Alignment and connection systems and methods

A method of making a fluid delivery system, the method comprising:

• providing a first member;
• providing a receptacle structure on the first member and defining an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;
• supporting a needle within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end;
• providing a pierceable member within the interior chamber, the pierceable member surrounding the piercing end of the needle;
• providing a second member for connecting with the first member;
• providing a connection portion on the second member, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are connected;
• and
• supporting a septum by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening of the connection portion;
• wherein the pierceable member is arranged to be moved, by the connection portion as the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure in a direction along the longitudinal dimension of the needle toward the piercing end of the needle to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the pierceable member and the septum to establish fluid flow communication between the needle and the interior chamber of the connection portion;
• wherein the receptacle structure is fixed with respect to a base portion;
• and
• wherein the connection portion of the second member is provided in a housing that is connectable to the base portion.

A fluid delivery system, the fluid delivery system comprising:

• a first member;
• a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;
• a needle supported within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end;
• a second member for connecting with the first member, the second member comprising a reservoir for containing fluidic media, the reservoir including a connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are connected;
• a septum supported by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening of the connection portion;
• a groove provided in one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion;
• and
• a protrusion arranged on the other of the receptacle structure and the connection portion to be insertable into the groove of the one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion as the opening of the receptacle structure receives the connection portion;
• wherein, upon connecting the first member and the second member together, the protrusion is received into the groove and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to establish fluid flow communication between the needle and the interior chamber of the connection portion of the reservoir;
• wherein the protrusion extends in a same direction as the needle to engage the receptacle before the needle contacts the septum.

A method of manufacturing a fluid delivery device, the method comprising:

• providing a first member;
• providing a receptacle structure on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;
• providing a second member for connecting with the first member, the second member comprising a reservoir for containing fluidic media, the reservoir including a connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are connected;
• providing a groove in one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion;
• arranging a protrusion on the other of the receptacle structure and the connection portion to be insertable into the groove of the one of the receptacle structure and the connection portion as the opening of the receptacle structure receives the connection portion;
• supporting a needle within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end;
• and
• supporting a septum by the connection portion of the second member in a position to cover the opening of the connection portion;
• wherein, upon connecting the first member and the second member together, the protrusion is received into the groove and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to establish fluid flow communication between the needle and the interior chamber of the connection portion of the reservoir;
• wherein the protrusion extends in a same direction as the needle to engage the receptacle before the needle contacts the septum.

A fluid delivery system, the fluid delivery system comprising:

• a first member;
• a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;
• a needle supported within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end;
• a second member for connecting with the first member, the second member comprising a reservoir for containing fluidic media supported by the second member, the reservoir having a connection portion, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are connected;
• a further receptacle having an interior and an opening into the interior;
• and
• a protrusion member provided on the second member, the protrusion member having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the further receptacle;
• wherein, upon connecting the first member and the second member together, the protrusion member is received into the further receptacle and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to establish fluid flow communication between the needle and the interior chamber of the connection portion of the reservoir;
• wherein the protrusion member is separate and apart from the connection portion of the reservoir.

A fluid delivery system, comprising:

• a first member;
• a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;
• a needle supported within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end;
• a second member for connecting with the first member, the second member comprising a reservoir for containing fluidic media supported by the second member, the reservoir having a connection portion, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are connected;
• a receptacle having an interior and an opening into the interior;
• and
• a protrusion member provided on the second member, the protrusion member having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle;
• wherein, upon connecting the first member and the second member together, the protrusion member is received into the receptacle and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to establish fluid flow communication between the needle and the interior chamber of the connection portion of the reservoir;
• and
• wherein the protrusion member extends in a same direction as the needle to engage the receptacle before the needle contacts the septum.

A method of manufacturing an alignment system for aligning a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member, the method comprising:

• providing a first member;
• providing a receptacle structure on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;
• supporting a needle within the interior chamber of the receptacle structure, the needle having a piercing end;
• providing a second member for connecting with the first member, the second member comprising a reservoir for containing fluidic media supported by the second member, the reservoir having a connection portion, the connection portion having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber of the connection portion, the connection portion having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the receptacle structure as the first member and the second member are connected;
• providing a further receptacle having an interior and an opening into the interior;
• and
• providing a protrusion member on the second member, the protrusion member having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially in the opening of the further receptacle;
• wherein, upon connecting the first member and the second member together, the protrusion member is received into the further receptacle and the connection portion is received into the opening of the receptacle structure to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the septum to establish fluid flow communication between the needle and the interior chamber of the connection portion of the reservoir;
• and
• wherein the protrusion member is separate and apart from the connection portion of the reservoir.