Patent ID: 8486005

Claim:
A portable device for delivering therapeutic fluid to a body of a patient, the device comprising: a disposable part comprising: a reservoir retaining therapeutic fluid, and a fluid delivery tube coupled to the reservoir and configured to deliver the therapeutic fluid from the reservoir, the fluid delivery tube including a flow detection portion defining a portion of the fluid delivery tube; a reusable part comprising: a processor, and at least a portion of a pump; and a flow monitor configured to: manipulate a property of at least one of the flow detection portion and the fluid within the flow detection portion, monitor said property, and generate one or more signals corresponding to the monitored property; wherein: the flow monitor becomes operative upon coupling the reusable part and the disposable part, and the processor is configured to determine the occurrence of one or more flow conditions within a fluid passageway including at least said fluid delivery tube based on the one or more signals generated by the flow monitor.