Operating an Infusion Pump System

• US 20110112504A1
• Filed: 01/19/2011
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insulet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Asante Solutions, Inc
• Inventors: Colton, Joshua, Christensen, Keld Sloth, Wenger, Mitchell, Kirschen, Todd, Causey, James, Friedman, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,622,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14506 mechanically driven, e.g. spring or clockwork
• 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 2205/273 preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/162 Needle sets, i.e. connections by puncture between reservoir and tube ; Connections between reservoir and tube in jet-action syringes A61M5/30; connectors for tubes having sealed ends and a needle for piercing them A61M39/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16804 Flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16886 for measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence

Abstract

Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a cap device that mates with a pump housing to retain a medicine cartridge therein. In addition to retaining the medicine cartridge in the pump housing, the cap device may perform a number of preparatory functions or safety functions. In addition or in the alternative, some embodiments of the pump device may include a drive system that advances a piston rod to dispense medicine to the patient in a safe and energy efficient manner.

Claims

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

engaging a cap device with a pump housing of an infusion pump device so that the cap device covers an exterior opening of the pump housing and retains a medicine cartridge in a space defined by the pump housing; and

urging the cap device against a first end portion of the medicine cartridge so that a plunger of the medicine cartridge attaches to a component of a drive system in pump housing that is positioned proximate to a second end portion of the medicine cartridge opposite from the first end portion.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising penetrating a septum disposed on the first end portion of the medicine cartridge with a needle device of the cap member when the cap device engages the pump housing.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the cap device to act upon the medicine cartridge to thereby urge initial breakaway movement of the plunger inside the medicine cartridge.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication of flow or nonflow of medicine through the cap device as detected by a flow sensor at least partially housed in the cap device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising locking at least a portion of the cap device into engagement with the pump housing to hinder replacement the medicine cartridge after the medicine cartridge is exhausted.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising engaging the cap device with the pump housing in a predetermined position so that a cap sensor indicates when the cap device is at the predetermined position.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving an auto-shutoff indication when the cap device is arranged outside the predetermined position.

8. A method of operating an infusion pump device, comprising:

engaging a cap device with a pump housing of an infusion pump device so that the cap device covers an exterior opening of the pump housing and retains a medicine cartridge in a space defined by the pump housing, wherein the pump housing contains a piston rod that is movable toward an output end of the medicine cartridge, a forward end of the piston rod comprising a plunger engagement device including a plurality of substantially rigid pins and an adhesive layer;

adjusting the medicine cartridge from a disengaged position in which the plunger engagement device is unattached to a plunger of the medicine cartridge to an engaged position in which the plunger engagement device attaches the piston rod to the plunger via the plurality of substantially rigid pins penetrating longitudinally into the plunger and the adhesive layer engaging a rear face of the plunger.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of engaging the cap device with the pump housing causes the cap device to act upon the medicine cartridge to urge the plunger into attachment with the plunger engagement device of the piston rod.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of substantially rigid pins penetrate longitudinally into the plunger through a majority of a longitudinal length of the plunger such that the plurality of substantially rigid pins reduce the compliance of the plunger when compression forces are applied to the plunger.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising penetrating a septum disposed on the output end of the medicine cartridge with a needle device of the cap member when the cap device engages the pump housing.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising causing the cap device to act upon the medicine cartridge to thereby urge initial breakaway movement of the plunger inside the medicine cartridge.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving an indication of flow or nonflow of medicine through the cap device as detected by a flow sensor at least partially housed in the cap device.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising locking at least a portion of the cap device into engagement with the pump housing to hinder replacement the medicine cartridge after the medicine cartridge is exhausted.

15. A method of operating an infusion pump device, comprising:

engaging a cap device with a pump housing of an infusion pump device so that the cap device covers an exterior opening of the pump housing and retains a medicine cartridge in a space defined by the pump housing; and

urging the cap device to act upon the medicine cartridge to thereby urge initial breakaway movement of a plunger inside the medicine cartridge against the medicine cartridge so that a plunger of the medicine cartridge attaches a component of a pump drive system.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising penetrating a septum disposed on an output end of the medicine cartridge with a needle device of the cap member when the cap device engages the pump housing.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising urging the cap device against the medicine cartridge so that the plunger of the medicine cartridge attaches to a pusher disc of a piston rod housed inside the pump housing, the pusher disc of the piston rod being equipped with a plunger engagement device including a plurality of substantially rigid pins and an adhesive layer.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving an indication of flow or nonflow of medicine through the cap device as detected by a flow sensor at least partially housed in the cap device.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising locking at least a portion of the cap device into engagement with the pump housing to hinder replacement the medicine cartridge after the medicine cartridge is exhausted.