Communication station and software for interfacing with an infusion pump, analyte monitor, analyte meter, or the like

• US 20020193679A1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Shin, John, Estes, Mark C., Cheney, Paul S. II, Barlow, J. Jeffrey, Gross, Todd M., Malave, Luis J., Wells, Kevin C., Ruppert, Deborah, Yonemoto, Jay, Dobbles, Mike, Hague, Clifford W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,647,237 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• 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 2209/086 Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A communication station is for use with a medical device (such as an infusion pump) and a processing device (such as a computer). The communication station includes a housing, a medical device interface coupled to the housing, a processing device interface coupled to the housing and a processor coupled to the housing. The device interface interfaces with the medical device, and the processing device interface interfaces with the processing device. The processor provides a communication path between the medical device and the processing device such that programming and instructions may be communicated from the processing device to the medical device and data may be transferred from the medical device to the processing device. The communication station may be combined with a system that is capable of generating reports either locally or remotely. In addition, the medical device interface may be a cradle that is configurable to attach to different shaped medical devices.

Claims

1. A communication station for use with a medical device and a processing device, the communication station comprising:

a housing;

a medical device interface coupled to the housing and that interfaces with the medical device;

a processing device interface coupled to the housing and that interfaces with the processing device; and

a processor coupled to the housing, the medical device interface and the processing device interface to provide a communication path between the medical device and the processing device such that programming and instructions may be communicated from the processing device to the medical device and data may be transferred from the medical device to the processing device.

2. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the medical device is an infusion pump, and wherein the processing device is a computer.

3. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the medical device is a glucose monitor, and wherein the processing device is a computer.

4. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the medical device is a glucose meter, and wherein the processing device is a computer.

5. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the medical device interface is a cradle that is configurable to attach to different shaped medical devices.

22. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication station is used to program the medical device.

23. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication station is used to program and change settings of the medical device.

24. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication station is used to acquire the data from the medical device in real time.

25. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication station is used to update and reprogram the medical device.

26. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication station is used to update and reprogram the medical device through a remotely located computer.

27. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication station is used to trouble shoot operation of the medical device.

28. A communication station in accordance with claim 1, wherein the communication station is used to trouble shoot operation of the medical device through a remotely located computer.

6. A communication system comprising:

at least one diabetes related medical device;

a processing device; and

a communication station comprising;

a housing;

a medical device interface coupled to the housing and that interfaces with the at least one diabetes related medical device;

a processing device interface coupled to the housing and that interfaces with the processing device; and

a processor coupled to the housing, the medical device interface and the processing device interface to provide a communication path between the at least one related medical device and the processing device such that programming and instructions may be communicated from the processing device to the at least one diabetes related medical device and data may be transferred from the at least one diabetes medical device to the processing device

7. A communication system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the at least one diabetes related medical device is an infusion pump, and wherein the processing device is a computer.

8. A communication system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the at least one diabetes related medical device is a glucose monitor, and wherein the processing device is a computer.

9. A communication system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the at least one diabetes related medical device is a glucose meter, and wherein the processing device is a computer.

10. A communication system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the processing device uses the data transferred from the at least one diabetes related medical device to generate at least one report based on the transferred data.

11. A communication system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the at least one report includes infusion pump history and settings.

12. A communication system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at least one report includes glucose meter history and settings.

13. A communication system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at least one report includes glucose monitor history.

14. A communication system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the at least one report includes tabular and graphical data.

15. A communication system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the at least one report further includes infusion pump history with the glucose monitor history.

16. A communication system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the at least one report includes tabular and graphical data.

17. A communication system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the at least one report further includes glucose meter history with the infusion pump history and the glucose monitor history.

18. A communication system in accordance with claim 17, wherein the at least one report includes tabular and graphical data.

19. A communication system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the processing device interface includes a communication circuit for communicating with the processing device, and wherein the processing device is a remotely located computer.

20. A communication system in accordance with claim 19, wherein the remotely controlled computer runs software for a network data management service that utilizes the data transferred from the at least one diabetes related medical device.

21. A communication system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the medical device interface is a cradle that is configurable to attach to different shaped diabetes related medical devices.