Patent Description:
Medical pumps may facilitate administration of intravenous therapy to patients both in and outside of a clinical setting. Outside a clinical setting, patients may return to substantially normal lives, provided that they receive periodic or continuous intravenous administration of medication. Among the types of therapies requiring periodic or continuous intravenous administration include (but are not limited to) antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, pain control therapy, nutritional therapy, and several other types known by those skilled in the art. Patients may receive multiple daily therapies, and certain medical conditions require infusion of drugs in solution over relatively short periods (e.g., from <NUM> minutes to two hours). Based on the frequency and duration of the infusions, increasingly lightweight, portable or ambulatory infusion pumps have been developed that may be worn by a patient and that are capable of administering a continuous supply of medication at a desired rate or at predetermined and scheduled intervals.

Configurations of infusion pumps include elastomeric pumps, which squeeze solution from flexible containers, such as balloons, into IV tubing for delivery to the patient. Alternatively, spring-loaded pumps pressurize the solution containers or reservoirs. Certain pump designs utilize cartridges containing flexible compartments that are squeezed by pressure rollers for discharging the solutions. Infusion pumps utilizing syringes are also known wherein a drive mechanism moves a plunger of the syringe to deliver fluid to a patient. Typically, these infusion pumps include a housing adapted to receive a syringe assembly, a drive mechanism adapted to move the syringe plunger, a pump control unit having a variety of operating controls, and a power source for powering the pump including the drive mechanism and controls. Additionally, some medical devices, such as infusion pumps are portable while others are larger and may remain stationary. Alternatively, medical devices such as infusion pumps may be moved about in a hospital setting in either a cart, rack or hub.

Regardless of the size and type of medical pump or medical device, most medical devices require a power source (either internal or external) to operate. For example, medical devices such as infusion pumps may be placed on or positioned within a rack (e.g., a modular rack), sometimes called hubs, which may be wired to provide power to the medical devices (e.g., pumps) placed on or within the racks. Medical devices (e.g., pumps) designed to be placed on a modular rack may have a connection receptacle located on the exterior of the medical device that connects to a connector plug located on the rack itself. This connection may supply the medical device (e.g., pump) with power to operate. Additionally, if the necessary wiring is provided, this connection may facilitate communication between the medical device (e.g., pump) and the rack. However, in order for the medical device (e.g., pump) to operate as intended, proper alignment of the connection between the medical device and rack is necessary to ensure sufficient engagement of the connection(s) between the medical device and the rack. Otherwise, the medical device may not receive power to operate, communication(s) between the medical device and the rack may be disrupted, and/or the medical device may otherwise not operate as intended.

Existing techniques for connecting a medical device (e.g. a pump) to a modular rack have several disadvantages. For example, one existing technique for connecting a medical device (e.g., a pump) to a modular rack includes manually lifting the pump into position while viewing the connection(s), connector(s) or connection interface(s) to ensure proper engagement between the connectors. This existing technique, however, has several drawbacks because the clinician may be unable to view one or more of the connection(s) or connection interfaces. For example, the location of the connection(s), connectors or connection interfaces may hinder a clinician's view, e.g., when a connection interface is positioned on a back side of a medical device. Furthermore, several medical devices (e.g., pumps) may be stacked on top of each other when placed on or within a modular rack, which creates additional congestions and therefore may further hinder a clinician's line-of-sight or ability to properly view the respective connection interfaces. The inability to properly observe connection interface(s) and the coupling of such interfaces may prevent the clinician from ensuring proper connection of the medical devices (e.g., pumps) on a given rack. In the course of a day, a clinician may connect and inspect the connections of several medical devices (e.g., pumps), and the existing techniques of manually connecting and physically observing the connections to ensure proper engagement is both time consuming and logistically burdensome for clinicians. These drawbacks may be further augmented and manifested based on the quantity and size of medical devices (e.g., pumps) a clinician manually connects and inspects throughout the day.

Accordingly, a system and/or method for connecting a medical device (e.g., pump) to a modular rack that ensures proper engagement of connections without the need to have the connections manually inspected is desired.

<CIT> discloses a detachable gas analyzing apparatus having a plurality of gas analyzer units insertable into and removable from a front side of a container case. Complementary electrical and gas connectors are disposed on the rear side of the gas analyzer units and the container case. Guides and engaging rails guide the gas analyzer units as they are inserted into the container case. The gas connectors are substantially self-aligning by the provision of complementary tapered portions formed on gas sockets and plugs. The gas connectors also align the electrical connectors and provide compensation for linear misalignment. A plurality of gas connectors may also be employed, forming a number of inward and outward gas passages.

The present disclosure provides new and innovative systems and methods for passively connecting a device to a modular rack. In various examples described herein, the device may be a medical device, such as a pump (e.g., infusion pump). However, it should be appreciated that that a pump, such as an infusion pump, is provided as a non-limiting example of a medical device that may benefit from the techniques disclosed herein. The modular rack in various embodiments is configured to be electrified and capable of holding at least one medical pump. It should be appreciated that the rack is in various embodiments, any type of electrified modular rack, or any other suitable device capable of holding and providing a connection to a device.

The provided system includes a modular rack configured with an electrified wiring harness, a connector plug, a connector shell seal and a guiding system. The guiding system includes a shelf to receive a bracket, rails to guide and retain the bracket and mechanical means to move the shelf in a plurality of directions, facilitating tri-axial self-alignment of the shelf in relation to the connector plug. The connector plug is disposed within the connector seal shell and spatial volume is provided adjacent to the connector plug within the connector seal shell to allow for freedom of movement during self-alignment. The provided system also includes a bracket that is configured to attach to the bottom of a device. For example, the device is a medical pump with a connector respectable and a connector seal located on the exterior of the medical pump. The connector receptacle sits within the connector seal and is configured to receive a connector plug. The connector seal is biased towards the connector shell seal to ensure engagement.

Once the bracket is attached to the device and the device-bracket couplet is place on the shelf of the rack, the mechanical means of the guiding system moves the shelf and the device on it, in a plurality of directions. The guiding system facilitates tri-axial self-alignment of the connector receptacle of the device in relation to the connector plug of the rack. The guiding system provides for passive connection of the device to the rack while ensuring proper engagement of the connector plug to the connector receptacle. As a result of the system providing several shelves, multiple devices may be connected in a passive manner using the disclosed guiding system.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a self-aligning connection system according to claim <NUM>. Embodiments of the self-aligning connection system of the present invention are described below. These embodiments made be used alone or in combination.

In an embodiment, the connector plug is disposed within the connector shell seal and a spatial volume is provided adjacent to the connector plug within the connector seal shell to allow for freedom of movement during self-alignment.

In an embodiment, the device is a medical device.

In an embodiment, the engagement between the device and the modular rack allows for an operable connection of at least one of an electrical connection, a data connection, a gas connection, and a fluid connection.

In an embodiment, the plurality of directions includes an X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction.

In an embodiment, the self-aligning connection system includes a guiding system with mechanical means to facilitate the movement of the bracket of the device in relation to the shelf of the modular rack without human intervention.

In an embodiment, the shelf of the modular rack includes guide rails that are configured to retain and guide the bracket of the device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for connecting a device to a modular rack according to claim <NUM>. Embodiments of the method of the present invention are described below. These embodiments may be used alone or in combination.

In an embodiment, the method includes biasing the connector seal towards the connector shell seal to ensure engagement of the connector plug relative to the connector receptacle.

In an embodiment, the operable connection is at least one of an electrical connection, a data connection, a gas connection, and a fluid connection.

In an embodiment, the method is performed without human intervention.

In an embodiment, the plurality of directions include an X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction.

An additional benefit of the provided system includes decreasing the downtime of the medical pumps due to connection or power source issues, thereby increasing the efficiency of the clinical resources and the value provided by the system.

The present disclosure provides systems, methods and techniques for self-aligning connection(s) between a device(s) and a modular rack or hub. The systems, methods and techniques disclosed herein advantageously allow for tri-axial alignment (e.g., auto-alignment or self-alignment) for ensuring proper connection of the device(s) to the rack. The provided systems, methods and techniques may be implemented on medical devices, such as medical pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) to alleviate the burden experienced by clinicians when manually connecting medical devices to modular racks. Specifically, the techniques disclosed herein may advantageously reduce or eliminate the occurrence of improper connections when installing a medical device within a rack or hub. By ensuring proper connections (e.g., via a self-aligning or auto-aligning tri-axial alignment mechanism), the medical devices receive the required power to operate, are able to establish proper communication with the rack and other devices housed in the rack while reducing downtime and increasing efficiency of clinical resources.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example self-aligning connector system <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the self-aligning connector system <NUM> includes a modular rack <NUM> with a plurality of devices 115a-c poisoned therein (e.g., devices 115a-c are in a connected position). In the illustrated example, the system <NUM> includes three medical devices 115a-c (e.g., three infusion pumps), however if should be appreciated that the system <NUM> may be configured to accommodate more than three medical devices. In order for a medical device (e.g., medical device 115a-c, hereinafter referred to generally as medical device <NUM>), such as an infusion pump to establish a proper connection to the rack <NUM>, guidance may be required to align the connections (e.g., connection interfaces on the medical devices <NUM> as well as the rack <NUM>). Ordinarily, a clinician manually (i) places a medical device <NUM> (e.g., infusion pump) on a rack <NUM>, (ii) guides the connection interfaces of the medical device <NUM> towards those of the rack <NUM>, and (iii) actively ensures the connection interfaces are completely engaged. The manual process described above is both time consuming and has the potential for human error. Meanwhile, the techniques disclosed herein alleviate the burden on the clinician and also reduces or eliminates the potential for human error when establishing a connection between a medical device and a rack or hub.

As described in more detail below, both the medical devices <NUM> and the hub or rack <NUM> may have assembly tolerances for manufacturability. While these tolerances may be minimized, the resulting assembly tolerance may be insufficient to support self-alignment in the x-direction or the y-direction (e.g., along the X-axis or the Y-axis). Additionally, properly connecting the medical devices <NUM> and the hub or rack <NUM> may also depend on gasket compression. For example, self-alignment in the z-direction (e.g., along the Z-axis) may ensure adequate gasket compression with sufficient sealing pressure to prevent a marginal seal between a respective medical device <NUM> and rack <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the rack <NUM>, which may be rack <NUM> of <FIG>, prior to or absent any devices <NUM> connected to or positioned therein. As shown in <FIG>, the modular rack <NUM> includes a connector plug 120a disposed within a connector shell seal 140a. The modular rack <NUM> may include multiple connector plugs and connector shell seals (e.g., connector plugs 120a-c and connector shell seals 140a-c). The rack <NUM> also includes at least one shelf 160a-c, hereinafter referred to generally as shelf <NUM>. The shelf <NUM> may have a planar surface with guide rails that are configured to retain and guide a corresponding mating structure (i.e., bracket <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) fixed to a device <NUM>. A guiding system <NUM> may be positioned immediately adjacent the shelf <NUM>. The guiding system <NUM> may include mechanical means for facilitating self-alignment of a device <NUM> along an X-axis or horizontal plane.

The connector plug <NUM> is configured to self-align in both the vertical and normal axial directions (e.g., self-align along both of the Y-axis and Z-axis) when the connector plug <NUM> engages with a corresponding connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) of the device <NUM>. When the connector plug <NUM> is disposed within the connector seal shell <NUM>, spatial volume is provided adjacent to the connector plug <NUM> within the connector seal shell <NUM> to allow for freedom of movement during self-alignment.

<FIG> is a partial detail view of the portion of the rack <NUM> that includes the connector plug <NUM>, connector seal shell <NUM>, shelf <NUM>, and guiding system <NUM>. As mentioned above, the shelf <NUM> may have a planar surface <NUM> with guide rails 164a and 164b, hereinafter referred to generally as guide rails <NUM>. The shelf <NUM>, the planar surface <NUM> and/or the guide rails <NUM> may be configured to retain and guide a corresponding mating structure (e.g., bracket <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) fixed to device <NUM>. The guiding system <NUM> may be positioned immediately adjacent the shelf <NUM>. The guiding system <NUM> may include mechanical means for facilitating self-alignment of the device <NUM> along an X-axis or horizontal plane via shelf <NUM>. Additionally, the guiding system <NUM> may include retention clips that hold a corresponding medical device <NUM> on the shelf <NUM> after the medical device <NUM> and rack <NUM> are properly engaged.

The guide rails <NUM> are adapted to orient the medical device's connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) towards the connector plug <NUM> of the rack <NUM>. For example, the guide rails <NUM> may assist with aligning the connector plug <NUM> and the connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) prior to engagement of the connector plug <NUM> and connector receptacle of a corresponding medical device <NUM>. As described in more detail with relation to <FIG>, once the connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) starts to engage with the connector plug <NUM>, the connector plug <NUM> may self-adjust spatially thereby adjusting its special position based on the connector receptacle's axial position thereby ensuring a proper seal between the connector plug <NUM> and the connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>). As the medical device <NUM> and its associated connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) are advanced towards the connector plug <NUM> and the connector shell seal <NUM>, the connector seal (e.g., connector seal <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) may contact and compress the connector plug <NUM> and/or the connector shell seal <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of the connector plug <NUM> and connector shell seal <NUM>. Additionally, <FIG> illustrates the various axial directions the connector plug <NUM> is capable of moving. For example, movement of the connector plug <NUM> in the X-direction or the Y-direction (e.g., along the X-axis and Y-axis) may be facilitated by the self-aligning connector system of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the connector plug <NUM> is disposed within connector seal shell <NUM>. The connector plug <NUM> may be coupled to an outer surface of the rack <NUM> in such a way that provides flexibility to self-align in <NUM>-dimmensional space relative to the connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) of the device <NUM> being place on the rack <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the connector plug <NUM> along line 3B-3B of <FIG>. The cross-sectional view illustrates that the connector plug <NUM> includes a cylindrical side-wall <NUM> and various connector pins <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the connector plug <NUM> is disposed within connector seal shell <NUM>. The connector plug <NUM> is capable of moving in the X-direction or the Z-direction (e.g., along the X-axis and Z-axis), facilitated by the self-aligning connector system of the present disclosure. Within the connector seal shell <NUM>, biasing member(s) <NUM> are provided to allow for alignment in the Z-direction (e.g., along the Z-axis). For example, biasing member(s) <NUM>, such as biasing springs, may be compressed thereby allowing the connector plug <NUM> to move in the Z-direction to accommodate alignment in the Z-direction with the corresponding connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) of the device <NUM>. Specifically, compression of the biasing member(s) <NUM> and therefore compression of the connector plug <NUM> ensures proper engagement between the rack <NUM> and an associated medical device <NUM> in the Z-direction. Additionally, the biasing member(s) <NUM> may advantageously ensure that the seal formed by the connection is not overly compressed as the connector plug <NUM> is adapted to move in the Z-direction under sufficient pressure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the connector shell seal <NUM> or another corresponding structure on the rack <NUM> may include a backstop or capturing feature <NUM> that is adapted to capture the biasing member(s) <NUM>.

The connector plug <NUM> may also include a sealing member <NUM>, such as an O-ring positioned around a base of the connector plug <NUM> that is configured to form a seal between the connector plug <NUM> and a corresponding connector on the medical device <NUM>. Additionally, the connector plug <NUM> may include a sealing flange <NUM> that forms a seal with connector shell seal <NUM> regardless of the axial position of the connector plug <NUM>. For example, the sealing flange <NUM> may be adapted to ensure that the interface of the connector plug <NUM> and connector shell seal <NUM> are sealed from the environment when the connector plug <NUM> is in any of its axial-allowable positions (e.g., moved to its limit in any of the X-direction, Y-direction and the Z-direction (e.g., along the X-axis, the Y axis and the Z-axis).

A spatial volume <NUM> is provided between the connector plug <NUM> and the connector seal shell <NUM>, which provides the connector plug <NUM> spatial freedom or the ability to move in the X-direction, Y-direction and the Z-direction (e.g., along the X-axis, the Y axis and the Z-axis) while engaging the connector receptacle (e.g., connector receptacle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>). The spatial volume <NUM> may be a ring-shaped pocket that allows the connector plug <NUM> to move tri-axially within the connector seal shell <NUM> for proper alignment with a corresponding connector on a medical device <NUM>. A portion of the spatial volume <NUM> is indicated by the dashed-outline and gray shading near the bottom portion of the connector plug <NUM> and connector seal shell <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connector plug <NUM> and the connector seal shell <NUM> are configured an arrange in such a way that the connector plug <NUM> is retained within the connector seal shell <NUM> while being capable of moving tri-axially for alignment purposes. As mentioned above, the engagement is facilitated by the self-aligning connector system of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example medical device <NUM> that is configured to be operable with the rack <NUM> of the present disclosure. In an example, the medical device <NUM> is a medical pump, such as an infusion pump. As shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> includes a bracket <NUM>, which may be fixed to the bottom of the device <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may be configured to be received by the shelf <NUM> of the rack <NUM>. On the exterior of the device <NUM>, a connector receptacle <NUM> is disposed within the connector seal <NUM>. The connector receptacle <NUM> is configured to receive the connector plug <NUM> of the rack <NUM>. Specifically, the connector receptacle <NUM> of the medical device <NUM> is configured to engage with the connector plug <NUM> of the rack <NUM>. As discussed above, the position or orientation of the connector plug <NUM> may adjust tri-axially to ensure that the connector plug <NUM> is aligned with and properly engages the connector receptacle <NUM>. The connector seal <NUM> is adapted to connect with the connector shell seal <NUM> of the rack <NUM> to provide a seal of the connection between the connector plug <NUM> and the connector receptacle <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate perspective cross-sectional views of the engagement between a medical device <NUM> and a rack <NUM> (prior to engagement in <FIG> and after full engagement in <FIG>). More specifically, <FIG> illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the engagement between the connector plug <NUM> and connector receptacle <NUM> aligned prior to engagement while <FIG> illustrates the connection interfaces after full engagement. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the device <NUM> is disposed on the rack <NUM> and the connections of both the rack <NUM> and device <NUM> are generally, spatially near each other and tri-axially aligned. More specifically, the connector plug <NUM> disposed within a connector shell seal <NUM> is in tri-axial alignment with the connector receptacle <NUM> disposed within the connector seal <NUM>. Once the connections of both the device <NUM> and the rack <NUM> are disposed spatially near each other, the connector plug <NUM> will tri-axially self-adjust its spatial position based on the connector's axial needs including its seal. The tri-axially self-adjustments of the connector plug <NUM> allows for the connector plug <NUM> to make discrete movements in either the X-direction, the Y-direction and/or the Z-direction to ensure the connections or connection interfaces between the device <NUM> and the rack <NUM> are aligned. Specifically, tri-axial alignment advantageously ensures that the connector plug sidewall <NUM> fits within the corresponding channel <NUM> of the connector receptacle <NUM> and that connector pins <NUM>, <NUM> engage their corresponding connector slots <NUM>, <NUM> of the connector receptacle <NUM> on the medical device <NUM>. Mating with the connector receptacle <NUM> on the device <NUM> side forces the connector plug <NUM> into its final position to minimize any misalignments in the system. Once the connector plug is in its final position, the sealing member or O-ring <NUM> forms a seal with connector receptacle <NUM> to seal channel <NUM> from the outside environment.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate cross-sectional views of the engagement between a medical device <NUM> and a rock <NUM> (prior to engagement in <FIG> and after full engagement in <FIG>). As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connection interfaces of the rack <NUM> and medical device <NUM> are tri-axially aligned to ensure proper engagement. Self-alignment is complete when the connector seal shell <NUM> and the connector seal <NUM> engage to form a seal between the two connection interfaces. As the device <NUM> and its associated connector receptacle <NUM> move closer to the connector plug <NUM> and connector shell seal <NUM>, the connector plug's sidewall <NUM> slides into the corresponding channel <NUM>, which may initially be oversized for an initial alignment and then may be tapered to a final alignment position. As the connection interfaces engage, the connector plug <NUM> may be compressed in the Z-direction to ensure proper position along the Z-axis. Since the connector plug <NUM> is biased outward toward the corresponding connector receptacle <NUM> via the biasing member(s) <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM> contacts and forms a seal with connector receptacle <NUM>. In an example, the biasing member(s) <NUM> within the connector shell seal <NUM> ensures that the seal is not over-compressed as the plug <NUM> is capable of axially repositioning in the Z-direction.

When the connector plug <NUM> is mated with the connector receptacle <NUM> and a seal is achieved between the connection interfaces, the rack <NUM> and device <NUM> are able to communicate with each other. In some embodiments, the rack <NUM> and device <NUM> pass electrical signals between each other via the connection formed. In another embodiment, the rack <NUM> and device <NUM> are in fluid communication via tubing disposed within the connection formed and fluids are able to be passed between each other.

Claim 1:
A self-aligning connection system comprising:
a device (<NUM>, 115a-c) comprising a connector receptacle (<NUM>) configured to receive a connector plug (<NUM>, 120a-c), a connector seal (<NUM>) and a bracket (<NUM>) fixed to the device;
a modular rack (<NUM>) comprising the connector plug (<NUM>, 120a-c), a connector shell seal (<NUM>, 140a-c) and a shelf (<NUM>, <NUM>a-c), wherein the modular rack (<NUM>) is configured to receive the bracket (<NUM>) and guide the shelf in a plurality of directions;
wherein when the bracket (<NUM>) of the device (<NUM>, 115a-c) is inserted into the shelf (<NUM>, <NUM>a-c) of the modular rack (<NUM>), the shelf is configured to travel in two or more directions to self-align the connector plug (<NUM>, 120a-c) of the modular rack to the connector receptacle (<NUM>) of the device to ensure engagement of the connector plug to the connector receptacle;
wherein in response to the connector receptacle (<NUM>) initiating engagement with the connector plug (<NUM>, 120a-c), the connector plug travels in the plurality of directions to adjust a spatial position in relation to the connector receptacle; and
wherein when the connector shell seal (<NUM>, 140a-c) of the modular rack (<NUM>) and the connector seal (<NUM>) of the device (<NUM>, 115a-c) are aligned, the connector seal is biased towards the connector shell seal to create a seal and ensure engagement of the connector plug (<NUM>, 120a-c) relative to the connector receptacle (<NUM>).