Abstract:
A communication hub for controlling an external infusion device includes a first communication interface for transferring information from at least one external device to the communication hub, and a second communication interface for transferring the information received from the at least one external device from the communication hub to the external infusion device. The communication hub is configured to be connected to the external infusion device.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 60/530,660, filed on Dec. 19, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a system, method, and communication hub for controlling an external infusion device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for regulating transport of fluid into a user, and a communication hub for carrying an external infusion device and for controlling an external infusion device based on information from one or more external devices.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     External infusion devices (e.g., pumps) may be used for delivering medication to users, such as insulin to diabetics. Portable external infusion devices may be attached to a user&#39;s belt, for example, or placed in a user&#39;s pocket. In external infusion devices delivering insulin, for example, the insulin may delivered via a cannula, inserted in subcutaneous tissue of the user.  
         [0006]     Some conventional external infusion devices may communicate remotely with another information device, such as a controller that is physically separated from the external infusion device, for altering one or more functional settings of the external infusion device. In such conventional external infusion devices, communication circuitry necessary for providing this communication capability is located within the housing of the external infusion device itself. Incorporating the communication circuitry into the housing of the external infusion device, however, may create certain drawbacks.  
         [0007]     One possible drawback relates to damage to the circuitry if, for example, the external infusion device is immersed in water. In order to render an external infusion device more resistant to water, it may be necessary to permanently seal the housing of the external infusion device. As a result, it may be impractical, if not impossible, to either adjust or repair the communication circuitry within the housing once the housing has been sealed.  
         [0008]     Another possible drawback relates to governmental agencies, such as the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), requiring the use of specified radio frequency (RF) bands for wireless communication in medical devices. The FCC&#39;s required RF bands, however, are not necessarily the same as RF bands used in other countries. For example, an RF band frequency of 902 MHz, which is allowed for some medical device RF communication in the U.S., is not allowed in Europe. In Europe, an RF band frequency of 868 MHz is required for corresponding medical devices, instead of 902 MHz. Furthermore, the FCC and other regulatory agencies have indicated that they oppose allowing such medical devices to be capable of enabling the user to select appropriate RF band frequencies corresponding to the user&#39;s geographic location. The RF band frequency, therefore, is permanently preset in the U.S. by the manufacturer. Consequently, if a user of an external infusion device preset for RF transmission in the U.S. travels to Europe or elsewhere in the world, the external infusion device is likely to operate in violation of local regulations. Furthermore, the external infusion device may interfere with the operation of other devices operating in the same RF band.  
         [0009]     Another possible drawback relates to a desire, for the user&#39;s comfort and convenience, to make external infusion devices as small as possible. For example, external infusion devices are often designed to be small enough to fit into a user&#39;s clothing pocket. In external infusion devices having RF circuitry located within such a small housing, the RF circuitry must also be small. The antenna may be so small, however, that the communication range of the circuitry is limited to an undesirable extent.  
         [0010]     In light of the above-mentioned possible drawbacks, a desire exists for devices and methods for transferring information between external devices and an external infusion device that may overcome or alleviate one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention is directed to a system and a communication hub for transferring information between one or more external devices and an external infusion device, that may obviate one or more of the possible drawbacks associated with the limitations and disadvantages of the above-mentioned conventional devices.  
         [0012]     In the following description certain aspects and embodiments will become evident. It should be understood that the invention, in its broadest sense, can be practiced without having one or more features of these aspects and embodiments, and that these aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary.  
         [0013]     In one aspect, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a communication hub for controlling an external infusion device. The communication hub includes a first communication interface for transferring information from at least one external device to the communication hub, and a second communication interface for transferring the information received from the at least one external device from the communication hub to the external infusion device. The communication hub is configured to be connected to the external infusion device.  
         [0014]     According to another aspect, a system for regulating transport of a fluid into a user includes an external device for providing information used in association with regulating transport of fluid into the user. The system further includes an external infusion device configured to deliver fluid into the user, and a communication hub configured to receive the information from the external device and to be connected to the external infusion device. The communication hub is configured to send information to the external infusion device based on the information received from the external device.  
         [0015]     According to yet another aspect, a method for controlling an external infusion device based on information from at least one external device includes transferring information from the at least one external device to a communication hub, and controlling the external infusion device via the communication hub based on the information transferred from the at least one external device to the communication hub.  
         [0016]     In still another aspect, a method for enabling an external infusion device to operate based on information transmitted from an external device in at least a first radio frequency and a second radio frequency includes transferring information from the external device to a first communication hub via the first radio frequency, the first communication hub being connected to the external infusion device. The method further includes controlling the external infusion device based on information transferred via the first radio frequency to the first communication hub, and disconnecting the first communication hub from the external infusion device. The method further includes connecting the external infusion device to a second communication hub, and transferring information from the external device to the second communication hub via a second radio frequency. The method further includes controlling the external infusion device based on information transferred via the second radio frequency to the second communication hub.  
         [0017]     Aside from the procedural arrangements set forth above, the invention may include a number of other arrangements, such as those explained hereinafter. It is to be understood, that both the foregoing description and the following description are exemplary.  
         [0018]     The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system for regulating transport of fluid into a user; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a communication hub. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a system  10  for regulating transport of fluid into a user  14 . The exemplary embodiment schematically depicted in  FIG. 1  includes an external infusion device  12 , such as, for example, an external infusion pump. External infusion device  12  may be, for example, an external infusion pump for delivering insulin or another treatment to the user  14 .  
         [0023]     As embodied in  FIG. 1 , system  10  further includes a communication hub  16  for transferring information between one or more external devices and external infusion device  12 . Communication hub is configured in the form of, for example, a relatively low-cost holster configured to support external infusion device  14  on a user&#39;s person and/or a leather pouch for supporting external infusion device  14 . Communication hub  16  may further include a belt clip configured to attach communication hub  16  to a user&#39;s belt.  
         [0024]     System  10  further includes one more external devices, and communication hub  16  is configured to transfer information between the one or more external devices and external infusion device  12 . For example, external devices include, but are not limited to, a personal computer  18 , a personal digital assistant (PDA)  20 , a remote control device  22 , a hand-held glucose meter  24 , one or more body-implanted sensors  26  (i.e., sensors implanted in the body of user  14 ), and/or a glucose monitoring device  28 .  
         [0025]     As embodied in  FIG. 1 , system  10  also includes a removable memory module  30  configured to be inserted and removed from communication hub  16 . Removable memory module  30  includes one or more modular flash memory cards (e.g., solid state modules, electromechanical modules, and/or optical modules). Removable memory module  30  is used, for example, by external infusion device  12  for long term storage of diagnostic information, patient history information, external infusion device history information, and/or any other information that is transmitted to communication hub  16  by external infusion device  12  and/or by the one or more external devices in communication with the communication hub  16  via, for example, RF signals. For example, removable memory module  30  is configured to store data associated with operation of communication hub  16 , external infusion device  12 , and/or external devices, and to be removed from communication hub  16  for insertion into another device configured to enable review of the data.  
         [0026]     According to some exemplary embodiments, communication hub  16  includes a communication circuit (e.g., an RF communication circuit) configured to communicate with external infusion device  12 . For example, circuitry included in communication hub  16  acts as a receiver  38  and/or a transmitter  40  (see  FIG. 2 ), which communicates with external devices such as those mentioned herein, and/or any other device that provides information useful for operating external infusion device  12 .  
         [0027]     The exemplary embodiment of communication hub  16  schematically depicted in  FIG. 2  includes a housing  32 . Housing  32  is configured in the form of, for example, a relatively low-cost holster configured to support external infusion device  14  on a user&#39;s person, and/or a leather pouch for supporting external infusion device  14 . Housing  32  may further include a belt clip configured to attach communication hub  16  to a user&#39;s belt.  
         [0028]     The exemplary embodiment of a communication hub depicted in  FIG. 2  includes a controller  34  and a battery  36  (e.g., a rechargeable battery) for providing power for communication hub  16 . Other power sources may be used such as, for example, solar power and/or any other acceptable power source known to those having skill in the art. Communication hub  16  is configured to exchange data and/or control signals between one or more external devices (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) and external infusion device  12 . For example, controller  34  is operably associated with a receiver  38  and a transmitter  40  that in turn is operably associated with one or more antenna devices  42  for receiving and/or transmitting information to communication hub  16  from one or more external devices. As embodied in  FIG. 2 , information is transmitted via RF signals  44  and a hard-wired interface  52 .  
         [0029]     As embodied in  FIG. 2 , communication hub  16  includes a memory unit  46  and a removable memory module  30  associated with controller  34 . Communication hub  16  further includes an interface for transferring information between communication hub  16  and external infusion device  12 . For example, communication hub  16  includes an optical interface  48  (e.g., an infra-red interface) and an electrical wire contact interface  50  for transferring information to external infusion device  12 . Communication hub  16  also includes a hard-wired interface  52  such as, for example, a USB and/or Fire Wire interface. Communication hub  16  includes communication interface connectors such as, for example, USB, FireWire, and/or similar communication interface connectors, for interfacing communication hub  16  with an external device such as, for example, personal computer  18 , PDA  20 , hand-held glucose meter  24 , and/or glucose monitoring device  28 , even when an associated external infusion device  12  has been removed from communication hub  16  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0030]     Communication hub  16  further includes a voice input device  54  configured to enable a user to operate system  10  (i.e., communication hub  16  and/or external infusion device  12 ) via voice command. For example, communication hub  16  is configured to have voice-recognition capability and enables, for example, a visually-impaired user to operate system  10  via vocal commands.  
         [0031]     Communication hub  16  also includes a built-in indicator  56 , such as, for example, a speaker, a visual read-out, and/or a vibration actuator. Built-in indicator  56  is configured to indicate via, for example, audio, visual, and/or vibratory alarm, the occurrence of certain events, such as, for example, activation of external infusion device  12 , and/or it supplements the capabilities inherent in the one or more external devices and/or external infusion device  12 .  
         [0032]     As embodied in  FIG. 2 , communication hub  16  is configured such that its RF band frequency may be changed, for example, by changing and/or adjusting the communication circuitry associated with communication hub  16 . Some embodiments of communication hub  16  are configured to convert RF signals into optical signals (e.g., infra-red signals), and communication hub  16  communicates with external infusion device  12  via infra-red signals using, for example, an infra-red port. Communication hub  16  also communicates with external infusion device  12  via one or more electrical contacts either instead of via infra-red signals or in addition to via infra-red signals.  
         [0033]     According to some embodiments, in addition to, or alternatively to, converting the communication signals in real time to and from the external infusion device  12  from an RF signal into an optical signal and/or an electrical signal (e.g., via an electrical contact), communication hub  16  includes structures and/or features providing communication hub  16  with the ability to perform one or more of the following the functions: ensuring the integrity of RF communications to and from external infusion device  12  (e.g., error checking and/or error recovery); managing collisions from multiple RF signals; operating as a data and/or command buffer, for example, when external infusion device  12  is temporarily disassociated from communication hub  16  (e.g., when external infusion device is removed from communication hub  16  in the form of a holster or pouch) or when the one or more external devices are either disabled or out of range; ensuring the integrity of optical communication to and from external infusion device  12 ; communicating communication hub-specific data to external infusion device  12  (e.g., battery status of communication hub  16 ); communicating communication hub-specific data to an external device (e.g., a peripheral communication device); and providing audio and/or vibratory indication for specific events, for example, to supplement capabilities inherent in various external devices that communicate with communication hub  16 .  
         [0034]     According to some embodiments of communication hub  16 , RF circuitry may be configured in one or more forms. For example, the RF circuitry may be of a relatively short-range type, for example, a type that is typically be used to interface with devices in the immediate vicinity of a user  14 . Such types typically operate in the U.S. over an ISM band. In some examples, RF circuitry may be configured in a design consistent with computer networking technologies sometimes referred to as “WI-FI” (i.e., IEEE 802.11x or future implementation of such wireless communication protocols). In some further examples, RF circuitry is configured to be of a design consistent with very short range, point-to-point communication protocols, such as, for example, a protocol commonly referred to as “Blue-Tooth.” In other examples, RF circuitry is configured in a longer-range type, for example, so as to operate over a control channel of a cellular telephone network in conjunction with, for example, a technology sometimes referred to as “MicroBurst technology,” an example of which is provided by Aeris Communications, Inc. This type of cellular control channel provides the same or similar coverage as cellular networks, but may experience relatively less traffic and relatively fewer or no system busy conditions. Such technology allows transmission of user and/or external infusion device data, for example, to a remote location for analysis without patient intervention.  
         [0035]     As a result of one or more of the exemplary aspects of system  10  and/or communication hub  16 , user  14  of external infusion device  12  easily and/or conveniently exchanges one communication hub  16  configured to comply with U.S. communications regulations with another communication hub  16  configured for complying with, for example, European communication regulations when traveling abroad, without substantially affecting operation and/or control of external infusion device  12 .  
         [0036]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the devices and methodology of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed in the specification. Rather, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations.