# US 12,186,546 B2 · Medical device loading systems, devices, and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,186,546 B2 - Document ID: US12186546B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/602,614 - Filed: 2020-04-09 - Published: 2022-06-23 - Granted: 2025-01-07 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-09 - Assignees: NxStage Medical, Inc. - Applicants: NxStage Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Garrick C. Adolf; Joseph A. Hoell, Jr.; Jacob A. Clark; Derek Bruce Eldridge - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12186546B2 ## CPC - A61M 60/847: arranged in a cassette - A61M 1/14: Dialysis systems; Artificial kidneys; Blood oxygenators (semi-permeable membranes characterised by the material, manufacturing processes therefor B01D71/00){; Reciprocating systems for treatment of body fluids, e.g. single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis} - A61M 1/152: {Details related to the interface between cassette and machine} - A61M 1/3401: {Cassettes therefor} - A61M 1/3622: {with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit} - A61M 1/367: {Circuit parts not covered by the preceding subgroups of group A61M1/3621} - A61M 60/113: in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines - B01L 9/527: {for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip} - A61M 1/362223: {the interface being evacuated interfaces to enhance contact} - A61M 1/36225: {with blood pumping means or components thereof} - A61M 1/36226: {Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape} - A61M 2205/121: interface between cassette and base - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE ## Abstract A cartridge insertion system includes a chassis supporting a fluid circuit, the chassis having a forward end with key pins projecting from the forward end and a rear end. The system also includes a medical treatment device with a slot opening closed by doors having a major dimension and having key openings spaced apart a same distance as the key pins on the chassis, such that when the chassis is pushed toward the slot opening, the key pins enter the key openings before the forward end meets the doors. The key pins push against latches that hold the door locked shut, so that the doors will not open if a cartridge without key pins is pressed against the door. When a cartridge with key pins is used, the doors unlock and allow the cartridge to be inserted. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge insertion system, comprising: a chassis supporting a fluid circuit, the chassis having a forward end with key pins projecting from said forward end and a rear end; a medical treatment device having a slot opening closed by doors having a major dimension, the doors having key openings spaced apart a same distance as said key pins such that when said chassis is pushed toward said slot opening, said key pins enter said key openings before said forward end meets said doors; latches on said medical treatment device immediately behind said key openings, each of the latches configured to pivot on a latch axis; the doors pivoting on door axes parallel to the major dimension; and the latches and the doors being configured to interfere such that when the latches are closed in a home position, prior to contact with said key pins, the doors are prevented from opening and such that when said key pins push against said latches, the latches move to one side, releasing the doors. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said key openings are located to one side of the major dimension of said slot opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said latch axis is perpendicular to said major dimension. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said latch axis is parallel to said major dimension. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said latches have opposing facing edges that engage with ridges on said doors when the doors are closed and the latches are in the home position prior to being pushed by the key pins. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the cartridge holds the doors open and the doors are spring loaded to close such that when the latches return to the home position the doors are locked and prevent objects from being inserted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge holds the doors open and the doors are spring loaded to close such that when the latches return to the home position the doors are locked and prevent objects from being inserted. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid circuit has tubes that project away from said rear end extending beyond said rear end to connect to connectors remote from said chassis, and said tubes are generally parallel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said fluid circuit includes a pumping tube segment connected to the chassis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the pumping tube segment is positioned parallel to said major dimension when the chassis is oriented for insertion in said slot opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said pumping tube segment lies between a major portion of the chassis and a line connecting tips of said key pins. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said pumping tube segment is attached to pressure pods at either end of the pumping tube segment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said chassis has a rear fence with slots for tubes, and said rear fence is aligned with the slot opening when said chassis is fully inserted in said medical treatment device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the chassis has a generally uniform depth, the depth being perpendicular to two major dimensions thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the doors prevent the latches from closing by remaining in interfering engagement therewith such that the latches cannot close before the doors close. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein, when the chassis is inserted in the slot opening, the latches are first to open and when the chassis withdrawn from the slot opening, the latches are last to close.