Devices, systems and methods for patient infusion

Abstract

A method for transcutaneously delivering fluid to a patient including providing at least one disposable infusion pump, wherein the pump includes a housing adapted to be mounted on a patient's skin, a transcutaneous patient access tool for extending through the housing and providing transcutaneous access to the patient, a reservoir prefilled with a therapeutic fluid, a dispenser for causing fluid from the reservoir to flow to the transcutaneous patient access tool, a processor connected to the dispenser and programmed to cause a flow of fluid from the reservoir to the transcutaneous patient access tool based on flow instructions, and a wireless receiver connected to the processor for receiving flow instructions from a remote controller and for delivering the flow instructions to the processor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 695,547, filed Oct. 28, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 943,992, filed Aug. 31, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,059, which claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60 / 231,476, filed on Sep. 8, 2000. All of these applications are assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices, systems and methods, and more particularly to small, low cost, portable infusion devices and methods that are useable to achieve precise, sophisticated, and programmable flow patterns for the delivery of therapeutic liquids to a patient. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0003] Today, there are many diseases and other physical ailments that are treated by various medicines including pharmaceuticals, nut...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The applicant has determined that a sophisticated ambulatory infusion device that can be programmed to reliably deliver variable flow profiles of liquid medications, yet is small, light weight and low cost, is needed. Smaller and lighter devices are easier to carry and are more comfortable for the patient, even allowing the device to be adhesively attached to the patient's skin similar to a transdermal patch. An inexpensive device allows greater flexibility in prescribing the device for use by reducing the financial burden on healthcare insurance providers, hospitals and patient care centers, as well as patients themselves. In addition, low cost devices make more practical the maintenance of one or more replacement devices. If the primary device is lost or becomes dysfunctional, availability of the replacement avoids costly expedited repair and down time.

[0011] Aspects of the present disclosure will enable cost reductions significant enough to make the entire device disposable in nature, being replaced as frequently as every two to five days. A disposable device allows the medication to be prefilled by the manufacturer and does not need the routine cleaning and maintenance required by long term devices, greatly simplifying use for the patient.

Problems solved by technology

Bolus injections often imperfectly match the clinical needs of the patient, and usually require larger individual doses than are desired at the specific time they are given.

Continuous delivery of medicine through gravity feed systems compromise the patient's mobility and lifestyle, and limit the therapy to simplistic flow rates and profiles.

Transdermal patches have special requirements of the medicine being delivered, particularly as it relates to the molecular structure, and similar to gravity feed systems, the control of the drug administration is severely limited.

Currently available ambulatory infusion devices are expensive, difficult to program and prepare for infusion, and tend to be bulky, heavy and very fragile.

Filling these devices or their reservoirs can be difficult and require the patient to carry both the intended medication as well as filling accessories when traveling or even just going to work.

Images