Reservoir pressure equalization systems and methods

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:
a fluid reservoir having a neck section and a fluid vent formed in the neck section to accommodate expulsion of pressurized fluidic media from the fluid reservoir; and a base assembly having a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the distal portion includes a sealing receptacle to receive the neck section, the sealing receptacle comprising:
a fluid delivery port, wherein in an inserted state fluid communication is open from the fluid vent to the fluid delivery port and in a released state fluid communication is blocked from the fluid vent to the fluid delivery port;a valve to cooperate with the fluid delivery port;a recess to accommodate the neck section in the inserted state during which the neck section is received in the sealing receptacle, and to accommodate the valve in the released state during which the neck section is removed from the sealing receptacle, wherein the fluid delivery port is formed through the distal portion of the base assembly; anda sealing arrangement to form a fluid tight seal with the valve in the released state, wherein the sealing arrangement includes a first member to form a fluid tight seal with the valve in the inserted state and a second member to form a fluid tight seal with the neck section in the inserted state; wherein, in the inserted state, the fluid vent fluidly communicates with the fluid delivery port in a fluid pathway bound by the first member and the second member; and wherein, in the released state, the valve cooperates with the sealing arrangement to inhibit access to the fluid delivery port.