Low profile components for patient infusion device

• US 20040220551A1
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Insulet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Insulet Corporation
• Inventors: Diianni, Steven, Flaherty, J. Christopher, Gorman, William
• Application Number:
  US10/426,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20040220551A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14506 mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons

Abstract

A device for delivering fluid to a patient, including a reservoir, a dispenser for causing fluid to flow from the reservoir, a local processor connected to the dispenser and programmed to cause a flow of fluid from the reservoir based solely on flow instructions from a separate, remote control device, a power supply connected to the local processor, a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving the flow instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering the flow instructions to the local processor, and a housing containing the reservoir, the dispenser, the local processor, the power supply and the wireless receiver. At least two of the reservoir, the dispenser and the power supply are vertically stacked within the housing and at least one of the dispenser and the power supply has a horizontal cross-sectional area that is greater than fifty percent of a cross-sectional area of the housing.

Claims

1. A device for delivering fluid to a patient, comprising:

a reservoir;

a dispenser for causing fluid to flow from the reservoir;

a local processor connected to the dispenser and programmed to cause a flow of fluid from the reservoir based solely on flow instructions from a separate, remote control device;

a power supply connected to the local processor; and

a housing containing the reservoir, the dispenser, the local processor, the power supply and the wireless receiver;

wherein at least two of the reservoir, the dispenser and the power supply are vertically stacked within the housing and at least one of the dispenser and the power supply has a horizontal cross-sectional area that is greater than fifty percent of a cross-sectional area of the housing.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving the flow instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering the flow instructions to the local processor.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is free of user input components for providing flow instructions to the local processor.

4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter connected to the local processor for transmitting information from the local processor to a separate, remote control device.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the housing is free of user output components for providing information from the local processor.

6. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a transcutaneous patient access tool connected to the reservoir.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir contains a therapeutic fluid.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir contains insulin.

9. A system including a fluid delivery device according to claim 2, and further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for allowing a user to provide flow instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the flow instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein:

the fluid delivery device includes a transmitter connected to the local processor for transmitting information from the local processor; and

the remote control device includes a receiver connected to the remote processor for receiving the information from the transmitter of the fluid delivery device.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the housing of the fluid delivery device is free of user output components.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a largest horizontal dimension equal to at least three times a largest vertical dimension of the housing.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a smallest horizontal dimension equal to at least two times a largest vertical dimension of the housing.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir and the power supply are vertically stacked within the housing and the power supply has a horizontal cross-sectional area that is greater than fifty percent of a horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein horizontal cross-sectional areas of the reservoir and the power supply overlap by at least fifty percent.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir, the dispenser and the power supply are vertically stacked within the housing and the reservoir, the dispenser and the power supply each have a cross-sectional area that is greater than fifty percent of a cross-sectional area of the housing.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein horizontal cross-sectional areas of the reservoir, the dispenser and the power supply overlap by at least fifty percent.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir and the dispenser are vertically stacked within the housing and the dispenser has a cross-sectional area that is greater than fifty percent of a cross-sectional area of the housing.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein horizontal cross-sectional areas of the reservoir and the dispenser overlap by at least fifty percent.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a motor operatively connected to the reservoir such that operation of the motor causes fluid from the reservoir to flow to the exit port assembly.

21. A device according to claim 20, wherein the motor is vertically stacked with the reservoir and a torque converter, wherein the torque converter operatively connects the motor to the reservoir and the torque converter is not vertically stacked with the reservoir.

22. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a motor having a movable drive member and a torque converter operatively connecting the moveable drive member of the motor to the reservoir such that movement of the drive member causes fluid to flow from the reservoir.

23. A device according to claim 22, wherein:

the movable drive member of the motor comprises a rotatable drive shaft; and

the torque converter comprises,

a drive gear secured to the drive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft,

a driven gear operatively connected to the drive gear such that rotation of the drive gear causes rotation of the driven gear, and

a driven shaft connected to the driven gear for rotation with the driven gear, wherein the driven shaft is operatively connected to the reservoir so that rotation of the driven shaft causes fluid to flow from the reservoir.

24. A device according to claim 23, wherein the reservoir includes a side wall extending towards an outlet, the driven shaft of the torque converter is received at least partly in the reservoir and longitudinally extends towards the outlet, and a plunger is secured to the driven shaft and has an outer periphery linearly slideable along the side wall of the reservoir, and wherein the plunger is operatively connected to the driven shaft such that rotation of the driven shaft causes movement of the plunger towards the outlet.

25. A device according to claim 24, wherein the motor includes at least one motor gear having an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to a base of the housing of the device and wherein the motor gear has a diameter greater than a largest vertical dimension of the housing.

26. A device according to claim 24, wherein the motor includes at least one motor gear having an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to a base of the housing of the device and wherein the motor gear has an area defined by a diameter of the gear that is greater than about fifty percent of the cross-sectional area of the housing.

27. A device according to claim 24, wherein the drive shaft of the motor comprises a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft and the motor includes at least two motor gears operatively connecting the first and the second drive shafts so that rotation of the first drive shaft causes rotation of the second drive shaft, and wherein the motors gears each have an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to a base of the housing of the device.

28. A device according to claim 27, wherein the motor gears each have a diameter greater than a largest vertical dimension of the housing.

29. A device according to claim 27, wherein the motor gears each have an area defined by a diameter of the gear that is greater than about fifty percent of the horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing.

30. A device according to claim 27, wherein the first drive shaft engages radially outer teeth of a first of the motor gears, radially inner teeth of the first motor gear engage radially outer teeth of a second of the motor gears, and radially inner teeth of the second motor gear engages the second drive shaft.

31. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises an shape memory element having a changeable length when at least one charge is applied to the shape memory element, wherein the shape memory element is operatively connected to the reservoir such that the changeable length of the shape memory element causes fluid to flow from the reservoir upon changing between an uncharged length and a charged length.

32. A device according to claim 31, wherein the dispenser further comprises an elongated lever mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis located between opposing first and second ends of the lever, and wherein the shape memory element is connected to the first end of the lever such that the changeable length of the shape memory element causes pivotal movement of the lever about the pivot axis and the second end of the lever is operatively connected to the reservoir such that pivotal movement of the lever about the pivot axis causes fluid to flow from the reservoir.

33. A device according to claim 32, wherein the pivot axis of the lever extends perpendicular to a base of the housing.

34. A device according to claim 32, wherein the pivot axis of the lever is positioned closer to the first end than the second end of the lever.

35. A device according to claim 32, wherein the pivot axis of the lever is positioned closer to the second end than the first end of the lever.

36. A device according to claim 32, wherein the changeable length of the shape memory element decreasing from an uncharged length to a charged length causes pivotal movement of the lever about the pivot axis.

37. A device according to claim 32, wherein the lever is biased about the pivot axis by a spring.

38. A device according to claim 31, wherein the shape memory element is elongated and is circuitously wound through a plurality of posts.

39. A device according to claim 38, wherein the posts are made of low friction material.

40. A device according to claim 38, wherein the posts are rotatable.

41. A device according to claim 38, wherein a first end of the shape memory element is fixed and a second end of the shape memory element is secured to a finger movable in a reciprocating manner.

42. A device according to claim 41, wherein the dispenser further includes a spring biasing the finger away from the shape memory element.

43. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a rotatable roller assembly including multiple rollers connected to a central hub, wherein each roller is positioned in contact with a portion of fluid transport tube connected to reservoir.

44. A device according to claim 43, wherein the dispenser further comprises a check valve controlling fluid flow through the fluid transport tube.

45. A device according to claim 43, wherein the dispenser further comprises a motor operatively connected to the roller assembly.

46. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a movable rigid backing plate supporting the reservoir and wherein the reservoir is flexible and has an outlet;

a pin guide defining a passageway received over the reservoir such that the flexible reservoir is sandwiched between the pin guide and the backing plate and fills the passageway of the pin guide, and wherein the pin guide and the reservoir move with the backing plate; and

a pin extending into the passageway of the pin guide generally perpendicular to the backing plate and movable in a direction parallel to the backing plate such that movement of the backing plate causes the pin to move along the passageway of the pin guide and successively collapse the reservoir and force fluid through the outlet of the reservoir.

47. A device according to claim 46, wherein the movable backing plate rotates.

48. A device according to claim 47, wherein the passageway of the pin guide begins at an outer circumference of the pin guide, ends in a center of the pin guide and is spiral.

49. A device according to claim 48, wherein the backing plate has a central opening aligned with the center of the pin guide, the outlet of the reservoir is aligned with the center of the pin guide, and a tube extends from the outlet through the central opening of the backing plate.

50. A device according to claim 46, wherein the pin is biased towards the backing plate by a spring.

51. A device according to claim 46, wherein the dispenser includes a motor for moving the backing plate.

52. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises an electric motor including parts that are spaced apart by a largest distance greater than at least the largest vertical dimension of the housing.

53. A device according to claim 52, wherein the parts of the motor include a rotor and magnets.

54. A device according to claim 53, wherein the rotor is rotatably mounted on a shaft attached to a printed circuit board and the magnets are attached to the printed circuit board.

55. A device according to claim 53, wherein the rotor is rotatably mounted on a shaft attached to a printed circuit board and the magnets are secured to the rotor, and the motor further includes stators attached to the printed circuit board.

56. A device according to claim 52, wherein the largest distance the parts of the electric motor are spaced apart is greater than at least a largest horizontal dimension of the housing.

57. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes a motor and a torque converter operatively connecting the motor to the reservoir such that operation of the motor causes fluid to flow from the reservoir.

58. A device according to claim 57, wherein the torque converter redirects torque from the motor by at least ninety degrees.

59. A device according to claim 57, wherein the torque converter redirects torque from the motor by at least one hundred and eighty degrees.

60. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes a motor operatively connected to the reservoir such that operation of the motor causes fluid to flow from the reservoir.

61. A device according to claim 60, wherein the motor comprises a DC motor.

62. A device according to claim 60, wherein the motor comprises a stepper motor.

63. A device according to claim 60, wherein the motor comprises a torque motor.

64. A device according to claim 60, wherein the motor comprises a piezoelectric motor.

65. A device according to claim 60, wherein the motor comprises a shaped memory element.

66. A device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

67. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a connector connected to an outlet of the reservoir and connectable to a transcutaneous access device.

68. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a needle connected to an outlet of the reservoir.

69. A device according to claim 68, further comprising a mechanism for deploying the needle out of the housing of the device and into skin of a patient.

70. A device according to claim 2, wherein the receiver utilizes radio frequency signals.

71. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises at least one gear having an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to a base of the housing of the device and wherein the gear has a diameter greater than a largest vertical dimension of the housing.

72. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft and at least two gears operatively connecting the first and the second drive shafts so that rotation of the first drive shaft causes rotation of the second drive shaft, and wherein the gears each have an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to a base of the housing of the device.

73. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft and at least two gears operatively connecting the first and the second drive shafts so that rotation of the first drive shaft causes rotation of the second drive shaft, and wherein the gears each have a diameter greater than a largest vertical dimension of the housing.

74. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft and at least two gears operatively connecting the first and the second drive shafts so that rotation of the first drive shaft causes rotation of the second drive shaft, and wherein the gears each have an area defined by a diameter of the gear that is greater than about fifty percent of the horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing.

75. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises an actuator operatively connected to the reservoir such that actuator causes fluid to flow from the reservoir upon being actuated.

76. A device according to claim 75, wherein the dispenser further comprises an elongated lever mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis located between opposing first and second ends of the lever, and wherein the actuator is connected to the first end of the lever such that the actuator causes pivotal movement of the lever about the pivot axis upon being actuated and the second end of the lever is operatively connected to the reservoir such that pivotal movement of the lever about the pivot axis causes fluid to flow from the reservoir.

77. A device according to claim 76, wherein the pivot axis of the lever extends perpendicular to a base of the housing.

78. A device according to claim 76, wherein the pivot axis of the lever is positioned closer to the first end than the second end of the lever.

79. A device according to claim 76, wherein the pivot axis of the lever is positioned closer to the second end than the first end of the lever.

80. A device according to claim 76, wherein the lever is biased about the pivot axis by a spring.