Smart connection interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016015887-A1
Application number	US-201514801548-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 16, 2015
Priority date	Jul 21, 2014
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A connector interface system, comprising:
a cap to connect to a reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit for installation into an infusion pump device; and at least one Radio Frequency (RF) detectable feature provided on or in the cap for detection by at least one RF sensor element on the infusion pump device when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in a reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

2 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one RF detectable feature has at least one detectable parameter that is associated with one or more characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, a cannula, or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.

3 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 2 , wherein the at least one detectable parameter comprises one or more of: the existence of one or more RF detectable features on the cap or the reservoir; the location or pattern of locations of one or more RF detectable features on the cap or the reservoir; the type of RF detectable feature on the cap or the reservoir; the type or content of data stored by the RF detectable feature; the polarity, direction or orientation, RSSI or other RF signal strength, or amplitude or phase of an RF signal from the RF detectable feature.

4 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 2 , wherein the one or more characteristics comprises one or more of: a type or identity of a manufacturer of the reservoir or the cap; a size of the reservoir or the cap; a type or concentration of infusion media in the reservoir; a volume amount of infusion media in the reservoir; a date corresponding to a manufacturing date, expiration date, or fill date related to infusion media in the reservoir; a date corresponding to a manufacturing date or expiration date of the reservoir or the cap; a location corresponding to a place where the reservoir or infusion media in the reservoir was made, filled, or otherwise processed; a location corresponding to a place where the cap was made, assembled, or otherwise processed; a location corresponding to a place where the reservoir, infusion media in the reservoir, or the cap is authorized to be used; a lot number or code associated with a batch in which the reservoir, the cap, or infusion media was made, cleaned, filled, or otherwise processed; a serial number; a unique ID; user identification information for authorized users; a type, length, or size of the cannula; or a type, length, or size of the tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.

5 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one RF detectable feature comprises a plurality of RF detectable features arranged at different respective locations on the cap.

6 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one RF detectable feature comprises a plurality of RF detectable features in locations that allow the RF detectable features to interact with the at least one RF sensor element to provide detectable signals for detection of axial or rotational motion or position of the cap or the reservoir relative to the reservoir receptacle, when the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle.

7 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one RF detectable feature comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that is attached to the cap.

8 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one RF detectable feature comprises a passive RF device that receives power through inductive coupling with the at least one RF sensor element.

9 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one RF detectable feature comprises an RF detectable device having a directional antenna or an antenna with at least one RF shield or wave guide configured to direct RF signals to or from the antenna.

10 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one RF detectable feature has a memory that stores information, and an antenna for communicating information stored in the memory, the memory includes a first section that stores permanent information and a second section that is writeable for storing information written to the RF detectable feature.

11 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the information stored in the memory comprises information identifying one or more of: a type or identity of a manufacturer of the reservoir; a size of the reservoir; a type or concentration of infusion media in the reservoir; a volume amount of infusion media in the reservoir; a volume amount of infusion media that has been dispensed from the reservoir; a date corresponding to an expiration date or fill date related to infusion media in the reservoir; a location corresponding to a place where the reservoir or infusion media in the reservoir was made, filled, or otherwise processed; a lot number or code associated with a batch in which the reservoir or infusion media was made, cleaned, filled or otherwise processed.

12 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the information stored in the memory comprises information identifying one or more characteristics relating to an infusion set connected to the cap, the one or more characteristics including at least one of: a type or identity of a manufacturer of the infusion set; a length of tubing in the infusion set; a diameter of the tubing in the infusion set; a length of a needle or cannula in the infusion set; a diameter of the needle or cannula in the infusion set; a date corresponding to an expiration date, manufacturing date or assembly date of the infusion set; a location corresponding to a place where the infusion set was made or assembled; a lot number or other code associated with a batch in which the infusion set was made, cleaned or otherwise processed

13 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the information stored in the memory comprises information identifying one or more characteristics of the connector interface, the one or more characteristics including at least one of a type or manufacturer of the connection interface; a size dimension of the cap; a date corresponding to an expiration date, manufacturing date or assembly date of the connector interface; a location corresponding to the place where the connector interface was made or assembled; a lot number or other code associated with a batch in which the connector interface was made, cleaned or otherwise processed.

14 . A connector interface system, comprising:
a reservoir to be received within a reservoir receptacle of an infusion pump device, the reservoir to contain infusion media to be selectively dispensed from the reservoir when the reservoir is received within the reservoir receptacle; a connector interface to connect the reservoir with the infusion pump device, the connector interface comprising a cap to connect to the reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit; an infusion set coupled to the cap via a tubing for conveying infusion media dispensed from the reservoir; and at least one Radio Frequency (RF) detectable feature provided on or in the cap for detection by at least one RF sensor element on the infusion pump device when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in a reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

15 . A connector interface system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the infusion set further includes a cannula, and wherein the at least one RF detectable feature has at least one detectable parameter

Assignees

• Medtronic Minimed Inc

Inventors

• Pananen Jacob E
• Bazargan Afshin
• Alderete Jr Juan M
• Ali Sherif M
• Grover Benjamin A
• Halili Edgardo C
• Montalvo Susan Mcconnell
• Ng Anthony C
• Rankers Ulrich H
• Sakae Vaughn S
• Vazquez Pablo
• Weaver Andrew E
• Yavorsky Matthew William
• Yu Edmond W
• Wagner Jennifer L
• Lin Mark
• Ibranyan Arsen
• Tieck R Marie
• Trock Adam S
• Lorenzen Eric M

Classifications

• A61M5/1456 Primary

  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 title

• A61M2039/1044

  Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources · CPC title

• A61M2039/1016

  Unlocking means providing a secure or comfortable disconnection · CPC title

• A61M2205/121

  interface between cassette and base · CPC title

• A61M2205/14

  Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus · CPC title