Systems and methods for inductively charging medical devices

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed in which, during inductive charging of a device, such as an ambulatory infusion pump, the temperature in the device is monitored so that temperature-sensitive contents or components, such as insulin, specific circuitry, and / or other components, are not damaged. During inductive charging, the temperature in the device can be monitored at one or more locations. If the temperature violates one or more predetermined thresholds and / or rises at a rate greater than one or more predetermined thresholds, charging can be paused or provided at a reduced power to prevent the temperature from rising further and damaging the contents and / or components of the device. One or more alarms associated with these events can also be triggered so that the user is aware of the situation and can take corrective action.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 655,516, filed April 10, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to medical pumps for delivering medication to a patient, and more particularly to user-wearable infusion pumps for delivering medication, such as insulin, to a patient. Background Art

[0004] Numerous applications exist in academia, industry, and medicine that would benefit from devices and methods capable of accurately and controllably delivering fluids (e.g., liquids and gases) that have beneficial effects when administered in known and controlled quantities. Such devices and methods can be particularly useful in the medical field, where treatment of many patients involves administering known amounts of a substance at predetermined time intervals.

[0005] The type of equipment that is used to carry this fluid is a pump, and this pump has been developed to use insulin and other medicines for the patient who suffers from type I and type II diabetes.Some pumps that are configured as portable infusion devices can provide continuous subcutaneous drug injection and / or infusion therapy for the treatment of diabetes.This therapy can comprise, for example, insulin is regularly and / or continuously injected or infused into the skin of the people who suffers from diabetes, and the alternative scheme of multiple injections of insulin by insulin syringe or insulin pen every day is provided.This pump can be the non-fixed / portable infusion pump that is worn by the user, and can use replaceable cartridge. Examples of such pumps and various features that can be associated with such pumps include those disclosed in U.S. patent application publication number 2013 / 0053816, U.S. Patent No. 8,573,027, U.S. Patent No. 8,986,253, U.S. patent application publication number 2013 / 0324928, U.S. patent application publication number 2013 / 0331790, U.S. Patent No. 8,287,495, U.S. patent application serial number 15 / 241,257 (filed on August 19, 2016), and U.S. patent application serial number 15 / 158,125 (filed on May 18, 2016), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0006] Many non-stationary infusion pumps are powered by batteries that need to be recharged periodically. This is typically accomplished by plugging a cable connector into a port (e.g., a USB or similar port) on the infusion pump that facilitates the transfer of power and / or data, and plugging the other end of the cable into a wall outlet or other power source. Recently, many consumer devices have been developed that utilize electromagnetic induction to charge the device's internal battery without the need for additional physical electronic connections. In such systems, a transmission induction coil in a charging base generates an alternating electromagnetic field. When a receiving induction coil in the device is aligned with the transmission induction coil, power is transferred to the device used to charge the battery. Embodiments of portable infusion pumps utilizing inductive charging are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016 / 0339172 and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 868,461, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0007] One of the challenges of implementing inductive charging, particularly for medical devices such as mobile infusion pumps, is that wireless charging can cause unwanted heating in conductive materials such as metals. This heating is caused by electromagnetic induction of eddy currents generated in the metal. Excessive heating can be a problem, particularly when the transmitting and receiving coils of the charging system are not optimally aligned. Unwanted heating is not a problem for typical consumer electronic devices such as smartphones, but it can pose a problem for medical devices. For example, medications such as insulin are temperature-sensitive and can degrade and / or deteriorate if exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, there is the possibility that, when the device is inductively charged through this excessive heating, the insulin or other medication in the infusion pump could deteriorate or otherwise become ineffective or even dangerous. This possibility can be particularly troublesome if the pump user or caregiver now realizes that the insulin in the pump's interior has been affected in this way, especially if the pump's exterior or its circuitry or other internal components have not yet experienced damage. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Methods and systems are disclosed in which, during inductive charging of a device, such as an ambulatory infusion pump, the temperature in the device is monitored so that temperature-sensitive contents or components, such as insulin, specific circuitry, and / or other components, are not damaged. During inductive charging, the temperature in the device can be monitored at one or more locations. If the temperature violates one or more predetermined thresholds and / or rises at a rate greater than one or more predetermined thresholds, charging can be paused or provided at a reduced power to prevent the temperature from rising further and damaging the contents and / or components of the device. One or more alarms associated with these events can also be triggered so that the user is aware of the situation and can take corrective action.

[0009] In one embodiment, a method includes detecting that an ambulatory infusion pump configured to contain a medication and having a rechargeable battery has been placed on an inductive charging device, and initiating charging of the rechargeable battery of the ambulatory infusion pump using the inductive charging device by transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at a first charging rate. During charging, while transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at the first charging rate, multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump can be detected. The multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump can be compared to a medication sensitivity threshold temperature at which a medication configured to be contained within the ambulatory infusion pump can become negatively affected by the temperature. If a temperature value within the multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump is below the medication sensitivity threshold temperature, the inductive charging device can continue transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at the first charging rate. If a temperature value within the multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump is above the medication sensitivity threshold temperature, the inductive charging device can reduce the first charging rate to a second charging rate that is lower than the first charging rate.

[0010] In one embodiment, an ambulatory infusion pump system can include an ambulatory infusion pump including a rechargeable battery and configured to contain medication; an inductive charging device configured to transfer power to the ambulatory infusion pump to charge the rechargeable battery of the ambulatory infusion pump; and one or more processors. The system can be configured to detect that the ambulatory infusion pump has been placed on the inductive charging device and initiate charging of the rechargeable battery of the ambulatory infusion pump using the inductive charging device by transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at a first charging rate. During charging, while transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at the first charging rate, multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump can be detected. The multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump can be compared to a medication sensitivity threshold temperature at which a medication configured to be contained within the ambulatory infusion pump can become negatively affected by temperature. If a temperature value within the multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump is below the medication sensitivity threshold temperature, the inductive charging device can continue to transfer power to the ambulatory infusion pump at the first charging rate. The inductive charging device can reduce the first charging rate to a second charging rate that is lower than the first charging rate if a temperature value in the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump is above a drug sensitivity threshold temperature.

[0011] The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrative embodiment or every implementation of the present subject matter.The figures and detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A more complete understanding of the present subject matter may be obtained from the following detailed description of various embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figures 1A-1C A pump system according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted.

[0014] Figures 2A-2D A procedure for inductively charging a battery of a pump system according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0015] Figure 3 A flow chart depicts method steps for inductively charging a medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] While the various embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, details thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the claimed invention to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figures 1A-1C A pump system including a pump 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The drive unit 118 of the pump 102 includes a drive mechanism 122 that cooperates with a recess in the disposable cartridge 116 of the pump 102 to attach the cartridge 116 to the drive unit 118 and deliver a medication, such as insulin, from the cartridge 116 to a user via a cannula. A pump system according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a pump 102 that includes the drive unit 118 and the cartridge 116 and any additional components, such as an infusion set. A short length of tubing 153 can extend from the cartridge 116, wherein a connector 152 is designed to attach to a corresponding connector of such an infusion set, the infusion set including a length of tubing extending from the corresponding connector to an infusion site having an infusion site connector to deliver the medication to the infusion site. Further details regarding such a pump can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 707,851, filed May 18, 2015, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2016 / 0339172 and 2017 / 0049957, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0018] In one embodiment, the pump 102 includes one or more processors that control the operation of the pump and, in some embodiments, can receive information and / or commands from one or more separate devices. Such separate devices can include, for example, a dedicated remote control or a smartphone or other consumer electronic device that executes an application that is configured to enable the device to transmit operating commands to the processor of the pump 102. Other separate devices can include, for example, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a smart pen, or other devices designed to provide information about the user's blood glucose level or other relevant information about the user. In some embodiments, the processor can also transmit information to one or more separate devices (e.g., a smartphone, a smartwatch, a laptop or personal computer, a desktop computer, a CGM, etc.), such as information related to device parameters, warnings, reminders, pump status, etc.

[0019] Reference Figures 2A-2D , a pump according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include one or more rechargeable batteries in and / or associated with the pump drive unit 118. In some embodiments, the rechargeable batteries can be inductively charged, for example, by an inductive charging pad 180. Figure 2B As depicted in FIG, in some embodiments, the charging plate 180 can include a cover 182 having a cutout sized to accommodate the pump 102 so as to properly position and retain the pump 102 on the charging plate 180 during recharging. In some embodiments, as Figure 2A 、 2B As shown in 2D, charging pad 180 can receive power by connecting to a wall outlet. In other embodiments, charging pad 180 can additionally or alternatively include power connections to, for example, a computer (e.g., via USB), a 12-volt car outlet, a battery pack (e.g., via USB), and a solar panel.

[0020] To charge the pump 102, the pump 102 may first be disconnected from the tubing of the infusion set (e.g., Figure 2C The pump can then be placed on the charging plate 180 (as depicted in FIG. Figure 2D ), when the board 180 is connected to a power source, its battery will automatically be inductively (re)charged. In another embodiment, the pump 102 can remain connected to the infusion set and the user while the battery is recharging. In some embodiments, the inductively chargeable pump does not include a connector, such as a USB port, into which a power cord can be plugged for power transfer. Such an embodiment provides the advantages of being more robust against waterproofing due to the absence of exposed electrical contacts and avoiding the electrical isolation requirements imposed on such connectors.

[0021] Inductive charging of the pump 102 can be performed according to a known standard, such as the Qi standard. In such a system, both the pump 102 and the charging plate 180 include inductive coils. The transmitting coil in the charging plate 180, which is connected to a power source, generates an oscillating magnetic field that induces an alternating current in the receiving coil in the pump 102 to transfer power to the pump 102. In one embodiment, the charging plate 180 continuously or periodically (e.g., twice per second) sends an analog signal to detect the presence of the pump 102. When the plate detects the presence of the pump (via the magnetic load), it sends a digital communication signal to, for example, a processor associated with the pump 102. The pump processor receives the signal and directs and / or sends a return signal to the plate 180, which causes the plate 180 to transfer charging power to the pump.

[0022] As described above, such inductive charging can cause unwanted heating of devices while charging their batteries. This issue is particularly significant for devices that contain one or more heat-sensitive components, parts, or contents, such as medical devices, including, for example, ambulatory infusion pumps that deliver one or more heat-sensitive medications, such as insulin. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention incorporate one or more temperature sensors to monitor the internal temperature within medical devices, such as infusion pumps, and are capable of altering and / or suspending inductive charging based on the detected temperature.

[0023] For example, in the case of insulin, it is well known that the critical temperature at which insulin stabilizes is approximately 37 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the system can set a threshold temperature, such as 35 degrees Celsius, at or above this threshold temperature, and will take and / or indicate the action of changing the inductive charging to prevent the insulin from reaching 37 degrees. In one embodiment, one or more temperature sensors do not directly measure the temperature of the insulin or other drug, but are instead located on a circuit board and measure the temperature of another element of the insulin reservoir that is in direct contact with the pump, such as a metal sheet. One or more temperature sensors can additionally or alternatively be located on or near other heat-sensitive components or elements (e.g., specific circuits). The system can include an internal algorithm that converts the sensed temperature into the expected temperature of the insulin or other drug or the component or element of interest. Therefore, when the present application relates to a system for determining or measuring the temperature of insulin or other drugs, components or elements, the system can actually measure the temperature at different locations in the pump and convert the measurement results, rather than directly measuring the temperature of the insulin or other drugs, components or elements. Therefore, the threshold temperature is directly related to the temperature that can have a negative impact on drugs such as insulin, rather than being related to the temperature of the electronic devices or other components that may affect the system.

[0024] When it is detected that the temperature is at or exceeds a temperature threshold, the system can implement one or more of a plurality of procedures for preventing and / or reducing high temperatures. There can be a single temperature sensor measuring the temperature at one location in the pump, or there can be multiple temperature sensors measuring the temperature at multiple locations. When multiple temperature sensors are employed, an alarm can be triggered when the average of the temperature measurements exceeds a threshold or when a single temperature measurement exceeds a threshold. The temperature can be obtained by one or more temperature sensors and / or sent by the processor on a continuous basis or on a periodic basis, for example, once per second, once or twice per minute, etc. Although primarily described with respect to measured temperature values ​​exceeding a set threshold, in some embodiments, the rate of change of one or more measured temperature values ​​can be employed alternatively or additionally in a similar manner with respect to a threshold rate of change of temperature.

[0025] In one embodiment, inductive charging is disabled when the measured temperature reaches or exceeds a preset temperature threshold (or rate of change of a temperature threshold). This can be accomplished by the pump sending a signal to the inductive charger to suspend charging by disabling the transmission of electromagnetic power from the charging pad to the pump. If the pump is still connected to the user and delivering medication, medication delivery can also be suspended. When the temperature has dropped to an acceptable charging level, inductive charging can be reactivated. In some embodiments, the suspension and reactivation of inductive charging and medication delivery can be provided in an automated closed-loop manner. This closed-loop system can also notify the user of one or more of the actions taken by the system on the user interface of the pump and / or remote control device. For example, an alert can be presented on the user interface to notify the user that inductive charging and / or insulin delivery has been suspended, with a subsequent alert when inductive charging and / or insulin delivery has been reestablished. Such alerts can also include audible and / or vibration notifications. In other embodiments, the system can request user confirmation in response to one or more alerts before taking action (e.g., resuming inductive charging and / or medication delivery).

[0026] In another embodiment, when the system is at or above a threshold temperature (or rate of change of temperature), the system can instead reduce the amount of electromagnetic power transmitted by the charging pad (i.e., the charging rate) rather than completely disabling inductive charging. This can be achieved by reducing the charging rate in the pump by a predetermined amount. Once the temperature has decreased by the desired amount, the charging rate can be increased. If the pump is currently delivering medication, in some embodiments, the system can disable medication delivery when the charging rate is reduced and resume delivery when the increased charge is restored. One or more alerts related to the actions taken by the system can also be further provided. In various embodiments, the system can automatically engage in one or more actions, or can require user confirmation before engaging in one or more actions. In some embodiments, if the temperature continues to rise or does not decrease at the desired rate and / or amount, the charging rate can be further reduced or completely disabled.

[0027] Although the temperature will not drop as quickly with reduced charging as when charging is completely disabled, reduced charging provides an advantage over pausing charging in that the device will continue to charge. Although reducing the charge rate has been described as an alternative to completely pausing charging, it should be understood that the two methods can be employed together in alternating or other periodic cycles during a single charging process. For example, in one embodiment, if the temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature, charging can be reduced, and if the temperature exceeds a second, higher threshold temperature, charging can be suspended. In other embodiments, pausing charging and reduced charging can alternate or cycle periodically, as in some cases, continuously reducing charging can charge the battery faster, and in other cases, charging using full power for the period of suspended charging can charge the battery faster.

[0028] By enabling the system to provide one or more additional notifications to the user, concurrently or independently of the notifications regarding pausing or reducing charging and / or other notifications described herein, one or more additional notifications can be provided. For example, whether charging is intermittently inhibited or the charging rate is reduced, the pump will take longer than usual to charge. Thus, the user can be additionally notified that the battery may be taking longer than expected to charge. Furthermore, high temperatures and / or high rates of temperature change may indicate that the transmitting coil in the charging pad and the receiving coil in the pump are not properly aligned. Thus, the user can alternatively or additionally be notified of the possible misalignment and be asked to check the alignment. Repeated temperature warnings may indicate a problem with the charging pad, and thus, after a threshold number of warnings, the user can be notified that the charging pad may be damaged and should be replaced. Additionally, when the temperature exceeds a threshold temperature and / or reaches an even higher threshold (e.g., 37 degrees Celsius for insulin), the user can be notified that the insulin or other medication may have degraded and / or spoiled. Any of the warnings and alerts described herein can further include instructions for the user to take action regarding the notification. For example, in various embodiments, the user can be instructed, in conjunction with the corresponding notification, to check the alignment of the pump relative to the charging pad, use a different charging pad, etc.

[0029] Detailed notifications (such as those described above) can be provided to the user on a user interface of the device, such as the pump, a dedicated remote controller, and / or a remote consumer electronic device, such as a smartphone, having a software application for controlling the pump. Additionally, one or more of the pump or charging pad can include an indicator light thereon. Inductive charging problems can alternatively or additionally be indicated by such an indicator light, for example, by the light switching from off to on, flashing, flashing at different rates, changing color, changing brightness, etc. In some embodiments, different indicator light actions (e.g., different flashing rates) can indicate different charging problems or actions (e.g., charging paused or charging power reduced).

[0030] Although the system is primarily described herein as pausing and / or modifying ongoing inductive charging based on temperature measurements, there may be situations where the pump is initially placed on the charger at an already elevated temperature. In such situations, the initial charge can be reduced, not initiated, etc., and an alert provided as described herein regarding pausing or modifying the ongoing charge.

[0031] Now refer to Figure 3, depicts a flow chart of a method 200 for inductively charging a medical device, such as an ambulatory infusion pump, that includes temperature monitoring. In step 202, the device is placed on the charger, and in step 203, the charging pad detects the device. In some embodiments, the device's temperature is determined as described herein, and in step 204, the temperature is compared to one or more threshold temperatures before initiating charging. If the temperature is above a predetermined threshold, charging may alternatively not be initiated in step 206 or may be initiated at a reduced power in step 208. In either method, in some embodiments, the user may be notified of the action to be taken in steps 210 or 212. Alternatively, the corresponding action may be taken without user notification (as indicated by the dashed arrows). In various embodiments, the system may return to step 204 and continue to monitor the temperature continuously or periodically. If charging is reduced, if the temperature rises further, or if the temperature does not decrease at the desired rate and / or amount, charging may be further reduced or prohibited. This may be done automatically or, for example, after the user acknowledges the alert.

[0032] If the temperature is determined to be below a predetermined threshold, then full-power charging is initiated to charge the device, either initially or after the alarm is cleared, at step 214. In some embodiments, the user can be notified that charging has been initiated. During charging, at step 216, the temperature can be periodically or continuously monitored and compared to a predetermined threshold, which can be the same or different than the threshold in step 204. If the temperature is below the predetermined threshold, full-power charging continues, and the system continues to monitor the temperature. If the temperature is above the predetermined threshold, charging can alternatively be paused at step 218 or resumed at a reduced power at step 220. The user can be notified that charging has been paused at step 222 or that charging has been reduced at step 224, respectively, and in some embodiments, the user can also be notified that charging (at a reduced power) has been initiated at step 224. Alternatively, the corresponding action can be taken without user notification (as indicated by the dashed arrow). The system can continue to monitor the temperature at step 216, either automatically or in response to user confirmation, and restart full-power charging when the temperature drops below a predetermined temperature in response to paused or reduced-power charging. If charging is initially reduced and the temperature continues to increase or does not decrease at the desired rate and / or amount, charging may be further reduced or prohibited. The above steps can continue until the device battery is fully charged or until the device is otherwise removed from the charger.

[0033] In some embodiments, the aforementioned system determinations can all be made by the infusion pump's processor. For example, the infusion pump can measure temperature, compare temperatures, and cause the induction charger to disable and / or modulate the delivered power by sending a control signal to the pad, which causes the pad's processor to adjust the power accordingly. In other embodiments, one or more of these determinations can be made by the induction charging pad's processor or a separate device in communication with the pump, such as a remote control device.

[0034] Although the systems and methods have been primarily described herein as applied to infusion pumps for delivering liquid medications, such as ambulatory insulin pumps, it should be understood that the systems and methods herein can be employed with any device capable of charging an internal battery using inductive charging and including one or more thermal elements.

[0035] Also incorporated herein by reference in their entirety are commonly owned U.S. Patent Nos. 8,287,495, 8,408,421, 8,448,824, 8,573,027, 8,650,937, 8,986,523, 9,173,998, 9,180,242, 9,180,243, 9,238,100, 9,242,043, 9,335,910, 9,3 81,271, 9,421,329, 9,486,171, 9,486,571, 9,492,608, 9,503,526, 9,555,186, 9,565,718, 9,603,995, 9,669,160, 9,715,327, 9,737,656, 9,750,871, 9,867,937, 9,867,953, 9,940,4 41, 9,993,595, 10,016,561, 10,201,656, and commonly owned U.S. Patents 2009 / 0287180, 2012 / 0123230, 2013 / 0053816, 2014 / 0276419, 2014 / 0276423, 2014 / 0276569, 2014 / 0276570, and 2015 / 0182693 , 2016 / 0082188, 2016 / 0339172, 2017 / 0049957, 2017 / 0142658, 2017 / 0182248, 2017 / 0250971, 2018 / 0021514, 2018 / 0071454 and 2018 / 0193555, and co-owned U.S. patent applications Nos. 14 / 707,851 and 16 / 266,471.

[0036] Further incorporated herein by reference in their entirety are U.S. Patent Nos. 8,601,465, 8,502,662, 8,452,953, 8,451,230, 8,449,523, 8,444,595, 8,343,092, 8,285,328, 8,126,728, 8,117,481, 8,095,123, 7 ,999,674, 7,819,843, 7,782,192, 7,109,878, 6,997,920, 6,979,326, 6,936,029, 6,872,200, 6,813,519, 6,641,533, 6,554,798, 6,551,276, 6,295,506 and 5,665,065.

[0037] Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are provided as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the various features of the described embodiments can be combined in various ways to produce many additional embodiments. Furthermore, while various materials, sizes, shapes, configurations, and positions have been described for the disclosed embodiments, other materials, sizes, shapes, configurations, and positions, etc., beyond those disclosed, may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed invention.

[0038] Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present invention may include fewer features than described in any single embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter of the present invention may be combined. Thus, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the various embodiments can include combinations of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even if not described in such embodiments.

[0039] Although a dependent claim may be directed to a specific combination with one or more other claims in the claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of a dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Unless it is stated herein that a specific combination is not intended, such a combination is proposed herein.

[0040] The incorporation by reference of any document above is limited such that no subject matter that is contrary to the express disclosure herein is incorporated. The incorporation by reference of any document above is further limited such that no claims included in the document are incorporated by reference herein. The incorporation by reference of any document above is still further limited such that any definitions provided in the document are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0041] For purposes of claim interpretation, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112(f) of Chapter 35 of the United States Patent Act not be invoked unless the specific terms "means for" or "step for" are recited in a claim.

Claims

1. A method for inductively charging a medical device, comprising: detecting that an ambulatory infusion pump configured to contain medication and having a rechargeable battery has been placed on the inductive charging device; initiating charging of the rechargeable battery of the ambulatory infusion pump by transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at a first charging rate using the inductive charging device; detecting a plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump while delivering power to the ambulatory infusion pump at the first charging rate; determining a rate of change of the plurality of temperature values; comparing the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump to one or more predetermined thresholds associated with a drug sensitivity threshold temperature, the drug sensitivity threshold temperature being a temperature at which the drug configured to be contained within the ambulatory infusion pump can become negatively affected by the temperature; and causing the inductive charging device to continue transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at the first charging rate if a temperature value in the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​are below the one or more predetermined thresholds, and causing the inductive charging device to reduce the first charging rate to a second charging rate that is lower than the first charging rate if one or more of the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump is higher than a first threshold value of the one or more predetermined threshold values ​​and lower than a second threshold value of the one or more predetermined threshold values ​​that is greater than the first threshold value; and causing the inductive charging device to pause charging of the ambulatory infusion pump if one or more of the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump are above a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold; and If one or more of the multiple temperature values ​​and / or the rate of change of the multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump reaches and / or exceeds a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value, the user can be notified that the drug may have degraded and / or deteriorated. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second charge rate is a reduced non-zero charge rate that is less than the first charge rate.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first charging rate is a maximum charging rate that the inductive charging device can provide.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Prior to initiating charging of the rechargeable battery, a temperature value within the ambulatory infusion pump is determined, and charging is initiated only when the temperature value is below the drug sensitivity threshold temperature.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: If the temperature within the ambulatory infusion pump is above the drug sensitivity threshold temperature, a notification is provided to the user that charging has not been initiated.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Prior to initiating charging of the rechargeable battery, a temperature value within the ambulatory infusion pump is determined, and if the temperature value is above the drug sensitivity threshold temperature, charging is initiated at the second charging rate instead of the first charging rate.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Notification is provided to the user that the charging rate has been reduced to the second charging rate.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: When the inductive charging device is transferring power at the second charging rate, if one of the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change among the plurality of temperature values ​​are below the first of the one or more predetermined thresholds, increasing the charging rate to the first charging rate.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Delivery of the medication using the ambulatory infusion pump is suspended if one or more of the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump are above the one or more predetermined thresholds.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: If one or more of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​are above a first threshold or a second threshold, providing a notification to a user on a user interface or a remote control device of the ambulatory infusion pump to check alignment of the ambulatory infusion pump on the inductive charging device.

11. An ambulatory infusion pump system, comprising: an ambulatory infusion pump comprising a rechargeable battery and configured to contain a medication; an inductive charging device configured to transfer power to the ambulatory infusion pump to charge the rechargeable battery of the ambulatory infusion pump; and A processor configured to: detecting that the ambulatory infusion pump has been placed on the inductive charging device; causing charging of the rechargeable battery of the ambulatory infusion pump to be initiated by transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at a first charging rate using the inductive charging device; detecting a plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump while delivering power to the ambulatory infusion pump at the first charging rate; determining a rate of change of the plurality of temperature values; comparing the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump to one or more predetermined thresholds associated with a drug sensitivity threshold temperature, the drug sensitivity threshold temperature being a temperature at which the drug configured to be contained within the ambulatory infusion pump can become negatively affected by the temperature; and causing the inductive charging device to continue transferring power to the ambulatory infusion pump at the first charging rate if a temperature value in the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​are below the one or more predetermined thresholds, and causing the inductive charging device to reduce the first charging rate to a second charging rate that is lower than the first charging rate if one or more of the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump is higher than a first threshold value of the one or more predetermined threshold values ​​and lower than a second threshold value of the one or more predetermined threshold values ​​that is greater than the first threshold value; and causing the inductive charging device to pause charging of the ambulatory infusion pump if one or more of the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump are above a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold; and If one or more of the multiple temperature values ​​and / or the rate of change of the multiple temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump reaches and / or exceeds a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value, the user can be notified that the drug may have degraded and / or deteriorated.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second charge rate is a reduced non-zero charge rate that is less than the first charge rate.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first charging rate is a maximum charging rate that the inductive charging device can provide.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a temperature value within the ambulatory infusion pump before initiating charging of the rechargeable battery, and to initiate charging only if the temperature value is below the drug sensitivity threshold temperature.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a notification to a user that charging has not been initiated if the temperature within the ambulatory infusion pump is above the drug sensitivity threshold temperature.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to, before enabling initiation of charging of the rechargeable battery, determine a temperature value within the ambulatory infusion pump and, if the temperature value is above the drug sensitivity threshold temperature, initiate charging at the second charge rate rather than the first charge rate.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a notification to a user that the charging rate has been reduced to the second charging rate.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to, when the inductive charging device is transferring power at the second charging rate, increase the charging rate to the first charging rate if one of the plurality of temperature values ​​and a rate of change among the plurality of temperature values ​​are below the first of the one or more predetermined thresholds.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to suspend delivery of the medication using the ambulatory infusion pump if one or more of the plurality of temperature values ​​and the rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump are above the one or more predetermined thresholds.

20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide a notification to a user on a user interface or remote control device of the ambulatory infusion pump to check alignment of the ambulatory infusion pump on the inductive charging device if one or more of the plurality of temperature values ​​and a rate of change of the plurality of temperature values ​​within the ambulatory infusion pump are above a first threshold or a second threshold.

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