IP Verse

Remote Flashing During Infusion

Patent No. US12028414 (titled "Remote Flashing During Infusion") was filed by Carefusion 303 Inc on Aug 12, 2021.

What is this patent about?

’414 is related to the field of medical device systems, specifically addressing the coordinated operation of multiple medical devices like infusion pumps and vital signs monitors. The background highlights the challenges of managing multiple independent medical devices with distinct user interfaces and the need for coordinated updates of software and configuration data across these devices to minimize errors and ensure compatibility.

The underlying idea behind ’414 is to provide a centralized medical device controller that manages the distribution, deployment, and activation of software and configuration updates to multiple medical devices. This controller determines the current software and configuration versions on each device, identifies which devices need updates, and then distributes the necessary updates. The key insight is to coordinate these updates to ensure compatibility and reduce the number of testing combinations required, leading to a more robust and reliable system.

The claims of ’414 focus on an infusion pump (claim 1) and an infusion system (claim 26) receiving configuration information from a remote server via a wireless interface. The configuration information includes parameters to control an infusion. The claims cover identifying the state of the infusion process (before, during, or after infusion), determining a clinically appropriate time to activate the configuration based on this state, and then activating the configuration to control the infusion accordingly. The system also renders a portion of the configuration information on a display.

In practice, the system allows a central server to push updated configuration settings, such as medication administration parameters, to infusion pumps in a hospital. The pump then intelligently determines when to apply these settings. For example, if a new drug concentration is pushed to the pump, it will wait until the current infusion is complete before applying the new setting, preventing interruptions or errors during ongoing treatment. This ensures that updates are applied safely and without disrupting patient care.

This approach differs from prior solutions by providing a coordinated and intelligent update mechanism. Instead of simply pushing updates to devices, the system actively manages the update process, considering the current state of the device and clinical appropriateness. This reduces the risk of errors, ensures compatibility between software and configuration data, and minimizes the need for extensive testing. The wireless communication interface and the state-aware activation are key differentiators, enabling seamless and safe updates in a clinical environment. The remote server allows for centralized management of the configuration information.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’414 was filed, medical devices were often implemented as standalone units, at a time when coordination between multiple devices was complex and required significant engineering effort. Updating software and configurations on these devices was also non-trivial, when systems commonly relied on manual processes rather than automated, coordinated updates.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The application was a continuation of prior applications. Claims were amended during prosecution. Claims 21-27 and 29-51 were rejected in a final office action. The prosecution record does describe claim changes and technical reasoning that led to the rejection.

Claims

This patent contains 35 claims, with independent claims 1 and 26. The independent claims are generally directed to an infusion pump and an infusion system, respectively, that receive and activate configuration information from a remote server based on the state of the infusion and clinically appropriate timing. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, parameters, and functionalities related to the configuration information, timing determination, and operation of the infusion pump and system.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Clinically appropriate time
(Claim 1, Claim 26)		“The medical device deploys the distributed updates and activates the updates at a clinically appropriate time. The medical device further activates at a clinically appropriate time the deployed update by selecting to use the at least one update at the appropriate processor during operation of the medical device.”A time determined by the infusion pump or system, based on its current state (prior to, during, or after infusion), to activate the received configuration information.
Configuration information
(Claim 1, Claim 26)		“In one aspect, a medical device controller operating in conjunction with a medical device determines one or more current versions of executable code and configuration information associated with one or more processors in a medical device. The medical device controller distributes to the medical device as required at least one of the updated executable code and the updated configuration information. In a related aspect the executable code can include at least one of an operating system and an application, and the configuration information can include values which affect the functioning of the medical device that are modifiable by a user.”Data received by the infusion pump or system from a remote server that includes a parameter to control an infusion.
Medication administration information
(Claim 1)		“A wide variety of medical devices and medical device modules can be used in conjunction with the medical device controller. For example, the system can be used with infusion pumps such as syringe pumps, patient controlled infusion pumps (e.g., patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system), large volume infusion pumps, peristaltic pumps, and the like.”Information included in the configuration information that indicates a parameter to control a predetermined infusion by the infusion pump.
Wireless communication interface
(Claim 1, Claim 26)		“In a related aspect, at least one communications interface wirelessly couples the medical device controller to the medical device. The at least one communications interface can include an optical data transceiver such as an infrared optical data transceiver. In some variations, there are a plurality of optical data transceivers and the at least one communications interface includes a communications bus coupled to each optical data transceiver. The at least one communications interface can wirelessly and communicatively couple the medical device controller to at least one medical device module.”A communication interface that allows the infusion pump or system to receive configuration information from a remote server without a physical connection.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
1:25-cv-00591May 12, 2025Becton, Dickinson And Company V. Baxter International Inc.

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US12028414

CAREFUSION 303 INC
Application Number
US17400665
Filing Date
Aug 12, 2021
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Jan 13, 2034
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents