Guided user help system for an ambulatory infusion system

• US 8,552,880 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kopp, Kevin Sean, Ward-Welisevich, Mary, DeBelser, David
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US12/631,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20110133946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 340/679
• US Class Current: 340/679
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An ambulatory infusion pump can include a guided user help system that allows for a user to correct an error with the pump without needing to summon a home healthcare aide or other medical professional. When an error occurs with the pump, the user can select an option to receive help with the error. The help screen can display a possible solution for correcting the error that the user can follow. Additional help screens can display additional possible solutions if prior possible solution prove ineffective at correcting the problem.

Claims

1. An ambulatory infusion pump assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid reservoir to an infusion set adapted for the subcantaneous infusion of the fluid into the body of a patient, the operation of said pump assembly presenting at least one measurable pump assembly operating parameter having a predetermined normal operating value, the pump assembly, comprising:

a pump mechanism;

an upstream delivery line operably coupling the pump mechanism to said fluid reservoir in fluid conveying relationship;

a downstream delivery tube operably coupling the pump mechanism to said infusion set in fluid conveying relationship;

a control system configured to control operation of the pump assembly;

at least one sensor operably coupled with said control system, the sensor adapted for sensing the value of said at least one pump assembly operating parameter of said pump assembly;

a user interface including a display and a control pad operably coupled to the control system and adapted for interactive operation of said pump assembly;

the control system further including a guided user help system configured to present an alarm when said at least one sensor senses the value of said at least one pump assembly operating parameter to be outside of said predetermined normal operating value, and to present on the display a control system guided procedure, adapted to correct said at least one operating parameter back to said predetermined normal operating value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the guided user help system is configured to display a plurality of procedures.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of possible procedures are displayed sequentially.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of possible procedures are sequentially displayed beginning with a most common possible solution.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the sequence of the plurality of possible procedures is advanced via input to the control pad.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the guided user help system displays the possible procedure only after receiving a request from a user for help in correcting the operating parameter value.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the guided user help system displays the possible procedure that is a most common solution for correcting the operating parameter value.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the guided user help system is further configured to display a customized support message if the operating parameter value is not corrected.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the customized support message comprises at least one of a telephone number, an email address, a contact name, or a URL.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cassette including a reservoir containing medication, the cassette attached to the control module with a latch and selectively lockable with the control module, and wherein the operating parameter is detected by a sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a cassette insertion sensor, a cassette latch sensor and a cassette lock sensor.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising tubing for delivering medication to a patient, and wherein the operating parameter is detected by a sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a downstream occlusion sensor, an upstream occlusion sensor, and an air detector.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the guided user help system is configured to automatically stop displaying if the operating parameter is corrected.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the operating parameter relates to an error from the group consisting of:

air in tubing;

an occlusion;

an error related to an operation of a pumping mechanism of the infusion pump;

an error related to a battery or power supply;

an error related to an improper treatment delivery setting;

a low or lack of medication in a reservoir of the infusion pump;

an improper medication cassette;

an improperly loaded medication cassette;

an unlocked medication cassette;

an improper key insertion;

an error related to a PCA dose cord;

an error related to an external attachment to the infusion pump; and

an error related to a sensor.