NEEDLE INSERTING AND FLUID FLOW CONNECTION FOR INFUSION MEDIUM DELIVERY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A connecting structure for connecting a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the connecting structure comprising:
- a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;
a first septum provided within the interior chamber, adjacent the opening of the receptacle structure;
a hollow needle supported within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the hollow needle having a sharp end with an first opening into which fluid may flow, the sharp end facing the first septum, the hollow needle having a second opening out of which fluid may flow;
a connection portion provided on the second member, the connection portion having a hollow interior chamber and an opening that opens to the hollow interior chamber, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be inserted at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure;
a second septum supported by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening in the connection portion;
wherein, upon receiving the connection portion within the opening of the receptacle structure, the connection portion pushes the first septum toward the sharp end of the hollow needle, and the sharp end of the hollow needle is caused to pierce the first septum and the second septum to come into fluid flow communication with the hollow interior chamber of the connection portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Needle inserting devices, as well as fluid flow connections and infusion medium delivery systems and methods that may be used with needle inserting devices are described, for medical or non-medical systems, such as, but not limited to sensors, monitors, or the like. The needle inserting device and method may operate to insert a needle or cannula through a patient-user'"'"'s skin, for example, to provide a fluid flow path for conveying an infusion medium through a hollow channel in the needle or cannula and into the patient-user and/or to convey a fluid from the patient-user to one or more sensor elements. Embodiments of the present invention may be configured, as described herein, to provide a reliable, cost effective and easy-to-use mechanism for inserting a needle or cannula to a specific depth into a patient-user with minimal traumatic effect. In some embodiments, a mechanical force in a first direction results in a needle insertion at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. In other embodiments, a needle inserter is configured with rotary parts for minimizing the rotation of a needle during insertion.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A connecting structure for connecting a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the connecting structure comprising:
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a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber; a first septum provided within the interior chamber, adjacent the opening of the receptacle structure; a hollow needle supported within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the hollow needle having a sharp end with an first opening into which fluid may flow, the sharp end facing the first septum, the hollow needle having a second opening out of which fluid may flow; a connection portion provided on the second member, the connection portion having a hollow interior chamber and an opening that opens to the hollow interior chamber, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be inserted at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure; a second septum supported by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening in the connection portion; wherein, upon receiving the connection portion within the opening of the receptacle structure, the connection portion pushes the first septum toward the sharp end of the hollow needle, and the sharp end of the hollow needle is caused to pierce the first septum and the second septum to come into fluid flow communication with the hollow interior chamber of the connection portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A needle injector device for connection in fluid-flow communication with the inlet or outlet port of a reservoir, the needle injector comprising:
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a housing having a generally cylindrical interior surface surrounding a generally cylindrical hollow interior volume, the generally cylindrical interior surface having a central axis, an inner circumference, a first groove forming a generally spiral path around at least a portion of the inner circumference and a second groove extending in a generally linear path that is generally parallel to the central axis; a moveable cam member supported for movement within the interior volume of the housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the cam member having an outer cam portion for extending into the first and second grooves and an inner cam portion disposed within the outer cam portion, the inner cam portion for supporting a needle for movement with the cam member between the retracted position and extended position, the outer cam portion being rotatably connected to the inner cam portion, to rotate relative to the inner cam portion; wherein, when the moveable cam member is in the retracted position, the moveable cam member is arranged relative to the generally cylindrical interior surface, to be selectively moved from the retracted position to the extended position, in a rotary direction around the central axis and simultaneously in a direction generally parallel to the central axis, while the outer cam portion follows the spiral path of the first groove; and wherein, when the moveable cam member is in the extended position, the moveable cam member is arranged relative to the generally cylindrical interior surface, to be moved from the extended position toward the retracted position, in a generally linear direction that is generally parallel to the central axis, while the outer cam portion follows the generally linear path of the second groove. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19-26. -26. (canceled)
Specification