Configurable device and method for dispensing a substance

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a substance, in particular for self-administering a product fluid, wherein the device includes an operating system for controlling basic functions of the device and a memory unit for storing application-specific data, and encompasses a method for configuring the device. The invention also relates to a container for a substance including a coupling element for coupling the container to an administering device for administering the substance, wherein the container has an associated identifying element, and wherein the administering device includes a coupling device for accommodating the coupling element of the container and a sensor element for at least one of reading and writing the identifying element and the state of the container. The invention is intended to encompass methods for providing and using the identifying element.

1 . A device for dispensing a substance, in particular for self-administering a product fluid, comprising: 
 a) an operating system for controlling basic functions of said device;    b) a memory unit operably coupled to the operating system for storing and reading in application-specific data; and    c) a reading device operably coupled to the operating system, wherein said reading device is adapted to identify an ampoule or carpoule.    
   
   
       2 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A method for configuring a device for dispensing substances contained in an ampoule or carpoule, comprising the steps of: 
 a) inserting the ampoule or carpoule into said device;    b) downloading substance related data into said device from said ampoule or carpoule; and    c) dispensing said substance according to said substance related data.    
   
   
       19 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising recording the first time the ampoule or carpoule were used and determining whether the substance within has begun to degrade and should no longer be used.  
   
   
       20 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of identifying data errors as said substance related data is input.  
   
   
       21 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said substance related data comprises at least one of ampoule or carpoule data, substance dispensing data and device operating data.  
   
   
       22 . The method as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of identifying data errors as said substance related data is input.  
   
   
       23 . The method as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of identifying and correcting data errors as said substance related data is input.  
   
   
       24 . A method for configuring a device for use in self-administering a product fluid contained in an ampoule or carpoule, comprising the steps of: 
 a) inserting the ampoule or carpoule into said device;    b) downloading use-specific data into said device from said ampoule or carpoule; and    c) administering said product fluid according to said use-specific data.    
   
   
       25 . The method as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein said use-specific data comprises at least one of ampoule or carpoule data, product fluid administering data and device operating data.  
   
   
       26 . The method as set forth in  claim 25 , further comprising identifying and correcting data errors in said use-specific data.