Remote monitoring for networked fluid infusion systems
A fluid infusion system as described herein includes a number of local “body network” devices, such as an infusion pump, a handheld monitor or controller, a physiological sensor, and a bedside or hospital monitor. The body network devices can be configured to support communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between one another. In addition, the body network devices can be configured to support networked communication of status data, physiological information, alerts, control signals, and other information between the body network devices and “external” devices, systems, or communication networks. Such external communication allows the infusion system to be extended beyond the traditional short-range user environment.
1. A method for remote monitoring and operating of an external infusion pump that is part of a local infusion system, the infusion pump controlling the infusion of fluid into the body of a user via an infusion set having a cannula inserted under the skin of the user, the method comprising:
receiving, at a network device that is external to the infusion system, a network communication generated by a transmitting device within the infusion system, the network communication conveying pump data associated with the infusion pump, wherein the transmitting device is one of a plurality of different local devices in the local infusion system;
extracting the pump data from the network communication;
processing the pump data to generate an activation instruction to remotely activate delivery of fluid by the infusion pump;
selecting one of the plurality of different local devices as an intended recipient device for the activation instruction;
selecting, from a plurality of data communication protocols, one or more protocols corresponding to the intended recipient device, wherein the selected one or more protocols facilitate compatible communication with the intended recipient device; and
transmitting the activation instruction in a network control communication that is intended for the infusion pump, wherein the network control communication is transmitted in accordance with the selected one or more protocols, and wherein the activation instruction causes the infusion pump to deliver fluid to the body of the user in accordance with the activation instruction.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating, at the network device, indicia of the pump data.
3. The method of claim 2 , the pump data including status information of the transmitting device, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the status information.
4. The method of claim 2 , the pump data including status information of the infusion pump, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the status information.
5. The method of claim 2 , the pump data including an alert related to operation of the transmitting device, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the alert.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
generating, at the network device, an alert enable or disable instruction for the transmitting device; and
transmitting a control communication to the transmitting device, the control communication conveying the alert enable or disable instruction.
7. The method of claim 2 , the pump data including a basal rate of fluid delivered to the user by the infusion pump, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the basal rate.
8. The method of claim 2 , the pump data including bolus information for a bolus of fluid delivered to the user by the infusion pump, and the generating step comprising generating indicia of the bolus information.
9. The method of claim 2 , wherein generating indicia comprises generating an audible representation of the pump data.
10. The method of claim 2 , wherein generating indicia comprises generating a visual representation of the pump data.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the transmitting device comprises a physiological characteristic meter of the infusion system; and
the pump data originates at the infusion pump.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the transmitting device comprises a remote controller for the infusion pump; and
the pump data originates at the infusion pump.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the transmitting device comprises a handheld monitor/controller for the infusion pump; and
the pump data originates at the infusion pump.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the transmitting device comprises a monitor device for the infusion pump; and
the pump data originates at the infusion pump.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating, at the network device, a programming parameter for the infusion pump; and
transmitting a control communication to the infusion pump, the control communication conveying the programming parameter.