Distribution of infusion pumps
View Patent ↗Some embodiments described herein provide for a number of portable infusion pumps to be distributed to a pump user via a pharmacy system or like.
1. A method of receiving an insulin infusion pump device, comprising:
obtaining a prescription for a supply of infusion pump devices to deliver insulin;
submitting the prescription to a pharmacy for repeated deliveries of the infusion pump devices over a predetermined period of time; and
receiving a plurality of infusion pump devices from the pharmacy contemporaneously with the receipt of insulin cartridges from pharmacy, wherein the insulin cartridges are external to the infusion pump devices when the infusion pump devices are received from the pharmacy;
removably attaching a selected one of the infusion pump devices to a reusable controller device having a user interface display so that the selected infusion pump device and the user interface display of the reusable controller device are mechanically coupled;
inserting a selected one of the insulin cartridges into a cavity defined by the selected infusion pump device so that a lock structure disposed within the cavity lockingly engages the selected insulin cartridge in the cavity to irreversibly receive the selected insulin cartridge within the cavity; and
causing at least a portion of insulin from the selected insulin cartridge to dispense from the selected infusion pump device, wherein said selected infusion pump device dispenses said portion of the insulin using a drive system comprising a rotational motor housed within the selected infusion pump device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving the plurality of infusion pump devices comprises receiving the plurality of infusion pump devices in a 1:1 ratio with said insulin cartridges that are configured fit within the infusion pump devices.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising receiving infusion sets contemporaneously with the plurality of infusion pump devices, wherein two or more infusion sets are received for each one of the infusion pump devices received.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising providing a payment as part of a single transaction when receiving the plurality of infusion pump devices, the insulin cartridges, and the infusion sets.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising attaching a cap device to the selected infusion pump device so as to cover the cavity after the step of inserting the selected insulin cartridge into the cavity defined by the selected infusion pump device, wherein the lock structure disposed in the cavity is different from the cap device.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising receiving a refill set of infusion pump devices from the pharmacy contemporaneously with the receipt of a new supply of insulin cartridges from pharmacy.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving the plurality of infusion pump devices comprises receiving a number of disposable and non-reusable infusion pump devices and contemporaneously receiving the same number of disposable insulin cartridges that are operable to be received in the infusion pump devices.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of removably attaching the selected infusion pump device to the reusable controller device comprises removably engaging a first electrical connector exposed along an exterior of the selected infusion pump device with a second electrical connector exposed along an exterior of the reusable controller device.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising receiving infusion sets contemporaneously with the plurality of infusion pump devices, wherein the plurality of infusion pump devices, the insulin cartridges, and the infusion sets are collectively received from the pharmacy in a prepackaged kit including a thermally insulated compartment.
10. A method of providing an insulin infusion pump device, comprising:
storing multiple infusion pump devices in a pharmacy inventory while refrigerating prefilled insulin cartridges in a refrigeration unit of the pharmacy inventory, the infusion pump devices being configured to irreversibly receive the prefilled insulin cartridges therein;
in response to an individual user request to a pharmacy for repeated deliveries of infusion pump devices, distributing a plurality of infusion pump devices from the pharmacy inventory to the individual user while contemporaneously distributing at least a portion of the prefilled insulin cartridges from the pharmacy inventory and a plurality of infusion sets attachable to the infusion pump devices, wherein the prefilled insulin cartridges are external to the infusion pump devices when the infusion pump devices are distributed to the individual user.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of distributing the plurality of infusion pump devices comprises contemporaneously distributing the infusion pump devices the prefilled insulin cartridges, and the infusion sets in a packaged kit including a thermally insulated compartment.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the packaged kit contains the infusion pump devices, the prefilled insulin cartridges, and the infusion sets in a predetermined ratio of 1:1:2 respectively, and further contains a cold pack in said insulated compartment.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving a payment as part of a single transaction when distributing the plurality of infusion pump devices, the insulin cartridges, and the infusion sets.