INFUSION PUMP SYSTEM WITH DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE HAVING PRESSURE VENTING AND PRESSURE FEEDBACK

• US 20130324928A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated
• Inventors: KRUSE, GEOFFREY A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,555,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/148 flexible, e.g. independent bagsA61M5/155 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16881 Regulating valves on-off valves, e.g. clamps A61M39/28

Abstract

Systems and methods of venting a cartridge of an infusion pump system are disclosed. The system can be actively vented. A interior volume of the system can be actively vented at times when a drive mechanism of the system is inactive. Such an active venting system can include a valve that seals a volume of the cartridge that can be vented from the ambient when pressure measurements in the cartridge are made by a pressure sensor for greater measurement and calculation accuracy.

Claims

1. An ambulatory infusion system, comprising:

a fluid cartridge including a collapsible reservoir for containing a fluid and a substantially rigid shell disposed over the collapsible reservoir and forming an interior volume between an outside surface of the collapsible reservoir and an inside surface of the shell;

a delivery mechanism at least partially disposed in a bore defined in the cartridge, the bore defining an interior volume;

a pump device configured to selectively receive the infusion cartridge and cooperate with the delivery mechanism to deliver fluid from the reservoir to a patient;

a vent inlet port defined in the cartridge extending between the interior volume of the cartridge and the interior volume of the bore;

a vent outlet port defined in the cartridge extending between the interior volume of the bore and an exterior of the cartridge; and

a selectively closeable valve disposed between the interior volume of the cartridge and the exterior of the cartridge.

2. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the valve is disposed in the interior volume of the cartridge adjacent the vent inlet port.

3. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the valve is disposed within the vent inlet port.

4. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the valve is disposed in the interior volume of the bore adjacent the vent inlet port.

5. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the valve is disposed in the interior volume of the bore adjacent the vent outlet port.

6. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the valve is disposed in the vent outlet port.

7. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the valve is disposed on the exterior of the cartridge adjacent the vent outlet port.

8. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, further comprising a user interlace, and wherein the valve is selectively opened and closed in response to input received at the user interface.

9. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, further comprising a processor that controls system operation, and wherein the valve is automatically opened and closed by the processor in response to a sensed condition of the system.

10. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 8, further comprising a sensor disposed in one of the cartridge and the pump adapted to obtain pressure measurements in the interior volume of the cartridge, and wherein the processor closes the valve to obtain a pressure measurement with the sensor.

11. The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1, wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.

12. An infusion pump system, comprising:

a pump device including a housing, a drive mechanism with a motor, a controller operatively coupled to the drive mechanism and a slot configured to accept a fluid cartridge;

a fluid cartridge operatively coupleable to the housing, the cartridge including a delivery mechanism, a collapsible reservoir having an interior volume surrounded by a flexible fluid tight membrane, the interior volume being in fluid communication with a reservoir inlet port, the cartridge also comprising a substantially rigid shell disposed over the reservoir and forming a second interior volume between an outside surface of the reservoir and an inside surface of the rigid shell;

a pressure sensor disposed between an interior surface of the rigid case and an exterior surface of the collapsible reservoir shell;

a bore within a body of the delivery mechanism defining an interior volume, the bore further defining the reservoir inlet port and a vent inlet port in communication with the second interior volume of the cartridge and a dispense port and a vent outlet port in communication with an exterior of the cartridge;

a spool slidingly disposed in the bore having a collapsible first volume which is configured to communicate with the reservoir inlet port and the dispense port of the bore independently of each other, the spool further defining a vent second volume positionable to overlap the vent inlet port and the vent outlet port simultaneously; and

a selectively openable and closeable valve disposed between the second interior volume of the cartridge and the exterior of the cartridge.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure small changes in pressure at low pressures.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure pressures up to about 30 psi.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure pressures up to about 5 psi.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising a user interface, and wherein the valve is selectively opened and closed in response to input received at the user interlace.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller automatically opens and closes the valve in response to a sensed condition of the system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller closes the valve to obtain a pressure measurement with the sensor.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the valve is disposed:

in the second interior volume of the cartridge adjacent the vent inlet port;

within the vent inlet port;

in the collapsible first volume adjacent the vent inlet port;

in the collapsible first volume adjacent the vent outlet port;

in the vent outlet port; and

on the exterior of the cartridge adjacent the vent outlet port.