Remote monitoring for networked fluid infusion systems

• US 20070255250A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Moberg, Sheldon, Long, Kenny, Mehta, Kaezad, Hanson, Ian
• Granted Patent: US 7,942,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/503
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• 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 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection

Abstract

A fluid infusion system as described herein includes a number of local “body network” devices, such as an infusion pump, a handheld monitor or controller, a physiological sensor, and a bedside or hospital monitor. The body network devices can be configured to support communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between one another. In addition, the body network devices can be configured to support networked communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between the body network devices and “external” devices, systems, or communication networks. Such external communication allows the infusion system to be extended beyond the traditional short-range user environment.

Claims

1. A method for remote monitoring of an infusion system having an infusion pump that controls the infusion of fluid into the body of a user, the method comprising:

receiving, at a network device that is external to the infusion system, a network communication generated by a transmitting device within the infusion system, the network communication conveying pump data associated with the infusion pump;

extracting the pump data from the network communication; and

generating, at the network device, indicia of the pump data.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device comprises the infusion pump.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device comprises a physiological characteristic meter of the infusion system.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the pump data originates at the infusion pump.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device comprises a remote controller for the infusion pump.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the pump data originates at the infusion pump.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device comprises a handheld monitor/controller for the infusion pump.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the pump data originates at the infusion pump.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device comprises a monitor device for the infusion pump.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the pump data originates at the infusion pump.

11. A method according to claim 1, the pump data including physiologic data of the user, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the physiologic data.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the physiologic data is a blood glucose level.

13. A method according to claim 1, the pump data including status information of the transmitting device, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the status information.

14. A method according to claim 1, the pump data including status information of the infusion pump, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the status information.

15. A method according to claim 1, the pump data including an alert related to operation of the transmitting device, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the alert.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

generating, at the network device, an alert enable or disable instruction for the transmitting device; and

transmitting a control communication to the transmitting device, the control communication conveying the alert enable or disable instruction.

17. A method according to claim 1, the pump data including a basal rate of fluid delivered to the user by the infusion pump, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the basal rate.

18. A method according to claim 1, the pump data including bolus information for a bolus of fluid delivered to the user by the infusion pump, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the bolus information.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein generating indicia comprises generating an audible representation of the pump data.

20. A method according to claim 19, the audible representation comprising an audible alarm.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein generating indicia comprises generating a visual representation of the pump data.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein generating indicia comprises activating an illumination element of the network device.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein generating indicia comprises activating a vibration element of the network device.

24. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with an Ethernet protocol.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with an IEEE 802.11 protocol.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with a Bluetooth protocol.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with a paging network protocol.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with a cellular telecommunication protocol.

29. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with a cordless telecommunication protocol.

30. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with a home network data communication protocol.

31. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with a satellite data communication protocol.

32. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication in compliance with a hospital network protocol.

33. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication via a wireless communication link.

34. A method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the network communication via a wired communication link.

35. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a computing device.

36. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a wireless computing device.

37. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a wireless telephone.

38. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a personal digital assistant.

39. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a monitor device for the infusion pump.

40. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a hospital network device.

41. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises an alarm system device.

42. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a pager.

43. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a portable email device.

44. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

generating, at the network device, an activation instruction for the infusion pump; and

transmitting a control communication to the infusion pump, the control communication conveying the activation instruction.

45. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

generating, at the network device, a programming parameter for the infusion pump; and

transmitting a control communication to the infusion pump, the control communication conveying the programming parameter.

46. A network-based medical device system for a user, the system comprising:

a monitor device for a local medical device system, the monitor device comprising a communication module and a network interface coupled to the communication module, the communication module being configured to generate a network communication; and

a network device external to the local medical device system, the network device and the network interface being configured to enable transmission of the network communication from the monitor device to the network device via a network communication link.

47. A system according to claim 46, further comprising a transmitting device within the local medical device system, the transmitting device being configured to transmit a local communication to the communication module.

48. A system according to claim 47, wherein:

the transmitting device is configured to transmit the local communication in accordance with a first data communication protocol utilized within the local medical device system; and

the monitor device is configured to transmit the network communication in accordance with a second data communication protocol utilized by devices external to the local medical device system.

49. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network communication conveys physiologic data of the user.

50. A system according to claim 49, wherein the physiologic data is a glucose level.

51. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network communication conveys status information of an infusion pump within the local medical device system.

52. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network communication conveys an alert signal related to operation of an infusion pump within the local medical device system.

53. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network communication conveys a basal rate of fluid delivered to the user by an infusion pump within the local medical device system.

54. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network communication conveys bolus information for a bolus of fluid delivered to the user by an infusion pump within the local medical device system.

55. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support Ethernet compliant transmission of the network communication.

56. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support transmission of the network communication in compliance with an IEEE 802.11 protocol.

57. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support Bluetooth compliant transmission of the network communication.

58. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support transmission of the network communication in compliance with a paging network protocol.

59. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support transmission of the network communication in compliance with a cellular telecommunication protocol.

60. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support transmission of the network communication in compliance with a cordless telecommunication protocol.

61. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support transmission of the network communication in compliance with a home network data communication protocol.

62. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support transmission of the network communication in compliance with a satellite data communication protocol.

63. A system according to claim 46, wherein the network device and the network interface are configured to support transmission of the network communication in compliance with a hospital network protocol.

64. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as an email.

65. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as a pager message.

66. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as a text message.

67. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as a voicemail message.

68. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as an outgoing telephone call.

69. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as a markup language document.

70. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as an audio signal.

71. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as an audio file.

72. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as a video signal.

73. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as a video file.

74. A system according to claim 46, the communication module being configured to generate the network communication as a control signal for the network device.

75. A system according to claim 46, wherein:

the network interface is configured to receive an incoming network communication generated by an originating device external to the local medical device system; and

the monitor device further comprises a local device interface configured to enable transmission of a local device communication from the monitor device to a local device within the local medical device system, the local device communication being responsive to the incoming network communication.

76. A system according to claim 75, wherein the incoming network communication conveys programming data for the local device.

77. A system according to claim 75, wherein:

the local device comprises an infusion pump; and

the incoming network communication conveys an activation instruction for the infusion pump.

78. A system according to claim 75, wherein the incoming network communication conveys a status request for the local device.

79. A system according to claim 75, wherein the incoming network communication conveys a request for physiologic data of the user.

80. A system according to claim 75, wherein the incoming network communication conveys an alert enable or disable instruction for the local device.

81. A system according to claim 75, the local device interface comprising a wireless interface configured to enable wireless data communication between the monitor device and the local device.