Systems and methods allowing for reservoir air bubble management

• US 8,597,243 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2008
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kavazov, Julian D., Moberg, Sheldon B., Hanson, Ian B., Chong, Colin A., Lorenzen, Eric M., Bikovsky, Rafael, Luan, Truong Gia
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhang, Jenna
• Application Number:
  US12/099,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,065 Days
• Field of Search: 604/218, 604/45, 604122-129, 511/22, 511/23, 511/26, 512/18
• US Class Current: 604/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/341 angularly adjustable or angled away from the axis of the injector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/165 Filtering accessories, e.g. blood filters, filters for infusion liquids A61M1/14 , A61M1/34, A61M1/3627, A61M1/3679, A61M1/3687 take precedence; needle sets with incorporated air inlet filters A61M5/162
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/36 with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/38 using hydrophilic or hydrophobic filters

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to limiting a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium expelled from a reservoir. In various embodiments, a reservoir is shaped so as to limit a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium expelled from the reservoir. Also, in various embodiments, a plunger head within a reservoir is shaped so as to limit a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium expelled from the reservoir. In some embodiments, both a reservoir and a plunger head within the reservoir are shaped so as to limit a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium expelled from the reservoir.

Claims

1. A reservoir having a plunger head moveable in an axial direction within the reservoir to convey fluidic media from the reservoir, the plunger head having a length dimension extending in the axial direction from a proximal end of the plunger head to a distal end of the plunger head, the reservoir comprising:

a reservoir body portion having a wall defining an interior volume, the interior volume for containing the fluidic media, the reservoir having a channel opening in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion for allowing the fluidic media to be expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion through a channel of the reservoir and out a port of the reservoir; and

a bubble trap portion having a wall defining a volume in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the volume of the bubble trap portion for trapping air bubbles in the fluidic media as the fluidic media is expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the wall of the bubble trap portion having a first portion that extends from the reservoir body portion away from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion beyond the channel opening in the axial direction, and a second portion that extends from the first portion toward the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the second portion of the wall defining the channel opening, the volume of the bubble trap portion comprising a distal volume and a proximal volume, the proximal volume arranged closer to the interior volume of the reservoir body portion than the distal volume, wherein the distal volume is defined by a curved surface, and wherein the proximal volume is defined by a curved surface;

the reservoir body portion having a rear end having an opening opposite the channel opening;

the wall of the reservoir body portion having an interior surface facing the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the interior surface having a diameter that is uniform from the bubble trap portion to the rear end of the reservoir body portion;

wherein the length dimension of the bubble trap portion is smaller than the length dimension of the plunger head;

wherein the reservoir is dimensioned such that the entire width dimension of the plunger head remains constant as the plunger head moves along the entire length dimension of the reservoir; and

wherein the width dimension of the plunger head is transverse to the axial direction.

2. The reservoir of claim 1, the bubble trap portion surrounding at least a portion of the channel of the reservoir.

3. The reservoir of claim 1, the volume of the bubble trap portion and the port of the reservoir located to a same side of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion.

4. The reservoir of claim 1, the reservoir is shaped such that in order for the fluidic media to flow from the volume of the bubble trap portion to the port of the reservoir, the fluidic media must flow through the interior volume of the reservoir body portion.

5. The reservoir of claim 1, wherein the second portion returns from the first portion toward the interior volume of the reservoir body portion.

6. The reservoir of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion form a surface of the bubble trap portion that is approximately U-shaped in a cross-section.

7. The reservoir of claim 1, wherein the bubble trap portion is shaped approximately as a semi-toroid.

8. The reservoir of claim 1,

wherein the first portion defines an edge of the volume of the bubble trap portion, the first portion planar with respect to an inner surface of the reservoir body portion;

and

wherein the second portion defines another edge of the volume of the bubble trap portion, the second surface positioned at an angle with respect to the first portion.

9. The reservoir of claim 1, the reservoir further comprising:

at least one of a surface treatment and a material on at least a portion of a surface of the wall of the bubble trap portion that causes the portion of the surface to be hydrophobic.

10. The reservoir of claim 1, the reservoir further comprising:

at least one of a surface treatment and a material on at least a portion of a surface of the wall of the bubble trap portion that causes the portion of the surface to be hydrophilic.

11. The reservoir of claim 1, the reservoir further comprising:

at least one of a first surface treatment and a first material on at least the first portion of the wall of the bubble trap portion that causes the first portion to be hydrophobic; and

at least one of a second surface treatment and a second material on at least the second portion of the wall of the bubble trap portion that causes the second portion to be hydrophilic.

12. The reservoir of claim 1,

the wall of the reservoir body portion having an exterior surface opposite the interior surface;

the interior surface extending from the bubble trap portion to the opening in the rear end of the reservoir body portion, the opening in communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion;

wherein the wall of the reservoir body portion has a thickness from the exterior surface to the interior surface, the thickness of the wall being uniform from the rear end of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion to the bubble trap portion.

13. The reservoir of claim 12, wherein the opening in the rear end of the reservoir body portion is for receiving the plunger head into the interior volume of the reservoir body portion such that the plunger head is arranged between the bubble trap portion and the opening in the rear end of the reservoir body portion.

14. The reservoir of claim 1,

the interior volume of the reservoir body portion having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion for containing the fluidic media;

wherein the first portion and the second portion of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion are separated by the plunger head, the plunger head having a fluid seal against the wall of the reservoir body portion to prevent the fluidic media from flowing between the first portion of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion and the second portion of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion.

15. The reservoir of claim 14, wherein the second portion of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion is free of the fluidic media at all times during use of the reservoir.

16. The reservoir of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the opening is equal to a diameter of the bubble trap portion.

17. The reservoir of claim 1,

wherein the curved surface of the distal volume is free of right-angle edges;

and

wherein the curved surface of the proximal volume is free of right-angle edges.

18. The reservoir of claim 1,

wherein the entire width dimension of the plunger head is the same at a first position and a second position of the reservoir;

wherein the plunger is at the first position when the plunger head is adjacent the channel opening; and

wherein the plunger head is at the second position when the plunger head is adjacent the rear end of the reservoir.

19. The reservoir of claim 1, wherein the wall of the reservoir body portion and the wall of the bubble trap portion meet at a location aligned with the channel opening in a direction transverse to the axial direction.

20. A reservoir having a plunger head moveable in an axial direction within the reservoir to convey fluidic media from the reservoir, the plunger head having a length dimension extending in the axial direction from a proximal end of the plunger head to a distal end of the plunger head, the reservoir comprising:

a reservoir body portion having a wall defining an interior volume, the interior volume for containing the fluidic media, the reservoir having a channel opening in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion for allowing the fluidic media to be expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion through a channel of the reservoir and out a port of the reservoir; and

a bubble trap portion having a wall defining a volume in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the volume of the bubble trap portion for trapping air bubbles in the fluidic media as the fluidic media is expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the wall of the bubble trap portion having a first portion that extends from the reservoir body portion away from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion beyond the channel opening in the axial direction, and a second portion that extends from the first portion toward the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the second portion of the wall defining the channel opening;

the reservoir body portion having a rear end having an opening opposite the channel opening;

the wall of the reservoir body portion having an interior surface facing the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the interior surface having a diameter that is uniform from the bubble trap portion to the rear end of the reservoir body portion;

wherein the length dimension of the bubble trap portion is smaller than the length dimension of the plunger head;

wherein the reservoir is dimensioned such that the entire width dimension of the plunger head remains constant as the plunger head moves along the entire length dimension of the reservoir; and

wherein the width dimension of the plunger head is transverse to the axial direction;

the wall of the bubble trap portion including a curved surface having the first portion, the second portion, and a middle region between the first portion and the second portion;

the first portion extending away from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion to the middle region, and the second portion extending from the middle region toward the interior volume of the reservoir body portion such that the first portion and the second portion are located closer to the interior volume of the reservoir body portion than the middle region is to the interior volume of the reservoir body portion.

21. The reservoir of claim 20,

the first portion in contact with the reservoir body portion;

and

the second portion located adjacent to the interior volume of the reservoir body portion.

22. A system for delivering fluidic media, the system comprising:

a reservoir having a longitudinal axis direction, the reservoir comprising;

a reservoir body portion having a wall defining an interior volume for containing the fluidic media, the reservoir having a channel opening in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion for allowing the fluidic media to be expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion through a channel of the reservoir and out a port of the reservoir; and

a bubble trap portion having a wall defining a volume in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the volume of the bubble trap portion for trapping air bubbles in the fluidic media as the fluidic media is expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion the wall of the bubble trap portion having a first portion that extends from the reservoir body portion away from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion beyond the channel opening in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second portion that extends from the first portion toward the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the second portion of the wall defining the channel opening; and

a plunger head having a plunger body portion and a plunger protruding portion, the plunger head moveable along an axis of the reservoir in the direction of the longitudinal axis within the interior volume of the reservoir body portion to expel the fluidic media from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the plunger head having a length dimension extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis, from a proximal end of the plunger head to a distal end of the plunger protruding portion;

the reservoir body portion having a rear end having an opening opposite the channel opening;

the wall of the reservoir body portion having an interior surface facing the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the interior surface having a diameter that is uniform from the bubble trap portion to the rear end of the reservoir body portion;

wherein the length dimension of the bubble trap portion is smaller than the length dimension of the plunger head;

wherein the entire width dimension of the plunger head remains constant as the plunger head moves along the entire length dimension of the reservoir; and

wherein the width dimension of the plunger head is transverse to the direction of the longitudinal axis;

the plunger protruding portion having a size such that in a case where the plunger head is fully advanced within the reservoir, the plunger protruding portion substantially fills the volume of the bubble trap portion; and

the plunger protruding portion shaped such that the plunger protruding portion fills less than all of the volume of the bubble trap portion in a case where the plunger head is fully advanced within the reservoir, so that one or more air pockets for holding air exist between the plunger protruding portion and an inner surface of the wall of the bubble trap portion in a case where the plunger head is fully advanced within the reservoir.

23. The system of claim 22, the plunger protruding portion having a contour that substantially matches an inner contour of the wall of the bubble trap portion.

24. The system of claim 22, the plunger protruding portion positioned and shaped such that the plunger protruding portion extends at least partially into the volume of the bubble trap portion in a case where the plunger head is sufficiently advanced within the reservoir.

25. The system of claim 22, the system further comprising:

at least one of a surface treatment and a material on at least a portion of a surface of the plunger head that causes the portion of the surface to be hydrophobic.

26. The system of claim 22, the system further comprising:

at least one of a surface treatment and a material on at least a portion of a surface of the plunger head that causes the portion of the surface to be hydrophilic.

27. The system of claim 22, the system further comprising:

at least one of a first surface treatment and a first material on at least a portion of a surface of the plunger protruding portion that causes the portion of the surface of the plunger protruding portion to be hydrophobic; and

at least one of a second surface treatment and a second material on at least a portion of a surface of the wall of the bubble trap portion that causes the portion of the surface of the wall of the bubble trap portion to be hydrophobic.

28. The system of claim 22,

wherein the plunger protruding portion of the plunger head is spaced apart from the wall of the reservoir body portion by a gap having a width dimension;

and

wherein the width dimension of the gap remains constant as the plunger head moves along the entire length dimension of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion that the plunger head moves from the rear end of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion to the bubble trap portion.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein the plunger body portion and the plunger protruding portion are each spaced apart from the wall of the reservoir body portion as the plunger head moves along the entire length dimension of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion that the plunger body portion moves from the rear end of the interior volume of the reservoir body portion to the bubble trap portion.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the plunger protruding portion has a diameter, at a location where the plunger protruding portion extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis furthest from the plunger head body, having a magnitude that is less than a magnitude of the diameter of the interior surface.

31. The system of claim 22, wherein the plunger head is dimensioned to be at least partially in the reservoir body portion and the bubble trap portion when the plunger head is adjacent the channel opening.

32. The system of claim 22, the plunger head comprising a seal member arranged on the plunger head body to provide a fluid tight seal between the plunger head body and the interior surface of the wall of the reservoir body portion as the plunger head moves along the reservoir body portion toward the bubble trap portion.

33. The system of claim 22,

the plunger protruding portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being adjacent to the plunger head body, the distal end located further in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the plunger head body than any other portion of the plunger protruding portion;

wherein the diameter of the distal end of the plunger protruding portion is smaller than the diameter of the proximal end of the plunger protruding portion.

34. The system of claim 22,

the plunger protruding portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being adjacent to the plunger head body, the distal end located further in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the plunger head body than any other portion of the plunger protruding portion;

wherein the diameter of the distal end of the plunger protruding portion is smaller than the diameter of the plunger head body.

35. The system of claim 22,

the plunger protruding portion having a length dimension extending in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the plunger protruding portion where the plunger protruding portion meets the plunger head body to a distal end of the plunger protruding portion;

wherein the length dimension of the plunger protruding portion is approximately the same as the length dimension of the bubble trap portion.

36. A reservoir having a plunger head moveable along an axis of the reservoir in an axial direction to expel fluidic media from the reservoir, the reservoir comprising:

a reservoir body portion having a wall defining an interior volume, the interior volume for containing the fluidic media, the reservoir having a channel opening in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion for allowing the fluidic media to be expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion through a channel of the reservoir and out a port of the reservoir; and

a bubble trap portion having a wall defining a volume in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the volume of the bubble trap portion for trapping air bubbles in the fluidic media as the fluidic media is expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the wall of the bubble trap portion having a first portion that extends from the reservoir body portion away from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion beyond the channel opening in the axial direction, and a second portion that extends from the first portion toward the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the second portion of the wall defining the channel opening, the volume of the bubble trap portion comprising a distal volume and a proximal volume, the proximal volume arranged closer to the interior volume of the reservoir body portion than the distal volume, wherein the distal volume is defined by a curved surface, and wherein the proximal volume is defined by a curved surface;

wherein the bubble trap portion is dimensioned such that the plunger head is at least partially in the reservoir body portion and the bubble trap portion when the plunger head is adjacent the channel opening;

wherein the reservoir is dimensioned such that the entire width dimension of the plunger head remains constant as the plunger head moves along the entire length dimension of the reservoir; and

wherein the width dimension of the plunger head is transverse to the axial direction.

37. The reservoir of claim 36,

the first portion of the wall of the bubble trap portion having a first end and a second end;

the first end in contact with an end of the reservoir body portion;

the second end in contact with an end of the second portion of the wall of the bubble trap portion

the bubble trap portion having a length dimension extending in the axial direction, the length dimension of the bubble trap portion defined by the first end of the first portion and the second end of the first portion;

wherein the length dimension of the bubble trap portion is smaller than a length dimension of the plunger head, the length dimension of the plunger head defined by a proximal end of the plunger head and a distal end of the plunger head.

38. The reservoir of claim 36, wherein the total length dimension of the bubble trap portion is smaller than the total length dimension of the plunger head.

39. The reservoir of claim 36, wherein the bubble trap portion is dimensioned such that the plunger head is at least partially in the reservoir body portion and the bubble trap portion when the plunger head contacts the second portion defining the channel opening.

40. A system for delivering fluidic media, the system, comprising:

a reservoir having a longitudinal axis direction, the reservoir comprising;

a reservoir body portion having a wall defining an interior volume for containing the fluidic media, the reservoir having a channel opening in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion for allowing the fluidic media to be expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion through a channel of the reservoir and out a port of the reservoir; and

a bubble trap portion having a wall defining a volume in fluid flow communication with the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the volume of the bubble trap portion for trapping air bubbles in the fluidic media as the fluidic media is expelled from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the wall of the bubble trap portion having a first portion that extends from the reservoir body portion away from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion beyond the channel opening in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second portion that extends from the first portion toward the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the second portion of the wall defining the channel opening; and

a plunger head having a plunger body portion and a plunger protruding portion, the plunger head moveable along an axis of the reservoir in the direction of the longitudinal axis within the interior volume of the reservoir body portion to expel the fluidic media from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion;

wherein the entire width dimension of the plunger head remains constant as the plunger head moves along the entire length dimension of the reservoir; and

wherein the width dimension of the plunger head is transverse to the direction of the longitudinal axis;

the plunger protruding portion having a size such that in a case where the plunger head is fully advanced within the reservoir, the plunger protruding portion substantially fills the volume of the bubble trap portion; and

the plunger protruding portion shaped such that the plunger protruding portion fills less than all of the volume of the bubble trap portion in a case where the plunger head is fully advanced within the reservoir, so that one or more air pockets for holding air exist between the plunger protruding portion and an inner surface of the wall of the bubble trap portion in a case where the plunger head is fully advanced within the reservoir.