Patents Assigned to MiniMed Inc.
  • Patent number: 9907491
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to monitoring and/or controlling levels of an analyte in bodily fluid. In particular, estimation of a concentration of the analyte in a first physiological compartment based upon observations of a concentration of the analyte in a second physiological compartment may account for a latency in transporting the analyte between the first and second physiological compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Xialong Li, Brian T. Kannard, Rajiv Shah
  • Patent number: 9901305
    Abstract: A physiological sensor history backfill system and method including a method of sensor history backfill for a local base device operable to wirelessly communicate with a physiological sensor connected to a patient, the method including: obtaining physiological readings for the patient at a predetermined interval; storing the physiological readings at the physiological sensor as sensor physiological readings; storing the physiological readings at the local base device as historic physiological readings; obtaining a current physiological reading for the patient; transmitting the current physiological reading to the local base device in a current reading message; detecting a record gap in the historic physiological readings between the current physiological reading and the historic physiological readings; and filling the record gap in the historic physiological readings with sensor physiological readings from the physiological sensor when the current reading message does not include the sensor physiological read
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Massey, Thomas Collins, David Lewinski, Linda Torres, Yongbo Wang
  • Patent number: 9901514
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to transferring fluidic media from a vial to a reservoir. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir by moving a housing portion to move a plunger head located in the reservoir to draw fluidic media from the vial to the reservoir. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir while the reservoir is held by a holding unit and vibrated by a vibrator to remove air from the fluidic media. In some embodiments, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial to the reservoir by moving a handle operatively connected to a bias member for assisting with the transfer of fluidic media. In other embodiments, the transfer of fluidic media may be assisted by a bias member and a needle connecting atmosphere and the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian D. Kavazov
  • Patent number: 9901675
    Abstract: An infusion set insertion device and method of use with an insertion device for an infusion set having an infusion set body including: a barrel defining a pull handle cavity; a pull handle slideably disposed in the pull handle cavity, the pull handle having an outer surface and defining an infusion set cavity and a release button cavity, the pull handle having a cocked position and an advanced position relative to the barrel; a release button slideably disposed in the release button cavity, the release button having a loaded position and a released position relative to the pull handle; and a driver operable to move the pull handle from the cocked position to the advanced position; wherein the release button extends a first axial distance beyond the outer surface when in the loaded position and extends a second axial distance into the infusion set cavity when in the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ella Isabella F. Ella, Ulrich H. Rankers, Risako Morawiec
  • Patent number: 9895490
    Abstract: A device for delivering fluid to a user includes a housing, a drive motor assembly in the housing, a force sensor, and an electronics module. The drive motor assembly regulates delivery of fluid by actuating a piston of a fluid reservoir, and the force sensor generates output levels in response to force imparted thereto during, for example, fluid delivery operations. The electronics module processes the output levels of the force sensor to assess the operating health of the force sensor, to check for occlusions in the fluid delivery path, and to monitor the seating status of the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Yu S. Kow, Afshin Bazargan, Ian B. Hanson, Pablo Vazquez, Juan M. Alderete, Jr., Salman Monirabbasi
  • Patent number: 9885650
    Abstract: An accelerated life testing device and method including an accelerated life testing method for a test piece within a test chamber, the method including: establishing a first atmosphere within the test chamber; changing the first atmosphere to a second atmosphere to form a deposition layer on the test piece; changing the second atmosphere to the first atmosphere to remove the deposition layer from the test piece; and repeating the changing the first atmosphere to the second atmosphere and the changing the second atmosphere to the first atmosphere to form an oxidation layer on the test piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Y. K. Yap, Alexander E. Holmes
  • Patent number: 9879668
    Abstract: A fluid infusion device includes a fluid pump mechanism having a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes an optically detectable feature, a reference surface, and a cam element rising from the reference surface. The stator includes a cam element having a stator cam surface. The cam elements cooperate to axially displace the rotor as a function of angular position of the rotor, wherein the detectable feature rotates and axially translates as a function of angular position of the rotor. A biasing element provides force to urge the rotor cam element toward the stator cam element and toward the reference surface. A drive motor actuates the rotor to pump medication fluid from a fluid cartridge module to a body, via a subcutaneous conduit. An optical detection circuit interrogates the detectable feature during operation of the fluid pump mechanism to determine an operating condition of the fluid pump mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew William Yavorsky, Pablo Vazquez, Anthony C. Ng
  • Patent number: 9878095
    Abstract: A fluid infusion device includes a pump having a rotor and a stator. A rotor cam element rises from a reference surface of the rotor. The stator includes a cam element having a stator cam surface. The cam elements axially displace the rotor as the rotor revolves. Inlet and outlet valves open and close as a function of angular and axial position of the rotor. A motor actuates the rotor to pump fluid to a body, via a subcutaneous conduit. First and second contact elements are located on the rotor. A sensing element on the stator cooperates with a detection circuit to detect when the sensing element makes contact with the first sensor contact element and the second sensor contact element. The detection circuit monitors a detection signal obtained from the sensing element to determine an operating condition of the fluid pump mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan M. Alderete, Jr., Matthew William Yavorsky, Jacob E. Pananen
  • Patent number: 9872954
    Abstract: A belt clip assembly is disclosed. The belt clip assembly includes a device retainer having a first retainer defined to retain a clip pin. The belt clip assembly further includes a clip coupled to the device retainer via the clip pin and the clip includes a detent and the clip is further defined to retain a tab pin. A tab is coupled to the clip via the tab pin, the tab being rotatable about the tab pin. Wherein the device retainer is initially rotatable about the clip pin independent of rotation of the tab about the tab pin. Additionally, the rotation of the device retainer about the clip pin results in a finite displacement of the device retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad A. Crane, Jason A. Belton
  • Patent number: 9854998
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to monitoring and/or controlling levels of an analyte in bodily fluid. In particular, estimation of a concentration of the analyte in a first physiological compartment based upon observations of a concentration of the analyte in a second physiological compartment may account for a latency in transporting the analyte between the first and second physiological compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Yang, Rebecca K. Gottlieb, Keith Nogueira, Xiaolong Li, Bradley Liang, Brian T. Kannard
  • Patent number: 9848805
    Abstract: A new biostable glucose permeable polymer has been developed which is useful, for example, in implantable glucose sensors. This biostable glucose permeable polymer has a number of advantageous characteristics and, for example, does not undergo hydrolytic cleavage and degradation, thereby providing a composition that facilitates long term sensor stability in vivo. The versatile characteristics of this polymer allow it to be used in a variety of contexts, for example to form the body of an implantable glucose sensor. The invention includes the polymer composition, sensor systems formed from this polymer composition, and methods for making and using such sensor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Tri T. Dang, Henrik Egesborg, Jakob Janting, Rajiv Shah, Daniel Aaskov, Joseph F. Hall, Soren Aasmul
  • Patent number: 9841014
    Abstract: An insulin pump data acquisition device & system including: an insulin pump data acquisition device for use with an insulin pump, the data acquisition device including a holster having a wall defining an interior volume and an exterior volume, the exterior volume being sized to removably secure the insulin pump; an environmental sensor operable to generate environmental data in response to environmental conditions; memory operably connected to the environmental sensor, the memory being operable to store the environmental data; a controller operably connected to the environmental sensor and the memory, the controller being operable to control reading of the environmental data from the environmental sensor and writing of the environmental data to the memory; and a battery operably connected to power the environmental sensor, the memory, and the controller. The environmental sensor, the memory, the controller, and the battery are disposed within the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Y. K. Yap, Carl A. Link, Vincent Ming Hai Chow, William Jackson Dannemann, Jennifer Marie Reitmajer
  • Patent number: 9839741
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a fluid infusion device includes a base plate, a reservoir port receptacle, a flow base component, and a needle sealing element. The receptacle receives the reservoir port, and has proximal and distal ends, and a needle entry in the distal end to receive a hollow needle of a fluid reservoir. The flow base component has an inlet structure defining a fluid chamber, and a needle guide pin protruding therefrom. The end of the guide pin fits within the hollow needle. The needle sealing element has a proximal flange adjacent to the inlet structure, a distal flange opposite the proximal flange, a neck section between the flanges, and a needle opening extending through the neck section. The needle sealing element is positioned within the port receptacle such that the neck section surrounds the end section of the needle guide pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew William Yavorsky, Edgardo C. Halili, Eric M. Lorenzen
  • Patent number: 9839753
    Abstract: Systems for managing pressure in a fluid reservoir chamber of a fluid infusion device are provided. For example, a fluid infusion device comprises a housing having a chamber for receiving a fluid reservoir. The fluid infusion device also comprises a drive system contained within the housing. A portion of the drive system is movable for dispensing fluid from the fluid reservoir. The fluid infusion device comprises a pressure management system at least partially defined in the portion of the drive system to vent air from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan M. Alderete, Jr., Andrew E. Weaver, Matthew William Yavorsky, Benjamin A. Grover, Pablo Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20170347933
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide compositions useful in analyte sensors as well as methods for making and using such compositions and sensors. In typical embodiments of the invention, the sensor is a glucose sensor comprising an analyte modulating membrane formed from a polymer composition having carbonate and aromatic isocyanate chains, a composition observed to provide such membranes with improved material properties such as enhanced thermal and hydrolytic stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jenn-Hann Larry Wang
  • Patent number: 9833563
    Abstract: Systems for managing pressure in a fluid reservoir chamber of a fluid infusion device are provided. For example, a fluid infusion device is provided. The fluid infusion device comprises a housing defining a reservoir chamber for receiving a fluid reservoir. The fluid infusion device also comprises a drive system contained within the housing for dispensing fluid from the fluid reservoir. The fluid infusion device comprises a pressure management system at least partially defined in the reservoir chamber to manage air pressure in the reservoir chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan M. Alderete, Jr., Andrew E. Weaver, Matthew William Yavorsky, Benjamin A. Grover, Pablo Vazquez
  • Patent number: 9833564
    Abstract: A fluid conduit assembly for delivery of a medication fluid, and an associated fluid delivery system, are disclosed here. The fluid conduit assembly includes a trapping chamber having an interior volume to receive the medication fluid. The fluid conduit assembly also includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, a first outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, and a second outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber. The first outlet arrangement accommodates flow of liquid from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume. The second outlet arrangement accommodates flow of gas from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Susan McConnell Montalvo
  • Publication number: 20170311858
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide amperometric analyte sensors having optimized elements such as interference rejection membranes as well as methods for making and using such sensors. The amperometric analyte sensor apparatus comprises: a base layer; a conductive layer disposed on the base layer and comprising a working electrode; an interference rejection membrane disposed on an electroactive surface of the working electrode, wherein the interference rejection membrane comprises poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymers crosslinked by an acid crosslinker, wherein the crosslinker is a dicarboxylic acid type monomer or a polymer comprising a carboxylic acid group; and an analyte sensing layer. While embodiments of the innovation can be used in a variety of contexts, typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingling Yang, Robert C. Mucic
  • Publication number: 20170315077
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an in-situ polymerization technique for creating a glucose sensor chemistry stack. An analyte sensor comprises a crosslinked polymer matrix in contact with an electrode. The crosslinked polymer matrix is formed by exposing ultraviolet (UV) light to a polymer matrix mixture comprising a plurality of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers, one or more di-acrylate crosslinkers, one or more UV photoinitiators, and an oxidoreductase. The oxidoreductase is covalently linked to the crosslinked polymer matrix. In typical embodiments, the oxidoreductase is a glucose oxidase-acrylate bioconjugate. In one or more embodiments, the analyte sensor apparatus further comprises a glucose limiting membrane positioned over the crosslinked polymer matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashwin K. Rao, Daniel E. Pesantez
  • Patent number: 9795738
    Abstract: An algorithm and method of making intelligent therapy recommendations for insulin pump parameters is described. The pump parameters include basal rates, carbohydrate-to-insulin ratios (CIR), and insulin sensitivity factors (ISF). A determination of whether a therapy recommendation should be made is based on comparing an updated recommended change with a threshold. The updated recommended change to the pump parameter is made based on a previous recommended change to the pump parameter and the difference between a current blood glucose value and a targeted blood glucose level. The algorithm and method confirms the therapy recommendation is within safety parameters before displaying the therapy recommendation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry M. Steil, Antonios Panteleon