hole in the reservoir septum.

37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein air passes through the hydrophobic material.

38. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the hydrophobic material comprises a sphere pressed into a cavity in the cap.

39. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the hydrophobic material comprises a cylinder pressed into a cavity in the cap.

40. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the hydrophobic material comprises a label affixed to the cap.

41. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the hydrophobic material is disposed on an interior surface of the cap.

42. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the hydrophobic material is disposed on an exterior surface of the cap.

43. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir to a conduit;

the apparatus comprising;

a cap for coupling a reservoir to a conduit;

a piercing member disposed in the cap; and

a vent in the cap that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the piercing member is disposed in the cap to pierce a reservoir septum that is coupled to the reservoir when the cap is coupled and operatively engaged with the reservoir.