Sensing systems and methods

Abstract

A fluidic media detection system for detecting a presence of fluidic media includes a first housing portion adapted to be carried by a user; a second housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first housing portion, the second housing portion for supporting a reservoir having an interior volume for containing fluidic media; a fluid conduit supported by one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion for providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the user when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are operatively engaged; and at least one interactive element, positioned near a portion of the fluid conduit, that interacts with the fluidic media when the fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit.

1 . A fluidic media detection system for detecting a presence of fluidic media, the system comprising:
 a first housing portion adapted to be carried by a user;   a second housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first housing portion, the second housing portion for supporting a reservoir having an interior volume for containing fluidic media;   a fluid conduit supported by one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion for providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the user when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are operatively engaged; and   at least one interactive element, positioned near a portion of the fluid conduit, that interacts with the fluidic media when the fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduit comprises a cannula for insertion into the skin of the user to allow the fluidic media to flow into the body of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduit provides fluid communication between the reservoir and a cannula for insertion into the skin of the user to allow the fluidic media to flow into the body of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduit is supported by the first housing portion. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interactive element comprises at least one sensor arranged to detect a parameter or the characteristic of the fluidic media when the fluidic media is in the fluid conduit, the at least one sensor configured to provide an output signal indicating that the fluidic media is detected in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , the system further comprising:
 an indication device controlled by the output signal to notify the user when fluidic media is detected.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the indicator device produces one of an audible and tactical feedback when fluidic media is detected. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interactive element comprises at least one electrical component configured to detect a change in at least one electrical characteristic of the fluid conduit or the fluidic media when the fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit, the at least one electrical component configured to provide an output signal indicating that the fluidic media is detected in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interactive element comprises at least one optical receiver configured to detect a change in light when the fluidic media is in the fluid conduit, the at least one optical receiver configured to provide an output signal indicating that fluidic media is detected in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interactive element comprises at least one reactive element, positioned near a portion of the fluid conduit, that reacts with at least one component within or characteristic of the fluidic media when the fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one reactive element comprises at least one chemical, positioned near the fluid conduit, that reacts with at least one component within the fluidic when the fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a product of a chemical reaction, between the at least one chemical and the at least one component within the fluidic media, is a colored complex. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , the system further comprising:
 an optical receiver configured to detect a change in light when the colored complex is created by the chemical reaction, the optical receiver configured to provide an output signal indicating that fluidic media is detected.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , the system further comprising:
 a light conducting element that guides light from a point near the fluid conduit to the optical receiver.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the light conducting element is at least one fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the light conducting element is a fluid connector in communication with the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one chemical is embedded in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid conduit is impregnated with the at least one chemical. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , the system further comprising:
 a rosette positioned near the fluid conduit;   wherein the at least one interactive element comprises at least one electrical component coupled to the rosette to detect a change in at least one electrical characteristic associated with the rosette when fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the rosette is a closed circuit, such that impedance across the rosette decreases as fluidic media nears the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the rosette is an open circuit, such that the circuit is closed when fluidic media nears the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one electrical component detects voltage across the rosette. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one electrical component detects impedance across the rosette. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one electrical component detects capacitance across the rosette. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , the system further comprising:
 an indication device coupled to the electrical component to notify the user when fluidic media is detected.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the indicator device produces one of an audible and tactical feedback when fluidic media is detected. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the rosette surrounds an exterior surface of the fluid conduit, an interior surface of the fluid conduit in contact with fluidic media when the fluidic media is in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         28 . A method of manufacturing a fluidic media detection system for detecting a presence of fluidic media, the method comprising:
 adapting a first housing portion to be carried by a user;   configuring a second housing portion to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first housing portion, the second housing portion for supporting a reservoir having an interior volume for containing fluidic media;   supporting a fluid conduit by one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion for providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the user when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are operatively engaged; and   positioning at least one interactive element near a portion of the fluid conduit, that interacts with the fluidic media when the fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit.   
     
     
         29 . A medical device for treating a user, the medical device comprising:
 a first housing portion adapted to be carried by a user;   a second housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first housing portion;   a plurality of electrical contacts provided on at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of electrical contacts including a set of main electrical contacts and at least one other electrical contact;   a shorting mechanism provided on the other of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the shorting mechanism for interacting with the set of main electrical contacts;   a magnetic source having at least one of a certain magnetic field and a certain magnetic strength provided on at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion;   a sensor for detecting at least one of the certain magnetic field and the certain magnetic strength provided on the other of the first housing portion and the second housing portion; and   electronic circuitry configured to provide a first signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the shorting mechanism interacts with the set of main electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide a second signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the shorting mechanism interacts with the at least one other electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide a first sensing signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the sensor detects at least one of the certain magnetic field and the certain magnetic strength of the magnetic source; and   the electronic circuitry configured to provide a second sensing signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the sensor detects at least one of a magnetic field different from the certain magnetic field and a magnetic strength different from the certain magnetic strength of the magnetic source.   
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 29 , the device further comprising:
 a user-perceptible indicator operatively coupled to the electronic circuitry for providing a user-perceptible indication in response to receiving one or more of the first signal, the second signal, the first sensing signal, and the second sensing signal.   
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 30 , wherein the user-perceptible indication comprises at least one of an audible indication, a visual indication, and a tactile indication. 
     
     
         32 . The device according to  claim 30 , wherein the user-perceptible indicator provides a first type of indication when the first sensing signal is received from the electronic circuitry and a second type of indication when at least one of the second signal and the second sensing signal is received from the electronic circuitry. 
     
     
         33 . The device according to  claim 29 , the device further comprising:
 a drive device supported by one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the drive device for selectively driving fluid from a reservoir;   wherein the delivery device further comprises control electronics operatively coupled to the electronic circuitry for controlling the drive device based upon receiving one or more of the signals from the electronic circuitry.   
     
     
         34 . The device according to  claim 33 , wherein the control electronics is configured to inhibit operation of the drive device unless the first sensing signal is received. 
     
     
         35 . The device according to  claim 33 , wherein the control electronics is configured to begin operation of the drive device upon receiving the first sensing signal. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 33 , the electronic circuitry configured to provide the first sensing signal for activating the control circuitry in a case where the sensor detects a gauss level exceeding a first pre-defined threshold value. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic threshold switch. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 29 ,
 the magnetic source having a certain magnetic field direction;   the sensor for detecting the certain magnetic field direction;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide the first sensing signal when the sensor detects the certain magnetic field direction.   
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , the electronic circuitry configured to provide the second sensing signal when the sensor detects a magnetic field direction different from the certain magnetic field direction. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the certain magnetic field includes a direction, the sensor configured for detecting the direction. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the first signal causes the sensor to begin detecting the at least one of the certain magnetic field and the certain magnetic strength. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 29 ,
 wherein the set of main electrical contacts interact with the shorting mechanism when the shorting mechanism contacts the set of main electrical contacts;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide the first signal when the shorting mechanism contacts the set of main electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide the second signal when the shorting mechanism contacts the at least one other electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts.   
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 29 ,
 the shorting mechanism having a plurality of ends, each of the ends for interacting with a respective main electrical contact of the set of main electrical contacts;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide the first signal when each of the ends of the shorting mechanism interacts with the respective main electrical contact of the set of main electrical contacts;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide the second signal when at least one of the ends of the shorting mechanism interacts with the at least one other electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts.   
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 43 ,
 the set of main electrical contacts comprising a first main electrical contact and a second main electrical contact;   the plurality of ends of the shorting mechanism including a first end and a second end for interacting with the first main electrical contact and the second main electrical contact;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide the first signal when the first end and the second end of the shorting mechanism interacts with the first main electrical contact and the second main electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts;   the electronic circuitry configured to provide the second signal when at least one of the first end and the second end of the shorting mechanism interacts with the at least one other electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts.   
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the at least one other electrical contact is arranged between the set of main electrical contacts. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein at least some of the set of main electrical contacts are arranged to be outermost electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein all of the at least one other electrical contact is arranged in between the set of main electrical contacts. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the shorting mechanism is configured to establish an electrical connection between the set of main electrical contacts when the shorting mechanism interacts with the set of main electrical contacts. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 29 , the device further comprising:
 a fluid conduit supported by one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion in a position to establish fluid communication between a reservoir, supported by one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and the user when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are operatively engaged; and   at least one interactive element, positioned near a portion of the fluid conduit, that interacts with the fluidic media when the fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit;   the circuitry configured to provide a first positioning signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the at least one interactive element interacts with the fluidic media when the fluidic media is present in the fluid conduit.   
     
     
         50 . The device according to  claim 49 , the device further comprising:
 a drive device supported by one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the drive device for selectively driving fluidic media from the reservoir;   wherein the delivery device further comprises control electronics operatively coupled to the electronic circuitry for controlling the drive device based upon receiving one or more of the signals from the electronic circuitry.   
     
     
         51 . The device according to  claim 50 , wherein the control electronics are configured to begin operation of the upon receiving the first positioning signal. 
     
     
         52 . A method of manufacturing a medical device for treating a user, the method comprising:
 adapting a first housing portion to be carried by a user;   configuring a second housing portion to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first housing portion;   providing a plurality of electrical contacts on at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of electrical contacts including a set of main electrical contacts and at least one other electrical contact;   providing a shorting mechanism on the other of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the shorting mechanism for interacting with the set of main electrical contacts;   providing a magnetic source having at least one of a certain magnetic field and a certain magnetic strength on at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion;   providing a sensor for detecting at least one of the certain magnetic field and the certain magnetic strength on the other of the first housing portion and the second housing portion;   configuring electronic circuitry to provide a first signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the shorting mechanism interacts with the set of main electrical contacts of the plurality of electrical contacts;   configuring the electronic circuitry to provide a second signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the shorting mechanism interacts with the at least one other electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts;   configuring the electronic circuitry to provide a first sensing signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the sensor detects at least one of the certain magnetic field and the certain magnetic strength of the magnetic source;   configuring the electronic circuitry to provide a second sensing signal in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are brought together and the sensor detects at least one of a magnetic field different from the certain magnetic field and a magnetic strength different from the certain magnetic strength of the magnetic source.