Microneedle Systems and Apparatus

Abstract

A medical system. The medical system includes at least one compartment for a fluid, a fluid path and at least one microneedle fluidly connected to the at least one compartment by the fluid path. A medical infusion system is also disclosed. The system includes a wearable housing, at least one non-pressurized compartment for a fluid contained within the housing, at least one fluid path fluidly connected to the at least one compartment and at least one microneedle fluidly connected to the at least one compartment by the fluid path wherein the fluid path extends through the microneedle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical system comprising:
 a reservoir partially collapsible for containing an infusible fluid, the reservoir comprising an integral septum;   a fluid path fluidly connected to the reservoir; and   a plurality of microneedles fluidly connected to the reservoir by the fluid path, each microneedle having a body portion and two appendages,   wherein the reservoir is fluidly connected to the fluid path by a needle penetrating the septum on the reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the body portion of each microneedle is made from a first material and the appendages of each microneedle are made from a second material. 
     
     
         3 . The medical system of  claim 2  wherein the second material is different from the first material. 
     
     
         4 . The medical system of  claim 3  wherein the second material is dissolvable. 
     
     
         5 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the appendages provide for microneedle retention. 
     
     
         6 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir is a non-pressurized. 
     
     
         7 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid path extends through one of the microneedles. 
     
     
         8 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein one of the microneedles is an analyte sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir is contained within a housing. 
     
     
         10 . The medical system of  claim 9  wherein the housing is a wearable housing. 
     
     
         11 . The medical system of  claim 10  wherein the housing is an infusion pump. 
     
     
         12 . A medical infusion system comprising:
 a wearable housing;   a reservoir contained within the housing and collapsible for containing a fluid, the reservoir comprising an integral septum;   a fluid path fluidly connected to the reservoir; and   a plurality of microneedles, each microneedle having a body portion and at least two appendages, the plurality of microneedles fluidly connected to the reservoir by the fluid path wherein the fluid path extends through one of the microneedles,   wherein the reservoir is fluidly connected to the fluid path by a needle penetrating the septum on the reservoir.   
     
     
         13 . The medical infusion system of  claim 12  wherein the body portion of each microneedle is made from a first material and the appendages of each microneedle are made from a second material. 
     
     
         14 . The medical infusion system of  claim 13  wherein the second material is different from the first material. 
     
     
         15 . The medical infusion system of  claim 14  wherein the second material is dissolvable. 
     
     
         16 . The medical infusion system of  claim 12  wherein the appendages provide for microneedle retention. 
     
     
         17 . The medical infusion system of  claim 12  wherein the reservoir is a non-pressurized. 
     
     
         18 . The medical infusion system of  claim 12  wherein one of the microneedles is an analyte sensor. 
     
     
         19 . A medical infusion and sensing system comprising:
 a wearable housing;   a reservoir for containing a fluid, the reservoir collapsible and contained within the wearable housing, the reservoir comprising an integral septum;   a fluid path fluidly connected to the reservoir;   a plurality of microneedles fluidly connected to the reservoir by the fluid path wherein the fluid path extends through one of the microneedles, each microneedle having a body portion and at least two appendages; and   one of the microneedles is an analyte sensor attached to a path, the path attached to the housing,   wherein the reservoir is fluidly connected to the fluid path by a needle penetrating the septum on the reservoir.   
     
     
         20 . The medical infusion and sensing system of  claim 19  wherein the wearable housing comprising a reusable portion and a disposable portion. 
     
     
         21 . The medical infusion and sensing system of  claim 19  wherein the reservoir comprises at least one flexible portion. 
     
     
         22 . The medical infusion and sensing system of  claim 19  further comprising a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid from the reservoir through the fluid path. 
     
     
         23 . The medical infusion and sensing system of  claim 19  wherein the pumping mechanism is actuated using at least one shape memory actuator. 
     
     
         24 . The medical infusion and sensing system of  claim 12  wherein the body portion of each microneedle is made from a first material and the appendages of each microneedle are made from a second material. 
     
     
         25 . The medical infusion and sensing system of  claim 24  wherein the second material is different from the first material. 
     
     
         26 . The medical infusion and sensing system of  claim 25  wherein the second material is dissolvable. 
     
     
         27 . The medical infusion and sensing system of  claim 19  wherein the appendages provide for microneedle retention.