Reservoir connector

• US 8,257,345 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Adair, Randy W., Moberg, Sheldon B., Srisathapat, Chalirmkiert
• Primary Examiner(s): KOHARSKI, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US12/631,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20100082010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 604/187, 604/240, 604/241, 604/523, 604/533
• US Class Current: 604/533
• 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. The elements of the apparatus are organized so that it is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting a removable fluid medication reservoir to a fluid conduit and venting an infusion device;

the apparatus comprising;

a cap for coupling a fluid medication reservoir to a fluid conduit;

a housing engagement member comprising a detent or a thread projecting outward from a cylindrical external surface of the cap and adapted to engage an engagement member disposed in a housing recess within the infusion device, wherein the cap connects with the fluid medication reservoir and both the cap and the fluid medication reservoir at least partially fit inside the housing recess of the infusion device and are insertable and removable from the housing recess within the infusion device upon rotation of the cap;

a conduit cavity disposed in the cap and adapted to secure the fluid conduit to the cap;

a first tab disposed on the cap so as to provide a first surface for a user to grip and twist the cap to engage the cap with the infusion device upon rotation of the cap, wherein the first tab projects outward from the cap such that the first surface of the first tab is disposed in an orientation perpendicular to a plane defined by the circumference of the cap; and

a vent disposed in the cap that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids so as to permit fluid resistant venting of air through the vent and equalization of pressure inside the infusion device to atmospheric pressure outside the infusion device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a piercing member disposed in the cap.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the piercing member creates a hole in a septum coupled to the reservoir when the reservoir is coupled and operatively engaged with the cap.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, 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.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vent comprises a hydrophobic material that permits the passage air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder disposed on the cap to sealingly engage the infusion device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second tab disposed on the cap so as to provide a second surface for the user to grip and twist the connector to engage the cap with the infusion device upon rotation of the cap, wherein the second tab projects outward from the cap such that the second surface of the second tab is disposed in an orientation perpendicular to the plane defined by the circumference of the cap.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second tabs are disposed on the cap in a diametrically opposed orientation.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the piercing member is disposed in an axis around which the cap rotates to create a hole in a septum coupled to the fluid medication reservoir when the fluid medication reservoir is coupled and operatively engaged with the cap.

5. An infusion device for connecting a removable fluid medication reservoir to a fluid conduit, the infusion device comprising:

a cap that is coupleable to the fluid conduit and having a vent disposed therein that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids so as to permit fluid resistant venting of air through the vent and equalization of pressure inside the infusion device to atmospheric pressure outside the infusion device;

a housing engagement member comprising a detent or a thread projecting outward from a cylindrical external surface of the cap and adapted to engage an engagement member disposed in a housing recess within an infusion device, wherein the cap connects with the fluid medication reservoir and both the cap and the fluid medication reservoir at least partially fit inside the housing recess of the infusion device and are insertable and removable from the housing recess within the infusion device upon rotation of the cap;

a first tab disposed on the cap so as to provide a first surface for a user to grip and twist the cap to engage the cap with the infusion device upon rotation of the cap, wherein the first tab projects outward from the cap such that the first surface of the first tab is disposed in an orientation perpendicular to a plane defined by the circumference of the cap; and

means for removably coupling the reservoir with the cap;

wherein the fluid conduit can transport a fluid from the reservoir through the fluid conduit when the reservoir is releasably coupled and operatively engaged with the cap.

6. An apparatus for connecting a removable fluid medication reservoir to a fluid medication conduit of an infusion device comprising:

a cap for coupling the fluid medication reservoir to the fluid medication conduit;

a vent disposed in the cap that permits the passage of air and simultaneously inhibits the passage of fluids so as to permit fluid resistant venting of air through the vent and equalization of pressure inside the infusion device to atmospheric pressure outside the infusion device;

a coupling member disposed in the cap for coupling the fluid medication conduit with the cap;

a housing engagement member comprising a detent or a thread projecting outward from a cylindrical external surface of the cap and adapted to engage an engagement member disposed in a housing recess within the infusion device, wherein the cap connects with the fluid medication reservoir and both the cap and the fluid medication reservoir at least partially fit inside the housing recess of the infusion device and are insertable and removable from the housing recess within the infusion device upon rotation of the cap;

a first tab disposed on the cap so as to provide a first surface for a user to grip and twist the cap to engage the cap with the infusion device upon rotation of the cap, wherein the first tab projects outward from the cap such that the first surface of the first tab is disposed in an orientation perpendicular to a plane defined by the circumference of the cap; and

a shoulder to permit water tight construction when the cap is engaged with the infusion device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fluid conduit comprises a needle.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an O-ring seal.