Wireless Infusion Pump Pairing for Remote Control and Battery Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infusion pumps are cumbersome, require frequent user interaction, and lack remote control capabilities, posing challenges in size, weight, cost, and safety, especially for patients who need continuous medication delivery like those with diabetes.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an infusion pump and a controller with wireless pairing, a method for changing power sources without interrupting insulin delivery, and a temperature monitoring system to ensure safe operation, allowing for remote control and enhanced user safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If infusion pumps are made portable and wearable with electronic control, then drug delivery capability is improved, but device size, weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug delivery capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The infusion pump system is divided into two separate components: a wearable pump unit and a remote controller. The pump unit contains only the essential drug delivery mechanism, while the controller handles user interface and programming functions. This segmentation reduces the weight and complexity of the wearable portion while maintaining full functionality through wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is extracted from the wearable pump unit and placed as a separate handheld device. This extraction removes unnecessary weight, complexity, and cost from the wearable component while preserving all control and monitoring capabilities in the external controller that communicates wirelessly with the pump.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If infusion pumps require frequent direct user interaction, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote controller serves as an intermediary device between the user and the wearable pump. It provides a convenient interface for programming and monitoring while wirelessly transmitting control signals to the pump, eliminating the need for frequent direct physical interaction with the wearable device and improving ease of operation while maintaining control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If infusion pumps lack remote control capabilities, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidremote control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a simple wearable pump unit and a separate remote controller. The pump unit maintains simplicity with minimal components, while the controller provides advanced programming and monitoring capabilities. Wireless communication connects the two, enabling remote control functionality without complicating the wearable device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Duration of action of stationary object

If power source is changed in infusion pump, then continuous operation is improved, but risk of interrupting medication delivery increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidmedication delivery continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors battery status and provides advance warning before power depletion occurs. This allows users to prepare for power source changes by having replacement batteries ready, ensuring continuous operation without interrupting medication delivery. The cushioning effect is achieved through proactive notification and planning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller provides continuous feedback on battery status and power levels to the user. This feedback mechanism enables users to monitor power status and plan power source changes in advance, preventing unexpected interruptions to medication delivery while maintaining continuous operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10918789B2Methods and systems for controlling an infusion pump

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 DEKA PRODUCTS LP

AI summary

A system for pairing a controller and an infusion pump is disclosed. The system includes an infusion pump, a controller device and a user interface residing on both the infusion pump and the controller. The user interface includes a pairing mode for enabling wireless communication between the infusion pump and the controller device, wherein the user interface requires both the infusion pump and the controller to be in the pairing mode simultaneously. Also, a method of changing a power source in an infusion pump is disclosed. The method includes placing the infusion pump in idle mode wherein the infusion pump stops delivery. Removing the first power source from the infusion pump. Replacing the first power source with a second power source in the infusion pump, and maintaining the insulin on board during the changing of the first power source with the second power source.