Insertion mechanisms having vented fluid pathways for drug delivery pumps

Abstract

An insertion mechanism having a vented fluid pathway includes an insertion biasing member, a hub, a needle, a retraction biasing member, and a manifoldhaving a septumand a cannula, wherein the annular space between the septumand the cannuladefines a manifold header. The manifold and fluid conduit are ventable through the membrane prior to or just after needleand cannulaare inserted into the user. Such insertion is caused by the insertion biasing member(s), after which only the needleor another occlusion element is retracted. Such retraction may open a fluid pathway from the manifold headerto the body through the cannulaand/or needle. A drug delivery pumpincludes such an insertion mechanismhaving a vented fluid pathway. The drug delivery pumpmay contain the insertion mechanismhaving a vented fluid pathway in either an internally i or an externally tethered configuration.