Abstract: An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for automatically detecting an occlusion in a medication infusion pump are provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump may be measured. Based on measurements of one or more variables, such as force, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system. The methods of detecting occlusions may be dynamic.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for automatically detecting an occlusion in a medication infusion pump are provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump may be measured. Based on measurements of one or more variables, such as force, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system. The methods of detecting occlusions may be dynamic.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a sensor of a characteristic monitoring system in real time utilizes a self-calibration module for periodic determination of, and compensation for, the IR drop across unwanted resistances in a cell. A current-interrupt switch is used to open the self-calibration module circuit and either measure the IR drop using a high-frequency (MHz) ADC module, or estimate it through linear regression of acquired samples of the voltage across the sensor's working and reference electrodes (Vmeasured) over time. The IR drop is then subtracted from the closed-circuit value of Vmeasured to calculate the overpotential that exists in the cell (Vimportant). Vimportant may be further optimized by subtracting the value of the open-circuit voltage (Voc) across the sensor's working and reference electrodes. The values of Vmeasured and Vimportant are then controlled by respective first and second control units to compensate for the IR drop.

Abstract: A system for identifying a reservoir used with a fluid delivery device. The system includes a reservoir comprising a housing for holding fluid and a colored marking located on a surface of the housing. A fluid delivery device includes a compartment for receiving and operatively coupling with the reservoir. A light source shines light on the colored marking of the reservoir. A color sensor detects wavelengths reflected and/or refracted from the colored marking due to the light shined on the colored marking. A processor of the delivery device determines a color of the colored marking from the detected wavelengths and ascertains information related to the reservoir or the fluid in the reservoir corresponding to the determined color, wherein the processor operates the fluid delivery device according to the ascertained information, wherein the information may include a reservoir type and/or medication type.

Abstract: A modular external infusion device that controls the rate a fluid is infused into an individual's body, which includes a first module and a second module. More particularly, the first module may be a pumping module that delivers a fluid, such as a medication, to a patient while the second module may be a programming module that allows a user to select pump flow commands. The second module is removably attachable to the first module.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide amperometric analyte sensors having optimized elements such as electrodes formed from sputtered platinum compositions as well as layers of material selected to optimize the characteristics of a wide variety of sensor elements and sensors. While embodiments of the innovation can be used in a variety of contexts, typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide amperometric analyte sensors having optimized elements such as electrodes formed from sputtered platinum compositions as well as layers of material selected to optimize the characteristics of a wide variety of sensor elements and sensors. While embodiments of the innovation can be used in a variety of contexts, typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.

Abstract: An infusion system is for infusing a fluid into the body of a patient. The infusion system includes at least one sensor for monitoring blood glucose concentration of the patient and an infusion device for delivering fluid to the patient. The sensor produces at least one sensor signal input. The infusion device uses the at least one sensor signal input and a derivative predicted algorithm to determine future blood glucose levels. The infusion device delivers fluid to the patient when future blood glucose levels are in a patient's target range. The infusion device is capable of suspending and resuming fluid delivery based on future blood glucose levels and a patient's low shutoff threshold. The infusion device suspends fluid delivery when future blood glucose levels falls below the low shutoff threshold. The infusion device resumes fluid delivery when a future blood glucose level is above the low shutoff threshold.

Abstract: An infusion medium delivery system, device and method for delivering an infusion medium to a patient-user, includes a needle inserter device and method for inserting a needle and/or cannula into a patient-user. The needle inserter device and method operate to insert a needle and cannula into a patient-user's skin and automatically withdraw the needle from the patient-user, leaving the cannula in place and in fluid flow communication with a reservoir. The delivery device may include a base portion and a durable portion connectable to the base portion, and wherein the base portion can be separated from the durable portion and disposed of after one or more specified number of uses. The base portion supports the reservoir and the needle inserter device, while the durable portion supports a drive device.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a fluid includes a housing, an inlet in the housing for receiving the fluid, and an outlet in the housing for discharging the fluid. A piston channel is provided within the housing through which the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet. An actuator is positioned within the housing and is moveable between a retracted position and a forward position, the actuator defining a piston chamber for storing fluid received through the inlet when the actuator is in the retracted position and for driving the fluid stored in the piston chamber toward the outlet when the actuator transitions from the retracted position to the forward position. The actuator includes an armature and a piston coupled to the armature and moveable within the piston channel. The piston is provided with a groove in an outer surface for conducting fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A telemetered characteristic monitor system includes a remotely located data receiving device, a sensor for producing signal indicative of a characteristic of a user, and a transmitter device. The transmitter device includes a housing, a sensor connector, a processor, and a transmitter. The transmitter receives the signals from the sensor and wirelessly transmits the processed signals to the remotely located data receiving device. The processor coupled to the sensor processes the signals from the sensor for transmission to the remotely located data receiving device. The data receiving device may be a characteristic monitor, a data receiver that provides data to another device, an RF programmer for a medical device, a medication delivery device (such as an infusion pump), or the like.

Abstract: An intuitive graphical display as described herein can be rendered by a host device that obtains physiological patient data (such as blood glucose values) in real time or substantially real time. The graphical display includes a calibrated bar graph having a desired measurement range for the monitored parameter. The graphical display also includes a dynamic measurement value indicator that moves along the bar graph in a manner that tracks the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic. The graphical display may also incorporate easy-to-interpret display elements that allow the user to quickly determine whether the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic is within or outside a normal range, whether the monitored physiological characteristic is rising or falling, and the approximate rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatuses, etc. for determination and application of a unidimensional metric for assessing a patient's glycemic health. In one particular implementation, a computed metric may be used to balance short-term and long-term risks associated with a particular therapy. In another implementation, a computed unidimensional metric may be used to balance risks of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.