Patents Represented by Attorney Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8308680
    Abstract: An infusion system to administer a fluid includes an infusion pump with a pump processor, a pump memory to store a plurality of configurable alarms and a pump radio to enable bi-directional communication. The infusion system further includes a controller that has a controller processor, a controller memory, a controller radio to transmit and receive communication from the pump radio. The controller further has a graphical user interface shown on a display along with controls to manipulate the graphical user interface. Furthermore, the bi-directional communication between the infusion pump and the controller establish an infusion pump relative proximity between the infusion pump and the controller such that when the infusion pump relative proximity exceeds a pump threshold distance at least one of the plurality of configurable alarm conditions of the infusion pump is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiten Chawla
  • Patent number: 8306766
    Abstract: A method of calibrating glucose monitor data includes collecting the glucose monitor data over a period of time at predetermined intervals, obtaining reference glucose values from a reference source that temporally correspond with the glucose monitor data obtained at the predetermined intervals, calculating the calibration characteristics using the reference glucose values and corresponding glucose monitor data to regress the obtained glucose monitor data, and calibrating the obtained glucose monitor data using the calibration characteristics. In additional embodiments, calculation of the calibration characteristics includes linear regression and, in particular embodiments, least squares linear regression. Alternatively, calculation of the calibration characteristics includes non-linear regression. Data integrity may be verified and the data may be filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Mueller, Jr., Desmond Barry Keenan, Lu Wang, John J. Mastrototaro
  • Patent number: 8292849
    Abstract: An insertion device and insertion set. The insertion device for inserting at least a portion of at least one piercing member of an insertion set through the skin of a patient includes a device housing, a carrier body and a driver. The carrier body is slidably received within the device housing for movement between an advanced position and a retracted position. The carrier body also includes a receiving structure to support the insertion set in a position with the at least one piercing member oriented for insertion through the skin of the patient at a predetermined or variable angle relative to the skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Randa M. Bobroff, Lawrence Kiliszewski, Hans Lickliter, Frederick C. Hougton, Jason H. Safabash, Susan M. McConnell, April A. Marano
  • Patent number: 8226556
    Abstract: An infusion system is for infusing a fluid into the body of a patient. The infusion system includes at least one sensor for monitoring blood glucose concentration of the patient and an infusion device for delivering fluid to the patient. The sensor produces at least one sensor signal input. The infusion device uses the at least one sensor signal input and a derivative predicted algorithm to determine future blood glucose levels. The infusion device delivers fluid to the patient when future blood glucose levels are in a patient's target range. The infusion device is capable of suspending and resuming fluid delivery based on future blood glucose levels and a patient's low shutoff threshold. The infusion device suspends fluid delivery when future blood glucose levels falls below the low shutoff threshold. The infusion device resumes fluid delivery when a future blood glucose level is above the low shutoff threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Hayes, John J. Mastrototaro, Sheldon B. Moberg, John C. Mueller, Jr., H. Bud Clark, Mike Charles Vallet Tolle, Gary L. Williams, Bihong Wu, Garry M. Steil
  • Patent number: 8207859
    Abstract: An automobile monitoring system to monitor user body characteristics, includes at least one sensor to monitor at least one user body characteristic. The at least one sensor is operatively coupled to a body of a user to monitor the at least one user body characteristic while the user is operating an automobile. The at least one user body characteristic is at least a glucose level of the user's body. At least one transmitter is operatively coupled to the at least one sensor to communicate sensor data obtained from the at least one sensor while the user is operating the automobile. Automobile electronics are operatively coupled to the at least one transmitter to receive sensor data from the at least one sensor while the user is operating the automobile. The automobile electronics provide the sensor data to the user while the user is operating the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Enegren, Himanshu Patel, Bogdan Madzar, Richard K. Yoon, Ajit S. Narang
  • Patent number: 8207860
    Abstract: An automobile monitoring system to monitor user body characteristics includes at least one sensor to monitor at least one user body characteristic. The at least one sensor is operatively coupled to a body of a user to monitor the at least one user body characteristic while the user is operating an automobile. The at least one user body characteristic is at least a glucose level of the user's body. At least one transmitter is operatively coupled to the at least one sensor to communicate sensor data obtained from the at least one sensor while the user is operating the automobile. Automobile electronics are operatively coupled to the at least one transmitter to receive sensor data from the at least one sensor while the user is operating the automobile. The automobile electronics provide the sensor data to the user while the user is operating the automobile. A global positioning system (GPS) is operatively coupled to the automobile electronics to determine a current location of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Enegren, Himanshu Patel, Bogdan Madzar, Richard K. Yoon, Ajit S. Narang
  • Patent number: 8206350
    Abstract: An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred E. Mann, James D. Causey, III, Alan Haubach, Luis J. Malave, John Livingston, Cliff Hague, Chad Srisathapat, Jay Yonemoto, Deborah Ruppert, Dennis P. Bishop, Adrian Gut, Bob Murtfeldt
  • Patent number: 8192395
    Abstract: An infusion system includes a characteristic determining device and an infusion device. The characteristic determining device includes a receptacle for receiving and testing an analyte from the user to determine a concentration of the analyte in the user. The characteristic determining device also includes a communication system for transmitting a communication including data indicative of the determined concentration of the analyte in the user, and the infusion device includes a communication system for receiving the communication from the characteristic determining device. The infusion device further includes a bolus estimator for calculating an estimated amount of fluid to be infused into the body of the user based upon the received data indicative of the determined concentration of the analyte in the user and a target concentration of the analyte in the user, and an indicator to indicate when the estimated amount of fluid to be infused has been calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Estes, Cary D. Talbot, “Mike” Charles Vallet Tolle, Jay A. Yonemoto
  • Patent number: 8187851
    Abstract: A method for formulating and immobilizing a protein and a protein matrix formed by the method. The protein matrix preparation method results in a physically and chemically stable protein matrix that has low swelling, non-leaching, high activity, and high mechanical strength properties. The method includes cross-linking and hardening the protein mixture and using a mold to form a protein into a desired shape and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Shah, Bahar Reghabi, Rudy Montalvo, Yanan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8181849
    Abstract: A system for identifying a reservoir used with a fluid delivery device. The system includes a reservoir comprising a housing for holding fluid and a colored marking located on a surface of the housing. A fluid delivery device includes a compartment for receiving and operatively coupling with the reservoir. A light source shines light on the colored marking of the reservoir. A color sensor detects wavelengths reflected and/or refracted from the colored marking due to the light shined on the colored marking. A processor of the delivery device determines a color of the colored marking from the detected wavelengths and ascertains information related to the reservoir or the fluid in the reservoir corresponding to the determined color, wherein the processor operates the fluid delivery device according to the ascertained information, wherein the information may include a reservoir type and/or medication type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Afshin Bazargan, Pablo Vazquez, Salman Monirabbasi, Paul H. Kovelman
  • Patent number: 8070723
    Abstract: The fluid infusion system is disclosed that includes a pump housing that has a reservoir cavity and is designed to be pocketable. The reservoir cavity has a rim and helical coupling features formed on an interior face of the reservoir cavity. The fluid infusion system further has a reservoir that is removable from the reservoir cavity and the reservoir also has an open end. A removable cap coupled to the pump housing is also included in the fluid infusion system. The cap has corresponding coupling features, an exterior surface and a tab. The corresponding coupling features are defined to couple the cap to the pump housing while the tab is defined as a ridge that extends away from the exterior surface. The tab further has a port to accommodate fluid flow from the reservoir where the port defines an axis of rotation such that torque applied to the tab about the axis of rotation disengages the coupling between the cap and the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Afshin Bazargan, Sheldon B. Moberg, Kevin Lee Bokelman, Daniel S. Kline, Steven Masterson
  • Patent number: 7704227
    Abstract: An ambulatory medical device for detecting acceleration, temperature, and/or humidity conditions in or around the medical device is provided. The medical device includes one or more acceleration, thermal, and/or humidity sensors which detect acceleration, temperature, and/or humidity conditions in or around the medical device. In response to detected conditions, the medical device may, among other things, alter the operation of the device, provide an alarm or warning to the user, or transmit data about the detected conditions to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson, Cary D. Talbot, Jeffrey Ireland
  • Patent number: 7193521
    Abstract: An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. A method, system, and an article of manufacture for automatically detecting a force sensor failure in a medication infusion pump is provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump is measured. Based on the current measurements, the infusion pump detects when the plunger slide is seated in the reservoir, and detects a problem with the force sensor when the force sensor independently fails to register a value indicating that the plunger slide is seated in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson
  • Patent number: 7166074
    Abstract: A reusable analyte sensor site for use with a replaceable analyte sensor for determining a level of an analyte includes a site housing and a resealable insertion site coupled to one end of the site housing. Preferably, the site housing is formed to have an interior cavity, and includes an outer membrane made of a material selected to promote vascularization and having a first pore size, and an inner membrane made of a material selected to be free of tissue ingress. Also, the site housing permits the analyte to pass through the site housing to the interior cavity to permit measurement by the replaceable analyte sensor. The resealable insertion site is provided for inserting the replaceable analyte sensor into the interior cavity of the site housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bahar Reghabi, Rajiv Shah, Eunjoo Jin, Rebecca Gottlieb, Michael E. Miller, Nannette M. Van Antwerp, Bradley J. Enegren, William P. Van Antwerp, John J. Mastrototaro
  • Patent number: 7109878
    Abstract: An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred E. Mann, James D. Causey, III, Alan Haubach, Luis J. Malave, John Livingston, Cliff Hague, Chad Srisathapat, Jay Yonemoto, Deborah Ruppert, Dennis P. Bishop, Adrian Gut, Bob Murtfeldt
  • Patent number: 7098803
    Abstract: A telemetered characteristic monitor system includes a remotely located data receiving device, a sensor for producing signal indicative of a characteristic of a user, and a transmitter device. The transmitter device includes a housing, a sensor connector, a processor, and a transmitter. The transmitter receives the signals from the sensor and Tirelessly transmits the processed signals to the remotely located data receiving device. The processor coupled to the sensor processes the signals from the sensor for transmission to the remotely located data receiving device. The data receiving device may be a characteristic monitor, a data receiver that provides data to another device, an RF programmer for a medical device, a medication delivery device (such as an infusion pump), or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred E. Mann, Richard E. Purvis, John J. Mastrototaro, James D. Causey, James Henke, Peter Hong, John H. Livingston, Clifford W. Hague, Brad T. Hite
  • Patent number: 7063684
    Abstract: A pump for dispensing a fluid from a reservoir provides a drive system seal within the pump. The pump includes a reservoir cavity adapted to receive the reservoir, and a drive system. The pump also includes at least one plunger slider having one end coupled to the drive system and the other end coupled to the reservoir. The plunger slider is adapted to translate from a retracted position to an extended position to dispense the fluid from the reservoir in response to actuation by the drive system. The pump further includes a sealing ring mounted around the plunger slider, and a spring disposed within the sealing ring. The sealing ring with the spring disposed therein is adapted to allow the plunger slider to translate from the retracted position to the extended position, and to prevent entry of fluid from the reservoir cavity into the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheldon B. Moberg
  • Patent number: 7025743
    Abstract: An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred E. Mann, James D. Causey, III, Alan Haubach, Luis J. Malave, John Livingston, Cliff Hague, Chad Srisathapat, Jay Yonemoto, Deborah Ruppert, Dennis P. Bishop, Adrian Gut, Bob Murtfeldt
  • Patent number: 7018336
    Abstract: A apparatus and method for cleaning a sensor tip of an implantable sensor includes a flush sleeve directed towards the sensor tip, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the flush sleeve, where fluid injected into a first end of a flush sleeve surrounding the sensor sprays off the sensor tip through at least one orifice located at the second end of the flush sleeve. The first end of the flush sleeve contains a fluid conduit and a septum, where a needle is used to pierce the septum to inject the fluid into the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Enegren, Marianne A. Kolopp
  • Patent number: 7003336
    Abstract: A sensor and method of making the same for implantation in a body that includes a substrate with notches cut in the substrate to form a necked down region in the substrate; and at least one sensor electrode formed from one or more conductive layers. Preferably, the thickness of the substrate ranges from approximately 25? to 350?, but the thickness of the substrate can range from 5? to 750?. The sensor may be incorporated in to a sensor assembly includes a slotted needle having a slot. The notches creating the necked down region allow the substrate to slide into the slotted needle, which that has the slot narrow enough to permit passage of the necked down region. However, a non-necked down region of the substrate is prevented from pulling out of the slotted needle through the slot. The slot of the slotted needle may also permit the necked down region of the substrate to slide down the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Holker, Guillermo A. Calle, Kevin D. Branch, John J. Mastrototaro, William P. Van Antwerp, Nannette Van Antwerp