Operating an Infusion Pump System

• US 20070173762A1
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insulet Corporation, M2 Medical Group Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: M2 Medical A/S
• Inventors: Wenger, Mitchell, Kirschen, Todd, Mernoe, Morten, Causey, James, Estes, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,708,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14506 mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14573 with a replaceable reservoir for quick connection/disconnection with a driving system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/003 Kits for diabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump

Abstract

Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device and a removable controller device. When the pump device and the removable controller device are removably attached to one another, the components may provide a portable infusion pump unit to dispense medicine to a user. In particular embodiments, the removable controller device includes a user interface to readily provide information, for example, about the operation of the pump.

Claims

1. A medicinal fluid supply system comprising:

a fluid delivery module that comprises;

a first housing arranged to receive one container of medicinal fluid, the first housing being non-reusable after the medicinal fluid container is substantially exhausted;

an actuator module responsive to a displacement control signal, wherein in response to said displacement control signal, said actuator module operates to displace a volume of the medicinal fluid contained from the fluid container when the fluid container is installed in the first housing; and

a first energy storage module to supply power to a control module; and

the control module that comprises;

a second housing that releasably attaches to the first housing; and

a controller to generate the displacement control signal when the second housing is attached to the first housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module further comprises a second energy storage module to receive energy from the first energy storage module in the fluid delivery module when the first housing is attached to the second housing.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery module further comprises a fluid output port through which fluid flows when displaced by operation of the actuator module.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator module comprises a push rod actuated by a motor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller generates the displacement control signal based on a time schedule.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid container comprises a pre-filled carpule.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid container comprises a plunger member slidably disposed within a barrel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the medicinal fluid comprises insulin.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises an input control for receiving a user input to initiate dispensing of a bolus of the fluid.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a user interface.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid container and the first housing form a disposable, one-time-use assembly.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator module operates to displace a bolus of the fluid in response to the displacement control signal.

13. A method of administering medicinal fluid to a patient, the method comprising:

(a) coupling a medicinal fluid container into a fluid delivery module that comprises an actuator module;

(b) removably attaching the fluid delivery module to a control module;

(c) transferring energy from a first energy storage module in the fluid delivery module to a second energy storage module in the control module; and

(d) operating the actuator module to dispense a medicinal fluid from the fluid container in response to a signal from the control module.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising initiating step (b) before initiating step (a).

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first energy storage module comprises a capacitive energy storage element.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first energy storage module comprises a battery.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the second energy storage module comprises a capacitive energy storage element.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the second energy storage module comprises a battery.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the battery is rechargeable.