Ambulatory medical apparatus with handheld communication device

• US 20040193090A1
• Filed: 04/14/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medical Research Group, Inc. (Medtronic Plc), Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medical Research Group, Inc. (Medtronic Plc), Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Morgan, Wayne A., Chong, Colin A., Meadows, Paul M., Lord, Peter C., Choy, David Y., Weiss, Philip T., Starkweather, Timothy J., Shahmirian, Varaz, Villegas, Daniel H., Lebel, Ronald J.
• Application Number:
  US10/824,083
• Publication Number:
  US 20040193090A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6847 mounted on an invasive device
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/168 Means for controlling media flow to the body or for metering media to the body, e.g. drip meters, counters ; Monitoring media flow to the body flow control in general G05D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 : User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37254 : Pacemaker or defibrillator security, e.g. to prevent or inhibit programming alterations by hackers or unauthorised individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37258 : Alerting the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 : Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3727 : characterised by the modulation technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37276 : characterised by means for reducing power consumption during telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 : Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0619 : in relation to data integrity, e.g. data losses, bit errors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/065 : Replication mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 : Single storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 : Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 : Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 : delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 : for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 : Infusion monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 : Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A communication device (CD) exchanges messages with an implantable infusion pump via telemetry such that commands are supplied thereto and operational information is obtained therefrom. The CD is controlled, at least in part, by a processor IC according to a software program operating therein and provides feedback to a user via a visual display, an audio alarm, and a vibrational alarm, and allows input from the user via a touch sensitive keypad. Certain input functions are restricted by password. The visual display includes an icon and fixed element display region and a bitmap display region. The fixed element display region includes time and date displays, battery and drug level displays that decrement, and a moving delivery state display. Various screens allow operational or log information to be displayed and/or user entry of commands. Program features when disabled are removed from a series of screen options that can be scrolled through.

Claims

1-17. -17. (Cancelled)

18. A medical system, comprising:

a) an ambulatory medical device (MD) comprising MD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one MD telemetry system and at least one MD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the MD telemetry system and operation of the medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to provide a treatment to a body of a patient or to monitor a selected state of the body; and

b) a communication device (CD) comprising CD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one CD telemetry system and at least one CD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the CD telemetry system and operation of the communication device, wherein the CD telemetry system sends messages to or receives messages from the MD telemetry system,

wherein the communication device is configured to receive status information on an MD battery via telemetry from the medical device.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein a first portion of the MD telemetry system is incorporated into the MD processor and a second portion of the MD telemetry system is external to the MD processor, or wherein a first portion of the CD telemetry system is incorporated into the CD processor and a second portion of the CD telemetry system is external to the CD processor.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein (1) the MD electronic control circuitry comprises at least one external MD functional module, other than the second portion of the MD telemetry system, that is external to the MD processor, (2) the CD electronic control circuitry comprises at least one external CD functional module, other than the second portion of the CD telemetry system, that is external to the CD processor, (3) the MD processor comprises an comprises an internal CD CPU and at least one other internal CD functional module.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the medical device provides a periodic indication of the MD battery voltage when the MD battery is experiencing a current load that is closer to the minimum load during normal operation of the medical device than a maximum load during normal operation.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the medical device provides a periodic indication of the MD battery voltage when the MD battery is experiencing a current load which is closer to the maximum load during normal operation than a minimum load during normal operation.

23. The system of claim 18 wherein the medical device provides an indication of MD battery status at least once a week.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the medical device provides an indication of MD battery status at least once every two days.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein MD battery status is provided using both a lower current load and a higher current load at least once a week.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein MD battery status is provided using both a lower current load and a higher current load at least once a every two days.

27. The system of claim 18 wherein the MD battery is rechargeable.

28. The system of claim 18 wherein the MD battery is not rechargeable.

29. The system of claim 18 wherein the communication device provides an auditory, visual, or tactile warning when the MD battery is estimated to be capable of powering the medical device for less than a predetermined additional amount of time.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the predetermined time is less than about six months.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the predetermined time is less than about three months.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the predetermined time is less than about one month.

33. The system of claim 18 wherein the medical device comprises at least one of (1) an implantable infusion pump for selectively dispensing a selected drug, (2) an implantable infusion pump for selectively dispensing insulin, (3) an implantable sensor for sensing a selected state of the body, (4) an implantable sensor for sensing glucose level, or (5) an implantable electrode for selectively stimulating a portion of the body of the patient.

34-39. -39. (Cancelled)

40. A method of conserving power in a medical system having an ambulatory medical device (MD), for delivering a substance to a body of a patient or for monitoring the body of the patient, with at least one MD processor and at least one MD functional module, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling clock signals used by the at least one MD functional module when the module is needed for operation of the medical device; and

disabling clock signals used by the at least one MD functional module when the module is not needed for operation of the medical device.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the MD functional module is a synchronous serial interface module, an alarm interface module, a pump interface module, an analog-to-digital converter module, or a timer module.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the MD functional module is a telemetry module.