Method of controlling a medication delivery system with a removable label containing instructions for setting medication delivery rate overlying a second label with patient instructions

• US 8,328,786 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2008
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Inventors: Malackowski, Donald W., Strickler, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRAY, PHILLIP A
• Application Number:
  US12/172,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20080275425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 604/151, 604500-522, 604/131, 6048901-8921, 604152-155, 604 65- 67
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/16 having provision for disinfection or sterilisation A61M39/143 takes precedence; methods or apparatus for disinfection or sterilisation A61L2/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/223 Multiway valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1684 by detecting the amount of infusate remaining, e.g. signalling end of infusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure

Abstract

A method of controlling a medication delivery system is used to deliver medication to a patient. The system includes an electronic controller, at least one control button, a patient label, and a removable overlay label disposed on top of the patient label for controlling an amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient. The method comprises the steps of selecting the amount of the medication in accordance with a first set of explanatory indicia on the removable overlay label; locking the system such that the selected amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient is unable to be modified; removing the removable overlay label to reveal the patient label; and operating the system in accordance with a second set of explanatory indicia on the patient label.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a medication delivery system that is used to deliver medication to a patient wherein the system includes an electronic controller and at least one control button for controlling an amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a removable overlay label including a first set of explanatory indicia;

at least partially covering a second set of explanatory indicia with the provided removable overlay label;

selecting the amount of the medication in accordance with the first set of explanatory indicia on the removable overlay label;

locking the system such that the selected amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient is unable to be modified;

removing the removable overlay label to reveal the second set of explanatory indicia; and

operating the system in accordance with the second set of explanatory indicia.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of operating the system in accordance with the second set of explanatory indicia comprises the step of deactivating the system to stop delivery of the medication to the patient.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the step of operating the system in accordance with the second set of explanatory indicia further comprises the step of activating the system to re-start delivery of the medication to the patient after the system has been deactivated.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of operating the system in accordance with the second set of explanatory indicia comprises the step of requesting an additional amount of the medication relative to the selected amount.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the step of requesting an additional amount of the medication relative to the selected amount is further defined as actuating the control button to request the additional amount of the medication.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting the amount of the medication is further defined as selecting a flow rate for the medication.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of locking the system comprises the step of modifying a functionality of the control button such that the functionality of the control button is different when the removable overlay label is displayed on the system as compared to when the second set of explanatory indicia is displayed on the system.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the control button is at least tri-functional when the removable overlay label is displayed on the system and the step of modifying the functionality of the control button is further defined as converting the functionality of the control button from at least tri-functional to bi-functional after the system has been locked and the second set of explanatory indicia is displayed on the system.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system further includes an electronic display that presents a readable output and said method further comprises the step of correlating the readable output of the electronic display with the removable overlay label and the second set of explanatory indicia.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second set of explanatory indicia is supported on a patient label and said method further comprises the step of mounting the patient label to the housing.

11. A method of controlling a portable medication delivery system that is used to deliver medication to a patient that carries the system wherein the system includes an electronic controller, a reservoir for containing the medication, and at least one control button for controlling an amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient from the reservoir, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting the amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient from the reservoir in accordance with a first set of explanatory indicia provided on a removable overlay label wherein the removable overlay label at least partially covers a second set of explanatory indicia that is different from the first set of explanatory indicia;

locking the system such that the selected amount of the medication to be delivered to the patient is unable to be modified; and

removing the removable overlay label to reveal the second set of explanatory indicia and thereby enable operation of the system by the patient in accordance with the second set of explanatory indicia.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of selecting the amount of the medication is further defined as selecting a flow rate for the medication.

13. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of locking the system comprises the step of modifying a functionality of the control button such that the functionality of the control button is different when the removable overlay label is displayed on the system as compared to when the second set of explanatory indicia is displayed on the system.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the control button is at least tri- functional when the removable overlay label is displayed on the system and the step of modifying the functionality of the control button is further defined as converting the functionality of the control button from at least tri-functional to bi-functional after the system has been locked and the second set of explanatory indicia is displayed on the system.

15. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the system further includes an electronic display that presents a readable output and said method further comprises the step of correlating the readable output of the electronic display with the removable overlay label and the second set of explanatory indicia.

16. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the second set of explanatory indicia is provided on a patient label and said method further comprises uncovering the patient label.