Infusion Device Provided with a Water-Tight Cover

• US 20090126463A1
• Filed: 04/25/2006
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Friedli, Kurt, Haueter, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 7,988,687 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14264 with means for compensating influence from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3396 Reservoirs being alternately filled and emptied for measuring flow rate or delivered volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14526 the piston being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1486 the bags being substantially completely surrounded by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16809 by repeated filling and emptying of an intermediate volume pressure infusion using positive displacement pumps A61M5/142
• 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

Abstract

An infusion device for a therapeutic application,

• • comprising a waterproof covering (1) which forms a casing, casing part or a container for storing the infusion device,
  • and comprising a monitoring means for monitoring the water-impermeability of the covering (1),
  • the monitoring means comprising:
    • a) a medium which is situated in the covering (1) and characterised by at least one physical or chemical parameter which changes in accordance with the impermeability of the covering (1);
    • b) and an information means (6, 8, 9) which, if said parameter changes, automatically outputs an information signal, at least when the extent of the change signifies a loss of water-impermeability in the covering (1).

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. An infusion device for therapeutic use, comprising a waterproof covering which forms one of a casing, casing part or a container for storing the infusion device and monitoring means for monitoring the water-impermeability of the covering, the monitoring means comprising:

a) a medium situated in the covering and having at least one physical or chemical parameter which changes in accordance with the impermeability of the covering; and

b) information means which, if said parameter changes, automatically outputs an information signal, at least when the extent of the change signifies a loss of water-impermeability in the covering.

26. The infusion device according to claim 25, wherein the monitoring means comprises a detector which detects a change in a value of the physical or chemical parameter and feeds a detection signal to the information means in accordance with the value of the parameter, from which the information means forms the information signal.

27. The infusion device according to claim 25, wherein the medium is a gas or vapour which fills the inner space enveloped by the covering.

28. The infusion device according to claim 27, wherein the physical or chemical parameter is the pressure, and the monitoring means comprises a pressure detector for the pressure prevailing in the inner space or for the differential pressure between the inner space and the outer surroundings of the covering.

29. The infusion device according to claim 27, wherein the gas in the inner space exhibits a differential pressure relative to the outer surroundings of the covering.

30. The infusion device according to claim 25, wherein the medium is a gas which fills the inner space enveloped by the covering and exhibits a different composition than air, and wherein the physical or chemical parameter is the concentration of the gas or at least one constituent of the gas or air which has penetrated.

31. The infusion device according to claim 30, wherein the monitoring means comprises a detector for the concentration of the gas or of at least one constituent of the gas or air which has penetrated.

32. The infusion device according to claim 27, wherein the monitoring means comprises pressure means for maintaining or generating a differential pressure which the inner space exhibits relative to the outer surroundings of the covering.

33. The infusion device according to claim 32, wherein the monitoring means automatically maintains the differential pressure or generates it at predetermined time intervals by using the pressure means.

34. The infusion device according to claim 33, wherein the infusion device comprises an energy source which supplies the pressure means with energy, and a controller which controls the pressure means in accordance with the differential pressure.

35. The infusion device according to claim 32, wherein the pressure means comprises an operating or activating element and generates the differential pressure when the operating or activating element is manually activated.

36. The infusion device according to claim 32, wherein the pressure means comprises a pump for a pump action which is to be performed manually, wherein the pump can be activated by push key.

37. The infusion device according to claim 33, wherein the pressure means comprises a pump and a drive for the pump.

38. The infusion device according to claim 37, wherein the drive also conveys a product which can be administered by the infusion device.

39. The infusion device according to claim 27, wherein the pressure means comprises an electrochemical gas cell which generates a gas and releases it in the inner space of the covering.

40. The infusion device according to claim 39, further comprising conveying means for conveying a product to be administered using the infusion device and a battery for supplying a drive for the conveying means, the battery forming the gas cell.

41. The infusion device according to claim 25, wherein the monitoring means outputs the information signal in accordance with the time in which the value of the physical or chemical parameter changes to a predetermined extent.

42. The infusion device according to claim 25, wherein the medium absorbs or adsorbs moisture and the monitoring means comprises a moisture sensor arranged in or on the medium.

43. The infusion device according to any claim 25, wherein the medium chemically reacts with water or water vapour.

44. The infusion device according to claim 43, wherein a change in colour, which forms the information signal, occurs when the medium comes into contact with water or water vapour.

45. The infusion device according to claim 25, wherein the medium is a gas or vapour which fills the inner space enveloped by the covering with a pressure burden, the infusion device comprises a reservoir arranged in the covering for a product to be administered, and the pressure burden conveys the product.

46. The infusion device according to claim 45, wherein a container for the product is accommodated in the covering, and the pressure burden for conveying the product drives a conveying member acting on the product in the container or the container is flexible and is compressed by the pressure burden to convey the product.

47. The infusion device according to claim 46, wherein the infusion device comprises dosing means which forms a dosing chamber having a particular chamber volume, and wherein the pressure burden conveys the product into the dosing chamber and the dosing means conveys the product out of the dosing chamber.

48. An infusion device comprising a substantially impermeable covering which forms one of a casing of the infusion device, a part of the casing, or a container for storing the infusion device and a monitor for monitoring the impermeability of the covering, the monitor comprising:

a medium having at least one physical or chemical parameter which changes in accordance with a change in the impermeability of the covering; and

an output which, if said parameter changes, automatically outputs an information signal, at least when the extent of the parameter change signifies a loss of impermeability of the covering.

49. The infusion device according to claim 48, wherein the medium is a gas or vapour which fills an inner space enveloped by the covering, wherein the physical or chemical parameter is pressure, and the monitor comprises a pressure detector for one of the pressure in the inner space or the differential pressure between the inner space and the outer surroundings of the covering.