Medical device initialization method & system

• US 20060074381A1
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Insulet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Insulet Corporation
• Inventors: Hawkes, Calvert, Vogt, Marc, Cox, Charles, Malave, Luis, Perry, Stuart, Casey, Adam, Moghaddami, Mohsen, Yannone, John V., Wolejko, Paul, Aparo, Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/836,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20060074381A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/93.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/01 Remote controllers for specific apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A system includes a remote controller and an infusion pump. The infusion pump includes an RF telemetry portion configured to receive an RF data signal from the remote controller. A processing portion is configured to process the RF data signal received by the RF telemetry portion. A dispensing apparatus, responsive to the processing portion of the medical device, dispenses medicament in accordance with the RF data signal. The dispensing apparatus includes a fill sensor for providing an initialization signal to the processing portion of the medical device upon the dispensing apparatus being filled with at least a defined volume of medicament.

Claims

1. A system for delivering a fluid to a patient comprising:

a remote controller; and

an infusion pump including;

an RF telemetry portion configured to receive an RF data signal from the remote controller;

a processing portion configured to process the RF data signal received by the RF telemetry portion; and

a dispensing apparatus, responsive to the processing portion of the medical device, for dispensing medicament in accordance with the RF data signal;

wherein the dispensing apparatus includes a fill sensor for providing an initialization signal to the processing portion of the medical device upon the dispensing apparatus being filled with at least a defined volume of medicament.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the defined volume of medicament is fifty units.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the medicament is insulin.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the dispensing apparatus includes a fluid reservoir and the fill sensor is a normally open mechanical switch that closes upon the reservoir being filled with the at least a defined volume of medicament.

5. A medical device comprising:

an RF telemetry portion configured to receive an RF data signal;

a processing portion configured to process the RF data signal received by the RF telemetry portion; and

a dispensing apparatus, responsive to the processing portion of the medical device, for dispensing medicament in accordance with the RF data signal;

wherein the dispensing apparatus includes a fill sensor for providing an initialization signal to the processing portion of the medical device upon a fluid reservoir of the dispensing apparatus being filled with at least a defined volume of medicament.

6. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the defined volume of medicament is about one half of the reservoir volume.

7. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the medicament is insulin.

8. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the fill sensor is a normally-open mechanical switch that closes upon the fluid reservoir being filled with the at least a defined volume of medicament.

9. The medical device of claim 5 wherein, upon receipt of the initialization signal by the processing portion, the RF telemetry portion periodically polls a defined RF frequency to determine if the RF data signal is available for receipt.

13. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the RF telemetry portion includes compact antenna.

14. The medical device of claim 13 wherein the compact antenna is a spirally-wound antenna.

15. The medical device of claim 13 wherein the compact antenna is a helically-wound antenna.

16. The medical device of claim 13 wherein an effective length of the compact antenna is a defined percentage of a wavelength of a carrier signal.

17. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the processing portion includes:

a main processing unit; and

an interlock processing unit.

18. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the RF data signal includes a defined validation sequence and the RE telemetry portion is further configured to:

examine the RF data signal to confirm that the RF data signal includes the defined validation sequence.

19. The medical device of claim 18 wherein the RF telemetry portion is further configured to:

transmit an acknowledgement signal to the device transmitting the RF data signal if it is determined that the RF data signal includes the defined validation sequence.

20. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the RF telemetry portion and at least a first portion of the processing portion are incorporated into a single microchip.

21. The medical device of claim 20 wherein the single microchip is an application-specific integrated circuit.

10-12. -12. (canceled)

22. A method of extending the shelf life of a medical device comprising:

placing the medical device into a low-power sleep mode, wherein the medical device includes a processing portion and a dispensing apparatus;

filing the dispensing apparatus with at least a defined volume of medicament; and

providing an initialization signal to the processing portion of the medical device.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the medical device includes an RF telemetry portion, the method further comprising:

periodically polling a defined RF frequency, via the RF telemetry portion, to determine if an RF data signal is available for receipt.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the RF data signal is available for receipt and the RF data signal includes a defined validation sequence, the method further comprising:

examining the RF data signal to confirm that the RF data signal includes the defined validation sequence.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

transmitting an acknowledgement signal to the device transmitting the RF data signal if it is determined that the RF data signal includes the defined validation sequence.

24. (canceled)