Reservoir connector

• US 7,628,772 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Srisathapat, Chad, Adair, Randy W., Moberg, Sheldon, McConnell, Susan
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephens; Jacqueline F.
• Application Number:
  US10/884,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20040243065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• Field of Search: 604/183, 604/181, 604/187, 604/533, 604/82, 604/87, 604/523, 604/535, 604/905, 604/240, 604/241
• US Class Current: 604/183
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/14 Details; Accessories therefor A61J7/00 takes precedence; openers B65D, B67B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2051 having tap means, e.g. tap means activated by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2055 having gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2075 for external venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2082 for gas filtration
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2089 Containers or vials which are to be joined to each other in order to mix their contents combinations of vial and syringe for mixing their contents A61J1/2096
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1623 Details of air intake
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/04 having pierceable self-sealing members
• 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 39/14 for connecting tubes having sealed ends needle sets A61M5/162; having valves closing automatically on disconnection of line A61M39/26
• 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

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump are provided. A base is provided which is adapted to receive a reservoir and engage a cap. 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 is in a first detent position, and the needle pierces a reservoir septum when the base is in a second detent position. 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. In some embodiments, an integral connector couples directly to the reservoir.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit;

the apparatus comprising;

a reservoir engagement member comprising a plurality of arms, a plurality of tabs or a cylindrical fitting; and

a connector for connecting the apparatus to the conduit, wherein the connector comprises an open-ended cylindrical member adapted to receive a piercing member that is coupled to the conduit;

wherein;

the apparatus includes a housing engagement member comprising a tab or a thread disposed on the apparatus and adapted to engage an apparatus engagement member on a housing of a medication infusion pump so that the apparatus can be releasably secured within the housing of the medication infusion pump upon rotation of the apparatus by a user;

the housing engagement member is positioned on the apparatus so that the apparatus and the reservoir are disposed within the housing of the medication infusion pump when the apparatus is secured within the housing; and

the reservoir engagement member comprising the plurality of arms, the plurality of tabs or the cylindrical fitting, the connector comprising the open-ended cylindrical member and the housing engagement member are formed as a permanently integrated unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing engagement member comprises a tab.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing engagement member comprises a thread.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir engagement member flexibly deflects over a reservoir swage to engage the reservoir.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir-engagement member can be snapped over an annular shoulder of the reservoir to engage the reservoir.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir engagement member allows for a snap fit engagement with the reservoir.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein engaging the reservoir results in a tactile feedback to a user when the apparatus is engaged with the reservoir.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein engaging the reservoir results in a visual feedback to a user when the apparatus is engaged with the reservoir.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piercing member pierces the reservoir septum when the conduit is connected with the apparatus and the apparatus is coupled and operatively engaged with the reservoir.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the open-ended cylindrical member is a luer connector.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the luer connector is a male luer connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the luer connector comprises a luer collar and a luer taper.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a single integral unit.

41. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder formed as part of the unit, wherein the shoulder is adapted to seat against the housing of the medication infusion pump to form a water tight seal.

14. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit;

the apparatus comprising;

engagement means adapted to engage the reservoir having the septum;

a connector for connecting the apparatus to the conduit, wherein the connector comprises an open-ended cylindrical member; and

means to receive a piercing member that is coupled to the conduit and adapted to pierce the septum of the reservoir;

wherein;

the apparatus includes a housing engagement means comprising a tab or a thread disposed on the apparatus and adapted to engage an apparatus engagement means on a housing of a medication infusion pump so that the apparatus can be releasably secured within the housing of the medication infusion pump upon rotation of the apparatus by a user;

the housing engagement member is positioned on the apparatus so that the apparatus and the reservoir are disposed within the housing of the medication infusion pump when the apparatus is secured within the housing; and

the engagement means, the connector comprising the open-ended cylindrical member, the means to receive a piercing member and the housing engagement member are formed as a permanently integrated unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing engagement means comprises a tab.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing engagement means comprises a plurality of rectangular-shaped tabs.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the engagement means adapted to engage the reservoir having the septum comprise a plurality of arms.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of arms can be snapped over an annular shoulder of the reservoir to engage the reservoir.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of arms allows for a snap fit engagement with the reservoir.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, engaging the reservoir results in a tactile feedback to a user when the apparatus is engaged with the reservoir.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein engaging the reservoir results in a visual feedback to a user when the apparatus is engaged with the reservoir.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the piercing member pierces the reservoir septum when the conduit is connected with the apparatus and the apparatus is coupled and operatively engaged with the reservoir.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the open-ended cylindrical member is a luer connector.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the luer connector is a male luer connector.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the luer connector comprises a luer collar and a luer taper.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is a single integral unit.

27. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a shoulder formed as part of the unit, wherein the shoulder is adapted to seat against the housing of the medication infusion pump to form a water tight seal.

28. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing engagement member is disposed on the exterior of the apparatus.

29. A method of connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit, comprising the steps of:

releasably coupling an apparatus to the reservoir having the septum, the apparatus comprising;

a reservoir engagement member comprising a plurality of arms, a plurality of tabs or a cylindrical fitting and a connector for connecting the apparatus to the conduit, wherein the connector comprises an open-ended cylindrical member adapted to receive a piercing member that is coupled to the conduit;

wherein the apparatus includes a housing engagement member comprising a tab or a thread disposed on the apparatus and adapted to engage an apparatus engagement member on a housing of a medication infusion pump so that the apparatus is adapted to be releasably secured within the housing of the medication infusion pump upon rotation of the apparatus by a user; and

the reservoir engagement member comprising the plurality of arms, the plurality of tabs or the cylindrical fitting, the connector comprising the open-ended cylindrical member and the housing engagement member are formed as a permanently integrated unit;

engaging the housing engagement member with the housing of the medication infusion pump and rotating the apparatus so as to secure the apparatus within the housing, wherein the apparatus and the reservoir are disposed within the housing of the medication infusion pump when the apparatus is secured within the housing; and

connecting the conduit with the apparatus.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the conduit is connected with the apparatus prior to connecting the apparatus to the reservoir having the septum.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the housing engagement member comprises a tab.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the engagement member adapted to engage the reservoir having the septum comprises a plurality of arms.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein engaging the reservoir results in a tactile or audible feedback to a user when the apparatus is engaged with the reservoir.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the piercing member pierces the reservoir septum when the conduit is connected with the apparatus and the apparatus is coupled and operatively engaged with the reservoir.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein the open-ended cylindrical member is a luer connector.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the luer connector is a male luer connector.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is a single integral unit.

38. The method of claim 29, wherein the apparatus further comprises a shoulder formed as part of the unit, wherein the shoulder is adapted to seat against the housing of the medication infusion pump to form a water tight seal.

39. The method of claim 29, wherein the housing engagement member is disposed on the exterior of the apparatus.

40. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit;

the apparatus comprising;

a single circular reservoir engagement member adapted to engage a single cylindrical fluid medication reservoir and comprising a plurality of arms, a plurality of tabs or a cylindrical fining; and

a connector for connecting the apparatus to the conduit, wherein the connector comprises an open-ended cylindrical member adapted to receive a piercing member that is coupled to the conduit;

wherein;

the apparatus includes a housing engagement member comprising a tab or a thread disposed on the apparatus and adapted to engage an apparatus engagement member on a housing of a medication infusion pump so that the apparatus can be releasably secured within the housing of the medication infusion pump upon rotation of the apparatus by a user;

the housing engagement member is positioned on the apparatus so that the apparatus and the reservoir are disposed within the housing of the medication infusion pump when the apparatus is secured within the housing; and

the reservoir engagement member, the connector comprising the open-ended cylindrical member and the housing engagement member are formed as a permanently integrated unit.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a shoulder formed as part of the unit, wherein the shoulder is adapted to seat against the housing of the medication infusion pump to form a water tight seal.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the housing engagement member is disposed on the exterior of the apparatus.

44. An apparatus for connecting a reservoir having a septum to a conduit;

the apparatus comprising;

a reservoir engagement member comprising a plurality of arms, a plurality of tabs or a cylindrical fitting; and

a connector for connecting the apparatus to the conduit, wherein the connector comprises an open-ended cylindrical member adapted to receive a piercing member that is coupled to the conduit;

wherein the apparatus includes a housing engagement member comprising a tab or a thread disposed on the exterior of the apparatus and adapted to engage an apparatus engagement member inside a housing recess of a medication infusion pump so that the apparatus can be releasably secured within the housing recess of the medication infusion pump upon rotation of the apparatus by a user, the apparatus and the reservoir at least partially fitting inside the housing recess of the medication infusion pump; and

the reservoir engagement member comprising the plurality of arms, the plurality of tabs or the cylindrical fitting, the connector comprising the open-ended cylindrical member and the housing engagement member are formed as a permanently integrated unit.