Transcutaneous fluid delivery system

• US 6,960,192 B1
• Filed: 04/23/2002
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Insulet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Insulet Corporation
• Inventors: Flaherty, J. Christopher, Garibotto, John, Gorman, William, Gutelius, Patick, Wood, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/128,206
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 604/181, 604183-185, 604/131, 604/132, 604/187, 604/133, 604/134, 604/136
• US Class Current: 604/181
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14252 with needle insertion means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1426 with means for preventing access to the needle after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type

Abstract

A device for delivering fluid to a person includes a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person; a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from the reservoir to the person, the fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with the reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device; a housing containing the reservoir and the fluid transport device, the housing including an exit port for receiving the distal end of the fluid transport device upon injection of the distal end into the person and means for securing a first wall of the housing to the skin of the person; and an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting the fluid transport device for driving the penetrating member from a first position within the housing, through the exit port to a second position, external to the housing and into the skin of the person.

Claims

1. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of said person;

wherein said driving mechanism of said injection activation device comprises a plunger having a body portion extending through an aperture in a second wall of said housing and coupled to said distal end of said fluid transport device, such that the application of a force to said plunger drives said penetrating member from said first position to said second position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a transparent portion disposed proximate said exit port, for providing a view of an entry site of said fluid transport device in the person'"'"'s skin.

3. The device of claim 1, said plunger including a friction member disposed on said body portion, said friction member causing said body portion of said plunger to have a width dimension which is slightly larger than a width dimension of said aperture of said housing, thus requiring a specific force to be applied to said plunger to enable said friction member to pass through said aperture, said specific force being translated to said distal end of said fluid transport device.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said friction member is an annular flange.

5. The device of claim 3, said plunger further comprising a head portion for stopping travel of said plunger by contacting said housing.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said plunger is removable from said housing after said penetrating member is driven to said second position.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein said injection activation device includes a discrete secondary housing, said plunger including a first end having a lateral protrusion and a second end in frictional contact with said distal end of said fluid transport device, said second end of said plunger extending from within said secondary housing, out of a distal end thereof into said aperture of said housing and into frictional contact with said distal end of said fluid transport device;

said injection activation device further comprising a biasing spring coupled between said first end of said plunger and a proximal end of said secondary housing within said secondary housing for biasing said plunger for driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position, said lateral protrusion being in contact with an internal ridge of said secondary housing, with said penetrating member in said first position, thereby preventing said plunger from driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position;

said secondary housing including an actuator for urging said lateral protrusion from said internal ridge, thereby causing said plunger to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second position.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein said injection activation device includes a discrete secondary housing, said plunger including a first end having a lateral protrusion and a second end in frictional contact with said distal end of said fluid transport device, said second end of said plunger extending from within said secondary housing, out of a distal end thereof into said aperture of said housing and into frictional contact with said distal end of said fluid transport device;

said injection activation device further comprising a biasing spring coupled between said first end of said plunger and a proximal end of said secondary housing within said secondary housing for biasing said plunger for driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position, said lateral protrusion being in contact with a latch assembly of said secondary housing, with said penetrating member in said first position, thereby preventing said plunger from driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position;

said latch assembly includes a latch for contacting said lateral protrusion of said plunger to prevent said plunger from driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position under the influence of said biasing spring and a latch release mechanism coupled to said housing for moving said latch out of contact with said lateral protrusion, thereby enabling said plunger to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second position under the influence of said biasing spring.

26. The device of claim 20 wherein said latch release mechanism includes a mechanical lever coupled to said latch and protruding through said side wall, such that, upon an application of force to said lever, said latch is moved out of contact with said distal end of said pivoting arm.

134. The device of claim 1 wherein said driving mechanism comprises a sliding device disposed in a ramp portion of said injection activation device and in contact with said fluid transport device, said ramp portion being disposed relative to said fluid transport device such that, as said sliding device is moved along said ramp portion, an urging member of said sliding device slides between said ramp portion and said fluid transport device, causing said fluid transport device to be driven from said first position to said second position.

135. The device of claim 134 wherein said sliding device further comprises a handle portion external of said housing, for enabling a user of said device to manually slide said urging member along said ramp portion to drive said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position.

163. The device of claim 1 wherein said plunger is formed from a transparent material for providing a view of an injection site of said penetrating member.

164. The device of claim 163 wherein said plunger provides a magnified view of said injection site.

165. The device of claim 163 further comprising illumination means for directing light to said injection site through said plunger.

7. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of said person

wherein said driving mechanism of said injection activation device comprises a plunger contained within said housing, said plunger having a first end including a lateral protrusion and a second end coupled to said distal end of said fluid transport device, said injection activation device further including a biasing spring for biasing said plunger for driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position, and said lateral protrusion being in contact with an internal ridge of said housing, with said penetrating member in said first position, thereby preventing said plunger from driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position;

said housing including an actuator for urging said lateral protrusion from said internal ridge, thereby causing said plunger to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second position.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said actuator comprises a finger coupled to an inside surface of a flexible wall portion of said housing, a distal end of said finger being in contact with said lateral protrusion such that an application of pressure to said flexible wall portion causes said finger to urge said lateral protrusion from said ridge, thereby causing said plunger to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second position.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said distal end of said finger, upon the application of pressure to said flexible wall portion, moves in same the direction as the flexible wall portion.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said distal end of said finger, upon the application of pressure to said flexible wall portion, moves in a substantially opposite direction as the flexible wall portion.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said finger includes a pivot which causes the distal end of the finger to move in a direction substantially opposite that of the flexible wall portion.

12. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of said person

wherein said driving mechanism of said injection activation device comprises a pivoting arm and said injection activation device further includes a latch assembly, said pivoting arm having a proximal end pivotally coupled to an inside surface of a wall of said housing and a distal end in contact with said latch assembly integral with a side wall of said housing, said fluid transport device being coupled to said arm such that when said distal end of said arm is in contact with said latch assembly, said penetrating member is in said first position;

said injection activation device further includes a biasing spring attached between said proximal and distal ends of said arm and a wall of said housing, said biasing spring urging said arm to drive said penetrating member to said second position; and

said latch assembly includes a latch for contacting said distal end of said pivoting arm to prevent said pivoting arm from driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position under the influence of said biasing spring and a latch release mechanism for moving said latch out of contact with said distal end of said pivoting arm, thereby enabling said pivoting arm to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second position under the influence of said biasing spring.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said latch release mechanism includes an electrically driven actuator coupled between said latch and said side wall of said housing, such that, upon the application of a charge to said electrically driven actuator, said electrically driven actuator moves said latch out of contact with said distal end of said pivoting arm.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

15. The device of claim 13 further comprising a local processor connected to the latch release mechanism and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering the injection instructions to the local processor.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said housing is free of user input components for providing injection instructions to the local processor.

17. The device of claim 15 further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the injection instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

18. The device of claim 12 wherein said latch release mechanism includes a mechanical lever coupled to said latch and protruding through said side wall, such that, upon said lever being pulled away from said housing, said latch is pulled out of contact with said distal end of said pivoting arm.

21. The device of claim 18 wherein said latch release mechanism includes an electrically driven actuator coupled between said latch and said side wall of said housing, such that, upon the application of a charge to said electrically driven actuator, said electrically driven actuator activates to pull said latch out of contact with said distal end of said pivoting arm.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

23. The device of claim 21 further comprising a local processor housed in said secondary housing, said local processor being connected to the latch release mechanism and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering the injection instructions to the local processor.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein said housing is free of user input components for providing injection instructions to the local processor.

25. The device of claim 23 further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the injection instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

27. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person;

an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of said person;

said driving mechanism comprising a plunger having a first end coupled to said distal end of said fluid transport device, said plunger being biased to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second position, said injection activation device further comprising a latch for contacting said plunger to maintain said penetrating member in said first position, said latch including an electrically driven actuator coupled to said latch, such that, upon the application of a charge to said electrically driven actuator, said electrically driven actuator releases said plunger to drive said penetrating means from said first position to said second position.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

29. The device of claim 27 further comprising a local processor connected to the latch release mechanism and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering the injection instructions to the local processor.

30. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device, said proximal end being connected to said distal end by a medial portion of said fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said penetrating member into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of said person;

wherein said medial portion is disposed substantially parallel to said first wall of said housing and includes a lateral protrusion which, with said penetrating member in said first position, is biased against a latch assembly of said injection activation device by a biasing spring of said injection activation device, which is coupled between said lateral protrusion and an internal ridge of said housing, said biasing spring being in an energized state such that, upon activating said latch assembly, said biasing spring drives said fluid transport device in a direction of travel substantially parallel to said first wall, resulting in said penetrating member being driven from said first position to said second position.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein said distal end of said fluid transport device is flexible;

and

said housing includes a deflecting device in the path of travel of said fluid transport device;

wherein, upon activating said latch assembly, said distal end of said fluid transport device contacts said deflecting device which causes said distal end of said fluid transport device to be deflected from said direction of travel substantially parallel to said first wall of said housing to a second direction of travel at an angle of at least 15°

.

32. The device of claim 31 wherein said second direction of travel is up to 90°

.

33. The device of claim 31 wherein said latch assembly includes a latch for contacting said lateral protrusion of said fluid transport device to prevent said biasing spring from driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position and a latch release mechanism coupled to said housing for moving said latch out of contact with said lateral protrusion, thereby enabling said biasing spring to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second position.

34. The device of claim 33 wherein said latch release mechanism includes an electrically driven actuator coupled between said latch and said housing, such that, upon the application of a charge to said electrically driven actuator, said shape memory allow wire contracts, pulling said latch out of contact with said lateral protrusion of said fluid transport device.

35. The device of claim 34 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

36. The device of claim 34 further comprising a local processor connected to the latch release mechanism and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering the injection instructions to the local processor.

37. The device of claim 36 wherein said housing is free of user input components for providing injection instructions to the local processor.

38. The device of claim 36 further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the injection instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

39. The device of claim 33 wherein said latch release mechanism includes a mechanical lever coupled to said latch and protruding through said side wall, such that, upon an application of force to said lever, said latch is moved out of contact with said distal end of said pivoting arm.

40. The device of claim 30 wherein said biasing spring comprises one of a torsional spring, a coil spring, a helical spring, a compression spring, an extension spring, an air spring, a wave spring, a conical spring, a constant force spring, a belleville spring and a beehive spring.

41. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of said person;

wherein said driving mechanism includes a lever having a first portion coupled to a drive axle and a second portion, opposite said first portion, contacting said fluid transport device;

said injection activation device further comprising driving means operatively coupled to said drive axle for rotating said drive axle upon activation of said driving means, said second portion of said lever driving said penetrating member from said first position to said second position upon rotation of said drive axle.

42. The device of claim 41 wherein said lever comprises a disk.

43. The device of claim 41 wherein said driving means comprises a motor.

44. The device of claim 41 wherein said driving means comprises an energized coil spring disposed about said drive axle which, when deenergized, causes said drive axle to rotate.

45. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device, said proximal end being connected to said distal end by a medial portion of said fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of said person;

wherein said medical portion is disposed substantially parallel to said first wall of said housing and includes a lateral protrusion;

said driving mechanism including an urging device disposed on one side of said lateral protrusion, said urging device being movable into contact with said lateral protrusion to urge said lateral protrusion downward, relative to said urging device, causing said penetrating member to be driven from said first position to said second position.

46. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of the person;

said fluid transport device comprising a needle housed within a flexible cannula, said penetrating member being disposed at a distal end of said needle, said flexible cannula including a bellows portion proximate a distal end thereof, wherein, when said fluid transport device is in said first position, said bellows portion of said soft cannula is in a compressed state and said penetrating member extends beyond said distal end of said flexible cannula;

said injection activation device comprising a plunger having a body portion coupled to said fluid transport device between said proximal end and said bellows portion of said flexible cannula, such that the application of a first force in a first direction to said plunger drives said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position, wherein said penetrating member of said needle and said distal end of said flexible cannula extend through said exit port and into the skin of the person.

47. The device of claim 46 wherein, upon application of a second force to said plunger in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction, said penetrating member of said needle is retracted to a third position, and said bellows portion of said flexible cannula is extended, thereby enabling said distal end of said flexible cannula to remain in said second position.

48. The device of claim 47 wherein said plunger extends through a second wall of said housing and includes a head portion exterior to said housing, said first force being applied directly to said head portion by a person to drive said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position.

49. The device of claim 48 wherein said second force is applied directly to said head portion by a person to move said penetrating member of said needle to said third position.

50. The device of claim 48 wherein said injection activation device includes a spring coupled between said plunger and an interior wall of said housing, said spring being in a deenergized state when said fluid transport device is in said first position and in an energized state when said fluid transport device is in said second position, wherein, upon a termination of the application of said first force, said spring applies said second force to said plunger, thereby causing said penetrating member to move to said third position.

51. The device of claim 47 wherein said plunger includes a lateral protrusion and said injection activation device includes a first spring in an energized state and positioned relative to said lateral protrusion to impart said first force upon releasing its energy and a second spring in an energized state and positioned relative to said lateral protrusion to impart said second force upon releasing its energy and said injection activation device includes a latch assembly for maintaining said first spring in its energized state and said second spring in its energized state.

52. The device of claim 51 wherein said latch assembly includes a first latch arm movable between a closed position, in which said first spring is maintained in said energized state and an open position, in which said first spring is released from said energized state, thereby imparting said first force to said lateral protrusion to drive said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position.

53. The device of claim 52 wherein said first latch arm is held in said closed position by contact with said first spring and wherein said first latch arm is moved to said open state by a first latch activation device.

54. The device of claim 53 wherein said first latch activation device comprises a first electrically driven actuator coupled to said latch arm, such that, upon the application of a charge to said first electrically driven actuator, said first electrically driven actuator activates, causing said latch arm to move from said closed position to said open position.

55. The device of claim 54 wherein said first electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

56. The device of claim 54 wherein said latch assembly includes a second latch arm movable between a closed position, in which said second spring is maintained in said energized state and an open position, in which said second spring is released from said energized state, thereby imparting said second force to said lateral protrusion to drive said fluid transport device from said second position to said third position.

57. The device of claim 56 wherein said second latch arm is held in said closed position by contact with said second spring and wherein said second latch arm is moved to said open state by a second latch activation device.

58. The device of claim 57 wherein said second latch activation device comprises a second electrically driven actuator coupled between said second latch arm and said housing, such that, upon the application of a charge to said second electrically driven actuator, said second electrically driven actuator activates, causing said second latch arm to move from said closed position to said open position.

59. The device of claim 58 wherein said second electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

60. The device of claim 54 further comprising a local processor connected to the first latch activation device and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on first injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving said first injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering said first injection instructions to the local processor.

61. The device of claim 60 wherein said housing is free of user input components for providing injection instructions to the local processor.

62. The device of claim 60 further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

63. The device of claim 60 wherein said local processor is further connected to the second latch activation device and programmed to apply a charge to said second electrically driven actuator based on second injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving said second injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering said second injection instructions to the local processor.

64. The device of claim 63 said remote control device further including:

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the second injection instructions to the remote processor; and

wherein said transmitter transmits said second injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

65. The device of claim 47 wherein said third position is said first position.

66. The device of claim 47 wherein said third position is within said housing and further away from said exit port than said first position.

67. The device of claim 47 wherein said third position is between said first and second positions, such that said penetrating member is located between said distal end of said flexible cannula and said exit port of said housing.

68. The device of claim 46 wherein said fluid transport device is constructed and arranged such that, upon activation of said first force, a medial portion of said needle, between said proximal and distal ends, travels in a direction substantially parallel to said first wall.

69. The device of claim 68 wherein said housing further includes a deflector located along a path of travel of said fluid transport device for imparting a bend of at least 15°

to said distal end of said fluid transport device, thereby directing said distal end through said exit port as said fluid transport device is driven from said first position to said second position.

70. The device of claim 57 wherein said second latch activation device comprises an urging device disposed on said lateral protrusion wherein, upon said first spring imparting said first force on said lateral protrusion, said urging device contacts said second latch arm and urges said second latch arm into its open position, thereby imparting said second force to said lateral protrusion.

71. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of the person;

said fluid transport device comprising a needle housed within a flexible cannula, said penetrating member being disposed at a distal end of said needle, said flexible cannula including a retraction prevention mechanism proximate a distal end thereof, wherein, when said fluid transport device is in said first position, said retraction prevention mechanism of said soft cannula is within said housing and said penetrating member extends beyond said distal end of said flexible cannula;

said injection activation device comprising a plunger having a body portion coupled to said fluid transport device, such that the application of a first force in a first direction to said plunger drives said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position, wherein said penetrating member of said needle and said distal end of said flexible cannula extend through said exit port and into the skin of the person and said retraction prevention mechanism of said flexible cannula is in contact with said exit port of said housing.

72. The device of claim 71 wherein said retraction prevention mechanism comprises a protrusion disposed on said flexible cannula, said protrusion causing said flexible cannula to have a width dimension greater than a width dimension of said exit port.

73. The device of claim 72 wherein said retraction prevention mechanism comprises an annular ring disposed on said flexible cannula and having a greater diameter than a diameter of said exit port.

74. The device of claim 71 wherein said retraction prevention mechanism comprises an externally roughened portion of said flexible cannula.

75. The device of claim 71 wherein said retraction prevention mechanism comprises one or more barbs disposed on an exterior surface of said flexible cannula.

76. The device of claim 71 wherein, upon application of a second force to said plunger in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction, said penetrating member of said needle is retracted to a third position, and said retraction prevention mechanism of said flexible cannula remains in contact with said exit port, thereby forcing said distal end of said flexible cannula to remain in said second position.

77. The device of claim 76 wherein said plunger extends through a second wall of said housing and includes a head portion exterior to said housing, said first force being applied directly to said head portion by a person to drive said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position.

78. The device of claim 77 wherein said second force is applied directly to said head portion by a person to move said penetrating member of said needle to said third position.

79. The device of claim 77 wherein said injection activation device includes a spring coupled between said plunger and an interior wall of said housing, said spring being in a deenergized state when said fluid transport device is in said first position and in an energized state when said fluid transport device is in said second position, wherein, upon a termination of the application of said first force, said spring applies said second force to said plunger, thereby causing said penetrating member to move to said third position.

80. The device of claim 76 wherein said plunger includes a lateral protrusion and said injection activation device includes a first spring in an energized state and positioned relative to said lateral protrusion to impart said first force upon releasing its energy and a second spring in an energized state and positioned relative to said lateral protrusion to impart said second force upon releasing its energy and said injection activation device includes a latch assembly for maintaining said first spring in its energized state and said second spring in its energized state.

81. The device of claim 80 wherein said latch assembly includes a first latch arm movable between a closed position, in which said first spring is maintained in said energized state and an open position, in which said first spring is released from said energized state, thereby imparting said first force to said lateral protrusion to drive said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position.

82. The device of claim 81 wherein said first latch arm is held in said closed position by contact with said first spring and wherein said first latch arm is moved to said open state by a first latch activation device.

83. The device of claim 82 wherein said first latch activation device comprises a first electrically driven actuator coupled between said latch arm and said housing, such that, upon the application of a charge to said first electrically driven actuator, said first electrically driven actuator activates, causing said latch arm to move from said closed position to said open position.

84. The device of claim 83 wherein said first electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

85. The device of claim 83 wherein said latch assembly includes a second latch arm movable between a closed position, in which said second spring is maintained in said energized state and an open position, in which said second spring is released from said energized state, thereby imparting said second force to said lateral protrusion to drive said fluid transport device from said second position to said third position.

86. The device of claim 85 wherein said second latch arm is held in said closed position by contact with said second spring and wherein said second latch arm is moved to said open state by a second latch activation device.

87. The device of claim 86 wherein said second latch activation device comprises a second electrically driven actuator coupled between said second latch arm and said housing, such that, upon the application of a charge to said second electrically driven actuator, said second electrically driven actuator activates, causing said second latch arm to move from said closed position to said open position.

88. The device of claim 87 wherein said first electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

89. The device of claim 83 further comprising a local processor connected to the first latch activation device and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on first injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving said first injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering said first injection instructions to the local processor.

90. The device of claim 89 wherein said housing is free of user input components for providing injection instructions to the local processor.

91. The device of claim 89 further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

92. The device of claim 81 wherein said local processor is further connected to the second latch activation device and programmed to apply a charge to said second electrically driven actuator based on second injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving said second injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering said second injection instructions to the local processor.

93. The device of claim 92 said remote control device further including:

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the second injection instructions to the remote processor; and

wherein said transmitter transmits said second injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

94. The device of claim 76 wherein said third position is said first position.

95. The device of claim 76 wherein said third position is within said housing and further away from said exit port than said first position.

96. The device of claim 76 wherein said third position is between said first and second positions, such that said penetrating member is located between said distal end of said flexible cannula and said exit port of said housing.

97. The device of claim 76 wherein said fluid transport device is constructed and arranged such that, upon activation of said first force, a medial portion of said needle, between said proximal and distal ends, travels in a direction substantially parallel to said first wall.

98. The device of claim 92 wherein said housing further includes a deflector located along a path of travel of said fluid transport device for imparting a bend of at least 15°

to said distal end of said fluid transport device, thereby directing said distal end through said exit port as said fluid transport device is driven from said first position to said second position.

99. The device of claim 82 wherein said second latch activation device comprises an urging device disposed on said lateral protrusion wherein, upon said first spring imparting said first force on said lateral protrusion, said urging device contacts said second latch arm and urges said second latch arm into its open position, thereby imparting said second force to said lateral protrusion.

157. The device of claim 76 wherein said first force is imparted to said fluid transport device by a first spring and said second force is imparted to said fluid transport device by a second spring;

said first spring having a proximal end coupled to said needle and in contact with said flexible cannula and a distal end coupled to a distal end of said second spring;

said second spring having a proximal end which is in a fixed position with respect to said housing;

said first and second springs being in an energized state when said fluid transport device is in said first position.

158. The device of claim 157 wherein said injection activation device further comprises a unitary control mechanism which contacts said first and second springs to maintain them in said energized states, said control mechanism having a first finger contacting said proximal end of said first spring and a second finger contacting said distal end of said second spring, said first finger being shorter than said second finger.

159. The device of claim 158 wherein, upon moving said control mechanism away from said first and second springs, said first finger releases said proximal end of said first spring, causing said fluid transport device to be driven from said first position to said second position by said first force;

and

after the application of said first force, said second finger releases said distal end of said second spring, causing said needle to be retracted from said second position to said third position by said second force.

100. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including at least two cannulas, each of said at least two cannulas having a proximal end capable of being in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the cannula;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including at least one exit port for receiving said distal end of each of said at least two cannulas upon injection of each distal end into the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device for separately injecting each of said at least two cannulas into the skin of the person, wherein, when a cannula is injected into the skin of the person, the injected cannula is in fluid communication with said reservoir and other, non-injected cannulas are not in fluid communication with said reservoir.

101. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be deliver to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person, means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person and a retraction prevention mechanism proximate said exit port; and

an injection activation device contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of the person;

said fluid transport device comprising a needle housed within a flexible cannula, said penetrating member being disposed at a distal end of said needle;

said injection activation device comprising a plunger having a body portion coupled to said fluid transport device, such that the application of a first force in a first direction to said plunger drives said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position, wherein said penetrating member of said needle and said distal end of said flexible cannula extend through said exit port and into the skin of the person, said distal end of said flexible cannula being in frictional contact with said retraction prevention mechanism of said housing.

102. The device of claim 101 wherein, upon application of a second force to said plunger in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction, said penetrating member of said needle is retracted to a third position, and said retraction prevention mechanism of said housing maintains said distal end of said flexible cannula in said second position.

103. The device of claim 102 wherein said retraction prevention mechanism comprises an externally roughened portion of said exit port.

104. The device of claim 102 wherein said retraction prevention mechanism comprises one or more barbs disposed on a cannula-contacting surface of said exit port.

105. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of the person;

said fluid transport device comprising a needle housed within a flexible cannula, said penetrating member being disposed at a distal end of said needle, beyond a distal end of said flexible cannula, said flexible cannula having a length that is less than a length of said needle, wherein a proximal end of said flexible cannula, opposite said distal end of said needle, is constructed and arranged to provide a frictional seal between said flexible cannula and said needle, said frictional seal preventing an escape of said fluid from between said distal end of said cannula and said needle, while allowing said distal end of said cannula to slide along said needle;

said injection activation device comprising a plunger coupled to said fluid transport device, such that the application of a first force in a first direction to said plunger drives said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position, wherein said penetrating member of said needle and said distal end of said flexible cannula extend through said exit port and into the skin of the person.

106. The device of claim 105 wherein said plunger comprises a first body portion coupled to said flexible cannula and a second body portion coupled to said needle and in contact with said first body portion;

wherein, upon the application of said first force, said second body portion drives said needle, said first body portion and said flexible cannula from said first position to said second position.

107. The device of claim 106 wherein, upon the application of a second force to said second body portion, in a direction substantially opposite said first direction, said second body portion and said needle are retracted to a third position.

108. The device of claim 107, said injection activation device further comprising a retention member for contacting said flexible cannula to retain said cannula in said second position prior to the application of said second force, thereby enabling said needle to be driven to said third position independent of said flexible cannula.

109. The device of claim 108 said injection activation device further comprising a first latch mechanism for maintaining said fluid transport device in said first position prior to the application of said first force.

136. The device of claim 105 wherein said plunger comprises a body portion coupled to said needle and in contact with said proximal end of said flexible cannula, wherein upon the application of said first force in said first direction, said body portion drives said needle and said flexible cannula from said first position to said second position.

137. The device of claim 136 wherein, upon the application of a second force to said second body portion, in a direction substantially opposite said first direction, said body portion and said needle are retracted to a third position.

138. The device of claim 137, said injection activation device further comprising a retention member for contacting said flexible cannula to retain said cannula in said second position prior to the application of said second force, thereby enabling said needle to be driven to said third position independent of said flexible cannula.

139. The device of claim 138 wherein said injection activation further comprises a spring which is in an energized state while said fluid transport device is in said first position.

140. The device of claim 139 wherein, when said spring is deenergized, said spring applies said first force to said plunger during a first portion of deenergization, driving said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position.

141. The device of claim 140 wherein, during a second portion of said deenergization, said spring drives said plunger in said second direction, substantially opposite said first direction, thereby retracting said body portion and said needle to said third position.

142. The device of claim 139, said injection activation device further comprising a latch arm which, when in a closed state, maintains said fluid transport device in said first position and said spring in said energized state.

143. The device of claim 142 wherein said latch arm is maintained in said closed position by contact with said fluid transport device and wherein said latch is released by a latch activation device.

144. The device of claim 143 wherein said latch activation device comprises an electrically driven actuator coupled to said latch arm such that, upon the application of a charge to said first electrically driven actuator, said first electrically driven actuator activates, causing said latch arm to move from said closed state to said open state.

145. The device of claim 144 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

146. The device of claim 144 further comprising a local processor connected to the latch activation device and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on first injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving said first injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering said first injection instructions to the local processor.

147. The device of claim 146 wherein said housing is free of user input components for providing injection instructions to the local processor.

148. The device of claim 146 further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

110. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device including a driving mechanism contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of said person;

said fluid transport device comprising a needle housed within a flexible cannula, said penetrating member being disposed at a distal end of said needle, said flexible cannula including a retraction prevention mechanism proximate a distal end thereof, wherein, when said fluid transport device is in said first position, said retraction prevention mechanism of said soft cannula is within said housing and said penetrating member extends beyond said distal end of said flexible cannula; and

wherein said driving mechanism includes a rotational-to-linear motion converter coupled between rotational driving means of said injection activation device and said fluid transport device for converting rotational motion imparted on a drive shaft of said rotational-to-linear motion converter by said rotational drive means to linear motion which causes said driving mechanism to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second position during a first portion of rotational travel of said drive shaft.

111. The device of claim 110 wherein said rotational-to-linear motion converter is operative for retracting said penetrating member to a third position during a second portion of rotational travel of said drive shaft.

112. The device of claim 110 wherein said rotational-to-linear motion converter further includes a crank coupled to said drive shaft, said crank including an urging rod;

and said injection activation device including a force translating coupled to said fluid transport device, said force translator having a longitudinal slot for receiving said urging rod such that, upon rotation of said drive shaft and crank, said force translator converts rotational motion of said urging rod to a linear motion imparted on said fluid transport device to drive said penetrating member from said first position to said second and third positions.

113. The device of claim 110 wherein said driving means comprises a motor.

114. The device of claim 110 wherein said driving means comprises a spring in an energized state disposed about said drive axle which, when deenergized, causes said drive axle to rotate.

115. The device of claim 114 said injection activation device further comprising a latch arm movable between a closed position, maintaining said spring in said energized state, and an open position, in which said spring is released from said energized state, thereby causing said drive axle to rotate.

116. The device of claim 115 wherein said latch arm is held in said closed position by contact with said crank and wherein said latch arm is moved to said open state by a latch activation device.

117. The device of claim 116 wherein said latch activation device comprises an electrically driven actuator coupled to said latch arm such that, upon the application of a charge to said first electrically driven actuator, said first electrically driven actuator activates, causing said latch arm to move from said closed position to said open position.

118. The device of claim 117 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

119. The device of claim 116 further comprising a local processor connected to the latch activation device and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on first injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving said first injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering said first injection instructions to the local processor.

120. The device of claim 119 wherein said housing is free of user input components for providing injection instructions to the local processor.

121. The device of claim 119 further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

122. The device of claim 111 wherein said third position is said first position.

123. The device of claim 111 wherein said third position within said housing and further away from said exit port than said first position.

124. The device of claim 111 wherein said third position is between said first and second positions, such that said penetrating member is located between said distal end of said flexible cannula and said exit port of said housing.

125. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of the person;

said fluid transport device comprising a needle housed within a flexible cannula, said penetrating member being disposed at a distal end of said needle, said flexible cannula including a retraction prevention mechanism proximate a distal end thereof, wherein, when said fluid transport device is in said first position, said retraction prevention mechanism of said soft cannula is within said housing and said penetrating member extends beyond said distal end of said flexible cannula;

said injection activation device comprising a latch arm for maintaining said fluid transport device in said first position when said latch arm is in a closed state and a first spring in an energized state coupled to said fluid transport device, such that, upon releasing said latch arm, said first spring deenergizes causing said penetrating member to be driven from said first position to said second position, wherein said penetrating member of said needle and said distal end of said flexible cannula extend through said exit port and into the skin of the person and said retraction prevention mechanism of said flexible cannula is in contact with said exit port of said housing.

126. The device of claim 125, said first spring comprising a leaf spring having a distal end in contact with said fluid transport device which, upon said penetrating member being driven to said second position, falls out of contact with said fluid transport device.

127. The device of claim 125 said injection activation device further comprising a second spring coupled to said fluid transport device which is in a deenergized state when said penetrating member is in said first position and which becomes energized as said penetrating member is driven from said first position to said second position upon release of said latch arm, such that, when said penetrating member reaches said second position, said second spring is energized such that, when said first spring falls out of contact with said fluid transport device, said second spring retracts said penetrating member to a third position, while said retraction prevention mechanism of said flexible cannula remains in contact with said exit port, thereby forcing said distal end of said flexible cannula to remain in said second position.

128. The device of claim 125 wherein said latch arm is maintained in said closed position by contact with said fluid transport device and wherein said latch is released by a latch activation device.

129. The device of claim 128 wherein said latch activation device comprises an electrically driven actuator coupled to said latch arm such that, upon the application of a charge to said first electrically driven actuator, said first electrically driven actuator activates, causing said latch arm to move from said closed state to said open state.

130. The device of claim 129 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

131. The device of claim 128 further comprising a local processor connected to the latch activation device and programmed to apply a charge to said electrically driven actuator based on first injection instructions;

and

a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving said first injection instructions from a separate, remote control device and delivering said first injection instructions to the local processor.

132. The device of claim 131 wherein said housing is free of user input components for providing injection instructions to the local processor.

133. The device of claim 131 further comprising a remote control device separate from the fluid delivery device and including:

a remote processor;

user interface components connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the remote processor; and

a transmitter connected to the remote processor for transmitting the first injection instructions to the receiver of the fluid delivery device.

149. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of the person;

said fluid transport device comprising a needle housed within a flexible cannula, said penetrating member being disposed at a distal end of said needle, said flexible cannula including a retraction prevention mechanism proximate a distal end thereof, wherein, when said fluid transport device is in said first position, said retraction prevention mechanism of said soft cannula is within said housing and said penetrating member extends beyond said distal end of said flexible cannula;

said injection activation device comprising;

a cam and a follower portion slidably coupled to said fluid transport device, said cam including a first cam portion and a second cam portion, said fluid transport device being in said first position when said follower portion is in contact with said first cam portion and in said second position when said follower portion is in contact with said second cam portion, wherein said penetrating member of said needle and said distal end of said flexible cannula extend through said exit port and into the skin of the person and said retraction prevention mechanism of said flexible cannula is in contact with said exit port of said housing; and

driving means for driving said follower portion from said first cam portion to said second cam portion.

150. The device of claim 149, said injection activation device further comprising a third cam portion, said driving means driving said follower portion from said second cam portion to said third cam portion, such that, as said follower portion is driven from said second cam portion to said third cam portion, said needle is retracted to a third position.

151. The device of claim 150 wherein said driving means comprises a spring biased for driving said follower portion from said first cam portion through said second cam portion to said third cam portion.

152. The device of claim 151 wherein, when said follower portion is in contact with said first cam portion, said spring is in an energized state.

153. The device of claim 152 said injection activation device further comprising a latch arm which, when in a closed state, maintains said spring in said energized state.

154. The device of claim 153 wherein said latch arm is maintained in said closed position by contact with said spring and wherein said latch is released by a latch activation device.

155. The device of claim 154 wherein said latch activation device comprises an electrically driven actuator coupled to said latch arm such that, upon the application of a charge to said first electrically driven actuator, said first electrically driven actuator activates, causing said latch arm to move from said closed state to said open state.

156. The device of claim 155 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

160. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a means for facilitating the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device when inserted into the skin of the person;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into said person and means for securing a first wall of said housing to the skin of the person; and

a motion isolation device for isolating motion of said housing from said fluid transport device when said penetrating member is external to said housing and within the skin of the person.

161. The device of claim 160 wherein said motion isolation device comprises a spring mechanism coupled between said fluid transport device and said housing, said spring mechanism enabling said housing to move independently of said fluid transport device.

162. The device of claim 160 wherein said fluid transport device comprises a fluid cannula and said motion isolation device comprises a loop in said flexible cannula between said distal end of said flexible cannula and a medial portion of said flexible cannula which is fixed to said housing, said loop portion enabling said housing to move independently of said flexible cannula.

166. A device for delivering fluid to a person comprising:

a reservoir for containing a fluid to be delivered to the person;

a fluid transport device for dispensing fluid from said reservoir to the person, said fluid transport device including a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end having a penetrating member for piercing the skin of the person to facilitate the delivery of fluid to the person through the fluid transport device;

a housing containing said reservoir and said fluid transport device, said housing including an exit port for receiving said distal end of said fluid transport device upon injection of said distal end into the skin of the person; and

an injection activation device contacting said fluid transport device for driving said penetrating member from a first position within said housing, through said exit port to a second position, external to said housing and into the skin of the person;

said fluid transport device comprising a needle housed within a flexible cannula, said penetrating member being disposed at a distal end of said needle, wherein, when said fluid transport device is in said first position, said penetrating member extends beyond said distal end of said flexible cannula;

said injection activation device comprising;

a plunger device coupled to said fluid transport device;

a latch mechanism comprising a first latch arm for maintaining a first spring in an energized state and a second latch arm for maintaining a second spring in an energized state;

wherein, upon releasing said first latch arm, said first spring deenergizes and forces said plunger device and said fluid transport device from said first position to said second position and, upon said plunger and fluid transport device reaching said second position, said second latch arm is released, causing said second spring to deenergize and to force said plunger device from said second position to a third position.

167. The device of claim 166 wherein said latch mechanism comprises an electrically driven actuator coupled to said first latch arm such that, upon the application of a charge to said electrically driven actuator, said electrically driven actuator activates, causing said first latch arm to be released.

168. The device of claim 167 wherein said plunger device includes means for releasing said second latch arm, said releasing means contacting said second latch arm as said plunger device reaches said second position, thereby causing said second latch arm to be released.

169. The device of claim 168 wherein said electrically driven actuator comprises one of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezo electric actuator and a solenoid.

170. The device of claim 166 wherein said third position is said first position.

171. The device of claim 166 wherein said third position is within said housing and further away from said exit port than said first position.

172. The device of claim 166 wherein said third position is between said first and second positions, such that said penetrating member is located between said distal end of said flexible cannula and said exit port of said housing.