RESERVOIR PLUNGER HEAD SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20090326458A1
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lorenzen, Eric M., Chong, Colin A., Bikovsky, Rafael, Luan, Truong Gia, Ibranyan, Arsen
• Granted Patent: US 9,089,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14573 with a replaceable reservoir for quick connection/disconnection with a driving system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• 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: A61M 5/31501 Means for blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston A61M5/5013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31513 Piston constructions to improve sealing or sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A plunger head moveable in an axial direction within a reservoir having an interior volume for containing fluidic media may have a first portion in contact with fluidic media when fluidic media is in the interior volume of the reservoir, the first portion comprising a first material compatible with fluidic media in the interior volume of the reservoir, a second portion located on an opposite side of the plunger head from the interior volume of the reservoir, the second portion connectable to a plunger arm, and a third portion located between the first portion and the second portion of the plunger head, at least one of the first portion, second portion, and the third portion is made of a material that comprises one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer.

Claims

1. A system for transferring fluidic media, the system comprising:

a plunger head moveable in an axial direction within a reservoir having an interior volume for containing fluidic media, the plunger head comprising;

a first portion in contact with fluidic media when fluidic media is in the interior volume of the reservoir, the first portion comprising a first material compatible with fluidic media in the interior volume of the reservoir;

a second portion located on an opposite side of the plunger head from the interior volume of the reservoir, the second portion connectable to a plunger arm; and

a third portion located between the first portion and the second portion of the plunger head;

wherein at least one of the first portion, second portion, and the third portion is made of a material that comprises one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer.

2. The system according to claim 1, the second portion comprising a second material different from the first material.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one seal member positioned between the reservoir and the plunger head.

4. The system according to claim 3, the at least one seal member positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the plunger head.

5. The system according to claim 3,

a first seal member of the at least one seal member positioned between the first portion and the third portion of the plunger head;

and

a second seal member of the at least one seal member positioned between the second portion and the third portion of the plunger head.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a connection structure that removably attaches the first portion of the plunger head to at least one of the second portion and the third portion of the plunger head.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a connection structure that removably attaches the second portion of the plunger head to at least one of the first portion and the third portion of the plunger head.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the third portion of the plunger head is configured to connect the first portion and the second portion of the plunger head together.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the third portion of the plunger head is configured to receive a portion from each of the first portion and the second portion of the plunger head to connect the first portion and the second portion of the plunger head together.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the third portion comprises one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second material is incompatible with fluidic media in the interior volume of the reservoir.

12. The system according to claim 1,

the first portion having a first ridge;

the second portion having a second ridge;

a plurality of protrusions arranged around at least one of the first ridge and the second ridge.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein a space is provided between each of the protrusions and the reservoir.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first ridge and the second ridge are separate and spaced apart.

15. A method of making a system for transferring fluidic media, the method comprising:

providing a plunger head moveable in an axial direction within a reservoir having an interior volume for containing fluidic media, the plunger head comprising;

a first portion in contact with fluidic media when fluidic media is in the interior volume of the reservoir, the first portion comprising a first material compatible with fluidic media in the interior volume of the reservoir;

a second portion located on an opposite side of the plunger head from the interior volume of the reservoir, the second portion connectable to a plunger arm; and

a third portion located between the first portion and the second portion of the plunger head;

wherein at least one of the first portion, second portion, and the third portion is made of a material that comprises one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer.

16. A method of making a system for transferring fluidic media, the method comprising:

providing a reservoir having an interior volume for containing fluidic media, the reservoir having a plunger head moveable in an axial direction within the reservoir;

providing a lubricant on an inner surface of the reservoir at least between the plunger head and the reservoir;

plasma treating the lubricant on the inner surface of the reservoir;

wherein at least a portion of the plunger head is made of a material that comprises one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the inner surface of the reservoir is made of a material that comprises one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the reservoir is made of a material that comprises one of a cyclic olefin copolymer and a cyclic olefin polymer.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the lubricant comprises a silicone-free lubricant.