Method and apparatus for repositioning a percutaneous probe

An apparatus for percutaneously transferring a flowable substance to and/or from a recipient, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to be mounted on the recipient, the housing defining a central first axis;
• a probe movably disposed within the housing, the probe defining a second axis parallel to the first axis, and the probe having a passageway and an end shaped to pierce the recipient's skin, the probe being configured for insertion into the recipient to transfer a flowable substance to and/or from the recipient;
• and
• an actuator for moving the probe from a stowed position with the end positioned within the housing to a deployed position with the end positioned outside the housing.

An apparatus for percutaneously transferring a flowable substance to and/or from a recipient, the apparatus comprising:

• a base including an engagement surface and a cavity extending along a first axis transverse to the engagement surface, the engagement surface being positioned to engage a skin of the recipient;
• a slider movably disposed within the cavity, the slider having a probe aperture;
• a probe positioned within the probe aperture of the slider and projecting away from the slider along a second axis at least generally parallel to the first axis, the probe having a passageway and an end shaped to pierce the recipient's skin, the probe being coupleable to a flowable substance reservoir;
• and
• a plunger elongated along the first axis and having an engagement member to move the slider axially along the first axis from a first position with the end of the probe received within the base to a second position with the end of the probe external to the base.

A method for percutaneously transferring a flowable substance to and/or from a recipient, the method comprising:

• positioning at least proximate to the recipient a housing and a probe movably disposed within the housing;
• rotating a slider supporting the probe about a central axis of the housing to move the probe within the housing;
• inserting a portion of the probe into the recipient by moving the portion of the probe out of the housing;
• and
• passing a flowable substance through the probe.

A method for percutaneously transferring a flowable substance to and/or from a recipient, the method comprising:

• mounting a housing carrying a probe to the recipient;
• inserting a portion of the probe into the recipient after coupling the housing to the recipient by moving the probe along an axis at least generally parallel to an axis of the housing;
• passing a flowable substance through the probe;
• withdrawing the probe from the recipient;
• and
• removing the housing from the recipient after withdrawing the probe from the recipient.

A method for percutaneously transferring a flowable substance to and/or from a recipient, the method comprising:

• positioning at least proximate to the recipient a housing having a probe movably disposed within the housing, the probe having a sharp end, the sharp end of the probe being positioned within the housing;
• rotating a slider supporting the probe about a central axis of the housing to move the probe within the housing;
• deploying the probe and inserting the sharp end into the recipient;
• and
• passing a flowable substance through the probe.

A method for percutaneously transferring a flowable substance to and/or from a recipient, the method comprising:

• positioning at least proximate to the recipient a housing and a probe movably disposed within the housing, the housing including a first axis;
• and
• inserting a portion of the probe into the recipient by moving the portion of the probe out of the housing along a second axis at least generally parallel to the first axis;
• passing a flowable substance through the probe.

A method for percutaneously transferring a flowable substance to and/or from a recipient, the method comprising:

• mounting a housing carrying a probe to the recipient, the housing including a first axis;
• inserting a portion of the probe into the recipient after coupling the housing to the recipient;
• moving the probe along a second axis at least generally parallel to the first axis;
• passing a flowable substance through the probe;
• withdrawing the probe from the recipient;
• and
• removing the housing from the recipient after withdrawing the probe from the recipient.