Reservoir connection interface with detectable signature

Abstract

A connector interface system includes a cap to connect to a reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit for installation into an infusion pump device. The cap has at least one receptacle for receiving one or more detectable features comprising at least one disc-shaped member, for detection by at least one sensor element on the infusion pump device when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in a reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device. The at least one detectable feature has at least one detectable parameter that is associated with one or more characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, the infusion pump device, a cannula associated with the cap or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A connector interface system, comprising:
 a cap to connect to a reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit for installation into an infusion pump device, the cap having a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle configured for receiving one or more detectable features; and   at least one detectable feature comprising at least one detectable member received within each receptacle of the receptacles of the plurality of receptacles, for detection by at least one sensor element on the infusion pump device when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in a reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device;   wherein the at least one detectable feature has at least one detectable parameter that is associated with one or more characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, the infusion pump device, a cannula associated with the cap or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.   
     
     
         2 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detectable feature comprises a plurality of the detectable members arranged in a stack within at least one of the receptacles of the plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
         3 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein each detectable member of the plurality of detectable members has a shape and size corresponding to a shape and size of each other detectable member of the plurality of detectable members. 
     
     
         4 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein each detectable member of the plurality of detectable members comprises a magnet having a shape and size corresponding to a shape and size of each other magnets of the plurality of detectable members. 
     
     
         5 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detectable feature comprises a plurality of members arranged in a stack within at least one of the receptacles of the plurality of receptacles, and wherein the cap has at least one further receptacle that is devoid of members. 
     
     
         6 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detectable feature comprises a plurality of detectable members arranged in a stack within each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
         7 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap and the reservoir have a common longitudinal axis A, and wherein the plurality of receptacles comprise a first receptacle having a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction transverse to the direction of the axis A. 
     
     
         8 . The connector interface system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of receptacles comprises a second receptacle having a configuration with a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction that is parallel to the direction of the axis A. 
     
     
         9 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap and the reservoir have a common longitudinal axis A, and wherein the plurality of receptacles includes at least one first receptacle having a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction that is at an oblique angle relative to the direction of the axis A. 
     
     
         10 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein each detectable member of the plurality of detectable members comprises a disc-shaped member. 
     
     
         11 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein each detectable member comprises a separate magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The connector interface system of  claim 11 , wherein the cap and the reservoir have a common longitudinal axis A, the at least one detectable member in each of the plurality of receptacles provides a magnetic field, and wherein the at least one detectable parameter comprises at least one of a magnitude of the magnetic field, a polarity direction of the magnetic field, or an angle of the magnetic field relative to the axis A. 
     
     
         13 . The connector interface system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one detectable member in each of the plurality of receptacles provides a magnetic field, the at least one detectable parameter comprises at least one characteristic of the magnetic field that is dependent on the number of magnets in the plurality of receptacles, and wherein the number of magnets in each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles is adjustable. 
     
     
         14 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detectable member in each receptacle comprises at least one electrically conductive member that contributes to an inductively detectable signal, and wherein the at least one detectable parameter comprises the inductively detectable signature. 
     
     
         15 . The connector interface system of  claim 14 , wherein the inductively detectable signature is dependent on the total number of detectable members in the detectable feature, and wherein a total number of detectable members in the detectable feature is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The connector interface system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more characteristics comprises one or more of: a type or identity of a manufacturer of the reservoir, or the cap; a size of the reservoir or the cap; a type or concentration of infusion media in the reservoir; a volume amount of infusion media in the reservoir; a date corresponding to a manufacturing date, expiration date or fill date related to infusion media in the reservoir; a date corresponding to a manufacturing date or expiration date of the reservoir or the cap; a location corresponding to a place where the reservoir or infusion media in the reservoir was made, filled, or otherwise processed; a location corresponding to a place where the cap was made, assembled or otherwise processed; a location corresponding to a place where the reservoir, infusion media in the reservoir or the cap is authorized to be used; a lot number or code associated with a batch in which the reservoir, the cap or infusion media was made, cleaned, filled or otherwise processed; a serial number; a unique ID; user identification information for authorized users; a type, length or size of a cannula associated with the cap; or a type, length or size of a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula. 
     
     
         17 . A connector interface system, comprising:
 a cap to connect to a reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit for installation into an infusion pump device, the cap having at least one receptacle for receiving one or more detectable features; and   at least one detectable feature comprising at least one detectable member received within the at least one receptacle, for detection by at least one sensor element on the infusion pump device when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in a reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device;   wherein the at least one detectable feature has at least one detectable parameter that is associated with one or more characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, the infusion pump device, a cannula associated with the cap or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula; and   wherein the cap and the reservoir have a common longitudinal axis A, and wherein the at least one receptacle comprises either:
 a receptacle having a longitudinal dimension defining a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction parallel to or at an oblique angle relative to the direction of the axis A; or 
 a first receptacle having a longitudinal dimension defining a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction transverse to the direction of the axis A, and a second receptacle having a longitudinal dimension defining a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction parallel to or at an oblique angle relative to the direction of the axis A. 
   
     
     
         18 . A connector interface system, comprising:
 a cap to connect to a reservoir to form a reservoir/cap unit for installation into an infusion pump device, the cap having a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle for receiving one or more detectable features; and   at least one detectable feature received within one or more of the at least one receptacle, the at least one detectable feature comprising a number of detectable members, the number being greater than one, wherein each detectable member has the same shape and size and is configured to be selectively received within the at least one receptacle, for detection by at least one sensor element on the infusion pump device when the reservoir of the reservoir/cap unit is received in a reservoir receptacle of the infusion pump device;   wherein the at least one detectable feature has at least one detectable parameter that is dependent, at least in part, on the number of detectable members received within the one of the at least one receptacle; and   wherein the at least one detectable parameter is associated with one or more characteristics of the cap, the reservoir, the infusion pump device, a cannula associated with the cap or a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.   
     
     
         19 . The connector interface system of  claim 18 , wherein each detectable member comprises a magnet that provides a detectable magnetic field. 
     
     
         20 . The connector interface system of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more characteristics comprises one or more of: a type or identity of a manufacturer of the reservoir, or the cap; a size of the reservoir or the cap; a type or concentration of infusion media in the reservoir; a volume amount of infusion media in the reservoir; a date corresponding to a manufacturing date, expiration date or fill date related to infusion media in the reservoir; a date corresponding to a manufacturing date or expiration date of the reservoir or the cap; a location corresponding to a place where the reservoir or infusion media in the reservoir was made, filled, or otherwise processed; a location corresponding to a place where the cap was made, assembled or otherwise processed; a location corresponding to a place where the reservoir, infusion media in the reservoir or the cap is authorized to be used; a lot number or code associated with a batch in which the reservoir, the cap or infusion media was made, cleaned, filled or otherwise processed; a serial number; a unique ID; user identification information for authorized users; a type, length or size of a cannula associated with the cap; or a type, length or size of a tubing connected between the cap and the cannula.