Subcutaneous injection set

A subcutaneous injection set, comprising:

• a soft cannula having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a length of infusion tubing;
• means for connecting one end of the infusion tubing to said cannula proximal end;
• an injector having a first segment adapted for placement against a patient's skin at a selected injection site, a second segment having an insertion needle mounted thereon and extending therefrom in a direction generally toward said first segment, and a longitudinally collapsible third segment connected between said first and second segments;
• said insertion needle having an eye formed therein with said distal end of said cannula threaded therethrough;
• said injector being collapsible for movement through an insertion stroke to cause said needle to pierce the patient's skin and subcutaneously place said distal end of said cannula, said insertion stroke being of sufficient length to cause said cannula to unthread from said needle, said injector being movable through a return stroke to withdraw said insertion needle from the patient's skin.

A subcutaneous injection set, comprising:

• a base adapted for placement onto a patient's skin at a selected injection site;
• a soft cannula defining a distal end for subcutaneous placement at the injection site;
• an injector;
• and
• an insertion needle carried by said injector and having an eye formed therein with said cannula distal end threaded therethrough;
• said injector supporting said insertion needle for movement through an insertion stroke relative to said base to cause said needle to pierce the patient's skin and subcutaneously place said distal end of said cannula, said insertion stroke being of sufficient length to cause said cannula to unthread from said needle, said injector being movable through a return stroke relative to said base to withdraw said insertion needle from the patient's skin to leave said cannula distal end placed subcutaneously at the selected injection site.

A subcutaneous injection set for subcutaneous placement of a distal end of a medical device at a selected injection site, said injection set comprising:

• a longitudinally deformable injector;
• and
• an insertion needle carried by said injector and having an eye formed therein for threaded reception of said distal end of said medical device;
• said injector being longitudinally movable with one end thereof placed against the skin of a patient at a selected injection site for movement of said insertion needle through an insertion stroke to cause said needle to pierce the patient's skin and subcutaneously place said distal end of said medical device, said insertion stroke being of sufficient length to cause said medical device to unthread from said needle, said injector being longitudinally movable through a return stroke to withdraw said insertion needle from the patient's skin.

A method of subcutaneously placing a distal end of a medical device at a selected injection site, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a longitudinally deformable injector having an insertion needle carried thereon, said needle having an eye therein;
• threading the distal end of the medical device through the eye of the insertion needle;
• placing the injector against the skin of a patient at a selected injection site;
• longitudinally moving the injector against the patient's skin through an insertion stroke to cause the needle to pierce the skin and subcutaneously place the distal end of the medical device, wherein the insertion stroke is of sufficient length to cause the medical device to unthread from the needle;
• and
• withdrawing the injector to remove the insertion needle from the patient to leave the distal end of the medical device subcutaneously at the selected injection site.