Portable medical device equipped with vibrator

Abstract

To provide an improved portable medical device capable of providing a tactile instruction to a user carrying the device.SOLUTION: A portable medical device 1 includes: a housing having a wall element 101 and a vibrator coupling element 102, a convex external surface of the vibrator coupling element 102 protruding toward the outside of the housing from a housing wall part, the vibrator coupling element 102 being coupled to the wall element 101 through a connection element 103, and the connection element 103 being arranged along the outer periphery of the vibrator coupling element 102; and a vibrator 11 configured so as to mechanically vibrate when actuated, arranged in a space defined by the vibrator coupling element 102 at least partially, and mounted on the vibrator coupling element 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable medical device, a skin attachment device for a portable medical device, and a portable medical system. The present invention further relates to a method for providing tactile indications carrying the medical device. The portable medical device may in particular be a portable injection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Portable medical devices are used in many different applications. For example, portable insulin pumps form the basis of the treatment of diabetes mellitus by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Continuous glucose monitors are also increasingly used in diabetes treatment.

[0003] In addition to devices that are carried separately from the body, for example by belt clip, in a trouser pocket, or as a necklace, so-called patch devices are becoming increasingly popular. Such patch devices are attached directly to the body during the application period, typically by adhesive.

[0004] Among other things, such portable medical devices, according to the prior art, are designed to withstand a variety of adverse conditions (e.g., mechanical shock or impact, etc.) and are further required to be particularly liquid-tight sealed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] For such devices, it is important to provide a non-visual user indication to the user due to the sealed housing. Among others, vibration devices in the form of vibrator motors are common to provide user indication in a well-recognizable but individual manner. Vibrator motors are generally of the same type as those widely used, for example, in mobile phones or pager devices. Usually, the vibrator (or vibrator motor) is mounted inside the housing in a substantially fixed manner. In order to transmit the vibrations to the outside, the entire housing or at least a significant part of it needs to be stimulated to vibrate mechanically. However, only a small part of the acceleration resulting from the vibration of the vibrator is transmitted to the housing structure. As a result, the vibrations sensed by the person carrying the device are low, and in extreme cases, none can be sensed at all. This is particularly critical for many people who suffer from reduced tactile sensitivity (for example, many diabetics).

[0006] Furthermore, if the vibrations are transmitted from the vibrator to the housing as a whole, the skin-piercing element (e.g., an infusion cannula or transcutaneous glucose sensing element) may also be vibrated, resulting in discomfort and potentially severe pain. Furthermore, in the case of an infusion cannula, the vibrations may adversely affect the infusion because the cannula channel in the skin may widen, causing potential flow of the infused drug along the outside of the cannula and out of the body.

[0007] No. 6,126,595 discloses a housing in which the thickness of the housing wall is locally reduced in an area surrounding a piezo vibrator mounted in the housing wall, and due to the reduced wall thickness, the ability of the housing wall to be mechanically stimulated to move back and forth is somewhat improved.

[0008] It is a general object of the present invention to improve upon the prior art with regard to providing tactile indications for portable medical devices. Preferably, the disadvantages of the prior art as mentioned above are at least partially avoided.

[0009] In a general manner, the overall object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Exemplary and preferred embodiments are defined by the subject matter of the dependent claims as well as the description and drawings.

[0010] In one aspect, the general object is realized by a portable medical device designed for attachment to a human body. The portable medical device includes a housing, the housing having a wall element and a vibrator coupling element. The vibrator coupling element is hollow. A convex outer surface of the vibrator coupling element protrudes from the housing wall toward the outside of the housing. The vibrator coupling element is coupled to the wall element via a connection element, the connection element being disposed along an outer periphery of the vibrator coupling element. The portable medical device further includes a vibrator. The vibrator is configured to mechanically vibrate upon activation. The vibrator is at least partially disposed within a space defined by the vibrator coupling element and is attached to the vibrator coupling element. In some embodiments, the vibrator is disposed completely or substantially completely within the space of the vibrator coupling element.

[0011] The wall element, the vibrator coupling element, and the connection element are typically structurally separate, but they may be permanently or removably connected.

[0012] The portable medical device may be skin-mounted by direct attachment to the skin and / or via a skin-attachment device as an intermediate element, as discussed in more detail further below.

[0013] The attachment of the vibrator to the vibrator coupling element is a fixed attachment, resulting in a strong mechanical coupling. The mechanical vibrations of the vibrator are therefore mainly, and preferably substantially completely, transmitted to the vibrator coupling member. Typically, the vibrator is not mechanically coupled or attached to other parts of the medical device in a manner that limits or affects its freedom to move (or vibrate). The attachment of the vibrator to the vibrator coupling element can be achieved, for example, by gluing, clamping or screw fastening. The electrical connection between the vibrator and the further circuit of the portable medical device is preferably flexible and compensates for the relative movements of the vibrator with respect to the further components of the medical device. The electrical connection can be, for example, a flexible cable or a flexible printed circuit board (flex-print).

[0014] The housing can be of any desired shape, for example box-shaped or disk-shaped. Furthermore, the housing can have planar and / or non-planar walls. The wall element as described above is substantially planar and faces the human skin during application. Both the housing and the vibrator coupling element are typically made of plastic. The vibrator coupling element can be located in a vibrator coupling opening in the form of a cutout or opening in the wall element in some embodiments, the edge of the opening circumferentially surrounding the vibrator coupling element. Typically, but not necessarily, the footprint of the opening (in the transverse direction of the wall element) and the vibrator coupling element is , circular. The opening and the vibrator coupling element can have corresponding footprints. In some embodiments, the footprint of the opening is somewhat larger compared to the vibrator coupling element to allow for displacement of the vibrator coupling element relative to the wall element.

[0015] The convex outer surface of the vibrator coupling element can be smooth. In an alternative embodiment, the convex outer surface of the vibrator coupling element can be provided with single or multiple additional bumps or protrusions, particularly in the areas that contact the skin during application, thereby creating a non-smooth surface. Such a non-smooth surface preferably increases the tactile perception of the vibrations by the user. Similarly, the outer surface of the vibrator coupling element can be roughened, particularly in the areas that contact the skin during application.

[0016] Through the designs described herein, improved transmission of vibrations from the vibrator to the user's skin is achieved, resulting in improved sensing of vibrations. Additionally, adverse vibrations of skin-piercing elements, such as infusion cannulas or transcutaneous glucose sensors, are reduced and preferably eliminated. These advantages arise from the fact that vibrations are primarily or completely confined to the vibrator coupling element, rather than the entire housing.

[0017] In some embodiments, the vibrator is configured to vibrate in a plane parallel to the wall element. Correspondingly, in such embodiments, the vibration is tangential to the wall element. The vibration in the plane may be one-dimensional (along one axis) or two-dimensional. In some alternative embodiments, the vibrator may be configured to vibrate in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the wall element and / or in an oblique direction to the wall element.

[0018] In some embodiments, the vibrator coupling element is calotte-shaped. In such embodiments, the convex side of the calotte (or vibrator coupling element) protrudes from the wall element. Furthermore, the vibrator is at least partially disposed inside the calotte (or vibrator coupling element). This type of embodiment is particularly preferred for transmitting vibrations to the skin of the user. Upon application, the apex region of the calotte is preferably pressed gently into the skin without causing skin irritation. Furthermore, the placement of the vibrator inside the calotte is preferred with regard to efficient space usage and the desired strong coupling. The calotte may have the shape of a sphere, or an ellipsoidal portion. In alternative embodiments, the vibrator coupling element can have a different shape, for example a generally cylindrical shape with a tubular side wall and a planar skin-contacting bottom wall, or a tubular portion protruding from the wall element and a calotte-shaped skin-contacting portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the vibrator coupling element is displaceable relative to the wall element. The vibrator coupling element may in particular be displaceable in a direction corresponding to (or parallel to) the vibration direction of the vibrator. That is to say, in embodiments in which the vibrator is configured to vibrate in a plane parallel (or tangential) to the wall element, the vibrator coupling element may also be displaceable relative to the wall element in a plane parallel (or tangential) to the wall element. In embodiments in which the vibrator is configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the wall element, the vibrator coupling element may also be displaceable relative to the wall element in a direction perpendicular to the wall element. Such displaceability of the vibrator coupling element improves the transmission of vibrations from the vibrator to the skin. Preferably, the possible displacement of the vibrator coupling element is large enough not to impede the movement of the vibrator coupling element resulting from the vibrations. The displacement of the vibrator coupling element may be ... as a whole. The term "displaceable" should be understood in the sense of a movement of the vibrator coupling element. The displaceable arrangement of the vibrator coupling element is particularly efficient in decoupling the vibrator coupling element from the wall element and thereby restringing the vibrations to the vibrator coupling element. In an alternative embodiment, the vibrator coupling element is configured to vibrate via small internal deformations without being displaced (or moved) as a whole.

[0020] In some embodiments, the connection element is flexible. As previously explained, flexible connector elements are particularly preferred in order to allow displacement of the vibrator coupling element relative to the wall element (or the entire housing).

[0021] The connection element can in some embodiments surround the vibrator coupling element, preferably over its entire circumference. The connection element can be attached to the vibrator coupling element and to the wall element along its circumference. In some embodiments, the footprint of the vibrator coupling element is usually somewhat smaller compared to the opening of the wall element in which the vibrator coupling element is located, as previously explained. In such embodiments, a transverse (or radial) gap is therefore present between the wall element and the vibrator coupling element. This gap is filled by the connection element. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the vibrator coupling element is axially displaced with respect to the wall element (or the plane defined by the wall element), resulting in an axial gap that is also filled by the connection element. In this context, the axial direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the wall element, while the radial direction refers to a direction parallel to the wall element.

[0022] In some embodiments, the connection element is designed as a bellows. The connection element may be made of any suitable material with sufficient flexibility, such as, for example, rubber or silicone. The connection element can be a separate component that is connected to the wall element and to the vibrator coupling element via corresponding mating structures, or it may be formed integrally with the housing (or the wall element and / or the vibrator coupling element), for example by injection molding of the two components.

[0023] In some embodiments, the connection element comprises at least one swage. A swage is a particularly preferred way to realize a flexible connection between the wall element and the vibrator connection element. Single or multiple swages can be present in a functional series arrangement.

[0024] In some further embodiments, the connection element is an adhesive element and the vibrator coupling element is adhesively attached to the wall element via the adhesive element. In such embodiments, the connection element can be rigid or substantially rigid.

[0025] In some embodiments, the housing is substantially rigid. A generally rigid housing is preferred and may be necessary to withstand external forces that typically act on portable medical devices in use and that, if not absorbed, may damage the device and / or lead to a serious failure. However, a rigid housing is disadvantageous for transmitting vibrations from the inside to the outside of the housing. In this context, the invention at hand has the particular advantage of ensuring good vibration transmission by the vibrator coupling elements, even if the housing is generally solid and rigid.

[0026] In some embodiments, the mass of the vibrator coupling element is small compared to the mass of the housing. A small mass of the vibrator coupling element results in a large vibration amplitude and therefore a good tactile sensation by the person carrying the device. Preferably, the mass of the vibrator coupling element is also small relative to the wall element.

[0027] In some embodiments, the wall element is connected to the vibrator connecting element in a hermetically sealed manner. This can be achieved by a circumferentially closed connecting element without openings. Such an embodiment is particularly preferred in combination with a generally leak-tight (or hermetically sealed) housing. The expression "sealed" refers to protection against the passage of one or more of liquids, gases, vapors and particles (such as, for example, dust).

[0028] In some embodiments, the vibrator is a coin vibration motor. Typically, vibration motors are based on the rotation of an eccentric mass coupled to a motor shaft, causing vibrations due to the unbalanced mass. Coin vibration motors (also called flat vibration motors or pancake vibration motors) consist of a particularly thin coin-shaped motor. Such coin vibrator motors are preferably mounted with the motor axis perpendicular to the plane of the wall element and can preferably be located completely within, for example, a carrot-shaped vibrator coupling element.

[0029] In some further embodiments, the vibrator is an eccentric rotating mass vibratory motor (ERM). With this type of design, an eccentric mass is mounted on the axis of a miniaturized electric motor, typically cylindrical.

[0030] In some further embodiments, the vibrator is a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA). Such LRAs are generally designed similarly to dynamic loudspeakers as known in the art, but are provided with a seismic mass instead of a membrane. Their overall shape can be coin-like, like a coin vibration motor. However, for a coin vibration motor, the vibration direction is parallel (or tangential) to the top and bottom surfaces of the coin-shaped housing. For an LRA, in contrast, the vibration direction is vertical and orthogonal, respectively.

[0031] In general, the term "vibrator" should be understood as an electrically operated device that generates mechanical vibrations when activated, and vibrators in this sense are also commonly used in, for example, mobile phones or pager devices.

[0032] In some embodiments, the portable medical device is a portable infusion device, in particular an insulin pump. Such portable infusion devices are used in diabetes treatment, in particular via continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), and are designed to administer liquid medication (e.g., liquid insulin formulations) in small, substantially continuous doses, typically according to a time-varying infusion schedule, and to further administer larger amounts of medication on demand. Various general designs for portable infusion devices are known in the art. In alternative embodiments, the portable medical device may additionally or alternatively be or include other types of therapeutic devices (e.g., stimulation devices, etc.) and / or be diagnostic devices (e.g., continuous glucose monitors, etc.), such as are increasingly used in diabetes treatment. Typically, the portable medical device is an electronic device, e.g., based on one or more microcomputers or microcontrollers, as generally known in the art. The control circuit includes a control circuit such as that shown in FIG.

[0033] In some embodiments, the housing includes an attachment device attachment structure for releasably attaching the portable medical device to the skin-attachment device. The attachment device attachment structure is typically designed for a releasable form-fit and may be designed with one or more catch hooks or notches designed for engagement with complementary counter elements, as further described below.

[0034] According to a further aspect, the general object is realized by a skin-attachment device. The skin-attachment device includes a substantially planar body portion with a skin-attachment side and an opposing medical device attachment side. The skin-attachment side includes a skin-attachment structure for releasably attaching the skin-attachment device to a human's skin. The medical device attachment side includes a medical device attachment structure for releasably engaging with an attachment device attachment structure of a portable medical device as discussed above and / or further below. The body portion includes a vibrator coupling opening. The vibrator coupling opening (typically in the form of a cutout or opening) is of a through-type and is positioned to allow protrusion of a vibrator coupling element, as described in more detail further below. The skin-attachment device is often referred to as a "cradle."

[0035] The skin attachment structure is typically realized by an adhesive coating and / or layer that is initially covered by a removable liner. In particular, the medical device attachment structure can be realized as one or more counter elements for the attachment device attachment structure of the portable medical device. The attachment device attachment structure and the medical device attachment structure can be combined to form a removable snap-fit ​​connection. In other embodiments, the attachment device attachment structure and the medical device attachment structure can cooperate according to different principles. For example, one of the attachment device attachment structure and the medical device attachment structure can be or include a magnet, and the other can be or include a corresponding ferromagnetic element, thereby realizing a magnetic coupling.

[0036] The skin-attachment device further includes a cannula coupling structure for coupling to a cannula and / or a fluid connection structure, as described further below in the context of an exemplary embodiment. Typically, the cannula coupling structure is distinct from the vibrator coupling opening.

[0037] According to a further aspect, the general object is realised by a portable medical system including a portable medical device and at least one skin-mounted device, wherein in a configuration in which the medical device is attached to the skin-mounted device, a vibrator coupling element protrudes through a vibrator coupling opening towards the skin-mounted side.

[0038] Typically, skin-attached devices are designed for a single use over a certain period of time, e.g., days or weeks, followed by disposal, while portable medical devices are designed for longer periods of use, e.g., months up to years. Such portable medical systems allow the portable medical device to be carried alongside multiple skin-attached devices, with the skin-contacting skin-attached devices being repeatedly replaced.

[0039] In such a portable medical system, the skin-attached device is disposed between the skin and the portable medical device during application, and the wall element of the portable medical device is , facing and in contact with the medical device attachment side of the skin-attached device. Due to the vibrator coupling element protruding through the vibrator coupling opening, the distance between the wall element and the skin (as defined as the thickness of the body of the skin-attached device) is bridged, such that the vibrator coupling element is in direct contact with the skin. The vibrator coupling device protrudes beyond the plane defined by the skin-attached side.

[0040] However, in an alternative embodiment of the portable medical device, the portable medical device is designed for direct skin attachment and may carry a skin attachment structure (e.g., an adhesive layer or coating) directly on the wall element surrounding the vibrator coupling element.

[0041] According to a further aspect, the general object is realized by a method for providing tactile cues to a human carrying a portable medical device, the method comprising actuating a vibrator motor thereby transmitting vibrations in a plane parallel to a wall element to the skin of the person.

[0042] Tactile indications may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to visual and / or auditory indications, inter alia, as individualized user feedback and / or to alert humans in the event of exceptional situations that may require immediate attention (e.g., an empty battery, an empty drug reservoir, or a malfunction, etc.). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a portion of a portable medical device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a portable medical system. [Diagram 3] 4A-4D show schematic diagrams of further embodiments in which a different attachment of the vibrator coupling element to the wall element is provided. [Figure 4] 1A-1D show schematic diagrams of two alternative embodiments of a vibrator coupling element; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] In the following, exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail, additionally with reference to the figures.

[0045] Please note that all directional terms such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", etc. refer to the figures and are intended only to aid in the reader's understanding. They do not imply any particular direction or orientation when used. Also, all references to coordinate systems should be understood as an aid for the reader.

[0046] 1 shows in schematic side view a portion of a portable infusion device 1, which may in particular be an insulin pump and serves as an exemplary portable medical device, although alternatively another type of portable medical device may be present (e.g. a continuous glucose monitor, etc.).

[0047] The portable injection device 1 comprises a housing 10, of which only a wall element 101 is shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity. The wall element 101 is generally planar and may form the bottom of the preferably sealed housing 10. During application, the wall element 101 is parallel to and faces the skin S of a person carrying the portable injection device 1. The skin S and the wall element 101 are parallel to the xz plane. Within a circular opening 101a of the wall element 101 a vibrator coupling element in the form of a calotte 102 is concentrically arranged. The housing 10 and, in particular, the wall element 101 and the carrot 102 are typically made of a generally rigid plastic. Preferably, the carrot 102 has a small mass, in particular when compared to the combined mass of the housing 10 and the wall element 101.

[0048] The portable infusion device 1 is designed for skin attachment via a skin attachment device which, upon application, bridges the distance between the housing 10 (or wall element 101) and the skin S. In Figure 1 the skin attachment device is not shown for clarity.

[0049] A vibrator in the form of a coin vibrator motor 11 is fixedly mounted inside the carrot 102. The coin vibrator motor 11 is electrically connected to further circuitry (e.g. a printed circuit board) of the portable injection device 1 via flexible wiring.

[0050] The diameter of the carrot 102 is somewhat smaller compared to the diameter of the opening 101a, resulting in a radial gap G between them. Moreover, in this example, the carrot 102 is somewhat axially spaced from the wall element 101 towards the skin (in the y direction). Between the opening 101a and the carrot 102, a connecting element in the form of a bellows 103 is arranged, which bridges the radial gap G and the axial distance between the carrot 102 and the wall element 101. The bellows 103 is made of an elastic (or flexible) material and is connected to the wall element 101 at the periphery of the opening 101, as well as to the periphery of the carrot 102. The bellows 103 is ring-shaped in the line of sight parallel to the y axis and surrounds the carrot 102 over its entire circumference. As can be seen, the bellows 103 is provided with two exemplary swages that improve its flexibility, particularly in the xz plane. The bellows 103 provides a mechanically elastic connection between the wall element 101 and the carot 102 .

[0051] When activated, the coin vibrator motor 11 vibrates parallel to the xz plane and the housing wall 101. Due to the rigid coupling of the coin vibrator motor 11 to the carrot 102 and the flexible coupling of the carrot 102 to the wall element 101 (via the bellows 103), the carrot 102 also vibrates parallel to the xz plane with a significant amplitude that can be well perceived by a person carrying the device due to the carrot 102 being in contact with the human skin S (in the area of ​​its apex).

[0052] In the following, additional reference is made to Figure 2, which shows diagrammatically a portable infusion device 1, generally of the same type as previously described in the context of Figure 1, together with a skin-attached device 2, thereby forming a portable medical system.

[0053] The skin attachment device 2 comprises a generally plate-shaped body part 21. On the skin attachment side (bottom side in Fig. 2) a generally continuous adhesive layer 23 is provided for releasable skin attachment. On the opposing medical device attachment side (top side in Fig. 2) the plate-shaped body part 21 comprises a medical device attachment structure 22 for releasably engaging with a corresponding attachment device attachment structure (not shown in detail) of the portable infusion device 1 by means of a releasable form-fitting. In the coupled state the portable infusion device 1 and the skin attachment device 2 form a sandwich structure. The body part 21 has a vibrator coupling opening in the form of a through vibrator coupling opening 21a. The through vibrator coupling opening 21a is aligned with the carrot 102 as a vibrator coupling element when the portable injection device 1 and the skin-attachment device 2 are coupled together. The carrot 102 protrudes through the vibrator coupling opening 21a and protrudes slightly below the bottom side of the body portion 21 and the adhesive layer 23, allowing its apex area to safely contact human skin. In order not to impede the movement of the carrot 21, the diameter of the vibrator coupling opening 21a is somewhat larger than the diameter of the carrot 102 (or the lateral dimension of the carrot 102).

[0054] Moreover, the skin-attached device 2 includes a cannula coupling structure, which is realized by a through cannula opening (not referenced) in the body 21 and an engagement means (not shown in detail) for the cannula 12, as well as a vibrator coupling opening 21a. In the coupled state, the cannula 12 establishes a fluid connection with the portable infusion device 21, for example via a septum arranged in the wall element 101. Alternatively or additionally, the skin-attached device 2 includes a fluid path, which may for example be integrated in the body 23, and a fluid connection structure 24 in the form of a fluid connector arranged on the periphery of the body 21 for connecting with a fluid line (for example a catheter). In such an embodiment, the skin-attached device 2 can include a cannula for connecting to a septum of the portable infusion device, as explained above. In a variant, the skin-attached device directly includes a cannula as an integral part.

[0055] 3 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment in which an alternative coupling of the carrot 102 and the wall element 101 is performed. In this embodiment, the connection element is not designed as a bellows as in the previous embodiment, but as an adhesive element 103a in the form of a ring-shaped adhesive layer at the interconnection of the wall element 101 and the carrot 102. This type of embodiment is particularly useful if the vibrator 11 (not shown) arranged inside the carrot 102 vibrates in the y-direction. This may be the case, for example, with respect to an LRA as previously described.

[0056] Fig. 4 exemplarily shows, in schematic form, a further alternative design for the vibrator coupling element 102. In Fig. 4a, the vibrator coupling element 102 is generally carrot-shaped, as in the previous embodiment. However, in the area that contacts the user's skin during application, it is provided with a number of nubs 102a that improve tactile sensation. In the embodiment of Fig. 4b, the shape of the vibrator coupling element 102 is generally cylindrical. If desired, the nubs 102a as shown in Fig. 4a can also be present. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Portable medical devices / portable infusion devices 10. Housing 101 Wall Element 101a aperture 102 Vibrator connecting element / Carrot 102a Hump 103 Connection elements / bellows 103a Connection elements / adhesive elements 11 Vibrator / Coin vibrator motor 12 Cannula 13 Mounting device mounting structure 2. Skin-attached device 21 Main body 21a Vibrator coupling opening 22 Medical device mounting structure 23 Skin attachment structure / adhesive layer 24a Cannula connection structure 24 Fluid connection structure G gap S skin

Claims

1. A portable medical device (1), said portable medical device (1) being designed for attachment to a human body, said portable medical device (1) comprising: a) a housing (10), said housing having a wall element (101) and a vibrator coupling element (102), the convex outer surface of said vibrator coupling element (102) protruding from a housing wall (X) towards the outside of said housing (10), said vibrator coupling element (102) being coupled to said wall element (101) via a connecting element (103), said connecting element (103) being arranged along the outer periphery of said vibrator coupling element (102); b) a vibrator (11), the vibrator (11) being configured to mechanically vibrate upon actuation, the vibrator (11) being at least partially disposed within a space defined by the vibrator coupling element (102) and attached to the vibrator coupling element (102); A portable medical device (1).

2. 2. The portable medical device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator (11) is configured to vibrate in a plane parallel to the wall element (101).

3. 3. The portable medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibrator coupling element (102) is carrot-shaped.

4. 4. The portable medical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vibrator coupling element (102) is displaceable relative to the wall element (1).

5. 5. The portable medical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said connecting element (103) is flexible.

6. 6. The portable medical device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (103) is designed as a bellows.

7. 7. Portable injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing (10) is substantially rigid.

8. 8. The portable medical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mass of the vibrator coupling element (102) is small compared to the mass of the housing (10).

9. 9. The portable medical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said wall element (101) is coupled to said vibrator coupling element (102) in a hermetically sealed manner.

10. 10. The portable medical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the vibrator (11) is a coin vibration motor.

11. 11. The portable medical device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portable medical device (1) is a portable infusion device, in particular an insulin pump.

12. The portable medical device (1) of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing (10) includes an attachment device attachment structure (13) for removably attaching the portable medical device (1) to a skin attachment device (2).

13. A skin-attachment device (2), comprising a substantially planar body portion (21) including a skin-attachment side and an opposing medical device attachment side; - the skin attachment side includes a skin attachment structure (23) for releasably attaching the skin attachment device to human skin; - the medical device mounting side comprises a medical device mounting structure (22) for releasably engaging with the attachment device mounting structure (13) of the portable medical device (1) according to claim 12; a skin-attachment device (2), wherein the body portion (21) includes a vibrator coupling opening (21a), and the skin-attachment device (2) further includes a cannula coupling structure (24a) for coupling to a cannula (12) and / or a fluid connection structure (24).

14. A portable medical system, comprising a portable medical device (1) according to claim 12 and at least one skin-attached device (2) according to claim 13, A portable medical system, wherein, in a configuration in which the medical device (1) is attached to the skin-attachment device (2), the vibrator coupling element (102) protrudes through a vibrator coupling opening (21a) toward the skin-attachment side.

15. A method for providing tactile indications to a person carrying a portable medical device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 or a portable medical system as claimed in claim 14, the method comprising activating the vibrator (11) thereby transmitting vibrations in a plane parallel to the wall element (101) to the skin of the person.

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