# US 2008/0188810 A1 · Pump Assembly With Safety Valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188810 A1 - Document ID: US20080188810A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/816,729 - Filed: 2006-02-24 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2005-02-25 - Assignees: Novo Nordisk A/S - Inventors: Bjorn Gullak Larsen; Steffen Hansen; Kristian Glejbol; Peter Moller-Jensen; Tue Toft; Niels Hvid; Preben Larsen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188810A1 ## CPC - A61M 5/14216: {Reciprocating piston type} - A61M 5/14248: {of the skin patch type} - A61M 39/24: Check- or non-return valves - A61M 5/1413: {Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements} - A61M 2005/14252: {with needle insertion means} - A61M 2005/1426: {with means for preventing access to the needle after use} - A61M 2005/14264: {with means for compensating influence from the environment} - A61M 2005/14268: {with a reusable and a disposable component} - A61M 2005/1581: {Right-angle needle-type devices} - A61M 2005/1585: {Needle inserters} - A61M 2039/242: {designed to open when a predetermined pressure or flow rate has been reached, e.g. check valve actuated by fluid} - A61M 2039/2433: {Valve comprising a resilient or deformable element, e.g. flap valve, deformable disc} - 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)} ## Abstract The invention provides a pump assembly comprising a suction pump and a safety valve arranged between the pump inlet and a fluid inlet for the assembly. The safety valve comprises an inlet valve and a moveable control member acting on the safety inlet valve, wherein the control member is operatable between an initial position in which the safety inlet valve is closed, and an activated position in which the safety inlet valve is open, and wherein the control member is moved from the initial to the activated position by means of suction action from the pump. By this arrangement the opening of the safety valve is positively controlled by the suction provided by the pump whereas the safety valve is closed during non-operation of the pump. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pump assembly, comprising: a fluid inlet (191) and a fluid outlet (197), a suction pump (198) having a pump inlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, a first safety valve (150) arranged between the pump inlet and the fluid inlet, wherein the first safety valve is operatable between an initial state in which the safety valve is closed, and an activated state in which the safety valve is open, the first safety valve being operated from the initial to the activated state by means of suction action from the pump. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A pump assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first safety valve comprises a safety inlet valve and a moveable control member (172) acting on the safety inlet valve, and wherein the control member is operatable between an initial position in which the safety inlet valve is closed, and an activated position in which the safety inlet valve is open, the control member being moved from the initial to the activated position by means of suction action from the pump. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A pump assembly as in claim 2, wherein the control member comprises or is associated with an actuator (171) operatable between an initial position in which the control member is in the initial position, and an activated position in which the control member is in the activated position, the actuator comprising a first portion subjected to external pressure and an second portion in fluid communication with the pump inlet, whereby application of suction action from the pump moves the actuator to its activated position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A pump assembly as in claim 2, wherein the safety inlet valve is in the form of a membrane valve comprising a valve seat (162) and a valve membrane (161), the control member acting on the valve membrane to open the safety inlet valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A pump assembly as in claim 1, wherein the suction pump comprises a variable-volume pump chamber (195) and an inlet respectively an outlet valve (193, 194) associated with the pump inlet respectively the pump outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A pump assembly as in claim 5, wherein the inlet and the outlet valves are controlled by pressure generated in the pump chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A pump assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a second safety valve (180) arranged in the fluid communication between the pump outlet and the fluid outlet, the second safety valve allowing fluid to move from the pump outlet to the fluid outlet, yet prevents fluid from being sucked through the pump assembly via the fluid outlet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A pump assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a flexible reservoir (190) containing a fluid drug in an interior thereof, the reservoir being in fluid communication with or adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A pump assembly as in claim 1, further comprising an actuator (581) for actuating the pump. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A pump assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a transcutaneous device (530, 1017) adapted to be inserted through the skin of a subject, the transcutaneous device being arranged or adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A medical assembly comprising a pump assembly (5, 1050) as in claim 1, further comprising a transcutaneous device unit (2, 1010) comprising: a transcutaneous device (530, 1017) adapted to be inserted through the skin of a subject, a mounting surface (10, 1020) adapted for application to the skin of a subject, wherein the transcutaneous device unit and the pump assembly are adapted to be secured to each other in a situation of use, and wherein the transcutaneous device is adapted to be arranged in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. ### Claim 12 A pump assembly, comprising: a fluid inlet (291) and a fluid outlet (292), a suction pump (298) comprising a variable-volume pump chamber and having an inlet valve (293) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and an outlet valve (294) in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, the inlet valve and the outlet valve having a combined opening resistance, a first safety valve (250) arranged between the inlet valve and the fluid inlet, the first safety valve having an opening resistance less than the combined opening resistance of the inlet valve and the outlet valve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A pump assembly as in claim 12, comprising a flow restrictor (260) arranged between the first safety valve and the inlet valve, the flow restrictor having a neglectable flow resistance during normal operation of the pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) An assembly as in claim 12, further comprising a second safety valve arranged in the fluid communication between the outlet valve and the fluid outlet, the second safety valve allowing fluid to move from the outlet valve to the fluid outlet, yet prevents fluid from being sucked through the pump assembly via the fluid outlet.