Patent ID: 9610404
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: A61M

Claim:
1. A method for detecting an occlusion in a flow path from an infusion pump system, comprising: activating a reference light emitter to direct light toward a light sensor housed in an infusion pump system, wherein the light sensor generates an electrical signal in response to receiving light from the reference light emitter; determining a first value indicative of light detected at the light sensor from the reference light emitter; activating a primary light emitter to direct light toward a medicine flow path for the infusion pump system, the medicine flow path comprising a flexible membrane in fluid communication with a fluid channel that at least partially defines an insulin flow path between an insulin reservoir and an output port, wherein a fluid pressure in the fluid channel acts upon the flexible membrane, wherein the light sensor receives a least a portion of the light emitted from the primary light emitter, wherein the light sensor receives light from the primary light emitter that is internally reflected by a light transmissive member, the light transmissive member having two generally flat surfaces through which the light from the primary light emitter enters and exits the light transmissive member, the medicine flow path further comprising an air cavity positioned adjacent to the flexible membrane and generally opposite the fluid channel, wherein the light transmissive member is adjacent to the air cavity, wherein the reference light emitter is spaced apart from the primary light emitter such that the light emitted from the reference light emitter is received by the light sensor without being directed towards the flexible membrane or passing through the light transmissive member; determining a second value indicative of light detected at the light sensor from the primary light emitter; and determining if a fluid pressure in the fluid channel exceeds a threshold value based at least in part on a comparison of the second value to the first value; and providing feedback regarding the occluded or non-occluded state of the medicine flow path.