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 reservoir for use with an infusion device arranged to provide a liquid to a user, the reservoir comprising:
 a body defining a fluid channel and an attachment area, a depression formed in the body within an area surrounded by the attachment area and a neck element that extends from the body including a portion of the fluid channel therein;   a movable wall attached to the body at the attachment area so as to define with the body a reservoir space to hold the liquid, a portion of the movable wall being movable relative to the body to adjust a volume of the reservoir space; and   a piercable member positioned to prevent flow through the fluid channel,   wherein the fluid channel is the only fluid passageway into or out of the reservoir space.   
     
     
         2 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is arranged to provide the liquid in the reservoir space from the fluid channel based on negative pressure applied to the fluid channel provided by the infusion device. 
     
     
         3 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein, in a filled state in which the reservoir space is at a maximum volume, the reservoir is pressurized to ambient pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is arranged to receive liquid into the reservoir space through the piercable member and to provide liquid from the space through the piercable member in a pierced state. 
     
     
         5 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the piercable member is a piercable septum. 
     
     
         6 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the movable wall is a piece of flexible material attached to the body. 
     
     
         7 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment area has an annular shape and the piece of flexible material has a generally circular shape. 
     
     
         8 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the movable wall is arranged such that movement of the movable wall toward the fluid channel decreases the volume of the reservoir space. 
     
     
         9 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the movable wall is arranged such that movement of the portion of the movable wall in a direction transverse to the fluid channel decreases the volume of the space. 
     
     
         10 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the movable wall is movable to contact the body in a dispensed state. 
     
     
         11 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the movable wall is movable to contact the body and collapse the reservoir space. 
     
     
         12 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , further comprising a port opening disposed in the neck element, the neck element at least partially extends from a side of the body opposite to a side where the movable wall is attached to the body, and wherein the port opening is in fluid communication with the fluid channel. 
     
     
         13 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the body is rigid. 
     
     
         14 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the neck element defines a receiving chamber to receive an end of a piercing element that pierces the piercable member to receive the liquid from the reservoir space. 
     
     
         15 . The reservoir of  claim 14 , wherein the receiving chamber is positioned between the piercable member and the reservoir space. 
     
     
         16 . The reservoir of  claim 14 , wherein the receiving chamber is adapted to receive the end of the piercing element upon piercing of the piercable member. 
     
     
         17 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the piercable member includes a piercable plug located in the neck element that closes the fluid channel to fluid flow and is piercable to provide fluid access to the reservoir space. 
     
     
         18 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the piercable member is located within the neck element.