Automated filling systems and methods
First Claim
1. A system for transferring fluidic media, comprising:
- a holding unit for holding a reservoir, the holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media;
a transfer guard providing a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from a vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; and
a vibrator for vibrating the holding unit so as to vibrate the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir;
wherein the transfer guard and the reservoir are removable from the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media;
wherein the transfer guard has a first end that selectively connects with the vial and a second end that selectively connects with the reservoir; and
wherein the holding unit has an interior in which at least a portion of the reservoir is received, when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the second end of the transfer guard is connected with the reservoir, the reservoir being removable from the interior of the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to transferring fluidic media from a vial to a reservoir. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir by moving a housing portion to move a plunger head located in the reservoir to draw fluidic media from the vial to the reservoir. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir while the reservoir is held by a holding unit and vibrated by a vibrator to remove air from the fluidic media. In some embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir by moving a handle operatively connected to a bias member for assisting with the transfer of fluidic media. In other embodiments, the transfer of fluidic media may be assisted by a bias member and a needle connecting atmosphere and the vial.
370 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for transferring fluidic media, comprising:
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a holding unit for holding a reservoir, the holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; a transfer guard providing a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from a vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; and a vibrator for vibrating the holding unit so as to vibrate the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; wherein the transfer guard and the reservoir are removable from the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media; wherein the transfer guard has a first end that selectively connects with the vial and a second end that selectively connects with the reservoir; and wherein the holding unit has an interior in which at least a portion of the reservoir is received, when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the second end of the transfer guard is connected with the reservoir, the reservoir being removable from the interior of the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for transferring fluidic media, comprising:
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a holding unit for holding a reservoir, the holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; a transfer guard providing a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from a vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; a vibrator for vibrating the holding unit so as to vibrate the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; and one or more latches for preventing the plunger arm from being moved when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and prior to a time when the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; wherein the transfer guard and the reservoir are removable from the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media.
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8. A system for transferring fluidic media, comprising:
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a holding unit for holding a reservoir, the holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; a transfer guard providing a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from a vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir, and a vibrator for vibrating the holding unit so as to vibrate the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; wherein the transfer guard and the reservoir are removable from the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media; and wherein the holding unit is configured such that a handle connected to the plunger arm is moveable within a space between the reservoir and the vibrator when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media.
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9. A method for transferring fluidic media, comprising:
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holding a reservoir in a holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; connecting a transfer guard to the reservoir and a vial for providing a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from the vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; vibrating the holding unit with a vibrator so as to vibrate the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; and removing the transfer guard and the reservoir from the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media; wherein the transfer guard has a first end that selectively connects with the vial and a second end that selectively connects with the reservoir; and wherein the holding unit has an interior in which at least a portion of the reservoir is received, when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the second end of the transfer guard is connected with the reservoir, the reservoir being removable from the interior of the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for transferring fluidic media, comprising:
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holding a reservoir in a holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; connecting a transfer guard to the reservoir and a vial for providing a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from the vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; vibrating the holding unit with a vibrator so as to vibrate the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; removing the transfer guard and the reservoir from the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media; and latching the plunger arm to prevent the plunger arm from being moved when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and prior to a time when the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media.
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16. A method for transferring fluidic media, comprising:
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holding a reservoir in a holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media; connecting a transfer guard to the reservoir and a vial for providing a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from the vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; vibrating the holding unit with a vibrator so as to vibrate the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir; removing the transfer guard and the reservoir from the holding unit upon the reservoir being at least partially filled with the fluidic media; and moving a handle connected to the plunger arm within a space between the reservoir and the vibrator when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media.
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Specification