Patents Assigned to MiniMed Inc.
  • Patent number: 8025658
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to patches for medical devices. In various embodiments, an adhesive patch of a medical device may have selective areas with adhesive material of varying adhesion strengths. In other embodiments, an adhesive patch of a medical device may include adhesive material that may be activated by a catalyst to increase or decrease the adhesion strength of the adhesive material. In further embodiments, a medical device may include a pierceable membrane containing an agent, the pierceable membrane positioned to be pierced by a needle and to cause some of the agent to be carried to the user-patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Christopher G. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8025644
    Abstract: A modular catheter system. The modular catheter system may include a first tubular member, a first catheter tubing, a second tubular member, a second catheter tubing and a plurality of concentric seals. The first catheter tubing may be disposed within an interior portion of the first tubular member while the second catheter tubing may be disposed within an interior portion of the second tubular member. The first tubular member and the second tubular member are removably attachable to each other. The plurality of concentric seals may encircling the first catheter tubing and the second catheter tubing, and the first catheter tubing and the second catheter tubing form a continuous path when the first tubular member and the second tubular member are removably attached to each other. The catheter system may also be formed as a dual lumen catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Rafael Bikovsky, R. Paul Mounce
  • Patent number: 8012119
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the delivery and monitoring of a medication, such as insulin, to a recipient are provided. An exemplary feature-rich system comprises an infusion pump with a control system for controlling medication delivery by the infusion pump and a bolus estimator for estimating an appropriate amount of medication for delivery by the control system with the infusion pump. Estimating the appropriate amount of medication for delivery is based upon one or more settings which each vary according to a setting profile. In other embodiments, the control system comprises a suspend function for temporarily suspending medication delivery by the infusion pump, an alarm profile function for programming a variable alarm volume of the alarm and a simplified menu for controlling the dual wave bolus delivery function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Estes, Leif N. Bowman, DeNetta Malave, Cary Dean Talbot
  • Publication number: 20110208155
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, etc. for closed-loop glucose control startup. In certain example embodiments, a request for entry of an automatic mode of operation of a glucose monitoring and insulin delivery system for a patient may be detected. An entry of the automatic mode of operation may be controlled based, at least in part, on a detected rate of change of blood glucose concentration of the patient. In certain other example embodiments, initiation of a continual phase of an automatic mode of operation may be controlled based, at least in part, on a time since a most recent manual delivery of a bolus, on a detected rate of change of blood glucose concentration, on a targeted fixed set point, a combination thereof, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Cesar C. Palerm, Anirban Roy
  • Patent number: 8004422
    Abstract: A programmable telemetry circuit that may be programmed for high bandwidth, low Q; low bandwidth, high Q; or for other parameters. The programmable telemetry circuit may include a first coil; a high impedance path having a first node connected to a first node of the first coil; a low impedance path having a first node connected to the first node of the first coil; a capacitive path having a first node connected to a second node of the first coil; and an input path for coupling signals into the high impedance path, the low impedance path, and the capacitive path. The low impedance path may be connected in parallel with the high impedance path. The capacitive path may form a circuitous path with the high impedance path and the low impedance path. The programmable circuit may be programmed to select the high impedance path or the low impedance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Morgan, Phillip B. Hess
  • Patent number: 8003513
    Abstract: A multilayer circuit includes a dielectric base substrate, conductors formed on the base substrate and a vacuum deposited dielectric thin film formed over the conductors and the base substrate. The vacuum deposited dielectric thin film is patterned using sacrificial structures formed by electroplating techniques. Substrates formed in this manner enable significant increases in circuit pattern miniaturization, circuit pattern reliability, interconnect density and significant reduction of over-all substrate thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Shah, Shaun Pendo
  • Patent number: 7998111
    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 an occlusion in a medication infusion pump is provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump is measured. Based on measurements of one or more variables, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system. The methods of detecting occlusions may be dynamic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson, Cary D. Talbot
  • Patent number: 7998131
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The elements of the apparatus are organized so that it is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy W. Adair, Sheldon B. Moberg, Chalirmkiert Srisathapat
  • Patent number: 7988683
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The elements of the apparatus are organized so that it is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy W. Adair, Sheldon B. Moberg, Chalirmkiert Srisathapat
  • Patent number: 7985330
    Abstract: A method and program prevents a user from bypassing a limit placed on a specified operating life of a sensor by disconnecting and reconnecting the sensor. The present invention checks a characteristic of the sensor to see if the sensor is used prior to the connection of the sensor, and rejects the sensor if the sensor is determined to have been used before. The process of checking the characteristic of the sensor involves performing an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure and calculating an impedance value. The impedance value can be compared to various threshold values for a variety of purposes including the determination of age, condition, hydration, and stabilization of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Lu Wang, Rajiv Shah, Kenneth W. Cooper, Richard K. Yoon, Helen Lee
  • Patent number: 7981105
    Abstract: A medication reservoir includes a reservoir. A swage is coupled to the reservoir enclosing an outer periphery of a septum to secure the septum to the reservoir. A base is attached to the reservoir secured around the swage, wherein the base includes at least one slot along sides of the base. At least one base engagement member is disposed on the sides of the base to engage a cap engagement member on a cap when the base is inserted into a lower end of the cap. The cap includes a needle located internal to the cap to pierce the septum and permit flow of liquid from the reservoir through the needle and into infusion set tubing and to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy W. Adair, Sheldon B. Moberg, Chalirmkiert Srisathapat
  • Patent number: 7963954
    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: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian D. Kavazov
  • Patent number: 7959715
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to limiting a presence of air bubbles in fluidic media in a reservoir. Air passages may allow air to escape from fluidic media in a reservoir. Membranes may allow for trapping air bubbles in fluidic media before fluidic media enters a reservoir. A membrane may allow air to flow from a first reservoir containing fluidic media to a second reservoir while plunger heads within each of the reservoirs are moved within the reservoirs. An inner reservoir with a membrane may be moveable within an outer reservoir to allow air to move from the outer reservoir to the inner reservoir. An inner reservoir containing pressurized gas may allow fluidic media to be transferred to an outer reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian D. Kavazov, Rafael Bikovsky, Arsen Ibranyan, David Hezzell, Christopher G. Griffin, Mike Lee, Truong Gia Luan, Benjamin X. Shen, Thomas Miller
  • Patent number: 7955305
    Abstract: An infusion media delivery device includes a housing having a base adapted to be secured to a user's skin. An infusion media reservoir is supported by the housing. A moveable hollow needle is selectively engageable with the reservoir to communicate infusion media from the reservoir. The needle is supported for movement relative to the housing base between a first position and a second position. The needle is spaced apart from a user's skin when in the first position and the base is secured to the user's skin, and the needle is arranged to pierce the user's skin when in the second position and the base is secured to the user's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson, Paul S. Cheney, II
  • Patent number: 7946985
    Abstract: A closed loop system or semi-closed loop system for infusing insulin using sensor values applies a redundant sensor system as a fail-safe method against sensor failure. The redundant glucose sensors are used corroborate each other and a failing sensor is detected if the sensors no longer corroborate each other. The use of redundant sensors has the additional benefit of producing better sensor signals compared to the use of a single sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Mastrototaro, Richard K. Yoon, Desmond Barry Keenan
  • Patent number: 7942844
    Abstract: A fluid infusion system as described herein includes a number of local “body network” devices, such as an infusion pump, a handheld monitor or controller, a physiological sensor, and a bedside or hospital monitor. The body network devices can be configured to support communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between one another. In addition, the body network devices can be configured to support networked communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between the body network devices and “external” devices, systems, or communication networks. Such external communication allows the infusion system to be extended beyond the traditional short-range user environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Kenny J. Long, Kaezad J. Mehta, Ian B. Hanson
  • Patent number: 7935085
    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 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 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: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson, Paul S. Cheney, II
  • Publication number: 20110082356
    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. 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: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingling Yang, Rajiv Shah, Megan E. Little, Chia-Hung Chiu
  • Publication number: 20110071464
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a semi-closed loop drug delivery system. In particular embodiments, an amount of insulin to be administered to a patient may be calculated based, at least in part, on one or more blood-glucose measurements obtained from said patient, and an alarm may be initiated in response to the calculated amount of insulin. At least a portion of the calculated amount of insulin may then be injected into the patient in the absence of a response to the alarm within a time limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Cesar C. Palerm
  • Patent number: 7912525
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the integrity of an implantable sensor. Voids formed between an outer tubing and a sensor substrate or spacing element may be back-filled with a curable, implantable material, minimizing the extent to which unwanted fluids diffuse within the sensor. An enzyme or protein matrix pellet below the sensor window may be pre-treated with a reducing agent to enhance its bond stability, and to reduce undesired swelling that may cause the sensor window to detach or leak. The bonding between the enzyme pellet and a hydrogel layer may be reinforced by application of an intervening bonding layer of a protein material, such as human serum albumin (HSA). The size of the window may be minimized by minimizing the size of an underlying electrode, providing reduced flux and lengthening sensor. A coating may be deposited on the surface of the sensor leads, providing stiffening and lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Shah, Yanan Zhang, Rebecca Gottlieb, Bahar Reghabi, Michael Miller