Portable infusion pump and media player

• US 7,875,022 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insulet Corporation, M2 Medical Group Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Asante Solutions, Inc
• Inventors: Wenger, Mitchell, Chiang, Scott, Estes, Mark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHUMATE, VICTORIA PEARL
• Application Number:
  US11/954,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20090156990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 604/67, 604/131, 6048901-8921
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/80 voice-operated command
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/01 Remote controllers for specific apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 Glucose concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• 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 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data

Abstract

Some embodiments of a portable infusion pump system can be configured to deliver medicine (e.g., insulin or the like) to a user and to deliver media content to a user. The media content can include, for example, MP3 music and other audio/video data stored in a memory device in the portable system. Thus, in particular embodiments, the portable infusion pump system can serve a dual purpose of providing medication and entertainment for the user from a compact and unobtrusive device.

Claims

1. A medical infusion pump system, comprising:

a portable housing defining a space to receive a medicine;

a pump drive system to dispense medicine to a user from the housing when the medicine is received in the space;

a controller electrically connected to the pump drive system so as to electrically transmit activation signals directly to a mechanical actuator of the pump drive system; and

an external audio device that communicates with at least a portion of the controller, wherein the controller accesses digital music content stored in a memory device to output selected music through the external audio device to the user, the controller interrupting the selected music output through the external audio device to the user in response to a medicine dispensation alarm condition, wherein the controller outputs through the external audio device an audio tutorial on how to use the medical infusion pump system, the audio tutorial being output when a new medicine source is received for dispensation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interrupts the selected music to output an audible alert through the external audio device to the user.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the audible alert output through the external audio device comprises a verbal message indicative of the medicine dispensation alarm condition.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller interrupts the selected music for a period of time until the alarm condition is acknowledged or resolved.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump drive system is activated to dispense medicine to the user contemporaneously with the output of the selected music through the external audio device to the user.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a user interface electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the user interface contemporaneously displays medicinal delivery information and media content playback information.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory device stores instructional media content related to the operation of the medical infusion pump system, wherein the controller accesses the instructional media content stored in the memory device to output the audio tutorial through the external audio device to the user.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the audio tutorial output through the external audio device to the user communicates actions to be performed by the user of the medical infusion pump system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller accesses the instructional media content stored in the memory device to output the instructional media content through the external audio device in response to a detected event in the medical infusion pump system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the external audio device comprises earbuds or headphones coupled by an audio cable to an audio output connector that interfaces with the controller.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a protective cover that is adjustable to a closed position over the audio output connector to hinder migration of external contaminants.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the external audio device comprises earbuds or headphones wirelessly linked to a wireless audio transmitter that interfaces with the controller.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory device comprises a removable memory device, the system further comprising a memory card slot to receive the removable memory device such that the controller accesses digital music content stored on the removable memory device.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data cable port to interface with a data cable connected to a separate computer system, the data cable port provide access to change the digital music content stored in the memory device.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface electrically coupled to the controller and a set of buttons electrically coupled to the controller;

wherein when the new medicine source is received for dispensation, the user interface displays a prompt querying whether the user would like to receive the audio tutorial; and

wherein the audio tutorial is output through the external audio device in response to a user-activation of at least one of the buttons as a response to the displayed prompt.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interrupts the selected music to output an audible alert through the external audio device to the user, and wherein if user input that acknowledges or resolves the detected alarm condition is not received within a predetermined time period the controller outputs a series of incrementally louder alarms through the external audio device.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising prompting a user to receive though the external audio device playback of instructional media content related to the operation of the portable infusion pump system.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising, in response to receiving user input confirming the playback of the instructional media content, accessing the instructional media content stored in the memory device to output an audio tutorial through the external audio device to the user.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the audio tutorial output communicates actions to be performed by the user of the portable infusion pump system selected from the group consisting of:

attaching an infusion set tubing to provide a medicine flow path, priming the infusion set tubing, inserting the infusion set into a targeted skin site, setting a new basal rate, setting a time-based basal rate program, activating a bolus dose, calculating a bolus dose based upon food intake, downloading software updates for the medical infusion pump system, uploading historical dispensation data for review by a physician, and periodically inspecting the medical infusion pump system.

17. A method of operating a medical infusion pump system, comprising:

activating a pump drive system of a portable infusion pump system to dispense medicine to a user according to set parameters;

accessing digital music content stored in a memory device of the portable infusion pump system to output selected music through an external audio device to the user; and

in response to a detected alarm condition of the portable infusion pump system, interrupting the selected music output through the external audio device to the user so as to deliver an audible alert through the external audio device

wherein the selected music is restarted for output through the external audio device in response to user input on one or more buttons of the portable infusion pump system that acknowledges or resolves the detected alarm condition.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pump drive system is activated to dispense medicine to the user contemporaneously with the output of the selected music through the external audio device to the user.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising contemporaneously displaying medicinal delivery information and media content playback information in a user interface of the portable infusion pump system.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving user input via a set of buttons of a user interface of the portable infusion pump system indicative of an adjustment to a pump parameter affecting medicine dispensation from the portable infusion pump system; and

receiving user input via the same set of buttons of the user interface indicative of a selected digital music content for playback through the external audio device to the user.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising contemporaneously displaying medicinal delivery information and music content playback information on a display device of the user interface of the portable infusion pump system.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the pump parameter comprises a medicine dispensation rate.

26. A medical infusion pump system, comprising:

a portable housing defining a space to receive a medicine;

a pump drive system to dispense medicine to a user from the housing when the medicine is received in the space;

a controller that electrically communicates activation signals to a mechanical actuator of the pump drive system to control the dispensation of the medicine;

a media content playback system having an external audio device connectable to the controller so as to output selected media content to the user, wherein the controller accesses digital media content stored in a memory device to output the selected media content through the external audio device to the user, wherein the controller limits activation of the media content playback system when the controller detects that a remaining power capacity is below a threshold level; and

a user interface electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the user interface includes a display device that contemporaneously displays medicinal delivery information and media content playback information and further includes a set of buttons positioned on the controller to receive user input indicative of an adjustment to a pump parameter affecting medicine dispensation from the portable infusion pump system and to receive user input via the same set of buttons indicative of a selected digital music content for playback through the external audio device to the user,

wherein the controller interrupts the selected media content output through the external audio device so as to provide an audible alert in response to a medicine dispensation alarm condition, and the selected media content is restarted for output to the user only in response to user input on one or more buttons of the user interface that acknowledges or resolves the detected alarm condition.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the controller interrupts the selected media content for a period of time until the alarm condition is acknowledged or resolved.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the pump drive system is activated to dispense medicine to the user contemporaneously with the output of the selected media content through the external audio device to the user.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the memory device stores instructional media content related to the operation of the medical infusion pump system, wherein the controller accesses the instructional media content stored in the memory device to output an audio tutorial through the external audio device to the user, wherein the audio tutorial output communicates actions to be performed by the user of the medical infusion pump system selected from the group consisting of:

attaching an infusion set tubing to provide a medicine flow path, priming the infusion set tubing, inserting the infusion set into a targeted skin site, setting a new basal rate, setting a time-based basal rate program, activating a bolus dose, calculating a bolus dose based upon food intake, downloading software updates for the medical infusion pump system, uploading historical dispensation data for review by a physician, and periodically inspecting the medical infusion pump system.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the controller provides an audio output connection with the external audio device comprising earbuds or headphones, and wherein the controller includes at least one of:

a memory card slot to receive a removable memory device such that the controller accesses digital music content stored on the removable memory device, and a data cable connector to interface with a data cable connected to a separate computer system that transmits digital media content to the memory device of the portable infusion pump system.

31. A medical infusion pump system, comprising:

a portable housing defining a space to receive a medicine;

a pump drive system to dispense medicine to a user from the housing when the medicine is received in the space;

a controller that electrically communicates activation signals directly to a mechanical actuator of the pump drive system; and

an external audio device that communicates with at least a portion of the controller, wherein the controller accesses digital music content stored in a memory device to output selected music through the external audio device to the user, the controller interrupting the selected music output through the external audio device to the user in response to a medicine dispensation alarm condition,

wherein the memory device stores instructional media content related to the operation of the medical infusion pump system, wherein the controller accesses the instructional media content stored in the memory device to output an audio tutorial through the external audio device to the user,

wherein the audio tutorial output through the external audio device to the user communicates actions to be performed by the user of the medical infusion pump system, and

wherein the tutorial information communicates instructions selected from the group consisting of;

attaching an infusion set tubing to provide a medicine flow path, priming the infusion set tubing, inserting the infusion set into a targeted skin site, setting a new basal rate, setting a time-based basal rate program, activating a bolus dose, calculating a bolus dose based upon food intake, downloading software updates for the medical infusion pump system, uploading historical dispensation data for review by a physician, and periodically inspecting the medical infusion pump system.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the selected music is restarted for output through the external audio device in response to user input that acknowledges or resolves the detected alarm condition.

33. The system of claim 31, further comprising a user interface electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the user interface contemporaneously displays medicinal delivery information and media content playback information.