Remote Controls And Ambulatory Medical Systems Including The Same

• US 20080125065A1
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Payne, Timothy John, Bernardo, Jose P., Conway, Scott LaVoy, Vandegriff, Joseph Wayne, Gibson, Scott R., Villegas, Daniel H., Das, Stephen D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,352,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/128
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface

Abstract

Remote controls that are configured to prevent inadvertent signal transmission.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A remote control for use with an ambulatory medical device, the remote control comprising:

a button;

a button control element;

a communication device adapted to transmit a signal to the ambulatory medical device; and

a controller adapted to prevent signal transmission by the communication device unless the button control element has been actuated, to allow signal transmission by the communication device in response to actuation of the button control element, and to control the communication device to transmit a signal in response to the button being pressed concurrently with actuation of the button control element or during a predetermined period after action of the button control element.

21. A remote control as claimed in claim 20, wherein the button control element comprises a button that is actuated when it is pressed.

22. A remote control as claimed in claim 20, wherein the button control element comprises a pivotable element and a sensor that senses the position of the pivotable element.

23. A remote control as claimed in claim 20, further comprising:

a housing having a first side associated with the button and a second side associated with the button control element.

24. A remote control as claimed in claim 20, wherein the communication device comprises a radio frequency telemetry device.

25. A remote control as claimed in claim 20, further comprising:

a housing; and

a touch screen carried by the housing;

wherein button comprises a portion of the touch screen.

26. A remote control as claimed in claim 25, wherein the button control element comprises another portion of the touch screen.

27. A remote control as claimed in claim 25, wherein the button control element comprises a button carried by the housing in spaced relation to the touch screen.

28. A remote control for use with an ambulatory medical device, the remote control comprising:

a housing;

a single button carried by the housing;

means for maintaining the remote control in a locked state in which a bolus delivery signal will not be transmitted to the ambulatory medical device in response to the single button being pressed;

means for unlocking the remote control in response to a predetermined sequence of presses of the single button; and

means for transmitting a bolus delivery signal to the ambulatory medical device in response to the single button being pressed while the remote control is unlocked.

29. A remote control as claimed in claim 28, wherein the single button comprises an actuator and a cover.

30. A remote control as claimed in claim 28, wherein the housing is sized and shaped such that the remote control may be carried between a human thumb and forefinger.

31. A remote control as claimed in claim 28, wherein the predetermined sequence of presses of the single button comprises a prolonged press and release, followed immediately by a quick press and release, followed immediately by a prolonged press and release.

32. A remote control as claimed in claim 28, further comprising:

means for returning the remote control to the locked state in response to the transmission of a bolus delivery signal.

33. A method of operating a remote control including a button, the method comprising:

maintaining the remote control in locked state where pressing the button will not result in signal transmission to an ambulatory medical device;

unlocking the remote control when the user takes an action that demonstrates an intent to transmit a signal;

transmitting a signal to an ambulatory medical device in response to a button pressing while the remote control is unlocked.

34. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising:

returning the remote control to the locked state after the signal is transmitted to the ambulatory medical device.

35. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising:

returning the remote control to the locked state at the end of a predetermined time period.

36. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising:

returning the remote control to the locked state when the action that demonstrates an intent to transmit a signal is discontinued.

37. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the action that demonstrates an intent to transmit a signal comprises moving a button control element from a position that prevents the button from being pressed to a position that does not prevent the button from being pressed.

38. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the action that demonstrates an intent to transmit a signal comprises unlocking a button lock.

39. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the button comprises a first button;

and

the action that demonstrates an intent to transmit a signal comprises pressing a second button.

40. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the action that demonstrates an intent to transmit a signal comprises pressing the button in a predetermined sequence.

41. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the action that demonstrates an intent to transmit a signal comprises shaking the remote control.

42-49. -49. (canceled)