SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY SUPPLYING AT LEAST ONE AND PREFERABLY TWO SUBSTANCES TO A PERSON AND USE THEREOF

Abstract

A system for selectively supplying a substance to a person, for regulating the concentration of glucose in the blood of a person, includes a device for selectively supplying a substance which includes a port for connecting to a transport element, and a controller for controlling the device, an infusion set including an infusion element comprising a first connector for connecting to a second connector of the transport element, and a transport element including second and third connectors. The following parts of the system can form at least one pair: the infusion elements; the second connectors; second connector with said or a respective third connector; or combinations thereof. The device can detect and/or be inputted with information indicating the pair is formed, and the controller controls the device such that a priming function can only be performed if detected and/or inputted that said at least one pair is formed.

Claims

1. A system for selectively supplying at least one substances to a person, comprising: a device for selectively supplying said at least one substance contained in respective at least one reservoir, said device comprising: at least one receiving space for accommodating a said reservoir, at least one port for connecting to a transport element, and a controller for controlling said device such that a certain amount of a said substance is supplied and thereby infused into the body of the person, at least one infusion set, said at least one infusion set comprising: an infusion element comprising an infusion means for infusing a substance into a body of said person, said infusion means comprising an inlet end for receiving said substance and an outlet end for infusing said substance into said body, wherein said infusion element comprises a first connector for connecting to a second connector of a said transport element of the infusion set, and a said transport element comprising a transport means, a second connector arranged at an outlet end of the transport means that is connectable to a said first connector of a said infusion element such that in a connected condition in which the second connector of the transport element is connected to the first connector of the infusion element a medium through flow connection is provided between the outlet end of the transport means and the inlet end of the infusion means for feeding the substance to the infusion means, and a third connector arranged at an inlet end of the transport means for connecting to a said port such that in a connected condition in which the third connector is connected to a said port a medium through flow connection is provided between a said reservoir accommodated in a said receiving space and the inlet end of the transport means for receiving a said substance from said reservoir, wherein at least one of the following parts of the system are defined to form at least one pair: the infusion elements and the first connectors thereof, wherein at least two of said infusion sets are provided; the second connectors, wherein at least two of said infusion sets are provided; at least one second connector with said or a respective third connector, wherein at least one said infusion set is provided; or combinations thereof, and in that said device is arranged to detect and/or be inputted with information indicating that said at least one pair is formed, and that the controller is arranged to control the device such that a priming function can only be performed if it is detected and/or inputted that said at least one pair is formed.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises an inputting means for inputting said information indicating that said at least one pair is formed.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device is arranged to optically and/or electrically and/or electronically detect if said at least one pair is formed.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the parts of said at least one pair comprises a detectable feature.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the parts of said at least one pair are arranged to be brought in contact with and/or connected to each other.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said parts are arranged to be brought in contact with and/or connected to each other in such a manner that said infusion element or infusion elements cannot be in a condition being able to infuse substance into the body.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising connecting means for connecting the parts of said at least one pair to each other and/or the device.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising positioning and/or orientating means for positioning and/or orientating said parts in a certain position and/or orientation with respect to each other and/or the device.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises an outputting means for outputting at least one instruction for the person.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the device is arranged to: output a first instruction to the person to perform a priming process and/or be inputted by the person to start a priming process; output a second instruction, said second instruction instructing the person to form said at least one pair, detect and/or be inputted with information indicating that said at least one pair is formed; and start the priming process after if it is detected or inputted that said at least one pair is formed.

11. A use of the system according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: a) providing the system; b) forming said at least one pair; c) detecting and/or inputting information into the device indicating that said at least one pair is formed, and d) performing a priming process.

12. The use according to claim 11, wherein in step a) the system further comprises an inputting means for inputting said information indicating that said at least one pair is formed, wherein step c) comprises the step of inputting said information indicating that said at least one pair is formed by using the inputting means, for example by pressing a button and/or touching a touch screen and/or giving a voice instruction.

13. The use according to claim 11, wherein in step a) a system said device is arranged to optically and/or electrically and/or electronically detect if said at least one pair is formed, wherein step d) comprises the step of optically and/or electrically and/or electronically detecting that said at least one pair is formed.

14. The use according to claim 11, wherein in step a) the parts of said at least one pair are arranged to be brought in contact with and/or connected to each other, wherein step b) is executed by bringing the parts into contact with each other and/or connecting the parts to each other, optionally using the connecting means, optionally in such a manner that said infusion element or infusion elements cannot be in a condition being able to infuse substance into the body.

15. The use according to claim 11, wherein in step a) the system further comprises positioning and/or orientating means for positioning and/or orientating said parts in a certain position and/or orientation with respect to each other and/or the device, wherein in step b) said parts are positioned an/or orientated in a certain position and/or orientation with respect to each other and/or the detection means using said positioning and/or orientating means.

16. The use of a system according to claim 11, wherein in step a) the system is arranged to: output a first instruction to the person to perform a priming process and/or be inputted by the person to start a priming process; output a second instruction, said second instruction instructing the person to form said at least one pair, detect and/or be inputted with information indicating that said at least one pair is formed; and start the priming process after if it is detected or inputted that said at least one pair is formed; further comprising the steps of: e1) outputting a first instruction, said first instruction instructing the person to perform a priming process, and/or e2) inputting to start a priming process; f) outputting a second instruction, said second instruction instructing the person to form said at least one pair; wherein steps c) and d) are performed after steps e1) and/or e2) and f).

Description

[0129] The invention(s) will be further explained with respect to figures, wherein:

[0130] FIGS. 1a and 1b schematically show a first embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein FIG. 1a shows a state wherein no pair is formed and FIG. 1b shows a state wherein a said pair is formed;

[0131] FIGS. 2a and 2b schematically show a second embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein FIG. 2a shows a state wherein no pair is formed and FIG. 2b shows a state wherein a said pair is formed;

[0132] FIGS. 3a and 3b schematically show a third embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein FIG. 3a shows a front view and FIG. 3b a top view, and

[0133] FIG. 4 schematically shows a fourth embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0134] In the figures same or similar features are referred to by same reference numerals, increased by one hundred (100), two hundred (200) and three hundred (300) for the second, third and fourth embodiment, respectively.

[0135] For the sake of clarity and/or simplicity features that may be relevant for understanding the invention are shown in the figures, even though such features might not normally be visible in the views as shown. Further, some features of the system may not be shown for the sake of simplicity. The features that are shown may be shown in a simplified and/or enlarged way and/or in any other way different from reality but improving the readability of the figures.

[0136] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a schematic front view of a system 1 for in this example regulating the concentration of glucose in the blood of a person in two different conditions and/or states, as will be described below. Said system 1 comprises a device 2 for in this embodiment selectively supplying two substances, i.e. insulin and glucagon. Said device 2 comprises in this embodiment two receiving spaces 3, 4 for receiving and accommodating respective reservoirs containing said substances. As is shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, in this embodiment the receiving spaces 3, 4 each have a different length and diameter, wherein the length and diameter are adapted to the type of reservoir to be received therein, such that each receiving space 3, 4 is able to receive only one type of reservoir. In particular, in this embodiment the receiving space 3 is able to receive an insulin reservoir and the receiving space 4 is able to receive a glucagon reservoir, which glucagon reservoir is shorter and thicker as compared to the insulin reservoir. The device 2 further comprises ports 5, 6, via which ports 5, 6 a respective reservoir may be inserted into the respective receiving space 3, 4 and to which an infusion set can be connected.

[0137] FIGS. 1a, 1b further show two infusion sets, wherein each infusion set comprises an infusion element 7, 8 comprising an infusion means for infusing a said substance into the body of said person, said infusion means for example being a cannula, catheter, needle, or nozzle, and said infusion means comprising an inlet end for receiving said substance and an outlet end for infusing said substance into said body. Such an infusion means is provided at the back of the infusion element 7, 8 as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b and therefore not visible in FIGS. 1a, 1b. However, such an infusion element is well known to the skilled person and thus the skilled person would understand how to embody such an infusion means. The infusion elements 7, 8 further each comprise a respective first connector 9, 10.

[0138] In this embodiment each infusion set further comprises a respective tube 11, 12 as a transport means as part of a transport element. At an outlet end of the tubes 11, 12 each tube 11, 12 comprises a second connector 13, 14 that is connectable to a said first connector 9, 10 of a said infusion element 7, 8 such that in a connected condition as shown in FIG. 1a in which the second connectors 13, 14 are connected to the first connectors 9, 10 a medium through flow connection is provided between the outlet end of the tubes 11, 12 and the inlet end of the infusion means for feeding the substance to the infusion means. At an inlet end of the tubes 11, 12, which is located at the other end of the tubes 11, 12, said tubes comprise a respective third connector 15, 16 for connecting to a said port 5, 6 such that in a connected condition as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b in which a said third connector 15, 16 is connected to a said port 5, 6 a medium through flow connection is provided between a said reservoir contained in a said receiving space 3, 4 and the inlet end of the tubes 11, 12 for receiving a said substance from a said reservoir. In the connected condition of FIG. 1a wherein the third connectors 15, 16 are connected to respective ports 5, 6 and the second connectors 13, 14 are connected to respective first connectors 9, 10 it is thus possible to feed a said substance to said person via a said tube 11, 12 and a said infusion element 7, 8.

[0139] Said device 2 comprises a controller 17 for controlling said device such that a certain amount of a said substance is supplied and thereby infused into the body of the person via a respective infusion set. For example said controller 17 may be used for performing a priming function, wherein at least the tubes 11, 12 are filled or flushed with substance. Said priming function may be a pre-programmed priming function or sequence stored in said controller.

[0140] In this exemplary embodiment the two second connectors 13, 14, i.e. one from each tube 11, 12, are defined to form a pair of parts, wherein in this embodiment the two second connectors 13, 14 can be brought into contact with each other and in this embodiment also connected to each other. FIG. 1b shows the state wherein said two second connectors 13, 14 form said pair. In this embodiment said device 2 is arranged to detect whether the second connectors 13, 14 form a pair by checking if these are in contact with and/or connected to each other as shown in FIG. 1b, and the controller 17 is arranged to control the device 2 such that a priming function can only be performed if it is detected that the two second connectors 13, 14 are in contact with each other. As is further shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b the two second connectors 13, 14 each comprise a fluid outlet 61, 62. Priming of any of the two transport means is completed if a said substance exits the respective outlet 61, 62 of that transport means. Said second connectors 13, 14 are preferably held by a user in such a manner that the substance does not drip on any component of the system 1.

[0141] In this embodiment it can be detected electrically or optically if the second connectors 13, 14 are in contact with each other. Electrical or optical circuit parts 18, 19, 20, 21 are provided, wherein circuit parts 18, 21 are provided within the device 2 and extend between the controller 17 and a respective port 5, 6, and wherein each transport element comprises a respective circuit part 19, 20 that extends along the respective tube 11, 12 from and including the respective third connector 15, 16 to and including the second connector 19, 20. If the respective tubes 11, 12 are connected to the respective ports 5, 6 using the respective third connectors 15, 16 and if the second connectors 13, 14 are connected to each other, the circuit parts 18-21 define a closed optical or electrical circuit. If said circuit is closed the controller 17 is able to transmit and receive an electrical or optical signal via said circuit, thereby being able to detect if the second connectors 13, 14 are in contact with and/or connected to each other and a priming function may be performed. If a signal is transmitted but not received, the controller 17 is able to detect that said second connectors 13, 14 are not connected to each other and no priming function is performed.

[0142] For connecting the second connectors 13, 14 to each other each second connector 13, 14 comprises mutual cooperating connecting means, in this embodiment defined by pin 22 and hole 23 connecting means. In this embodiment each second connector 13, 14 comprises both a said pin 22 and a said hole 23, wherein the pins 22 can be inserted into the holes 23 of the other second connector 13, 14. The first connectors 9, 10 also comprise similar pins 22 and holes 23, such that the second connectors 13, 14 can also be connected to the first connectors 9, 10 using the same connecting means.

[0143] As will be clear from FIG. 1b, the second connectors 13, 14 are connected to each other using the connecting means 22, 23 in such a manner, that these cannot be connected to the first connectors 9, 10 at the same time. This way it can be guaranteed that no substance and/or air can be infused into the body during priming.

[0144] It is noted that instead of the two second connectors 13, 14 being connected to each other, a similar solution can be foreseen in which the two first connectors 9, 10 are connected to each other. In such a case the first connectors 9, 10 may each comprise a circuit part, which circuit parts connect to the circuit parts 19, 20 at one end thereof and to each other at the other end thereof.

[0145] It is noted that instead of the two second connectors 13, 14 being connected to each other, a similar solution can be foreseen in which the second connectors 13, 14 connect to the third connectors 15, 16. In such cases the third connectors 15, 16 and the device 2 may comprise further circuit parts and in total two circuits will be closed when the second connectors 13, 14 are connected to the third connectors 15, 16. The controller 17 may check if the correct circuit or preferably both circuits are closed by transmitting and receiving (an) electrical or optical signal(s) and will be arranged to perform a priming process only if this is the case. Such an embodiment may also be suitably applied for a system in which only one infusion set is used, for example for a system supplying insulin only.

[0146] It is noted that a priming function may be stopped when the two second connectors 13, 14 are no longer in contact with and/or connected to each other, because in that case the electrical or optical circuit is broken which may be detected by the controller 17 and which may be arranged to stop the priming process in such a case.

[0147] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a second embodiment of the system 101. Only the differences with the first embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1b will be described here. For a further description of the second embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 2b the reader is referred to the description of FIGS. 1a and 1b.

[0148] The second embodiment of the system 101 of FIGS. 2a and 2b differs in that it can be detected electronically if the two second connectors 113, 114 are in contact and in this case also connected to each other. The circuits 118, 121 of the device 2 are in this embodiment closed electrical or electronical circuits 118, 119 instead of circuit parts, wherein each circuit 118, 121 comprises a respective electromagnetic coil 130, 131. In this embodiment the third connectors 115, 116 of the transport element each comprise a closed electronical circuit 132, 133, each circuit 132, 132 comprising a respective coil 134, 135 and chip 136, 137, for example a memory chip. In this embodiment the second connectors 113, 114 of the transport element each comprise a closed electronical circuit 138, 139, each circuit 138, 139 comprising two coils 140a, 140b, 141a, 141b, and a respective chip 142, 143. A separately provided transmitter 144 may be releasably connected to in this example one of the two second connectors 113, 114, namely second connector 114. Said transmitter 144 comprises a closed electronical circuit 145 comprising a coil 146. Said transmitter further comprises a chip 147. Adjacent coil pairs, such as coils 130 and 134, coils 131, 135, coils 140a, 141a, and 141b, 146 allow for communication between the respective circuits. This way the controller is able to check if the third connectors 115, 116 are connected to the ports 105, 106 by reading the information stored in the respective chips 136, 137, and to check if the two second connectors 113, 114 form a pair by means of the transmitter 144 transmitting information stored in both chips 142, 143, which information can be wirelessly received by the controller 117. The controller 117 comprises receiving means for this purpose. Because the two chips 136, 137 are able to communicate with each other and the chip 137 is able to communicate with the transmitter 144, only one transmitter is required for the device to be able to detect if the two second connectors 113, 114 are in contact with and in this embodiment also connected to each other. Because said transmitter 144 is relatively costly it is advantageous that only one transmitter is required, even though it is of course possible that also second connector 113 is provided with such a releasable and therefor reusable transmitter.

[0149] An advantage of the third connectors 115, 116 and second connectors 113, 114 all having a chip is that said controller 117 may be arranged to check the information stored in said chips and thereby to determine if the second connectors 113, 114 are the second connectors of the transport element that is connected to the ports 105, 106 pump 102, and not second connectors of other transport element that are not connected to the ports 105, 106 of the pump 102. The chips 136, 142 of the one transport element on the one hand and the chips 137, 143 of the other transport element on the other hand may comprise same or similar information for this purpose.

[0150] Similar as for the first embodiment any suitable pair of parts can be formed in such an electronical embodiment, such as the first connectors 109, 110, or said second connectors 113, 114 with said third connectors 115, 116.

[0151] The transmitter 144 may further comprise a battery or any other suitable power source.

[0152] It is noted that even though some elements are disclosed to comprise a circuit comprising two coils, only one coil may be provided where applicable. This will be clear for the skilled person.

[0153] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a third embodiment of the system 201. Only the differences with the first and second embodiments of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b will be described here. For a further description of the third embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b the reader is referred to the description of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b.

[0154] The third embodiment of the system 201 of FIGS. 3a and 3b differs in that a pair is formed between the second connectors 213, 214 and a respective third connector 215, 216, which are in contact with and connected to each other. Said circuits 232, 233 of the third connectors 215, 216 each comprise a further coil 250, 251, that is able to provide communication with a respective circuit 238, 239 of a respective second connector 213, 214 via the respective coils 240, 241 thereof. Said controller 217 is able to detect if the second connectors 213, 214 form a pair with a respective third connector 215, 216 by checking the information as stored in the four chips 236, 237, 242, 243 if it receives all that information via the circuits 218, 221 and is further able to check if the second connectors 213, 214 are connected to a third connector 215, 216 of the same transport element by checking if the correct information pairs and thereby chip pairs are formed.

[0155] Because communication with the device 202 takes place via the coils, no transmitter is required in this third embodiment. All circuits may be powered via the device 202.

[0156] It is noted that if desired the chips 236, 237 of the third connectors 215, 216 may be omitted, because it may be detected that the second connectors 213, 214 are in contact with the third connectors 215, 216 if the controller 217 receives the information of only the chips 242, 243 of the second connectors 213, 214 as transmitted via the coils.

[0157] As is shown in FIG. 3b the second connectors 213, 214 are in this embodiment connected to the third connectors 215, 216 in such a manner that substance that may drip out of outlet ends 260, 261 of the transport element does not drop onto the device 202.

[0158] It is further noted that this third embodiment of the system 201 is described for an embodiment comprising two infusion sets, but this priming solution may also be used for an embodiment comprising only one infusion set, wherein the priming function may be performed when it is detected that the second connector and third connector of that infusion set form a pair.

[0159] It is further noted that if in the third embodiment of the system 201 as described above only one of the two infusion sets needs to be primed, it may be sufficient if only the second connector and third connector of the infusion set to be primed may form a pair. If it is detected that this pair is formed by checking the information stored in the chips of this pair, the priming function for priming this infusion set may be performed.

[0160] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the system 301. Only the differences with the third embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b will be described here. For a further description of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 4 the reader is referred to the description of FIGS. 3a and 3b.

[0161] The fourth embodiment of the system 301 of FIG. 4 differs in that the second connectors 213, 214 that form a pair with a respective third connector 215, 216 are not in contact with, nor connected to each other, but are both in contact with and/or connected to the device 302 and are arranged adjacent to each other. The circuits 318, 321 of the device 302 are able to communicate with the circuits 332, 338, 339, 333 via the respective coils 334, 340, 341, 335 and by reading the information stored in the respective chips 336, 342, 343, 337 the controller 317 is able to detect if the two pairs are formed and if pairs are formed between the second and third connector of the same transport means or of different transport means.

[0162] It is noted that instead of providing two circuits 318, 321 the device 302 may alternatively comprise one circuit comprising at least one coil for communicating with the coils of the second and third connectors. Such an embodiment may be more simple by eliminating a circuit of the device 302, but in such a case the controller 317 if any of the two pairs is not formed the controller 317 is not able to check which pair is not formed, which is possible in the configuration shown in FIG. 4.

[0163] It is noted that optionally said device may comprise connecting means and/or positioning means and/or orientating means for connecting and/or positioning and/or orientating the second connectors with respect thereto, in particular in such a manner that the coils thereof are able to communicate with the at least one coil of the device.

[0164] It is noted that the invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but also extends to variants within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the system described in the shown embodiments is for regulating the concentration of glucose in the blood of a person, but for example by supplying different substance(s) the system may be used in a similar manner for a different purpose.