Patents by Inventor Paul F. Bente

Paul F. Bente has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120096953
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for sensor assemblies and related medical devices. An embodiment of a sensor assembly includes a beam and a sensing element disposed on the beam. The sensor assembly also includes a structure to prevent deflection of the beam when a force applied to the sensor assembly is greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Paul F. BENTE, IV, Pablo VAZQUEZ, Ian B. HANSON, Afshin BAZARGAN
  • Publication number: 20120095400
    Abstract: A medical device system may include a set of housing portions, which includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, and a third housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Each of one or more fluid conduits may provide a fluid path between a user and one or more reservoirs, for containing fluidic media, supported by at least one of the third housing portion and a selected one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. A drive device supported by the third housing portion may be configured to transfer fluidic media between one of the one or more reservoirs and the user via the fluid conduit in a case where the third housing portion is operatively engaged with one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ian B. HANSON, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Patent number: 8137314
    Abstract: A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with infusion media are supported by the disposable housing portion for disposal after the prescribed use, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of infusion media from the reservoir and a drive device and drive linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Paul Mounce, Paul F. Bente, IV, Ian B. Hanson, William H. Stutz, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120004602
    Abstract: A medical device includes a first housing portion (FHP) and a second housing portion (SHP) configured to be to be movable relative to each other from a first position to operatively engage at a second position to couple at least one of a drive device and a needle-inserting device supported by one of the FHP and the SHP to a reservoir supported by the other of the FHP and the SHP. Electronic circuitry configured to detect at least one of a first magnetic interaction between a magnet and at least one of a first magnetically attractive material and a first magnet-responsive device and a second magnetic interaction between the magnet and at least one of a second magnetically attractive material and a second magnet-responsive device, and to provide a signal or a change in state in response to detecting at least one of the interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ian B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Publication number: 20110233393
    Abstract: A motor may be configured to drive a drive shaft and an engagement member supported on the drive shaft. A detectable feature comprising a rotary member may be supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature. At least one sensor may be arranged to detect the state of the detectable feature. Circuitry may be configured to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Ian B. HANSON, Paul F. Bente, IV, Jacques L. Favreau, Lothar Westerweck
  • Publication number: 20110237916
    Abstract: A first sensor may be configured to measure a sensed amount of a physiological parameter and to generate a first signal based on the sensed amount of the physiological parameter measured by the first sensor. A second sensor may be configured to measure a temperature and to generate a second signal based on the temperate measured by the second sensor. A housing may have heat-generating electronics including a processor that may be configured to determine an overall amount of the physiological parameter based on the first signal generated from the first sensor and the second signal generated from the second sensor. The second sensor may be thermally insulated from the heat-generating electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Ian B. Hanson, Dore Mark, Sean Daley, Sheldon B. Moberg, Susie E. Buckman, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Publication number: 20110213306
    Abstract: A delivery system for delivering fluidic media to a user having a second housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from a first housing portion, the first housing portion and the second housing portion configured to be slidable relative to each other to operatively engage each other; and a fluid connector supported by one the housing portions in a position to engage a reservoir supported by an other of the housing portions in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are slid relative to each other to operatively engage each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Ian B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Publication number: 20110160650
    Abstract: A system for retaining a fluid delivery device, the fluid delivery device may include a reservoir and a plunger arm operatively connected to a plunger head arranged for movement within the reservoir, the plunger arm having an arm portion operatively engageable with a drive member configured to move the plunger arm and the plunger head when the plunger arm and the plunger head are connected to the drive member. The system may include a rigid member arranged for movement and a bias member configured to urge the rigid member toward the plunger arm to force the plunger arm against the drive member to operatively engage the plunger arm to the drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Arsen Ibranyan, Matthew William Yavorsky, Mona-Lisa Alexander, R. Paul Mounce, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Publication number: 20110160654
    Abstract: A delivery system for delivering fluidic media may include a second housing configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from a first housing portion adapted to be carried by a user. One of the housing portions may support a reservoir for containing fluidic media and a plunger head moveable within the reservoir. A drive device may be supported by the other of the housing portions for coupling with the reservoir upon the housing portions being operatively engaged. A first interactive element may be supported on the first housing portion for interacting with a second interactive element supported on the second housing portion. Circuitry may be configured to detect an interaction between the interactive elements and configured to provide a signal or a change in state in response to the housing portions being operatively engaged and an interaction between the interactive elements being detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Ian B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Publication number: 20110160666
    Abstract: A delivery device for delivering fluidic media may include a second housing portion configured to be selectively engaged with and disengaged from a first housing portion adapted to be carried by a user, a drive device configured to be operatively engageable with a plunger arm connected to a plunger head arranged for movement in an axial direction of a reservoir supported by one of the first and second housing portion to drive fluidic media from the reservoir, a drive linkage for operatively engaging the drive device with the plunger arm for allowing the drive device to move the plunger arm, the drive device including a first gear engageable with the plunger arm and a second gear configured for lateral movement to allow the second gear to engage the plunger arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Ian B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Publication number: 20110160655
    Abstract: A delivery system for delivering fluidic media to a user having a second housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from a first housing portion, the first housing portion and the second housing portion configured to be slidable relative to each other to operatively engage each other; and a fluid connector supported by one the housing portions in a position to engage a reservoir supported by an other of the housing portions in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are slid relative to each other to operatively engage each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Ian B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Patent number: 7905868
    Abstract: A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with infusion medium are supported by the disposable housing portion, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics and a drive device. A reservoir is supported by the disposable housing portion and has a moveable plunger that operatively couples to the drive device, when the disposable and durable housing portions are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, R. Paul Mounce, Paul F. Bente, IV, Ian B. Hanson, Julian D. Kavazov, Christopher G. Griffin, Colin A. Chong, Philip J. Hudak
  • Publication number: 20100331824
    Abstract: An infusion medium delivery system, device and method for delivering an infusion medium to a patient-user, includes a needle inserter device and method for inserting a needle and/or cannula into a patient-user to convey the infusion medium to the patient-user. The needle inserter device and method operate to insert a needle and cannula into a patient-user's skin and automatically withdraw the needle from the patient-user, leaving the cannula in place and in fluid flow communication with a reservoir. The delivery device may include a base portion and a durable portion connectable to the base portion, and wherein the base portion can be separated from the durable portion and disposed of after one or more specified number of uses. The base portion supports the reservoir and the needle inserter device, while the durable portion supports a drive device for selectively driving the infusion medium out of the reservoir and into the needle and/or cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Paul F. Bente, IV, Bradley J. Enegren, Christopher G. Griffin, Ian B. Hanson, Julian D. Kavazov, R. Paul Mounce, Stutz H. William
  • Patent number: 7828764
    Abstract: A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson, R. Paul Mounce, Paul F. Bente, IV, Julian D. Kavazov
  • Patent number: 7811262
    Abstract: A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Patent number: 7789857
    Abstract: An infusion medium delivery system, device and method for delivering an infusion medium to a patient-user, includes a needle inserter device and method for inserting a needle and/or cannula into a patient-user to convey the infusion medium to the patient-user. The needle inserter device and method operate to insert a needle and cannula into a patient-user's skin and automatically withdraw the needle from the patient-user, leaving the cannula in place and in fluid flow communication with a reservoir. The delivery device may include a base portion and a durable portion connectable to the base portion, and wherein the base portion can be separated from the durable portion and disposed of after one or more specified number of uses. The base portion supports the reservoir and the needle inserter device, while the durable portion supports a drive device for selectively driving the infusion medium out of the reservoir and into the needle and/or cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Paul F. Bente, IV, Bradley J. Enegren, Christopher G. Griffin, Ian B. Hanson, Julian D. Kavazov, R. Paul Mounce, William H. Stutz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7744589
    Abstract: A delivery device includes first and second housing portions that selectively engage and disengage. A reservoir on one housing portion operatively engages a drive device and/or a needle inserting device on the other housing portion. Upon proper engagement of the housing portions, the reservoir operatively couples to the drive device and/or the needle inserting device. A first magnet on the first housing portion and a second magnet (or a magnetically-attractive material) on the second housing portion are positioned to magnetically interact with each other, upon operative engagement of the housing portions. A third magnet on the second housing portion may be opposed to the first magnet to help align the housing portions for connection. A magnet-responsive device may be on one or both housing portions to detect alignment and/or connection of the housing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Paul Mounce, Melissa D. Norton, Robert M. Guezuraga, Bradley J. Enegren, Paul F. Bente, IV, Ian B. Hanson, Julian D. Kavazov, Christopher G. Griffin, Sheldon B. Moberg, Mark D. Holt, Susie E. Maule, Paul H. Kovelman
  • Patent number: 7736344
    Abstract: A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with infusion medium are supported by the disposable housing portion, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics and a drive device. A reservoir is supported by the disposable housing portion and has a moveable plunger that operatively couples to the drive device, when the disposable and durable housing portions are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV, Ruth Marie Tieck, Julian D. Kavazov, R. Paul Mounce
  • Publication number: 20090270811
    Abstract: A delivery device includes first and second housing portions that selectively engage and disengage. A reservoir on one housing portion operatively engages a drive device and/or a needle inserting device on the other housing portion. Upon proper engagement of the housing portions, the reservoir operatively couples to the drive device and/or the needle inserting device. A first magnet on the first housing portion and a second magnet (or a magnetically-attractive material) on the second housing portion are positioned to magnetically interact with each other, upon operative engagement of the housing portions. A third magnet on the second housing portion may be opposed to the first magnet to help align the housing portions for connection. A magnet-responsive device may be on one or both housing portions to detect alignment and/or connection of the housing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: R. Paul Mounce, Melissa D. Norton, Paul F. Bente, IV, Ian B. Hanson, Sheldon B. Moberg, Paul H. Kovelman
  • Publication number: 20090171291
    Abstract: A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Paul F. Bente, IV, Ian B. Hanson, Sheldon B. Moberg, R. Paul Mounce, Paul H. Kovelman, Julian D. Kavazov, Truong Gia Luan