Methods and apparatus for translating a continuous-delivery into a plurality of periodic bolus deliveries

• US 8,096,987 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Shelton, Brian M., Minaie, Pedrum, Newbill, Jon Douglas, Lord, Peter C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Jackie
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, BRANDY SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US12/329,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20100145300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 604 65- 67
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3355 Controlling downstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/01 Remote controllers for specific apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16804 Flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for translating a continuous-delivery delivery profile into a plurality of periodic bolus deliveries.

Claims

1. A method of operating an ambulatory infusion device, comprising the step of:

translating a stored continuous-delivery delivery profile into a plurality of periodic boluses with the ambulatory infusion device.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the stored continuous-delivery profile includes at least two different delivery rates.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the stored continuous-delivery profile includes a plurality of delivery rates, at least two of which are different, that are associated with respective portions of a 24-hour cycle.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the periodic boluses are separated by time intervals of at least 5 minutes.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein

the volume of each periodic bolus is substantially equal to the volume of fluid that would have been delivered during the preceding time interval in accordance with the stored continuous-delivery delivery profile.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein

the stored continuous-delivery delivery profile includes at least one delivery rate defined in terms of fluid transfer device actuations;

each periodic bolus is defined in terms of fluid transfer device actuations; and

the number of fluid transfer device actuations of each periodic bolus is substantially equal to the number of fluid transfer device actuations that would have occurred during the preceding time interval in accordance with the stored continuous-delivery profile.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein

the step of translating a stored continuous-delivery delivery profile comprises accumulating the fluid transfer device actuations that would have occurred during a time interval in accordance with the stored continuous-delivery delivery profile;

and

executing all of the accumulated fluid transfer device actuations at the end of the time interval.

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

receiving the periodic bolus time interval.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the stored continuous-delivery delivery profile is retrospectively translated into a plurality of periodic boluses.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ambulatory infusion device includes a fluid transfer device, the method further comprising the step of

actuating the fluid transfer device to delivery the plurality of periodic boluses.

11. A method of delivering infusible substance with an ambulatory infusion device, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a continuous-delivery delivery profile that specifies a plurality of fluid transfer device actuations which occur periodically throughout a specified time interval; and

instead of actuating the fluid transfer device in accordance with the stored continuous-delivery delivery profile, causing all of the plurality of fluid transfer device actuations to occur at the beginning of the specified time interval or at the end of the specified time interval based on a translation of the stored continuous-delivery delivery profile performed by the ambulatory infusion device.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein

the stored continuous-delivery profile includes at least two different delivery rates.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein

the stored continuous-delivery profile includes a plurality of delivery rates, at least two of which are different, that are associated with respective portions of a 24-hour cycle.

14. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein

the specified time interval is at least 5 minutes.

15. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein

the specified time interval is one hour.

16. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of causing comprises

accumulating the fluid transfer device actuations that would have occurred in accordance with the stored continuous-delivery delivery profile during the specified time interval;

and

executing all of the accumulated fluid transfer device actuations at the end of the specified time interval.