INFUSION SYSTEM AND METHODS
An infusion cartridge for use with an ambulatory infusion system can be provided with a preattached infusion set to eliminate potential leakage, potential snagging and other inconveniences from tubing connectors. The infusion cartridge can include a rigid housing, a collapsible fluid reservoir within the housing and a dispense mechanism for drawing fluid from the reservoir and sending it out an outlet port. A length of tubing can be fixedly attached to the outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The length of tubing can extend as a unitary construct from the outlet port to a connector that connects to a cannula for delivering fluid from the reservoir to a user.
1 . An ambulatory infusion system comprising:
an infusion cartridge it a rigid housing; as collapsible fluid reservoir formed from flexible material and disposed within the rigid housing, a dispense mechanism fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir and an outlet port fluidly connected to the dispense mechanism;
a length of tubing fixedly connected to the outlet port of the infusion cartridge, the length of tubing in fluid communication with the outlet port of the infusion cartridge; and
a connector operably connected to the length of tubing at a terminus of the tubing, the tubing extending as a unitary construct from the outlet port of the infusion cartridge to the connector, the connector adapted to connect to a cannula and/or needle to permit a fluid drug to flow from the infusion cartridge, through the length of tubing, and into the cannula and/or needle.
2 . The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the length of tubing has a constant, uninterrupted outer diameter between the infusion cartridge and the connector.
3 . The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the length of tubing includes no connectors between the infusion cartridge and the connector.
4 . The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the length of tubing cannot be detached from the cartridge without damaging the length of tubing.
5 . The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1 , wherein the length of tubing is fixedly attached to the cartridge with an adhesive.
6 . The ambulatory infusion system of claim 1 , further comprising a needle and/or cannula adapted to be attached to the connector.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , when in the length of tubing comprises more than one lumen.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the length of tubing comprises coaxial lumens.
9 . An infusion kit comprising;
cannula comprising a first end configured to pierce a patient's skin and a second end;
an infusion cartridge comprising:
a rigid housing;
a collapsible fluid reservoir formed from a flexible material and disposed within the rigid housing;
a dispense mechanism fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir;
an outlet port fluidly connected to the dispense mechanism; and
an infusion set comprising:
a length of tubing fixedly connected to the outlet port of the infusion cartridge, the length of tubing in fluid communication with the outlet port of the infusion cartridge; and
a connector operably connected to the length of tubing at a terminus of the tubing, the tubing extending as a unitary construct from the outlet port of the infusion cartridge to the connector, the connector adapted to connect to the cannula to permit a fluid drug to flow from the infusion cartridge, through the length of tubing, and into the cannula via the second end of the cannula.
10 . The kit of claim 9 , further comprising an insertion mechanism configured to insert the cannula under the skin of a patient.
11 . The kit of claim 9 , further comprising as pump.
12 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein the pump comprises a drive mechanism that functionally and operably interfaces with the dispense mechanism.
13 . The kit of claim 12 , wherein the drive mechanism regulates flow of medicament from the collapsible fluid reservoir outwards through the outlet port.
14 . The kit of claim 9 , wherein the length of tubing has a constant, uninterrupted outer diameter between the infusion on cartridge and the connector.
15 . The kit of claim 9 , wherein the length of tubing includes no connectors between the infusion cartridge and the connector.
16 . The kit of claim 9 , wherein the length of tubing cannot be detached from the cartridge without damaging the length of tubing.
17 . The kit of claim 9 , wherein the length of tubing is fixedly attached to the cartridge with an adhesive.
18 . The kit of claim 9 , wherein the length of tubing comprises more than one lumen.
19 . The kit of claim 18 , wherein the length of tubing comprises coaxial lumens.