REMOTE MONITORING FOR NETWORKED FLUID INFUSION SYSTEMS

• US 20110178462A1
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: LONG, Kenny J., HANSON, Ian B., MOBERG, Sheldon B., MEHTA, Kaezad J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• 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 2205/52 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
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

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 and operating of an external infusion pump that is part of a local infusion system, the infusion pump controlling the infusion of fluid into the body of a user via an infusion set having a cannula inserted under the skin of the 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;

processing the pump data to generate an activation instruction to remotely activate delivery of fluid by the infusion pump; and

transmitting the activation instruction in a network control communication that is intended for the infusion pump, wherein the activation instruction causes the infusion pump to deliver fluid to the body of the user in accordance with the activation instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating, at the network device, indicia of the pump data.

3. The method of claim 2, the pump data including status information of the transmitting device, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the status information.

4. The method of claim 2, the pump data including status information of the infusion pump, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the status information.

5. The method of claim 2, the pump data including an alert related to operation of the transmitting device, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the alert.

6. The method of claim 5, 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.

7. The method of claim 2, 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.

8. The method of claim 2, 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.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein generating indicia comprises generating an audible representation of the pump data.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein generating indicia comprises generating a visual representation of the pump data.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein generating indicia comprises activating a vibration element of the network device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitting device comprises a physiological characteristic meter of the infusion system; and

the pump data originates at the infusion pump.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitting device comprises a remote controller for the infusion pump; and

the pump data originates at the infusion pump.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitting device comprises a handheld monitor/controller for the infusion pump; and

the pump data originates at the infusion pump.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitting device comprises a monitor device for the infusion pump; and

the pump data originates at the infusion pump.

16. The method of 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.

17. A method for remote monitoring and operating of an external infusion pump that is part of a local infusion system, the infusion pump controlling the infusion of fluid into the body of a user via an infusion set having a cannula inserted under the skin of the 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;

processing the pump data to generate an activation instruction to remotely activate delivery of fluid by the infusion pump;

generating a control communication formatted for compliance with a particular data communication protocol supported by the infusion pump, the control communication including the activation instruction; and

transmitting the control communication from the network device to the infusion pump to cause the infusion pump to deliver fluid to the body of the user in accordance with the activation instruction.