Adapter connector for an infusion set and inserter system

• US 20040143216A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spectro Incorporated (Spectro Scientific, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Stephanie S., Rosenzweig, Robert, Douglas, Joel S., Ignotz, Keith D.
• Application Number:
  US10/654,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20040143216A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1581 Right-angle needle-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1585 Needle inserters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1587 suitable for being connected to an infusion line after insertion into a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0612 Devices for protecting the needle; Devices to help insertion of the needle, e.g. wings or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body

Abstract

An adapter is provided for use with an infusion set and inserter device used for placement of a subcutaneous infusion set or the like used for delivering a selected medication to a patient. The adapter comprises a first end adapted to be removably coupled to the infusion set and a second end adapted to be removably coupled to an insertion device, particularly the sled fixtured in a track of the insertion tool. The adapter is designed for receiving and supporting an infusion set in a position in the inserter which is used for placement of and insertion of the needle or cannula through the skin of a patient at a selected insertion site. The provided adapter connectors enable the use of a variety of insertion sets having differing configurations with a given inserter having a given configuration.

Claims

1. An adapter connector for use in an insertion set and inserter system comprising a first end for connecting with the inserter and a second end for connecting with the insertion set wherein:

the first end of the connector is adapted to fit into and connect with the portion of the inserter device configured for receiving a two part insertion set having side positioned releasable latching means for holding the two parts of the insertion set together which latching means is located distal from the inserter device when the insertion set is positioned in the inserter device; and

the second end of the connector is adapted to receive a two-part insertion set having incompatible size or shape for fitting into the portion of the inserter device configured for receiving an insertion set and having side positioned releasable latching means for holding the two parts of the insertion set together which latching means is positioned proximal to the connector when the insertion set is positioned in the connector;

whereby the connector is adapted to connect the insertion set and the inserter, thereby enabling the use of the insertion set with the inserter device where the insertion set is otherwise incompatible with or unusable in said inserter device.

2. An adapter connector according to claim 1 wherein the adapter connector comprises openings in or near the first end adapted to receive and engage retention members in the inserter device for releasably holding the adapter connector in position in the inserter device.

3. An adapter connector according to claim 1 wherein the adapter connector comprises a latch on the second end adapted to engage and releasably hold the insertion set in position when engaged with the second end of the adapter connector.

4. An adapter connector according to claim 2 wherein the adapter connector comprises a latch on the second end adapted to engage and releasably hold the insertion set in position when engaged with the second end of the adapter connector.

5. An adapter connector according to claim 4 wherein the openings for engaging the retention members in the inserter device and the latch for holding the insertion set are relatively configured such that the insertion set is normally and more easily released from the adapter connector than the adapter connector is released from the inserter device whereby the adapter connector normally remains in the inserter device when the user releases the insertion set to remove the inserter device.

6. An adapter connector according to claim 1 wherein the adapter connector is configured for use in an inserter device that is adapted for use at an angle to the skin surface of between about 5 degrees and about 90 degrees from the skin surface.

7. An adapter connector according to claim 1 wherein the adapter connector is configured for use in an inserter device that is adapted for use at an angle to the skin surface of between about 20 degrees and about 45 degrees from the skin surface.

8. An adapter connector according to claim 1 wherein the adapter connector is configured for use in an inserter device that adapted for use at an angle of about 90 degrees from the skin surface.

9. A method for subcutaneous placement of an infusion needle or cannula with a system comprising an insertion set and an inserter device comprising the steps:

selecting an inserter device adapted for placement of an insertion set comprising an infusion needle or cannula;

selecting an insertion set that is incompatible with said inserter;

selecting an adapter connector having a first end adapted to fit into and connect with the portion of the inserter configured for receiving an insertion set and having a second end adapted to receive said insertion set that is incompatible by size or shape with said inserter device.

10. A method according to claim 9 comprising the steps:

placing the adapter connector in the inserter device; and

thereafter placing the insertion set in the adapter connector.

11. A method according to claim 9 comprising the steps:

placing the insertion set in the adapter connector; and

thereafter placing the adapter with the engaged insertion set in the inserter device.

12. A method according to claim 10 comprising the steps:

holding the inserter device at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 90 degrees from the skin surface;

releasing the inserter device sled to subcutaneously insert the infusion needle or cannula and place the insertion set on the skin surface;

and removing the adapter connector and inserter device from the insertion set.

13. A method according to claim 11 comprising the steps:

holding the inserter device at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 90 degrees from the skin surface;

releasing the inserter device to subcutaneously insert the infusion needle or cannula and place the insertion set on the skin surface;

and removing the adapter connector and inserter device from the insertion set.

14. A method according to claim 10 comprising the steps:

holding the inserter device at an angle between about 20 degrees and about 45 degrees from the skin surface;

releasing the inserter device sled to subcutaneously insert the infusion needle or cannula and place the insertion set on the skin surface;

and removing the adapter connector and inserter device from the insertion set.

15. A method according to claim 11 comprising the steps:

holding the inserter device at an angle between about 20 degrees and about 45 degrees from the skin surface;

releasing the inserter device to subcutaneously insert the infusion needle or cannula and place the insertion set on the skin surface;

and removing the adapter connector and inserter device from the insertion set.

16. A method according to claim 10 comprising the steps:

holding the inserter device at an angle of about 90 degrees from the skin surface;

releasing the inserter device to subcutaneously insert the infusion needle or cannula and place the insertion set on the skin surface;

and removing the adapter connector and inserter device from the insertion set.

17. A method according to claim 12 comprising the steps:

holding the inserter device at an angle of about 90 degrees from the skin surface;

releasing the inserter device to subcutaneously insert the infusion needle or cannula and place the insertion set on the skin surface;

and removing the adapter connector and inserter device from the insertion set.

18. A system for subcutaneous placement of an infusion needle or cannula comprising:

an inserter device adapted for subcutaneous placement of an infusion needle or cannula by placing an insertion set containing said needle or cannula against the surface of the skin;

an insertion set comprising an infusion needle or cannula adapted for subcutaneous placement having a size or shape incompatible for fitting into said inserter device; and

an adapter connector comprising a first end adapted to fit into the inserter device and a second end adapted to receive the insertion set;

whereby the adapter connector is adapted to connect the insertion set and the inserter device, thereby enabling the use of the insertion set with the inserter device where the insertion set is otherwise incompatible with or unusable in said inserter device.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the adapter connector comprises openings in or near the first end adapted to receive and engage retention members in the inserter device for releasably holding the adapter connector in position in the inserter device.

20. A system according to claim 18 wherein the adapter connector comprises a latch on the second end adapted to engage and releasably hold the insertion set in position when engaged with the second end of the adapter connector.

21. A system according to claim 19 wherein the adapter connector comprises a latch on the second end adapted to engage and releasably hold the insertion set in position when engaged with the second end of the adapter connector.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein the openings for engaging the retention members in the inserter device and the latch for holding the insertion set are relatively configured such that the insertion set is normally more easily released from the adapter connector than the adapter connector is released from the inserter device whereby the adapter connector normally remains in the inserter device when the user releases the insertion set.

23. An adapter connector for use in an insertion set and inserter system comprising a first end for connecting with the inserter and a second end for connecting with the insertion set wherein:

the first end of the adapter connector is adapted to fit into and connect with the inserter device configured for receiving an insertion set comprising an infusion needle or cannula adapted for subcutaneous placement and

the second end of the adapter connector is adapted to receive an insertion set having incompatible size or shape for fitting into the inserter device;

whereby the adapter connector is adapted to connect the insertion set and the inserter, thereby enabling the use of the insertion set with the inserter device where the insertion set is otherwise incompatible with or unusable in said inserter device.

24. An adapter connector according to claim 23 wherein the adapter connector comprises openings in or near the first end adapted to receive and engage retention members in the inserter device for releasably holding the adapter connector in position in the inserter device.

25. An adapter connector according to claim 23 wherein the adapter connector comprises a latch on the second end adapted to engage and releasably hold the insertion set in position when engaged with the second end of the adapter connector.

26. An adapter connector according to claim 24 wherein the adapter connector comprises a latch on the second end adapted to engage and releasably hold the insertion set in position when engaged with the second end of the adapter connector.

27. An adapter connector according to claim 26 wherein the openings for engaging the retention members in the inserter device and the latch for holding the insertion set are relatively configured such that the insertion set is preferentially and more easily released from the adapter connector than the adapter connector is released from the inserter device whereby the adapter connector preferentially remains in the inserter device when the user releases the insertion set.

28. An adapter connector for use in an insertion set and inserter system comprising a first end for connecting with the inserter and a second end for connecting with the insertion set wherein:

the first end of the adapter connector containing means for fitting into and connecting with the inserter device configured for receiving an insertion set comprising an infusion needle or cannula adapted for subcutaneous placement and

the second end of the adapter connector containing means for receiving an insertion set having incompatible size or shape for fitting into the inserter device;

whereby the adapter connector contains means for connecting the insertion set and the inserter, thereby enabling the use of the insertion set with the inserter device where the insertion set is otherwise incompatible with or unusable in said inserter device.

29. An adapter connector according to claim 28 wherein the adapter connector comprises means in or near the first end adapted for receiving and engaging retention members in the inserter device for releasably holding the adapter connector in position in the inserter device.

30. An adapter connector according to claim 29 wherein the adapter connector comprises a latch means on the second end adapted for engaging and releasably holding the insertion set in position when engaged with the second end of the adapter connector.