Fluid Delivery and Measurement Systems and Methods

Abstract

Embodiments of this invention relate to a fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery device comprises a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid, a first drive mechanism configured to remove a predetermined amount of the fluid from the fluid reservoir when the first drive mechanism is actuated, a needle, a septum and a housing having an orifice. Also disclosed is a method for dispensing a fluid from a fluid delivery device into a patient.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A fluid delivery device comprising:
 a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid;   a first drive mechanism configured to remove a predetermined amount of the fluid from the fluid reservoir when the first drive mechanism is actuated;   a needle;   a septum; and   a housing having an orifice,   wherein the needle is configured to pierce the septum so that the needle is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         7 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein a first end of the needle is configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and wherein a second end of the needle is capable of extending to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 7 , wherein the first end of the needle is parallel with the second end of the needle. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 7 , wherein the second end of the needle is configured to extend through a base of the fluid delivery device via the orifice. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 9 , wherein the second end of the needle is configured to extend in a direction which is perpendicular to the base of the fluid delivery device. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 7 , wherein the needle comprises at least one bend between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 7 , wherein the needle comprises a middle portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the middle portion is configured to extend in a direction which is perpendicular to:
 a direction about which the first end of the needle is configured to extend; and/or   a direction about which the second end of the needle is configured to extend.   
     
     
         13 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the fluid delivery device further comprises a button which is configured to be depressed to allow the needle to pierce the septum. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 13 , wherein the button is operable to be depressed into the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 13 , wherein the button is operable to be depressed into the housing, wherein depression of the button into the housing is configured to translate an end of the needle through to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 13 , wherein the button comprises a plurality of projections on an external surface of the button. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the fluid comprises a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the fluid comprises a pain relief agent. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the fluid comprises insulin. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the first drive mechanism is configured to remove the predetermined amount of the fluid from the fluid reservoir at a constant rate. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the fluid delivery device comprises an initial position defined by the needle being fluidly disengaged from the fluid reservoir and being shrouded by the housing. 
     
     
         22 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the fluid delivery device comprises an engaged position defined by the needle extending through the septum and into the fluid reservoir and the needle extending out of the housing. 
     
     
         23 . A fluid delivery device comprising:
 a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid;   a first drive mechanism configured to remove a predetermined amount of the fluid from the fluid reservoir when the first drive mechanism is actuated;   a needle;   a septum; and   a button which is configured to be depressed to allow the needle to pierce the septum for allowing the needle to be in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         24 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 23 , wherein the button is operable to be depressed into a housing from the fluid delivery device, wherein depression of the button into the housing is configured to translate an end of the needle through to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         25 . The fluid delivery device according to  claim 24 , wherein the fluid delivery device comprises:
 an initial position defined by the needle being fluidly disengaged from the fluid reservoir and being shrouded by the housing; and   an engaged position defined by the needle extending through the septum and into the fluid reservoir and the needle extending out of the housing.   
     
     
         26 . A method of dispensing a fluid from a fluid delivery device into a patient, using the fluid delivery device according to  claim 6 , wherein the method comprises:
 piercing the septum for allowing the needle to be in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; and   dispensing the fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the needle, and into the patient.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the fluid comprises insulin. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the fluid is dispensed over a period of 24 hours.