Fluid Reservoir Bubble Retention and Vent Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid infusion devices face challenges in efficiently filling their reservoirs without wetting vent ports and minimizing trapped air or 'bubbles', which can lead to undesirable outcomes during the filling process.

Innovation Solution

A fluid reservoir system with a movable plunger portion and a transfer guard that includes locking members and piercing members to facilitate filling while reducing the risk of vent port wetting and air entrapment, utilizing a bubble retaining feature to guide air bubbles to a trap within the reservoir.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the fluid reservoir is filled manually by the patient prior to use, then the filling process can be completed, but it becomes tedious and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling speedVSAvoidtime required for filling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid reservoir is pre-filled at the manufacturing site before sterilization, so that when the patient receives the device, the reservoir is already prepared and only requires connection to the infusion set. This preliminary filling action eliminates the tedious and time-consuming manual filling process for the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the fluid reservoir is filled before use, then the reservoir is ready for infusion, but vent ports of the set connector may become wetted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness for useVSAvoidwetting of vent ports

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filling operation is extracted from the patient's environment and performed at the manufacturing site. The pre-filled reservoir is then sterilized and packaged, separating the filling process from the patient's use environment. This eliminates the harmful effect of vent port wetting during filling, as the filling occurs under controlled manufacturing conditions with proper sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir is pre-filled and sealed before sterilization and packaging. The filling action is performed in advance under controlled conditions, preventing fluid from contacting the vent ports during the patient's use. The reservoir is then sterilized as a sealed unit and ready for immediate use upon connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If air is trapped during the filling of the fluid reservoir, then bubbles form within the fluid, but this can be minimized with proper filling design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling efficiencyVSAvoidtrapped air bubbles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A filling needle or catheter is used as an intermediary tool to deliver fluid into the reservoir through a designated fill port. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled fluid delivery that minimizes air entrapment by directing fluid flow along the inner walls of the reservoir and displacing air systematically. The fill port is then sealed to prevent air ingress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10532165B2Fluid reservoir and systems for filling a fluid reservoir of a fluid infusion device

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC

AI summary

A fluid reservoir for a fluid infusion device is provided. The fluid reservoir includes a first portion that has a first end and a second end. The first end includes a fluid delivery port and at least one bubble retaining feature adjacent to the fluid delivery port. The fluid reservoir includes a second portion received in the second end of the first portion and movable within the first portion from the first end to the second end. The fluid reservoir defines a fluid chamber between the first portion and the second portion.