Ambulatory medical apparatus with hand held communication device

• US 8,568,356 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2011
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lebel, Ronald J., Shahmirian, Varaz, Choy, David, Weiss, Philip T., Meadows, Paul, Villegas, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Desanto, Matthew F
• Application Number:
  US13/039,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20110275904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 604131-151, 604 65- 67, 600/300, 600/301, 600/364, 600/365, 600/322, 600/366, 600/367, 600/368, 600/347, 128/903, 128/904, 128/920, 128/905
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• 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: A61B 5/6847 mounted on an invasive device
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/168 Means for controlling media flow to the body or for metering media to the body, e.g. drip meters, counters ; Monitoring media flow to the body flow control in general G05D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 : User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37254 : Pacemaker or defibrillator security, e.g. to prevent or inhibit programming alterations by hackers or unauthorised individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37258 : Alerting the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 : Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3727 : characterised by the modulation technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37276 : characterised by means for reducing power consumption during telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 : Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0619 : in relation to data integrity, e.g. data losses, bit errors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/065 : Replication mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 : Single storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 : Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 : Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• 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: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 : Infusion monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 : Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A communication device (CD) exchanges messages with an implantable infusion pump via telemetry such that commands are supplied thereto and operational information is obtained therefrom. The CD is controlled, at least in part, by a processor IC according to a software program operating therein and provides feedback to a user via a visual display, an audio alarm, and a vibrational alarm, and allows input from the user via a touch sensitive keypad. Certain input functions are restricted by password. The visual display includes an icon and fixed element display region and a bitmap display region. The fixed element display region includes time and date displays, battery and drug level displays that decrement, and a moving delivery state display. Various screens allow operational or log information to be displayed and/or user entry of commands. Program features when disabled are removed from a series of screen options that can be scrolled through.

Claims

1. A medical system comprising:

(a) an ambulatory medical device (MD) that comprises MD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one MD telemetry system and at least one MD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the MD telemetry system and operation of the medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to provide a treatment to a body of a patient or to monitor a selected state of the body;

(b) a communication device (CD) comprising CD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one CD telemetry system and at least one CD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the at least one CD telemetry system, wherein the at least one CD telemetry system sends messages to or receives messages from the MD telemetry system; and

(c) a second device (SD) that comprises an SD communication system;

wherein the communication device (CD) is configured to echo one or more CD telemetry system messages, sent to or received from the medical device (MD), to the SD communication system of the second device (SD) wherein the treatment of the body includes programming and delivery of basal and bolus volumes of medication, the medical system having multiple basal profiles, each of the multiple basal profiles maintaining multiple basal rates, the system further allowing a temporary basal rate to replace any profile based basal rates during a specified period thereby enabling a change in basal rate without changing the basal profile.

2. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the communication device (CD) comprises a second CD telemetry system;

and wherein the communication device (CD) is configured to echo the one or more CD telemetry system messages, through the second CD telemetry system to the SD communication system of the second device (SD).

3. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the ambulatory medical device (MD) comprises an implantable device configured to be implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, and each of the communication device (CD) and the second device (SD) is an external device configured to be located external to the patient'"'"'s body.

4. A medical system comprising:

(a) an ambulatory medical device (MD) that comprises MD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one MD telemetry system and at least one MD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the MD telemetry system and operation of the medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to provide a treatment to a body of a patient or to monitor a selected state of the body;

(b) a communication device (CD) that comprises CD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one CD telemetry system and at least one CD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the CD telemetry system, wherein the CD telemetry system sends messages to or receives messages from the MD telemetry system, the communication device (CD) further comprises a second CD communication system; and

(c) a second device (SD) that comprises an SD communication system;

wherein the communication device (CD) is configured to pass messages received from the second device on to the medical device via transfer from the SD communication system to the second CD communication system to the CD telemetry system and on to MD telemetry system of the medical device, and/or to pass messages received from the medical device to the second device via transfer from MD telemetry system to the CD telemetry system to the second CD communication system and then onto the SD telemetry system of the second device (SD),

wherein the treatment of the body includes programming and delivery of basal and bolus volumes of medication from the MD via the CD , the medical system having multiple basal profiles, each of the multiple basal profiles maintaining multiple basal rates, the system further allowing a temporary basal rate to replace any profile based basal rates during a specified period thereby enabling a change in basal rate without changing the basal profile.

5. A medical system as recited in claim 4, wherein the content of the messages is passed without modification from the communication device (CD) to the MD telemetry system of the medical device (MD) and/or to the SD telemetry system of the second device (SD).

6. A medical system as recited in claim 4, further comprising the third device (TD), wherein the third communication system of the third device comprises a telecommunication system.

7. A medical system as recited in claim 4, wherein:

the communication device (CD) further comprises a CD keypad, and the communication device (CD) is configured to receive messages from the second device (SD) that emulate keystrokes on the keypad.

8. The medical system of claim 4, wherein the ambulatory medical device (MD) comprises an implantable device configured to be implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, and each of the communication device (CD) and the second device (SD) is an external device configured to be located external to the patient'"'"'s body.

9. A medical system comprising:

(a) an ambulatory medical device (MD) that comprises MD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one MD telemetry system and at least one MD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the MD telemetry system and operation of the medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to provide a treatment to a body of a patient or to monitor a selected state of the body;

(b) a communication device (CD) that comprises CD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one CD telemetry system and at least one CD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the CD telemetry system to send messages to or receives messages from the MD telemetry system;

(c) a second device (SD) that comprises an SD communication system configured to receive signals from the MD telemetry system of the medical device (MD) and to relay those signals by transmitting corresponding signals to at least one of the CD telemetry system of the communication device (CD) and a third device (TD) that comprises a third communication system for communicating a warning or notice message in response to signals transmitted by the second device (SD),

wherein the third communication system of the third device comprises an Internet connection for communication over the Internet and the treatment of the body includes programming and delivery of basal and bolus volumes of medication from the MD via the CD, the medical system having multiple basal profiles, each of the multiple basal profiles maintaining multiple basal rates, the system further allowing a temporary basal rate to replace any profile based basal rates during a specified period thereby enabling a change in basal rate without changing the basal profile.

10. A medical system as recited in claim 9, wherein the second device (SD) is remote from the third device (TD) and from the communication device (CD).

11. A medical system as recited in claim 9, wherein the second device (SD) is remote from the communication device (CD).

12. A medical system as recited in claim 9, wherein the second device (SD) includes a strap configured to apply to a portion of a user'"'"'s body.

13. A medical system as recited in claim 9, wherein the second device (SD) includes a mattress pad.

14. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the ambulatory medical device (MD) comprises an implantable device configured to be implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, and each of the communication device (CD) and the second device (SD) is an external device configured to be located external to the patient'"'"'s body.

15. A method of making a medical system comprising:

providing an ambulatory medical device (MD) that comprises MD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one MD telemetry system and at least one MD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the MD telemetry system and operation of the medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to provide a treatment to a body of a patient or to monitor a selected state of the body;

connecting a communication device (CD) in electrical communication with the medical device (MD), where the communication device (CD) comprises CD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one CD telemetry system and at least one CD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the CD telemetry system, such that the CD telemetry system is connected to send messages to or receive messages from the MD telemetry system, the communication device (CD) further comprises a second CD communication system; and

connecting a second device (SD) having an SD communication system in electrical communication with the communication device (CD);

configuring the communication device (CD) to pass messages received from the second device (SD) on to the medical device (MD) via transfer from the SD communication system to the second CD communication system to the CD telemetry system and on to MD telemetry system of the medical device, and/or to pass messages received from the medical device (MD) to the second device (SD) via transfer from MD telemetry system to the CD telemetry system to the second CD communication system and then onto the SD telemetry system of the second device (SD),

wherein the treatment of the body includes programming and delivery of basal and bolus volumes of medication from the MD via the CD, the medical system having multiple basal profiles, each of the multiple basal profiles maintaining multiple basal rates, the system further allowing a temporary basal rate to replace any profile based basal rates during a specified period thereby enabling a change in basal rate without changing the basal profile.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the content of the messages is passed without modification from the communication device (CD) to the MD telemetry system of the medical device (MD) and/or to the SD telemetry system of the second device (SD).

17. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising configuring the communication device (CD) to receive messages from the second device (SD) that emulate keystrokes on a keypad associated with the communication device (CD).