SYSTEMS FOR FLUID DELIVERY WITH WICKING MEMBRANE

• US 20170143914A1
• Filed: 11/25/2015
• Published: 05/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Grover, Benjamin A., Ali, Sherif M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,449,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/126 with incorporated membrane filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7527 liquophilic, hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/145 using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/38 using hydrophilic or hydrophobic filters

Abstract

A fluid reservoir system is provided. The fluid reservoir system includes a fluid reservoir that defines a chamber to receive a fluid, and the fluid reservoir includes an outlet. The fluid reservoir system includes a source of pressure to draw the fluid into the outlet and a wicking membrane is coupled to the fluid reservoir that covers the outlet.

Claims

1. A fluid reservoir system, comprising:

a fluid reservoir that defines a chamber to receive a fluid, the fluid reservoir including an outlet;

a source of pressure to draw the fluid into the outlet; and

a wicking membrane coupled to the fluid reservoir that covers the outlet.

2. The fluid reservoir system of claim 1, wherein the wicking membrane is a hydrophilic membrane.

3. The fluid reservoir system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir has a first end and a second end, the outlet is defined at the first end and the wicking membrane is coupled at the first end.

4. The fluid reservoir system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir has a first end and a second end, the outlet is defined at the first end and the wicking membrane is coupled at the first end and extends to a point near the second end.

5. The fluid reservoir system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir is received within a fluid infusion device and the source of pressure is a drive system associated with the fluid infusion device.

6. The fluid reservoir system of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir includes a flexible reservoir wall that defines the fluid chamber, and the source of pressure is a source of negative pressure.

7. The fluid reservoir of claim 6, further comprising a rigid reservoir wall coupled to the flexible reservoir wall, and the outlet is defined through the rigid reservoir wall.

8. The fluid reservoir system of claim 1, wherein the wicking membrane includes at least one contour defined on the wicking membrane adjacent to the outlet.

9. The fluid reservoir system of claim 1, wherein the wicking membrane is disposed entirely within the chamber and completely covers the outlet to substantially prevent a flow of air into the outlet.

10. A fluid reservoir system, comprising:

a fluid reservoir that defines a chamber to receive a fluid, the fluid reservoir including an outlet that defines a fluid flow path;

a source of pressure to dispense the fluid through the outlet; and

a hydrophilic wicking membrane coupled to the fluid reservoir so as to be disposed within the chamber and the wicking membrane completely covers the outlet to substantially prevent a flow of air into the fluid flow path.

11. The fluid reservoir system of claim 10, wherein the fluid reservoir has a first end and a second end, the outlet is defined at the first end and the wicking membrane is coupled at the first end.

12. The fluid reservoir system of claim 10, wherein the fluid reservoir has a first end and a second end, the outlet is defined at the first end and the wicking membrane is coupled at the first end and extends to a point near the second end.

13. The fluid reservoir system of claim 10, wherein the fluid reservoir is received within a fluid infusion device and the source of pressure is a drive system associated with the fluid infusion device.

14. The fluid reservoir system of claim 13, wherein the fluid is insulin and the fluid infusion device is an insulin infusion device.

15. The fluid reservoir system of claim 10, wherein the fluid reservoir includes a flexible reservoir wall that defines the fluid chamber, and the source of pressure is a source of negative pressure.

16. The fluid reservoir of claim 15, further comprising a rigid reservoir wall coupled to the flexible reservoir wall, and the outlet is defined through the rigid reservoir wall.

17. The fluid reservoir system of claim 10, wherein the wicking membrane includes at least one contour defined on the wicking membrane adjacent to the outlet.

18. A fluid infusion device, comprising:

a fluid reservoir that defines a chamber to receive a fluid, the fluid reservoir including a first end and a second end, with an outlet formed at the first end to define a fluid flow path;

a drive system having a portion movable within the chamber to dispense the fluid through the outlet; and

a hydrophilic wicking membrane coupled at the first end of the fluid reservoir so as to be disposed entirely within the chamber, and the wicking membrane completely covers the outlet to substantially prevent a flow of air into the fluid flow path.

19. The fluid infusion device of claim 18, wherein the fluid is insulin and the fluid infusion device is an insulin infusion device.

20. The fluid infusion device of claim 18, wherein the wicking membrane is coupled to the first end of the fluid reservoir and is spaced apart from the portion of the drive system.