# US 9,744,290 B2 · Smart connection interface

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- Number: US 9,744,290 B2
- Document ID: US9744290B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/344,442
- Filed: 2016-11-04
- Published: 2017-02-23
- Granted: 2017-08-29
- Earliest claimed: 2014-07-21
- Assignees: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
- Applicants: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
- Inventors: R. Marie Tieck; Jacob E. Pananen; Afshin Bazargan; Juan M. Alderete, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9744290B2

## CPC

- A61M 5/1413: {Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements}
- A61J 1/1418: {Threaded type}
- A61J 1/1481: {with connection retaining means, e.g. thread or snap-fit}
- A61J 1/18: Arrangements for indicating condition of container contents, e.g. sterile condition
- A61M 5/142: Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
- A61M 5/1456: {with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir}
- A61M 5/14566: {with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump}
- A61M 5/5086: {for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile}
- A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings
- A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)}
- A61M 39/12: for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
- G01V 3/00: Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
- G01V 3/02: operating with propagation of electric current
- G01V 3/08: operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices (with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12)
- G01V 15/00: Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object (record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00)
- A61J 2205/60: using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
- A61M 39/1033: {Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors or bayonet-connectors}
- A61M 39/1055: {Rotating or swivel joints}
- A61M 2039/1005: {Detection of disconnection}
- A61M 2039/1016: {Unlocking means providing a secure or comfortable disconnection}
- A61M 2039/1022: {additionally providing electrical connection}
- A61M 2039/1027: {Quick-acting type connectors}
- A61M 2039/1044: {Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources}
- A61M 2039/1094: {at least partly incompatible with standard connectors, e.g. to prevent fatal mistakes in connection}
- A61M 2205/0227: Materials having sensing or indicating function, e.g. indicating a pressure increase
- A61M 2205/0272: Electro-active or magneto-active materials
- A61M 2205/0288: Electro-rheological or magneto-rheological materials
- A61M 2205/12: with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
- A61M 2205/121: interface between cassette and base
- A61M 2205/14: Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
- A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means
- A61M 2205/3317: Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
- A61M 2205/52: with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
- A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback
- A61M 2205/582: by tactile feedback
- A61M 2205/6027: Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
- A61M 2205/6054: Magnetic identification systems
- A61M 2205/6063: Optical identification systems
- 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)}
- A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02)

## Abstract

A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The reservoir, a base and a cap are connected to form an integrated unit that is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing. The cap and the infusion pump are each provided with at least one sensor or at least one detectable feature, arranged to interact with at least one corresponding detectable feature or sensor on the other of the cap and infusion pump device, to detect one or more of the presence, position or other characteristic of the cap when the cap is aligned or coupled with the infusion pump housing. The detectable feature and sensor may be magnetic, RF, mechanical, optical or any combination.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A connector interface system, comprising:
a cap to connect to a reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit for installation into an infusion pump device; and
at least one magnetic detectable feature arranged on the cap for detection by at least one sensor element on the infusion pump device when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in a reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device,
wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises a magnetic field angle of a magnet that is attached to a housing of the cap, the magnetic field angle being an angle of orientation of a magnetic field of the magnet relative to a predefined axis of the cap or the reservoir/cap unit, the magnetic field angle being non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the predefined axis; and
wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature is arranged at a location on the cap to be detected by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir or the cap of the reservoir/cap unit is in a fully installed and stationary position relative to the infusion pump device.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field angle of the at least one magnetic detectable feature is at least one detectable parameter that is associated with one or more characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, a cannula, or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one detectable parameter further comprises one or more of: proximity of the at least one magnetic detectable feature, polarity direction of the at least one magnetic detectable feature, field strength of the at least one magnetic detectable feature, location on the cap of the at least one magnetic detectable feature, or pattern of locations on the cap of a plurality of magnetic detectable features.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more characteristics comprises one or more of: a type or concentration of infusion media in the reservoir; a volume amount of infusion media in the reservoir; or a type, length, or size of the cannula.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 2, wherein one or more predefined characteristics comprises a type or identity of a manufacturer of the cap, the reservoir, the cannula or the tubing, or a size of the cap, the reservoir, the cannula or the tubing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature has a first polarity direction arranged to saturate the at least one sensor element in a first saturation state when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device, or a second polarity direction arranged to saturate the at least one sensor element in a second saturation state when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is fully received in the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device, the first saturation state being opposite to the second saturation state.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises a compass sensor detectable feature having a detectable resolution associated with one or more predefined characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, a cannula, or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises a plurality of magnets arranged at different respective locations on the cap.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature further comprises a plurality of magnetic detectable features in locations that allow the magnetic detectable features to magnetically interact with the at least one sensor element to provide detectable signals for detection of axial or rotational motion or position of the cap or the reservoir relative to the reservoir receptacle, when the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle and rotated before the reservoir/cap unit is in the fully installed and stationary position relative to the infusion pump device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the cap includes at least one thread arranged to engage a corresponding thread or groove in the infusion pump device when the reservoir/cap unit is received in the reservoir receptacle in the infusion pump device, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature is located on the at least one thread.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β relative to a side of the cap and independent of a shape of the magnet to produce an angled magnetic field at the angle β.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β relative to a side of the cap, wherein the angle β is between 5° to 85°, 95° to 175°, 185° to 265°, or 275° to 355° relative to the side of the cap.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β relative to a side of the cap, wherein the angle β is between 2.5° to 87.5°, 92.5° to 177.5°, 182.5° to 267.5°, or 272.5° to 357.5° relative to the side of the cap.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β relative to a side of the cap, the angle β is between 10° to 80°, 100° to 170°, 180° to 260°, or 285° to 350° relative to the side of the cap.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is inclined at an angle β relative to a side of the cap, wherein angle β is set to provide a three-dimensional magnetic field angle α relative to the side of the cap.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature comprises magnetic field angles of two or more magnets included in the cap, wherein each magnet has its own magnetic field set at an independently set angle β relative to a side of the cap.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 16, wherein the magnetic field angles of the two or more magnets are associated with one or more characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, a cannula, or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula, wherein as the cap is rotated into the infusion pump device, the two or more magnets create a magnetic field sequence that uniquely identifies the one or more characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, a cannula, or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field angle is detectable when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is fully received within the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature is arranged at a location on the cap to not be detected by the at least one sensor element when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is not fully received within the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field angle is detectable when the cap of the reservoir/cap unit is in a fully installed position on the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature is arranged at a location on the cap to not be detected by the at least one sensor element when the cap of the reservoir/cap unit is not in a fully installed position on the reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature has a magnetic field sufficient to cause the at least one sensor element to provide a particular output when the reservoir/cap unit is in a fully installed position relative to the infusion pump device, and insufficient to cause the at least one sensor element to provide the particular output when the reservoir/cap unit is not in a fully installed position relative to the infusion pump device.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

A connector interface system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic detectable feature has a magnetic field sufficient to drive a bridge circuit output of the at least one sensor element to be within a predefined zone when the cap of the reservoir/cap unit is in a fully installed position relative to the infusion pump device, and insufficient to drive the bridge circuit output of the at least one sensor element to be within the predefined zone when the cap of the reservoir/cap unit is not in a fully installed position relative to the infusion pump device.