External infusion device with remote programming, bolus estimator and/or vibration alarm capabilities
An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.
1. An external infusion system comprising:
a remote RF programmer that includes
a programmer housing,
a programmer processor contained within the programmer housing,
a programmer memory contained within the programmer housing, the programmer memory storing program instructions executed by the programmer processor, and
an indication device that provides a first tactile indication of a condition of the external infusion system;
a bolus estimator to calculate a correction bolus based on (i) a pre-programmed carbohydrate ratio, (ii) a pre-programmed insulin sensitivity, (iii) current blood glucose, (iv) target blood glucose, and (v) carbohydrates to be consumed, wherein the bolus estimator is programmed with the remote RF programmer; and
an external infusion device that includes
a device housing having a keypad, and
a fluid reservoir contained within the device housing;
wherein the infusion device receives commands or instructions from the remote RF programmer to deliver the calculated correction bolus from the fluid reservoir.
2. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the indication device is operable to provide a second tactile indication of a condition of the infusion device, which is different from the condition indicated by the first tactile indication.
3. The external infusion system of claim 2 , wherein the remote RF controller includes a second indication device operable to provide a plurality of different tactile indications, each corresponding to a different condition of the external infusion device.
4. The external infusion system of claim 3 , wherein the first and second indication devices generate substantially the same tactile indication at substantially the same time to indicate the same condition of the external infusion device.
5. The external infusion system of claim 3 , wherein the different tactile indications include different vibration patterns.
6. The external infusion system of claim 2 , wherein the first and second tactile indications are different.
7. The external infusion system of claim 2 , wherein the first and second tactile indications include different vibration patterns from each other.
8. The external infusion system of claim 2 , wherein the infusion device includes a second indication device operable to provide a tactile indication of a condition of the external infusion system.
9. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the indication device is further operable to provide an audible indication of a condition of the external infusion system, which is the same as or different from the condition indicated by the first tactile indication.
10. The external infusion system of claim 9 , wherein the indication device is operable to provide the audible indication and the first tactile indication at substantially the same time.
11. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir is connected to tubing and the condition is an occlusion in the fluid reservoir or tubing.
12. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the remote RF controller includes a second indication device operable to provide a tactile indication of a condition of the external infusion system.
13. The external infusion system of claim 1 further comprising a battery within the remote RF programmer, wherein the condition is a low battery.
14. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the condition is a low fluid level in the reservoir.
15. The external infusion system of claim 1 wherein the infusion device further comprises a drive mechanism to drive fluid from the fluid reservoir, and the condition is a maximum number of drive mechanism strokes.
16. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the condition is a confirmation of instructions input into the remote RF programmer.
17. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the condition is the end of delivery of a bolus of medication from the fluid reservoir.
18. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more conditions is selected from the group consisting of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
19. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the device housing is sized to fit in a clothing pocket.
20. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the device housing is adapted to be worn on a belt.
21. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the device housing is adapted to be worn under clothing.
22. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the device housing is sized to allow for concealment under clothing in a generally unobtrusive manner.
23. The external infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the device housing is adapted to be worn against the skin.