Insulin Pump Remote Control via Smartphone Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulin infusion pumps lack remote control and data transfer capabilities, making it inconvenient for patients and caregivers, especially children, to manage diabetes effectively, as they require direct interaction and wired connections for programming and data transfer, leading to potential improper medicament delivery and underutilization of diabetes management software.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing smartphones or other mobile devices to remotely program, control, and communicate with insulin pumps, providing audible and tactile feedback for bolus delivery confirmation, enabling remote authorization, and facilitating data transfer between insulin pumps, blood glucose meters, and therapy management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If infusion pumps are discretely located on or around a patient (e.g., beneath clothing or in a carrying pouch), then patient comfort and privacy are improved, but the ability to verify pump operation and programming is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote electronic device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) as an intermediary between the patient and the infusion pump. This mediator communicates wirelessly with the pump, allowing the patient to program and monitor the device remotely while keeping it concealed. The intermediary device displays pump status, programming information, and operational feedback, eliminating the need for direct visual access to the pump itself.
2Reliability
If data is transferred from the pump to management software using wired connections or portable memory devices, then data transfer reliability is improved, but convenience and timeliness are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical data transfer methods (wired connections and portable memory devices) with wireless electronic communication. The infusion pump communicates data to diabetes management software through wireless protocols (such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless communication interfaces), eliminating the need for physical connections. This substitution maintains data integrity while dramatically improving convenience, allowing real-time or near-real-time data synchronization without requiring the patient to physically connect devices or transfer memory cards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If children are given responsibility to monitor their own blood sugar and dose insulin, then their independence is improved, but safety and oversight are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the remote electronic device continuously monitors pump operation, insulin delivery status, and can alert both the patient and caregivers. The system provides visual, auditory, or haptic feedback to confirm proper programming and delivery. Caregivers can receive notifications and maintain oversight through the remote device, creating a feedback loop that enables pediatric patients to manage their therapy independently while ensuring safety through continuous monitoring and alert capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method can provide for a remote electronic device to be used to remotely initiate delivery of a medicament bolus with a medical device, such as an insulin pump, with the medical device providing audible or tactile confirmation of the programmed bolus. The bolus amount can be calculated by or programmed or otherwise entered into the smartphone, etc., and then transmitted to the medical device. When the pump receives the transmitted bolus amount, it issues one or more indications such as audible sounds and/or vibrations in any number of desired combinations. For instance, each individual sound or vibration may correspond to an increment of the medicament. The user can therefore determine the size of the medicament bolus by the number of sounds or vibrations and can confirm or cancel delivery of the bolus.