Occlusion sensing for an infusion pump
First Claim
1. A method for detecting an occlusion in an infusion pump system, the method comprising:
- delivering fluid through a flow path, the flow path being in fluid communication with a flexible membrane such that pressure within the flow path above a threshold pressure causes the flexible membrane to expand, wherein the flexible membrane is positioned adjacent a light transmissive member such that the expansion of the flexible membrane results in the pressing of the flexible membrane against at least a portion of a surface of the light transmissive member;
directing light through said light transmissive member towards said surface;
detecting light reflected by said surface, wherein a reduction in light reflected by said surface indicates the possible occurrence of an occlusion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may include an occlusion sensor that can be used to detect when an occlusion exists in the fluid path between the medicine reservoir and the infusion site on the user'"'"'s skin. Such an occlusion may occur, for example, when the fluid flow line (e.g., a cannula, infusion set tubing, or the like) is kinked. If the medicine dispensation path to the user is occluded, the user may receive no dosage or a lower dosage of the medicine. As such, the occlusion sensor can be used to indicate when the fluid is flowing or not flowing, thereby permitting the infusion pump system to communicate an alarm to the user if an occlusion exists.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for detecting an occlusion in an infusion pump system, the method comprising:
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delivering fluid through a flow path, the flow path being in fluid communication with a flexible membrane such that pressure within the flow path above a threshold pressure causes the flexible membrane to expand, wherein the flexible membrane is positioned adjacent a light transmissive member such that the expansion of the flexible membrane results in the pressing of the flexible membrane against at least a portion of a surface of the light transmissive member; directing light through said light transmissive member towards said surface; detecting light reflected by said surface, wherein a reduction in light reflected by said surface indicates the possible occurrence of an occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An infusion pump system adapted to detect an occlusion comprising:
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a drive system adapted to force fluid from a reservoir into a flow path; a flexible membrane in fluid communication with the flow path such that pressure within the flow path above a threshold pressure causes the flexible membrane to expand; a light transmissive member having at least a portion of a surface arranged adjacent to the flexible membrane such that the expansion of the flexible membrane results in the pressing of the flexible membrane against at least a portion of said surface; a light emitter arranged to direct light through the light transmissive member towards said surface; a light sensor arranged to detect light reflected by said surface; and control circuitry adapted to detect a possible occurrence of an occlusion based on a reduction of an amount of light detected by the light sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification