U.S. patent application number 12/828758 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for reservoir filling aid for a medical pump.
Invention is credited to Christopher D. Wiegel.
Application Number | 20120000569 12/828758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44628245 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120000569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wiegel; Christopher D. |
January 5, 2012 |
RESERVOIR FILLING AID FOR A MEDICAL PUMP
Abstract
A reservoir filling aid for a reservoir of a medical infusion
pump is disclosed. The reservoir filling aid comprises a main body
for supporting the reservoir during the filling of the reservoir
with a medical serum and a supply vial adapter end positioned at a
first end of the main body. The supply vial adapter end comprises a
plurality of flexible tabs extending from the supply vial adapter
end for interfacing with a supply vial containing the medical serum
and a shaped ring for housing the plurality of flexible tabs and
the supply vial while in a closed configuration to establish a
fluid connection between the supply vial and the reservoir. The
interior of the supply vial adapter end may also have a spiral
track for additional security. A removable adapter may be fitted on
the top of small supply vials.
Inventors: |
Wiegel; Christopher D.;
(Sunnyvale, CA) |
Family ID: |
44628245 |
Appl. No.: |
12/828758 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/2 ;
141/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2039/1077 20130101;
A61M 2209/045 20130101; A61J 1/2055 20150501; A61J 1/2096 20130101;
B65B 3/003 20130101; A61M 5/1782 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/2 ;
141/18 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04 |
Claims
1. A reservoir filling aid for a reservoir of a medical infusion
pump, the reservoir filling aid comprising: a main body for
supporting the reservoir during the filling of the reservoir with a
medical serum; and a supply vial adapter end positioned at a first
end of the main body having an interior and exterior, the supply
vial adapter end comprising, a plurality of flexible tabs extending
from the supply vial adapter end for interfacing with a supply vial
containing the medical serum, and a shaped ring for housing the
plurality of flexible tabs and the supply vial while in a closed
configuration, wherein when in the closed configuration a fluid
connection is established between the supply vial and the
reservoir.
2. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, further comprising a
plunger body adjacent the main body for supporting a plunger
attached to the reservoir during filling.
3. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, wherein the supply vial
adapter end further comprises a needle for piercing both the supply
vial and the reservoir, wherein the needle passes the medical serum
contained within the supply vial into the reservoir to establish
the fluid connection.
4. The reservoir filling aid of claim 3, wherein the needle is
inaccessible when the supply vial adapter end is in a receiving
configuration.
5. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of flexible tabs have a flange at its distal end.
6. The reservoir filling aid of claim 5, wherein the flange at its
distal end protrudes towards the center of the reservoir filling
aid.
7. The reservoir filling aid of claim 5, wherein the flanges of
each of the plurality of flexible tabs interface with a neck
indentation of the supply vial.
8. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
flexible tabs is comprised of rubber, plastic, or combination
thereof.
9. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
flexible tabs are positioned equidistant from each other.
10. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
flexible tabs extend from the supply vial adapter end at angle.
11. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
flexible tabs is comprised of three flexible tabs.
12. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
flexible tabs has a circumference greater than the circumference of
the supply vial adapter end while in a receiving configuration.
13. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, wherein the medical serum
is insulin.
14. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, further comprising an
adapter that fits on top of small supply vial, wherein the adapter
fits within the plurality of flexible tabs of the supply vial
adapter end of the reservoir filling aid.
15. The reservoir filling aid of claim 1, further comprising, a
track that spirals down the interior of the supply vial adapter
end; and a bottom ring connecting the plurality of flexible tabs,
wherein the bottom ring comprises a track interface that interacts
with and travels along the spiral track.
16. A reservoir filling aid for a reservoir of a medical infusion
pump, the reservoir filling aid comprising: a main body for
supporting the reservoir during the filling of the reservoir with a
medical serum; and a supply vial adapter end positioned at a first
end of the main body and having an interior and an exterior, the
supply vial adapter end comprising, a track that spirals down the
interior of the supply vial adapter end, a plurality of flexible
tabs extending from the supply vial adapter end for interfacing
with a supply vial containing the medical serum, wherein the
plurality of flexible tabs are connected together by a bottom ring,
the bottom ring having a track interface that interacts with and
travels along the track, and a shaped ring for housing the
plurality of flexible tabs and the supply vial while in a closed
configuration to establish a fluid connection between the supply
vial and the reservoir.
17. A method for filling a reservoir of a medical infusion pump
using a reservoir filling aid, the method comprising: positioning a
reservoir of a medical pump in a main body of the reservoir filling
aid; engaging a supply vial containing a medical serum with an
supply vial adapter end of the reservoir filling aid, wherein the
supply vial is engaged with the supply vial adapter end by a
plurality of flexible tabs extending from the supply vial adapter
end that connect with a neck indentation of the supply vial; and
sliding the engaged supply vial into a shaped ring of the supply
vial adapter end.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, guiding a plunger
attached to the reservoir along a plunger body of the reservoir
filling aid.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising, traveling a track
interface affixed to the plurality of flexible tabs along a spiral
track located within the supply vial adapter end.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein sliding the supply vial into
shaped ring pierces the supply vial with a needle housed within the
supply vial adapter end to establish fluid connection between the
supply vial and the reservoir.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a reservoir
filling aid for a medical pump reservoir and, in particular,
relates to a needle-safe transfer reservoir filling aid for a
medical pump reservoir with a supply vial adapter.
[0002] In general, a medical pump can be a component of a medical
device that is typically used for the administration of a medical
serum, such as, for example, chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of
cancers or insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The use
of an insulin medical pump is also known as continuous subcutaneous
insulin infusion therapy.
[0003] In the case of diabetes mellitus treatment, an insulin
delivery medical pump can be an attractive alternative to multiple
daily injections of insulin by insulin syringe or an insulin pen
that typically associated with a more traditionally diabetes
regimen. The insulin delivery medical pump can result in an
intensive insulin therapy when it is used in conjunction with the
more traditional blood glucose monitoring and carbohydrate
counting.
[0004] Typically, to use a medical pump, a reservoir is used to
store a medical serum, such as, for example, insulin, chemotherapy
drugs, or any other suitable medical serum. It is typically
recommended that a reservoir of the medical pump first be filled
with the medical serum. Some medical pumps can use reservoirs that
are prefilled with the medical serum. In these medical pumps, the
reservoir can be taken out of the medical pump and replaced with a
new prefilled reservoir when empty. However, it more common for
medical pumps to have reservoirs that are manually filled by the
user with the medical serum prescribed to the user.
[0005] However, being able to hold both the reservoir and the
medical serum vial at the same time in order to fill the reservoir
can be a serious problem for the very young, the very old, as well
as for persons who may be blind or who may have limited dexterity.
All of which can be common aliments of diabetics and others who may
require a medical infusion pump device.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive, easy-to-use
reservoir filling aid for a medical infusion pump device that can
facilitate the loading of medical infusion pump reservoirs with
medical serum.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to the present disclosure, a reservoir filling aid
for a reservoir of a medical infusion pump is disclosed. The
reservoir filling aid can comprise a main body for supporting the
reservoir of the medical infusion pump during the filling of the
reservoir. A supply vial adapter end can be positioned at a first
end of the main body. The supply vial adapter end can comprise a
plurality of flexible tabs for interfacing and engaging a supply
vial containing a medical serum and a shaped ring for securely
housing the plurality of flexible tabs and the supply vial while
the supply vial adapter end is in the closed configuration While in
the closed configuration, the reservoir filling aid can secure the
supply vial and reservoir onto a needle to facilitate the filling
of the reservoir of the medical serum.
[0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,
the reservoir filling aid further comprises a plunger body adjacent
the main body for supporting and controlling a plunger during the
filling of the reservoir.
[0009] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure, the supply vial adapter end and the main body of the
reservoir filling aid can be threaded to further secure the supply
vial to the reservoir.
[0010] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, an additional adapter can be used with the reservoir
filling aid in order to facilitate the use of different volume
supply vials in filling the reservoir.
[0011] Accordingly, it is a feature of the embodiments of the
present disclosure to provide an inexpensive, easy-to-use reservoir
filling aid to facilitate the filling of a reservoir of a medical
infusion pump with medical serum. Other features of the embodiments
of the present disclosure will be apparent in light of the
description of the disclosure embodied herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The following detailed description of specific embodiments
of the present disclosure can be best understood when read in
conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is
indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
[0013] FIGS. 1A-B illustrate two views of a typical medical
infusion pump according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates a typical reservoir according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates a typical reservoir with a plunger
attached according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a typical 10 ml supply vial according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a typical reservoir filling aid for a
medical infusion pump according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0018] FIGS. 5 A-B illustrate an isometric view of a supply vial
adapter end of a reservoir filling aid for a medical infusion pump
showing a plurality of flexible tabs according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0019] FIGS. 6 A-B illustrate an isometric view of a threaded
supply vial adapter end of a reservoir filling aid for a medical
infusion pump according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0020] FIGS. 7A-B illustrate adapters that fits onto a supply vial
to adapt the supply vial for use with the reservoir filling aid for
a medical infusion pump according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] In the following detailed description of the embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part
hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, and not by
way of limitation, specific embodiments in which the disclosure may
be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
[0022] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a typical medical infusion
pump 10 for the administration of a medical serum, such as, for
example, insulin or chemotherapy drugs is illustrated. The medical
serum can be administered by the medical infusion pump 10
subcutaneously, intravenously, or by any other suitable method
known in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the housing 15 of
the medical infusion pump 10 can include the mechanical pump 15
itself as well as pump controls, a processing module, batteries,
and a reservoir 20 for storing the medical serum. The reservoir 20
can reside within the medical infusion pump 10. A disposable
infusion set 30 can connect to the medical infusion pump housing
15. The disposable infusion set 30 can include a cannula 35 for
subcutaneous insertion (i.e., under the skin) into the user and a
tubing system 37 to interface the medical serum reservoir 20 to the
cannula 35. The medical infusion pump 10 can pump the medical serum
from the reservoir 20 through the tubing system 37 into the user
via the cannula 35.
[0023] In general, the medical infusion pump 10 can typically be
prepared for use by a user by opening a new and sterile empty
medical infusion pump reservoir 20 such as the exemplary reservoir
20 illustrated in FIG. 2A. A plunger 50 can be attached to a first
end 40 of the reservoir 20 as illustrated in FIG. 2B and as is
known in the art. The plunger 50 can be withdrawn, i.e., pulled
away from the first end 40 of the reservoir 20. A needle 55 can be
attached to a second end 45 of the reservoir 20, opposite the first
end 40, as is known in the art. The needle 55 can then be inserted
into the top of a typical supply vial 300 (see FIG. 3) of medical
serum. Air can be injected from the reservoir 20 into the supply
vial 300 via the needle 55 by pushing forward on the plunger 50,
towards the first end 40 of the reservoir 20 and the supply vial
300, in order to prevent a vacuum from forming in the supply vial
300 as the medical serum is withdrawn from the supply vial 300. The
medical serum can then be drawn into the reservoir 20 by pulling
back on the plunger 50, away from the first end 40 of the reservoir
20 and the supply vial 300. After the reservoir 20 is filled, the
needle 55 can then be removed from both the second end 45 of the
reservoir 20 and the supply vial 300. Any air bubbles can be
removed from the reservoir 20 by slowing pushing the plunger 55
towards the first end 40 of the reservoir 20. The plunger 55 can
then be removed from the reservoir 20.
[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 20 can then be
attached to the infusion set tubing 37 of the medical infusion pump
10. This assembly of the reservoir 20 and infusing set tubing 37
can then be installed into the medical infusion pump 10. In another
exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 20 can first be installed into
the medical infusion pump 10 and then the infusion set tubing can
be attached to reservoir 20. The tubing 37 can then be primed
(i.e., medical serum and any air bubbles are pushed through the
tubing 37) by the medical infusion pump 10. This procedure is
typically performed with the medical infusion pump 10 disconnected
from the body of the user to prevent accidental medical serum
delivery. In one exemplary embodiment, the medical infusion pump 10
and infusion set tubing 37 can then be attached to the body of the
user and the cannula 35 can be inserted into the subcutaneous
tissue of the user. Finally, the cannula 35 can be primed as if a
new medical infusion pump 10 infusion set had been inserted.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a reservoir filling aid 100 that can
assist the user in the filling of the reservoir 20 according to an
exemplary embodiment. The reservoir filling aid 100 can comprise a
main body portion 120 and a plunger body portion 125. The reservoir
filling aid 100 can have a supply vial adapter end 110 at a first
end 130 of the main body 120. The supply vial adapter end 110 can
securely engage a supply vial 300 of medical serum, such as the
supply vial 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. In one exemplary embodiment,
the supply vial 300 can be a 10 ml bottle such as the supply vial
300 illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0026] However, any suitable volume supply vial 300 known in the
art can be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the supply vial 300
may can contain, for example, insulin, chemotherapy drugs, or any
other suitable medical serum that can be used in a medical infusion
pump system. Typically, the neck 310 of the supply vial 300 has a
indentation 320 around the circumference of the supply vial 300 as
illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0027] Turning to FIGS. 5A-B, in one exemplary embodiment, the
supply vial 300 can interface with the reservoir filling aid 100 by
a needle 510 housed within the supply vial adapter end 110. This
interface can establish a fluid connection between the supply vial
300 and the reservoir 20 in order to transfer the medical serum
from the supply vial 300 into the reservoir 20. However, any other
suitable method of interface known in the art may be used. Turning
back to FIG. 4, in one exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 20 can
be placed horizontally in the main body 120 of reservoir filling
aid 100 with the second, or needle, end 45 of the reservoir 20
adjacent to and interfacing with the supply vial adapter end 110 of
the reservoir filling aid 100. In one exemplary embodiment, the
needle end 45 of the reservoir 20 can interface with the reservoir
filling aid 100 by the needle 510 (see FIGS. 5A-B) housed within
the supply vial adapter end 110. However, any suitable method of
interface known in the art can be used. In a further exemplary
embodiment, the supply vial adapter end 110 can have a plurality of
flexible tabs 500 to assist in the secure engagement of the supply
vial 300 to the reservoir filling aid 100 as illustrated in FIGS.
5A-B which will be discussed more fully below.
[0028] While the reservoir 20 is placed in the reservoir filling
aid 100, a plunger 55, or pull rod, can be attached to the first
end 40 of reservoir 20 as is known in the art. In one exemplary
embodiment, as the plunger 55 is pulled away from the first end 40
of the reservoir 20, the medical serum in the supply vial 300 can
be pull from the supply vial 300 into the reservoir 20 via the
needle 510, thereby, filling the reservoir 20 with the medical
serum. The plunger 55 of the reservoir 20 can reside along the
plunger body 125 of the reservoir filling aid 100. Having the
plunger 55 supported by the plunger body 125 can provide extra
control over the movement of the plunger 55 during the filling
process. In one exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the plunger
55 can fit into a slot 127 at plunger body end 129 of the reservoir
filling aid 100 for additional control of the filling process.
Thus, in one exemplary embodiment, a user can be able fill the
reservoir 20 using one hand. In addition, by guiding the plunger 55
of the reservoir 20 along the plunger body 125, the reservoir
filling aid 100 can also assist in refilling the reservoir 20 by
helping to prevent overfilling and spilling of the medical serum by
the additional control of the plunger. Further, the reservoir
filling aid 100, by providing the guidance of the plunger 55 along
the length of the plunger body 125, can help remove air bubbles in
the reservoir 20. Therefore, the reservoir filling aid 100 can
provide much needed assistance to those users who have limited
dexterity.
[0029] Turning to FIG. 5A, an isometric view of the supply vial
adapter end 110 of the reservoir filling aid 100 is illustrated.
From this view, the plurality of flexible tabs 500 extending from
the supply vial adapter end 110 can be seen. The plurality of
flexible tabs 500 can be comprised of plastic, rubber, or any other
suitable flexible material known in the art. In one embodiment, the
plurality of flexible tabs 500 can be positioned equidistance along
the circumference of supply vial adapter end 110. In another
embodiment, the plurality of flexible tabs 500 can be irregularly
positioned around the circumference of the supply vial adapter end
110. The plurality of flexible tabs 500 can comprise any number of
flexible tabs 500. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality can
comprise three flexible tabs 500 positioned equidistance apart from
each other along the circumference of the supply vial adapter end
110. However, the plurality of flexible tabs 500 may comprise more
or less flexible tabs 500 as needed. In one exemplary embodiment,
each of the individual flexible tab 500 of the plurality of
flexible tabs 500 can have a flange 540 protruding from the distal
end 530 of the each of the flexible tabs 500 towards the center of
the reservoir filling aid 100. In one embodiment, the flange 540
may be rounded. However, any other suitably shaped flange 540 is
possible.
[0030] In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of flexible tabs
500 can initially be positioned to be in a receiving configuration
as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In this configuration, the plurality of
flexible tabs 500 can extend from the supply vial adapter end 110
at an angle .alpha.. In one exemplary embodiment, the angle .alpha.
can be from approximately 10.degree. to approximately 30.degree..
However, other angles .alpha. can be envisioned without deviating
from the spirit of the present disclosure. In an exemplary
embodiment, when in the receiving configuration, the circumference
of the distal ends 530 of the plurality of flexible tabs 500 of the
supply vial adapter end 110 can be greater than the circumference
of the top 325 of the supply vial 300. Thereby, in the receiving
configuration, the reservoir filling aid 100 can be incapable of
securing a supply vial 300 (see FIG. 3) onto the needle 510 housed
with the supply vial adapter end 110 of the reservoir filling aid
100. In addition, having the plurality of flexible tabs 500 in the
receiving configuration can provide addition protection to the user
from the needle 510 housed with the supply vial adapter end 110,
thereby, helping to prevent accidental sticks of the needle
510.
[0031] Alternatively, in the closed configuration, the typical
supply vial 300 can be forced into the supply vial adapter end 110
by sliding together the typical supply vial 300 and the plurality
of flexible tabs 500 into a shaped ring 520 at the end of the
supply vial adapter end 110. In one exemplary embodiment, the
sliding motion can force the rounded flanges 540 of the plurality
of the flexible tabs 500 to close around the indentation 320 of the
neck 310 of the typical supply vial 300 in order to secure the
supply vial 300 to the reservoir filling aid 100. In addition, in
one embodiment, the sliding motion can force the supply vial 300
onto the needle 510 housed within the reservoir filling aid 100 to
establish a fluid connection between the supply vial 300 and the
reservoir 20. The plurality of the flexible tabs 300 in the closed
configuration is illustrated in FIG. 5B. The indentation 320 of the
supply vial 300 can support the flexible tabs 500 in this closed
configuration in order to support and retain the supply vial 300.
In other words, the supply vial adapter end 110 of the reservoir
filling aid 100 can use a sliding motion to close the plurality of
flexible tabs 500 around the indentation 320 of the neck 310 of a
supply vial 300 and into the shaped ring 520 of the reservoir
filling aid 100. The sliding motion can then securely force the
supply vial 300 onto the needle 510 of the reservoir filling aid
100 establishing a fluid connection between the supply vial 300 and
the reservoir 20, thereby the reservoir filling aid 100 can secure
and support a needle connection between supply vial 300, the
reservoir filling aid 100 and the reservoir 20 itself.
[0032] Once the reservoir 20 is filled with the desired amount of
medical serum, the supply vial 300 can be slid out of the supply
vial adapter end 110 of the reservoir filling aid 100 by simply
pulling on the supply vial 300. As the supply vial 300 is slid out,
the plurality of flexible tabs 500 can move from the closed
position to the receiving position and, thereby, the plurality of
flexible tabs 500 can lose contact with the neck 310 of the supply
vial 300 and can release the supply vial 300. Once the plurality of
flexible tabs 500 are in the receiving position, the user can then
simply remove the supply vial 300 from the needle 510 of the
reservoir filling aid 100 breaking the fluid connection between the
supply vial 300 and the reservoir 20.
[0033] In another exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A-B,
the supply vial adapter end 110 of the reservoir filling aid 100
can have an interior 650 and exterior 640. The interior 650 of the
supply vial adapter end 110 can have a track 610 that follows a
spiral path down the interior 650 of the supply vial adapter end
110. In one exemplary embodiment, the track 610 can be a recessed
groove. The plurality of flexible tabs 500 can be connected
together by a bottom ring 620. The bottom ring 620 can have a track
interface 620 protruding away from the bottom ring 630 towards the
interior 650 of the supply vial adapter end 110. In this exemplary
embodiment, the track interface 620 can be interact with, or be
threaded into, the track 610 when the flexible tabs 500 are in the
receiving position. As the supply vial 300 is slid towards the
shaped ring 520, the supply vial 300 can also rotate the track
interface 620 downwards along the path of the track 610. The
rotation downwards of the supply vial 300 can flex the plurality of
flexible tabs 500 inward towards and onto the neck 310 of the
supply vial 300 locking the supply vial 300 into place on the
needle 510 and establishing a fluid connection between the supply
vial 300 and the reservoir 20. The track 610 and track interface
620, thereby, provide additional support and security for the
connection between the supply vial 300, reservoir 20 and the
reservoir filling aid 100.
[0034] Once the reservoir 20 is filled with the desired amount of
medical serum, the supply vial 300 can be rotated out of the supply
vial adapter end 110 of the reservoir filling aid 100. As the
supply vial 300 is being rotated out of the supply vial adapter end
110, the track interface 620 connected to the plurality of flexible
tabs 500 travels up the interior 650 of the supply vial adapter end
110 along the path of track 620. As the supply vial 300 is rotated
out, the plurality of flexible tabs 500 can move from the closed
position to the receiving position and, thereby, the plurality of
flexible tabs 500 can lose contact with the neck 310 of the supply
vial 300 and can release the supply vial 300. Once the plurality of
flexible tabs 500 are in the receiving position, the user can then
simply remove the supply vial 300 from the needle 510 of the
reservoir filling aid 100 breaking the fluid connection between the
supply vial 300 and the reservoir 20.
[0035] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a removable adapter 730
for fitting onto the supply vial adapter end 110 of the reservoir
filling aid 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 7A-B. This removable
adapter 730 can be fitted securely onto a small supply vial 700
having a smaller circumference than a typical 10 ml supply vial 300
in order to increase the overall circumference of the small supply
vial 700 to that of a 10 ml supply vial 300. In one exemplary
embodiment, the small supply vial 700 can be a typical 3 ml supply
vial. However, any other small supply vial 700 can be used with the
removable adapter 730 without departing from the spirit of the
present disclosure. In one exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG.
7A, the removable adapter 730 can securely snap into the
indentations 720 of the neck 710 of the small supply vial 700. In
another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B, the removable adapter
730 can be slid onto the neck 710 of the small supply vial 700.
However, any other suitable methods of attachment known in the art
are possible. The removable adapter 730 and the neck 710 of the
small supply vial 700 can then securely engage with the plurality
of flexible tabs 500 of the supply vial adapter end 110 of the
reservoir filling aid 100 as discussed above. Thus, the removable
adapter 700 can allow the filling of the reservoir 20 by a small
supply vial 700 of medical serum. In this embodiment, the plurality
of flexible tabs 500 would secure against the body of the small
supply vial 700 and the removable adapter 730. The removable
adapter 730 can be comprised of a flexible material such as, for
example, rubber, plastic or any suitable material known in the
art.
[0036] After the reservoir 20 is filled, the small supply vial 700
can disengage from the reservoir filling aid 100 as described above
and the removable adapter 730 can be removed from the small supply
vial 700 by, for example, simply unsnapping the removable adapter
730 from the small supply vial 700, or simply sliding the removable
adapter 730 from the small supply vial 700 or by any other suitable
method.
[0037] It is noted that terms like "preferably," "commonly," and
"typically" are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the
claimed embodiments or to imply that certain features are critical,
essential, or even important to the structure or function of the
claimed embodiments. Rather, these terms are merely intended to
highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be
utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] For the purposes of describing and defining the present
disclosure, it is noted that the term "substantially" is utilized
herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be
attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or
other representation. The term "substantially" is also utilized
herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative
representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting
in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at
issue.
[0039] Having described the present disclosure in detail and by
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that
modifications and variations are possible without departing from
the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims. More
specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are
identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is
contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited
to these preferred aspects of the disclosure.
* * * * *