Reservoir pressure equalization systems and methods

• US 9,598,210 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Halili, Edgardo, Lorenzen, Eric M.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLICK, JASON E
• Application Number:
  US13/192,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20110282282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,064 Days
• Field of Search: 604/131, 604/151, 604/132, 604/140, 604/890.1, 604134-135, 604/244, 604246-247, 604/249, 604533-537
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14264 with means for compensating influence from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/267 having a sealing sleeve around a tubular or solid stem portion of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3337 Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7527 liquophilic, hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 Glucose concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• 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: B65D 51/1633 whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/02 opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side check valves F16K15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control

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 or to the outside environment. 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.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a fluid reservoir having a neck section and a fluid vent formed in the neck section to accommodate expulsion of pressurized fluidic media from the fluid reservoir; and

a base assembly having a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the distal portion includes a sealing receptacle to receive the neck section, the sealing receptacle comprising;

a fluid delivery port, wherein in an inserted state fluid communication is open from the fluid vent to the fluid delivery port and in a released state fluid communication is blocked from the fluid vent to the fluid delivery port;

a valve to cooperate with the fluid delivery port;

a recess to accommodate the neck section in the inserted state during which the neck section is received in the sealing receptacle, and to accommodate the valve in the released state during which the neck section is removed from the sealing receptacle, wherein the fluid delivery port is formed through the distal portion of the base assembly; and

a sealing arrangement to form a fluid tight seal with the valve in the released state, wherein the sealing arrangement includes a first member to form a fluid tight seal with the valve in the inserted state and a second member to form a fluid tight seal with the neck section in the inserted state;

wherein, in the inserted state, the fluid vent fluidly communicates with the fluid delivery port in a fluid pathway bound by the first member and the second member; and

wherein, in the released state, the valve cooperates with the sealing arrangement to inhibit access to the fluid delivery port.

2. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein when in the inserted state, the valve is in a retracted position within the proximal portion of the base assembly.

3. The fluid delivery system of claim 2, wherein, when in the released state, the valve extends such that the distal valve end is exposed to facilitate cleaning or disinfecting of the distal valve end.

4. The fluid delivery system of claim 2, further comprising a biasing element located in the proximal portion of the base assembly to bias the valve into an extended position corresponding to the released state.

5. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein:

the proximal portion of the base assembly further comprises a valve cavity to receive the valve when the valve is in a retracted position corresponding to the inserted state; and

the first member forms a fluid tight seal with the valve, when in the inserted state, to fluidly separate the valve cavity from the recess and to prevent fluid flow into the proximal portion of the base assembly.

6. The fluid delivery system of claim 5, wherein the first member maintains the fluid tight seal with the valve during movement of the valve associated with transition between the released state and the inserted state.

7. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein:

the base assembly forms at least a portion of a fluid delivery device for a user; and

the fluid delivery system further comprises an infusion path assembly to establish fluid communication with the fluid delivery port to provide the fluidic media from the fluid delivery port to the user.

8. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein:

the base assembly forms at least a portion of a fluid transfer assembly that facilitates filling of the fluid reservoir with the fluidic media; and

the fluid transfer assembly comprises a filling conduit for establishing fluid communication with the fluid delivery port to provide the fluidic media to the fluid reservoir.

9. The fluid delivery system of claim 8, wherein the fluid transfer assembly receives a fluidic media source to accommodate transfer of fluidic media from the source to the fluid reservoir.

10. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir and the base assembly establish needleless fluid communication between the fluid vent and the fluid delivery port in the inserted state.

11. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a fluid reservoir having a neck and a fluid vent formed in the neck to accommodate expulsion of pressurized fluidic media from the fluid reservoir; and

a base assembly having a proximal section, a distal section, and an intermediate section between the proximal section and the distal section, wherein the base assembly comprises;

a valve movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the valve is located in the proximal section, intermediate section and distal section when in the extended position, and wherein the valve is removed from the intermediate section and distal section when in the retracted position;

a fluid delivery port in the intermediate section;

a recess to accommodate the neck in an inserted state during which the neck is received in the distal section and the intermediate section; and

a proximal sealing member at a proximal interface between the proximal section and the intermediate section to form a fluid tight seal with the valve; and

a distal sealing member at a distal interface between the intermediate section and the distal section to form a fluid tight seal with the neck in the inserted state and to form a fluid tight seal with the valve in the extended position;

wherein, in the inserted state, fluid communication is opened between the fluid vent and the fluid delivery port within the intermediate section.

12. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein, in the extended position, the valve and the distal and proximal sealing members enclose a fluid tight chamber in the intermediate section in communication with the fluid delivery port.

13. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the proximal sealing member maintains a fluid tight seal with the valve during movement of the valve between the extended position and the retracted position, and wherein the proximal sealing member and valve prevent flow of the fluidic media into the proximal section of the base assembly.

14. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein:

the valves moves between the extended position and the retracted position along an axis;

the distal section and the intermediate section of the base assembly include a wall bounding the recess, wherein the wall is parallel to the axis; and

the fluid delivery port is formed in the wall.

15. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the base assembly further comprises a third sealing member located in the distal section to form a fluid tight seal with the neck in the inserted state and to form a fluid tight seal with the valve in the extended position.