# US 9,872,957 B2 · Operating an infusion pump system

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- Number: US 9,872,957 B2
- Document ID: US9872957B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/370,279
- Filed: 2016-12-06
- Published: 2017-03-23
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-22
- Assignees: Bigfoot Biomedical, Inc.
- Applicants: Bigfoot Biomedical, Inc.
- Inventors: James Causey; Todd Kirschen; Mitchell Wenger; Steven A. Friedman; Joshua Colton; Keld Sloth Christensen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872957B2

## CPC

- A61M 5/16886: {for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters}
- A61M 5/14244: {adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body}
- A61M 5/1454: {spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork}
- 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 5/162: Needle sets, i.e. connections by puncture between reservoir and tube
- A61M 5/16804: {Active flow controllers}
- A61M 5/172: electrical or electronic
- A61M 2005/14506: {mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork}
- A61M 2005/31518: {designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members}
- A61M 2205/273: preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
- A61M 2205/8212: with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
- 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

Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a cap device that mates with a pump housing to retain a medicine cartridge therein. In addition to retaining the medicine cartridge in the pump housing, the cap device may perform a number of preparatory functions or safety functions. In addition or in the alternative, some embodiments of the pump device may include a drive system that advances a piston rod to dispense medicine to the patient in a safe and energy efficient manner.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of operating an infusion pump device, comprising:
engaging a cap device with a pump housing of an infusion pump device so that the cap device covers an exterior opening of the pump housing and retains a medicine cartridge in a space defined by the pump housing, wherein the pump housing contains a piston rod that is movable toward an output end of the medicine cartridge, a forward end of the piston rod comprising a plunger engagement device including a plurality of substantially rigid pins and an adhesive layer; and
adjusting the medicine cartridge from a disengaged position in which the plunger engagement device is unattached to a plunger of the medicine cartridge to an engaged position in which the plunger engagement device attaches the piston rod to the plunger via the plurality of substantially rigid pins penetrating longitudinally into the plunger and the adhesive layer engaging a rear face of the plunger.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of engaging the cap device with the pump housing causes the cap device to act upon the medicine cartridge to urge the plunger into attachment with the plunger engagement device of the piston rod.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of substantially rigid pins penetrate longitudinally into the plunger through a majority of a longitudinal length of the plunger such that the plurality of substantially rigid pins reduce the compliance of the plunger when compression forces are applied to the plunger.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising penetrating a septum disposed on the output end of the medicine cartridge with a needle device of the cap device when the cap device engages the pump housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the cap device to act upon the medicine cartridge to thereby urge initial break away movement of the plunger inside the medicine cartridge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication of flow or nonflow of medicine through the cap device as detected by a flow sensor at least partially housed in the cap device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising locking at least a portion of the cap device into engagement with the pump housing to hinder replacement the medicine cartridge after the medicine cartridge is exhausted.