Control tabs for infusion devices and methods of using the same

Abstract

An external infusion device that infuses a fluid into an individual's body includes a housing, a reservoir, a drive system, a power supply, electrical elements, and a tab. The reservoir contains the fluid, and the drive system forces the fluid from the reservoir. The electrical elements control the power to the drive system to regulate the rate that fluid is forced from the reservoir. The tab mates with the housing, and contains at least one electrical element. The tab is removable, and may be replaced with a different tab. The different tab may change the rate fluid is forced from the reservoir. A tab may be removed from one external infusion device and installed in a different external infusion device. The tab may be limited to use in a predetermined number of external infusion devices and may include a power supply.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 672,244, filed on Sep. 28, 2000, and entitled “Cost-Sensitive Application Infusion Device,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 533,578, filed on Mar. 23, 2000, and entitled “Cost-Sensitive Application Infusion Device,” both of which are specifically incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to external infusion devices and, in particular embodiments to external infusion devices that control the rate that a fluid is infused into an individual's body. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Portable personal infusion devices and systems are relatively well-known in the medical arts, for use in delivering or dispensing a prescribed medication to a patient. Many pharmaceutical agents are delivered into the subcutaneous tissue and the most common is insulin. Currently, more than 70,000 patients in the U.S. and 30,000 more...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022] In preferred embodiments, the tab is insertable into an opening in the housing, and may include a seal to improve resistance to water or contaminants entering the housing. Alternatively, the tab is attachable to the exterior of the housing. In alternative embodiments, the housing includes a seal that is in contact with the tab to improve resistance to water or contaminants entering the housing.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention, a tab for an external infusion device having a housing containing a reservoir for fluid to be infused into a body and a drive system to force the fluid from the reservoir powered by at least one power supply and controlled by one or more electrical elements includes a support structure and at least one of the one or more electrical elements. The support structure mates with the housing of the external infusion device, and the at least one of the one or more electrical elements is attached to the support structure. In preferred embodiments, the tab affects the rate that the fluid is infused into the body. Furthermore, the tab is insertable into an opening in the housing, and includes a seal to improve resistance to water or contaminants entering the housing. In alternative embodiments, the tab is attachable to the exterior of the housing. In other alternative embodiments, once the tab is installed, it contacts a seal on the housing that improves resistance to water or contaminants entering the housing.

Problems solved by technology

A drawback to these devices is that they are only filled with fluid once.

Another drawback is that the low cost may not allow for the high quality needed to have sufficient flow rate control accuracy for the delivery of dosage sensitive drugs.

To obviate these drawbacks, infusion devices have been designed with more accurate dosage control, but at a significantly higher cost.

While the sophisticated electronics and robust mechanics of the more expensive refillable infusion devices provide a more reliable and accurate infusion device, the cost of manufacturing may make the refillable infusion device too expensive for some users or medications.

On the other hand, the low cost, one-time-use, constant flow rate infusion devices may not have sufficient flow rate accuracy or the adjustments needed to control the dosage for some users.

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