Patents Assigned to MiniMed
  • Publication number: 20130158503
    Abstract: An infusion system, which may be a closed loop, or “semi-closed-loop”, infusion system, uses state variable feedback to control the rate at which fluid is infused into a user's body. The closed loop system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The “semi-closed-loop” system further includes prompts that provide indications to the user prior to fluid delivery. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user and produces a sensor signal which is representative of the user's condition. The delivery system infuses a fluid into the user at a rate dictated by the commands from the controller. The system may use three state variables, e.g., subcutaneous insulin concentration, plasma insulin concentration, and insulin effect, and corresponding gains, to calculate an additional amount of fluid to be infused with a bolus and to be removed from the basal delivery of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130158473
    Abstract: An infusion system, which may be a closed loop infusion system or “semi-closed-loop” system, uses state variable feedback to control the rate that fluid is infused into the body of a user. The closed loop infusion system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The “semi-closed-loop” system further includes prompts that are displayed or sounded or otherwise provide indications to the user prior to fluid delivery. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user. The sensor produces a sensor signal, which is representative of the condition of the user. The delivery system infuses a fluid into the user at a rate dictated by the commands from the controller. The system may use three state variables, subcutaneous insulin concentration, plasma insulin concentration, and insulin effect, and corresponding gains, to calculate an additional amount of fluid to be infused as a bolus and to be removed from the basal delivery of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
  • Patent number: 8465466
    Abstract: A method and system for non-vascular sensor implantation. An implant unit is implanted in an area of a body and a foreign body capsule is allowed to form around the area of the implant unit. The sensor may be directed into a body cavity such as, for example, the peritoneal space, subcutaneous tissues, the foreign body capsule, or other area of the body. A subcutaneous area of the body may be tunneled to place the sensor. The system may include an implant unit such as, for example, for delivering drug to a human body and a sensor for detecting a physiological parameter. The sensor may be separate from and connectable to the implant unit and may be placed in a non-vascular area of the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc
    Inventors: Michael E. Miller, Rajiv Shah
  • Patent number: 8460244
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reservoir compartment adapter for use with a fluid delivery device. The adapter includes a first end adapted for coupling with a fluid delivery device, a second end adapted for coupling with a connector, and a structure between the first end and the second end including an interior space for receiving the reservoir, wherein an extended reservoir compartment for accommodating the reservoir is adapted to be formed when the first end is coupled to the fluid delivery device, and the reservoir is adapted to be secured in the extended reservoir compartment when the connector is coupled to the second end. The adapter allows a user of a delivery device accommodating reservoirs of a certain size to manage periods where increased medication dosage is needed without the burden of carrying a larger delivery device for accommodating reservoirs filled with the increased dosage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Srisathapat, Afshin Bazargan
  • Patent number: 8454576
    Abstract: A closed loop/semi-closed loop infusion system provides therapy modification and safeguards against the over-delivery or under-delivery of insulin. A glucose sensor system is configured to obtain a measured blood glucose value. A controller is operationally connected with the glucose sensor system and configured to trigger an alarm based on a measured blood glucose value or amount of insulin delivered, selectively perform calibration of the glucose sensor system when the alarm is triggered, and adjust a therapy delivery parameter when the alarm is triggered, wherein the adjusted therapy delivery parameter is limited to be within a boundary. Thereafter, a delivery system delivers therapy at the adjusted therapy delivery parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Mastrototaro, Richard K. Yoon
  • Patent number: 8454566
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide compositions which are effective to inhibit the development of biofilms on a surface of a medical device having the composition applied thereto, to medical devices having the composition applied to a surface thereof and to methods for using the compositions to coat medical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Van Antwerp
  • Publication number: 20130133438
    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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130133427
    Abstract: A portable medical device is provided with an internal accelerometer device. The medical device includes a circuit board, the accelerometer device, and a response module coupled to the accelerometer device. The accelerometer device is mechanically and electrically coupled to the circuit board, and it includes a plurality of mass-supporting arms for a plurality of electrically distinct sensor electrodes, piezoelectric material for the mass-supporting arm, and a proof mass supported by the mass-supporting arms. Each of the mass-supporting arms has one of the sensor electrodes located thereon. Acceleration of the proof mass causes deflection of the piezoelectric material, which generates respective sensor signals at one or more of the sensor electrodes. The response module is configured to initiate an acceleration-dependent operation of the portable medical device in response to generated sensor signals present at the sensor electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130130395
    Abstract: Medical devices are typically sterilized in processes used to manufacture such products and their sterilization by exposure to radiation is a common practice. Radiation has a number of advantages over other sterilization processes including a high penetrating ability, relatively low chemical reactivity, and instantaneous effects without the need to control temperature, pressure, vacuum, or humidity. Unfortunately, radiation sterilization can compromise the function of certain components of medical devices. For example, radiation sterilization can lead to loss of protein activity and/or lead to bleaching of various dye compounds. Embodiments of the invention provide methods and materials that can be used to protect medical devices from unwanted effects of radiation sterilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
  • Patent number: 8444607
    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: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    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
  • Publication number: 20130116632
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8435209
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian B. Hanson, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Patent number: 8434528
    Abstract: Systems and methods allow for limiting a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium filled into a reservoir. A fluidic medium may be forced from a vial into a reservoir. A vial may be degassed prior to being used to fill a reservoir. A filling process may be automated and a membrane may be located in a fluid flow path to trap air bubbles in a fluidic medium being filled into a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Arsen Ibranyan, Julian D. Kavazov, David Hezzell, Christopher G. Griffin, Benjamin X. Shen, Mike Lee, Thomas Miller
  • Publication number: 20130109039
    Abstract: The invention relates to sensors configured to include compositions disposed in specific regions of the sensor in order to provide the sensors with enhanced functional properties, for example faster start-up times. These compositions include, for example, hygroscopic compositions, gas generating compositions and gas solvating compositions. While typical embodiments of the invention pertain to glucose sensors, the systems, methods and materials disclosed herein can be adapted for use with a wide variety of sensors known in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Jesper Svenning Kristensen, Tri T. Dang, Katharine Knarreborg, Anubhuti Bansal
  • Publication number: 20130109940
    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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Ning Yang, Rebecca K. Gottlieb, Keith Nogueira, Xiaolong Li, Bradley Liang
  • Publication number: 20130109942
    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: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Yang, Rebecca K. Gottlieb, Keith Nogueira, Xiaolong Li, Bradley Liang, Brian T. Kannard
  • Publication number: 20130109943
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatuses, etc. for providing a visual expression of the performance of one or more blood glucose sensors. In one particular example, a relative comparison of a rate of change sensor blood glucose and a rate of change in reference blood glucose may be expressed in a polar plot or graph. The polar plot or graph may then be generated onto a visual medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca K. Gottlieb, Ying Luo, Ning Yang, James Geoffrey Chase
  • Publication number: 20130102866
    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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130102867
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatuses, etc. for determination and application of a metric for assessing a patient's glycemic health. In one particular implementation, a computed metric may be used to balance short-term and long-term risks associated with a particular therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventor: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
  • Patent number: 8424753
    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: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Afshin Bazargan, Pablo Vazquez, Salman Monirabbasi, Paul H. Kovelman