Wearable drug delivery device for microdosing

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate to a wearable automatic drug delivery device configured to provide only basal insulin doses. In a primary embodiment, the wearable drug delivery device is configured to provide automatic operation and provides audible alerts and visual status indicators to the patient. In other embodiments, the patient can exercise some control over the operation of the device by providing tapping gestures on the device's housing. In yet another embodiment, the patient can provide input and receive status from the wearable drug delivery device via an application running on a portable computing device that wirelessly communicates with the device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 150,871, filed February 18, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 071,196, filed August 27, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Additionally, the contents of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 072,417, filed August 31, 2020, are incorporated by reference in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] Many people require medicines to be delivered in microdoses. For example, diabetics require a daily basal dose of insulin, or co-formulated insulin and GLP-1, delivered in microdoses over the course of a day. Similarly, chemotherapy drugs, fertility drugs, and other drugs, such as methadone, may also need to be delivered in microdoses.

[0003] Many type 2 diabetes patients require a basal level of insulin every day. For these patients, delivery of basal insulin can be achieved through daily injections of long-acting insulin. However, in many cases, type 2 diabetes patients may have difficulty complying with antidiabetic drug regimens delivered via injection for a variety of reasons, including, for example, fear of self-administration of injections, inconvenience, poor patient-physician communication, and negative patient perceptions of both drugs and treatments.

[0004] Numerous wearable drug delivery devices provide delivery of drugs such as insulin (both fast-acting and long-acting), GLP-1, chemotherapy drugs, pain management drugs, and the like. One example of such a drug delivery device is the OmniPod® drug delivery device manufactured by Insulet Corporation of Acton, Massachusetts, shown as 100 in FIG. 1, or devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,303,549, 7,137,964, or 6,740,059, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, known devices are designed to deliver additional doses of insulin to supplement the basal dose self-administered by the patient via daily injections. Thus, there is a need for a simple wearable device that provides a basal dose of insulin with minimal input from or interaction with the patient to promote patient compliance with a dosing regimen.

[0005] definition The term "liquid medication" as used herein is defined to include long-acting and rapid acting insulin, GLP-1, co-formulated GLP-1 and long-acting or rapid acting insulin, chemotherapy drugs, painkillers (e.g., morphine), blood pressure medications, hormones, methadone, and any other drug or combination that is to be administered in liquid form. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] Disclosed herein is a wearable drug delivery device, also referred to herein as a "basal pod," intended to deliver only a basal dose of liquid medication to a patient, and not additional doses of liquid medication to the patient. A single basal pod, when worn by a patient, is designed to deliver small doses of liquid medication to the patient continuously for several days. The basal pod is then removed from the patient's body and replaced with a new basal pod or refilled and reused. The basal pod is designed to operate autonomously with little or no interaction with the patient after attachment to the patient's body.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the basal pod is loaded with rapid acting insulin that is delivered to the patient over a 72 hour period.

[0009] To easily identify any particular element or act, the most significant digit(s) in a reference number refers to the figure number in which that element is first introduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art wearable drug delivery device. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating various components of several different embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 illustrates one possible embodiment of a wearable drug delivery device that provides a syringe and needle guide for the fill port of the device. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 illustrates one possible embodiment of a wearable drug delivery device that provides a syringe and needle guide for the fill port of the device. [Figure 4A] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4B]1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4C] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4D] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4E] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4F] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4G] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4H] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4I] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4J] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4K] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Figure 4L] 1A-1D show various steps during the operation of a first embodiment of the device and illustrate novel features of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of a second embodiment of the device. [Figure 6A] FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of a third embodiment of a device that utilizes a personal computing device running an application to provide limited control of the device and feedback to the user. [Figure 6B]FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of a third embodiment of a device that utilizes a personal computing device running an application to provide limited control of the device and feedback to the user. [Figure 6C] FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of a third embodiment of a device that utilizes a personal computing device running an application to provide limited control of the device and feedback to the user. [Figure 6D] FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of a third embodiment of a device that utilizes a personal computing device running an application to provide limited control of the device and feedback to the user. [Figure 6E] FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of a third embodiment of a device that utilizes a personal computing device running an application to provide limited control of the device and feedback to the user. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 shows various syringes that may be used to assist the user in filling the device with liquid medication, with markings specific to devices with different preprogrammed basal rates. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The invention is described herein with respect to its use by type 2 diabetes patients who require a daily basal dose of insulin, however, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention may be used by anyone who requires microdosing of a liquid drug, as defined herein.

[0012] The devices and methods according to the present disclosure are more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more embodiments are shown. The devices and methods may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the methods and devices to those skilled in the art. Each of the devices and methods disclosed herein provides one or more advantages over conventional systems, components, and methods.

[0013] 2 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary drug delivery device 200 according to the present invention and suitable for providing only a basal dose of a liquid medication over a period of several days. In an exemplary embodiment, the drug delivery device 200 is configured not to deliver additional doses to a patient over a period of several days, and thus is not configured with additional buttons or features.

[0014] The drug delivery device 200 may execute the basal delivery algorithm 206 (and / or provide functionality for the basal delivery algorithm 206) to manage or control the automatic delivery of a basal dose of a liquid drug without any user interaction, or in some embodiments, with limited user interaction.

[0015] The foundation pod 200 may be housed within a housing 100 similar to that shown in Figure 1, which corresponds to a prior art wearable drug delivery device. The housing 100 may be a single piece or multiple pieces joined together, and may be pre-configured with an adhesive on its bottom surface to facilitate attachment of the foundation pod 200 to the patient's skin.

[0016] The basal pod 200 may be configured with a processor 202. The processor executes software or programming code stored in a memory 204, such as a basal delivery algorithm 206. The basal delivery algorithm 206 may be an application operable to cause the basal pod 202 to deliver a basal dose of a liquid medication according to preprogrammed parameters.

[0017] The processor 202 may control a reservoir and a pump 208 configured to pump liquid medication from the reservoir to a patient interface 210 in preconfigured dosages. In some embodiments, the reservoir and pump may be integrated to form a single unit, while in other embodiments, the reservoir and pump may be separate units, with the pump configured to draw the liquid medication from the reservoir 208 and deliver it to the patient interface 210.

[0018] The patient interface 210 may include a needle or cannula for delivering the drug into the patient's body (delivery may be subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intravenous). The processor 202 may control the patient interface 210, for example, to insert the patient interface 210 into the patient's body after the basal pod 200 is attached to the patient's body. Programmable code for controlling the insertion of the patient interface 210 may be stored in the memory 204 and executed by the processor 202, and may be part of the basal delivery algorithm 206 or may be separate from the basal delivery algorithm 206.

[0019] In some embodiments, the basement pod 200 may be configured with an audible alert 216, which is used as described below. The audible alert 216 may include, for example, a piezoelectric sound transducer or a speaker. The basement pod 200 may be configured with a visual status indicator 218, which may be, for example, a multi-colored LED, the use and purpose of which is also described below.

[0020] In some implementations, the base pod 200 may include a communications interface 214. The communications interface may be a wireless transceiver that operates according to one or more radio frequency protocols, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a short-range wireless communication standard, a cellular standard, or the like.

[0021] In some embodiments, the basal pod 200 may optionally communicate with a status device 250 via the communication interface 214. The status device 250 may be configured with a processor 252 and a memory 254 containing a status application 256. The status application 256 may be configured to provide status information regarding the basal pod 200 to the patient via a user interface 258 and may allow a degree of control over the operation of the device 200. Status may be received by the status device 250 via a communication interface 252, which may communicate with the communication interface 214 on the basal pod 200 via a communication link 240. In some embodiments, the status device 250 may include, for example, a smartphone, a tablet device, a smartwatch, or any other personal mobile computing device capable of running the status application 256 and receiving status from the basal pod 200 via the communication link 240. In some embodiments, for example in a hospital environment, the status device 250 may be a hub connecting multiple base pods 200 from multiple patients, allowing multiple patients to be monitored simultaneously at a single location.

[0022] The base pod 200, including all of the components discussed above, is powered by a power source 212. The power source may be, for example, one or more batteries or a power harvesting device.

[0023] The base pod 200 may be provided with a removable cap 302, shown in FIG. 3A, on its bottom surface. The cap 302 serves several purposes. First, an area 303 of the cap 302 covers an opening in the housing 100 of the base pod 200 through which the cannula is deployed, thereby protecting the needle and the cannula during delivery of the device 200. Second, the cap 302 provides a guide 304 positioned to cover a fill port 404 (see FIG. 4C) of the device 200. The guide 304 serves to help the patient properly align the needle of a syringe as it is inserted into the fill port 404 to fill the reservoir 208 of the device 200 with a liquid drug. Additionally, the guide 304 can serve to prevent the user from inserting the needle too deeply into the device 200, which could damage the device 200. FIG. 3B shows one embodiment of the guide 304 in cross section. The cross-sectional view shows that guide 304 has an internal tapered conical surface that tends to guide the syringe needle toward fill port 404. Various alternative embodiments of cap 302 are shown in U.S. Patent No. 10,661,012, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0024] During operation, the processor 202 of the basal pod 200 executes a basal delivery algorithm. Initially, the processor 202, under the control of the basal delivery algorithm 206, communicates with the patient interface 210 to cause a cannula to be inserted into the patient's skin. Once the patient interface is properly deployed, the basal delivery algorithm 206, under the control of the processor 202, determines the timing and size of a basal dose of liquid medication to be dispensed from the reservoir / pump 208 through the patient interface 210. The size and timing of the basal dose may depend on preprogrammed parameters. When the basal delivery algorithm 206 determines that it is time for the next dose of liquid medication, the processor 202 commands the reservoir pump 208 to expel the required amount of liquid medication from the reservoir pump through the patient interface 210 to the patient.

[0025] The first main embodiment of the present invention is designed to provide the patient with the simplest possible experience in using the basal pod. The basal pod 200 will have a pre-programmed basal rate. For example, in some embodiments, the pre-programmed basal rate may include 10u, 15u, 20u, 30u, 35u, 40u per day. Any pre-programmed basal rate may be utilized, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. If the medical professional determines that the patient requires a different basal rate, in one embodiment, the patient is prompted to switch to a different model of basal pod 200 having a different pre-programmed basal rate. Additionally, the basal pod 200 provides timed automatic deployment of the cannula under the control of the basal delivery algorithm 206. The status of the device is communicated to the patient via a visible status indicator, preferably an LED contained within and visible through the housing 100 of the device. Additionally, an alert state of the basal pod 200 may be communicated to the user via an audible alert. In this embodiment of the invention, the status device 250 is not used, and as such, the base pod 200 may not be configured with a communication interface 214, or alternatively, the communication interface 214 may be disabled. As such, the drug delivery device may be less expensive than prior art devices in that fewer components may be required.

[0026] As described above, each drug delivery device 200 may have a different preprogrammed basal rate. In an exemplary embodiment, the drug delivery device may be color coded and / or number coded based on the preprogrammed basal rate. For example, a drug delivery device 200 preprogrammed to deliver 40 units of basal insulin over a 24-hour period may be colored blue and / or labeled with a label on the housing, such as, for example, "Basal 40U." And a drug delivery device preprogrammed to deliver 20 units of basal insulin over a 24-hour period may be colored green and / or labeled with a label on the housing, such as, for example, "Basal 20U." The amount of insulin preprogrammed to be delivered via basal delivery over a 24-hour period may vary based on different users, e.g., children or adults, or based on the severity of the patient's medical condition. And the user can easily know, for example, which drug delivery device is appropriate for the user's condition based on the color coding, the "Basal" indicator, and / or the unit number label.

[0027] In certain embodiments, each drug delivery device 200 may be sold with a syringe. The syringe may be used to fill the drug delivery device with a liquid medication. As shown in FIG. 7, the attached syringe may have a line 702. The line indicates the amount of liquid medication to be drawn from the vial and inserted into the drug delivery device 200. Additionally, the syringe may be marked with a basal rate 704. The basal rate 704 may be color coded to match the label on the drug delivery device 200. The drug delivery device may also be color coded with different colors to indicate different preprogrammed basal rates, as previously described.

[0028] In certain embodiments, and particularly for new users of the device, a starter kit may be provided. The starter kit may include several drug delivery devices with different pre-programmed basal rates, along with pre-labeled, color-coded accompanying syringes to be used to fill the devices. For example, in one embodiment, the starter kit may include five 10-unit devices, five 15-unit devices, and five 20-unit devices. Other assortments of devices with a given number of devices and different pre-programmed basal rates may be used. Also included in the starter kit may be, for example, a quick start guide and training materials, such as a user guide.

[0029] 4A-4L show the operation of a first main embodiment of the foundation pod 200. A disposable version of the foundation pod 200 may be pre-packaged in a sealed container 401 as shown in FIG. 4A. As mentioned above, various models of the foundation pod 200 may be equipped with different pre-programmed basal rates, so that the patient can select the appropriate model of the foundation pod 200 based on the desired basal rate prescribed by the patient's medical professional. In a first step, the patient removes the foundation pod 200 from the sealed container 401. It is noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the foundation pod 200 is provided with a cap 402. The cap 402 serves to cover the opening through which the cannula is deployed. In various aspects of the embodiment of the present invention, the foundation pod 200 may be provided with the above-mentioned cap shown in FIG. 3, i.e., a cap that may include a fill port guide 304 to assist the user in filling the foundation pod 200 with liquid medication, or the cap 402 shown in FIG. 4.

[0030] In FIG. 4B, the patient fills a syringe 403 with liquid medication from a container of the liquid medication. Preferably, the syringe 403 will have a single fill line to avoid ambiguity and errors in drawing the appropriate amount of liquid medication from the container. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid medication is rapid acting insulin. FIG. 4C shows the patient inserting the needle of the syringe 403 into the fill port 404 of the foundation pod 200. As the needle of the syringe 403 is inserted into the fill port 404, the needle may pierce a septum positioned within the fill port 404. As previously mentioned, in another feature of the present invention, the patient may insert the needle of the syringe 403 into the fill port guide 304 of the cap 302 to help the user properly align the syringe 403 with the fill port 404 of the foundation pod 200. As the patient depresses the plunger of the syringe 403, the liquid medication is transferred from the syringe 403 through the fill port 404 of the base pod 200 and into the reservoir 208. In other embodiments of the present invention, the base pod 200 may be pre-filled with the liquid medication.

[0031] The basal delivery algorithm 206 can detect that liquid medication has been inserted into the reservoir 208. This detection can be based, for example, on input from a sensor (not shown) that senses the position of a plunger within the reservoir 208. Any means known to one of skill in the art for detecting that liquid medication has been deployed into the reservoir 208 is intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Once liquid medication has been inserted into the reservoir 208, this can initiate a timer. When the timer expires, it initiates automatic deployment of a cannula (not shown) into the patient's skin. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the timer can be set for at least a period of time sufficient for the patient to position the basal pod 200 on their body, for example, three minutes. Optionally, the basal pod 200 can activate an audible alert 216 to emit one or more beeps to alert the patient that the timer has been started and to indicate that the patient should proceed with positioning the basal pod 200 on their body. In other embodiments, for example where basal pod 200 is pre-filled with liquid medication, the timer may be initiated using another mechanism, for example removal of cap 302 or 402 .

[0032] FIG. 4D shows the patient removing the cap 402 from the bottom of the foundation pod 200. As previously mentioned, the cap 402 may be of the type shown in FIG. 4D or may be of the type shown in FIG. 3 with an integral fill port guide 304. The foundation pod 200 preferably has an adhesive 409 on its bottom surface to facilitate attachment of the foundation pod 200 to the patient's body. In FIG. 4E, the patient removes the backing 408 from the adhesive 409 on the bottom of the foundation pod 200, and in FIG. 4F, the patient adheres the foundation pod 200 to a convenient location on the patient's body. As shown in FIG. 4F, the patient is positioning the device on the patient's upper arm. The patient may position the foundation pod 200 in any convenient location on the patient's body, but preferably the foundation pod 200 is oriented so that the user can visualize the visual status indicator 218. FIG. 4G shows the foundation pod 200 deployed on the patient's body and ready for operation. The patient should have the basal pod 200 in place on the body before the timer, which is started by injecting liquid medication into the reservoir 208, expires.

[0033] Once the timer has expired, the cannula is inserted into the patient's body. The cannula may be inserted by pushing the needle into the patient's skin and then retracting the needle into the base pod 200, thereby leaving the cannula deployed within the patient's skin. Deployment of the cannula may be proceeded by activation of the audible alert 216, such as by causing the audible alert 216 to emit one or more short beeps. The audible alert 216 may be reactivated to emit one or more short beeps to indicate successful deployment of the cannula.

[0034] 4H illustrates the foundation pod 200 in an active and functioning state. The active and functioning state of the foundation pod 200 may be indicated by activation of the visual status indicator 218. In a preferred embodiment, for example, the visual status indicator 218 may be activated to show a continuous or flashing green indication.

[0035] The basal pod 200 will deploy a basal dose of liquid medication over several days under the control of the basal delivery algorithm 206. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir 208 may contain enough liquid medication to last approximately 72 hours. As shown in FIG. 4I, after deploying a basal dose of liquid medication over several days, the basal pod 200 may provide an audible or visual indication that the liquid medication in the reservoir 208 is nearly depleted. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for example, activating the visual status indicator 218 may provide a continuous or flashing red or amber indication that the liquid medication level remaining in the reservoir 208 has reached a critical predetermined amount, such as 20 units, 10 units, 5 units, 0 units, or the like. The audible or visual indication may serve as an indication to the patient that the basal pod 200 may be removed from the patient's body.

[0036] If the patient fails to remove the basal pod 200 after the initial audible or visual indication, a further audible or visual indication may be provided, as shown in FIG. 4J. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this further audible or visual indication may include, for example, activating the visual status indicator 218 to provide a flashing red indication, and additionally activating the audible alert 216 to provide a beep indication. If the patient still fails to remove the basal pod 200, the audible alert 216 may be further activated to provide a continuous beep, indicating that the basal pod 200 has been deactivated and has ceased delivery of the liquid medication.

[0037] 4K illustrates removal of foundation pod 200 from the patient's body. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the cannula may be retracted into foundation pod 200 at which point the user is provided with an audible or visual indication to remove foundation pod 200. In other embodiments, the cannula may be removed from the patient's skin as foundation pod 200 is removed from the patient's body.

[0038] If at any time during the deployment of the basal pod 200 on the patient's body the basal pod 200 enters a dangerous or error state, an audible and / or visual indication may be provided to the patient. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the visual status indicator 218 may be activated to provide a flashing red indication and / or the audible alert 216 may be activated to provide a continuous beep. The basal pod 200 may enter an error state for a variety of reasons, such as failure to properly deploy the cannula, blockage of the reservoir / pump 208, etc. Once an error state is indicated, the basal pod 200 should be immediately removed from the patient's body.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4L, the first embodiment of the invention may optionally be provided with a window or indicator 410 of the fill status of the reservoir 408. As shown in Figure 4L, the status indicator 410 may be provided in the form of a gauge similar to a fuel gauge in an automobile that indicates the level of the reservoir between empty and full. In other aspects of the invention, any type of indicator 410 may be provided that displays the fill status of the reservoir 208.

[0040] A second embodiment of the present invention is provided that is similar to the first embodiment, except that certain aspects of the operation of the foundation pod 200 may be controlled by a user via a gesture or a series of gestures. The gesture may include, for example, tapping on the housing 100 of the foundation pod 200. In this embodiment, the foundation pod 200 may be provided with a gesture sensor 220 as shown in FIG. 2. The gesture sensor may be, for example, an accelerometer, or any other device or sensor capable of detecting contact between a patient's finger and the housing 100 of the foundation pod 200.

[0041] In this embodiment of the invention, instead of being triggered by the expiration of a timer, the insertion of the cannula into the patient's skin is triggered by a gesture by the patient after the foundation pod 200 is applied to the patient's body. In a preferred embodiment, the gesture may be, for example, a "double tap" performed by the patient's fingertip on the housing 100 of the foundation pod 200, but any gesture may be used. The gesture detected by the gesture sensor 220 causes the basal delivery algorithm 206 to start a short timer, for example a 10 second timer. The expiration of the timer triggers the deployment of the cannula into the patient's skin.

[0042] Additionally, in a second embodiment of the present invention, the patient can terminate the audible alert by providing a gesture on the housing 100 of the basal pod 200. For example, an alert indicating the end of life of the basal pod 200 or an alert indicating the presence of an error condition within the basal pod 200 can be silenced by a gesture from the patient. Additionally, the patient may provide a patient gesture to eliminate any visual status indicators. For example, a flashing green light indicating a ready operational status of the basal pod 200 may be irritating to the patient, especially at night. The patient can provide a patient gesture to deactivate the visual status indicator 218. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the visual status indicator 218 may be reactivated after a predetermined time or upon detection of an additional patient gesture.

[0043] The gesture sensor 220 may work in conjunction with the visual status indicator 218 and / or the audible alert 216. For example, when the visual status indicator is a particular solid or intermittent color, such as solid yellow, the gesture indicator 220 may wait for a gesture (e.g., a double tap on the housing) that will trigger a particular action (e.g., inserting the cannula through the patient's skin). Alternatively, when the visual status indicator is a different color, such as solid red, and / or the audible alert 116 emits a continuous or intermittent beep alarm, the gesture indicator 220 may trigger a different action upon receiving a gesture from the patient (e.g., a double tap on the housing). In this manner, a single, easy-to-remember gesture can cause the basal pod 200 to take different actions (e.g., insert a needle, start basal insulin delivery, stop basal insulin delivery, or stop a visual status or audible alert), and a particular color of the visual status indicator 218 or a sound emitted from the audible alert 216 can inform the user what action will result upon exertion of a gesture detected by the gesture sensor 220 (e.g., double-tapping the housing of the basal pod 200). The gesture sensor 220 can detect a variety of gestures. Each of these gestures can result in a different action. For example, tapping the housing of the basal pod 200 twice while an alarm is sounding can silence the alarm for ten minutes, and tapping the housing four times can silence the alarm permanently.

[0044] In all other aspects, the operation of the second embodiment of the invention is identical to that of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0045] In a third embodiment of the present invention, the base pod 200 is in wireless communication with a status device 250, as shown in FIG. 2. The base pod 200 is provided with a communication interface 214. The communication interface 214 can communicate with a communication interface 252 of the status device 250 via a communication link 240. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication link 240 is a Bluetooth connection, but any other wireless communication protocol can be utilized. A status application 256 is stored in the memory 254 of the status device 250 and executed by the processor 252. The status application 256 can utilize a native user interface 258 of the status device 250, for example a touch-sensitive screen of a smartphone. In a preferred embodiment, the status device 250 can be, for example, a smartphone, a computing tablet, or a smartwatch, or any other mobile computing device capable of executing the status application 256 and interfacing with the base pod 200 via the wireless communication link 240.

[0046] The status application 256 provides limited control of the foundation pod 200 and provides status feedback to the user regarding the operational status of the foundation pod 200 , and can also be configured to provide guidance for use of the foundation pod 200 .

[0047] 6A illustrates features of the status application 256. The status application allows a medical professional to establish appropriate pre-set basal rates via the status application 256. In certain embodiments of the invention, the status application 256 can prevent a user from changing the pre-set basal rates via a password known only to the medical professional. In another embodiment, the medical professional can run a special version of the status application 256 that allows the pre-set basal rates to be changed. In other embodiments of the invention, the user may be able to change the pre-set basal rates under the control of a medical professional.

[0048] FIG. 6B illustrates one feature of the status application 256 where step-by-step guidance is provided to the patient for the deployment and use of the basal pod 200. In FIG. 6C, the status application 256 provides a button, in this instance labeled "START," along with the guidance that, when pressed, initiates the deployment of the cannula. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6D, when the basal pod 200 reaches the end of its life, i.e., when the basal liquid medication within the reservoir 208 is depleted, the status application 256 notifies the user via an audible alert 607. The audible alert may be in the form of an alert that may be played through a speaker of the mobile computing device. This speaker may be, for example, a single instance of a ringtone provided by the mobile computing device. In addition, a visual alert may be provided. The visual alert may be in the form of a banner that is displayed on the user interface 258 of the status device 250, similar to the banner that may be displayed when the user receives an email or text message. Additionally, a "DEACTIVATE" button 608 is provided which, when pressed by the patient, shuts down operation of the basal pod 200. The basal pod 200 may then be removed from the patient's body. If the patient fails to deactivate the basal pod 200 using the button 608, an audible alert may be periodically repeated until acknowledged by the patient. In this embodiment, audible and visual alerts on the basal pod 200, in addition to audible and visual alerts on the status device 250, may be activated to alert the patient if they are isolated from their mobile computing device.

[0049] FIG. 6E illustrates a page of the status application 256 that may be displayed if a critical or error condition occurs within the basal pod 200, as previously described. Similar to the end of life notification illustrated in FIG. 6D, an audible and / or visual alert may be activated on the mobile computing device. In this case, the audible alert may repeat periodically to indicate a more urgent condition requiring the patient's attention. The status application 256 provides a button 610 that may be selected to deactivate the basal pod 200. Once selected, the basal pod 200 may be removed from the patient's body. Similar to the status alert illustrated in FIG. 6D, a warning alert illustrated in FIG. 6E may also be activated on the basal pod 200 to alert the patient if the patient is isolated from their mobile computing device. If the patient fails to acknowledge the alert, the basal pod 200 may automatically deactivate itself to prevent damage or injury to the patient.

[0050] Some embodiments of the disclosed devices or processes can be implemented using, for example, a storage medium, computer readable medium, or article of manufacture that can store instructions or a set of instructions that, when executed by a machine (i.e., a processor or controller), cause the machine to perform the methods and / or operations according to the disclosed examples. Such machines can include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and can be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware and / or software. A computer readable medium or article can include, for example, any suitable type of memory unit, memory, memory article, memory medium, storage device, storage article, storage medium, and / or storage unit, such as memory (including non-transitory media), removable or non-removable media, erasable or non-erasable media, writable or rewritable media, or the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, encrypted code, programming code, and the like, implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled, and / or interpreted programming language. The programming code embodied by the non-transitory computer readable medium, when executed, causes the processor to perform functions such as those described herein.

[0051] Specific examples of the present disclosure have been described above. However, it should be clearly noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and additions and modifications to those set forth herein are also intended to be included within the scope of the disclosed examples. Furthermore, it should be understood that the features of the various examples described herein are not mutually exclusive, and may exist in various combinations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed examples, even if such combinations or modifications are not expressly set forth herein. Indeed, modifications, variations, and other embodiments of those described herein may be readily conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed examples. As such, the disclosed examples are not limited solely to the foregoing description.

[0052] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited by this detailed description, but rather by the appended claims. Future applications claiming priority to this application may claim the disclosed means in a different manner and may generally include any collection of one or more of the limitations variously disclosed or demonstrated herein. The inventions disclosed herein include the following: [Aspect 1] 1. A wearable drug delivery device for microdosing, comprising: A processor; software for execution by the processor, the software including a basal delivery algorithm for managing delivery of a basal dose of a liquid medication to a wearer of the device; a cannula for interfacing the device with the wearer; an audible alert component; a visual alert component; A wearable drug delivery device for microdosing comprising: [Aspect 2] 2. The drug delivery device of embodiment 1, wherein the visual alert component comprises a multi-color LED. [Aspect 3] the software directs the processor to control insertion of the cannula into the wearer; insertion of the cannula is accompanied by an audible indication via the audible alert component; 2. The drug delivery device according to embodiment 1. [Aspect 4] 4. The drug delivery device of claim 3, wherein the insertion of the cannula into the wearer is performed automatically under control of the software after the device is placed on a body part of the wearer. [Aspect 5] A reservoir; a fill port coupled to the reservoir; Further comprising: The liquid medication is introduced into the reservoir through the fill port; filling the reservoir with the liquid medication initiates a timer; expiration of the timer automatically initiates insertion of the cannula into the wearer of the device; 4. The drug delivery device according to embodiment 3. [Aspect 6] The drug delivery device of aspect 2, wherein the device provides a visual indication via the visual alert component that the device is operable and ready to deliver the liquid medication to the wearer. [Aspect 7] 7. The drug delivery device of claim 6, wherein the visual indication is a continuous or flashing green indication from the multi-colored LED. [Aspect 8] the processor detecting an error condition; 3. The drug delivery device of claim 2, further comprising: [Aspect 9] 9. The drug delivery device of claim 8, wherein the visual indication of the error condition comprises a continuous or flashing red or amber indication from the multi-colored LED. [Aspect 10] 10. The drug delivery device of claim 9, wherein the visual indication of the error condition is accompanied by an audible indication of the error condition. [Aspect 11] 11. The drug delivery device of claim 10, wherein the audible indication of the error condition comprises a continuous or repeated beep from the audible alert component. [Aspect 12] 3. The drug delivery device of embodiment 2, further comprising a gesture sensor coupled to the processor to provide an indication of a gesture from the wearer. [Aspect 13] A device as described in aspect 12, wherein the gesture received from the wearer causes the device to perform an action, the action being dependent on a current operational context of the device. [Aspect 14] A device as described in aspect 13, wherein the operational status of the device is displayed to the wearer via the audible alert component or the visual alert component. [Aspect 15] 13. The drug delivery device of claim 12, wherein the gesture sensor includes an accelerometer capable of detecting gestures including a pattern of taps from the wearer's finger on a housing of the device. [Aspect 16] 14. The drug delivery device of claim 13, wherein the action exerted is insertion of the cannula. [Aspect 17] Aspect 14. The drug delivery device of aspect 13, wherein the exerted action is the audible alert component or the visual alert component. [Aspect 18] 2. The drug delivery device of embodiment 1, further comprising a wireless communication interface. [Aspect 19] The drug delivery device of aspect 18, wherein the device communicates with a status application running on a status device via the wireless communication interface. [Aspect 20] A drug delivery device as described in embodiment 19, wherein the device provides information to the status application regarding a current operational state of the device. [Aspect 21] A drug delivery device as described in aspect 20, wherein a wearer of the device initiates insertion of the cannula via input into the status application. [Aspect 22] The drug delivery device of aspect 20, wherein the device initiates the deactivation of the device via an input into the status application. [Aspect 23] 21. The drug delivery device of aspect 20, wherein a basal delivery rate for the liquid drug is set via an input into the status application. [Aspect 24] 2. The drug delivery device of embodiment 1, wherein the basal delivery algorithm dispenses a basal dose of the liquid drug according to a preprogrammed basal rate. [Aspect 25] Providing status information to a wearer of the wearable basal drug delivery device; 1. A method for receiving input from a wearer, comprising: Providing an audible indication via an audible alert component; providing a visual indication via a visual alert component. [Aspect 26] 24. The method of embodiment 23, wherein an audible indication is provided accompanying insertion of a cannula interfacing the wearable basal drug delivery device to a wearer. [Aspect 27] The method of embodiment 23, wherein a visual display is provided that indicates a current operating status of the wearable basal drug delivery device. [Aspect 28] receiving a gesture from the wearer of the wearable basal drug delivery device via a gesture sensor; the gesture comprising tapping on a housing of the wearable drug delivery device. The method according to embodiment 23. [Aspect 29] 29. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the gesture received from the wearer causes the device to perform an action, the action performed being dependent on a current operational context of the device. [Aspect 30] 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the operational status of the device is displayed to the wearer via the audible alert component or the visual alert component. [Aspect 31] 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the exerted action is the insertion of a cannula that interfaces the wearable drug delivery device to the wearer. [Aspect 32] 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the action exerted is deactivation of the audible or visual indication. [Aspect 33] 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the action taken is deactivation of the device. [Aspect 34] providing a wireless communication interface for communicating with a status application on a status device; providing an operational status of the device to the status application; 24. The method of embodiment 23, further comprising receiving input from the wearer of the device via the status application. [Aspect 35] A starter kit comprising one or more quantities of the devices of embodiment 24 having different pre-programmed basal rates.

Claims

1. 1. A wearable drug delivery device for microdosing, comprising: A processor; software for execution by the processor, the software including a basal delivery algorithm for managing delivery of a basal dose of a liquid medication to a wearer of the medication delivery device; a cannula for interfacing the drug delivery device with the wearer, the software directing the processor to control insertion of the cannula into the wearer, the insertion of the cannula into the wearer occurring automatically under control of the software after the drug delivery device is placed on a body part of the wearer; an audible alert component; a visual alert component; Including, insertion of the cannula is accompanied by an audible indication via the audible alert component; A reservoir; a fill port coupled to the reservoir; Further comprising: The liquid medication is introduced into the reservoir through the fill port; filling the reservoir with the liquid medication initiates a timer; expiration of the timer automatically initiates insertion of the cannula into the wearer of the drug delivery device. A wearable drug delivery device for microdosing.

2. The drug delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the visual alert component comprises a multi-color LED.

3. The drug delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the drug delivery device provides a visual indication via the visual alert component that the drug delivery device is operable and ready to deliver the liquid medication to the wearer.

4. 4. The drug delivery device of claim 3, wherein the visual indication is a continuous or flashing green indication from the multi-color LED.

5. the processor detecting an error condition; The drug delivery device of claim 2 , further comprising: a visual indication of the error condition via the visual alert component.

6. 6. The drug delivery device of claim 5, wherein the visual indication of the error condition comprises a continuous or flashing red or amber indication from the multi-color LED.

7. The drug delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the visual indication of the error condition is accompanied by an audible indication of the error condition.

8. The drug delivery device of claim 7 , wherein the audible indication of the error condition comprises a continuous or repeated beep from the audible alert component.

9. The drug delivery device of claim 2 , further comprising a gesture sensor coupled to the processor to provide an indication of a gesture from the wearer.

10. The drug delivery device of claim 9 , wherein the gesture received from the wearer causes the drug delivery device to exert an action, the action exerted being dependent on a current operational state of the drug delivery device.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the operational status of the drug delivery device is displayed to the wearer via the audible or visual alert component.

12. The drug delivery device of claim 9 , wherein the gesture sensor comprises an accelerometer capable of detecting gestures comprising a pattern of taps from the wearer's finger on a housing of the drug delivery device.

13. The drug delivery device of claim 10 , wherein the action exerted is the insertion of the cannula.

14. The drug delivery device of claim 10, wherein the exerted action is the audible alert component or the visual alert component.

15. The drug delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless communication interface.

16. The drug delivery device of claim 15, wherein the drug delivery device communicates with a status application running on a status device via the wireless communication interface.

17. The drug delivery device of claim 16 , wherein the drug delivery device provides information to the status application regarding a current operational state of the drug delivery device.

18. The drug delivery device of claim 17 , wherein a wearer of the drug delivery device initiates insertion of the cannula via an input into the status application.

19. The drug delivery device of claim 17 , wherein the drug delivery device initiates deactivation of the drug delivery device via an input into the status application.

20. 20. The drug delivery device of claim 17, wherein a basal delivery rate for the liquid medication is set via an input into the status application.

21. The drug delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the basal delivery algorithm dispenses a basal dose of the liquid medication according to a preprogrammed basal rate.

22. 22. A starter kit comprising one or more quantities of the devices of claim 21 having different pre-programmed basal rates.

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