Treatment system with automated cannula and sensor inserter, fluid delivery device, and drive mechanism for use therewith

Abstract

A method of inserting a cannula and a sensor into a user using a cannula and sensor insertion mechanism, the method includes holding the cannula in a first pre-insertion position with a trigger arm, releasing the trigger arm such that a cannula insertion spring moves the cannula from the first pre-insertion position to a second post-insertion position, inserting the introducer needle and the cannula into the user, and retracting the introducer needle from within the cannula with a needle retraction spring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cannula and sensor insertion mechanism for inserting a cannula and a sensor into a user, the mechanism comprising:
 a cannula insertion spring configured to move a cannula from a first pre-insertion position to a second post-insertion position;   an introducer needle disposed in at least a portion of the cannula and configured to insert the cannula into a user;   a needle retraction spring configured to remove or partially retract the introducer needle from within the cannula after the cannula is inserted into the user; and   a trigger arm configured to hold the cannula insertion spring such that the cannula is in the first pre-insertion position and configured to release the insertion spring such that the cannula moves to the second post-insertion position.   
     
     
         2 . The cannula and sensor insertion mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a tri-lumen structure, wherein a first lumen is in fluid communication with a first reservoir to administer a first fluid, a second lumen is in fluid communication with a second reservoir to administer a second fluid, and a third lumen is used to house the introducer needle. 
     
     
         3 . The cannula and sensor insertion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula insertion spring is used to push a sensor toward and into the user. 
     
     
         4 . The cannula and sensor insertion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the introducer needle is disposed within the cannula and remains flush with a bottom surface of a base housing. 
     
     
         5 . The cannula and sensor insertion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger arm is released such that the cannula, the introducer needle, and the sensor move toward and into the user. 
     
     
         6 . The cannula and sensor insertion mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the cannula, the introducer needle, and the sensor extend beyond the bottom surface of the base housing. 
     
     
         7 . The cannula and sensor insertion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a retract trigger contacts a surface of an insertion guide member and a needle retraction spring is allowed to release to retract the introducer needle, thereby allowing the cannula and the sensor to remain inserted inside of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The cannula and sensor insertion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the introducer needle initially penetrates the skin to allow the cannula and/or the sensor to be inserted into the user. 
     
     
         9 . A method of inserting a cannula and a sensor into a user using a cannula and sensor insertion mechanism, the method comprising:
 holding a cannula in a first pre-insertion position with a trigger arm;   releasing the trigger arm such that a cannula insertion spring moves the cannula from the first pre-insertion position to a second post-insertion position;   inserting an introducer needle and the cannula into the user; and   retracting the introducer needle from within the cannula with a needle retraction spring.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of using the cannula insertion spring to push a sensor toward and into the user. 
     
     
         11 . A cannula and sensor insertion mechanism configured to insert a cannula and a sensor into a user, the mechanism comprising a spring-loaded mechanism that pushes a cannula and a sensor into the user and a retraction mechanism that removes a needle from within the cannula after insertion.