Infusion Device Having Offset Flow Path

Abstract

An infusion device, including: a housing; an infusion cannula extending downwardly away from the housing and capable of receiving an insertion needle; a septum disposed in the housing; a passageway under said septum and in fluid communication with said cannula; and, an infusion needle insertable through the septum, the infusion needle capable of penetrating the septum and entering said passageway thereby forming a flow path between the infusion needle and the infusion cannula and wherein the infusion cannula and the infusion needle are aligned on separate non identical axes.

1 . An infusion device, comprising: 
 a housing;    an infusion cannula extending downwardly away from the housing and capable of receiving an insertion needle;    a septum disposed in the housing;    a passageway under said septum and in fluid communication with said cannula and;    an infusion needle insertable through the septum, the infusion needle capable of penetrating the septum and entering said passageway thereby forming a flow path between the infusion needle and the infusion cannula and wherein the infusion cannula and the infusion needle are aligned on separate non identical axes.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the infusion cannula and the infusion needle are positioned parallel to one another.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the infusion cannula and the infusion needle are positioned parallel to one another.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the infusion cannula and the infusion needle are in different planes relative to each other.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the infusion cannula and the infusion needle are at oblique angles relative to each other.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the infusion needle is disposed in the center of the connecting hub and the infusion cannula is disposed off-center to the housing.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the infusion cannula and the infusion needle have different diameters.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting hub is rotatable with respect to the housing.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting hub is rotatable 360 degrees with respect to the housing.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting hub is rotatable less than 360 degrees with respect to the housing.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting hub is attachable to the housing at different rotational positions.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting hub further comprises: 
 at least one flexible handle configured to attach the connecting hub onto the housing.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises: 
 an adhesive bandage extending therefrom for holding the housing against the patient's skin.    
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting hub further comprises: 
 a fluid infusion tube extending from the connecting hub, the fluid infusion tube being in fluid communication with the infusion needle.    
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the septum is pre-slit and wherein the infusion needle is a plastic tube.  
   
   
       16 . A method of infusing fluid into a patient, comprising: 
 positioning an infusion housing, having a passageway, against a patient's skin, such that an infusion cannula extends downwardly away from the infusion housing penetrates the patient's skin along a first axis, thereby providing a pathway for infusate into the patient; and    inserting an infusion needle into the housing along an axis adjacent, but not identitical with said first axis; and    causing infusate to pass through said insertion needle, into said passageway and then into said infusion cannula    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the passageway in he infusion housing is a lateral passageway.