Removable controller for an infusion pump
Some embodiments of an infusion pump system include a controller device that is configured to removably attach to a pump device in a manner that provides a secure fitting, an overall compact size, and a reliable electrical connection. In particular embodiments, the controller device can be secured to the pump device in a generally side-by-side arrangement. The compact size can enhance discreteness and portability of the infusion pump system.
1. A multiple-component infusion pump system, comprising:
a medicine cartridge filled with a medicine and having a septum at an output end of the medicine cartridge and a plunger at an opposite end of the medicine cartridge;
a pump device including a pump housing that defines a cavity adapted to receive and surround the medicine cartridge, the pump housing further encasing a piston rod adapted to advance the plunger of the medicine cartridge when the medicine cartridge is received in the cavity;
a controller device including a controller housing releasably mateable with the pump housing so as to removably mount the controller device to the pump device in a fixed relationship, the controller housing enclosing at least a portion of a control circuitry; and
a cap device having a needle penetrator, the cap device releasably mateable with the pump housing such that the cap device can be joined with the pump housing when the medicine cartridge is inserted in the cavity;
wherein the needle penetrator is adapted to be advanced towards and through the septum of the medicine cartridge when the medicine cartridge is received in the cavity and the pump housing and the cap device are joined together;
wherein the cap device further comprises an output port configured to connect with tubing for dispensation of the medicine to a patient;
wherein the cap device further comprises one or more alignment tabs configured to align with adjacent surfaces of the controller housing to provide a selected orientation of the output port during operation of the infusion pump system;
wherein the selected orientation of the cap device with respect to the controller housing is an orientation in which an occlusion sensor of the controller housing aligns with a portion of a fluid flow path of the infusion pump system.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the occlusion sensor comprises an optical sensor system configured to detect an amount of light reflected from a portion of the cap device.
3. A multiple-component infusion pump system, comprising:
a medicine cartridge filled with a medicine and having a septum at an output end of the medicine cartridge and a plunger at an opposite end of the medicine cartridge;
a pump device including a pump housing that defines a cavity adapted to receive the medicine cartridge and a piston rod adapted to advance the plunger of the medicine cartridge when the medicine cartridge is received in the cavity;
a controller device including a controller housing releasably mateable with the pump housing so as to removably mount the controller device to the pump device in a fixed relationship, the controller housing enclosing at least a portion of a control circuitry, wherein the controller device further comprises an optical sensor system configured to detect an amount of light reflected from a portion of a cap device, the cap device releasably mateable with the pump housing such that the cap device can be joined with the pump housing when the medicine cartridge is inserted in the cavity; and
a needle penetrator adapted to be advanced towards and through the septum of the medicine cartridge when the medicine cartridge is received in the cavity and the pump housing and the cap device are joined together, wherein the needle penetrator is part of the cap device.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein an occlusion sensor of the cap device comprises a pair of electrodes arranged to detect a fluid flow through the cap device.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the cap device further comprises an occlusion sensor configured to detect an occlusion in a fluid path of the infusion pump system when the pump housing and the cap device are joined together.
6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the pump device further comprises a first electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector of the pump device mates with a second electrical connector of the controller device when the controller device removably mounts to the pump device.
7. A multiple-component infusion pump system, comprising:
a medicine cartridge filled with a medicine and having a septum at an output end of the medicine cartridge and a plunger at an opposite end of the medicine cartridge;
a pump device including a pump housing that defines a cavity adapted to receive and surround the medicine cartridge, the pump housing further encasing a piston rod adapted to advance the plunger of the medicine cartridge when the medicine cartridge is received in the cavity;
a controller device including a controller housing releasably mateable with the pump housing so as to removably mount the controller device to the pump device in a fixed relationship, the controller housing enclosing at least a portion of a control circuitry;
a needle penetrator adapted to be advanced towards and through the septum of the medicine cartridge when the medicine cartridge is received in the cavity and the pump housing and the needle penetrator are joined together; and
a release member that is movably mounted to one of the pump housing and the controller housing and that is spring biased toward a locking position, the release member being movable away from the other of the pump housing and the controller housing prior to detaching the controller device and the pump device from one another, the release member being movable from the locking position in which the controller device and the pump device are retained together to a second position in which the controller device and the pump device are detachable from one another.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the needle penetrator is part of a cap device, the cap device releasably mateable with the pump housing such that the cap device can be joined with the pump housing when the medicine cartridge is inserted in the cavity.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the cap device further comprises one or more alignment tabs configured to align the cap device with the pump housing in a selected orientation when the cap device is joined with the pump housing.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the cap device further comprises an output port configured to connect with tubing for dispensation of the medicine to a patient.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the cap device further comprises one or more alignment tabs configured to align with adjacent surfaces of the controller housing to provide a selected orientation of the output port during operation of the infusion pump system.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the release member is spring biased to move to the locking position to engage a mating structure of the other of the pump housing and the controller housing in response to the controller housing mating with the pump housing.
13. The system of claim 7 , wherein a first electrical connector of the pump device mates with a second electrical connector of the controller device when the release member is in the locking position to retain the controller device and the pump device together.