Reusable medication delivery device
First Claim
1. A portable infusion device comprising:
- a housing having a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity, the cavity having a curved portion;
an elongate flexible member, the flexible member being positioned at least in part in the curved portion, the flexible member being substantially axially incompressible and laterally flexible;
whereby, when a medication ampule including a piston is positioned adjacent to the first opening, the flexible member can be advanced through the curved portion of the cavity to push against and move the ampule piston without substantially compressing the flexible member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medication injection or delivery system is provided for injecting fluids such as insulin within body tissue. The device includes a housing, a flexible shaft movably mounted within the housing, and a dose setting mechanism for controlling the movement of the shaft with respect to a fluid-containing cartridge removably positioned within or mounted to the housing. The flexible shaft, according to exemplary embodiments, includes a plunger and a flexible cable connected to the dose setting mechanism. The plunger and dose setting mechanism are connected together by the flexible shaft. The dose setting mechanism, in one aspect of the invention, includes a screw, a locking mechanism, and a nut assembly connected to the flexible shaft. The dose setting mechanism is used to set the dosage and prime the catheter. The plunger retracts into a recess to permit a new cartridge to be installed quickly.
104 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A portable infusion device comprising:
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a housing having a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity, the cavity having a curved portion;
an elongate flexible member, the flexible member being positioned at least in part in the curved portion, the flexible member being substantially axially incompressible and laterally flexible;
whereby, when a medication ampule including a piston is positioned adjacent to the first opening, the flexible member can be advanced through the curved portion of the cavity to push against and move the ampule piston without substantially compressing the flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A portable infusion device comprising:
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a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, a sidewall extending longitudinally between said proximal end and said distal end, an opening formed in at least one of said sidewall, said proximal end, and said distal end, and an interior cavity;
an ampule positioned in said housing interior cavity, said ampule including a distal end having a sealed outlet, a piston in said ampule, and said ampule sized and configured to pass through said housing opening;
a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending between said proximal end and said distal end, said catheter proximal end being releasably attached to one of said housing distal end and said ampule distal end;
a longitudinally movable plunger positioned in said housing for engaging with and distally moving said ampule piston;
manually movable dosage selection means including;
interior portions positioned in said housing and selectively engaging said plunger;
manually movable exterior portions positioned exterior of said housing for permitting a user of said portable infusion device to select a plunger travel distance; and
a manually engageable element connected to said interior portions to move said plunger said plunger travel distance when said interior portions engage said plunger.
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25. A method of injecting a medication into a patient, comprising the steps of:
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providing a portable infusion device comprising;
a housing having a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity, the cavity having a curved portion; and
an elongate flexible member, the flexible member being positioned at least in part in the curved portion, the flexible member being substantially axially incompressible and laterally flexible;
positioning a medication ampule including a piston adjacent to the first opening;
positioning a tube in fluid communication with the medication ampule and subcutaneously in a patient;
advancing the flexible member through the curved portion of the cavity;
pushing against and moving the ampule piston without substantially compressing the flexible member to dispense medication from the ampule, through the tube, and into the patient.
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Specification