Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback

• US 8,641,671 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated
• Inventors: Michaud, Michael, Nadworny, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLICK, JASON E
• Application Number:
  US12/846,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20110144586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 604/151
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 Glucose concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 Motion, e.g. physical activity
• 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 5/16804 Flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31513 Piston constructions to improve sealing or sliding
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/113 the actuating fluid being controlled by at least one valve
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/143 Sealing provided on the piston
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/32 with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/56 Other sealings for reciprocating rods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to portable infusion devices, systems, and methods of using the same for dispensing materials. In some cases, the devices, systems and methods may be used for infusing a material such as medicament, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof.

Claims

1. A delivery mechanism of an infusion pump for dispensing fluid to a patient, the delivery mechanism comprising:

a spool slidingly disposed in a bore of a delivery mechanism housing; and

an o-ring seal disposed on the spool, the o-ring seal comprising;

a gland for seating an o-ring including an outer circumferential groove extending circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of a cylindrical body of the spool, the circumferential groove including an angled first surface and an angled second surface opposite the angled first surface and an inner overflow channel disposed below the angled first and second surfaces and including a pair of sidewalls each extending downwardly from and at an angle to one of the angled first and second surfaces and a bottom; and

an o-ring disposed in the gland with a first circumferential band of the o-ring resting on the first angled surface and a second circumferential band of the o-ring resting on the second angled surface above the overflow channel with the o-ring in a substantially uncompressed state.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the angled first and second surfaces form a total inclusive angle with each other of about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the o-ring rests above a nominal outer surface of the cylindrical body and does not extend substantially into the overflow channel when the o-ring is in an uncompressed state.

4. The mechanism of claim 3 wherein a center of a cross section of the seal element of the o-ring is disposed below the nominal outer surface of the cylindrical body when the o-ring is in a substantially uncompressed state.

10. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the o-ring does not contact the bottom of the overflow channel when in the substantially uncompressed state.

5. A delivery mechanism of an infusion pump for dispensing fluid to a patient, the delivery mechanism comprising:

a spool slidingly disposed in a bore of a delivery mechanism housing; and

an o-ring seal disposed on the spool, the o-ring seal comprising;

a gland for seating an o-ring including an outer circumferential groove extending circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of a cylindrical body, the circumferential groove including a first circumferential surface and a second circumferential surface opposite the first circumferential surface, and an inner overflow channel portion having a bottom; and

an o-ring disposed in the gland in an axially compressed state, the o-ring being axially compressed by the first and second circumferential surfaces and disposed above the overflow channel and not contacting the bottom of the overflow channel portion.

6. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein the first and second circumferential surfaces of the groove are straight-walled surfaces that form a total inclusive angle with each other of up to about 5 degrees.

7. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein an outer surface of the o-ring rests above a nominal outer surface of the cylindrical body.

8. The mechanism of claim 7 wherein a center of a cross section of the seal element of the o-ring is disposed below the nominal outer surface of the cylindrical body.

9. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein the O-ring has an axial compression of about 60 percent to about 85 percent.