# US 2023/0056878 A1 · Apparatus for Detecting Mating of a Cap with a Fluid Delivery Device and Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0056878 A1 - Document ID: US20230056878A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/982,326 - Filed: 2022-11-07 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-08 - Assignees: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc. - Applicants: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc. - Inventors: Amith Wijesuriya; Thomas P. Miller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230056878A1 ## CPC - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 5/145: using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. by means of pistons - A61M 5/16831: {Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies (low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066)} - A61M 39/0247: {Transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body} - A61M 39/12: for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment - A61B 2562/0247: Pressure sensors - A61M 5/14244: {adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body} - A61M 2005/14506: {mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork} - A61M 2039/1005: {Detection of disconnection} - A61M 2205/14: Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus - A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow - A61M 2205/502: User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards - A61M 2205/52: with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient - A61M 2205/6036: characterised by physical shape, e.g. array of activating switches - 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)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract This disclosure includes an apparatus for detecting mating of a cap with a fluid delivery device having a housing, a receptacle, and a sensor. The housing is configured to carry an insulin delivery device having a reservoir of the fluid. The receptacle is provided by the housing having a coupling with a locking recess configured to receive a cap with a sprung locking arm. The pressure sensor is carried by the receptacle proximate the coupling and configured to detect engagement force of the sprung locking arm with the receptacle when mated with the housing. A method is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 (canceled) ### Claim 3 (canceled) ### Claim 4 (canceled) ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (canceled) ### Claim 8 (canceled) ### Claim 9 (canceled) ### Claim 10 (canceled) ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (canceled) ### Claim 13 (canceled) ### Claim 14 (canceled) ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (canceled) ### Claim 17 A method of detecting user mating/demating of a cap and a delivery tube with a fluid delivery device, comprising: providing a housing supporting a reservoir of fluid having a receptacle, a cap with a fluid insulin delivery tube configured to removably mate with the receptacle, and a pair of mating interlocking connectors provided between the cap and the receptacle, the connectors on the cap having a locking wing with a outwardly extending finger extending from a flexible arm that is urged inwardly when de-mating and mating the cap from the receptacle proximate a locked position; detecting a force from the urged flexible arm while engaging and disengaging the cap from the receptacle; and recording in a memory the detected force between the cap and the receptacle during mating and demating. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein detecting comprises measuring pressure exerted from the urged flexible arm against an inner surface of the receptacle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising recording in the memory the detected force exerted between the locked cap and the housing by the wing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising determining a locked condition of the cap to the housing by comparing the detected force with a known force indicative of the cap locked onto the housing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising comparing the recorded detected force with an acceptable range of forces to ascertain whether the cap is a compliant cap. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising providing detents in the receptacle for receiving the finger of the flexible arm on each interlocking connector in interlocked engagement. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, further comprising locking the cap within the receptacle by receiving each of the fingers within each of the corresponding detents in the receptacle. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a pressure sensor within the recess proximate one of the detents, wherein detecting a force from the urged flexible arm comprises detecting pressure of the arm against the sensor prior to one of the fingers engaging within the one detent. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein the detected pressure of the arm against the sensor prior to one of the fingers engaging within the one detent indicates a first unlocked state. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein detecting a force from the urged flexible arm comprises detecting pressure of the arm against the sensor when one of the fingers engages within the one detent. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the detected pressure of the arm against the sensor when one of the fingers engages within the one detent indicates a second locked state. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, further comprising detecting whether the cap is in the locked position relative to the receptacle by comparing the detected force between the cap and the receptacle recorded in the memory with a range of forces indicative of the locked state. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, further comprising detecting whether the cap is a non-complying after-market cap by comparing one of the first state and the second state in the memory with a known range of forces corresponding with a complying factory cap. ### Claim 30 A method of detecting user mating/demating of a cap and a delivery tube with a fluid delivery device, comprising: providing a housing supporting a reservoir of fluid having a receptacle, a sensor provided in the receptacle, a cap with a fluid insulin delivery tube configured to removably mate with the receptacle, and a pair of mating interlocking connectors provided between the cap and the receptacle, the connectors on the cap having a locking wing with a outwardly extending finger extending from a flexible arm that is urged inwardly when de-mating and mating the cap from the receptacle proximate a locked position; detecting a force from the urged flexible arm with the sensor while engaging and disengaging the cap from the receptacle; and recording in a memory the detected force between the cap and the receptacle during mating and demating. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor provided within a recess of the receptacle. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method of claim 31, providing a pair of detents in the receptacle along an inner surface of the recess configured to receive the finger of the flexible arm on each interlocking connector in interlocked engagement. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, wherein the pressure sensor is provided proximate one of the detents, and wherein detecting a force from the urged flexible arm comprises detecting pressure of the arm against the sensor prior to one of the fingers engaging within the one detent. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, wherein detecting comprises measuring pressure exerted from the urged flexible arm against an inner surface of the receptacle. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, wherein the detected pressure of the arm against the sensor prior to one of the fingers engaging within the one detent indicates a first unlocked state. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, wherein detecting a force from the urged flexible arm comprises detecting pressure of the arm against the sensor when one of the fingers engages within the one detent indicating a second locked state.