Drug delivery system with sensor having optimized communication and infusion site

Abstract

A drug delivery system having a drug delivery device and an associated sensor is provided. The sensor can be associated with a sensing site on user. The drug delivery device can be positioned over the sensor in any rotational position and can be associated with an infusion site on the user. The close positioning of the sensor and the drug delivery device allows data from the sensor to be relayed to the drug delivery device and then on to a remote control device. Further, the drug delivery device can be replaced at the end of its duration of use, which is shorter than the duration of use of the sensor, without disturbing the sensor. Subsequent drug delivery devices can then be used with the sensor while allowing each corresponding infusion site to be changed, thereby providing more efficient operation of the drug delivery system.

1 . A method, comprising:
 removing a first drug delivery device after a first period of time from a drug delivery system, while a sensor remains attached to a body of a user, wherein:
 the drug delivery system includes the first drug delivery device and the sensor, 
 the first drug delivery device having an opening within which the sensor is positioned, 
 the sensor having a bottom surface attached to the user with a sensing cannula coupled to a sensing site on the user, and 
 the first drug delivery device including a reservoir operable to store a liquid drug and having a drug delivery component operable to extract a portion of the liquid drug from the reservoir and deliver a dose of the liquid drug to the user via a first infusion cannula. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 after removal of the first drug delivery device from the drug delivery system, positioning a second drug delivery device over the sensor, the sensor positioned within an opening of the second drug delivery device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 extending a second infusion cannula from a periphery of a bottom surface of the second drug delivery device, wherein the second infusion cannula is positioned away from a former position of the first infusion cannula.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 removing the second drug delivery device after a second period of time while maintaining attachment of the sensor to the body of the user; and   positioning a third drug delivery device on the body of the user.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein positioning of the third drug delivery device on the body further comprises:
 placing the third drug delivery device over the sensor, wherein the sensor is positioned within an opening of the third drug delivery device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 extending a third infusion cannula from a periphery of a bottom surface of the third drug delivery device, wherein the third infusion cannula is positioned away from a former position of the second infusion cannula.   
     
     
         7 . A drug delivery system, comprising:
 a sensor operable to couple to a user's body having one or more sensing cannulas extending from a bottom surface of the sensor into the user's body; and   a drug delivery device encompassing the sensor and having an infusion cannula operable to couple to the user's body, wherein the drug delivery device is operable to:
 deliver a liquid drug to the user's body via the infusion cannula, and 
 be detached from the user's body after a first period of time without disrupting a positioning or operation of the one or more sensing cannulas. 
   
     
     
         8 . The drug delivery system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a pad having at least one opening that is operable to allow the infusion cannula to access the user's body, wherein a bottom surface of the pad is operable to be coupled to the user's body.   
     
     
         9 . The drug delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the drug delivery device is operable to be releasably attachable to the pad in one of a plurality of positions relative to a fixed position of the pad. 
     
     
         10 . The drug delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is incorporated into the pad or is positioned on top of the pad. 
     
     
         11 . The drug delivery system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a sensor configuration module operable to be positioned over the sensor,   wherein the sensor configuration module includes a user interface component for configuring operation of the sensor when the sensor configuration module is attached to the pad and over the sensor, and   the sensor configuration module is operable to be releasably attachable to the pad and positioned over the sensor.   
     
     
         12 . The drug delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom surface of the sensor is coplanar with a bottom surface of the drug delivery device when the sensor is positioned within an opening or recess of the drug delivery device. 
     
     
         13 . The drug delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein the drug delivery device is operable to be positioned over the sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The drug delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein the drug delivery device and the sensor are communicatively coupled together when the drug delivery device is positioned over the sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The drug delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor is a continuous glucose monitor and the liquid drug is insulin. 
     
     
         16 . The drug delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein the drug delivery device is operable to be removed after the first period of time and be replaced with a subsequent drug delivery device that is operable to be positioned over the sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The drug delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor has a central axis that is coaxial with a central axis of the drug delivery device. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 attaching a pad and a sensor to a body of a user;   extending one or more sensing cannulas from a bottom surface of the sensor;   coupling a first drug delivery device over the sensor in a first position, the first position being at one of a plurality of possible orientations relative to a positioning of the sensor;   extending a first infusion cannula from the first drug delivery device; and   infusing a liquid drug into the body of the user from the first drug delivery device over a first duration.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first drug delivery device is coupled to the pad. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first infusion cannula extends from the first drug delivery device through a first opening in the pad to reach the body of the user, the first opening associated with the first position of the first drug delivery device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 coupling a sensor configuration module to the pad and over the sensor.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 engaging a user interface component positioned on the sensor configuration module to configure operation of the sensor.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 removing the first drug delivery device while maintaining positioning of the pad and the sensor; and   coupling a second drug delivery device to the body of the user.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein when the second drug delivery device is coupled to the body of the user, the second drug delivery device is coupled to the pad and over the sensor in a second position different from the first position. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 extending a second infusion cannula from the second drug delivery device through a second opening in the pad to reach the body of the user, the second opening associated with the second position of the second drug delivery device; and   infusing the liquid drug into the body of the user from the second drug delivery device over a second duration.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the second opening is up to 180 degrees away from a first opening relative to a central axis of the sensor.