Cartridge insertion mechanism for a fluid delivery device
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11951279-B2
Publication Date
2024-04-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A fluid delivery device comprises a drive unit including an actuator and one or more first features and a cartridge filled with a fluid prior to being inserted into the housing. The cartridge having a fluid reservoir sealed at one end by a movable piston and sealed at another end by a pierceable septum. The cartridge includes one or more second features that are configured to align and mate with the one or more first features allowing the cartridge to be inserted into the drive unit. The piston is moveable by the actuator once the cartridge is inserted into the drive unit.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a hydraulically actuated ambulatory fluid delivery pump having a fluid delivery device with a drive unit and a prefilled cartridge inserted into the drive unit. The cartridge has a longitudinal axis and includes a fluid reservoir that is sealed at one end by a movable piston and sealed at another end by a pierceable septum. The cartridge is filled with fluid prior to being inserted into the housing, so the reservoir is ready for delivery when inserted and actuated.
The drive unit includes a housing and an actuator, and the cartridge includes or has secured thereto one or more circumferentially extending keyed features. Corresponding first features of the drive unit mate with second features of the cartridge so that, when positioned within the housing, the cartridge is translatable relative to the drive unit in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis while being prevented from translating parallel to the longitudinal axis. The mating of the features aligns insertion and provides sealing and guidance while also controlling piston actuation via an actuator/valve and enabling needle piercing and fluid coupling through the pierceable septum.
The description further specifies structures that maintain sealing during insertion and actuation while accommodating cartridge length and thermal variation. It discusses seal-compliance approaches including a compliant portion, an O-ring, or a co-molded/over-molded seal in a seal receptacle space to maintain hydraulic sealing when the cartridge is inserted and mated. It also describes a pierced-septum fluid coupling and needle deployment, as well as an adhesive foam-pad bottom for skin coupling, and exemplary cartridge material and keyed-feature attachment methods to support the keyed interlock between the cartridge and the drive unit.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00017, clm-00018, clm-00019), with a total of core inventive concepts that recur across them: a hydraulically actuated drive unit with an actuator, a prefilled cartridge with a movable piston and a pierceable septum, and keyed feature mating that permits perpendicular translation while preventing translation parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis.
Keyed circumferential alignment permitting perpendicular translation
A fluid delivery device with a drive unit having one or more first features and a cartridge having one or more second features that project radially inwardly or outwardly, extend around a circumference, and mate with the one or more first features so the cartridge is translatable relative to the drive unit in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and prevented from translating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Prefilled cartridge sealed by movable piston and pierceable septum
A cartridge filled with fluid prior to being inserted into the housing, the cartridge having a fluid reservoir sealed at one, first end by a piston and sealed at another, second end by a pierceable septum.
Mating-controlled piston actuation within the drive unit
The piston being moveable relative to the cartridge by the actuator once the cartridge is inserted into the drive unit.
Rotatable door for cartridge seating and positioning
A fluid delivery device that includes a door coupled to the housing, where the door is rotatable relative to the housing to cover the cartridge and seat the cartridge into position within the drive unit.
Adhesive bottom surface for skin coupling
The fluid delivery device includes an adhesive bottom surface configured to be coupled to a skin surface during use.
Flush cover structure for cartridge when fully inserted
The cartridge includes a cover structure configured to be generally flush with the housing when the cartridge is fully inserted into the drive unit.
Keyed features configured to align and mate while preventing longitudinal translation
A cartridge configured for insertion in a fluid delivery device, the cartridge including one or more radial projecting and circumferentially extending keyed features configured to align and mate with corresponding keyed features of the fluid delivery device, allowing the cartridge to be inserted perpendicular to the longitudinal axis while preventing translation along the longitudinal axis and permitting translation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a fluid delivery device using a prefilled cartridge sealed by a movable piston at one end and a pierceable septum at the other, where keyed first and second features mate to allow perpendicular translation and prevent parallel (longitudinal) translation; dependent coverage adds mechanisms such as a rotatable door, adhesive skin coupling, and a generally flush cover structure when fully inserted, as well as cartridge keyed-feature alignment and insertion about a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Stated Advantages
Aligns insertion of the cartridge into the drive unit and provides sealing and guidance while also controlling piston actuation.
Permits cartridge insertion and translation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis while preventing translation parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Enables needle piercing and fluid coupling through the pierceable septum.
Maintains hydraulic sealing despite cartridge length and thermal variation [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Provides a door that rotatably covers the cartridge and seats the cartridge into position within the drive unit.
Provides an adhesive bottom surface configured to couple to a skin surface during use.
Provides a cover structure configured to be generally flush with the housing when the cartridge is fully inserted into the drive unit.
Documented Applications
Ambulatory insulin delivery pump using a fluid delivery device with a prefilled cartridge and hydraulically actuated piston actuation, including medicament/insulin (U100-U500) delivery [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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