Infusion Pump System

• US 20100256598A1
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insulet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Asante Solutions, Inc
• Inventors: Wenger, Mitchell, Estes, Mark C., Mernoe, Morten, Causey, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,679,060 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1581 Right-angle needle-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1587 suitable for being connected to an infusion line after insertion into a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure

Abstract

An infusion pump system is described that increases patient comfort and convenience. The infusion pump system includes an infusion site interface that is releasably connected to an infusion pump body, and has no tubing associated between the infusion site interface and the pump body. The infusion pump body may include a carrier frame that may be adhered to the skin of a user.

Claims

1. A method of operating an infusion pump system, comprising:

dispensing medicament into a user'"'"'s body from a medicament reservoir in an infusion pump body through a pump body exit port into an infusion site interface coupled to the user'"'"'s body,

wherein there is a direct connection between the infusion pump body and the infusion site interface during the dispensing of the medicament into the user'"'"'s body, and wherein the pump body is releasably connected to the infusion site interface during the dispensing of the medicament into the user'"'"'s body,

disconnecting the infusion pump body from the infusion site interface to cease dispensation of the medicament to the user'"'"'s body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump body exit port comprises a catheter that penetrates a septum of the infusion site interface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the catheter comprises a needle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump body exit port connects directly to an entry port on the infusion site interface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump body releasably connects to the infusion site interface using a locking mechanism.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump body releasably connects to the infusion site interface using a guide on the infusion site interface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump body releasably connects to the infusion site interface using only the penetration of the pump body exit port through an infusion site interface septum.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the infusion site interface is adhesively attached to the infusion site on a body.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump body is adhesively attached to the user'"'"'s body near the infusion site interface.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump body is adhesively attached to an upper surface of the infusion site interface.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pump body is adhesively attached using a single layer adhesive.

12. A method of operating an infusion pump system, comprising:

adhering an infusion site interface structure to a skin surface, the infusion site interface structure comprising;

a frame with a lower surface facing toward the skin surface and an upward facing surface that is opposite the lower surface, a soft cannula coupled to the frame and extending below the lower surface of the frame for insertion subcutaneously through the skin surface to at least partially define a fluid path, and a septum arranged in the fluid path and coupled to the frame in a position above the upward facing surface of the frame; and

releasably connecting an infusion pump device to the frame of the infusion site interface structure adhered to the skin such that the infusion pump device is mechanically coupled to the frame of the infusion site interface structure and a piercing member of the infusion pump device penetrates the septum of the infusion site interface to define the fluid path from a medicine reservoir housed in the infusion pump device, through the penetrated septum of the infusion site interface structure, and through the soft cannula inserted subcutaneously through the skin surface;

causing the infusion pump device to dispense medicine into a user'"'"'s body via the fluid path from the medicine reservoir housed in the infusion pump device, through the penetrated septum of the infusion site interface structure, and through the soft cannula inserted subcutaneously through the skin surface;

disconnecting and reconnecting the infusion pump device to the infusion site interface structure so that the fluid path is broken and re-established without replacement of the infusion site interface structure.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of releasably connecting the infusion pump device to the frame of the infusion site interface structure comprises forming a direct connection between the infusion pump device and the infusion site interface structure such that the fluid path is free of tubing.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of releasably connecting an infusion pump device to the frame of the infusion site interface structure comprises positioning the infusion pump device over the upward facing surface of the frame of the infusion site interface.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the piercing member of the infusion pump device comprises a needle that penetrates the septum of the infusion site interface structure.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the needle of the infusion pump device extends downwardly through an upper face of the septum such that the needle extends generally perpendicular to the skin surface when the needle penetrates the septum of the infusion site interface structure.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the frame of the infusion site interface structure comprises an inner ring hub that carries the septum and an outer wall that is spaced apart from the inner ring hub and surrounds the inner ring hub.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the soft cannula is rigidly attached to the inner ring hub of the frame of the infusion site interface structure.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein during the step of releasably connecting an infusion pump device to the frame of the infusion site interface structure, the needle of the infusion pump device is aligned with the inner ring hub of the frame of the infusion site interface structure.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of disconnecting and reconnecting the infusion pump device to the infusion site interface structure comprises temporarily detaching the infusion pump device from the infusion site interface structure while the infusion site interface structure is maintained on the skin surface.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the infusion pump device is mechanically coupled to the frame of the infusion site interface structure using a detent fit.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the infusion pump device is mechanically coupled to the frame of the infusion site interface structure using an insert-and-rotate fit.

23. The method of claim 12, further comprising using a leak detection mechanism of the infusion pump system for a determination that the fluid path is compromised by a leak.