Reservoir pressure equalization systems and methods

US8313467B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC. · US

Inventors

• Colin A. Chong · Glendale, US
• Rafael Bikovsky · Oak Park, US
• Julian D. Kavazov · Arcadia, US
• Eric M. Lorenzen · San Fernando, US
• Bradley Joseph Sargent · Mission Viejo, US
• Andrew J. Scherer · Trabuco Canyon, US
• Rex O. Bare · Lake Forest, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 27, 2007
• Grant date: Nov 20, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 25, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/0396
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.