Fluid Restriction Mechanisms For Drug Delivery Pumps

Abstract

A replaceable fluid restriction mechanism 500, 1500 includes: an aperture 520A residing adjacent to a fluid pathway connection and configured to permit flow of a drug fluid through the aperture 520A when the fluid pathway connection is open; an entry point 520B of a fluid channel 520C configured such that the flow of drug fluid can travel through aperture 520A to the entry point 520B and through the fluid channel 520C to an exit point 520D; and an outlet aperture 514 of a port 512 through which the flow of drug fluid may travel after exiting the exit point 520D, wherein a fluid conduit 30 is connected to the fluid restriction mechanism at the outlet aperture. A configurable fluid restriction mechanism 500, 1500 includes a plurality of fluid channels 520C, 521C, 522C, 523C, selectable to align with the entry point 520B and an exit point 520D of the fluid restriction mechanism.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A fluid restriction mechanism for a drug delivery pump, comprising:
 a first component including a piercing member; and   a second component connected to the first component, the second component including an outlet port configured to mate with a fluid conduit, at least one of the first and second components including a fluid channel, the fluid channel including an entry point in fluid communication with the piercing member and an exit point in fluid communication with the outlet port.   
     
     
         22 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 21 , further comprising a fluid chip that includes at least a portion of the fluid channel, at least one of the first and second components including a recess configured to receive the fluid chip. 
     
     
         23 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein the fluid chip comprises a plurality of fluid channels. 
     
     
         24 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein the fluid chip is configured to selectably align at least one of the plurality of fluid channels with the entry point and the exit point. 
     
     
         25 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 23  wherein the plurality of fluid channels vary in length. 
     
     
         26 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of fluid channels vary in diameter. 
     
     
         27 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of fluid channels vary in shape. 
     
     
         28 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 27  wherein one or more of the plurality of fluid channels are configured to connect. 
     
     
         29 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second components are configured to provide a fluid-tight seal of the fluid channel. 
     
     
         30 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second components are unitary. 
     
     
         31 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 21 , further comprising a spacer plate and a restriction plate located between the first component and the second component, the spacer plate configured to align the entry point or the exit point of the fluid channel with a second fluid channel located in the restriction plate. 
     
     
         32 . The fluid restriction of mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein the first component includes a first vent aperture and the second component includes a second vent aperture, the first and second vent apertures configured to vent air or gas from a proximal side of the fluid restriction mechanism to a distal side of the fluid restriction mechanism. 
     
     
         33 . The fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 32 , further comprising a membrane configured to facilitate passage of gas while preventing passage of fluid through at least one of the first and second vent apertures. 
     
     
         34 . An integrated fluid restriction mechanism and drug container, comprising:
 the fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 21 ; and   a drug container including:
 a cap, 
 a barrel, and 
 a plunger seal, at least a portion of the fluid restriction mechanism located between the cap and a distal end of the barrel. 
   
     
     
         35 . A drug delivery pump, comprising:
 housing;   an activation mechanism;   a drive mechanism;   an insertion mechanism;   a fluid pathway connection including a fluid conduit and the fluid restriction mechanism of  claim 21 ; and   a drug container connected at one end to the drive mechanism and at another end to the fluid pathway connection, the outlet port of the fluid restriction mechanism connected to one end of the fluid conduit, another end of the fluid conduit connected to the insertion mechanism.   
     
     
         36 . The drug delivery pump of  claim 35 , wherein the fluid restriction mechanism is mounted to the drug container. 
     
     
         37 . The drug delivery pump of  claim 35 , wherein the fluid restriction mechanism is integrated within the drug container. 
     
     
         38 . A fluid restriction mechanism for a drug delivery pump, comprising:
 a first component including a piercing member and an outlet port configured to mate with a fluid conduit; and   a second component in sealing engagement with the first component, at least one of the first and second components including a fluid channel, the fluid channel including an entry point in fluid communication with the piercing member and an exit point in fluid communication with the outlet port.