Smart connection interface

• US 10,376,631 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2018
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Tieck, R. Marie, Pananen, Jacob E., Bazargan, Afshin, Alderete, Jr., Juan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mendez, Manuel A
• Application Number:
  US16/184,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20190076597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: 604 65- 67, 604131, 128DIG 12, 128DIG 13, 32420725, 3242072, 32420721
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1418 Threaded type
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1481 with connection retaining means, e.g. thread or snap-fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/18 Arrangements for indicating condition of container contents, e.g. sterile condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1005 Detection of disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1016 Unlocking means providing a secure or comfortable disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1022 additionally providing electrical connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1044 Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1094 at least partly incompatible with standard connectors, e.g. to prevent fatal mistakes in connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0227 Materials having sensing or indicating function, e.g. indicating a pressure increase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0272 Electro-active or magneto-active materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0288 Electro-rheological or magneto-rheological materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/121 interface between cassette and base
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 : by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 : by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 : Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 : Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 : Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 : Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 : Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1055 : Rotating or swivel joints in general F16L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 : for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 : Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 : Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• 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 5/14566 : with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 : for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 : Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/00 : Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/02 : operating with propagation of electric current
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/08 : operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The reservoir, a base and a cap are connected to form an integrated unit that is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing. The cap and the infusion pump are each provided with at least one sensor or at least one detectable feature, arranged to interact with at least one corresponding detectable feature or sensor on the other of the cap and infusion pump device, to detect one or more of the presence, position or other characteristic of the cap when the cap is aligned or coupled with the infusion pump housing. The detectable feature and sensor may be magnetic, RF, mechanical, optical or any combination.

Claims

1. An interface system, comprising:

a first device unit; and

at least one magnetic detectable feature arranged on or within the first device unit for detection by at least one sensor element when the first device unit is brought within detection range of the at least one sensor element;

wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises a magnetic field angle of a magnet that is attached to or located within the first device unit, the magnetic field angle being an angle of orientation of a magnetic field of the magnet relative to a predefined axis of the first device unit, the magnetic field angle being non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the predefined axis;

wherein the magnetic field angle of the at least one magnetic detectable feature is at least one detectable parameter associated with one or more characteristics of the first device unit or of a second device unit operable with the first device unit; and

wherein one or more predefined characteristics comprises a type or identity of a manufacturer of the first device unit or of the second device unit, or a size of the first device unit or of the second device unit.

2. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor element is on or within the second device unit.

3. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the first device unit and the second device unit are selectively connectable to and disconnectable from each other, and wherein the first device unit is brought within detection range of the at least one sensor element when the first device unit is properly connected to the second device unit, and is out of detection range when the first device unit is disconnected from the second device unit.

4. An interface system according to claim 3, wherein the second device unit comprises an infusion pump device and wherein the first device unit comprises a cap or a reservoir that forms a reservoir/cap unit for installation into the infusion pump device.

5. An interface system according to claim 3, wherein the first device unit and the second device unit are selectively connectable to each other when moved toward each other along a direction of the predefined axis of the first device unit.

6. An interface system according to claim 3, wherein the first device unit and the second device unit are selectively connectable to each other when moved toward each other and rotated around a direction of the predefined axis of the first device unit.

7. An interface system according to claim 3, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature has a first polarity direction arranged to saturate the at least one sensor element in a first saturation state when the first device unit is properly connected to the second device unit, or a second polarity direction arranged to saturate the at least one sensor element in a second saturation state when the first device unit is properly connected to the second device unit, the first saturation state being opposite to the second saturation state.

8. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the second device unit comprises an infusion pump device and wherein the first device unit comprises a cap or a reservoir that forms a reservoir/cap unit for installation into the infusion pump device.

9. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detectable parameter further comprises one or more of:

proximity of the at least one magnetic detectable feature, polarity direction of the at least one magnetic detectable feature, field strength of the at least one magnetic detectable feature, location of the at least one magnetic detectable feature, or pattern of locations of a plurality of magnetic detectable features.

10. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature has a first polarity direction arranged to saturate the at least one sensor element in a first saturation state when the first device unit is brought within detection range of the at least one sensor element, or a second polarity direction arranged to saturate the at least one sensor element in a second saturation state when the when the first device unit is brought within detection range of the at least one sensor element, the first saturation state being opposite to the second saturation state.

11. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises a compass sensor detectable feature having a detectable resolution associated with one or more predefined characteristics of the first device unit or of the second device unit operable with the first device unit.

12. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises a plurality of magnets arranged at different respective locations on or in the first device unit.

13. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises a plurality of magnetic detectable features in locations that allow the magnetic detectable features to magnetically interact with the at least one sensor element to provide detectable signals for detection of axial or rotational motion or position of the first device unit relative to the second device unit.

14. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit and independent of a shape of the magnet to produce an angled magnetic field at the angle β

.

15. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit, wherein the angle β

is between 5°

to 85°

, 95°

to 175°

, 185°

to 265°

, or 275°

to 355°

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit.

16. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit, wherein the angle β

is between 2.5°

to 87.5°

, 92.5°

to 177.5°

, 182.5°

to 267.5°

, or 272.5°

to 357.5°

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit.

17. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit, the angle β

is between 10°

to 80°

, 100°

to 170°

, 180°

to 260°

, or 285°

to 350°

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit.

18. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit, wherein angle β

is set to provide a three-dimensional magnetic field angle α

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit.

19. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises magnetic field angles of two or more magnets included in or on the first device, wherein each magnet has its own magnetic field set at an independently set angle β

relative to the predefined axis of the first device unit.

20. An interface system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field angles of the two or more magnets are associated with one or more characteristics of the first device, wherein as the first device is moved linearly into or rotated into the infusion pump device, the two or more magnets create a magnetic field sequence that uniquely identifies the one or more characteristics of the first device or the second device.