Insulin pump with insulin therapy coaching

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a pump configured to deliver insulin, an input configured to receive information related to managing diabetes of a user, a user interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pump, the input, and the user interface. The controller includes an insulin timing module configured to initiate delivery of insulin in a time relation to when a meal is to be consumed by the user and to adjust delivery of the insulin according to the received information. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]People who suffer from diabetes require insulin to keep their blood glucose level as close as possible to normal levels. It is essential for people with diabetes to manage their blood glucose level to within a normal range. Complications from diabetes can include heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy). Insulin is a hormone that reduces the level of blood glucose in the body. Normally, insulin is produced by beta cells in the pancreas. In non-diabetic people, the beta cells release insulin to satisfy two types of insulin needs. The first type is a low-level of background insulin that is released throughout the day. The second type is a quick release of a higher-level of insulin in response to eating. Insulin therapy replaces or supplements insulin produced by the pancreas.[0002]Conventional insulin therapy typically involves one or two injections a day. The low number of injections ha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0117]If the blood glucose testing times determined by the BG management device become statistically significant

Problems solved by technology

The low number of injections has the disadvantage of allowing larger variations in a person's insulin levels.

However, insulin injections are inconvenient and require a diabetic person to track the insulin doses, the amount of carbohydrates eaten, and their blood glucose levels among other information critical to control.

As discussed previously, high blood sugar can lead to serious complications.

Some insulin pumps can be difficult to program.

Determining an appropriate amount of insulin in the meal bolus can be difficult for a pump user and may involve trial and error in finding the right meal bolus for certain meals.

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents may increase the chance of developing either high or low blood glucose levels and may cause a low blood glucose level to last longer than normal.

Not changing the insulin cartridge often enough risks insulin clotting or losing effectiveness of the insulin due to exposure to higher temperatures.

Not changing the infusion set often enough may result in infections.

If the pump user travels and crosses time zones, their circadian clock doesn't immediately adjust to the new time, because, as with jet lag, it takes time for the user's body to adjust.

Consequently, the delivery parameters may no longer be programmed appropriately.

This may not be appropriate because the user's body clock will be expecting basal insulin according to the old time zone.

On a short trip, the basal rate pattern may not be fully adjusted to the new time.

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