APPLICATOR FOR DISEASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
One or more insertion mechanisms may be configured to insert and retract one or more needles associated with a component configured to implantable component into the tissue of a patient. For example, a component or implantable component may include a cannula for delivery of medication to a patient or an analyte sensor. An insertion mechanism may be configured to be part of or enclosed within a structure of the Disease Management System. For example, an insertion mechanism may be configured to operate within the structure of the Disease Management System and not require outside components or devices to apply one or more needles or implantable components to the patient.
1 . A method of applying a disease management system to a patient using an insertion mechanism, the method comprising:
placing a disease management system over an insertion site of a patient;
applying pressure to a top surface of the disease management system;
removing pressure from the top surface of the disease management system; and
using the disease management system and the insertion mechanism.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disease management system includes an adhesive layer configured to couple the disease management system to the patient upon application of pressure to the top surface of the disease management system.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying pressure to the top surface of the disease management system activates the insertion mechanism.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein activation of the insertion mechanism comprises inserting a needle and an implantable component into the patient.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein activation of the insertion mechanism further comprises exerting a spring force to retract the needle from the patient.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disease management system is applied to the patient for a semi-extended period of time.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disease management system is applied to the patient for a useful lifespan of the disease management system.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disease management system is applied to the patient for approximately 1 day to about 8 days.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein pressure is applied in a direction of the insertion site.
10 . A method of inserting an implantable component that is part of a disease management system into an insertion site of a patient, the method comprising:
receiving a force in a direction of the insertion site applied to a top portion of a disease management system;
unlocking an insertion spring lock with the force applied in the direction of the insertion site to cause an insertion spring to expand from a compressed state of the insertion spring;
inserting a needle and implantable component coupled to the insertion spring into the insertion site from expansion of the insertion spring;
unlocking a retraction spring lock with the force generated from expansion of the insertion spring to cause a retraction spring to expand from a compressed state of the retraction spring; and
retracting the needle with force generated from expansion of the retraction spring while leaving the implantable component in the insertion site.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the needle and implantable component are in a retracted position when the disease management system is in an unloaded state.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the needle and implantable component are inserted into the insertion site when the disease management system is in a loaded state.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the needle and implantable component are inserted into the insertion site at a depth of approximately 2.5 mm to about 6 mm.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the force applied to the disease management system in the direction of the insertion site is between approximately 0.020 kgf to about 0.560 kgf.
15 . A system of inserting an implantable component into an insertion site of a patient, the system comprising:
an insertion spring;
an insertion spring lock configured to hold the insertion spring in a compressed state when in a locked state;
a retraction spring configured to fit inside the insertion spring and coupled to a portion of the insertion spring;
a needle coupled to the retraction spring; and
an implantable component coupled to the needle,
wherein the insertion spring lock is configured to release in order to decompress the insertion spring and insert the needle and implantable component when a force is applied to the system towards the insertion site of the patient, and
wherein the retraction spring is configured to release in order to decompress the retraction spring and retract the needle without the implantable component when the insertion spring is decompressed.
16 . The system of claim 15 further comprising an adhesive layer configured to adhere the system to a patient's skin.
17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the needle and implantable component are in a retracted position when the system is in an unloaded state.
18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the needle and implantable component are inserted into the insertion site when the system is in a loaded state.
19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the needle and implantable component are inserted into the insertion site at a depth of approximately 2.5 mm to about 6 mm.
20 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the force applied to the system is between approximately 0.020 kgf to about 0.560 kgf.
21 . A system configured to insert an implantable component of a disease management system into an insertion site of a patient, the system comprising:
a pressure source configured to apply pressure to a top surface of the disease management system to activate an insertion mechanism of the disease management system.