Methods and apparatus for selectively occluding the lumen of a needle

A device for parenterally transferring fluid to or from a patient, the device comprising:

• a needle having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and defining a lumen therebetween, the distal end portion configured for insertion into the patient, the proximal end portion configured to be fluidically coupleable to a fluid reservoir;
• and
• an occlusion mechanism operable to selectively control fluid flow between the patient and the fluid reservoir, the occlusion mechanism having a first configuration such that the lumen of the needle is obstructed during insertion into the patient, and a second configuration such that the lumen of the needle is unobstructed after the needle has been inserted into the patient allowing fluid transfer to or from the patient,
• the occlusion mechanism configured to automatically transition from the first configuration to the second configuration when the distal end portion of the needle is inserted into the patient.

A method for transferring fluid to or from a patient using a parenteral transfer device, the device including a needle having a lumen configured for insertion into the patient, and an occlusion mechanism operable to selectively control fluid flow to or from a patient through the needle lumen, the method comprising:

• disposing the occlusion mechanism in a first configuration in which the lumen of the needle is obstructed to prevent at least one of tissue, bodily fluid, and contaminants from entering the lumen;
• inserting the needle into the patient;
• and
• after the needle has been inserted into the patient, moving the occlusion mechanism to a second configuration in which the lumen of the needle is unobstructed allowing fluid transfer to or from the patient.