Provided is a wearable, self-contained drug infusion or medical device capable of communicating with a host controller or other external devices via a personal area network (PAN). The medical device utilizes a PAN transceiver for communication with other devices in contact with a user's body, such as a physiological sensor or host controller, by propagating a current across the user's body via capacitive coupling. The wearable nature of the medical device and the low power requirements of the PAN communication system enable the medical device to utilize alternative energy harvesting techniques for powering the device. The medical device preferably utilizes thermal, kinetic and other energy harvesting techniques for capturing energy from the user and the environment during normal use of the medical device. A system power distribution unit is provided for managing the harvested energy and selectively supplying power to the medical device during system operation.

Systems and methods include a heat transfer body with opposing major surfaces formed from a thermally conductive substrate in intimate thermal interaction with an alumina exterior surface that extends across the major surfaces of the body. In an illustrative example, the heat source may be a substantially planar, silicone-based heater source (P-SBHS). The heat transfer body may be configured to thermally interact, for example, heat from a heat source proximate a first of the major surfaces to a second of the major surfaces. A temperature sensor module may be located, for example, proximate to the first major surface such that a temperature sensor thermally interacts with the first major surface. The temperature sensor module may, for example, insulate the temperature sensor from the P-SBHS.

Disclosed catheter insertion systems enable the user to identify the location of the needle based on the electrical properties of subcutaneous tissue relative the electrical properties of other fluids such as blood or air. Disclosed systems can include one or more of the following features: 1) the catheter assembly is modular (e.g., the catheter can be connected and disconnected from the detection unit at will); 2) the detection unit employs an electrical circuit that allows for the discernment between subcutaneous tissue and blood; 3) the system assists the end user with catheter advancement. Some embodiments can be used to insert catheters into a spaces where the needle passes first through subcutaneous fat and muscle before entering fluid or air.

A catheter device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a tube to be inserted into a body; a light emitting unit, which is provided on a distal end side of the tube, and includes an infrared light emitting element configured to emit infrared light for verifying a position of the tube; a power supply line configured to supply electric power to the infrared light emitting element; and a conduction detection unit including a visible light emitting element configured to notify a conduction state between the power supply line and the infrared light emitting element by means of visible light. With the catheter device, operation of the light emitting unit can be visually checked before inserting the tube.

The present disclosure relates to a self-administrative medicament device (1) comprising: processing circuitry (3), a transmitter (9) having a first electrode (7a) configured to be coupled to a user's skin, a power supply system (11) configured to apply a current to the transmitter, and a trigger member (7) configured to trigger the power supply to apply the current to the transmitter (9), wherein the processing circuitry (3) is configured to modulate the current generated by the power supply system (11) to encode medicament administration-related data to be transmitted through a user's skin by the transmitter (9) via the first electrode (9a).

Provided is a wearable, self-contained drug infusion or medical device capable of communicating with a host controller or other external devices via a personal area network (PAN). The medical device utilizes a PAN transceiver for communication with other devices in contact with a user's body, such as a physiological sensor or host controller, by propagating a current across the user's body via capacitive coupling. The wearable nature of the medical device and the low power requirements of the PAN communication system enable the medical device to utilize alternative energy harvesting techniques for powering the device. The medical device preferably utilizes thermal, kinetic and other energy harvesting techniques for capturing energy from the user and the environment during normal use of the medical device. A system power distribution unit is provided for managing the harvested energy and selectively supplying power to the medical device during system operation.

In an exemplary embodiment, a drug delivery device is configured for Body Channel Communication (BCC). The drug delivery device may include a conductive element embedded in an adhesive patch that secures the drug delivery device to the user. This conductive element acts as a coupler to the body of the user. Another conductive element may also be provided at a face of the housing. This conductive element acts as the other end of the coupler formed with the conductive coil in the adhesive patch. The conductive coil in the adhesive patch conforms well to the user's skin surface and thus facilitates a good quality coupling with the user.

A system for supplying power transcutaneously to an implantable device implanted within a subject is provided. The system includes an external connector including one of a microneedle array and a microwire holder. The system further includes a power cable electrically coupled to the external connector and configured to supply power to the one of the microneedle array and the microwire holder, and an internal connector configured to be implanted within the subject and electrically coupled to the implantable device, the internal connector including the other of the microneedle array and the microwire holder. The microneedle array includes a plurality of electrically conductive microneedles, the microwire holder includes a plurality of electrical contacts, and the microwire holder is configured to engage the microneedle array such that the plurality of electrically conductive microneedles extend through the skin of the subject and electrically couple to the plurality of electrical contacts.

An operable implant adapted to be implanted in the body of a patient, the operable implant comprising an operation device and a body engaging portion, wherein the operation device comprises a first unit comprising a receiving unit for receiving wireless energy and a first gear system adapted to receive mechanical work having a first force and first velocity, and output mechanical work having a different second force and a different second velocity. The operation device further comprises a second unit comprising an electrical motor adapted to transform electrical energy to the mechanical work, and a distance element adapted to separate the first and second units such that the receiving unit, when receiving wireless energy, is not substantially affected by the second unit.

A power supply device includes a power transmission coil which supplies electric power from outside the body in a non-contact manner via a power reception coil of an intracorporeal implanting-type medical appliance to which a drug solution is injected from outside the body. A support supports the power transmission coil, and an adhesive part is formed on the side of the support facing the body surface of a living subject.