Fluid conduit assembly with air venting features

• US 9,833,564 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Montalvo, Susan McConnell
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARPENTER, WILLIAM R
• Application Number:
  US14/553,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20160144102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/205 comprising air venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
• 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 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/38 using hydrophilic or hydrophobic filters

Abstract

A fluid conduit assembly for delivery of a medication fluid, and an associated fluid delivery system, are disclosed here. The fluid conduit assembly includes a trapping chamber having an interior volume to receive the medication fluid. The fluid conduit assembly also includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, a first outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, and a second outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber. The first outlet arrangement accommodates flow of liquid from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume. The second outlet arrangement accommodates flow of gas from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume.

Claims

1. A fluid conduit assembly for delivery of a medication fluid, the fluid conduit assembly comprising:

a reservoir cap comprising a lower body section configured to receive and couple to a fluid reservoir, and configured to couple to a housing of a fluid infusion device to seal and secure the fluid reservoir inside the housing;

a trapping chamber integrally formed in the lower body section of the reservoir cap, the trapping chamber comprising an upper wall, a delivery hole formed in the upper wall, a plurality of vent holes formed in the upper wall and arranged around the delivery hole, and an interior volume to receive the medication fluid from the fluid reservoir;

an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, the inlet formed in a lower wall of the trapping chamber, the lower wall opposing the upper wall of the trapping chamber;

a first outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, the first outlet arrangement accommodating flow of liquid from the interior volume and inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume, the first outlet arrangement comprising a first membrane completely covering the delivery hole, the first membrane having hydrophilic properties;

a length of hollow tubing in fluid communication with the first outlet arrangement by way of the delivery hole formed in the upper wall; and

a second outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, the second outlet arrangement accommodating flow of gas from the interior volume and inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume, the second outlet arrangement comprising a second membrane completely covering the plurality of vent holes, the second membrane having hydrophobic properties;

wherein the first membrane covers the delivery hole without interfering with the second membrane and without interfering with any of the plurality of vent holes; and

wherein the second membrane comprises a single ring-shaped membrane that surrounds the first membrane without interfering with the first membrane and without interfering with the delivery hole.

2. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hollow needle coupled to the inlet, wherein the medication fluid enters the interior volume of the trapping chamber via the hollow needle during a fluid delivery operation.

3. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the vent hole exits into external airspace surrounding the trapping chamber.

4. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a fluid infusion pump; and

a fluid conduit assembly coupled to the fluid infusion pump, the fluid conduit assembly comprising;

a reservoir cap comprising a lower body section configured to receive and couple to a fluid reservoir, and configured to couple to a housing of the fluid infusion pump to seal and secure the fluid reservoir inside the housing;

a trapping chamber integrally formed in the lower body section of the reservoir cap, the trapping chamber having an upper wall, a delivery hole formed in the upper wall, a plurality of vent holes formed in the upper wall and arranged around the delivery hole, and an interior volume to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir;

an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, the inlet formed in a lower wall of the trapping chamber, the lower wall opposing the upper wall of the trapping chamber;

a liquid outlet arrangement that allows liquid to flow from the interior volume to a fluid delivery conduit in fluid communication with the delivery hole, while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume to the fluid delivery conduit, the liquid outlet arrangement comprising a first membrane completely covering the delivery hole, the first membrane having hydrophilic properties; and

a gas outlet arrangement that allows gas to exit the interior volume while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume, the gas outlet arrangement comprising a second membrane completely covering the plurality of vent holes, the second membrane having hydrophobic properties;

wherein the first membrane covers the delivery hole without interfering with the second membrane and without interfering with any of the plurality of vent holes; and

wherein the second membrane comprises a single ring-shaped membrane that surrounds the first membrane without interfering with the first membrane and without interfering with the delivery hole.