Ambulatory Infusion Devices and Methods

• US 20080139996A1
• Filed: 12/09/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: D'Brot, John Paul, Gibson, Scott R., Ong, Lawrence Eric, Shelton, Brian Michael, Bowman, Sam W., Purvis, Richard E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,167,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16859 Evaluation of pressure response, e.g. to an applied pulse

Abstract

Infusion devices with blockage detection capability and methods of monitoring infusion devices.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring an infusion device including a fluid transfer device and an outlet port, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing a pressure event produced by an operation of the fluid transfer device at a location between the fluid transfer device and the outlet port; and

determining that a blockage is present in response to a sensing of a reflection of the pressure event.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the fluid transfer device comprises a pump;

and

an operation of the fluid transfer device comprises a single pump stroke.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining the location of the blockage based on the magnitude of a time period that elapses between the sensing of the pressure event and the sensing of the reflection of the pressure event.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining that the blockage is a partial blockage in response to the pressure at the location between the fluid transfer device and the outlet port dissipating over time subsequent to the operation of the fluid transfer device and prior to the next operation of the fluid transfer device.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining that the blockage is a complete blockage in response to the pressure at the location between the fluid transfer device and the outlet port remaining substantially constant subsequent to the operation of the fluid transfer device and prior to the next operation of the fluid transfer device.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

sensing a pressure event comprises taking high resolution samples of pressure measurements from a pressure sensor at a location between the fluid transfer device and the outlet port during the operation of the fluid transfer device;

and

sensing a reflection of the pressure event comprises taking high resolution samples of pressure measurements from a pressure sensor at a location between the fluid transfer device and the outlet port subsequent to the operation of the fluid transfer device and prior to the next operation of the fluid transfer device.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

determining that a blockage is present comprises determining that a blockage is present in response to a sensing of a reflection of the pressure event prior to the next operation of the fluid transfer device.

8. A method of monitoring an infusion device including a fluid transfer device and an outlet, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing pressure within a catheter connected to the outlet prior to an operation of the fluid transfer device;

sensing pressure within the catheter during and/or after the operation of the fluid transfer device; and

determining that the catheter is blocked in response to an increase in pressure within the catheter that is measured during the operation of the fluid transfer device and/or after the operation of the fluid transfer device and prior to a next operation of the fluid transfer device.

9. An infusion device as claimed in claim 8, wherein

an operation of the fluid transfer device comprises a single pump stroke.

10. An infusion device as claimed in claim 9, wherein

wherein the step of determining that the catheter is blocked comprises determining that the catheter is blocked in response to an increase in pressure within the catheter that is measured during the intermediate portion of the pump stroke.

11. An infusion device as claimed in claim 9, wherein

wherein the step of determining that the catheter is blocked comprises determining that the catheter is blocked in response to an increase in pressure within the catheter that is measured after the pump stroke and prior to the next pump stroke.

12. An infusion device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising the step of:

determining that the catheter is partially blocked in response to the pressure within catheter dissipating over time subsequent to the increase in pressure and prior to the next operation of the fluid transfer device.

13. An infusion device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

determining that the catheter is completely blocked in response to the pressure within catheter remaining substantially constant subsequent to the increase in pressure and prior to the next operation of the fluid transfer device.

14. An infusion device, comprising:

an outlet port;

a fluid transfer device operably connected to the outlet port;

a pressure sensor located between the fluid transfer device and the outlet port; and

means for taking high resolution samples of the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.

15. An infusion device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

a reservoir operably connected to the fluid transfer device.

16. An infusion device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

means for determining that a blockage is present in response to a sampled reflection of a pressure event.

17. An infusion device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

means for determining the location of the blockage.

18. An infusion device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

means for determining the whether the blockage is a partial blockage or a complete blockage.

19. An infusion device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

means for determining that a blockage is present in response to a change in ambient catheter pressure resulting from a single pump stroke.

20. An infusion device, comprising:

an outlet port;

a fluid transfer device operably connected to the outlet port;

a pressure sensor located between the fluid transfer device and the outlet port; and

a controller adapted to take high resolution samples of the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.

21. An infusion device as claimed in claim 20, further comprising:

a reservoir operably connected to the fluid transfer device.

22. An infusion device as claimed in claim 20, wherein

the controller is configured to identify a blockage in response to a sampled reflection of a pressure event.

23. An infusion device as claimed in claim 22, wherein

the controller is configured to determine the location of the blockage.

24. An infusion device as claimed in claim 22, wherein

the controller is configured to determine whether the blockage is a partial blockage or a complete blockage.

25. An infusion device as claimed in claim 20, wherein

the controller is configured to identify a blockage in response to a change in ambient catheter pressure resulting from a single pump stroke.