Wireless Infusion Pump Remote Control for Wearable Insulin Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion pump systems 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 medical remote controller device and infusion pump system with a companion device for wireless communication, allowing remote control of infusion pumps, featuring a display, input switches for bolus delivery, and a glucose strip reader, enabling users to program and monitor insulin delivery without direct interaction, with self-check mechanisms for system integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If infusion pump systems are made portable and wearable with electronic control, then drug delivery capability is improved, but device size, weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a wearable infusion pump unit and a remote controller device. The pump unit contains only the essential drug delivery mechanism, while the controller handles user interface, display, and control functions. This segmentation allows the wearable pump to be lightweight and compact while the controller can be larger and contain all electronic controls.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication link acts as an intermediary between the remote controller and the infusion pump. The controller transmits control signals and receives status information wirelessly, eliminating the need for heavy wiring and large power supplies in the wearable pump unit.
2Ease of operation
If the device requires frequent direct interaction between user and device, then control precision is improved, but user convenience and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller serves as an intermediary device that the user interacts with remotely, while it communicates with the infusion pump through wireless communication. This allows users to program and monitor insulin delivery without needing to physically handle or be directly connected to the pump unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements bidirectional wireless communication where the controller sends control commands to the pump and receives status feedback. This feedback mechanism allows the user to monitor delivery status and adjust parameters remotely, maintaining control precision without direct physical interaction.
3Extent of automation
If the device is designed for remote control with companion device, then user interaction frequency is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system complexity is distributed across two devices: the simple wearable pump unit and the more complex remote controller. By segmenting functions, the pump unit remains simple and reliable, while the controller handles all complex control logic, display, and user interface functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless feedback communication between the pump and controller automates much of the system management. The pump automatically transmits status information (battery level, delivery status, errors) to the controller, reducing the need for manual monitoring and simplifying user interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical remote controller device is disclosed. The device includes a display and at least one input switch dedicated to bolus delivery wherein a bolus delivery is programmed when the input switch receives an input and wherein the number of inputs received by the input switch determines the amount of bolus to be delivered.