Abstract:
A wearable insulin dispensing device has features and operation characteristics supporting and easing compliance by the users of the device. For example, the device may provide capabilities of rendering a very specific and well-tuned dosage which may be altered according to the specific development of the individual user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/121,708 filed on May 4, 2005, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/DK2003/000753 filed on Nov. 4, 2003 (Pub. No. WO2004/041330), which claims priority to Denmark Patent Application No. 200201702 filed on Nov. 5, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to wearable insulin dispensing devices. 
     In connection with injection of insulin for combating Type I and Type II Diabetes extremely important features are simplicity of operation, reliability, cost and flexibility, which all are related to the issue of compliance which particularly in the cases of relatively mild Type II diabetes is a problem with important consequences regarding the success rate in treating the patients. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main object of the invention is to provide a wearable insulin dispensing device having features and operation characteristics supporting and easing compliance by the users of the device. 
     The present invention provides a disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device comprising
         a housing,   an insulin source in said housing,   a pump means in said housing and adapted for pumping insulin from said insulin source to a catheter for injection of said insulin in a user of the device and, said catheter being associated with said housing and projecting generally perpendicularly to a generally planar surface of said housing intended for abutting a skin surface of a user of the device,   an adhesive layer provided on said planar surface for adhering said planar surface to said skin surface, and   a removable release sheet covering said adhesive layer for protecting said adhesive layer prior to use of said dispensing device, said release sheet being provided with catheter protection means to enclose and protect an end portion of said catheter such that removal of said release sheet for exposing said adhesive layer exposes said end portion.       

     Hereby, in a simple, reliable and cost-effective manner a device is provided which is easy to apply and still in an effective manner protects the catheter against damage and contamination until use of the device is initiated. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device comprising
         a housing,   an insulin source in said housing,   a pump means in said housing and adapted for pumping insulin from said insulin source to a catheter for injection of said insulin in a user of the device and, said catheter being associated with said housing and projecting generally perpendicularly to a generally planar surface of said housing intended for abutting a skin surface of a user of the device,   an adhesive layer provided on said planar surface for adhering said planar surface to said skin surface,   a combined microphone and loudspeaker associated with said housing, preferably arranged inside said housing, and   recording and play back means connected to said combined microphone and loudspeaker and associated with said housing, preferably arranged inside said housing, such that verbal messages may be recorded and played back by said dispensing device.       

     Hereby a device promoting simple communication between a health care provider and the user is provided with readily understandable operation and with good effect on the compliance rate. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention provides a disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device comprising
         a housing,   an insulin source in said housing,   a pump means in said housing and adapted for pumping insulin from said insulin source to a catheter for injection of said insulin in a user of the device, and   an actuator for said pump means, said actuator comprising a shape memory alloy wire, said actuator preferably further comprising a ratchet gear or pawl wheel, a pawl adapted for cooperating with said pawl wheel and connected to one end of said shape memory alloy wire and a spring means connected to said pawl, the connections between said pawl and said wire and said pawl and said spring means being such that contraction of said wire rotates said pawl wheel against the spring force of said spring means.       

     Hereby a pump means requiring very low energy and with a high degree of reliability is provided at a relatively low cost. 
     In a yet further aspect, the invention relates to a disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device comprising
         a housing,   an insulin source in said housing,   a pump means in said housing and adapted for pumping insulin from said insulin source to a catheter for injection of said insulin in a user of the device,   an actuator for said pump means, preferably an actuator comprising a shape memory alloy wire, and   controlling means for controlling the operation of said actuator according to a program, said program consisting in a sequence of a certain amount of actuations of said actuator per 24 hour time periods, or, in connection with provision of a timing means connected to said controlling means said program consisting in a sequence of actuations of said actuator that varies according to the time of day or, in connection with provision of a timing means connected to said controlling means and an input device for inputting data to said controlling means, adapting said controlling means so as to be programmable by means of said data, or adapting said program of said controlling means to comprises algorithms for automatically altering the sequence of actuations of said actuator according to input of data relative to actual glucose level in the blood of the use of the device and/or intake of nutrients by said user.       

     Hereby, compliance is enhanced by providing a device with capabilities of rendering a very specific and well-tuned dosage which may be altered according to the specific development of the individual user. 
     In a yet further aspect, the invention relates provides a combination of a dispensing device as specified above and a programming controller, said dispensing device and said programming controller comprising cooperating transmission and/or receiving means for mutual communication of data, said programming controller preferably being a cellular telephone or a personal computer or a laptop computer or a hand held computer. 
     Moreover, the invention provides a method of controlling the operation of a disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device comprising
         a housing,   an insulin source in said housing,   a pump means in said housing and adapted for pumping insulin from said insulin source to a catheter for injection of said insulin in a user of the device,   an actuator for said pump means, preferably an actuator comprising a shape memory alloy wire, and   controlling means for controlling the operation of said actuator according to a program,
 
said method comprising the steps of:
   providing said controlling means with data for generating and/or amending said program prior to and/or after initiation of use of said dispensing device.       

     Furthermore, in a yet other aspect, the invention also related to a method of controlling the operation of a disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device comprising
         a housing,   an insulin source in said housing,   a pump means in said housing and adapted for pumping insulin from said insulin source to a catheter for injection of said insulin in a user of the device and, said catheter being associated with said housing and projecting generally perpendicularly to a generally planar surface of said housing intended for abutting a skin surface of a user of the device,   an adhesive layer provided on said planar surface for adhering said planar surface to said skin surface,   a combined microphone and loudspeaker associated with said housing, preferably arranged inside said housing,   recording and play back means connected to said combined microphone and loudspeaker and associated with said housing, preferably arranged inside said housing, such that verbal messages may be recorded and played back by said dispensing device, an   manual operating means for manually controlling the operation of said dispensing device
 
said method comprising the steps of:
   recording verbal instructions in said recording means for instructing the user of the device in the operation of said dispensing device, and   playing back said verbal instructions.       

     Finally, the invention relates to a method of controlling the operation of a disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device comprising
         a housing,   an insulin source in said housing,   a pump means in said housing and adapted for pumping insulin from said insulin source to a catheter for injection of said insulin in a user of the device and, said catheter being associated with said housing and projecting generally perpendicularly to a generally planar surface of said housing intended for abutting a skin surface of a user of the device,   an adhesive layer provided on said planar surface for adhering said planar surface to said skin surface,   a combined microphone and loudspeaker associated with said housing, preferably arranged inside said housing,   a programmable computing means associated with said housing, preferably arranged inside said housing, and   signal conversion means connected to said combined microphone and loudspeaker and associated with said housing, preferably arranged inside said housing, and adapted for converting received audio signals into input signals for said computing means and for converting output signals from said computing means to audio signals,
 
said method comprising the steps of:
   transmitting audio signals to said microphone for controlling the operation of said dispensing device,   receiving audio signals from said loudspeaker for evaluating the operation of said dispensing device.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following, the invention will be described and explained more in detail in connection with a currently preferred insulin dispensing device according to the invention shown, solely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic isometric view of a disposable insulin dispensing device according to the invention before the adhesive pad for adhering the device to a user has been mounted on the device, 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  seen from another angle and with the adhesive pad mounted thereon, 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic isometric partly exploded view of the device of  FIG. 2 , 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic entirely exploded view of the device of  FIG. 2 , 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic isometric view of the device of  FIG. 2  together with a programming device according to the invention, 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic enlarged scale exploded view of a shape memory alloy actuator mechanism according to the invention of the device of  FIG. 2 , and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view corresponding to  FIG. 6  with the elements of the shape memory actuator shown in interconnected operative relative positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a disposable insulin dispensing device according to the invention, generally referenced by the numeral  1 , comprises a water-tight generally cylindrical housing  2  provided with a push button  3  for activating and deactivating the device as well as for activating a so-called bolus operation as explained in the following. 
     The housing further comprises a transparent window  4  for inspecting the operation of the device and apertures  5  for transmission of sound waves as explained in the following. 
     At one end of the housing  2  there is provided a stiletto  6  having a sharp needle  7  extending through a catheter  8  connected to a not shown insulin container or capsule inside the housing  2  as explained in the following. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , the housing  2  is fixedly received in a trough  9  of an adhesive pad  10  made of a combination of a plate  11  of skin-friendly adhesive material, for instance as well known in the field of ostomy pouches, see for instance European patent application no. 0413250 and European patent application no. 0092999, and a relatively compressible portion  10   a  made of foam material attached to the plate  11 . The catheter  8  extends through the planar portion  11  of the pad  10 . The push button  3  is protected by the foam material  10   a  so as to avoid inadvertent operation of the button for instance when the user is asleep. 
     A slip release film  12  is adhered to the bottom surface of the adhesive plate  11  for protecting the adhesive surface of the plate  11  such that the adhesive properties are intact when the pad is to be adhered to the skin of a user of the dispensing device. The release film  12  is provided with a protective hollow projection  13  for receiving the catheter  8  and the needle  7  of the stiletto  6  so that the needle  7  and the catheter  8  are protected by the projection  13  before use of the dispensing device  1 . The housing  2  is provided with and end cover  14  on which the catheter  8  is mounted by means of a communication bushing  15  provided with an internal not shown elastomer mass and a communication passage for communicating the catheter  8  with the interior of the housing  2  as explained in the following in connection with  FIG. 4 . 
     In use, the user removes the protective release sheet  12  thereby exposing the tip of the needle  7  such that the needle may be inserted subcutaneously at the same time that the adhesive pad  10   a ,  11  is adhered to the abdominal skin of the user. When the needle  7  and the catheter  8  have been inserted subcutaneously and the device has been adhered to the skin of the user, the stiletto  6  is removed whereby communication is established between the catheter  8  and the interior of the housing  2  for supplying insulin subcutaneously to the user of the device. 
     The elastomer mass in the bushing  15  seals the exit opening of the needle  7  when it is removed such that no insulin may leak through said exit opening but is constrained to flow solely from the capsule to the catheter  8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  showing an exploded view of the components of the insulin dispensing device according to the invention, the housing  2  contains a container or a capsule  16  for storing and dispensing insulin. The container or capsule  16  is of a well-known type having a perforatable dispensing projection  17  for receiving a catheter  18  for communicating the interior of the container  16  with the catheter  8  through the communication bushing  15  when the needle  7  has been retracted from said elastomer mass inside the bushing  15  as explained above. 
     A spindle  19  provided with a piston  20  is received in the container  16  such that axial displacement of the spindle towards the dispensing projection  17  will press insulin through the catheter  18  to the catheter  8 . The spindle  19  is rotated and displaced by means of a shape memory alloy actuator described more in detail in the following with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     A battery  21  for supplying power to the shape memory actuator is provided adjacent an end cover  22  of the housing  2 . 
     The shape memory actuator comprises a pawl or ratchet wheel  23 , a guide bushing  24 , a spring wheel  25  and a shape memory wire  26 . The operation of the shape memory actuator will be described more in detail in the following with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     A printed circuit board  27  is provided for controlling the function of the dispensing device and the various operational steps thereof as described in the following. 
     Finally a combined microphone/loudspeaker  28  is arranged inside the housing  2  adjacent the apertures  5  for receiving and emitting sound waves for the purposes described below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a programming device or controller  29  having programming keys  30  and a display  31  is shown proximate the dispensing device for communicating with a not shown receiver/transmitter arranged inside the housing  2 . The communication may take place by infra red signals or other suitable signals transmitted from and to an opening  32  leading to a transmitter/receiver inside the controller  29  to and from, respectively an opening  33  (see  FIG. 2 ) in the end cover  22  of the housing  2  leading to said not shown transmitter/receiver inside the housing  2 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the spindle  19  is displaced axially in the direction of the arrow R 1  by counter-clockwise rotation of the pawl wheel  23  in the direction of the R 2  whereby the thread  36  meshing with the internal thread  37  results in said axial displacement whereby the piston  20  is displaced further into the carpule  16  to dispense insulin through the catheter  18  to the catheter  8  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     Rotation of the pawl wheel  23  is accomplished by means of the shape memory alloy (for instance Nitinol) wire  26  attached to electrically conductive rods  38  and  39  that are fixed in recesses  40  and  41 , respectively, in the electrically non-conductive guide bushing  24  and the electrically conductive spring wheel  25 , respectively. 
     The recess  40  is provided with not shown electrical contacts for electrically connecting the rod  39  to the battery  21  for supplying electrical current to the shape memory alloy (SMA) wire  26  to heat it in a manner and sequence controlled by the program elements in the printed circuit board  27 . 
     The spring wheel  25  has U-shaped spring arms  44  and  45  for exerting a spring force on the ends  46  and  47  thereof, respectively, in a direction towards the center of the pawl wheel  23  such that the ends  46  and  47  are constantly biased to enter into engagement with the teeth of the pawl wheel  23 . 
     The stop pins  42  and  43  are electrically connected to the printed circuit board  27  for emitting an electrical signal thereto when the spring wheel arm  48  contacts said stop pins. 
     The rod  38  is as mentioned above electrically connected to the power source such that an electrical current may be passed through the rod  38 , the wire  26 , the rod  39 , the loop recess  41  and the spring wheel  25  to heat the wire  26  to cause the wire to contract and rotate the pawl wheel the distance of one tooth in the direction of arrow R 2  by means of the arm end  46  engaging a tooth of the wheel until the arm  48  contacts the stop pin  42  that emits a signal to the control printed circuit board  27  whereby the current through the wire  26  is interrupted and the SMA wire  26  cools off and expands. 
     The other arm end  47  engages a tooth of the wheel  23  as a pawl and prevents the wheel  23  from rotating clock-wise. The spring effect of the spring wheel  25  in the tangential direction causes the arm  42  to move back into contact with the stop pin  43  thereby tightening the expanded SMA wire  26 . 
     The signals from the stop pins  42  and  43  are also utilized to indicate correct functioning of the pump and as an indication of the number of doses administered through the catheter  8 . 
     A dispensing device or insulin pump according to the invention may function in several different manners depending on the design and programming of the various control elements of the circuit board  27 : 
     1. Stand Alone Pump with Constant Flow: 
     The pump functions as a constant flow pump and may be designed for different flow rates, for instance 20 units/24 hours, 30 units/24 hours, etc. By depressing the bolus button  3  and holding it down, the pumping program is initiated and by again pressing the button  3  down and holding it, the pumping programme is terminated while a short duration pressure on the bolus button  3  activates a bolus additional dosage of insulin of a certain magnitude. 
     2. Stand Alone Pump with Varying Flow: 
     A timing device is incorporated in the printed circuit board  27  so that a standard program controls the flow dispensed by the pump during recurring 24 hour periods. The pre-programmed operating instructions may for example result in a lower dosage at night than during the day and an extra dosage at mealtimes. 
     3. Programmable Pump Type 1: 
     The pump is not provided with a predetermined program, but is provided with a programmable unit in the printed circuit board  27  and can be programmed by the user or a doctor by means of a controller  29 . The programming must be able to take place through the packing material in which the dispensing device is supplied so that the user can transport the device in a sterilized out packaging on vacations or the like without having to carry the controller along. The controller is a dedicated unit that for instance via a USB plug can be connected to a PC or it can be provided with cellular telephone capability for transmission of data. The controller can thus be programmed by a doctor or a user and be used for programming of the functioning of all subsequently used disposable dispensing devices. 
     4. Programmable Pump Type 2: 
     This pump functions in the same manner as programmable pump type 1, but the controller is a personal data device such as the type marketed under the trademark PALM PILOT®, or a laptop PC. This gives the additional advantage that the user may input health information and glucose level measurement results directly into the controller or programming unit and thus communicate such information to the doctor who may use this information when deciding whether the programming function of the controller or the programming unit is to be altered for subsequently used disposable dispensing devices. 
     5. Programmable Pump with Audio Input and Output: 
     By providing the dispensing device with the microphone/loudspeaker  28  and a suitable recording/play-back chip in the printed circuit  27 , short messages may be recorded by the dispensing device, and the short messages may be emitted by the device upon suitable manipulation of the bolus push button  3  or a separate recording button (not shown) mounted on the housing  2 . 
     By means of this audio capability the user may record verbally formulated information regarding glucose levels, meal composition, exercise, etc. A timer may record the timing of each recorded message. A doctor may then use these recorded messages together with information about number and timing of bolus dosages, pumping stops and the program utilized for the dispensing of the insulin so as to evaluate the treatment and decide upon any changes in the programming and instructions to the patient which may be recorded by the doctor via a mobile telephone or the like such that messages are automatically delivered to the user at predetermined times. Such a message could for example be ‘remember to measure your glucose level’ (message program to be delivered by the dispensing device to the user each morning at 8 o&#39;clock) and so on. 
     Furthermore, standard instructions can be included in the programming circuit so that the pump may deliver verbal messages to the user instead of audio signals such as beep sounds. The message could for instance be: ‘Pump is stopped’ or ‘This is your third bolus in a row and you have taken a total of eight bolus dosages today’ or ‘The pump will be empty in two hours’ and so on. Generally speaking, the audio capability described above will render the dispensing device provided with such capability much more user-friendly, especially for users initiating a treatment or not very disciplined as regards compliance. 
     6 Closed Loop Re-Programmable Pump: 
     Either the controller or the computing unit mounted in the printed circuit  27  may be programmed to react to information regarding actual glucose blood level inputted by the user perhaps together with other information, such as data regarding the timing and constitution of the last meal, to alter the program of the dispensing flow or dosage to take into consideration this information such that the dispensing device to a certain extent constitutes a closed loop, fuzzy logic, semi-automatic self re-programming insulin dispensing device. 
     The programming controller  29  may be a mobile wire-less communication device such as a cellular telephone communicating with the dispensing device by audio signals transmitted to and received from the transmitter/receiver  28 . The transmissions should be preceded and terminated by an identification code to avoid disruption of the programming of the device by extraneous audio signals. Other signal identification or protection procedures such as encryption may be utilized. The audio signals may be converted to controlling signals for altering the programming of the re-programmable computing unit mounted in the circuit board  27 . 
     Signal conversion means may be provided for converting the audio signals received by the receiver into input signals for the computing means and for converting output signals from the computing means into audio signal for being transmitted by the loudspeaker. 
     So-called SMS signals may also be utilized for transferring information between a wire-less mobile communications unit and the dispensing device, for instance by means of IR signals or so-called Bluetooth communication technology. 
     Although the basic concept of the invention is that the entire device is disposable, a variation may be that the receiver/transmitter unit  28  with recording and play back components and corresponding battery and perhaps circuit board with computing means is reusable and may be releasably received in a holder provided on the disposable portion of the device.