Infusion set for a fluid pump

Abstract

A medical device for delivery of a fluid to a patient from a line terminating in a tubing needle. The medical device includes a cannula assembly for coupling the fluid into a cannula that is inserted into the patient. The cannula assembly has a first locking element disposed in a fixed position with respect to the cannula. Coupling the line to the cannula assembly is an infusion flap. The infusion flap includes a second locking element for engaging the first locking element of the cannula assembly and a lift tab for disconnecting the infusion flap from the cannula assembly. Coupling of the first and second locking elements requires initial mating of the infusion flap and cannula assembly followed by locking through rotation of the infusion flap with respect to the cannula assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A medical device for delivery of a fluid to a patient from a line terminating in a tubing needle, the medical device comprising: 
 a cannula assembly for coupling the fluid into a cannula for insertion into the patient, the cannula assembly having a first locking element disposed in a fixed position with respect to the cannula; and    an infusion flap for coupling the line to the cannula assembly, the infusion flap comprising: 
 a second locking element for engaging the first locking element of the cannula assembly; and  
 a lift tab for disconnecting the infusion flap from the cannula assembly, wherein coupling of the first and second locking elements requires initial mating of the infusion flap and cannula assembly followed by locking through rotation of the infusion flap with respect to the cannula assembly.  
   
     
     
         2 . The medical device according to  claim 1 , where the first locking element is a locking lug and the second locking element is a lug receptacle.  
     
     
         3 . The medical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first locking element is a lug receptacle and the second locking element is a locking lug.  
     
     
         4 . The medical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cannula assembly includes a septum housing defining a core coupled to the cannula, the septum housing including a first septum positioned within the core at a first position, such that when the infusion flap and the cannula assembly are locked, the tubing needle penetrates the first septum so as to permit fluid communication between the line and the cannula.  
     
     
         5 . The medical device according to  claim 4 , wherein the septum housing includes a second septum positioned within the core at a second position, such that an insertion needle can be introduced through the second septum into the cannula.  
     
     
         6 . The medical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cannula assembly includes a soft overmolded body.  
     
     
         7 . A medical device according to  claim 1 , the cannula assembly further including: 
 a flexible tube in fluid communication with the cannula; and    a septum in fluid communication with flexible tube, wherein, when the flexible tube is in a first position, an insertion needle can be introduced through the septum into the cannula, and when the flexible tube is in a second position, a tubing needle inserted through the septum permits fluid communication between the line and the cannula.    
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insertion flap, the insertion flap including an insertion needle for inserting into the passagway through the septum, the insertion flap when inserted further extending through the cannula and terminating with a sharp distal end disposed slightly beyond a distal end of the cannula.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the insertion flap has an interface for coupling to an auto-insertion device.  
     
     
         10 . A medical device for delivery of a fluid to a patient from a line terminating in a tubing needle, the medical device comprising: 
 a cannula for insertion into the patient;    a flexible tube in fluid communication with the cannula; and    a septum in fluid communication with the flexible tube, wherein when the flexible tube is in a first position, an insertion needle can be introduced through the septum into the cannula, and when the flexible tube is in a second position, a tubing needle inserted through the septum permits fluid communication between the line and the cannula.    
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an infusion flap that includes the tubing needle; and    a cannula assembly that includes the cannula;    wherein when the infusion flap and cannula assembly are mated, the tubing needle passes through the septum permitting fluid communication between the line and the cannula.    
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the infusion flap to the cannula assembly.  
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking tang on the infusion flap, the locking tang inserted into a tang receptacle on the cannula assembly.  
     
     
         14 . The medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein the septum is disposed in a septum housing, and the locking mechanism includes a first locking element disposed on the septum housing and a second locking element disposed on the infusion flap, wherein coupling of the first and second locking elements requires initial mating of the infusion flap and cannula assembly followed by locking through rotation of the infusion flap with respect to the cannula assembly.  
     
     
         15 . The medical device according to  claim 14 , where the first locking element is a locking lug and the second locking element is a lug receptacle.  
     
     
         16 . The medical device according to  claim 14 , wherein the first locking element is a lug receptacle and the second locking element is a locking lug.  
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the septum housing can be rotated to a mating position that allows the infusion flap and the septum housing to be mated together and the infusion flap rotated with respect to the cannula assembly to lock the infusion flap onto the septum housing, and 
 wherein the septum housing can then be rotated to a stable position that prevents rotation of the infusion flap.    
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 10 , further comprising an insertion flap, the insertion flap including an insertion needle for inserting into the passagway through the septum, the insertion flap when inserted further extending through the cannula and terminating with a sharp distal end disposed slightly beyond a distal end of the cannula.  
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the insertion flap has an interface for coupling to an auto-insertion device.  
     
     
         20 . A method for delivering a fluid to a patient from a line terminating in a tubing needle, the method comprising, 
 inserting an insertion needle through a septum and a cannula, the septum and the cannula having a relative orientation;    inserting the cannula into tissue of a patient;    withdrawing the insertion needle from the cannula and the septum;    inserting the tubing needle through the septum;    varying the relative orientation between the septum and the cannula; and    delivering a fluid through the line and the cannula.    
     
     
         21 . A tubing set for coupling a fluid delivery device into fluid communication with a cannula assembly, the fluid delivery device having a first configuration and a second configuration, the tubing set comprising: 
 a length of tubing having a first end and a second end;    a hub coupled to the first end for connecting to the fluid delivery device, the hub including a controller for allowing fluid delivery device to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration; and    an infusion flap coupled to the second end for connecting to the cannula assembly.    
     
     
         22 . The tubing set according to  claim 21 , wherein the first configuration of the source is a reservoir load position and the second configuration is an operate position.  
     
     
         23 . The tubing set according to  claim 21 , wherein the controller is capable of allowing the fluid delivery device to transition from the second configuration to the first configuration.  
     
     
         24 . The tubing set according to  claim 21 , wherein the controller includes a flange that interfaces with the fluid delivery device.  
     
     
         25 . The tubing set according to  claim 21 , wherein the controller includes generating one of an optical signal and magnetic field.  
     
     
         26 . The tubing set according to  claim 21 , wherein the controller includes an electronic circuit to the fluid delivery device.  
     
     
         27 . The tubing set according to  claim 21 , wherein the hub includes a luer connector for mating with the fluid delivery device.  
     
     
         28 . The tubing set according to  claim 21 , wherein the fluid delivery device is an infusion pump having a reservoir with variable volume and a drive assembly, the drive assembly including a barrel having a clearance hole in a barrel end, the barrel characterized by a longitudinal barrel axis of rotation, the drive assembly further including a plunger rod inserted through the clearance hole, and a rotating drive screw with external threads that removably engages with threads on the plunger rod by rotating the barrel about the barrel axis, the external threads engaged with the threads on the plunger rod when in the first configuration and the external threads disengaged with the threads on the plunger rod when in the second second configuration, and 
 wherein the controller is capable of allowing the barrel to rotate so as to bring the rod threads in and out of mechanical engagement with the drive screw threads.    
     
     
         29 . The tubing set according to  claim 28 , wherein the controller includes a flange for dislodging a locking tab on the barrel, allowing the barrel to rotate.  
     
     
         30 . The tubing set according to  claim 20 , wherein the cannula assembly has a first locking element disposed in a fixed position with respect to the cannula; and 
 the infusion flap includes: 
 a tubing needle;  
 a second locking element for engaging the first locking element of the cannula assembly; and  
 a lift tab for disconnecting the infusion flap from the cannula assembly, wherein coupling of the first and second locking elements requires initial mating of the infusion flap and cannula assembly followed by locking through rotation of the infusion flap with respect to the cannula assembly.  
   
     
     
         31 . The tubing set according to  claim 30 , wherein the tubing needle penetrates a septum in the cannula assembly when the infusion flap is locked to the cannula assembly, permitting fluid communication between the tubing set and a cannula protruding from the cannula assembly.  
     
     
         32 . A conduit for coupling to a fluid delivery device, the fluid delivery device having a first configuration and a second configuration, the conduit comprising: 
 a length of tubing having a first end; and    a hub coupled to the first end for connecting to the fluid delivery device, the hub including a controller for allowing the fluid delivery device to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration.    
     
     
         33 . The conduit according to  claim 32 , wherein the first configuration is a reservoir load position and the second configuration is an operate position.  
     
     
         34 . The conduit according to  claim 32 , wherein the hub includes a luer connector for mating with the fluid delivery device.  
     
     
         35 . The conduit according to  claim 32 , wherein the controller includes a flange that interfaces with the fluid delivery device.  
     
     
         36 . The conduit according to  claim 32 , wherein the controller includes generating one of an optical signal and magnetic field.  
     
     
         37 . The conduit according to  32 , wherein the controller includes completing an electronic circuit in the fluid delivery device.  
     
     
         38 . A method of providing flow of a fluid from a fluid delivery device to a porous medium, the method comprising: 
 coupling a hub to the fluid delivery device, the hub permanently affixed to a tube set;    controlling a configuration of the fluid delivery device via the hub; and    coupling the tube set to the porous medium so as to allow fluid to flow from the fluid delivery device to the porous medium.    
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein controlling the configuration of the fluid delivery device includes allowing the pump to move from a first configuration to a second configuration.  
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the first configuration of the fluid delivery device is a load position and the second configuration is an operate position.  
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein controlling the configuration of the fluid delivery device includes moving a flange on the hub.  
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein controlling the configuration of the fluid delivery device includes generating one of a magnetic field and an optical signal.  
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the fluid delivery device is an infusion pump.