Medical Device with Protected Transcutaneous Device

Abstract

A medical device is provided comprising a first a second units, the first unit comprising a housing with a skin-mountable surface, and a transcutaneous device having a distal portion adapted to be arranged through the skin of the subject in a situation of use in which the housing has been applied on a skin surface. The second unit is adapted to be releasably coupled to the first unit thereby, in a situation of use, substantially covering an introduction site of the transcutaneous device through the skin, whereby at least partial removal of the second unit from the first unit at least partially uncovers the introduction site. In this way the transcutaneous device can be protected during use, yet it allows the user to inspect the introduction site.

Description

[0001]The present invention generally relates to a device which is adapted for application to a skin surface of a subject and comprises a transcutaneous device. The transcutaneous device may be in the form of a cannula or a sensor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the disclosure of the present invention reference is mostly made to the treatment of diabetes by injection or infusion of insulin, however, this is only an exemplary use of the present invention.[0003]Portable drug delivery devices for delivering a drug to a patient are well known and generally comprise a reservoir adapted to contain a liquid drug and having an outlet in fluid communication with a hollow infusion needle, as well as expelling means for expelling a drug out of the reservoir and through the skin of the subject via the hollow needle. Such devices are often termed infusion pumps.[0004]Basically, infusion pumps can be divided into two classes. The first class comprises infusion pumps which are relatively expen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Having regard to the above-identified problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a skin mountable medical device or system as well as components therefore, which allow such a device or system to be used in a convenient and cost-effective manner, yet allowing safe and reliable treatment of a medical condition.

[0011]Thus, a medical device is provided comprising a first unit and a second unit, the first unit being a transcutaneous device unit comprising a housing adapted for application towards a skin surface of a subject, and a transcutaneous device having a distal portion adapted to be arranged through the skin of the subject in a situation of use in which the housing has been applied towards a skin surface of the subject. The second unit is adapted to be releasably coupled to the first unit, whereby, in a situation of use, it substantially covers an introduction site of the transcutaneous device through the skin. The other way round, at least partial removal of the second unit from the first unit will at least partially uncover the introduction site, this improving inspectability of the insertion site. In this way the transcutaneous device can be protected during use, yet it allows the user to inspect the introduction site. To allow a certain degree of inspection without having to fully or partly remove the second unit, one or both units may be provided with openings or transparent areas.

[0018]In a further embodiment a medical device is provided comprising a first unit and a second unit adapted to be releasably coupled to the first unit. The first unit is a transcutaneous device unit comprising a housing adapted for application towards a skin surface of a subject, and a transcutaneous device having a distal portion adapted to be arranged through the skin of the subject in a situation of use in which the housing has been applied towards a skin surface of the subject, the distal portion projecting from the housing thereby allowing, in a situation of use, inspection of an introduction site of the transcutaneous device through the skin when the second unit is not coupled to the first unit, whereby the second unit when it is coupled to the first unit fully or partly covers the introduction site.

Problems solved by technology

The first class comprises infusion pumps which are relatively expensive pumps intended for 3-4 years use, for which reason the initial cost for such a pump often is a barrier to this type of therapy.

When a needle or cannula or other transcutaneous device is introduced through the skin of a subject, problems may arise, e.g. incorrect insertion or infection, for which reason it is desirable to be able to inspect the site of insertion.

The latter is especially an issue for obliquely inserted soft cannulas as these normally projects a distance between a skin mountable device and the skin surface, this making the cannula very exposed.

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