Patents by Inventor Eric M. Lorenzen

Eric M. Lorenzen 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: 20120215183
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Edgardo C. Halili, Eric M. Lorenzen, Matthew William Yavorsky
  • Publication number: 20120211946
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Edgardo C. Halili, Eric M. Lorenzen, Matthew William Yavorsky
  • Publication number: 20120215179
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Edgardo C. Halili, Eric M. Lorenzen, Matthew William Yavorsky
  • Publication number: 20120215180
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Edgardo C. Halili, Eric M. Lorenzen, Matthew William Yavorsky
  • Publication number: 20120215178
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Edgardo C. Halili, Eric M. Lorenzen, Matthew William Yavorsky
  • Publication number: 20120160848
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Julian D. Kavazov, Eric M. Lorenzen
  • Patent number: 8206353
    Abstract: A system for delivering fluidic media may include a reservoir disposed within a housing, the reservoir having at least one wall bordering an interior volume for containing fluidic media, the wall being made of a material comprising a cyclic olefin copolymer, the wall for substantially preventing light from passing through the material of the wall. Fluidic media contained in the interior volume may be expelled through a fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Truong Gia Luan, Arsen Ibranyan
  • Patent number: 8187232
    Abstract: A housing may have a needle, plunger, and bias mechanism supported within the housing by a tab configured to retain the plunger in position and to allow the plunger to move under bias force imparted by the bias mechanism to move the needle to an insert position when the tab is removed. A base and a structure may be configured for relative movement there between and may be adapted to be secured to a user with a cannula extending through a body of the structure into the user during use of a medical device. A housing may be adapted to be secured to a user to support a medical device operable with an insertion needle, the housing having a magnifying material for increasing visibility of an injection site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Arsen Ibranyan, Julian D. Kavazov, Rafael Bikovsky
  • Publication number: 20120029385
    Abstract: An insertion device may include a base adapted to be carried by a patient, and a housing attached to the base, the housing having a fluid connector arranged for movement relative to the base. A pair of interactive elements including a first interactive element may be supported on the base and a second interactive element supported on the housing at a location to be interactable with the first interactive element when the fluid connector is moved to a predetermined position. Circuitry may be configured to detect an interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element when the fluid connector is in the predetermined position, the circuitry configured to provide a signal or a change in state in response to detecting the interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Arsen Ibranyan, Adam J. Livingston, Tom McGee, Steven Masterson
  • Patent number: 8083716
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to limiting a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium expelled from a reservoir. In various embodiments, a plunger head within a reservoir is shaped so as to limit a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium expelled from the reservoir. Also, in various embodiments, a reservoir is shaped so as to limit a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium expelled from the reservoir. In some embodiments, both a reservoir and a plunger head within the reservoir are shaped so as to limit a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium expelled from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian D. Kavazov, Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson, Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Truong Gia Luan, Mike Lee, Christopher G. Griffin, Thomas Miller
  • Publication number: 20110282282
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber or to the outside environment. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Eric M. LORENZEN, Edgardo HALILI
  • Publication number: 20110192478
    Abstract: A reservoir and a plunger head contained within may be configured to move relative to each other in response to at least one of the reservoir being detached from a base, the base and/or the reservoir being removed from a packaging, and the base and/or the reservoir being moved relative to each other. A first layer may be configured to define a reservoir, the first layer, which may be made of a material compatible with fluidic media in the reservoir, may be adjacent a second layer for inhibiting a diffusion through the second layer. A first layer that may be less than 0.3 mm and made of a cyclic olefin copolymer may be configured to define a reservoir. A reservoir may be defined by a wall made of a cyclic olefin copolymer and the wall may be for substantially preventing light from passing through the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Truong Gia Luan, Arsen Ibranyan
  • Publication number: 20110190700
    Abstract: A reservoir includes a reservoir body portion and a collecting portion. The reservoir body portion having a wall defining an interior volume for containing fluidic media, the reservoir having a first port in the reservoir body portion to be in fluid flow communication with the interior volume, the first port for expelling fluidic media from the interior volume as a plunger is moved within the reservoir. The collecting portion having a wall defining a volume in fluid flow communication with the interior volume, the volume of the collecting portion for collecting gas bubbles in the fluidic media as the fluidic media is expelled through the first port from the interior volume of the reservoir body portion, the reservoir having a second port in the collecting portion to be in fluid flow communication with the volume of the collecting portion, the second port for receiving fluidic media into the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Julian D. KAVAZOV, Ian B. Hanson, Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Truong Gia Luan, Mike Teang Lee, Thomas P. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110178461
    Abstract: An insertion device may include a device housing configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from a base, and engageable with an actuation device, the device housing having a carrier body supporting a piercing member. The carrier body moveable by a carrier body of the actuation device at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. The device housing having a section for supporting a portion of the carrier body of the device housing, the section moveable relative to the carrier body of the device housing to provide sufficient clearance to allow the carrier body of the device housing to be moved by the carrier body of the actuation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: COLIN A. CHONG, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Arsen Ibranyan, Adam J. Livingston, Tom McGee, Steven Masterson
  • 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: 20110054400
    Abstract: A piercing member for piercing a membrane may be arranged within a housing and supported by a compliant that may be for allowing articulation of the piercing member relative to the housing in a case where the piercing member is in the membrane and moved relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Arsen Ibranyan, Julian D. Kavazov
  • Publication number: 20110054399
    Abstract: A first device housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from a base carried by a user and may include a first carrier body arranged for movement at least between a refracted position and an advanced position. The first carrier body may support a piercing member for insertion through skin of the patient. A second device housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first device housing and may include a second carrier body operatively connectable with the first carrier body and arranged for movement at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. A driver in the second device housing may be arranged to move the first carrier body toward the advanced position to insert at least a portion of the piercing member through skin of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Arsen Ibranyan, Julian D. Kavazov
  • Publication number: 20110030845
    Abstract: A transfer guard may provide a fluid path from a vial to a reservoir containing a plunger head connected to a plunger arm operatively engagable with a handle that at least partially covers a casing configured to allow the handle to operatively engage the plunger arm to move the plunger head to transfer fluidic media from the vial to the reservoir. A support structure may have a chamber, a first adapter for mating with a vial containing fluidic media, and a second adapter for mating with a reservoir containing a plunger head moveable within the reservoir. A first needle may provide a fluid path from the vial to the reservoir and a second needle may connect the vial and the chamber containing an air flow control mechanism for allowing air to flow in one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Julian D. Kavazov, Rafael Bikovsky, Arsen Ibranyan, Eric M. Lorenzen, Chad Srisathapat
  • Publication number: 20100152674
    Abstract: Needle inserting devices, as well as fluid flow connections and infusion medium delivery systems and methods that may be used with needle inserting devices are described, for medical or non-medical systems, such as, but not limited to sensors, monitors, or the like. The needle inserting device and method may operate to insert a needle or cannula through a patient-user's skin, for example, to provide a fluid flow path for conveying an infusion medium through a hollow channel in the needle or cannula and into the patient-user and/or to convey a fluid from the patient-user to one or more sensor elements. Embodiments of the present invention may be configured, as described herein, to provide a reliable, cost effective and easy-to-use mechanism for inserting a needle or cannula to a specific depth into a patient-user with minimal traumatic effect. In some embodiments, a mechanical force in a first direction results in a needle insertion at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Julian D. Kavazov, Colin A. Chong, Rafael Bikovsky, Eric M. Lorenzen, Arsen Ibranyan
  • Publication number: 20100016791
    Abstract: A system for delivering fluidic media may include a reservoir disposed within a housing, the reservoir having at least one wall bordering an interior volume for containing fluidic media, the wall being made of a material comprising a cyclic olefin copolymer, the wall for substantially preventing light from passing through the material of the wall. Fluidic media contained in the interior volume may be expelled through a fluid conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Colin A. Chong, Eric M. Lorenzen, Rafael Bikovsky, Truong Gia Luan, Arsen Ibranyan