Medical device update system
Inventors
Arrizza, John • Shults, James R. • Vaccaro, Thomas J. • Ward, Patrick A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12749571-B2
Publication Date
2026-09-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method for providing updates to medical devices is disclosed. In one example, the medical devices are configured to pull update files in response to the reception of an update message from a server. Once the update files are downloaded by a medical device, the update files can be installed. While the medical device pulls the update files, the medical device can continue with its normal operation. If desired, a user can select which medical devices should be updated, based on any desired factors, such as the physical location of the device, the model of the device, the type of device, and the way the device is being used.
Core Innovation
The infusion pump administers medication to a patient and wirelessly downloads drug-library update files from a remote server under pump control after receiving their location. It stores the update files in memory while administering medication without affecting normal operation, then waits for an update time to install them. The drug library comprises information about drug dosing rate and volume.
The independent claims distinguish installation conditions, including requiring user acceptance through the user interface, not requiring user assent, occurring when the pump is powered off, or waiting for an update time. The disclosure further describes operating-software updates, switching the active library while retaining prior cached configurations, status reporting, and an administrative interface for selecting infusion pumps.
Claims Coverage
The claims cover four inventive features based on independent claims 1, 9, 17, and 19, which address an infusion pump configured to download and store drug-library update files during medication administration without affecting normal operation, differing by the conditions governing installation.
Installation requiring user acceptance
Claim 1 covers an infusion pump that wirelessly downloads drug-library update files from a remote server under pump control, stores them while administering medication without affecting normal operation, and waits for an update time when installation requires receiving user acceptance through the user interface.
Installation without user assent
Claim 9 covers an infusion pump that wirelessly downloads drug-library update files from a remote server under pump control and stores them during medication administration without affecting normal operation, then waits for an update time when installation does not require user assent.
Installation when the pump is powered off
Claim 17 covers an infusion pump that wirelessly downloads and stores drug-library update files under pump control during medication administration without affecting normal operation, then waits for an update time when the pump is powered off, with or without user acceptance.
Installation at an update time
Claim 19 covers an infusion pump that wirelessly downloads drug-library update files from a remote server under pump control, stores them during medication administration without affecting normal operation, and waits for an update time when the files can be installed, without specifying a user-acceptance condition or pump power state.
The independent claims share pump-controlled wireless retrieval and storage of drug-library update files during normal medication administration without affecting operation, while distinguishing installation conditions based on user acceptance, lack of user assent, or pump power state.
Stated Advantages
The infusion pump stores update files while administering medication without affecting its normal operation.
Separate cached and active memory locations preserve the prior configuration if an update fails.
Documented Applications
Updating a drug library on an infusion pump, where the library comprises information about drug dosing rate and volume.
Updating infusion-pump operating software.
An administrative interface for selecting infusion pumps and downloading software or drug-library content from a remote server.
Deployment of medical-device updates across wired or wireless networks.
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