Device and Method for Insertion of a Cannula of an Infusion Device

Abstract

A device for inserting a subcutaneous infusion device into skin of a patient. The device can include a housing, a needle hub including a needle, a sleeve, and a spring engaging the needle hub. The device can also include a cap coupled to the housing, and a retention member configured to maintain the device in a ship state prior to decoupling of the cap from the housing. In one example, the retention member can include a boss coupled to the cap and configured to engage the infusion device to maintain the infusion device in the ship state prior to decoupling of the cap from the housing. In another example, the retention member can include a tab formed by the sleeve, the tab engaging a bead on an internal surface of the cap when the sleeve moves relative to the housing while the device is in the ship state.

1 . A device for inserting a subcutaneous infusion device into skin of a patient, comprising:
 a housing;   a needle hub including a needle, the needle having a cannula of an infusion device coupled thereto;   a sleeve;   a cap coupled to the housing; and   a member coupled to the cap and configured to engage the infusion device to maintain the infusion device in a desired position with respect to the needle prior to decoupling of the cap from the housing;   wherein, upon removal of the cap, the needle hub is movable relative to the sleeve to introduce the needle of the needle hub and associated cannula of the infusion device into a subcutaneous layer of skin.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the member comprises a boss. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the boss is cylindrical and centrally located with respect to a closed end of the cap, and wherein the boss defines a central cavity sized to receive the needle and associated cannula of the infusion device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the boss is formed integrally with the cap. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein a free end of the boss is positioned adjacent to a bottom surface of the infusion device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring engaging the needle hub, wherein, upon the needle and associated cannula of the infusion device being fully inserted into the subcutaneous layer of skin, the needle hub is slideable relative to the hub, and the needle hub including the needle are moveable by the spring to a retracted state, leaving the cannula of the infusion device positioned on the skin of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . A device for inserting a subcutaneous infusion device into skin of a patient, comprising:
 a housing;   a needle hub including a needle;   a sleeve;   a cap coupled to the housing and defining a bead; and   a retention member coupled to the sleeve and configured to engage the bead defined by the cap to limit movement of the sleeve relative to the housing while the cap is coupled to the housing;   wherein, upon removal of the cap, the needle hub is movable relative to the sleeve to introduce the needle of the needle hub and associated cannula of an infusion device into a subcutaneous layer of skin.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the retention member comprises a tab. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the tab extends outward radially from the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the retention member comprises four tabs and the cap defines four corresponding beads. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the bead is defined on an internal circumference of the cap. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the bead is pitched. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a spring engaging the needle hub, wherein, upon the needle and associated cannula of the infusion device being fully inserted into the subcutaneous layer of skin, the needle hub is slideable relative to the hub, and the needle hub including the needle are moveable by the spring to a retracted state, leaving the cannula of the infusion device positioned on the skin of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . A device for inserting a subcutaneous infusion device into skin of a patient, comprising:
 a housing;   a needle hub including a needle with a cannula of an infusion device coupled thereto;   a sleeve defining a tab extending radially therefrom; and   a cap coupled to the housing, the cap defining a boss extending from a closed end of the cap, the boss defining a central cavity sized to receive the needle and associated cannula of the infusion device, and the cap defining a bead on an internal surface of the cap;   wherein a free end of the boss engages a bottom surface of the infusion device when the infusion device moves relative to the needle; and   wherein the tab engages the bead defined by the cap when the sleeve moves relative to the housing.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the bead is pitched. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the sleeve includes four tabs and the cap defines four corresponding beads. 
     
     
         17 . A device for inserting a subcutaneous infusion device into skin of a patient, comprising:
 a housing;   a needle hub including a needle, the needle having a cannula of an infusion device coupled thereto;   a sleeve;   a spring engaging the needle hub;   a cap coupled to the housing; and   means for fixing the site relative to the needle and the sleeve relative to the housing prior to decoupling of the cap from the housing;   wherein, upon removal of the cap, the needle hub is movable relative to the sleeve to introduce the needle of the needle hub and associated cannula of the infusion device into a subcutaneous layer of skin, and wherein, upon the needle and associated cannula of the infusion device being fully inserted into the subcutaneous layer of skin, the needle hub is slideable relative to the hub, and the needle hub including the needle are moveable by the spring to a retracted state, leaving the cannula of the infusion device positioned on the skin of the patient.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the means for fixing comprises a boss coupled to the cap and configured to engage the infusion device to fix the infusion device relative to the needle prior to decoupling of the cap from the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the boss is cylindrical and centrally located with respect to a closed end of the cap, and wherein the boss defines a central cavity sized to receive the needle and associated cannula of the infusion device. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the means for fixing comprises a tab formed by the sleeve, wherein the tab engages a bead defined by the cap when the sleeve moves relative to the housing while the cap is coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the bead is defined on an internal circumference of the cap. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the bead is pitched. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the means for fixing comprises a clip, a portion of the clip extending through an aperture defined by the sleeve. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an infusion device including a cannula; and   a device for inserting the infusion device into skin of a patient, including:
 a housing; 
 a needle hub including a needle with the cannula of the infusion device coupled thereto; 
 a sleeve defining a tab extending radially therefrom; and 
 a cap coupled to the housing, the cap defining a boss extending from a closed end of the cap, the boss defining a central cavity sized to receive the needle and associated cannula of the infusion device, and the cap defining a bead on an internal surface of the cap; 
   wherein a free end of the boss engages a bottom surface of the infusion device when the infusion device moves relative to the needle; and   wherein the tab engages the bead defined by the cap when the sleeve moves relative to the housing.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the sleeve includes four tabs and the cap defines four corresponding beads.