Reservoir pressure equalization systems and methods
First Claim
1. A system for controlling pressure in a fluid reservoir, the system comprising:
- a cap arranged over a port of the reservoir and movable between first and second positions relative to the port of the reservoir; and
a chamber structure having an interior chamber volume arranged between the cap and the reservoir port when the cap is in the first position;
the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure being in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir when the cap is in the first position and the pressure in the reservoir is sufficiently high to force fluid from the reservoir into the interior chamber volume;
the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure being closed to inhibit fluid flow communication with the reservoir, when the cap is in the second position; and
the cap configured to selectively engage a mating piece, to move from the first position to the second position while engaged with the mating piece, and to be pierced by a needle on the mating piece while engaged with the mating piece.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.
73 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for controlling pressure in a fluid reservoir, the system comprising:
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a cap arranged over a port of the reservoir and movable between first and second positions relative to the port of the reservoir; and a chamber structure having an interior chamber volume arranged between the cap and the reservoir port when the cap is in the first position; the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure being in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir when the cap is in the first position and the pressure in the reservoir is sufficiently high to force fluid from the reservoir into the interior chamber volume; the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure being closed to inhibit fluid flow communication with the reservoir, when the cap is in the second position; and the cap configured to selectively engage a mating piece, to move from the first position to the second position while engaged with the mating piece, and to be pierced by a needle on the mating piece while engaged with the mating piece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for controlling pressure in a fluid reservoir, the system comprising:
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a cap arranged over a port of the reservoir and movable between first and second positions relative to the port of the reservoir; a chamber structure having an interior chamber volume arranged between the cap and the reservoir port when the cap is in the first position; the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure being in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir when the cap is in the first position and the pressure in the reservoir is sufficiently high to force fluid from the reservoir into the interior chamber volume; the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure being closed to inhibit fluid flow communication with the reservoir, when the cap is in the second position; and a mating piece arranged to selectively engage and disengage the cap, wherein the mating piece selectively engages the cap and moves the cap from the first position to the second position while engaged with the cap; wherein the mating piece supports a hollow needle having a piercing end arranged to pierce the cap upon the mating piece engaging the cap and moving the cap from the first position to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method for controlling pressure in a fluid reservoir, the method comprising:
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arranging a cap over a port of the reservoir for movement between first and second positions relative to the port of the reservoir, the cap configured to selectively engage a mating piece, to move from the first position to the second position while engaged with the mating piece, and to be pierced by a needle on the mating piece while engaged with the mating piece; providing a chamber structure having an interior chamber volume between the cap and the reservoir port when the cap is in the first position; arranging the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir when the cap is in the first position and the pressure in the reservoir is sufficiently high to force fluid from the reservoir into the interior chamber volume; and closing the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure, with the cap, to inhibit fluid flow communication with the reservoir when the cap is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for controlling pressure in a fluid reservoir, the method comprising:
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arranging a cap over a port of the reservoir for movement between first and second positions relative to the port of the reservoir; providing a chamber structure having an interior chamber volume between the cap and the reservoir port when the cap is in the first position; arranging the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir when the cap is in the first position and the pressure in the reservoir is sufficiently high to force fluid from the reservoir into the interior chamber volume; closing the interior chamber volume of the chamber structure, with the cap, to inhibit fluid flow communication with the reservoir when the cap is in the second position; arranging a mating piece to selectively engage and disengage the cap, wherein the mating piece selectively engages the cap and moves the cap from the first position to the second position while engaged with the cap; and supporting a hollow needle on the mating piece, the hollow needle having a piercing end arranged to pierce the cap upon the mating piece engaging the cap and moving the cap from the first position to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification