Patch-Sized Fluid Delivery Systems and Methods

Abstract

A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for using a system, the system comprising an infusion medium container for holding an infusion medium, a plunger that is disposed at least partially within the infusion medium container, a reservoir, and a transfer guard, the plunger having a plunger body and a plunger septum, the plunger body allowing for forcing the infusion medium out of the infusion medium container, the plunger body configured to have an opening, the plunger septum capable of being pierced to allow the infusion medium to flow through the opening in the plunger body, the transfer guard having a transfer element, the method comprising:
 piercing the plunger septum with the transfer element of the transfer guard; and   moving the infusion medium container so as to cause the infusion medium to be transferred from the infusion medium container to the reservoir through the opening in the plunger body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of moving, comprises: moving the infusion medium container to cause the plunger body to advance within the infusion medium container so as to force the infusion medium out of the infusion medium container through the opening in the plunger body. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of piercing, comprises:
 piercing the plunger septum with the transfer element of the transfer guard; and   connecting the transfer guard to the reservoir.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 ,
 wherein the reservoir comprises a port;   wherein the step of moving, comprises:
 moving the infusion medium container so as to cause the infusion medium to be transferred from the infusion medium container to the reservoir through the opening in the plunger body and through the port of the reservoir; and 
   wherein the method further comprises:
 disconnecting the transfer guard from the reservoir; and 
 connecting the port of the reservoir to an infusion path that allows for a transfer of the infusion medium from the reservoir to a body of a user. 
   
     
     
         5 . A method for using a system, the system comprising a reservoir, a piston disposed at least partially within the reservoir, a plunger shaft connected to the piston, and a handle, the plunger shaft having a mating portion for mating with a linkage portion of a drive device, the handle having a handle mating portion for mating with the mating portion of the plunger shaft, the method comprising:
 mating the handle mating portion of the handle with the mating portion of the plunger shaft so as to connect the handle to the plunger shaft;   establishing a transfer path for transferring an infusion medium from an infusion medium container to the reservoir; and   pulling the handle to move the plunger shaft so as to move the piston to allow the infusion medium to fill into the reservoir from the infusion medium container.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: disconnecting the handle from the plunger shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising: mating the linkage portion of the drive device with the mating portion of the plunger shaft after the handle has been disconnected from the plunger shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the drive device comprises a motor; and   wherein the method further comprises:
 controlling the motor to move the linkage portion of the drive device to move the plunger shaft so as to move the piston to force the infusion medium out of the reservoir. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the handle comprises a gripping arm; and   wherein the step of mating the handle mating portion of the handle with the mating portion of the plunger shaft, comprises:
 mating the handle mating portion of the handle with the mating portion of the plunger shaft; and 
 rotating the handle so as to position the gripping arm of the handle in a position to grip the plunger shaft. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of establishing the transfer path, comprises:
 connecting a transfer guard to a port of the reservoir; and   connecting the infusion medium container to the transfer guard.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 disconnecting the transfer guard from the port of the reservoir; and   connecting the port of the reservoir to an infusion path that allows for a transfer of the infusion medium from the reservoir to a body of a user.