Patent Publication Number: US-11638593-B2

Title: Insertion device systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/908,736, filed Feb. 28, 2018, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/594,014, filed Jan. 9, 2015, U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,332, granted Apr. 17, 2018, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/015,051, filed Jan. 27, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 8,932,256, granted Jan. 13, 2015, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/553,038, filed Sep. 2, 2009, U.S. Pat. No. 8,900,190, granted Dec. 2, 2014, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to insertion device systems and methods, and, in specific embodiments, to insertion device systems and methods for insertion into a patient. 
     2. Related Art 
     According to modern medical techniques, certain chronic diseases may be treated by delivering a medication or other substance to the body of a patient. For example, diabetes is a chronic disease that is commonly treated by delivering defined amounts of insulin to a patient at appropriate times. Traditionally, manually operated syringes and insulin pens have been employed for delivering insulin to a patient. More recently, modern systems have been designed to include programmable pumps for delivering controlled amounts of medication to a patient. 
     Pump type delivery devices have been configured in external devices, which connect to a patient, and have been configured in implantable devices, which are implanted inside of the body of a patient. External pump type delivery devices include devices designed for use in a stationary location, such as a hospital, a clinic, or the like, and further include devices configured for ambulatory or portable use, such as devices designed to be carried by a patient, or the like. External pump-type delivery devices may contain reservoirs of fluidic media, such as, but is not limited to, insulin. 
     External pump-type delivery devices may be connected in fluid flow communication to a patient or user-patient, for example, through suitable hollow tubing. The hollow tubing may be connected to a hollow needle that is designed to pierce the skin of the patient and to deliver fluidic media there through. Alternatively, the hollow tubing may be connected directly to the patient as through a cannula, or the like. 
     Examples of some external pump type delivery devices are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/211,095, filed Aug. 23, 2005, titled “Infusion Device And Method With Disposable Portion” and Published PCT Application WO 01/70307 (PCT/US01/09139) titled “Exchangeable Electronic Cards For Infusion Devices” (each of which is owned by the assignee of the present invention), Published PCT Application WO 04/030716 (PCT/US2003/028769) titled “Components And Methods For Patient Infusion Device,” Published PCT Application WO 04/030717 (PCT/US2003/029019) titled “Dispenser Components And Methods For Infusion Device,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0065760 titled “Method For Advising Patients Concerning Doses Of Insulin,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,229 titled “Wearable Self-Contained Drug Infusion Device,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     External pump-type delivery devices may be connected in fluid-flow communication to a patient-user, for example, through suitable hollow tubing. The hollow tubing may be connected to a hollow needle that is designed to pierce the patient-user&#39;s skin and deliver an infusion medium to the patient-user. Alternatively, the hollow tubing may be connected directly to the patient-user as or through a cannula or set of micro-needles. 
     In contexts in which the hollow tubing is connected to the patient-user through a hollow needle that pierces skin of the user-patient, a manual insertion of the needle into the patient-user can be somewhat traumatic to the user-patient. Accordingly, insertion mechanisms have been made to assist the insertion of a needle into the user-patient, whereby a needle is forced by a spring to move quickly from a retracted position into an extended position. As the needle is moved into the extended position, the needle is quickly forced through the skin of the user-patient in a single, relatively abrupt motion that can be less traumatic to certain user-patients as compared to a slower, manual insertion of a needle. While a quick thrust of the needle into the skin of the user-patient may be less traumatic to some user-patients than a manual insertion, it is believed that, in some contexts, some user-patients may feel less trauma if the needle is moved a very slow, steady pace. 
     Examples of insertion mechanisms that may be used with and may be built into a delivery device are described in: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, titled “Infusion Medium Delivery system, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/211,095, filed Aug. 23, 2005, titled “Infusion Device And Method With Disposable Portion” (each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other examples of insertion tools are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0022855, titled “Insertion Device For An Insertion Set And Method Of Using The Same” (assigned to the assignee of the present invention), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other examples of needle/cannula insertion tools that may be used (or modified for use) to insert a needle and/or cannula, are described in, for example U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/389,132 filed Mar. 14, 2003, and entitled “Auto Insertion Device For Silhouette Or Similar Products,” and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/314,653 filed Dec. 9, 2002, and entitled “Insertion Device For Insertion Set and Method of Using the Same,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Further examples of various insertion tools are described in, but are not limited to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,972, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,052, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,000, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,” all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Pump-type delivery devices can allow accurate doses of insulin to be calculated and delivered automatically to a patient-user at any time during the day or night. Furthermore, when used in conjunction with glucose sensors or monitors, insulin pumps may be automatically controlled to provide appropriate doses of infusion medium at appropriate times of need, based on sensed or monitored levels of blood glucose. 
     Pump-type delivery devices have become an important aspect of modern medical treatments of various types of medical conditions, such as diabetes. As pump technologies improve and as doctors and patient-users become more familiar with such devices, the popularity of external medical infusion pump treatment increases and is expected to increase substantially over the next decade. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     An insertion system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include, but is not limited to, a base, a first device housing, and a second device housing. The base may be adapted to be carried by a patient. The first device housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the base. The first device housing may include, but is not limited to a first carrier body. The first carrier body may be arranged for movement within at least a portion of the first device housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. The first carrier body may be for supporting a piercing member in a position orientated for insertion through skin of the patient upon movement of the first carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. 
     The second device housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first device housing. The second device housing may include, but is not limited to, a second carrier body and a drive mechanism. The second carrier body may be arranged for movement within at least a portion of the second device housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. The second carrier body may be operatively engageable with the first carrier body. The drive mechanism may be arranged within the second device housing for providing a rotational force to cause the first carrier body to move from the retracted position toward the advanced position to insert at least a portion of the piercing member through skin of the patient. 
     In various embodiments, the drive mechanism may comprise a torsion spring member. In various embodiments, the insertion system may include a cam assembly. The cam assembly may be operatively connected with the drive mechanism. The cam assembly may be rotatable at least between a first orientation and a second orientation. The cam assembly may be configured to move the second carrier body toward the advanced position as the cam assembly rotates from the second orientation to the first orientation. The cam assembly may be configured to move the second carrier body toward the retracted position as the cam assembly rotates from the first orientation to the second orientation. 
     In some embodiments, the cam assembly may have a groove. The second carrier body may have a protrusion arranged for movement along the groove of the cam assembly. The cam assembly may be configured to guide the protrusion along the groove of the cam assembly as the cam assembly rotates between the second orientation and the first orientation to move the second carrier body between the retracted position and the advanced position. 
     In further embodiments, the cam assembly may be configured to guide the protrusion along the groove of the cam assembly as the cam assembly rotates between the first orientation and the second orientation to move the second carrier body between the advanced position and the retracted position. 
     In further embodiments, the cam assembly may be configured to guide the protrusion along the groove of the cam assembly as the cam assembly rotates between the second orientation and the first orientation to move the second carrier body between the retracted position and the advanced position. In some embodiments, the drive mechanism may have a first setting and a second setting, the drive mechanism biased toward the first setting in a case where the drive mechanism is in the second setting. 
     In further embodiments, the drive mechanism may be configured to rotate the cam assembly to the first orientation to move the second carrier body to the advanced position as the drive mechanism is returned to the first setting. In further embodiments, the drive mechanism may be configured to rotate the cam assembly to the second orientation to move the second carrier body to the retracted position as the drive mechanism is set to the second setting. 
     In further embodiments, the insertion system may further include an adjustment member. The adjustment member may be for setting the drive mechanism to the second setting. In yet further embodiments, the adjustment member may be configured to rotate the cam assembly to the second orientation. The cam assembly may be operatively connected to the drive mechanism such that rotation of the cam assembly to the second orientation sets the drive mechanism to the second setting. 
     In some embodiments, the insertion system may further include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be adapted to operatively engage and disengage from the cam assembly. The locking mechanism may be configured to substantially prevent rotation of the cam assembly in a case where the locking mechanism is engaged with the cam assembly. 
     In further embodiments, the locking mechanism may comprise a trigger member. At least one of the trigger member and the cam assembly may have a tab for engaging and disengaging from an aperture in the other of the at least one of the trigger and the cam assembly. The locking mechanism may be configured to substantially prevent rotation of the cam assembly in a case where the tab is engaged with the aperture. 
     In various embodiments, the drive mechanism may be arranged within the second device housing to move the second carrier body from the retracted position toward the advanced position to move the first carrier body from the retracted position toward the advanced positioned to insert at least a portion of the piercing member through skin of the patient. In various embodiments, the first carrier body may be configured to operatively engage the base when the first carrier body is moved to the advanced position. In various embodiments, the first carrier body may comprise a plunger configured to support the piercing member, and to insert the piercing member in the skin of the user-patient upon movement of the first carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. 
     In various embodiments, a distance traveled by the first carrier body relative to the first device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position may be equal to at least a distance traveled by the second carrier body relative to the second device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position. In various embodiments, a distance traveled by the first carrier body relative to the first device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position may be equal to at least a distance required to insert the piercing member into the skin of the patient. 
     In various embodiments, the first carrier body may comprise a plunger and a collar body operatively connected to the plunger. The piercing member may be supported by at least one of the plunger and the collar body in a position orientated for insertion through the skin of the patient upon movement of the first carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. 
     In some embodiments, the piercing member may comprise a cannula supported by the collar body and a needle supported by the plunger. The needle may be disposed at least partially through the cannula. The cannula and the needle may be supported in a position orientated for insertion through the skin of the patient upon movement of the first carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. 
     In further embodiments, the plunger and the needle may be removable from the collar body. The cannula and the collar body may be adapted for reuse with another collar body and cannula. In further embodiments, the collar body may have a fluid channel in fluid communication with a hollow interior of the cannula. The fluid channel may be for operatively connecting to a reservoir for containing fluidic media when the first carrier body is in the advanced position to allow fluidic medic to flow from the reservoir to the hollow interior of the cannula. 
     In various embodiments, the piercing member may comprise a needle. In various embodiments, the second carrier body may be configured to operatively connect with at least two different types of piercing members. The second carrier body may be configured to insert at least a portion of a selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members in a case where the selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members is operatively connected to the second carrier body and the second carrier body is moved to the advanced position. 
     In some embodiments, the second carrier body may be configured to be removable from the selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members and adapted for reuse with another one of the at least two different types of piercing members. In some embodiments, the insertion system may be removable from the selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members. In further embodiments, the insertion system may be completely removable from the selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members. 
     In some embodiments, the piercing member may be supported by the first carrier body is one of the at least two different types of piercing members. In some embodiments, the selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members may be an insertion needle of an insertion set. 
     In some embodiments, the selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members may be a lancet for obtaining a fluid sample from the patient. In further embodiments, the insertion system may further include a guard. The guard may be configured to be removably attachable to the second device housing. The guard may have an aperture for allowing the lancet to extend through in a case where the lancet is operatively connected to the second carrier body and the second carrier body is moved to the advanced position. 
     In some embodiments, a distance traveled by the first carrier body relative to the first device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position may be equal to at least a distance required to insert the selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members in the skin of the patient that is at least equal to an implantable length of the selected one of the at least two different types of piercing members. 
     In various embodiments, at least one of the first device housing and the second device housing may have a magnet, and the other of the at least one of the first device housing and the second device housing may have an attractive element for interacting with the magnet to connect the first device housing and the second device housing. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the first carrier body and the second carrier body may have a magnet, and the other of the at least one of the first carrier body and the second carrier body may have an attractive element for interacting with the magnet to connect the first carrier body and the second carrier body. In some embodiments, the attractive element may comprise one of a ferrous material and a magnet. 
     In various embodiments, the first device housing may have a section for supporting a portion of the first carrier body and for preventing the first carrier body from moving to the advanced position, the section may be moveable relative to the first carrier body. The second device housing may be configured to cause movement of the section of the first device housing to provide sufficient clearance to allow the first carrier body to move to the advanced position in a case where the first carrier body is moved by the second carrier body. 
     In some embodiments, the second device housing may have a portion for operatively engaging the section of the first device housing to cause movement of the section of the first device housing in a case where the second device housing is operatively connected with the first device housing and the second device housing is rotated relative to the first device housing. 
     A method of manufacturing an insertion system may include, but is not limited to, any one of or combination of: (i) adapting a base to be carried by a patient; configuring a first device housing to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the base, configuring the first device housing comprising: arranging a first carrier body for movement within at least a portion of the first device housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position, the first carrier body for supporting a piercing member in a position orientated for insertion through skin of the patient upon movement of the first carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position; and (iii) configuring a second device housing to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the first device housing, configuring the second device housing comprising: (a) arranging a second carrier body for movement within at least a portion of the second device housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position, the second carrier body operatively engageable with the first carrier body; and (b) arranging a drive mechanism within the second device housing for providing a rotational force to cause the first carrier body to move from the retracted position toward the advanced position to insert at least a portion of the piercing member through skin of the patient. 
     An insertion system, the insertion system may include a device housing. The device housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from a base adapted to be carried by a patient. The device housing may be engageable with an actuation device. The device housing may include, but is not limited to, a carrier body. The carrier body may be arranged for movement within at least a portion of the device housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. The carrier body may be for supporting a piercing member in a position orientated for insertion through skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. The carrier body may be operatively engageable with a moveable carrier body of the actuation device so that the carrier body of the device housing moved by the carrier body of the actuation device at least between the retracted position and the advanced position. 
     The device housing may have a section for supporting a portion of the carrier body of the device housing and for preventing the carrier body of the device housing from moving to the advanced position. The section may be moveable relative to the carrier body of the device housing to provide sufficient clearance to allow the carrier body of the device housing to move to the advanced position in a case where the carrier body of the device housing is moved by the carrier body of the actuation device. 
     In various embodiments, the system may further include the actuation device. The actuation device may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the device housing. The carrier body of the actuation device may be arranged for movement within at least a portion of the actuation device at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. The carrier body of the actuation device may be operatively engageable with the carrier body of the device housing. 
     In some embodiments, the system may further include a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may be arranged within the actuation device to move the carrier body of the device housing from the retracted position toward the advanced position to insert at least a portion of the piercing member through skin of the patient. In further embodiments, the drive mechanism may be configured to provide a rotational force to cause the carrier body of the device housing to move from the retracted position toward the advanced position to insert at least a portion of the piercing member through skin of the patient. 
     In some embodiments, the actuation device may be configured to cause movement of the section of the device housing to provide sufficient clearance to allow the carrier body of the device housing to move to the advanced position in a case where the carrier body of the device housing is moved by the carrier body of the actuation device. 
     In various embodiments, at least one of the device housing and the actuation device may have a magnet, and the other of the at least one of the device housing and the actuation device may have an attractive element for interacting with the magnet to connect the device housing and the actuation device. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the carrier body of the device housing and the carrier body of the actuation device may have a magnet, and the other of the at least one of the carrier body of the device housing and the carrier body of the actuation device may have an attractive element for interacting with the magnet to connect the carrier body of the device housing and the carrier body of the actuation device. In some embodiments, the attractive element may comprise one of a ferrous material and a magnet. 
     In various embodiments, the device housing may further include an engagement member. The engagement member may be engageable with and disengageable from the base to operatively engage and disengage the device housing and the base. At least one of the base and the engagement member may be configured such that the engagement member is prevented from engaging the base in a case where the engagement member has been disengaged from the base unless a second force having a magnitude equal to or greater than the first force is applied to the engagement member. 
     In various embodiments, the piercing member may comprise a needle. In various embodiments, the carrier body of the device housing may comprise a plunger configured to support the piercing member, and to insert the piercing member in the skin of the user-patient upon movement of the carrier body of the device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position. In various embodiments, a distance traveled by the carrier body of the device housing relative to the device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position may be equal to at least a distance required to insert the piercing member into the skin of the patient. 
     In various embodiments, the carrier body of the device housing may comprise a plunger and a collar body operatively connected to the plunger. The piercing member may be supported by at least one of the plunger and the collar body in a position orientated for insertion through the skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body of the device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position. 
     In some embodiments, the piercing member may comprise a cannula supported by the collar body and a needle supported by the plunger. The needle may be disposed at least partially through the cannula. The cannula and the needle may be supported in a position orientated for insertion through the skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body of the device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position. 
     In further embodiments, the plunger and the needle may be removable from the collar body. The cannula and the collar body may be adapted for reuse with another collar body and cannula. In further embodiments, the collar body may have a fluid channel in fluid communication with a hollow interior of the cannula; the fluid channel may be for operatively connecting to a reservoir for containing fluidic media when the carrier body of the device housing is in the advanced position to allow fluidic medic to flow from the reservoir to the hollow interior of the cannula. 
     A method of manufacturing an insertion system may include, but is not limited to, any one of or combination of: (i) configuring a device housing configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from a base adapted to be carried by a patient, the device housing engageable with an actuation device, configuring the device housing comprising: arranging a carrier body for movement within at least a portion of the device housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position, the carrier body for supporting a piercing member in a position orientated for insertion through skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position, the carrier body operatively engageable with a moveable carrier body of the actuation device so that the carrier body of the device housing moved by the carrier body of the actuation device at least between the retracted position and the advanced position; and (ii) arranging a section of the device housing to support a portion of the carrier body of the device housing and for preventing the carrier body of the device housing from moving to the advanced position, the section moveable relative to the carrier body of the device housing to provide sufficient clearance to allow the carrier body of the device housing to move to the advanced position in a case where the carrier body of the device housing is moved by the carrier body of the actuation device. 
     An insertion system may include, but is not limited to, a base, a device housing, and an engagement member. The base may be adapted to be carried by a patient. The device housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the base. The device housing may be engageable with an actuation device. The device housing may include, but is not limited to, a carrier body and an engagement member. The carrier body may be arranged for movement within at least a portion of the device housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position, the carrier body for supporting a piercing member in a position orientated for insertion through skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. The carrier body may be operatively engageable with a moveable carrier body of the actuation device so that the carrier body of the device housing moved by the carrier body of the actuation device at least between the retracted position and the advanced position. 
     The engagement member may be engageable with and disengageable from the base to operatively engage and disengage the device housing and the base. The engagement member may be configured to engage the base in a case where a first force of at least a particular magnitude is applied to the engagement member. At least one of the base and the engagement member may be configured such that the engagement member is prevented from engaging the base in a case where the engagement member has been disengaged from the base unless a second force having a magnitude equal to or greater than the first force is applied to the engagement member. 
     In various embodiments, at least one of the base and the engagement member may have a reengagement prevention member for preventing the engagement member from engaging the base in a case where the engagement member has been disengaged from the based unless the second force is applied to the engagement member. In some embodiments, the reengagement prevention member may comprise an abutment of the engagement member. The abutment may be for preventing the engagement member from engaging the base in a case where the engagement member has been disengaged from the based unless the second force is applied to the engagement member. 
     In some embodiments, the engagement member may be engageable with and disengageable from an aperture of the base to operatively engage and disengage the device housing and the base. The at least one of the base and the engagement member may have a reengagement prevention member comprises an abutment of the engagement member. The abutment may be for preventing the engagement member from engaging the base in a case where the engagement member has been disengaged from the based. 
     In various embodiments, the engagement member may be engageable with and disengageable from an aperture of the base to operatively engage and disengage the device housing and the base. In various embodiments, the engagement member may be a lever. In various embodiments, the piercing member may comprise a needle. 
     In various embodiments, the carrier body of the device housing may comprise a plunger configured to support the piercing member, and to insert the piercing member in the skin of the user-patient upon movement of the carrier body of the device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position. In various embodiments, a distance traveled by the carrier body of the device housing relative to the device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position may be equal to at least a distance required to insert the piercing member into the skin of the patient. 
     In various embodiments, the carrier body of the device housing may comprise a plunger and a collar body operatively connected to the plunger. The piercing member may be supported by at least one of the plunger and the collar body in a position orientated for insertion through the skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body of the device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position. 
     In some embodiments, the piercing member may comprise a cannula supported by the collar body and a needle supported by the plunger. The needle may be disposed at least partially through the cannula. The cannula and the needle may be supported in a position orientated for insertion through the skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body of the device housing from the retracted position to the advanced position. 
     In further embodiments, the plunger and the needle may be removable from the collar body. The cannula and the collar body may be adapted for reuse with another collar body and cannula. In further embodiments, the collar body may have a fluid channel in fluid communication with a hollow interior of the cannula. The fluid channel may be for operatively connecting to a reservoir for containing fluidic media when the carrier body of the device housing is in the advanced position to allow fluidic medic to flow from the reservoir to the hollow interior of the cannula. 
     A method of manufacturing an insertion system may include, but is not limited to, any one of or combination of: (i) adapting a base to be carried by a patient; (ii) configuring a device housing to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the base, the device housing engageable with an actuation device, configuring the device housing comprising: arranging a carrier body for movement within at least a portion of the device housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position, the carrier body for supporting a piercing member in a position orientated for insertion through skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position, the carrier body operatively engageable with a moveable carrier body of the actuation device so that the carrier body of the device housing moved by the carrier body of the actuation device at least between the retracted position and the advanced position; (iii) providing an engagement member engageable with and disengageable from the base to operatively engage and disengage the device housing and the base, the engagement member configured to engage the base in a case where a first force of at least a particular magnitude is applied to the engagement member; and (iv) configuring at least one of the base and the engagement member such that the engagement member is prevented from engaging the base in a case where the engagement member has been disengaged from the base unless a second force having a magnitude equal to or greater than the first force is applied to the engagement member. 
     An insertion detection system may include, but is not limited to, a base, a housing, a pair of interactive elements, and circuitry. The base may be adapted to be carried by a patient. The housing may be attached to the base. The housing may have a fluid connector arranged for movement relative to the base. The pair of interactive elements may include a first interactive element supported on the base and a second interactive element supported on the housing at a location to be interactable with the first interactive element when the fluid connector is moved to a predetermined position. The circuitry may be configured to detect an interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element when the fluid connector is in the predetermined position. The circuitry may be configured to provide a signal or a change in state in response to detecting the interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element. 
     In some embodiments, the housing may include a carrier body arranged for movement within at least a portion of the housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. The carrier body may be for supporting the fluid connector in a position orientated for insertion through skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. The second interactive element may be supported on the carrier body. 
     In further embodiments, the housing may be configured to be operatively engaged to an actuation device for selectively moving the carrier body from the retracted position toward the advanced position to insert at least a portion of the fluid connector through skin of the patient. 
     In further embodiments, the fluid connector may be in the predetermined position when the carrier body is in the advanced position so that the fluid connector is inserted through the skin of the patient. 
     In yet further embodiments, the fluid connector may be in the predetermined position when the carrier body is in the advanced position so that the fluid connector is inserted in the skin of the patient a defined depth. 
     In further embodiments, the fluid connector may be in the predetermined position when the carrier body is in the advanced position so that the first interactive element and the second interactive element are sufficiently proximate to each other. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid connector may be in the predetermined position when the first interactive element and the second interactive element are sufficiently proximate to each other. 
     In further embodiments, the first interactive element and the second interactive element may be sufficiently proximate to each other in a case where the first interactive element and the second interactive element contact each other. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid connector may be in the predetermined position when the fluid connector is in fluid communication with a fluid path of the base. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid connector may comprise at least one of a cannula and a needle. 
     In some embodiments, the system may further include a user-perceptible indicator operatively connected to the circuitry. The user-perceptible indicator may be for providing a user-perceptible indication in response to the signal or the change in state by the circuitry. 
     In further embodiments, the user-perceptible indication may comprise at least one of an audible indication, a visual indication, and a tactile indication. 
     In some embodiments, the first interactive element and the second interactive element may be configured to be electronically interactable with each other. 
     In some embodiments, one of the base and the housing may support a reservoir having an interior volume for containing fluidic media and a plunger head moveable within the interior volume of the reservoir along an axial direction of the reservoir. The system may further include a drive device and control electronics. The drive device may be supported by the other of the base and the housing relative to the one of the base and the housing supporting the reservoir. The control electronics may be operatively connected to the circuitry for controlling the drive device to drive fluid from the reservoir based upon the signal or the state provided by the circuitry. 
     In further embodiments, the control electronics may be configured to inhibit operation of the drive device unless a signal or a state provided by the circuitry corresponds to the signal or the state provided by the circuitry when detecting the interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element. 
     In further embodiments, the control electronics may be configured to change from a first power state to a second power state in response to detecting the interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element. 
     In further embodiments, the fluid connector may comprise the reservoir. 
     In some embodiments, the first interactive element may comprise a detectable feature. The second interactive element may comprise a sensor configured to sense the detectable feature when the fluid connector is moved to the predetermined position. The circuitry may be configured to provide the signal or the change in state in a case where the detectable feature is detected by the sensor. 
     In further embodiments, the sensor may comprise at least one magnetic sensor. The detectable feature may comprise a magnetic material. 
     In some embodiments, one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element may have a capacitance that is measurable. The other of the one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element may be configured to affect the capacitance when the fluid connector is in the predetermined position. The circuitry may be configured to provide the signal or the change in state when the capacitance is affected by the other of the one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element. 
     In some embodiments, one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element may have an inductance that is measurable. The other of the one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element may be configured to affect the inductance when the fluid connector is in the predetermined position. The circuitry may be configured to provide the signal or the change in state when the inductance is affected by the other of the one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element. 
     In some embodiments, the housing may be configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from the base. 
     In some embodiments, the housing may be integral with the base. 
     In some embodiments, one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element may include data or information. The other of the one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element is configured to access the data or information of the one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element when the first element and the second element interact. 
     In further embodiments, the circuitry may be configured to provide a signal or a change in state based on the data or information accessed by the other of the one of the first interactive element and the second interactive element. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid connector may include data or information. One of the first interactive element and the second interactive element may be configured to access the data or information when the first element and the second element interact. 
     A method of manufacturing an insertion detection system may include, but is not limited to, any one or combination of: (i) adapting a base to be carried by a patient; (ii) arranging a housing on the base, the housing having a fluid connector arranged for movement relative to the base; (iii) providing a pair of interactive elements including a first interactive element supported on the base and a second interactive element supported on the housing at a location to be interactable with the first interactive element when the fluid connector is moved to a predetermined position; and (iv) configuring circuitry to detect an interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element when the fluid connector is in the predetermined position, the circuitry configured to provide a signal or a change in state in response to detecting the interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element. 
     An insertion detection system may include, but is not limited to, a base, a housing, a carrier body, a pair of interactive elements, and circuitry. The base may be adapted to be carried by a patient. The housing may be attached to the base. The carrier body may be arranged for movement within at least a portion of the housing at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. The carrier body may be for supporting a piercing member in a position orientated for insertion through skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. The pair of interactive elements may include a first interactive element supported on the base and a second interactive element supported on the housing at a location to be interactable with the first interactive element when the fluid connector is positioned in a predetermined position. The circuitry may be configured to detect an interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element when the piercing member is positioned in the predetermined position. The circuitry may be configured to provide a signal or a change in state in response to detecting an interaction between the first interactive element and the second interactive element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a generalized representation of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an example of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an example of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates a durable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates a section view of a durable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 C  illustrates a section view of a durable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 A  illustrates a disposable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates a section view of a disposable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 C  illustrates a section view of a disposable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates portions of a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates cross-section of a needle-inserting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  18    illustrates a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  20    illustrates a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  21    illustrates flow chart for using a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  23    illustrates a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  24    illustrates flow chart for using a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  25    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  26    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  27    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  28    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  29    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  30    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  31    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  32    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  33    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  34    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  35    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  36    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  37    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  38    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  39    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  40    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  41    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  42    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  43    illustrates a portion of a medial device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  44    is a block diagram of a portion of a medical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a generalized representation of a system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  10  may include a delivery device  12 . The system  10  may further include a sensing device  14 , a command control device (CCD)  16 , and a computer  18 . In various embodiments, the delivery device  12  and the sensing device  14  may be secured at desired locations on the body  5  of a patient or user-patient  7 . The locations at which the delivery device  12  and the sensing device  14  are secured to the body  5  of the user-patient  7  in  FIG.  1    are provided only as representative, non-limiting, examples. 
     The system  10 , the delivery device  12 , the sensing device  14 , the CCD  16 , and computer  18  may be similar to those described in the following U.S. patent applications that were assigned to the assignee of the present invention, where each of following patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/211,095, filed Aug. 23, 2005, “Infusion Device And Method With Disposable Portion”; (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/515,225, filed Sep. 1, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Drive Device For Driving Plunger In Reservoir”; (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/588,875, filed Oct. 27, 2006, “Systems And Methods Allowing For Reservoir Filling And Infusion Medium Delivery”; (iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/588,832, filed Oct. 27, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Drive Device For Driving Plunger In Reservoir”; (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/588,847, filed Oct. 27, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Compressible Or Curved Reservoir Or Conduit”; (vi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/589,323, filed Oct. 27, 2006, “Infusion Pumps And Methods And Delivery Devices And Methods With Same”; (vii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,173, filed Nov. 20, 2006, “Systems And Methods Allowing For Reservoir Filling And Infusion Medium Delivery”; (viii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,052, filed Nov. 20, 2006, “Systems And Methods Allowing For Reservoir Filling And Infusion Medium Delivery”; (ix) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,428, filed Nov. 20, 2006, “Systems And Methods Allowing For Reservoir Filling And Infusion Medium Delivery”; (x) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,113, filed Nov. 20, 2006, “Systems And Methods Allowing For Reservoir Filling And Infusion Medium Delivery”; (xi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/604,171, filed Nov. 22, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Drive Device For Driving Plunger In Reservoir”; (xii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/604,172, filed Nov. 22, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Drive Device For Driving Plunger In Reservoir”; (xiii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/606,703, filed Nov. 30, 2006, “Infusion Pumps And Methods And Delivery Devices And Methods With Same”; (xiv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/606,836, filed Nov. 30, 2006, “Infusion Pumps And Methods And Delivery Devices And Methods With Same”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/636,384, filed Dec. 8, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Compressible Or Curved Reservoir Or Conduit”; (xv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,993, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Compressible Or Curved Reservoir Or Conduit”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,972, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; (xvi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,052, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; (xvii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; (xviii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,000, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; (xix) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/759,725, filed Jun. 7, 2007, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Drive Device For Driving Plunger In Reservoir”; (xx) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/606,837, filed Nov. 30, 2006, “Method And Apparatus For Enhancing The Integrity Of An Implantable Sensor Device”; (xxi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/702,713, filed Feb. 5, 2007, “Selective Potting For Controlled Failure And Electronic Devices Employing The Same”; (xxii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/843,601, filed Aug. 22, 2007, “System And Method For Sensor Recalibration”; (xxiii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/868,898, filed Oct. 8, 2007, “Multilayer Substrate”; (xxiv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/964,649, filed Dec. 26, 2007, “System And Methods Allowing For Reservoir Air Bubble Management”; (xxv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/111,751, filed Apr. 29, 2008, “Systems And Methods For Reservoir Filling”; (xxvi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/111,815, filed Apr. 29, 2008, “Systems And Methods For Reservoir Air Bubble Management”; (xxvii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/924,402, filed Oct. 25, 2007, “Sensor Substrate And Method Of Fabricating Same”; (xxviii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/929,428, filed Oct. 30, 2007, “Telemetry System And Method With Variable Parameters”; (xxix) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/965,578, filed Dec. 27, 2007, “Reservoir Pressure Equalization Systems And Methods”; (xxx) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/107,580, filed Apr. 22, 2008, “Automative Filling Systems And Methods”; (xxxi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/964,663, filed Dec. 26, 2007, “Medical Device With Full Options And Selective Enablement/Disablement”; (xxxii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/180,732, filed Jun. 26, 2002, “Communication Station And Software For Interfacing With An Infusion Pump, Analyte Monitor, Analyte Meter, Or The Like”; (xxxiii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/099,738, filed Apr. 8, 2008, “Systems And Methods Allowing For Reservoir Air Bubble Management”; (xxxiv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/027,963, filed Feb. 7, 2008, “Adhesive Patch Systems And Methods”; (xxxv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/121,647, filed May 15, 2008, “Multi-Lumen Catheter”; (xxxvi) U.S. Patent Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/044,269, filed Apr. 11, 2008, “Reservoir Plunger Head Systems And Methods”; (xxxvii) U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/044,292, filed Apr. 11, 2008, “Reservoir Barrier Layer Systems And Methods”; (xxxviii) U.S. Patent Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/044,322, filed Apr. 11, 2008, “Reservoir Seal Retainer Systems And Methods”; (xxxix) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/179,502, filed Jul. 24, 2008, “Method For Formulating And Immobilizing A Matrix Protein And A Matrix Protein For Use In A Sensor”; (xl) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/336,367, filed Dec. 16, 2008, “Needle Insertions Systems And Methods”; (xli) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/166,210, filed Jul. 1, 2008, “Electronic Device For Controlled Failure”; (xlii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/271,134, filed Nov. 14, 2008, “Multilayer Circuit Devices And Manufacturing Methods Using Electroplated Sacrificial Structures”; (xliii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/171,971, filed Jul. 11, 2008, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; (xliv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/189,077, filed Aug. 8, 2008, “Packaging System”; (xlv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/179,536, filed Jul. 24, 2008, “Real Time Self-Adjusting Calibration Algorithm”; (xlvii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/277,186, filed Nov. 24, 2008, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; (xlviii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/211,783, filed Sep. 16, 2008, “Implantable Sensor Method And System”; (xlix) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/247,945, filed Oct. 8, 2008, “Infusion Medium Delivery Device And Method With Drive Device For Driving Plunger In Reservoir”; (l) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/360,077, filed Jan. 26, 2009, “Reservoir Barrier Layer Systems And Methods”; (li) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/345,362, filed Dec. 29, 2008, “Reservoir Seal Retainer Systems And Methods”; (lii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/353,181, filed Jan. 13, 2009, “Systems And Methods Allowing For Reservoir Filling And Infusion Medium Delivery”; (liii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/360,813, filed Jan. 27, 2009, “Multi-Position Infusion Set Device And Process”; (liv) U.S. Patent Pub. No. US 2007/0142776 (application Ser. No. 10/314,653), filed Dec. 9, 2002, “Insertion Device For An Insertion Set and Methods Of Using The Same.” In other embodiments, the system  10 , delivery device  12 , sensing device  14 , CCD  16 , and computer  18  may have other suitable configurations. 
     The delivery device  12  may be configured to deliver fluidic media to the body  5  of the user-patient  7 . In various embodiments, fluidic media may include a liquid, a fluid, a gel, or the like. In some embodiments, fluidic media may include a medicine or a drug for treating a disease or a medical condition. For example, fluidic media may include insulin for treating diabetes, or may include a drug for treating pain, cancer, a pulmonary disorder, HIV, or the like. In some embodiments, fluidic media may include a nutritional supplement, a dye, a tracing medium, a saline medium, a hydration medium, or the like. 
     The sensing device  14  may include a sensor, a monitor, or the like, for providing sensor data or monitor data. In various embodiments, the sensing device  14  may be configured to sense a condition of the user-patient  7 . For example, the sensing device  14  may include electronics and enzymes reactive to a biological condition, such as a blood glucose level, or the like, of the user-patient  7 . 
     In various embodiments, the sensing device  14  may be secured to the body  5  of the user-patient  7  or embedded in the body  5  of the user-patient  7  at a location that is remote from the location at which the delivery device  12  is secured to the body  5  of the user-patient  7 . In various other embodiments, the sensing device  14  may be incorporated within the delivery device  12 . In other embodiments, the sensing device  14  may be separate and apart from the delivery device, and may be, for example, part of the CCD  16 . In such embodiments, the sensing device  14  may be configured to receive a biological sample, analyte, or the like, to measure a condition of the user-patient  7 . 
     In further embodiments, the sensing device  14  and/or the delivery device  12  may utilize a closed-loop system. Examples of sensing devices and/or delivery devices utilizing closed-loop systems may be found at, but are not limited to, the following references: (i) U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,608, entitled “Electrochemical Sensor And Integrity Tests Therefor”; (ii) U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,028, entitled “Implantable Enzyme-Based Monitoring Systems Having Improved Longevity Due To Improved Exterior Surfaces”; (iii) U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,229, entitled “Implantable Enzyme-Based Monitoring Systems Adapted for Long Term Use”; (iv) U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,072, entitled “System And Method For Providing Closed Loop Infusion Formulation Delivery”; (v) U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,702, entitled “Safety Limits For Closed-Loop Infusion Pump Control”; (vi) U.S. Pat. No. 7,323,142, entitled “Sensor Substrate And Method Of Fabricating Same”; (vii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/360,342, filed Jul. 22, 1999, entitled “Substrate Sensor”; and (viii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/318,060, filed Sep. 7, 2001, entitled “Sensing Apparatus and Process”, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     In such embodiments, the sensing device  14  may be configured to sense a condition of the user-patient  7 , such as, but not limited to, blood glucose level, or the like. The delivery device  12  may be configured to deliver fluidic media in response to the condition sensed by the sensing device  14 . In turn, the sensing device  14  may continue to sense a new condition of the user-patient, allowing the delivery device  12  to deliver fluidic media continuously in response to the new condition sensed by the sensing device  14  indefinitely. In some embodiments, the sensing device  14  and/or the delivery device  12  may be configured to utilize the closed-loop system only for a portion of the day, for example only when the user-patient is asleep or awake. 
     Each of the delivery device  12 , the sensing device  14 , the CCD  16 , and the computer  18  may include transmitter, receiver, or transceiver electronics that allow for communication with other components of the system  10 . The sensing device  14  may be configured to transmit sensor data or monitor data to the delivery device  12 . The sensing device  14  may also be configured to communicate with the CCD  16 . The delivery device  12  may include electronics and software that are configured to analyze sensor data and to deliver fluidic media to the body  5  of the user-patient  7  based on the sensor data and/or preprogrammed delivery routines. 
     The CCD  16  and the computer  18  may include electronics and other components configured to perform processing, delivery routine storage, and to control the delivery device  12 . By including control functions in the CCD  16  and/or the computer  18 , the delivery device  12  may be made with more simplified electronics. However, in some embodiments, the delivery device  12  may include all control functions, and may operate without the CCD  16  and the computer  18 . In various embodiments, the CCD  16  may be a portable electronic device. In addition, in various embodiments, the delivery device  12  and/or the sensing device  14  may be configured to transmit data to the CCD  16  and/or the computer  18  for display or processing of the data by the CCD  16  and/or the computer  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the sensing device  14  may be integrated into the CCD  16 . Such embodiments may allow the user-patient to monitor a condition by providing, for example, a sample of his or her blood to the sensing device  14  to assess his or her condition. In some embodiments, the sensing device  14  and the CCD  16  may be for determining glucose levels in the blood and/or body fluids of the user-patient without the use of, or necessity of, a wire or cable connection between the delivery device  12  and the sensing device  14  and/or the CCD  16 . 
     In some embodiments, the CCD  16  may be for providing information to the user-patient that facilitates the user-patient&#39;s subsequent use of a drug delivery system. For example, the CCD  16  may provide information to the user-patient to allow the user-patient to determine the rate or dose of medication to be administered into the body of the user-patient. In other embodiments, the CCD  16  may provide information to the delivery device  12  to control the rate or dose of medication administered into the body of the user-patient 
     Examples of the types of communications and/or control capabilities, as well as device feature sets and/or program options may be found in the following references: (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/445,477, filed May 27, 2003, entitled “External Infusion Device with Remote Programming, Bolus Estimator and/or Vibration Alarm Capabilities”; (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/429,385, filed May 5, 2003, entitled “Handheld Personal Data Assistant (PDA) with a Medical Device and Method of Using the Same”; and (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/813,660, filed Mar. 21, 2001, entitled “Control Tabs for Infusion Devices and Methods of Using the Same,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an example of the system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  10  in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2    includes the delivery device  12  and the sensing device  14 . The delivery device  12  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include a disposable housing  20 , a durable housing  30 , and a reservoir system  40 . The delivery device  12  may further include an infusion path  50 . 
     Elements of the delivery device  12  that ordinarily contact the body of a user-patient or that ordinarily contact fluidic media during operation of the delivery device  12  may be considered as a disposable portion of the delivery device  12 . For example, a disposable portion of the delivery device  12  may include the disposable housing  20  and the reservoir system  40 . The disposable portion of the delivery device  12  may be recommended for disposal after a specified number of uses. 
     On the other hand, elements of the delivery device  12  that do not ordinarily contact the body of the user-patient or fluidic media during operation of the delivery device  12  may be considered as a durable portion of the delivery device  12 . For example, a durable portion of the delivery device  12  may include the durable housing  30 , electronics (not shown in  FIG.  2   ), a drive device having a motor and drive linkage (not shown in  FIG.  2   ), and the like. Elements of the durable housing portion of the delivery device  12  are typically not contaminated from contact with the user-patient or fluidic media during normal operation of the delivery device  12  and, thus, may be retained for re-use with replaced disposable portions of the delivery device  12 . 
     In various embodiments, the disposable housing  20  may support the reservoir system  40  and has a bottom surface (facing downward and into the page in  FIG.  2   ) configured to secure to the body of the user-patient. An adhesive may be employed at an interface between the bottom surface of the disposable housing  20  and the skin of the user-patient to adhere the disposable housing  20  to the skin of the user-patient. In various embodiments, the adhesive may be provided on the bottom surface of the disposable housing  20 , with a peelable cover layer covering the adhesive material. In this manner, the cover layer may be peeled off to expose the adhesive material, and the adhesive side of the disposable housing  20  may be placed against the user-patient, for example against the skin of the user-patient. Thus in some embodiments, the delivery device  12  may be attached to the skin of the user-patient. 
     In other embodiments, the disposable housing  20  and/or the remaining portions of the delivery device  12  may be worn or otherwise attached on or underneath clothing of the user-patient. Similarly, the delivery device  12  may be supported by any suitable manner, such as, but not limited to, on a belt, in a pocket, and the like. Representative examples of such delivery devices  12 , and delivery devices in general, may include, but is not limited to, the MiniMed Paradigm 522 Insulin Pump, MiniMed Paradigm 722 Insulin Pump, MiniMed Paradigm 515 Insulin Pump, MiniMed Paradigm 715 Insulin Pump, MiniMed Paradigm 512R Insulin Pump, MiniMed Paradigm 712R Insulin Pump, MiniMed 508 Insulin Pump, MiniMed 508R Insulin Pump, and any other derivatives thereof. 
     The reservoir system  40  may be configured for containing or holding fluidic media, such as, but not limited to insulin. In various embodiments, the reservoir system  40  may include a hollow interior volume for receiving fluidic media, such as, but not limited to, a cylinder-shaped volume, a tubular-shaped volume, or the like. In some embodiments, the reservoir system  40  may be provided as a cartridge or canister for containing fluidic media. In various embodiments, the reservoir system  40  can be refilled with fluidic media. In further embodiments, the reservoir system  40  is pre-filled with fluidic media. 
     The reservoir system  40  may be supported by the disposable housing  20  in any suitable manner. For example, the disposable housing  20  may be provided with projections or struts (not shown), or a trough feature (not shown), for holding the reservoir system  40 . In some embodiments, the reservoir system  40  may be supported by the disposable housing  20  in a manner that allows the reservoir system  40  to be removed from the disposable housing  20  and replaced with another reservoir. Alternatively, or in addition, the reservoir system  40  may be secured to the disposable housing  20  by a suitable adhesive, a strap, or other coupling structure. 
     In various embodiments, the reservoir system  40  may include at least one port  41  for allowing fluidic media to flow into and/or flow out of the interior volume of the reservoir system  40 . In some embodiments, the infusion path  50  may include a connector  56 , a tube  54 , and a needle apparatus  52 . The connector  56  of the infusion path  50  may be connectable to the port  41  of the reservoir system  40 . In various embodiments, the disposable housing  20  may be configured with an opening near the port  41  of the reservoir system  40  for allowing the connector  56  of the infusion path  50  to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the port  41  of the reservoir system  40 . 
     In various embodiments, the port  41  of the reservoir system  40  may be covered with or supports a septum (not shown in  FIG.  2   ), such as a self-sealing septum, or the like. The septum may be configured to prevent fluidic media from flowing out of the reservoir system  40  through the port  41  when the septum is not pierced. In addition, in various embodiments, the connector  56  of the infusion path  50  may include a needle for piercing the septum covering the port  41  of the reservoir system  40  to allow fluidic media to flow out of the interior volume of the reservoir system  40 . 
     Examples of needle/septum connectors can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/328,393, filed Dec. 22, 2003, entitled “Reservoir Connector,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In other alternatives, non-septum connectors such as Luer locks, or the like may be used. In various embodiments, the needle apparatus  52  of the infusion path  50  may include a needle that is able to puncture the skin of the user-patient. In addition, in various embodiments, the tube  54  connects the connector  56  with the needle apparatus  52  and may be hollow, such that the infusion path  50  is able to provide a path to allow for the delivery of fluidic media from the reservoir system  40  to the body of a user-patient. 
     The durable housing  30  of the delivery device  12  in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention includes a housing shell configured to mate with and secure to the disposable housing  20 . The durable housing  30  and the disposable housing  20  may be provided with correspondingly shaped grooves, notches, tabs, or other suitable features that allow the two parts to connect together easily, by manually pressing the two housings together, by twist or threaded connection, or other suitable manner of connecting the parts that is well known in the mechanical arts. 
     In various embodiments, the durable housing  30  and the disposable housing  20  may be connected to each other using a twist action. The durable housing  30  and the disposable housing  20  may be configured to be separable from each other when a sufficient force is applied to disconnect the two housings from each other. For example, in some embodiments the disposable housing  20  and the durable housing  30  may be snapped together by friction fitting. In various embodiments, a suitable seal, such as an o-ring seal, may be placed along a peripheral edge of the durable housing  30  and/or the disposable housing  20  to provide a seal against water entering between the durable housing  30  and the disposable housing  20 . 
     The durable housing  30  of the delivery device  12  may support a drive device (not shown in  FIG.  2   ), including a motor and a drive device linkage portion, for applying a force to fluidic media within the reservoir system  40  to force fluidic media out of the reservoir system  40  and into an infusion path, such as the infusion path  50 , for delivery to a user-patient. For example, in some embodiments, an electrically driven motor may be mounted within the durable housing  30  with appropriate linkage for operatively coupling the motor to a plunger arm (not shown in  FIG.  2   ) connected to a plunger head (not shown in  FIG.  2   ) that is within the reservoir system  40  and to drive the plunger head in a direction to force fluidic media out of the port  41  of the reservoir system  40  and to the user-patient. 
     Also, in some embodiments, the motor may be controllable to reverse direction to move the plunger arm and the plunger head to cause fluid to be drawn into the reservoir system  40  from a patient. The motor may be arranged within the durable housing  30  and the reservoir system  40  may be correspondingly arranged on the disposable housing  20 , such that the operable engagement of the motor with the plunger head, through the appropriate linkage, occurs automatically upon the user-patient connecting the durable housing  30  with the disposable housing  20  of the delivery device  12 . Further examples of linkage and control structures may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/813,660, filed Mar. 21, 2001, entitled “Control Tabs for Infusion Devices and Methods of Using the Same,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In various embodiments, the durable housing  30  and the disposable housing  20  may be made of suitably rigid materials that maintain their shape, yet provide sufficient flexibility and resilience to effectively connect together and disconnect, as described above. The material of the disposable housing  20  may be selected for suitable compatibility with skin. For example, the disposable housing  20  and the durable housing  30  of the delivery device  12  may be made of any suitable plastic, metal, composite material, or the like. The disposable housing  20  may be made of the same type of material or a different material relative to the durable housing  30 . In some embodiments, the disposable housing  20  and the durable housing  30  may be manufactured by injection molding or other molding processes, machining processes, or combinations thereof. 
     For example, the disposable housing  20  may be made of a relatively flexible material, such as a flexible silicone, plastic, rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like. By forming the disposable housing  20  of a material capable of flexing with the skin of a user-patient, a greater level of user-patient comfort may be achieved when the disposable housing  20  is secured to the skin of the user-patient. In addition, a flexible disposable housing  20  may result in an increase in site options on the body of the user-patient at which the disposable housing  20  may be secured. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the delivery device  12  is connected to the sensing device  14  through a connection element  17  of the sensing device  14 . The sensing device  14  may include a sensor  15  that includes any suitable biological or environmental sensing device, depending upon a nature of a treatment to be administered by the delivery device  12 . For example, in the context of delivering insulin to a diabetes patient, the sensor  15  may include a blood glucose sensor, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  15  may include a continuous glucose sensor. The continuous glucose sensor may be implantable within the body of the user-patient. In other embodiments, the continuous glucose sensor may be located externally, for example on the skin of the user-patient, or attached to clothing of the user-patient. In such embodiments, fluid may be drawn continually from the user-patient and sensed by the continuous glucose sensor. In various embodiments, the continuous glucose sensor may be configured to sense and/or communicate with the CCD  16  continuously. In other embodiments, the continuous glucose sensor may be configured to sense and/or communicate with the CCD  16  intermittently, for example sense glucose levels and transmit information every few minutes. In various embodiments, the continuous glucose sensor may utilize glucose oxidase. 
     The sensor  15  may be an external sensor that secures to the skin of a user-patient or, in other embodiments, may be an implantable sensor that is located in an implant site within the body of the user-patient. In further alternatives, the sensor may be included with as a part or along side the infusion cannula and/or needle, such as for example as shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/149,119, filed Jun. 8, 2005, entitled “Dual Insertion Set,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the illustrated example of  FIG.  2   , the sensor  15  is an external sensor having a disposable needle pad that includes a needle for piercing the skin of the user-patient and enzymes and/or electronics reactive to a biological condition, such as blood glucose level or the like, of the user-patient. In this manner, the delivery device  12  may be provided with sensor data from the sensor  15  secured to the user-patient at a site remote from the location at which the delivery device  12  is secured to the user-patient. 
     While the embodiment shown in  FIG.  2    may include a sensor  15  connected by the connection element  17  for providing sensor data to sensor electronics (not shown in  FIG.  2   ) located within the durable housing  30  of the delivery device  12 , other embodiments may employ a sensor  15  located within the delivery device  12 . Yet other embodiments may employ a sensor  15  having a transmitter for communicating sensor data by a wireless communication link with receiver electronics (not shown in  FIG.  2   ) located within the durable housing  30  of the delivery device  12 . In various embodiments, a wireless connection between the sensor  15  and the receiver electronics within the durable housing  30  of the delivery device  12  may include a radio frequency (RF) connection, an optical connection, or another suitable wireless communication link. Further embodiments need not employ the sensing device  14  and, instead, may provide fluidic media delivery functions without the use of sensor data. 
     As described above, by separating disposable elements of the delivery device  12  from durable elements, the disposable elements may be arranged on the disposable housing  20 , while durable elements may be arranged within a separable durable housing  30 . In this regard, after a prescribed number of uses of the delivery device  12 , the disposable housing  20  may be separated from the durable housing  30 , so that the disposable housing  20  may be disposed of in a proper manner. The durable housing  30  may then be mated with a new (un-used) disposable housing  20  for further delivery operation with a user-patient. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an example of the delivery device  12  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The delivery device  12  of the embodiment of  FIG.  3    is similar to the delivery device  12  of the embodiment of  FIG.  2   . While the delivery device  12  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2    provides for the durable housing  30  to cover the reservoir system  40 , the delivery device  12  in the embodiment of  FIG.  3    provides for the durable housing  30  to secure to the disposable housing  20  without covering the reservoir system  40 . The delivery device  12  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  3    includes the disposable housing  20 , and the disposable housing  20  in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  3    includes a base  21  and a reservoir retaining portion  24 . In one embodiment, the base  21  and reservoir retaining portion  24  may be formed as a single, unitary structure. 
     The base  21  of the disposable housing  20  may be configured to be securable to a body of a user-patient. The reservoir-retaining portion  24  of the disposable housing  20  is configured to house the reservoir system  40 . The reservoir-retaining portion  24  of the disposable housing  20  may be configured to have an opening to allow for the port  41  of the reservoir system  40  to be accessed from outside of the reservoir-retaining portion  24  while the reservoir system  40  is housed in the reservoir-retaining portion  24 . The durable housing  30  may be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the base  21  of the disposable housing  20 . The delivery device  12  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  3    includes a plunger arm  60  that is connected to or that is connectable to a plunger head (not shown in  FIG.  3   ) within the reservoir system  40 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates another view of the delivery device  12  of the embodiment of  FIG.  3   . The delivery device  12  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  4    includes the disposable housing  20 , the durable housing  30 , and the infusion path  50 . The disposable housing  20  in the embodiment of  FIG.  4    includes the base  21 , the reservoir-retaining portion  24 , and a peelable cover layer  25 . The peelable cover layer  25  may cover an adhesive material on the bottom surface  22  of the base  21 . The peelable cover layer  25  may be configured to be peelable by a user-patient to expose the adhesive material on the bottom surface  22  of the base  21 . In some embodiments, there may be multiple adhesive layers on the bottom surface  22  of the base  21  that are separated by peelable layers. 
     The infusion path  50  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG.  4    includes the needle  58  rather than the connector  56 , the tube  54 , and the needle apparatus  52  as shown in the embodiment of  FIG.  2   . The base  21  of the disposable housing  20  may be provided with an opening or pierceable wall in alignment with a tip of the needle  58 , to allow the needle  58  to pass through the base  21  and into the skin of a user-patient under the base  21 , when extended. In this manner, the needle  58  may be used to pierce the skin of the user-patient and deliver fluidic media to the user-patient. 
     Alternatively, the needle  58  may be extended through a hollow cannula (not shown in  FIG.  4   ), such that upon piercing the skin of the user-patient with the needle  58 , an end of the hollow cannula is guided through the skin of the user-patient by the needle  58 . Thereafter, the needle  58  may be removed, leaving the hollow cannula in place, with one end of the cannula located within the body of the user-patient and the other end of the cannula in fluid flow connection with fluidic media within the reservoir system  40 , to convey pumped infusion media from the reservoir system  40  to the body of the user-patient. 
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates a durable portion  8  of the delivery device  12  (refer to  FIG.  3   ) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  5 B  illustrates a section view of the durable portion  8  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  5 C  illustrates another section view of the durable portion  8  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIGS.  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C , in various embodiments, the durable portion  8  may include the durable housing  30 , and a drive device  80 . The drive device  80  may include a motor  84  and a drive device linkage portion  82 . 
     In various embodiments, the durable housing  30  may include an interior volume for housing the motor  84 , the drive device linkage portion  82 , other electronic circuitry, and a power source (not shown in  FIGS.  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C ). In addition, in various embodiments, the durable housing  30  may be configured with an opening  32  for receiving a plunger arm  60  (refer to  FIG.  3   ). In addition, in various embodiments, the durable housing  30  may include one or more connection members  34 , such as tabs, insertion holes, or the like, for connecting with the base  21  of the disposable housing  20  (refer to  FIG.  3   ). 
       FIG.  6 A  illustrates a disposable portion  9  of the delivery device  12  (refer to  FIG.  3   ) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  6 B  illustrates a section view of the disposable portion  9  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  6 C  illustrates another section view of the disposable portion  9  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIGS.  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C , in various embodiments, the disposable portion  9  includes the disposable housing  20 , the reservoir system  40 , the plunger arm  60 , and a plunger head  70 . In some embodiments, the disposable housing  20  may include the base  21  and the reservoir-retaining portion  24 . In various embodiments, the base  21  may include a top surface  23  having one or more connection members  26 , such as tabs, grooves, or the like, for allowing connections with the one or more connection members  34  of embodiments of the durable housing  30  (refer to  FIG.  5 B ). 
     In various embodiments, the reservoir system  40  may be housed within the reservoir retaining portion  24  of the disposable housing  20 , and the reservoir system  40  may be configured to hold fluidic media. In addition, in various embodiments, the plunger head  70  may be disposed at least partially within the reservoir system  40  and may be moveable within the reservoir system  40  to allow fluidic media to fill into the reservoir system  40  and to force fluidic media out of the reservoir system  40 . In some embodiments, the plunger arm  60  may be connected to or is connectable to the plunger head  70 . 
     Also, in some embodiments, a portion of the plunger arm  60  may extend to outside of the reservoir-retaining portion  24  of the disposable housing  20 . In various embodiments, the plunger arm  60  may have a mating portion for mating with the drive device linkage portion  82  of the drive device  80  (refer to  FIG.  5 C ). With reference to  FIGS.  5 C and  6 C , in some embodiments, the durable housing  30  may be snap fitted onto the disposable housing  20 , whereupon the drive device linkage portion  82  automatically engages the mating portion of the plunger arm  60 . 
     When the durable housing  30  and the disposable housing  20  are fitted together with the drive device linkage portion  82  engaging or mating with the plunger arm  60 , the motor  84  may be controlled to drive the drive device linkage portion  82  and, thus, move the plunger arm  60  to cause the plunger head  70  to move within the reservoir system  40 . When the interior volume of the reservoir system  40  is filled with fluidic media and an infusion path is provided from the reservoir system  40  to the body of a user-patient, the plunger head  70  may be moved within the reservoir system  40  to force fluidic media from the reservoir system  40  and into the infusion path, so as to deliver fluidic media to the body of the user-patient. 
     In various embodiments, once the reservoir system  40  has been sufficiently emptied or otherwise requires replacement, the user-patient may simply remove the durable housing  30  from the disposable housing  20 , and replace the disposable portion  9 , including the reservoir system  40 , with a new disposable portion having a new reservoir. The durable housing  30  may be connected to the new disposable housing of the new disposable portion, and the delivery device including the new disposable portion may be secured to the skin of a user-patient, or otherwise attached to the user-patient. 
     In various other embodiments, rather than replacing the entire disposable portion  9  every time the reservoir system  40  is emptied, the reservoir system  40  may be refilled with fluidic media. In some embodiments, the reservoir system  40  may be refilled while remaining within the reservoir retaining portion  24  (refer to  FIG.  6 B ) of the disposable housing  20 . In addition, in various embodiments, the reservoir system  40  may be replaced with a new reservoir (not shown), while the disposable housing  20  may be re-used with the new reservoir. In such embodiments, the new reservoir may be inserted into the disposable portion  9 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 ,  5 A,  6 B, and  6 C , in various embodiments, the delivery device  12  may include reservoir status circuitry (not shown), and the reservoir system  40  may include reservoir circuitry (not shown). In various embodiments, the reservoir circuitry stores information such as, but not limited to, at least one of (i) an identification string identifying the reservoir system  40 ; (ii) a manufacturer of the reservoir system  40 ; (iii) contents of the reservoir system  40 ; and (iv) an amount of contents in the reservoir system  40 . In some embodiments, the delivery device  12  may include the reservoir status circuitry (not shown), and the reservoir status circuitry may be configured to read data from the reservoir circuitry (not shown) when the reservoir system  40  is inserted into the disposable portion  9 . 
     In various embodiments, the reservoir status circuitry (not shown) may be further configured to store data to the reservoir circuitry after at least some of the contents of the reservoir system  40  have been transferred out of the reservoir system  40  to update information in the reservoir circuitry (not shown) related to an amount of contents still remaining in the reservoir system  40 . In some embodiments, the reservoir status circuitry (not shown) may be configured to store data to the reservoir circuitry (not shown) to update information in the reservoir circuitry (not shown) related to an amount of contents remaining in the reservoir system  40  when the reservoir system  40  is inserted into the disposable portion  9 . In some embodiments, the delivery device  12  may include the reservoir status circuitry (not shown) and the reservoir system  40  may include the reservoir circuitry (not shown), and the reservoir status circuitry (not shown) may selectively inhibit use of the delivery device  12  or may selectively provide a warning signal based on information read by the reservoir status circuitry (not shown) from the reservoir circuitry (not shown). 
     Aspects of the present invention relate, generally, to needle inserter or inserting devices and methods and medical devices, such as, but not limited to sensors, monitors and infusion medium delivery systems, devices and methods that include such needle-inserting devices and methods. The needle-inserting device and method may operate to insert a needle or cannula through skin of a user-patient, for example, to provide a fluid flow path for conveying an infusion medium through a hollow channel in the needle or cannula and into the user-patient and/or to convey a fluid from the user-patient to one or more sensor elements. Embodiments of the present invention may be configured, as described herein, to provide a reliable, cost effective, and easy-to-use mechanism for inserting a needle or cannula to a specific depth into a user-patient with minimal traumatic effect. 
     In addition, embodiments may be configured to establish a contiguous fluid flow passage for fluid transfer between a reservoir and the user-patient when the hollow needle or cannula is inserted into the user-patient. Needle-inserting devices according to embodiments of the present invention may be used with, connectable to and disconnectable from, or incorporated in a portion of an infusion medium delivery system. For example, a needle-inserting device may be connectable to a base structure of a pump-type delivery device for insertion of a needle, after which the needle-inserting device may be removed from the base structure, whereupon a further housing portion of the delivery device (containing components such as, but not limited to, a reservoir and pump or drive device) may be coupled to the base structure for operation. 
     Alternatively, the needle-inserting device may be incorporated into the further housing portion that contains other components as described above. In yet other embodiments, the needle-inserting device may be connectable to (and releasable from) or incorporated within an injection site module or other housing that connects, for example, by flexible tubing, to other components of a medical device (such as, but not limited to an infusion medium delivery device). In yet other embodiments, needle inserter devices may be configured for use with systems other than infusion medium delivery systems, such as, but not limited to sensor and monitor systems, or the like. 
     The structures and methods described with respect to  FIGS.  7 - 25    may be employed in any suitable device or system in which two members that, at some period of time, are not connected in fluid flow communication, are to be connected together in a manner that allows fluid to flow from one member to the other. In one example embodiment, the structure and method is described with respect to a first member including a fluid reservoir for containing an infusion medium that may be connectable to a second member including an injection site structure in which a hollow needle or cannula is or may be inserted into a user-patient, for conveying fluid media to the user-patient. However, a connection structure according to embodiments of the present invention may be employed to connect any two (or more) members together for fluid flow communication with each other. 
     In  FIGS.  7 - 12   , an example of a structure  100  and method for connecting two members in fluid flow communication is described with reference to a first member  102  and a second member  103 . The first member  102  may include a housing  104  on a base  106 . The housing  104  may be formed integral with the base  106  or may be formed as a separate structure connected to the base  106  in a fixed relation to the base  106 . The housing  104  and the base  106  each may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, ceramic, composite material, or the like. 
     The housing  104  may include an injection site section  105  containing an injection site structure in which a hollow needle or cannula may be inserted into a user-patient for conveying fluidic media to or from the user-patient. The housing  104  may be made of a material of suitable strength and durability such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, or the like. In other embodiments, instead of or in addition to an injection site, the housing  104  may contain, be part of, or be operatively connected to any other suitable structure for conveying, containing, and/or processing fluidic media. 
     The second member  103  may also include a housing  108 , which in the illustrated embodiment may include a reservoir  107  for containing fluidic media. The reservoir  107  may be configured and/or made of materials as previously described with respect to reservoir system  40  (e.g.,  FIGS.  1 - 6 C ). The second member  103  may be held within or otherwise be covered by an outer housing  109  configured to attach to the base  106 . The outer housing  109  may be configured to connect to the base  106  of the first member  102  by any suitable connection structure. 
     In particular embodiments, at least one of the outer housing  109  and the base  106  may include one or more flexible pawls, protrusions, indentations, or the like for engaging and/or receiving one or more corresponding pawls, protrusions, indentations, or the like on the other of the base  106  and the outer housing  109  to provide a suitable connection structure. Alternatively or in addition, the connection structure may include adhesive material or other suitable connectors. 
     In other embodiments, the housing  108  may be or be connected to a sensor housing (not shown) containing sensor components. In yet other embodiments, the housing  108  may contain, be part of, or be operatively connected to any other suitable structure for conveying, containing, and/or processing fluidic media. The housing  108  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, ceramic, composite material, or the like. 
     The housing  104  may have or be connected to a receptacle structure  110 . The receptacle structure  110  may have an opening  112  leading into a chamber  114  within the receptacle structure  110 . In some embodiments, the receptacle structure  110  may be part of the housing  104  adjacent a section of the housing  104  containing the injection site section  105 . In other embodiments, the receptacle structure  110  may include a further housing connected to the housing  104 . 
     The receptacle structure  110  may include a first septum  116  located within the chamber  114  and may be moveable within the chamber  114  toward and away from the opening  112 . The receptacle structure  110  may also include a bias mechanism  118 , which may apply a bias force on the first septum  116  in a direction toward the opening  112 . The bias mechanism  118  may be arranged for forcing the first septum  116  against the opening  112 . One or more annular protrusions or one or more appropriately shaped or positioned protrusions  120  adjacent the opening  112  may be provided to inhibit the first septum  116  from being forced out of the chamber  114  through the opening  112  by the force of the bias mechanism  118 . 
     The first septum  116  may have a front surface  116   a  that is at least partially exposed through the opening  112  when the first septum  116  is urged against the opening  112  by the bias mechanism  118 . The first septum  116  may have a back surface  116   b  facing toward an interior of the chamber  114 . The first septum  116  may be made of any suitable material that may be pierceable by a needle, such as, but not limited to, a natural or synthetic rubber material, silicon, or the like. In some embodiments, the first septum  116  may be made of a self-sealing material capable of sealing itself after a needle has pierced the first septum  116  and was subsequently withdrawn from the first septum  116 . 
     In some embodiments, the bias mechanism  118  may be a coil spring located within the chamber  114  on an opposite side of the first septum  116  with respect to the front surface  116   a . In other embodiments, the bias mechanism  118  may be provided in any suitable manner for biasing the first septum  116  toward the opening  112 . These may include, but are not limited to, other types of springs, pressurized fluid within the chamber  114 , a collapsible skirt structure extending from the first septum  116  with a natural or built-in spring force, chemical, substance that expands upon contact with another chemical or substance, or upon application of energy from an energy source such as a heat, laser, or other radiation source, or the like. For example, in some embodiments, the first septum  116  may have a flexible accordion-like configuration to allow expansion and contraction of the skirt structure. 
     A needle  124  may be supported within the chamber  114 . The needle  124  may be hollow and may have a sharp end  124   a  directed toward the back surface  116   b  of the first septum  116 . In some embodiments, the needle  124  may be supported within the bias mechanism  118  such that a longitudinal axial dimension of the needle  124  extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axial dimension of the bias mechanism  118 . 
     The needle  124  may be supported by a supporting structure located within the receptacle structure  110 . In some embodiments, the supporting structure may be a wall integral with the receptacle structure  110 . The supporting structure may be located, for example, on an opposite end of the chamber  114  relative to the end of the chamber  114  at which the opening  112  is located. In other embodiments, the supporting structure may be any suitable structure that is generally fixed relative to the receptacle structure  110  and is able to support the needle  124  in a generally fixed relation to the receptacle structure  110 . 
     The needle  124  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to metal, plastic, ceramic, or the like, and may have a hollow channel extending in a lengthwise dimension of the needle  124 . The hollow channel in the needle  124  may be open on the sharp end  124   a  of the needle  124  and may be open at another location  124   b  along the lengthwise dimension of the needle  124 , such as, but not limited to, the needle end opposite the sharp end  124   a . The hollow channel in the needle  124  may provide a fluid flow path between the sharp end  124   a  of the needle  124  and the opening  124   b  of the needle  124 . In some embodiments, the opening  124   b  of the needle  124  may be connected in fluid flow communication with a manifold  128  in the injection site section  105 . 
     The housing  108  of the second member  103  may include a connection portion  130  having a hollow interior chamber  132  and an opening  134  into the interior chamber  132 . A second septum  136  may be supported by the housing  108  to seal the opening  134 . The second septum  136  may be supported in a fixed relation to the housing  108 , for example, within the housing  108  at one end of the interior chamber  132 . 
     The connection portion  130  of the housing  108  may have a suitable shape and size to fit at least partially within the opening  112  of the receptacle structure  110  in the first member  102  when the first member  102  and the second member  103  are connected together. In the drawings of  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the first member  102  and the second member  103  are shown in a separated, disconnected relation, wherein the connection portion  130  of the housing  108  is outside of the opening  112  of the receptacle structure  110 . By moving the first member  102  and the second member  103  together to insert the connection portion  130  into the opening  112  of the housing  108  an end surface of the connection portion  130  may be urged against the first septum  116 . This may cause the moveable first septum  116  to move relative to the housing  108  against the force of the bias mechanism  118  toward the interior of the chamber  114 . As the first septum  116  is moved toward the interior of the housing  108 , the sharp end  124   a  of the needle  124  may pierce the first septum  116 . Continued relative movement of the first member  102  and the second member  103  together may cause the sharp end  124   a  of the needle  124  to pass through the first septum  116  in the first member  102 , then pierce, and pass through the second septum  136  in the second member  103 . 
     When the first member  102  and the second member  103  are brought together (e.g.,  FIG.  9   ), at least a portion of the connection portion  130  may extend inside of the receptacle structure  110 . With reference to  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the needle  124  may pierce the first septum  116  and the second septum  136  to form a fluid flow path between the interior chamber  132  of the connection portion  130  and the manifold  128  or other structure at the opening  124   b  of the needle  124 . The receptacle structure  110  and the connection portion  130  may be provided with mating connectors that provide, for example, a snap or friction connection upon the first member  102  and the second member  103  being brought together as shown in  FIG.  9   . In some embodiments, the mating connectors may include a protrusion (not shown) on one or the other of the receptacle structure  110  and the connection portion  130 . The other of the receptacle structure  110  and the connection portion  130  may include a groove or indentation (not shown) arranged to engage each other in a snap-fitting manner upon the connection portion  130  being extended into the receptacle structure  110  a suitable distance. 
     As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the opening  124   b  of the needle  124  may be connected in fluid flow communication with the manifold  128  in the injection site section  105 . The injection site section  105  may include a channel  140  extending through the housing  104  and the base  106 . The channel  140  may have an open end  140   a  on a bottom surface (relative to the orientation shown in  FIG.  8   ) of the base  106 . The channel  140  may have another open end  140   b  at an upper surface (relative to the orientation shown in  FIG.  8   ) of the injection site section  105  of the housing  104 . 
     The manifold  128  may be located along a length of the channel  140  and may be in fluid flow communication with the channel  140 . Accordingly, the needle  124  may be arranged in fluid flow communication with the interior of the channel  140  through the manifold  128 . The channel  140  may include a channel section  142  having a larger radial dimension relative to a remaining portion of the channel  140  and may have a suitable shape and size to receive a needle and/or cannula, as will be described later. The manifold  128  may be made of a material of suitable strength and durability such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, or the like. 
     A needle-inserting device  144  may be located adjacent the open end  140   b  of the channel  140  and arranged to selectively extend a needle and/or cannula into the open end  140   b  of the channel  140  and at least partially through the channel  140  as will be described. In various embodiments, the needle-inserting device  144  may be configured to be integral with or otherwise fixed to the section  105  of the housing  104  of the first member  102 . In other embodiments, the needle-inserting device  144  may be a separate device from the housing  104  and may be selectively engaged or connected to, for example in alignment with the channel  140  (e.g.,  FIG.  8   ), and disengaged or disconnected from the injection site section  105  of the housing  104 . 
     In embodiments in which the needle-inserting device  144  is a separate structure that connects to and disconnects from the injection site section  105 , a suitable connection structure may be provided on the needle-inserting device  144  and/or the injection site section  105  to provide a manually releasable connection between those components. For example, the connection structure may include, but is not limited to, a threaded extension on one or the other of the needle-inserting device  144  and the injection site section  105  and a corresponding threaded receptacle on the other of the injection site section  105  and the needle-inserting device  144  for receiving and mating with the threaded extension in threaded engagement. In other embodiments, other suitable connection structures may be employed, including, but not limited to, flexible pawls or extensions on one or the other of the needle-inserting device  144  and the injection site section  105  and a corresponding aperture, stop surface, or the like on the other of the other of the injection site section  105  and the needle-inserting device  144  or friction fitting engageable portions on each of the section  105  and needle-inserting device  144 . 
     In the drawing of  FIG.  8   , the needle-inserting device  144  is shown as connected to the injection site section  105  with a needle  146  and a cannula  148  in a retracted state. With reference to  FIGS.  7 - 16   , the needle-inserting device  144  may be operated to selectively move the needle  146  and the cannula  148  from the retracted state (e.g.,  FIG.  8   ) to an extended state (e.g.,  FIG.  13   ) in which the needle  146  and the cannula  148  extend through the opening  140   b  of the channel  140  and at least partially through the channel  140  such that a sharp end  146   a  of the needle  146  and at least a portion of the length of the cannula  148  extend out the opening  140   a  of the channel  140 . 
     Various examples of suitable structures for needle-inserting devices are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, entitled “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,” which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further examples of various needle-inserting devices are described in, but are not limited to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,972, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,052, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,000, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,”, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other examples of suitable structures for needle-inserting devices are described herein. 
     The cannula  148  may have a hollow central channel  148   c  extending along a longitudinal length of the cannula  148  and open at one end  148   a  that may be adjacent the sharp end  146   a  of the needle  146 . An end  148   b  of the cannula  148  opposite the open end  148   a  may have a head  150  having a larger radial dimension than a shaft portion  148   d  of the cannula  148 . The cannula head  150  may have a suitable shape and size to fit into the channel section  142  of the channel  140  when the needle  146  and the cannula  148  are moved to the extended state by the needle-inserting device  144 . 
     In particular embodiments, the cannula head  150  may include one or more protrusions and/or indentations for engaging one or more corresponding indentations and/or protrusions in the channel section  142  of the injection site section  105  to provide a friction fit, snap fit, or the like. Accordingly, the cannula  148  may be locked or retained within the injection site section  105  upon the needle  146  and cannula  148  being moved to the extended state by the needle-inserting device  144 . In further embodiments, instead of or in addition to engaging protrusions and indentations, one or more other mechanical structures may be employed to provide a suitable retaining function for retaining the cannula  148  in place within the injection site section  105 , including, but not limited to, a friction fit structure, snap fit, or the like. 
     The cannula  148  may have a connection channel  152  provided in fluid flow communication with the hollow central channel  148   c  of the cannula  148 . The connection channel  152  may be provided along the longitudinal length of the cannula  148  at a location at which the connection channel  152  aligns with the manifold  128  (i.e., in fluid flow communication with an interior of the manifold  128 ) when the needle  146  and the cannula  148  have been moved to the extended state by the needle-inserting device  144 . In this manner, upon the cannula  148  being moved to the extended state, the hollow central channel  148   c  of the cannula  148  may be arranged in fluid flow communication with the reservoir  108  through the manifold  128  and the connection channel  152 . 
     Thus, according to some embodiments, in operation, a first member  102 , which may include, for example, a housing  104  having a receptacle  110  and an injection site section  105 , may be coupled together with a second member  103 , which may include, for example, a housing  108  having a reservoir  107 . The first member  102  may be coupled or otherwise operatively connected, by inserting a connection portion  130  of the second member  103  into a receptacle  110  of the first member  102 . Upon coupling the first member  102  and the second member  103 , fluid flow communication may be provided between the second member  103  and the injection site section  105  in the first member  102 . 
     In various embodiments, the needle-inserting device  144  may be coupled to the injection site section  105  of the housing  104  of the first member  102  or may be provided as part of a single, unitary structure (i.e., integral) with the injection site section  105  of the housing  104 . In some embodiments, the base  106  of the first member  102  may be secured to skin of a user-patient at a suitable injection location with, for example, but not limited to, adhesive material as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, entitled “Infusion Medium Delivery system, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,” and/or as described herein. Alternatively or in addition, the base  106  may be secured to the user-patient by one or more other suitable structures, including, but not limited to, straps, or the like. 
     Once the base  106  is suitably secured to the skin of the user-patient at a suitable injection location, the inserting device  144  may be actuated to move the needle  146  and the cannula  148  from a retracted state (e.g.,  FIG.  8   ) to an extended state. In the extended state, the needle  146  and/or the cannula  148  may pierce the skin of the user-patient adjacent the base  106 . The cannula  148  may be locked into its extended state by engagement of the cannula head  150  and the channel section  142 , as previously described. 
     With the cannula  148  locked in the extended state, the needle  146  may be retracted, for example, by automatic operation of the needle-inserting device  144  and/or by manual removal of the needle-inserting device  144  from the injection site section  105 . Once the needle  146  is removed, the cannula  148  may be held in place by the injection site section  105  with a portion of the cannula  148  extending into the user-patient. As such, the cannula  148  may be connected in fluid-flow communication with the needle  124 . Accordingly, by connecting the first member  102  and the second member  103 , as described above, then a fluid-flow connection may be provided from the reservoir  107  to the cannula  148  through the needle  124  and the manifold  128 . 
     A connection sequence (e.g., the sequence of connecting the needle-inserting device  144  to the injection site section  105  of the housing  104 , connecting the receptacle  110  of the housing  104  to the connection portion  130  of the housing  108  having the reservoir  107 , and connecting the base  106  of the first member  102  to the skin of the user-patient) for connecting various components may be different for different embodiments. In some embodiments, the user-patient may be provided with a first member  102  having a base  106 , a housing  104 , and an injection site section  105  in a pre-connected state with the needle-inserting device  144 . In this manner, a user-patient need not have to connect the needle-inserting device  144  to the housing  104  as those parts are supplied to the user in a pre-connected state, for example, from a manufacturing or assembly facility. In such embodiments, the base  106  of the first member  102  may be secured to skin of the user-patient at a suitable injection location. After securing the base  106  to the skin of the user-patient, the needle-inserting device  144  may be activated to cause the needle  146  and the cannula  148  to be moved to the extended state and pierce the skin of the user-patient. 
     After activation of the needle-inserting device  144 , the needle-inserting device  144  may be removed from the injection site section  105 , thus leaving the cannula  148  in place within the injection site section  105  and partially extended into the user-patient. With the base  106  of the first member  102  secured to the skin of the user-patient and the cannula  148  inserted at least partially into the user-patient and arranged in fluid-flow communication with the needle  124 , the second member  103  may be connected to the first member  102 . In particular, the connection portion  130  of the housing  108  of the second member  103  may be inserted into the receptacle  110  of the housing  104  of the first member  102  to provide a fluid-flow connection between the interior of the housing  108  and the needle  124  and, thus, the cannula  148 . Accordingly, the housing  108 , which may include the reservoir  107 , for example, may be coupled in fluid-flow communication with the cannula  148  that has been extended into the user-patient for delivering fluid from the reservoir  107  to the user-patient. In other embodiments, such a connection may be for conveying fluid from the user-patient to the reservoir  107 . 
     While the connection sequence in some of the above embodiments involve securing the base  106  of the first member  102  to the user-patient prior to connection of the second member  103  to the first member  102 , in other embodiments, the second member  103  may be connected to the first member  102 , as described above, prior to securing the base  106  of the first member  102  onto the skin of the user-patient. In such embodiments, the first member  102  and the second member  103  may be connected together and, thereafter, may be secured to the user-patient, for example, by adhering one or both of the first member  102  and the second member  103  to the skin of the user-patient. In addition, while the connection sequence in the above embodiments involve activating the needle-inserting device  144  prior to the connection of the second member  103  to the first member  102 , in other embodiments, the second member  103  may be connected to the first member  102 , as described above, prior to activating the needle-inserting device  144 . 
     In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the receptacle  110  may be in the first member  102  and the connection portion  130  may be in the second member  103 . In other embodiments, the receptacle  110  may be in the second member  103 , for example, in or associated with a housing for a reservoir and the connection portion  130  may be in the first member  102 , for example, in or associated with a housing containing an injection site structure. 
     In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the receptacle  110  may be arranged to allow the connection portion  130  of the second member  103  to be inserted in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of an upper-facing (in the orientation of  FIG.  7   ) surface of the base  106 . For example, in the orientation of  FIG.  7   , the direction of insertion is shown as a horizontal direction of relative motion between the first member  102  and the second member  103 . 
     Again referring to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , in other embodiments, the receptacle  110  may be arranged in other suitable orientations, including, but not limited to, an orientation allowing an insertion direction (i.e., relative motion of the first member  102  and the second member  103 ) to be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper-facing surface of the base  106 . In yet other embodiments, the receptacle  110  may be arranged to allow any other suitable insertion direction at a non-perpendicular angle transverse to the plane of the upper-facing surface of the base  106 . 
     An example arrangement shown in  FIGS.  13 - 16    provides an insertion direction (i.e., relative motion of the first member  102  and the second member  103 ) that may be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper-facing (in the orientation of  FIG.  8   ) surface of the base  106 . Components in  FIGS.  13 - 16    are identified by reference numbers that are the same as reference numbers used in  FIGS.  7 - 12    for components having similar structure and function. In  FIGS.  13  and  14   , the injection site section  105  in the housing  104  is shown in a state after a needle-inserting device has been operated to move a cannula  148  to the extended position. 
       FIGS.  15  and  16    show the base  106  of the first member  102  (of the embodiment of  FIGS.  13  and  14   ) with a needle-inserting device  144  attached to the housing  104 . The needle-inserting device  144  may include a housing  160  adapted to be securable to the base  106  in any suitable manner, such as, but not limited to the manners of connecting a needle-inserting device  144  to the injection site structure  105  discussed above with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS.  7 - 12   . Returning to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , the housing  160  may contain an internal chamber having a longitudinal dimension L and a moveable plunger  162  located within the housing  160  and moveable along the longitudinal dimension L from a retracted position (shown in solid lines in  FIG.  16   ) to an extended position (in which the plunger  162  is moved to a position E shown in broken lines in  FIG.  16   ). 
     A bias member  164 , such as, but not limited to, a coil spring arranged within the housing  160  may be configured to impart a bias force on the plunger  162  when the plunger  162  is in the retracted position to urge the plunger  162  toward the extended position E. A locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided such as, but not limited to, a manually moveable projection, lever, slider, or the like, connected to or extending through the housing  160  and engages the plunger  162  or other structure holding the plunger  162  in a releasable manner to selectively hold the plunger  162  in its retracted state against the bias force of the bias member  164  and to allow a user-patient to selectively release the plunger  162  to move in the longitudinal direction L under the force of the bias member  164 . 
     An insert structure  166  may be arranged within the housing  160  for movement in the longitudinal direction L by action of movement of the plunger  162 . The insert structure  166  may include, for example, a cup-shaped body  168 . The cup-shaped body  168  may be made of a material of suitable strength and durability such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, or the like. The cup-shaped body  168  may hold a first septum  116 . The septum  116  may be made of a material such as silicone, rubber, plastic, a resealable membrane, or the like. 
     A hollow cannula  148  may have one open end  148   a  and a sharp tip arranged adjacent the first septum  116  or at least partially within the first septum  116 . The hollow cannula  148  may extend through the cup-shaped body  168  and may have a second open end  148   b . The hollow cannula  148  may be fixed to the cup-shaped body  168  to move with movement of the cup-shaped body  168 . A needle  170  may be secured to the plunger  162  and may extend through the first septum  116  and cannula  148  when the plunger  162  is in the retracted position. 
     In operation, the user-patient (or medical practitioner) may secure the base  106  to skin of the user-patient, for example, as previously described. Once the base  106  is secured to the skin of the user-patient, the user-patient (or medical practitioner) may activate the needle-inserting device  144  to cause the plunger  162  to move from the retracted position to the extended position E and, as a result of such movement, to cause the insert structure  166  to be moved into an opening into the interior of the housing  104 . Upon movement of the insert structure  166  into the housing  104 , the insert structure  166  may connect to the housing  104  by any suitable connection structure. 
     As discussed above, in particular embodiments, one or the other of the cup-shaped body  168  of the insert structure  166  and the housing  104  may include one or more flexible pawls, protrusions, indentations, or the like, for engaging and receiving one or more corresponding pawls, protrusions, indentations, or the like, on the other of the housing  104  and the insert structure  166  to provide a suitable connection structure. Alternatively or in addition, the connection structure may include adhesive material or other suitable connectors. 
     In particular embodiments, the housing  160  of the needle-inserting device  144  may automatically release from the base  106  upon movement of the plunger  162  and the insert structure  166  from the retracted position to the extended position E. For example, the housing  160  of the needle-inserting device  144  may be made of a material that has sufficient rigidity to operate as described herein, but also has a suitable flexibility (at least at the portion of the device  144  that connects to the housing  104 ) to bend away from and release from the housing  104  upon movement of the insert structure  166  to the extended position E. 
     In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIG.  16   , a portion  172  of the internal surface of the housing  160  may include a ramped, wedge-shaped, or angled (relative to an axial direction of the housing  144 , cannula  148 , and needle  170 ) cross-sectional shape that engages an outer peripheral surface of the insert structure  166  and/or the plunger  162  as the insert structure  166  and plunger  162  are moved toward the extended position E. By engaging the angled, ramped, or wedge-shaped portion  172  of the internal surface of the housing  160 , the plunger  162  and/or the insert structure  166  may cause the wall(s) of the housing  160  to flex outward as the plunger  162  and/or insert structure  166  are moved into the extended position. One or more slots, grooves, or the like  174  may be formed in the housing  166  to enhance the ability of the wall(s) of the housing  160  to flex outward. One or more protrusions  176  and/or indentations may be provided on one or the other of the interior surface of the housing  166  and the exterior surface of the housing  104  for engaging one or more corresponding indentations  178  and/or protrusions in the other of the housing  104  and housing  166  when the plunger  162  and insert structure  166  are in the retracted state shown in  FIG.  16   . 
     The one or more protrusions  176  and the one or more indentations  178 , when engaged, may lock the housing  160  of the needle-inserting device  144  to the housing  104 . The one or more protrusions  176  and/or indentations  178  may disengage from each other when the wall(s) of the housing  160  are flexed outward by the movement of the plunger  162  and the insert structure  166  to the extended position E. As a result, the housing  160  of the needle-inserting device  144  may be automatically disengaged and released from the housing  104  upon movement of the plunger  162  and insert structure  166  to the extended position E. 
     After movement of the plunger  162  and insert structure  166  from the retracted position (shown in  FIG.  16   ) to the extended position E at which the insert structure  166  may be locked into the housing  104 , while the housing  160  of the needle-inserting device  144  is released from the housing  104 , the bias member  164  (or a second bias member (not shown)) may act on the needle  170  to move the needle  170  toward the retracted position and, thus, withdraw the needle  170  from the cannula  148 . For example, a return motion of the coil spring after moving from the retracted position to the extended position E may provide sufficient force to withdraw the needle  170  from the cannula  148 . 
     Once the insert structure  166  has been locked into place within the housing  104  and the needle-inserting device  144  has been removed from the housing  104 , the cannula  148  may be connected in fluid-flow communication with a connection portion  130  of a second member such as, but not limited to, a reservoir, in a manner similar to the manner in which the first member  102  and the second member  103  are connectable in the embodiments of  FIGS.  7 - 12   . More specifically, the housing  104  may form a receptacle (similar to the receptacle  110  described above for  FIGS.  7 - 12   ) and may contain the first septum  116 . 
     Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS.  7 - 12   , the connection portion  130  may also include a second septum  136 . In particular, the connection portion  130  may be inserted into the receptacle formed by the housing  104  to connect the interior of the reservoir in fluid-flow communication with the cannula  148 . The cannula  148  in  FIG.  13    may include a sharp end  148   a  adjacent the first septum  116 . As the connection portion  130  is inserted into the housing  104 , the connection portion may push the first septum  116  against the sharp end  148   a  of the cannula  148  to cause the sharp end  148   a  of the cannula  148  to pierce the first septum  116 . Further insertion motion of the connection portion  130  into the housing  104  may cause the sharp end  148   a  of the cannula  148  to pierce the second septum  136  in the connection portion  130  to form a flow path from or to the connection portion  130  through the cannula  148 . 
       FIGS.  17 - 20    illustrate an inserting system  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  21    illustrates a process for using the inserting system  200 . Although the inserting system  200  may be similar or used with the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 16   , it should be understood that the inserting system  200  may also include some or all of the same components and operate in a manner similar to that shown and described in the embodiments of  FIGS.  22 - 43   . In addition, some or all of the features shown in  FIGS.  1 - 16  and  22 - 43    may be combined in various ways and included in the embodiments and process shown in  FIGS.  17 - 21   . Likewise, it should be understood that any of the features of the embodiments and process of  FIGS.  17 - 21    may be combined or otherwise incorporated into any of the other embodiments and process of  FIGS.  17 - 21    as well as any other embodiment herein discussed. 
     The inserting system  200  may include a first member  202 , which may be similar to the first member  102  (e.g.,  FIGS.  7 - 12   ). The first member  202  may include a housing  204  on a base  206 . The housing  204  may be formed integral with the base  206  or may be formed as a separate structure connected to the base  206  in a fixed relation to the base  206 . The housing  204  and the base  206  each may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, ceramic, composite material, or the like. 
     The housing  204  may include an injection site section  205  containing an injection site structure in which a hollow needle or cannula may be inserted into a user-patient for conveying fluidic media to or from the user-patient. In other embodiments, instead of or in addition to an injection site, the housing  204  may contain, be part of, or be operatively connected to any other suitable structure for conveying, containing, and/or processing fluidic media. 
     The first member  202  may be operatively connectable to a second member (not shown), which may be similar to the second member  103  (e.g.,  FIGS.  7 - 12   ). As previously described with respect to  FIGS.  7 - 12   , the second member may also include a housing  108 , which in the illustrated embodiment may include a reservoir  107  for containing fluidic media. The second member may be held within or otherwise be covered by an outer housing  109  configured to attach to the base  106 . The outer housing  109  may be configured to connect to the base  206  ( FIGS.  17 - 20   ) of the first member  202  ( FIGS.  17 - 20   ) by any suitable connection structure. In some embodiments, upon coupling the first member  202  and the second member, fluid flow communication may be provided between the second member and the injection site section  205  in the first member  202 . 
     In particular embodiments, at least one of the outer housing  109  and the base  206  ( FIGS.  17 - 20   ) may include one or more flexible pawls, protrusions, indentations, or the like for engaging and/or receiving one or more corresponding pawls, protrusions, indentations, or the like on the other of the base  206  ( FIGS.  17 - 20   ) and the outer housing  109  to provide a suitable connection structure. Alternatively or in addition, the connection structure may include adhesive material or other suitable connectors. 
     Returning to  FIGS.  17 - 20   , the housing  204  may have or be connected to a receptacle structure  210  having a chamber  214 . The receptacle structure  210  may be similar to the receptacle structure  110  (e.g.,  FIGS.  7 - 12   ) previously described. In some embodiments, the receptacle structure  210  may be part of the housing  204  adjacent a section of the housing  204  containing the injection site section  205 . In other embodiments, the receptacle structure  210  may include a further housing connected to the housing  204 . 
     A fluid conduit  224 , such as, but not limited to, a needle or the like may be supported within the chamber  214 . The fluid conduit  224  may be supported by a supporting structure located within the receptacle structure  210 . In some embodiments, the supporting structure may be a wall integral with the receptacle structure  210 . In other embodiments, the supporting structure may be any suitable structure that is generally fixed relative to the receptacle structure  210  and is able to support the fluid conduit  224  in a generally fixed relation to the receptacle structure  210 . 
     The fluid conduit  224  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to metal, plastic, ceramic, or the like, and may have a hollow channel extending in a lengthwise dimension of the fluid conduit  224 . The hollow channel in the fluid conduit  224  may be open at a location (not shown) along the lengthwise dimension of the fluid conduit  224 , such as, but not limited to, a first end of the fluid conduit  224 . The hollow channel in the fluid conduit  224  may be open at another location  224   b  along the lengthwise dimension of the fluid conduit  224 , such as, but not limited to, a second end of the fluid conduit  224  opposite the first end of the fluid conduit  224 . One of the openings in the fluid conduit  224  may be provided with a septum  226  that may be pierceable by a needle (not shown), for example as previously described, when a reservoir is connected to the first member  202 . 
     The injection site section  205  may include a channel  240  extending through the housing  204  and the base  206 . The channel  240  may have an open end  240   a  on a bottom surface (relative to the orientation shown in  FIG.  18   ) of the base  206 . The channel  240  may have another open end  240   b  at an upper surface (relative to the orientation shown in  FIG.  18   ) of the injection site section  205  of the housing  204 . The channel  240  may include a channel section  242  having a larger radial dimension relative to a remaining portion of the channel  240  and may have a suitable shape and size to receive an insert structure, a needle, and/or a cannula, as will be described. 
     The insertion system  200  may include an insertion housing  280 . The insertion housing  280  may be made of a material of suitable strength and durability such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, or the like. The insertion housing  280  may be located adjacent the open end  240   b  of the channel  240  and arranged to selectively extend a needle and/or cannula of an insert structure into the open end  240   b  of the channel  240  and at least partially through the channel  240  as will be described. 
     The insertion housing  280  may be a separate device from the housing  204  and may be selectively engaged or connected to, for example in alignment with the channel  240 , and disengaged or disconnected from the injection site section  205  and/or the first member  202  or portion thereof. In some embodiments, the insertion housing  280  may be recommended for disposal after a specified number of uses. 
     In the drawing of  FIG.  18   , the insertion housing  280  is shown as connected to the injection site section  205 . With reference to  FIGS.  17 - 20   , a suitable connection structure may be provided on the insertion housing  280 , the injection site section  205 , and/or the first member  202  or portion(s) thereof to provide a manually releasable connection between those components. For example, the connection structure may include, but is not limited to, a threaded extension on one or the other of the insertion housing  280  and the injection site section  205  and a corresponding threaded receptacle on the other of the injection site section  205  and the insertion housing  280  for receiving the threaded extension in threaded engagement. In other embodiments, other suitable connection structures may be employed. These may include, but are not limited to, friction-fitted sections, flexible pawls or extensions on one or the other of the insertion housing  280  and the injection site section  205  (or the first member  202  or portion thereof) and a corresponding aperture, stop surface, or the like on the other of the injection site section  205  (or the first member  202  or portion thereof) and the insertion housing  280 . 
     In some embodiments, the insertion housing  280  may include one or more arm  281   a  having an end  281   b  and/or a locking surface  281   d  adapted to operatively engage with and disengage from the first member  202 , such as an aperture  205   a  and/or a retaining surface  205   b , respectively, of the insertion site section  205 , or the like. The arm  281   a  may be made of any suitably rigid material, such as plastic, glass, metal, composite material, ceramic, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the arm  281   a  may be made of similar material as the insertion housing  280 . In other embodiments, the arm  281   a  may be made of different material from the insertion housing  280 . 
     In some embodiments, the arm  281   a  may be integral with the insertion housing  280  and the arm  281   a  may be sufficiently flexible to operatively engage with and disengage from an engagement portion of the first member  202  as the arm  281   a  flexes toward and away from the first member  202 . In other embodiments, the arm  281   a  may be operatively connected with the insertion housing  280 . For example, the arm  281   a  may be adapted to pivot about a point  281   c  to allow the arm  281   a  to operatively engage with and disengage from the first member  202  as the arm  281  pivots toward and away from the engagement portion of the first member  202 . The engagement portion may be, but is not limited to, an aperture, a ridge, an undersurface (or upper surface), a protrusion, a tab, an arm, a bias member, or any other suitable structure or mechanism arrangeable to allow the arm  281  to engage and/or disengage. 
     The insertion housing  280  may contain a main chamber  287  in alignment with the opening  240   b . The insertion housing  280  may have a longitudinal dimension and an insert structure  260  located within the insertion housing  280 . The insert structure  260  may be moveable along the longitudinal dimension in a direction L at least between a first position and a second position. The insert structure  260  may include a first part  262  and a second part  264  operatively connected to the first part  262  so that the first part  262  and the second part  262  may move together along the longitudinal dimension of the insertion housing  280 . The insert structure  260  may be biased toward or otherwise held in the first position until sufficient force is applied to the insert structure  260  to move or otherwise actuate the insert structure  260  to the second position. 
     Various examples of suitable structures for insert structures are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, entitled “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,” which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further examples of various insert structures are described in, but are not limited to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,972, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,052, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,000, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,” all of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other examples of suitable structures for insert structures are described herein. 
     The first part  262  of the insert structure  260  may include a plunger head  288  and a needle  246  supported by the plunger head  288 . The second part  264  of the insert structure  260  may include a collar  268  and a cannula  248  supported by the collar  268 . The plunger head  288  may be connected to the collar  268 . The first part  262  and the second part  264  may be configured to be removably attachable from each other, for example, in a friction fit engagement, snap fit engagement, or the like. For example, one of the plunger head  288  and the collar  268  may include protrusions or the like and the other of the plunger head  288  and the collar  268  may include apertures for receiving the protrusions. 
     The cannula  248  may extend at least partially through the collar  268 . The cannula  248  may be fixed to the collar  268  to move with movement of the insert structure  260 . The cannula  248  may have a hollow central channel  248   c  extending along a longitudinal length of the cannula  248  and open at one end  248   a  that may be adjacent a sharp end  246   a  of the needle  246  disposed within the cannula  248  as will be discussed. An end  248   b  of the cannula  248  opposite the open end  248   a  may have a head  249  having a larger radial dimension than a shaft portion  248   d  of the cannula  248 . 
     A septum  266  may be supported or otherwise retained by the collar  268 . The septum  266  may be a resealable member made of silicone, plastic, rubber, or the like. The septum  266  may be arranged between the plunger head  288  and the collar  268 . The septum  266  may be pierceable by the needle  246 . 
     The needle  246  may be arranged to extend through at least a portion of the cannula  248 . The needle  246  may be supported by, secured, or operatively connected to the plunger head  288  to move with movement of the insert structure  260 . Thus, in some embodiments, the plunger head  288  and the needle  246 , which may be both part of the first part  262  of the insert structure  260 , and the collar  268  and the cannula  248 , which may be both part of the second part  264  of the insert structure  260 , may be moveable at least between a first position and a second position. 
     In the second position, the needle  246  and the cannula  248  may extend through the opening  240   b  of the channel  240  and at least partially through the channel  240 . As such, the sharp end  246   a  of the needle  246  and at least a portion of the length of the cannula  248  may extend out the opening  240   a  of the channel  240 , for example, into skin of a user-patient. 
     The collar  268  of the insert structure  260  may have a suitable shape and size to fit into the channel section  242  of the channel  240  when the insert structure  260  is moved to the second position, for example, by an actuation device, as will be discussed later. In particular embodiments, the collar  268  may include one or more protrusions  267  and/or indentations that engage with one or more corresponding indentations, such as the aperture  205   a , and/or protrusions in the injection site section  205  to provide a friction fit, snap fit, or the like, to lock or retain the second part  264  within the injection site section  205  upon the insert structure  260  being moved to the second position. 
     In further embodiments, instead of or in addition to engaging protrusions and indentations, one or more other mechanical structures may be employed to provide a suitable retaining function for retaining the second part  264  in place within the injection site section  205  upon the insert structure  260  being moved to the second position, for example, by an actuation device, including, but not limited to, a friction fit structure, snap fit structure, or the like. 
     In various embodiments, the arm  281   a  of the insertion housing  280  may be actuated to disengage the insertion housing  280  automatically from the first member  202  upon the insert structure  260  being moved to the second position. For example, the arm  281   a  may be adapted to flex or pivot away from the insertion housing  280  to disengage the first member  202  when the insert structure  260  is moved to the second position. In moving to the second position, one of the protrusions  267  may push against the end  281   b  of the arm  281   a  located in the aperture  205   a . This may displace the end  281   b  of the arm  281  and release the arm  281   a  and/or the locking surface  281   d  from the retaining surface  205   b  from the first member  202 . Accordingly, in such embodiments, the insertion housing  280  may be removed. In some embodiments, removal of the insertion housing  280  may also remove the first part  262  that may include the needle  246  and the plunger  288 , while leaving the second part  264  that may include the cannula  248  and the collar  268  engaged to the injection site section  205 . 
     The collar  268  may have a connection channel  269  provided in fluid flow communication with an opening (not shown) in the cannula  248  in fluid flow communication with the hollow central channel  248   c  of the cannula  248 . Accordingly, the connection channel  269  may be in fluid flow communication with the hollow central channel  248   c  of the cannula  248 . The connection channel  269  may be provided along the collar  268  at a location at which the connection channel  269  may align with the fluid conduit  224  when the insert structure  260  has been moved to the second position. Thus in some embodiments, in a case where the first member  202  and the second member are brought together (e.g.,  FIG.  9   ) and the insert structure  260  is in the second position, a fluid flow path may be established between the reservoir in the second member and the cannula  248  via the fluid conduit  224  and the connection channel  269 . 
     In some embodiments, the insertion housing  280  may include an inner housing portion  284  concentrically arranged within an outer housing portion  281 . The inner housing portion  284  may have an inner chamber  285  in alignment with the chamber  287  in which the insert structure  260  may be arranged for movement. A lip portion  284   a  or the like extending from the inner housing portion  284  may be for containing the insert structure  260  in the inner chamber  285 . For example, the insert structure  260  may be in contact with or otherwise adjacent the lip portion  284   a  when the insert structure  260  is in the first position. 
     The outer housing  281  may have an outer chamber  282  between the outer housing  281  and the inner housing portion  284 . The outer chamber  282  may be for receiving at least a portion of an actuation device for actuating the plunger head  288  as will be described. In various embodiments, the inner housing portion  284  may be integral with the outer housing portion  281 . In other embodiments, the inner housing portion  284  may be separate and connected with the outer housing portion  281 . 
     As previously discussed, in various embodiments, the insert structure  260  (i.e., the plunger head  288 , the needle  246 , the collar  268 , and the cannula  248 ) may be actuated to move to the second position by an actuation device  290 . The actuation device  290  may include a housing  291  securable to the insertion housing  280 . A suitable connection structure may be provided on the actuation device  290  and/or the insertion housing  280  to provide a manually releasable connection between those components. In some embodiments, the connection structure may include, but is not limited to, a threaded extension on one or the other of the actuation device  290  and the insertion housing  280  and a corresponding threaded receptacle on the other of the insertion housing  280  and the actuation device  290  for receiving the threaded extension in threaded engagement. 
     For example, an end  272  of a distal portion  270  of the actuation device  290  may be adapted to be insertable into the insertion housing  280 , for example, within the outer chamber  282 . The distal portion  270  may have a threaded portion  276  for threaded engagement of a threaded portion  282   a  within the insertion housing  280 . The end  272  may be insertable into the outer chamber  282  of the insertion housing  280 , for example, until a surface  271  of the actuation device  290  abuts a lip portion  283  of the insertion housing  280  and/or the end  272  contacts a floor  284   b  of the insertion housing  280 . 
     In other embodiments, other suitable connection structures may be employed. Such a connection structure may include, but is not limited to, friction-fitted sections of the insertion housing  280  and the actuation device  290 , flexible pawls or extensions on one or the other of the actuation device  290  and the insertion housing  280  and a corresponding aperture, stop surface, or the like on the other of the insertion housing  280  and the actuation device  290 . 
     The housing  291  may contain an internal chamber  292  having a longitudinal dimension and a member  298  arranged within the housing  291 . The member  298  may be moveable in the direction L at least between a first position (e.g.,  FIG.  19   ) and a second position. The housing  291  may include a drive mechanism for actuating the member  298 . The drive mechanism may be a bias member  293 , such as, but not limited to, a coil spring, or the like, arranged within the internal chamber  292  of the housing  291 . The bias member  293  may be configured to impart a bias force on the member  298  when the member  298  is in the first position to urge the member  298  toward the second position. 
     In some embodiments, an activation structure, such as a trigger, button, or the like, may be provided to control the actuation device  290 . In further embodiments, a first trigger  294  may be configured to arm or prepare the actuation device  290  for firing or otherwise moving the member  298  to move the insert structure  260 . For example, the first trigger  294  may be pressed to retract the member  298  to the first position. As such, the first trigger  294  may be adapted to selectively arm the member  298  and/or the bias member  293  into the first position (i.e., the retracted position). 
     A second trigger  297  or the like may be configured to selectively release the member  298  and/or the bias member  293  to allow the member  298  to move in the direction L under the force of the bias member  293  to the second position. In other embodiments, the first trigger  294  may be configured to selectively release the member  298  and/or the bias member  293  to allow the member  298  to move in the direction L under the force of the bias member  293  to the second position upon being operated after the actuation device  290  has been armed. For example, pressing the first trigger  294  a first time may retract the member  298  to the first position, and pressing the first trigger  294  a second time may release or otherwise allow the member  298  to advance to the second position. Other examples of insertion structures are described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 2007/0142776, entitled “Insertion Device for an Insertion Set and Method of Using the Same,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In yet further embodiments, a first locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided such as, but not limited to, a manually moveable projection, lever, slider, or the like. The first locking mechanism may be connected to or extending through the housing  291  and engaging the member  298  (or other structure holding the member  298 ) in a releasable manner to selectively hold the member  298  in the retracted position, for example after the first trigger  294  has been operated, against the bias force of the bias member  293 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuation device  290  may be configured to allow the member  298  to be moved from the second position at least toward the first position automatically or upon manipulation by the user, for example, to a third position or a neutral position (e.g., position of the member before being moved to the first position when the actuation device is armed). That is, after the member  298  has been moved to the second position (e.g., an extended position), the member  298  may be moved to a third position automatically or upon manipulation of the actuation device  290  by the user-patient. The third position may be any suitable position at which the needle  246  is sufficiently withdrawn, for example, from the skin of the patient, as will be discussed, such as, but not limited to, the first position, a position between the first and second positions, or the like. 
     For example in some embodiments, the housing  291  may include a second chamber  295 . The second chamber  295  may be concentrically arranged relative to the internal chamber  292 , for example around the internal chamber  292 . A drive mechanism may be arranged within the second chamber  295  of the housing  291  to move the member  298 . The drive mechanism may be a second bias member  296 , such as, but not limited to, a coil spring, or the like, arranged to impart a bias force on the member  298  when the member  298  is in the second position to urge the member  298  toward third position. Thus, in some embodiments, the member  298  can be moved to the first position (e.g., by pressing the first trigger  294 ), moved to the second position (e.g., by pressing the second trigger  297 ), and then automatically moved to a third position. 
     In some embodiments, an activation structure, such as a trigger (e.g., first trigger  294 , second trigger  297 , or a third trigger (not shown)), button or the like, may be provided to control movement of the member from the second position to the third position. Thus, in some embodiments, the member  298  can be moved to the first position (e.g., by pressing the first trigger  294 ), moved to the second position (e.g., by pressing the second trigger  297 ), and then further moved to a third position (e.g., by pressing the first trigger  294 , the second trigger  297 , or the like). 
     In yet further embodiments, a second locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided such as, but not limited to, a manually moveable projection, lever, slider, or the like. The second locking mechanism may be connected to or extending through the housing  291  and engaging the member  298  (or other structure holding the member  298 ) in a releasable manner to selectively hold the member  298  in the second position, for example after the second trigger  297  has been operated, against the bias force of the second bias member  296 . 
     In various embodiments, the member  298  may be adapted to operatively engage the plunger head  288 , for example, when the actuation device  290  is connected to the insertion housing  280 . The member  298  or a portion thereof may be made of a sufficiently rigid material, but having a certain amount of flexibility. A protrusion, extension, arm, or the like may be provided on one or the other of the member  298  and the plunger  288  and a corresponding aperture, protrusion, extension, arm or the like on the other of the plunger  288  and the member  298  for engaging each other. For example, in particular embodiments, the member  298  may have one or more arms  299  for engaging a head portion  289  of the plunger head  288  upon the actuation device  290  being connected to the insertion housing  280 . 
     Thus in some embodiments, in a case where the member  298  is operatively engaged with the plunger head  288  and the member  298  is actuated, the insert structure  260 , which may include the plunger head  288 , the needle  246 , the collar  268 , and the cannula  248 , may be moved to the second position. Similarly as previously described, the member  298  can be further actuated to move the first part  262  of the insert structure  260 , which may include the plunger head  288  and the needle  246 , away from the first position (e.g., to (or toward) the first position and/or the third position). Thus, the second part  464  of the insert structure  260 , which may include the collar  268  and the cannula  248 , may remain in the second position to allow fluid to flow from the reservoir though the fluid conduit  224  and the connection channel  269  to the cannula  248  into the user-patient as previously described. 
     In various embodiments, the actuation device  290  may be configured for improved handling of the actuation device  290  by the user-patient. For example, the actuation device  290  may include a handling portion  255 , grips, textured surfaces, or the like that may aid in handling of the actuation device  290 . 
       FIG.  21    illustrates a flowchart describing use of the system  200  (e.g.,  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIGS.  17 - 21   , the system  200  may be operated according to process  1000 . In step S 1010 , the base  206  of the first member  202  may be secured to skin of a user-patient at a suitable injection location with, for example, but not limited to, adhesive material, or the like. Examples for securing the first member to the skin of the user-patient are described herein and can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, entitled “Infusion Medium Delivery system, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/027,963, filed Feb. 7, 2008, entitled “Adhesive Patch Systems and Methods,” all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Alternatively or in addition, the base  206  may be secured to the user-patient by one or more other suitable structures, including, but not limited to, straps, or the like. 
     Once the base  206  is suitably secured the user-patient at a suitable injection location, in step S 1020 , the insertion housing  280  may be affixed to the inject site section  205 . Then, in step S 1030 , the actuation device  290  may be connected to the insertion housing  280  to operatively engage the member  298  with the plunger  288 . Then in step S 1040 , the actuation device  290  may be actuated, for example by actuating one or more of the first trigger  294  and the second trigger  297 , to move the member  298  to the second position. 
     In step S 1042 , the member  298  may move the insert structure  260 , which may include the plunger  288 , the needle  246 , the collar  268 , and the cannula  248 , to the second position. As a result, in step S 1044 , the needle  246  may pierce the skin of the user-patient allowing a portion of the cannula  248  to enter the user-patient. In step S 1046 , the insert structure  260  may engage the inject site section  205  to retain the cannula  248  within the user-patient. The cannula  248  and collar  268  may be retained in the second position by engagement of, for example, the collar  268  and the injection site section  205 , as previously described. As the insert structure  260  engages the inject site section  205 , in step S 1048 , the insert structure  260  may cause the insertion housing  280  to disengage from the first member  202 . 
     Next in step S 1050 , with the cannula  248  and the body  268  locked in the second position, the actuation device  290  may be further actuated, for example automatically or by operating one of the triggers, to cause movement of the member  298  to the third position. In step S 1052 , the member  298  may cause the first part  262  of the insert structure  260 , which may include the plunger head  288  and the needle  246 , to move away from the second part  264  of the insert structure  260  (e.g., toward the first position). The second part  262  of the insert structure  260  may remain in the inject site section  205  and the cannula  248  within the user-patient. In step S 1060 , the second member may be attached to the first member  202  to provide a fluid flow path from the reservoir of the second member to the user-patient via the fluid conduit  224 , the connection channel  269  in the collar  268  of the insert structure  260 , and the cannula  248 . In other embodiments, such a flow path may be for conveying fluid from the user-patient to the reservoir. 
     A connection sequence (e.g., the sequence of connecting the actuation device  290  to the injection site section  205 , connecting the first member  202  to the second member, attaching the base  206  of the first member  202  to the skin of the user-patient, etc.) for connecting various components may be different for different embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the user-patient may be provided with a first member  202  having a base  206 , a housing  204 , and an injection site section  205  in a pre-connected state with the actuation device  290 . In this manner, the user-patient need not have to connect the actuation device  290  to the housing  204  as those parts are supplied to the user in a pre-connected state, for example, from a manufacturing or assembly facility. In such embodiments, the base  206  of the first member  202  may be secured to skin of the user-patient at a suitable injection location. After securing the base  206  to the skin of the user-patient, the actuation device  290  may be activated to cause the insert structure  260  to move to the second position so that the needle  246  can pierce the skin of the user-patient. 
     While the connection sequence in some of the above embodiments involve securing the base  206  of the first member  202  to the user-patient prior to connection of the second member to the first member  202 , in other embodiments, the second member may be connected to the first member  202 , as described above, prior to securing the base  206  of the first member  202  onto the skin of the user-patient. In such embodiments, the first member  202  and the second member may be connected together and, thereafter, may be secured to the user-patient, for example, by adhering one or both of the first member  202  and the second member to the skin of the user-patient. In addition, while the connection sequence in the above embodiments involve activating the actuation device  290  prior to the connection of the second member to the first member  202 , in other embodiments, the second member may be connected to the first member  202 , as described above, prior to activating the actuation device  290 . 
     In some embodiments, the receptacle  210  may be in the first member  202  and a connection portion may be in the second member. In other embodiments, the receptacle  210  may be in the second member, for example, in or associated with a housing for a reservoir, and the connection portion may be in the first member  202 , for example, in or associated with a housing containing an injection site structure. 
     Returning to  FIGS.  17 - 20   , in some embodiments, the system  200  may be configured to detect that the cannula  248  is properly positioned, for example, in the extended position or other desired position after operation by the actuation device  290 . 
     In some embodiments, the insertion housing  280  may be provided with a first interactive element  265 . The injection site section  205  or other portion of the first member  202  (e.g., the base  206 ) may be provided with a second interactive element  207 . The first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may be configured to interact with each other in a detectable manner when in sufficiently close proximity to each other. As detailed in the disclosure, interaction between the various elements, such as (but not limited to) between the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207 , may include (but is not limited to) engaging of the elements, contact between the elements, application of a force (e.g., pressure) of one element on the other element, application of energy (e.g., electrical charge, magnetic charge, heat, etc.), and/or any suitable exchange between the elements that is detectable. In other embodiments, the insertion housing  280  may be provided with the second interactive element  207  and the injection site section  205  may be provided with the first interactive element  265 . However, it should be noted that one or both of the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may be provided in any suitable component and/or along any suitable location of the system  200 . For example, the first interactive element  265  could be arranged in the actuation device  290 . As another example, the second interactive element  207  could be arranged on the base  206  or component connected to the base  206 . As a further example, both the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  could be arranged in the insertion housing  280 . 
     The first interactive element  265  may be arranged in a fixed relation to the insertion housing  280 , for example, by attaching, forming, or otherwise supporting the first interactive element  265  to a suitable location on a wall or on other structure of or in the insertion housing  280 . In some embodiments, the first interactive element  265  may be provided on the collar  268  or other portion of the insertion housing  280  movable by the actuation device  290 . The second interactive element  207  may be arranged in a fixed relation to the second member  202 , for example, by attaching, forming, or otherwise supporting the second interactive element  207  to a suitable location on a wall or on other structure of or in the second member  202 . 
     In some embodiments, the second interactive element  207  may be arranged on the second member  202  to be relative to the first interactive element  265  on the insertion housing  280  in a case where the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  are connected or otherwise operatively engaged and the cannula  248  is properly positioned. Accordingly, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  are properly positioned (i.e., at expected locations) relative to each other. As such, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207 , for example, may interact with each other in a case where the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  are connected or otherwise operatively engaged and the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  are properly positioned relative to each other. 
     An interaction between the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  (or between any other interactive element discussed in the disclosure) may occur in a case where the cannula  248  is positioned at a predefined position. The predefined position of the cannula  248 , for example, may correspond to an extended position (e.g., the extended position E of  FIG.  16   ) of the cannula  248 , for example, after being moved or otherwise actuated by the actuation device  290 . Once the cannula  248  is the extended position, the cannula  248  may be connected in fluid-flow communication with the reservoir of the second member  202  via the fluid conduit  224  and the connection channel  269 . In some embodiments, the predefined positioned of the cannula  248  may be with respect to alignment in one or more dimensions (e.g., along the X-, Y-, and/or Z-axis). 
     In various embodiments, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may be similar types of devices. For instance, in some embodiments, the first interactive element  265  may be configured to interact with second interactive elements (e.g., the second interactive element  207 ) and/or the second interactive element  207  may be configured to interact with first interactive elements (e.g., the first interactive element  265 ). 
     In some embodiments, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may be dissimilar types of mechanisms. For example, the first interactive element  265  may be a ferrous conduit and the second interactive element  207  may be a magnet. 
     In some embodiments, suitable electronics may be connected to the first interactive element  265  and/or second interactive element  207  to provide a controlled power signal to selectively activate or otherwise control one or more of the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  and/or other components as described throughout the disclosure. 
     In various embodiments, some or all of the interactive elements (e.g., the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 ) may be integrated with the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  and/or be separate components placed in or on the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202 . For example, the interactive elements may be placed in or on the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  in a friction-fitting manner, during a molding a process, and/or the like. In some embodiments, one or more of the interactive elements may be insert mold labeled on its respective part. In some embodiments, a film cover may be provided for supporting one or more of the interactive elements. 
     In various embodiments, some or all of the interactive elements may have an exposed surface. The exposed surface of the interactive elements may be for allowing increased interactivity between each of the interactive elements. In other embodiments, some or all of the interactive elements may be covered, for example (but not limited to) being disposed completely within the insertion housing  280  and/or the second member  202 . Such embodiments may allow for protecting the interactive elements from damage, debris collection, mitigating interference with other components (e.g., other interactive elements, electronics in the system  200 , and/or the like), and/or the like. 
     Throughout various embodiments, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may be configured to interact such as, but not limited to, when the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  align in one dimension or more than one dimension, are sufficiently proximate to each other, contact each other, an electrical or magnetic connection is established between the components, and/or the like. Any one or combination of these events may occur, for example, in a case where the cannula  248  is positioned in a predetermined manner otherwise within an operating threshold (e.g., in the extended position). 
     In other embodiments, the first interactive element  265  may be arranged on the insertion housing  280  at a location to interact electronically (or magnetically) with the second interactive element  207  in a case where the cannula  248  is extended and the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  are in relative close proximity to each other, such as, but not limited to, in contact with each other. In some embodiments, suitable electronics may be connected to at least one of the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  to provide a controlled power signal to selectively activate or otherwise control the first interactive element  265  and/or the second interactive element  207 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more additional first interactive elements and/or one or more additional second interactive elements may be provided on the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  respectively, for example, to provide a more reliable detection of the cannula  248 . For instance, a pair of second interactive elements  207  may be arranged to face each other to detect a single first interactive element  265 . As another example, a pair of second interactive elements  207  may be arranged to interact with a respective first interactive element  265 . In other embodiments, the one or more additional first interactive elements and/or the one or more additional second interactive elements may be arranged on different components than those in which the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  are provided, respectively. Examples of such arrangements are disclosed in (but are not limited to) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/649,619, filed Dec. 29, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Thus in various embodiments, as part of a process of placing a medical delivery device in fluid communication with a user, the user may place a base  206  of the medical delivery device adjacent skin of the user, attach a insertion housing  280  to the base  206 , attach an actuation device  290  to the insertion housing  280 , and actuate the actuation device  290  to extend a cannula  248  to an extended position to put the user in fluid-flow communication with a reservoir of the medical delivery device. Accordingly, a first interactive element  265  and a second interactive element  207  may interact with each other to determine, for example, whether the  248  is properly positioned. 
     In some embodiments, the interactive elements (e.g., the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 ) may be configured to help a user-patient properly position the cannula  248  or otherwise ensure that the cannula  248  is properly positioned. For example, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may be arranged at one or more appropriate locations on the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  (or other suitable components) to allow an indicator or indicator device  420  (e.g.,  FIG.  44   ) associated with the system  100  to provide an indication when the cannula  248  is properly positioned. 
     In some embodiments, a conductive medium  207   a  may be at a position adjacent one of the interactive elements, for example the second interactive element  207 , or otherwise in communication with the interactive elements to allow the conductive medium  207   a  to function as a conductor for the interactive element. In such embodiments, the interactive element may interact with the conductive medium  207   a  to allow the conductive medium  207   a  to be have similar characteristics or properties, though not necessarily exactly the same characteristics or properties, as the interactive element. For example, a magnetic second interactive element  207  may provide a magnetic charge to a magnetic conductive medium  207   a . The conductive medium  207   a  may be made of a material, such as, but not limited to, an electrically conductive material (e.g., metal, graphite, salt solutions, plasma, and/or the like), a magnetically attractive material (e.g., metal), and/or the like. In some embodiments, the conductive medium  207   a  may be a sufficiently high thermally conductive material (e.g., metal, or any other material with a thermal conductivity, for example (but not limited to), above 1), and/or the like. 
     In further embodiments, the conductive medium  207   a  may be arranged on its respective part (e.g., the second member  202 ) to allow the interactive element (e.g., the second interactive element  207 ) to interact with the other interactive element (e.g., the first interactive element  265 ) on the opposing part (e.g., the insertion housing  280 ) via the conductive medium  207   a  in any of the manners described throughout the disclosure. For example, in particular embodiments, the first interactive element  265  may interact with the conductive medium  207   a  in a case where the cannula  248  is positioned properly. Accordingly, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may interact with each other via the conductive medium  207   a . Thus, some embodiments may allow the first interactive element  265  to interact with the conductive medium  207   a  in addition to or alternative to the second interactive element  207 . For example, a magnetic second interactive element  207  may magnetize a magnetically attractive conductive medium  207   a , which may then interact with the first interactive element  265 . 
     In some embodiments, the conductive medium  207   a  may be arranged at a position adjacent the other interactive element (e.g., the first interactive element  265 ) or otherwise in communication with the other interactive element to allow the conductive medium  207   a  to function as a conductor for the other interactive element. In further embodiments, the conductive medium  207   a  may be arranged on its respective part to allow the other interactive element to interact with the interactive element (e.g., the second interactive element  207 ) on the opposing part via the conductive medium  207   a  in any of the manners described throughout the disclosure. For example, in particular embodiments, the second interactive element  207  may interact with the conductive medium  207   a  in a case where the cannula  248  is properly positioned. Accordingly, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may interact with each other via the conductive medium  207   a . Thus, some embodiments may allow for second interactive element  207  to interact with the conductive medium  207   a  in addition to or alternative to the first interactive element  265 . For example, an electrical connection between the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may be established upon the second interactive element  207  contacting the conductive medium  207   a  (e.g., electrically conductive medium). 
     In some embodiments, the indicator  420  may be configured to provide an indication corresponding to a type of position of the cannula  248 , for example, that the position of the cannula  248  is within a most preferred range, an acceptable range (i.e., acceptable, but not most preferred), and/or the like. In some embodiments, the indicator may be configured to provide an indication corresponding to various stages of movement of the cannula  248 , for example, that the cannula  248  has not yet moved from the first position (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  18   ), the cannula  248  has moved from the first position, but has not reached the extended position, the cannula  248  is at the extended position, the cannula  248  has moved beyond the extended position, the cannula  248  is or is not moving, and/or the like. 
     In various embodiments, one or more of the interactive elements (e.g., the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 , and/or the like) may be a spring, finger, or other bias member for contacting one or more of the other interactive elements upon the cannula  248  being moved to the extended position. In such embodiments, the one or more of the interactive elements may be made of a suitably rigid material, such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic, glass, composite materials, rubber, and/or the like. Examples of such configurations are disclosed in (but are not limited to) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/649,619, filed Dec. 29, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In various embodiments, more than one interactive element (e.g., the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 , and/or the like) may be spaced apart from each other on one of the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202 . At least one of the more than one interactive element (e.g., second interactive element  207 ) or a portion thereof may be movable by a portion (e.g., first interactive element  265 , a finger, pusher, and/or the like) of the other of the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  upon the cannula  248  being moved to the extended position. Examples of such configurations are disclosed in (but are not limited to) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/649,619, filed Dec. 29, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In some embodiments, for example, the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  can be arranged on one of the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  to be spaced apart and movable relative to each other in a manner such as that previously described. In such embodiments, for instance, a portion of the other of the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202 , such as a tab, finger, and/or the like, may be arranged to urge the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  toward each other to allow the interactive elements to interact (e.g., contact) with each other. Thus in such embodiments, most or all of the interactive elements may be provided on one of the housing portions, for example in the injection site section  205  of the second member  202 , which may allow for reuse of the interactive elements. In other embodiments, the movable interactive element may be any suitable intermediary member configured to be movable relative to one or more of the interactive elements in a manner as described in the disclosure. Accordingly, movement of the intermediary member may allow for interaction (e.g., an electrical connection) between the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207 . 
     In other embodiments, the movable interactive element (or a portion thereof) may instead be a flexible layer, such as a film made of a suitably flexible material including, but not limited to, a Mylar and/or the like, that can be pushed upon by the portion of the opposing part to contact the other interactive element. In further embodiments, the flexible layer may be a conductive layer, such an electrically conductive medium (e.g., metal and/or the like), magnetically conductive medium (e.g., a ferrous conduit), thermally conductive medium, and/or the like. 
     In various embodiments, the interactive elements (e.g., the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 , and/or the like) may allow for, but is not limited to, tracking a number of times of use, a number of times a component has been connected to and/or disconnected from other components, verifying proper connection and/or alignment of components in a medication delivery system prior to each delivery step, checking, sensing, and/or measuring parameters, such as ambient parameters (e.g., ambient magnetic fields), operating parameters, and/or the like, alerting users to conditions, such as conditions outside operating parameters of the delivery system, and/or the like. 
     Various embodiments may employ different arrangements of interactive elements on its respective components. For instance, in embodiments in which one of the components is intended to be disposable (e.g., disposed of after one or a prescribed number of uses or period of use), some of the interactive elements may be provided on the disposable part, while other interactive elements may be provided on a durable part (i.e., not intended to be disposed). As a result, after a period of usage, the interactive element(s) on the disposable part that may have attracted and collected stray material can be disposed of with the disposable part. 
     On the other hand, the interactive element(s) on the durable part can be sufficiently clean and free (or be cleaned) of stray material for further usage. In such embodiments, arranging at least some of the interactive element(s) on the durable portion may provide certain advantages, such as, but not limited to, being more cost-effective, for example, by arranging interactive elements on respective parts based on cost; easier to manufacture and/or install, and/or the like. For example, electronics and circuitry (as discussed in the disclosure), such as, but not limited to, a sensor, a responsive device, and/or other circuitry or electronics, may be arranged on the durable part. 
     In yet other embodiments, arranging at least some of the interactive element(s) on the disposable portion may provide certain advantages, such as, but not limited to, maintenance, cost, and/or the like. For example, such embodiments may allow for the interactive element(s) that have worn down, been contaminated, or otherwise collected stray material to be disposed of with the disposable part. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may be a suitable sensor for sensing the other of the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 , or other element, such as the conductive medium  207   a  operatively connected to or otherwise associated with the other of the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207 . Accordingly, upon the sensor detecting the presence of the other of the first interactive element  265  and second interactive element  207 , the system may determine whether the cannula  248  has been properly positioned. Such embodiments may be used in addition to or alternatively of embodiments in which a first interactive element interacts with a second interactive elements, for example, as described in the disclosure. 
     In various embodiments, suitable electronics may be connected to the sensor and/or the other of the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  to provide a controlled power signal to selectively activate or otherwise control the sensor and/or the other of the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207 . For example, the sensor may be controlled to activate upon connecting to the actuation device  290 , a manual activation of a control button, switch, or other manual operator on one of the connectable components or on a remote-controller device (not shown) connected in wireless communication with the sensor through suitable control electronics. As another example, the sensor may be controlled to activate automatically after a certain action, such as activation of a button, and/or the like or after a certain amount of time. In some embodiments, the sensor may be controlled to activate upon activation or insertion of a particular component or device, such as, but not limited to, connecting to the actuation device  290 . 
     Examples of various needle insertion tools are described in the disclosure and also in, but are not limited to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,972, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,052, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,000, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,” all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Thus, in such examples, the sensor may be activated, for example, before or after, the cannula  248  is extended so that a determination can made whether the cannula  248  is properly positioned. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor may be activated upon interacting with the other of the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207 . In some embodiments, an activating element, such as an activating magnet and/or the like, may be provided on at least one of the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202 . The activating element may activate the sensor upon interacting with each other, for example by contacting each other as the cannula  248  is extended. In particular embodiments, the activating element may be one of the interactive elements. 
     The sensor may be any suitable detector configured to detect a detectable feature, such as an interactive element (e.g., the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 , and/or the like) or a presence of an interactive element, such as a magnetic field, electric field, and/or the like provided by the interactive element. In further embodiments, the sensor may be configured to and/or associated with electronics configured to produce an electronically detectable state or signal upon detecting the detectable feature. For example, the sensor may be a sensor pad and/or the like configured to sense, detect, and/or otherwise interact with an interactive element upon the interactive element being in sufficient proximity (e.g., in contact) with the sensor pad. In certain embodiments, the sensor may include a conventional activating switch or a conventional device capable of detecting a particular detectable feature such as an interactive element (e.g., the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 , and/or the like) or a presence of an interactive element, such as a magnetic field, electric field, and/or the like provided by the interactive element. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor may be configured to sense, detect, or measure a presence of the interactive element. For example, such embodiments may allow for the sensor to sense a presence (e.g., a magnetic field) of the interactive element rather than the element itself. In particular, the sensor may be configured to sense, detect, or measure, but is not limited to, magnetic fields; electric fields; temperature or heat; optical and/or visual features (e.g., barcodes, colors, grayscale, and/or the like); tactile features; audio features; radio frequencies (RF) or other radio signals; ultraviolet light, or other light; force; torque; resistances (e.g., coded resistance pattern); capacitances; inductances; ultrasonic signals, and/or the like; and/or the like provided by, emitted from, produced by, or otherwise present in an interactive element. 
     For example, the sensor may be configured to sense a magnetic field emitted by a magnetic first interactive element  265  to determine whether the cannula  248  is properly positioned. If the sensor fails to detect the magnetic field provided by the magnetic first interactive element  265 , then this may indicate that the cannula  248  is not properly positioned. On the contrary, if the sensor detects the magnetic field provided by the magnetic first interactive element  265 , then this may indicate that the cannula  248  is properly positioned (e.g., the cannula  248  is extended to a location within a certain tolerance). 
     In further embodiments, the sensor may be configured to measure a value or presence parameter, magnitudes, changes, gradients, polarities, vectors, field directions, and/or any other measurable parameter suitable for detecting and/or measuring a detectable feature. For example, the sensor may be configured to measure a gauss level of a magnetic field provided by the first interactive element  265 . 
     In various embodiments, the detectable feature (e.g., the first interactive element  265 ) may be selected, configured, and/or arranged to provide a particular detectability (i.e., a characteristic or trait capable of being detected) such that, for example, the interactive element and/or the presence of the interactive element may be sensed by the sensor only when the first cannula  248  is properly positioned. For instance, a magnetic first interactive element  265  may be selected to provide a magnetic field having a particular gauss level that may be detectable by the sensor only if the sensor is sufficiently located relative to the magnetic first interactive element  265 , which would occur, for example, if the cannula  248  is properly positioned. 
     Alternatively or in addition, the sensor may be selected, configured, and/or arranged to provide a sensitivity or otherwise control an amount sensed of the detectable feature by the sensor. Thus, for instance, the interactive element and/or the presence of the interactive element may be sensed by the sensor only when the cannula  248  is properly positioned; otherwise, the detectable feature would not be sufficiently proximate to the sensor to be detectable by the sensor. For instance, a sensor may be configured to sense, for example, a first interactive element  265  or field thereof only if sufficiently proximate to the magnetic first interactive element  265 . 
     Such embodiments may allow, for example, for a lesser tolerance in positioning the cannula  248 . Accordingly, such embodiments may be used in a case where positioning of the cannula  248  needs (but not limited to) more precision. In other embodiments, the sensor may have an increased sensitivity or the like. Such embodiments may allow, for example, for a greater tolerance in positioning the cannula  248 . 
     In some embodiments, the sensor or other associated circuitry may be configured such that a detection not meeting a certain range (e.g., below the range or above the range) or threshold may be ignored or otherwise determined to be unacceptable by the sensor (or other associated circuitry). Thus, in such embodiments, a case where the sensor does not detect the interactive element and/or the presence of the interactive element, the sensor (or other circuitry) may provide an indication that the cannula  248  is not properly positioned. 
     In yet further embodiments, the sensor and/or other associated electronics may be configured such that a detection not meeting a certain range or threshold (i.e., determined to be unacceptable) may provide an indication that the detection does not meet the certain range or threshold. For example, such an indication may indicate that the cannula  248  has been extended, but has not reached the proper depth or position. 
     In some embodiments, other interactive elements or structures may be provided to regulate the sensing and/or measuring ability of the sensor and/or the detectability and/or measurability of the detectable feature. For instance, a heat-emitting first interactive element  265  may be at least partially surrounded by a low thermally conductive material, such as plastic, rubber, wood, and/or the like. This may allow a heat-sensing sensor to sense the heat-emitting first interactive element  265  and/or a suitable presence thereof only when the cannula  248  is properly positioned, thus substantially preventing a false detection of heat that may be emitted, for example, laterally from the heat-emitting first interactive element  265 . 
     In various embodiments, one of the interactive elements may have a capacitance that is measurable. Another interactive element (or other component) may be configured to affect the capacitance of the one of the interactive elements, for example, by being brought in proximity or contact with the one of the interactive elements. The affected capacitance of the one of the interactive elements may be measured or otherwise detected by the sensor to indicate a change in state, for example, when the cannula  248  is properly positioned. 
     In various embodiments, one of the interactive elements may have an inductance that is measurable. Another interactive element (or other component) may be configured to affect the inductance of the one of the interactive elements, for example, by being brought in proximity or contact with the one of the interactive elements. The affected inductance of the one of the interactive elements may be measured or otherwise detected by the sensor to indicate a change in state, for example, when the cannula  248  is properly positioned. 
     In some embodiments, one or more additional sensors interactive elements may be provided on the insertion housing  280  and the second member  202  respectively, for example, to provide a more reliable detection of the cannula  248 . For instance, a pair of sensors may be arranged to face each other to detect a single first interactive element  265 . As another example, a pair of sensors may be arranged to interact with a respective first interactive element  265 . In other embodiments, the one or more additional sensors may be arranged on different components than those in which the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  are provided, respectively. Examples of such arrangements are disclosed in (but are not limited to) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/649,619, filed Dec. 29, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In some embodiments, both the first interactive element  265  and the second interactive element  207  may each be a sensor. In such embodiments, the one or more of the sensors may be configured to detect the other sensor and/or other interactive element(s). For example, the cannula  248  may be determined to have been positioned properly in a case where (but not limited to) one of the sensors detects the other sensor, the sensors both detect each other, at least one of the sensors detects an interactive element, the sensors both detect a same (or different) interactive element, and/or the like. 
     In further embodiments, further sensors may be provided for detecting other sensors (and/or interactive elements). In such embodiments, the cannula  248  may be determined to have been positioned properly, but is not limited to, upon one or more or a predetermined amount of the sensors detecting a particular or any of the other sensors, the sensors detecting each other, at least one of the sensors detecting an other interactive element, the sensors detecting a same (or different) interactive element and/or the like. 
     In various embodiments, one or more additional sensing structures, such as those described in the disclosure, may be provided to properly position the cannula  248 , for example, to increase reliability of cannula  248  positioning and/or decrease time for sensing proper positioning of the cannula  248 . 
     Thus in various embodiments, as part of a process of placing a medical delivery device in fluid communication with a user, the user may place a base  206  of the medical delivery device adjacent skin of the user, attach a insertion housing  280  to the base  206 , attach an actuation device  290  to the insertion housing  280 , and actuate the actuation device  290  to extend a cannula  248  to an extended position to put the user in fluid-flow communication with a reservoir of the medical delivery device. Accordingly, a sensor (e.g., second interactive element  207 ) may detect a detectable feature (e.g., first interactive element  265 ) to determine, for example, whether the cannula  248  is properly positioned. 
     Further examples of arrangements of sensors for detecting detectable features (e.g., interactive elements, conductive medium, etc.) or the like are disclosed in (but are not limited to) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/649,619, filed Dec. 29, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In various embodiments, the interactive element(s) (e.g., first interactive element  265 , second interactive element  207 , conductive medium  207   a , sensors) and the like need not be used or otherwise limited to two housing portions. Examples of interactive elements arranged among three or more housing portions are disclosed in (but are not limited to) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/649,619, filed Dec. 29, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Thus various embodiments may allow for verification of multiple distinct and separate components or steps, verification of correct positioning of multiple distinct and separate components, a safety mechanism to provide notification of separation (intentional or accidental) of any individual component in a multi-component system, and/or the like. For instance, an interactive element positioned in each of the actuation device  290 , the insertion housing  280 , and the second member  202  may allow for a determination that the actuation device  290  has been properly connected to the insertion housing  280  and a determination that the cannula  248  has been properly positioned upon actuation of the actuation device  290 . 
     In various embodiments, the system may include at least one responsive device (not shown) configured to provide an electronically detectable state or signal in response to an interaction (or lack thereof) between two or more interactive elements (e.g., the first interactive element  265 , the second interactive element  207 , the conductive medium  207   a , the sensor, etc.). Thus, in some embodiments, a responsive device may be configured to provide a signal in a case where the cannula  248  is properly positioned. The signal may indicate, for example, the two or more interactive elements have interacted, and thus the cannula  248  is properly positioned. Examples of configurations using at least one responsive device are disclosed in (but not limited to) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/649,619, filed Dec. 29, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thus, for instance, the responsive device. 
     In various embodiments, the responsive device, the sensor, and/or other interactive element(s) may be connected in electrical communication with control electronics (not shown). The control electronics may be incorporated within the control electronics for controlling a drive device  44  (e.g.,  FIG.  4   ) such as, but not limited to, the control electronics  52  (e.g.,  FIG.  4   ) for controlling the drive device  44 . Alternatively, the control electronics may be separate from and in addition to the control electronics  52 , but connected in electrical communication with the control electronics  52  and/or the drive device  44  to provide a drive control signal to the drive device  44 . More specifically, the control electronics may be configured to inhibit operation of the drive device  44 , unless the responsive device (or the like) provides a signal or a change in state to the control electronics. For instance, as previously discussed, the responsive device  410  may provide such a signal or a change in state upon being activated by an interactive element, for example, when the cannula  248  is properly positioned. In other words, the drive device  44  may be inoperable unless the cannula  248  is properly positioned. 
     In particular embodiments, the control electronics may include a wake-up function that allows the drive device  44  (or other component) to remain in a first mode (e.g., low-power mode) until the responsive device (or the like) provides a signal or a change in state to the control electronics, for example, upon proper positioning of the cannula  248 . Upon providing the signal or the change in state to the control electronics, the drive device  44  (or other component) may switch from the first mode to a second mode. 
     In some embodiments, the control electronics may provide a detect signal such as, but not limited to an electronic signal, flag setting, or other indicator to the control electronics  52  and/or the drive device  44  upon activation of the responsive device (or the like) by an interactive element. In such embodiments, the control electronics  52  and/or the drive device  44  may be configured to allow operation of the drive device  44  only upon the presence of the detect signal. 
     In further embodiments, in which multiple responsive devices (and/or the like) are used, the control electronics may be configured to provide a detect signal, for example, to allow operation of the drive device  44  only upon an activation of all or a predefined number or set of the responsive devices (and/or the like). In yet further embodiments, the control electronics may be configured to provide a detect signal, for example, to allow operation of the drive device  44  only upon an activation of all or a predefined number or set of the responsive devices (and/or the like) in a particular order. Such embodiments may allow, for example, for connection of components in a particular sequence, orientation, and/or in a particular direction, as well as performance of steps in a particular sequence, and/or the like. 
     The control electronics and/or the control electronics  52  (e.g.,  FIG.  4   ) may be configured to control the drive device  44  (e.g.,  FIG.  4   ) in various manners in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. For instance, the drive device may be controlled to prevent pumping (delivery) operation unless the cannula  248  is properly positioned. Or for instance, the drive device  44  may be controlled to stop pumping (delivery) operation upon a detection of an interruption of a fluid-flow path or a disconnection of a critical component, for example, if the cannula  248  is dislodged from the proper position. 
     In alternative or in addition, the control electronics and/or the control electronics  52  (e.g.,  FIG.  4   ) may be configured to detect a first-time proper positioning of the cannula  248  or other first-time action, as compared to a re-positioning of the cannula  248  after previous or partial usage. In this manner, the drive device  44  may be controlled to provide a priming operation or other suitable first-time operation(s) upon detection of a first-time proper positioning. As another example, the drive device  44  may be controlled to prevent a delivery even if the cannula  248  is properly positioned if it has been determined that the cannula  248  has moved out of the proper position (e.g., outside the skin of the user-patient) and back to the proper position. 
     In yet further embodiments, the system may include additional sensors, responsive devices, and/or the like connected for electrical communication with the control electronics. Such additional sensors, responsive devices, and/or the like may comprise magnetically and/or electronically actuating switches, magnetic and/or electric field magnitude and direction sensors, inductive sensors, other proximity sensors, contact sensors, and/or the like for providing a detectable signal or change in a state upon properly positioning the cannula  248  or upon predetermined action. Such predetermined actions may comprise, for example, one or more of a proper connection of a reservoir into a housing portion or base, a proper connection of a conduit to a reservoir, a proper connection of two conduits together, a proper setting of a needle or cannula in an inserted state, a proper connection of a conduit to a cannula or needle, or a proper connection of other components of or to the system. 
     Alternatively, or in addition, the additional sensors, responsive devices, and/or the like may include or be one or more flow detectors for detecting the occurrence or blockage of a fluid flow path in the system. In such embodiments, the control electronics may be configured to provide a detect signal, for example, to allow operation of the drive device  44  only upon an activation of all or a predefined number or set of additional sensors, responsive devices, and/or the like or a proper state of the additional sensors, responsive devices, and/or the like. 
     In various embodiments, the system  200  is configured to determine whether the cannula  248  is properly positioned, for example, upon the cannula  248  being moved to the extended position by the actuation device  290 . In further embodiments, the system  200  is configured to determine whether the cannula  248  is properly positioned each time a pump command is issued by the drive device  44  (or the like). Thus, for example, if the cannula  248  is not in position, the pump command is not issued or an issued pump command is not carried out. 
     In some embodiments, the control electronics  414  and/or the control electronics  52  (e.g.,  FIG.  4   ) may be configured to provide a user-perceptible indication of a proper positioning of the cannula  248  or other action, such as connecting the actuation device  290  to the insertion housing  280 . For example, upon detection of a proper positioning of the cannula  248 , the control electronics (or the control electronics  52 ) may provide a suitable control signal to activate an indicator device  420 , as shown in  FIG.  44   . 
     The indicator device  420  may operated by a processor  422 . The processor  422  may be configured to execute various programs and/or to process various information, such as data received from one or more sensors, responsive devices, and/or other interactive elements. The processor  422 , for example, may be configured to compare detected signals with thresholds and/or pre-stored values in memory  424 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20  and  44   , the indicator device  420  may include, but is not limited to, an audible indicator, an optical indicator, a tactile indicator, combinations of one or more those indicators, and/or the like. For example, upon positioning of the cannula  248  or other predetermined action as described above, an audible beeping sound or other suitable sound may be generated by a sound generating device in or associated the system. For example, upon properly positioning the cannula  248 , a flashing light or other suitable visual indicator may be generated by an LED or other light source or a display device on or associated with the system. For example, upon properly positioning the cannula  248 , a vibration and/or the like may be generated by a vibration device and/or the like in or associated with the system. 
     In some embodiments, one or more signals may be communicated from a transmitter (not shown) in the system to a remotely located communication device (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a hand-held controller, a computer, and/or the like. Accordingly, the transmitter may provide one or more of the above-noted user-perceptible indications to a user of the communication device. In some embodiments, a text or graphic message may be displayed on a display screen on the system and/or on the communication device as an indicator of a proper positioning of the cannula  248 . 
     In various embodiments, the system  200  is configured to determine whether the cannula  248  is properly positioned, for example, in the extended position after operation by the actuation device  290  or other desired position. However, in other embodiments, the system  200  may be configured to determine (but is not limited to) whether the cannula  248  is at another position, such as the starting position (e.g., shown in  FIG.  18   ), somewhere between the starting position and the extended position, or the like. In other embodiments, the system  200  may be configured to determine whether another component is properly positioned. For example, the system may be configured to determine (but is not limited to) whether the actuation device  290  is properly connected to the insertion housing  280 , the insertion housing  280  is properly connected to the second member  202 . In particular embodiments, the system  200  may be configured to determine whether a particular fluid connector is positioned properly (e.g., one that would allow for fluid-flow without leaking, exposure to contaminants, or the like). For example, the system  200  may be configured to determine whether the needle  124  ( FIG.  8   ) is properly positioned in the reservoir housing  108  ( FIG.  8   ) when the first member  102  ( FIG.  8   ) is brought together with the second member  103  ( FIG.  8   ). 
     In various embodiments, the system  200  may be configured to provide information relating to one or more of the interactive elements. For instance, in some embodiments, the detectable feature (or other interactive element) may include data, information, or the like that when detected by or otherwise interacting with the sensor (or other interact element), the sensor may detect the data. For example, a first cannula having a first length may provide first data and a second cannula having a second length (different from the first length) may provide second data. Accordingly, the sensor can detect whether the system  200  is using the first cannula or the second cannula based on the data the sensor detects. 
     In further embodiments, the system  200  may be configured to perform an action based on the detected data. For example, if the sensor detects the first cannula, the first cannula is properly positioned when the first cannula is positioned at a first location. If the sensor detects the second cannula, the second cannula is properly positioned when the second cannula is positioned at a second location different from the first location. 
     Thus in various embodiments, the system  200  may be configured to determine a type and/or characteristics of a cannula (or other appropriate component) being used. In such embodiments, for example, the system  200  may be configured to determine a length (and/or other dimension) of the cannula, material of the cannula, and/or the like. 
       FIGS.  22  and  23    illustrate an actuation device  390  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  24    illustrates a process for using the actuation device  390 . Although the actuation device  390  may be similar or used with the embodiments of  FIGS.  17 - 21   , it should be understood that the actuation device  390  may also include some or all of the same components and operate in a manner similar to that shown and described in the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 16   . In addition, some or all of the features shown in  FIGS.  1 - 21    may be combined in various ways and included in the embodiments and process shown in  FIGS.  22 - 24   . Likewise, it should be understood that any of the features of the embodiments and process of  FIGS.  22 - 24    may be combined or otherwise incorporated into any of the other embodiments and process of  FIGS.  22 - 24    as well as any other embodiment herein discussed. 
     The actuation device  390  may be similar to the actuation device  290  (e.g.,  FIGS.  17 - 20   ). With reference to  FIGS.  17 - 23   , the actuation device  390  may include a housing  391  securable to the insertion housing  280 . A suitable connection structure may be provided on the actuation device  390  and/or the insertion housing  280  to provide a manually releasable connection between those components. For example, the connection structure may be similar to the connection structure previously described for connecting the actuation device  290  to the insertion housing  280 . In some embodiments, the connection structure may include, but is not limited to, a threaded extension on one or the other of the actuation device  390  and the insertion housing  280  and a corresponding threaded receptacle on the other of the insertion housing  280  and the actuation device  390  for receiving the threaded extension in threaded engagement. 
     For example, an end  372  of a distal portion  370  of the actuation device  390  may be adapted to be insertable into the insertion housing  280 , for example, within the outer chamber  282 . The distal portion  370  may have a threaded portion  376  for threaded engagement of a threaded portion  282   a  within the insertion housing  280 . The end  372  may be insertable into the outer chamber  282  of the insertion housing  280 , for example, until a surface  371  of the actuation device  390  abuts a lip portion  283  of the insertion housing  280  and/or the end  372  contacts a floor  284   b  of the insertion housing  280 . 
     In other embodiments, other suitable connection structures may be employed. Such a connection structure may include, but is not limited to, flexible pawls or extensions on one or the other of the actuation device  390  and the insertion housing  280  and a corresponding aperture, stop surface, or the like on the other of the insertion housing  280  and the actuation device  390 . 
     The housing  391  may contain an internal chamber  392  having a longitudinal dimension and a member  398  arranged within the housing  391 . The member  398  may be moveable in the direction L at least between a first position and a second position. The housing  391  may include a drive mechanism for actuating the member  398 . The drive mechanism may be a bias member  393 , such as, but not limited to, a coil spring, or the like, arranged within the internal chamber  392  of the housing  391 . The bias member  393  may be configured to impart a bias force on the member  398  when the member  398  is in the first position to urge the member  398  toward the second position. 
     In some embodiments, an activation structure, such as a trigger, button, or the like, may be provided to control the actuation device  390 . In further embodiments, a first trigger  394  may be configured to arm or prepare the actuation device  390  for firing or otherwise moving the member  398  to move the insert structure  260 . For example, the first trigger  394  may be manually pressed to retract the bias member  393  to the first position. As such, the first button  394  may be adapted to selectively arm the member  398  and/or the bias member  393  into the first position (i.e., the retracted position). 
     A second trigger  397  or the like may be configured to selectively release the member  398  and/or the bias member  393  to allow the member  398  to move in the direction L under the force of the bias member  393  to the second position. In other embodiments, the first trigger  394  may be configured to selectively release the member  398  and/or the bias member  393  to allow the member  398  to move in the direction L under the force of the bias member  393  to the second position upon being operated after the actuation device  390  has been armed. For example, pressing the first trigger  394  a first time may retract the member  398  to the first position, and pressing the first trigger  394  a second time may release or otherwise allow the member  398  to advance to the second position. Other examples of insertion structures are described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 2007/0142776, entitled “Insertion Device for an Insertion Set and Method of Using the Same,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In yet further embodiments, a first locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided such as, but not limited to, a manually moveable projection, lever, slider, or the like. The first locking mechanism may be connected to or extending through the housing  391  and engaging the member  398  (or other structure holding the member  398 ) in a releasable manner to selectively hold the member  398  in the retracted position, for example after the first trigger  394  has been operated, against the bias force of the bias member  393 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuation device  390  may be configured to allow the member  398  to be moved from the second position at least toward the first position automatically or upon manipulation by the user, for example, to a third position or a neutral position (e.g., position of the member before being moved to the first position when the actuation device is armed). That is, after the member  398  has been moved to the second position (e.g., an extended position), the member  398  may be moved to a third position automatically or upon manipulation of the actuation device  390  by the user-patient. The third position may be any suitable position at which the needle  246  is sufficiently withdrawn, for example, from the skin of the patient, such as, but not limited to, the first position, a position between the first and second positions, or the like. 
     For example in some embodiments, the housing  391  may include a second chamber  395 . The second chamber  395  may be concentrically arranged relative to the internal chamber  392 , for example around the internal chamber  392 . A drive mechanism may be arranged within the second chamber  395  of the housing  391  to move the member  398 . The drive mechanism may be a second bias member  396 , such as, but not limited to, a coil spring, or the like, arranged to impart a bias force on the member  398  when the member  398  is in the second position to urge the member  398  toward third position. Thus, in some embodiments, the member  398  can be moved to the first position (e.g., by pressing the first trigger  394 ), moved to the second position (e.g., by pressing the second trigger  397 ), and then automatically moved to a third position. 
     In some embodiments, an activation structure, such as a trigger (e.g., first trigger  394 , second trigger  397 , or a third or further trigger (not shown)), button or the like, may be provided to control movement of the member from the second position to the third position. Thus, in some embodiments, the member  398  can be moved to the first position (e.g., by pressing the first trigger  394 ), moved to the second position (e.g., by pressing the second trigger  397 ), and then further moved to a third position (e.g., by pressing the first trigger  394 , the second trigger  397 , or the like). 
     In yet further embodiments, a second locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided such as, but not limited to, a manually moveable projection, lever, slider, or the like. The second locking mechanism may be connected to or extending through the housing  391  and engaging the member  398  (or other structure holding the member  298 ) in a releasable manner to selectively hold the member  398  in the second position, for example after the second trigger  397  has been operated, against the bias force of the second bias member  396 . 
     In various embodiments, the member  398  may be adapted to operatively engage the plunger head  288 , for example, when the actuation device  390  is connected to the insertion housing  280 . The member  398  or a portion thereof may be made of a sufficiently rigid material, but having a certain amount of flexibility. A protrusion, extension, arm, or the like may be provided on one or the other of the member  398  and the plunger  288  and a corresponding aperture, protrusion, extension, arm or the like on the other of the plunger  288  and the member  398  for engaging each other. For example, in particular embodiments, the member  398  may have one or more arms  399  for engaging a head portion  289  of the plunger head  288  upon the actuation device  390  being connected to the insertion housing  280 . 
     Thus in some embodiments, in a case where the member  398  is operatively engaged with the plunger head  288  and the member  398  is actuated, the insert structure  260 , which may include the plunger head  288 , the needle  246 , the collar  268 , and the cannula  248 , may be moved to the second position. Similarly as previously described, the member  398  can be further actuated to move the first part  262  of the insert structure  260 , which may include the plunger head  288  and the needle  246 , away from the first position (e.g., to (or toward) the first position and/or the third position). Thus, the second part of the insert structure  260 , which may include the collar  268  and the cannula  248 , may remain in the second position to allow fluid to flow from the reservoir though the fluid conduit  224  and the connection channel  269  to the cannula  248  into the user-patient as previously described. 
     In various embodiments, the actuation device  390  may be configured for improved handling of the actuation device  390  by the user-patient. For example, the actuation device  390  may include a handling portion  355 , grips, textured surfaces, or the like that may aid in handling of the actuation device  390 . 
     Additionally, the actuation device  390  may allow for lancing or piercing the skin of the user-patient, for example, to obtain a blood sample. A lancing portion  350  may be removably attachable to the actuation device  390 . The lancing portion  350  may be attached to or within the distal portion  370  in a friction fit, snap fit, threaded engagement, or the like. The lancing portion  350  may be adapted to operatively engage the member  398  such that movement of the member  398  causes movement of the lancing portion  350 . 
     In various embodiments, the lancing portion  350  may be adapted to be removably attachable from the actuation device  390 . For instance, when the lancing portion  350  is not in use, for example, the actuation device  390  may be coupled with an insertion housing (e.g.,  280  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) for inserting a needle and a cannula into the skin of the user-patient as previously described. Moreover, when the actuation device  390  is not being used with the insertion housing, the lancing portion  350  may be attached to the actuation device  390  for piercing the skin of the user-patient. The lancing portion  350  may be made of a material of suitable strength and durability such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, or the like. 
     The lancing portion  350  may include a collar body  352  and a piercing member, such as a needle  354 . The collar body  352  may be made of a material of suitable strength and durability such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, or the like. The needle  354  may be supported by the collar body  352  so that the needle  354  may move with the collar body  352 . For example, the needle  354  may extend through the collar body  352  or be operatively connected to the collar body  352 . As previously discussed, in a case where the lancing portion  350  is operatively engaged with the member  398  and the member  398  is actuated, the lancing portion  350  may be caused to move by the member  398 . Accordingly, the needle  354  may be actuated to move and exit the actuation device  390  to “prick” or otherwise pierce the skin of the user-patient. In other embodiments, the piercing member (e.g., needle  354 ) may be connected to the member  398  such that movement of the member  398  causes movement of the piercing member. 
     In various embodiments, a penetration depth of the needle  354  into the skin of the user-patient may be adjustable. In some embodiments, the lancing portion  350  may be adapted to be arranged relative to the actuation device  390  to adjust the penetration depth of the needle  354 . For example, by inserting the lancing portion  350  further into or further along the actuation device  390 , the penetration depth of the needle  354  can be reduced accordingly. Conversely, the penetration depth of the needle  354  can be increased by arranging or otherwise extending the lancing portion  350  further from the actuation device  390 . In some embodiments, the needle  354  may be adapted to be adjustable relative to the collar body  352  in a similar fashion to decrease or increase the penetration depth of the needle  354 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuation device  390  may include an adjustment member (not shown) for selectively adjusting the penetration depth of the needle  354 . The adjustment member may be an at least partially rotatable dial, a slide, a trigger, a button, or the like. The adjustment member may be operatively engaged with the member  398 , the first bias member  393 , the second bias member  396 , the collar body  352  of the lancing portion  350 , and/or the needle  354  so that the penetration depth of the needle  354  can be varied. For example, rotation of the adjustment member may cause the lancing portion  350 , portion thereof, and/or operatively connected components to advance or retreat relative to the actuation device  390  to increase or decrease the penetration depth of the needle  354 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuation device  390  may be adapted to engage with and disengage from a guard  330  or cover. The guard  330  may have a housing  332  having an interior chamber  334 . The guard  330  may be made of a material of suitable strength and durability such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, or the like. A suitable connection structure, such as one of the connection structures previously described, may be provided on the actuation device  390  and/or the guard  330  to provide a manually releasable connection between those components. In some embodiments, the connection structure may include, but is not limited to, a threaded extension on one or the other of the actuation device  390  and the guard  330  and a corresponding threaded receptacle on the other of the guard  330  and the actuation device  390  for receiving the threaded extension in threaded engagement. 
     For example, the end  372  of the distal portion  370  of the actuation device  390  may be adapted to be insertable into the interior chamber  334  of the guard  330  through an opening  333  to attach the guard  330  to the actuation device  390 . The distal portion  370  may have a threaded portion  376 , which may or may not be similar to the threaded portion  276  for engaging the inserting housing  280 , for threaded engagement of a threaded portion  336  within the guard  330 . The end  372  may be insertable into the guard  330 , for example, until a surface  371 , which may or may not be similar to the surface  271 , of the actuation device  390  contacts a portion, such as an outer surface  331   a , of the guard  330  and/or the end  372  contacts a portion, such as an inner surface  331   b , within guard  330 . In other embodiments, a portion of the guard  330  may be configured to be insertable into the actuation device  390 , for example through opening  374  through which the lancing portion  350  may be attached to the actuation device  390 , to attach the guard  330  to the actuation device  390 . 
     In other embodiments, other suitable connection structures may be employed for connecting the guard  330  with the actuation device  390 . Such a connection structure may include, but is not limited to, flexible pawls or extensions on one or the other of the actuation device  390  and the guard  330  and a corresponding aperture, stop surface, or the like on the other of the other of the guard  330  and the actuation device  390 . 
     An aperture  335  or the like may be provided on the housing  332  of the guard  330  and extending through to the interior chamber  334 . The aperture  335  may be located on an end  332   a  opposite the opening  333 . The aperture  335  may allow the needle  354  or a portion thereof to extend beyond the end  332   a  of the guard  330  to pierce the skin of the user-patient, for example, when the member  398  is actuated to move the lancing portion  350 . In various embodiments, the guard  330  may be arrangeable to adjust the penetration depth of the needle  354 . For example, by arranging the guard  330  (e.g., screwing on the guard  330 ) further into or further along the actuation device  390 , the penetration depth of the needle  354  can be increased accordingly. Conversely, the penetration depth of the needle  354  can be decreased by arranging guard  330  further from the actuation device  390 . 
     As previously discussed, in some embodiments, the actuation device  390  may be configured to retract the needle  354  automatically after the needle  354  pierces the skin of the user-patient. In such embodiments, the needle  354  may pierce or prick the skin of the user-patient and then return to a position (e.g., the third position) within the actuation device  390  and/or the guard  330 . In other embodiments, the actuation device  390  may be configured such that the needle  354  can be manually retracted after piercing the skin of the user-patient, for example, by operating the second trigger  397 , or the like. 
       FIG.  24    illustrates a flowchart for using an actuation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIGS.  22 - 24   , in step S 1202 , the lancing portion  350  may be attached to the actuation device  390 . In step S 1204 , the penetration depth of the needle  354  may be adjusted. 
     Next in step S 1206 , the guard  330  may be attached to the actuation device  390 . In step S 1208 , the actuation device  390  may be placed adjacent a suitable injection site on the user-patient. In step S 1210 , the member  398  and the lancing portion  350  may be actuated to prick the user-patient at the injection site. In further embodiments, the lancing portion  350  may be removed from the actuation device  390 , and the actuation device  390  may be used similar to the actuation device  290  and an infusion set, such as, but not limited to, the system  200  described with respect to  FIGS.  17 - 21   . 
       FIGS.  25 - 29    illustrate an insertion housing  480  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The insertion housing  480  may be similar to or employed as an embodiment of the insertion housing  280  (e.g.,  FIGS.  17 - 20   ), and for example, may be used with the inserting system  200  (e.g.,  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) and/or the like discussed in this disclosure. Although the insertion housing  480  may be similar or used with the embodiments of  FIGS.  17 - 20   , it should be understood that the insertion housing  480  may also include some or all of the same components and operate in a manner similar to that shown and described in the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 16  and  30 - 43   . In addition, some or all of the features shown in  FIGS.  1 - 16  and  30 - 43    may be combined in various ways and included in the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  25 - 29   . Likewise, it should be understood that any of the features of the embodiments of  FIGS.  25 - 29    may be combined or otherwise incorporated into any of the other embodiments of  FIGS.  25 - 29    as well as any other embodiment herein discussed. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  25 - 29   , in some embodiments, the insertion housing  480  may be used with a first member (e.g.,  202  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) having a housing (e.g.,  204  in FIGS. 17-20) on a base (e.g.,  206  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ). The housing  204  may be formed integral with the base  206  or may be formed as a separate structure connected to the base  206  in a fixed relation to the base  206 . The housing  204  and the base  206  each may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, ceramic, composite material, or the like. 
     The housing may include an injection site section (e.g.,  205  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) containing an injection site structure in which a hollow needle or cannula may be inserted into a user-patient for conveying fluidic media to or from the user-patient. In other embodiments, instead of or in addition to an injection site, the housing  204  may contain, be part of, or be operatively connected to any other suitable structure for conveying, containing, and/or processing fluidic media. 
     The first member  202  may be operatively connectable to a second member (not shown), which may include a housing (e.g.,  108  in  FIGS.  7 - 12   ), which in the illustrated embodiment may include a reservoir (e.g.,  107  in  FIGS.  7 - 12   ) for containing fluidic media. The second member may be held within or otherwise be covered by an outer housing (e.g.,  109  in  FIGS.  7 - 12   ) configured to attach to the base  206 . The outer housing  109  may be configured to connect to the base  206  of the first member  202  by any suitable connection structure. In some embodiments, upon coupling the first member  202  and the second member, fluid flow communication may be provided between the second member and the injection site section  205  in the first member  202 . 
     In particular embodiments, at least one of the outer housing  109  and the base  206  may include one or more flexible pawls, protrusions, indentations, or the like for engaging and/or receiving one or more corresponding pawls, protrusions, indentations, or the like on the other of the base  206  and the outer housing  109  to provide a suitable connection structure. Alternatively or in addition, the connection structure may include adhesive material or other suitable connectors. 
     The housing  204  may have or be connected to a receptacle structure (e.g.  110 ,  210  in  FIGS.  7 - 12  and  17 - 20   ) having a chamber (e.g.,  214  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ). In some embodiments, the receptacle structure  210  may be part of the housing adjacent a section of the housing containing the injection site section  205 . In other embodiments, the receptacle structure  210  may include a further housing connected to the housing. 
     A fluid conduit (e.g.,  224  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ), such as, but not limited to, a needle or the like may be supported within the chamber. The fluid conduit  224  may be supported by a supporting structure located within the receptacle structure  210 . In some embodiments, the supporting structure may be a wall integral with the receptacle structure  210 . In other embodiments, the supporting structure may be any suitable structure that is generally fixed relative to the receptacle structure  210  and is able to support the fluid conduit  224  in a generally fixed relation to the receptacle structure  210 . 
     The fluid conduit  224  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to metal, plastic, ceramic, or the like, and may have a hollow channel extending in a lengthwise dimension of the fluid conduit  224 . The hollow channel in the fluid conduit  224  may be open at a location (not shown) along the lengthwise dimension of the fluid conduit  224 , such as, but not limited to, a first end of the fluid conduit  224 . The hollow channel in the fluid conduit  224  may be open at another location (e.g.,  224   b  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) along the lengthwise dimension of the fluid conduit  224 , such as, but not limited to, a second end of the fluid conduit  224  opposite the first end of the fluid conduit  224 . One of the openings in the fluid conduit  224  may be provided with a septum (e.g.,  226  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) that may be pierceable by a needle (not shown), for example as previously described, when a reservoir is connected to the first member  202 . 
     The injection site section  205  may include a channel (e.g.,  240  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) extending through the housing  204  and the base  206 . The channel  240  may have an open end (e.g.,  240   a  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) on a bottom surface (e.g., relative to the orientation shown in  FIG.  18   ) of the base. The channel  240  may have another open end (e.g.,  240   b  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) at an upper surface (e.g., relative to the orientation shown in  FIG.  18   ) of the injection site section  205  of the housing  204 . The channel  240  may include a channel section (e.g.,  242  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) having a larger radial dimension relative to a remaining portion of the channel  240  and may have a suitable shape and size to receive an insert structure, a needle, and/or a cannula, as will be described. 
     The insertion housing  480  may be made of a material of suitable strength and durability such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, or the like. The insertion housing  480  may be located adjacent the open end of the channel  240  and arranged to selectively extend a needle and/or cannula of an insert structure into the open end of the channel  240  and at least partially through the channel  240 , as will be described. 
     The insertion housing  480  may be a separate device from the housing  204  and may be selectively engaged or connected to, for example in alignment with the channel  240 , and disengaged or disconnected from the injection site section  205  and/or the first member  202  or portion thereof. In some embodiments, the insertion housing  480  may be recommended for disposal after a specified number of uses. 
     A suitable connection structure, such as that described throughout this disclosure, may be provided on the insertion housing  480 , the injection site section  205 , and/or the first member  202  or portion(s) thereof to provide a manually releasable connection between those components. For example, the connection structure may include, but is not limited to, a threaded extension on one or the other of the insertion housing  480  and the injection site section  205  and a corresponding threaded receptacle on the other of the injection site section  205  and the insertion housing  480  for receiving the threaded extension in threaded engagement. In other embodiments, other suitable connection structures may be employed. These may include, but are not limited to, friction-fitted sections, flexible pawls or extensions on one or the other of the insertion housing  480  and the injection site section  205  (or the first member  202 , or portion thereof) and a corresponding aperture, stop surface, or the like on the other of the injection site section  205  (or the first member  202 , or portion thereof) and the insertion housing  480 . 
     In some embodiments, the insertion housing  480  may include one or more latches  470  configured to operatively engage with and disengage from the insertion site section  205  (or the first member  202 ), or the like. For instance, in some embodiments, the latch  470  may include an arm  472  with one or more protrusions  474  for engaging with and disengaging from an aperture (e.g.,  205   a  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ), a retaining surface (e.g.,  205   b  in  FIGS.  17 - 20   ), and/or the like of the insertion site section  205  (or the first member), or the like. In some embodiments, the arm  472  may have a recess  475 , for example defined by the one or more protrusions  474  or formed in the arm  472 , for engaging a protrusion or the like provided on the injection site section  205  (or the first member  202 ). In other embodiments, the arm  472  may have one or more apertures (not shown) or the like for receiving one or more protrusions (not shown) or the like from the insertion site section  205  (or the first member  202 ), or the like. 
     The latch  470  may be made of any suitably rigid material, such as plastic, glass, metal, composite material, ceramic, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the latch  470  may be made of similar material as the insertion housing  480 . In other embodiments, the latch  470  may be made of different material from the insertion housing  480 . 
     In some embodiments, the latch  470  may be integral with the insertion housing  480 . The latch  470  may be sufficiently flexible to operatively engage with and disengage from an engagement portion, for example as previously described, of the first member  202  as the latch  470  flexes toward and away from the first member. 
     In other embodiments, the latch  470  may be operatively connected with the insertion housing  480 . For instance, the latch  470  may be adapted to pivot about a portion of the insertion housing  480  to allow the latch  470  to operatively engage with and disengage from the first member  202  as the latch  470  pivots toward and away from the engagement portion of the first member  202 . For example, the latch  470  may include one or more apertures for receiving a protrusion  481   a  on the insertion housing  480  to allow the latch  470  to pivot about the protrusion  481   a . As another example, the latch  470  may include one or more protrusions (not shown) pivotable in one or more apertures (not shown) provided in the insertion housing  480  to allow the latch  470  to pivot about the apertures in the insertion housing  480 . 
     Throughout various embodiments in the disclosure, the engagement portion of the first member  202  may be, but is not limited to, an aperture, a ridge, an undersurface (or upper surface), a protrusion, a tab, an arm, a bias member, or any other suitable structure or mechanism arrangeable to allow the latch  470  to engage with and/or disengage from the first member  202 . 
     In some embodiments, the insertion housing  480  may include a protrusion  481   c  for engaging an aperture (not shown) or the like in the first member  202  to connect the insertion housing  480  to the first member  202 . In other embodiments, the insertion housing  480  may include an aperture (not shown) for receiving a protrusion (not shown) or the like in the first member  202  to connect the insertion housing  480  to the first member  202 . In particular embodiments, once the insertion housing  480  is connected with the first member  202  in any suitable manner, for example (but not limited to) as described above, the latch  480  may be connected with the first member  202  to further secure the insertion housing  480  to the first member  202 . 
     In further embodiments, an abutment  476 , such a tab, finger, protrusion, or the like, may be provided on the arm  472  to substantially prevent the latch  470  from engaging the first member  202  after the latch  470  has been disengaged from the first member  202 , for example, as discussed in the disclosure. Thus, once the latch  470  is disengaged from the first member  202 , the abutment  476  may prevent the latch  470  from re-engaging the first member  202 , for example, by preventing the latch  470  from sufficiently pivoting forward. 
     The insertion housing  480  may contain a main chamber  487  in alignment with the opening of the injection site section  205 . The insertion housing  480  may have a longitudinal dimension. An insert structure  460  may be located within the insertion housing  480  and moveable along the longitudinal dimension along a line L. The insert structure  460  may be moveable at least between a first position and a second position. The insert structure  460  may include a first part  462  and a second part  464  operatively connected to the first part  462  so that the first part  462  and the second part  462  may move together along the line L. The insert structure  460  may be biased toward or otherwise held in the first position until sufficient force is applied to the insert structure  460  to move or otherwise actuate the insert structure  460  to the second position. 
     Various examples of suitable structures for insert structures are described in this disclosure, as well as in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, entitled “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,” which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further examples of various insert structures are described in, but are not limited to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,972, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,052, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/646,000, filed Dec. 26, 2006, “Infusion Medium Delivery System, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle Inserter Device And Method,” all of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other examples of suitable structures for insert structures are described herein. 
     The first part  462  of the insert structure  460  may include a plunger head  488  and a needle  446  supported by the plunger head  488 . The second part  464  of the insert structure  460  may include a collar  468  and a cannula  448  supported by the collar  468 . The first part  462  and the second part  464  may be configured to be removably attachable from each other, for example, in a friction fit engagement, snap fit engagement, or the like. For example, one of the plunger head  488  and the collar  468  may include protrusions or the like and the other of the plunger head  488  and the collar  468  may include apertures for receiving the protrusions. Accordingly, the first part  462  may be separable from the second part  464  upon application of a sufficiently strong separating force. In particular embodiments, the plunger head  488  may be connected to the collar  468 . 
     The cannula  448  may extend at least partially through the collar  468 . The cannula  448  may be fixed to the collar  468  to move with movement of the insert structure  460 . The cannula  448  may have a hollow central channel  448   c  extending along a longitudinal length of the cannula  448  and open at one end  448   a  that may be adjacent a sharp end  446   a  of the needle  446  disposed within the cannula  448  as will be discussed. An end  448   b  of the cannula  448  opposite the open end  448   a  may have a head  449  having a larger radial dimension than a shaft portion  448   d  of the cannula  448 . 
     In some embodiments, the head  449  may be separate from the cannula  448 . In such embodiments, the head  449  may be in fluid communication with the cannula  448 . For example, a portion of the head  449  may be aligned with the cannula  448  to allow fluid to flow therebetween. In other embodiments, the head  449  may be integral with the cannula  448 . 
     A septum  466  may be supported or otherwise retained by the collar  468 . The septum  466  may be a resealable member made of silicone, plastic, rubber, Teflon, or the like. The septum  466  may be arranged between the plunger head  488  and the collar  468 . The septum  466  may be pierceable by the needle  446 . 
     The needle  446  may be arranged to extend through at least a portion of the cannula  448 . The needle  446  may be supported by, secured, and/or operatively connected to the plunger head  488  to move with movement of the insert structure  460 . Thus, in some embodiments, the plunger head  488  and the needle  446 , which may be both part of the first part  462  of the insert structure  460 , and the collar  468  and the cannula  448 , which may be both part of the second part  464  of the insert structure  460 , may be moveable at least between the first position and the second position. 
     In the second position, the needle  446  and the cannula  448  may extend through the opening of the channel  240  and at least partially through the channel  240 . As such, the sharp end  446   a  of the needle  446  and at least a portion of the length of the cannula  448  may extend out the opening of the channel  240 , for example, into skin of a user-patient. 
     The collar  468  of the insert structure  460  may have a suitable shape and size to fit into the channel section  242  of the channel  240  when the insert structure  460  is moved to the second position, for example, by an actuation device, as will be discussed. In particular embodiments, the collar  468  may include one or more protrusions (not shown) and/or indentations that engage with one or more corresponding indentations, such as the aperture, and/or protrusions in the injection site section  205  to provide a friction fit, snap fit, or the like. Accordingly, the second part  464  may be retained within the injection site section  205  upon the insert structure  460  being moved to the second position. 
     In further embodiments, instead of or in addition to engaging protrusions and indentations, one or more other mechanical structures may be employed to provide a suitable retaining function for retaining the second part  464  in place within the injection site section  205  upon the insert structure  460  being moved to the second position, for example, by an actuation device. These mechanical structures may include, but are not limited to, a friction fit structure, snap fit structure, or the like. 
     In various embodiments, the latch  470  of the insertion housing  480  may be actuated to disengage the insertion housing  480  automatically from the first member  202  upon the insert structure  460  being moved to the second position. For example, the latch  470  may be adapted to flex or pivot away from the insertion housing  480  to disengage the first member  202  when the insert structure  460  is moved to the second position. In moving to the second position, a protrusion or the like on the insert structure  460  may push against the one or more protrusions  474  of the latch  470  engaged with the first member  202 . This may displace the one or more protrusions  474  of the latch  470  and release the latch  470  from the first member  202 . Accordingly, in such embodiments, the insertion housing  480  may be removed. 
     In some embodiments, removal of the insertion housing  480  may also remove the first part  462  (or portion thereof) that may include the needle  446  and the plunger  488 , while leaving the second part  464  (or portion thereof) that may include the cannula  448  and the collar  468  engaged to the injection site section  205 . In other embodiments, removal of the insertion housing  480  may also remove the first part  462  (or portion thereof), which may include the needle  446  and the plunger  488 , and the second part  464  (or portion thereof), which may include the cannula  448  and the collar  468 . 
     The collar  468  may have a connection channel  469  provided in fluid flow communication with an opening (not shown) in the cannula  448  in fluid flow communication with the hollow central channel  448   c  of the cannula  448 . In some embodiments, the connection channel  469  may be in fluid flow communication with an opening in the head  449 , which may be in fluid flow communication with the hollow central channel  448   c  of the cannula  448 . Thus in various embodiments, the connection channel  469  may be in fluid flow communication with the hollow central channel  448   c  of the cannula  448 . 
     The connection channel  469  may be provided along the collar  468  at a location at which the connection channel  469  may align with the fluid conduit  224  upon the insert structure  460  being moved to the second position. Thus in some embodiments, in a case where the first member  202  and the second member are brought together (e.g.,  FIG.  9   ) and the insert structure  460  is in the second position, a fluid flow path may be established between the reservoir in the second member and the cannula  448  via the fluid conduit and the connection channel  469 . 
     In some embodiments, the insertion housing  480  may include an inner housing portion  484  concentrically arranged within an outer housing portion  481 . The inner housing portion  484  may have an inner chamber  485  in alignment with the chamber  487  in which the insert structure  460  may be arranged for movement. A lip portion (not shown) or the like extending from the inner housing portion  484  may be for containing the insert structure  460  in the inner chamber  485 . For example, the insert structure  460  may be in contact with or otherwise adjacent the lip portion when the insert structure  460  is in the first position. 
     The outer housing  481  may have an outer chamber  482  between the outer housing  481  and the inner housing portion  484 . The outer chamber  482  may be for receiving at least a portion of an actuation device for actuating the plunger head  488  as will be described. In various embodiments, the inner housing portion  484  may be integral with the outer housing portion  481 . In other embodiments, the inner housing portion  484  may be separate from the outer housing portion  481 . 
     In some embodiments, the inner housing portion  484  may have one or fingers  484   b  that extend away from the inner housing portion  484  (in a direction facing an attached actuation device). One or more of the fingers  484   b  may include a ridge  484   a  for supporting at least a portion of the plunger head  488 , for example one or more protrusions  488   a  or the like of the plunger head  488 , prior to movement of the insert structure  460 . The fingers  484   b  may be sufficiently rigid, yet flexible to allow the fingers  484   b  and the ridge  484   a  to support the insertion structure  460  and allow the fingers  484   b  to be flexed (e.g., toward the outer housing portion  481 ) or otherwise separated to allow the insertion structure  460  to move past the ridge  484   a  (e.g., the first position). 
     In particular embodiments, the fingers  484   b  and a corresponding actuation device (as will be described) for the insertion housing  480  may be configured such that the actuation device sufficiently flexes or otherwise separates the fingers  484   b  to allow movement of the insertion structure  460  beyond the ridge  484   a . Thus, for example, in a case where the actuation device is properly connected and the actuation device is actuated, the actuation device may cause the insertion structure  460  to move from the first position to the second position. 
     Thus various embodiments may allow for inhibiting a false firing of the insertion structure  460  unless the actuation device is properly connected with the insertion housing  480 . In other words, in these embodiments, even if a force is applied to the insertion structure  460 , for example, from an actuation device, the insertion structure  460  will not be advanced unless the fingers  484   b  are flexed or otherwise separated (e.g., by properly attaching the actuation device) to provide sufficient clearance to allow the insertion structure to advance. In further embodiments, the ridge  484   a  may have a sloped surface  484   c  to allow the insertion structure  460  to move past the ridge  484   a , for example after the cannula  448  is inserted into the user, to return the insertion structure  460  to a position in which the insertion structure  460  is supported by the ridge  484   a.    
     As previously discussed, in various embodiments, the insert structure  460  (i.e., the plunger head  488 , the needle  446 , the collar  468 , and the cannula  448 ) may be actuated to move to the second position by (but not limited to) an actuation device  290  or  390  (e.g.,  FIGS.  17 - 24   ) or other actuation device discussed in this disclosure.  FIGS.  30 - 43    illustrate an actuation device  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The actuation device  500  may be similar to or employed as an embodiment of the actuation device  290  or  390  (e.g.,  FIGS.  17 - 24   ), and for example, may be used with (but not limited to) the inserting system  200  (e.g.,  FIGS.  17 - 20   ) and/or the like discussed in this disclosure. 
     Although the actuation device  500  may be similar or used with the embodiments of  FIGS.  17 - 24   , it should be understood that the actuation device  500  may also include some or all of the same components and operate in a manner similar to that shown and described in the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 16  and  25 - 29   . In addition, some or all of the features shown in  FIGS.  1 - 16  and  25 - 29    may be combined in various ways and included in the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  30 - 43   . Likewise, it should be understood that any of the features of the embodiments of  FIGS.  30 - 43    may be combined or otherwise incorporated into any of the other embodiments of  FIGS.  30 - 43    as well as any other embodiment herein discussed. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  25 - 43   , the actuation device  500  may include a housing  510 , a drive mechanism  560 , and a drive member  540 . The housing  510  may be securable to the insertion housing  480  or any other insertion housing, for example (but not limited to) as described in this disclosure. The housing  510  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, composite material, and/or the like. A suitable connection structure may be provided on the actuation device  500  and/or the insertion housing  480 , for example as described in this disclosure, to provide a manually releasable connection between those components. In some embodiments, the connection structure may include, but is not limited to, a threaded extension on one or the other of the actuation device  500  and the insertion housing  480  and a corresponding threaded receptacle on the other of the insertion housing  480  and the actuation device  500  for receiving the threaded extension in threaded engagement. 
     In some embodiments, a distal portion  530  of the actuation device  500  may be adapted to engage the insertion housing  480 . The distal portion  530  may have an inner chamber  536  for receiving at least a portion of the insertion housing  480 . The distal portion  530  may be integral with the housing  510 . In other embodiments, the distal portion  530  may be separate and connected with the connected with the housing  510 . The distal portion  530  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, composite material, and/or the like. 
     The distal portion  530  may have least one slot  532  or the like for engaging at least one tab  481   e  or the like of the insertion housing  480 , which may be located on an outer periphery of the outer housing portion  481 . For example, the slot  532  may receive the tab  481   e  as the actuation device  500  is connected with the insertion housing  480 . 
     In further embodiments, the distal portion  530  and/or the insertion housing  580  may be configured so that an additional rotation of the actuation device  500  relative to the insertion housing  480  may lock the tab  481   e  in the slot  532 . In yet further embodiments, the additional rotation of the actuation device  500  relative to the insertion housing  480  may cause the legs  484   b  to separate to allow the insertion structure  460  to be moved by the actuation device  500  as described. For example, the distal portion  530  may have an edge  537 , surface, tab, or the like within the chamber  536  for forcing the legs  484   b  apart, for example, in a case where the actuation device  500  receives a portion of the insertion housing  480  and the actuation device  500  is rotated relative to the insertion housing  480 . In other embodiments, the insertion housing  480  may include at least one slot (not shown) for receiving at least one tab (not shown) of the actuation device  500 . In other embodiments, the distal portion  530  of the actuation device  500  may be adapted to be insertable into the insertion housing  480 , for example, within the outer chamber  482 . 
     Thus in various embodiments, the insertion housing  480  and/or the actuation device  500  may be configured to lock the actuation device  500  to the insertion housing  480 , for example, in a case where the tab  481   e  is received in the slot  532  and the actuation device  500  is rotated relative to the insertion housing  480 . The actuation device  500  may be unlocked from the insertion housing  480 , for example, by rotating the actuation device  500  relative to the insertion housing  480  in an opposite direction from the direction for locking the two components. 
     In other embodiments, other suitable connection structures may be employed. Such a connection structure may include, but is not limited to, friction-fitted sections of the insertion housing  480  and the actuation device  500 , flexible pawls or extensions on one or the other of the actuation device  500  and the insertion housing  480  and a corresponding aperture, stop surface, or the like on the other of the insertion housing  480  and the actuation device  500 . 
     The housing  510  may include an outer body  512  and an inner body  514  concentrically arranged within the outer body  512 . The outer body  512  and the inner body  514  may define an outer chamber  513 . The inner body  514  may have an inner chamber  515 . The inner chamber  515  may be in communication with the inner chamber  536  of the distal portion  530  of the actuation device  500 . A cam assembly  580  may be supported in the outer chamber  513  between the outer body  512  and the inner body  514 . 
     The drive member  540  may be supported in the inner chamber  515  of the inner body  514  and moveable along a longitudinal dimension of the actuation device  500  through at least a portion of the inner chamber  515  and the inner chamber  536  at least between a first position and a second position. The inner body  514  may have a groove  514   a  extending at least a portion of the inner body  514  to allow movement of a portion (e.g., protrusion  544 ) of the drive member  540 . 
     The drive member  540  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, composite material, and/or the like. The drive member  540  may be moveable along a line M at least between a first position and a second position. The line M traveled by the drive member  540  and line L traveled by the insert structure  460  may share a common axis, for example, in a case where the actuation device  500  and the insertion housing  480  are connected properly. 
     In various embodiments, the drive member  540  may be adapted to operatively engage the plunger head  488 , for example, when the actuation device  500  is connected to the insertion housing  480 , in any suitable manner discussed in this disclosure. In some embodiments, the drive member  540  may include a magnet  548  or the like for interacting with a magnet or magnetically attractive element  490  (e.g., metal, ferrous conduit, and/or the like) operatively connected with the plunger head  488  to allow the drive member  540  to operatively engage the insert structure  460 . 
     In other embodiments, the drive member  540  may include a magnetically attractive element (not shown) (e.g., metal, ferrous conduit, and/or the like) for interacting with a magnet (not shown) operatively connected with the plunger head  488  to allow the drive member  540  to operatively engage the insert structure  460 . Such embodiments including a magnet in at least one of the insertion housing  480  and the actuation device  500  may allow for operatively engaging the actuation device  500  and the insertion housing  480 . In addition, such embodiments may allow for improved alignment of the actuation device  500  with the insertion housing  480  when the two components are being connected. 
     Thus in various embodiments, in a case where the drive member  540  is operatively engaged with the plunger head  488  and the drive member  540  is actuated, the insert structure  460 , which may include the plunger head  488 , the needle  446 , the collar  468 , and the cannula  448 , may be moved to the second position. Thus movement of the drive member  540  along the line M from the first position to the second position may cause the insert structure  460  to move from the first position to the second position. 
     Similarly as previously described, the drive member  540  can be further actuated to move the first part  462  of the insert structure  460 , which may include the plunger head  488  and the needle  446 , away from the second position (e.g., to (or toward) the first position and/or a third position). Thus, the second part  464  of the insert structure  460 , which may include the collar  468  and the cannula  448 , may remain in the second position to allow fluid to flow from the reservoir though the fluid conduit and the connection channel  469  to the cannula  448  into the user-patient as previously described. As such, the needle  446  may be removed from the user-patient while retaining the cannula  448  in the user-patient. In particular embodiments that include a magnet (e.g., magnet  548 ) in at least one of the insertion housing  480  and the actuation device  500 , an attractive force between the magnet and an attractive element (e.g., another magnet, metal, ferrous conduit, and/or the like) may allow for retraction of the needle  446  from the user-patient in a case where the drive member  540  is moved away from the insertion housing  480  (e.g., toward the first position). 
     The drive mechanism  560  may be for actuating the drive member  540 . The drive mechanism  560 , which may include or may be a bias member  564 , such as, but not limited to, a coil spring, or the like, arranged within the actuation device  500 . The bias member  564  may be configured to impart a force on the drive member  540  to urge the drive member  540  at least from the first position toward the second position. 
     In various some embodiments, the drive mechanism  560  may be employed to move the drive member  540  at least between the first position and the second position. The drive mechanism  560  may be any suitable mechanism, for example (but not limited to) as described in this disclosure, for providing a driving force to the drive member  540  to move the drive member  540  at least between the first position and the second position. 
     In various embodiments, the drive mechanism may include an activation mechanism, such as the knob  520 , trigger, button, or the like, for controlling the actuation device  500 . For instance, the knob  520  may be configured to arm, prime, or otherwise prepare the actuation device  500  for moving the drive member  540  to move the insert structure  460 . As such, the knob  520  may be for adjusting or otherwise setting the driving force (e.g., priming) for moving the drive member  540  at least between the first position and the second position. 
     In particular embodiments, the knob  520  may be operatively engaged with the cam assembly  580 , as will be described, so that movement (e.g., rotation) of the knob  520  causes movement (e.g., rotation) of the cam assembly  580 . In such embodiments, the knob  520  may be for priming the actuation device  500  for firing. 
     In some embodiments, the bias member  564  may be a torsion spring  564  or the like. The drive mechanism  560  may include a retainer member  562 . The knob  520  may be operatively engageable with the retainer member  562 . For example, the knob  520  may include teeth (not shown) or the like for mating with teeth  562   a  of the retainer member  562 . As such, the knob  520  and the retainer member  562  may engage each other so that the retainer member  562  can be moved with movement of the knob  520 , for example, in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. In some embodiments, the torsion spring  564  may be provided around the retainer member  562  (or any other suitable location). 
     In various embodiments, the torsion spring  564  and the knob  520  may be operatively connected with the cam assembly  580  such that movement of the knob  520  (in one or more directions) winds or otherwise primes the torsion spring  564 . For instance, the torsion spring  564  may have an end  564   a  for fitting into an aperture or the like (not shown) in the cam assembly  580  and the knob  520  may be operatively engaged with the cam assembly  580 , for example as described in this disclosure. As such, rotation of the cam assembly  580 , for example by winding the knob  520 , may wind the torsion spring  564  to prime the torsion spring  564 . Thus in various embodiments, the knob  520  may be configured to selectively arm the actuation device  500 . 
     In various embodiments, the torsion spring  564  may be operatively connected with the cam assembly  580  to allow the torsion spring  564  to apply a force on the cam assembly  580 , for example, in a case where the torsion spring  564  has been primed (e.g., by winding the knob  520  sufficiently in a first direction) and energy stored by the torsion spring  564  (from priming the torsion spring  564 ) is released (or the torsion spring  564  is otherwise allowed to move the cam assembly  580  in a second direction, opposite the first direction), for example, by actuating a trigger or the like as will be described. Thus, the actuation device  590  (e.g., the drive member  540 ) may be fired by priming the torsion spring  564 , and releasing the energy stored by the torsion spring  564  to apply a force on the cam assembly  580  to cause the cam assembly  580  to drive or otherwise move the drive member  540  at least between the first position and the second position. 
     In some embodiments, a bias member, such as a spring  566 , or the like may be operatively engaged with the drive mechanism  560  to provide a bias force to the drive mechanism  560 , for example, to prevent the knob  520  from rotating in a direction opposite (e.g., the second direction) a direction (e.g., the first direction) for priming the drive mechanism  560 . In some embodiments, the knob  520  and/or the retainer member  562  may be configured to act as a ratchet or the like. Such embodiments may allow the user-patient to apply multiple partial rotations to the knob  520  to arm the actuation device  500  as opposed to having to rotate the knob completely in a single attempt to arm the actuation device  500 . For example, the teeth of the knob  520  may engage with the teeth  562   a  of the retaining member  562  as the knob is rotated  520  to allow continued movement of the knob  520  in one direction (e.g., the first direction) while preventing the knob from  520  moving in the opposite direction (e.g., the second direction). 
     The knob  520  and/or the retainer  562  may be secured or otherwise operatively connected to the housing  510  in any suitable manner including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, fasteners, and/or the like. In particular embodiments, a self-tapping screw  570  (or the like) may be employed in a bore  563  of the retainer member to fasten the knob  520  and/or the retainer  562  to the housing  510 . In further embodiments, a washer  568  or the like may be provided with the self-tapping screw (or other fastener). 
     The cam assembly  580  may comprise a drum cam  582  and a drum cam top  590 . Each of the drum cam  582  and the drum cam top  590  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, composite material, and/or the like. The drum cam  582  may have an interior  585  in which the drum cam top  590  may be supported. For example, the drum cam  582  may have a ridge  582   a  upon which at least a portion of the drum cam top  590  may sit. The drum cam  582  may include one or more tabs  582   b  that fit into corresponding apertures  590   a  in the drum cam top  590 . The tabs  582   b  may prevent the drum cam top  590  from rotating (relative to the drum cam  582 ) in the interior  585  of the drum cam  582 . Thus the drum cam top  590  may move (e.g., rotate) with movement (e.g., rotation) of the drum cam  582 , for example, relative to the housing  510  and the drive member  540 . In other embodiments, the drum cam  582  may include apertures (not shown) for receiving corresponding tabs (not shown) of the drum cam top  590 . 
     The drum cam  582  may have a first interior surface  587  and a second interior surface  586  that is raised relative to the first interior surface  587 . A sloped surface  586   a  may define a perimeter of the second interior surface  586 . The second interior surface  586  may be relatively flush with an interior surface  596  of the drum cam top  590  in a case where the drum cam top  590  is supported in the interior  585  of drum cam  582 . A sloped surface  596   a  may define a perimeter of the interior surface  596  of the drum cam top  590 . The interior surface  596  of the drum cam top  590  and a sloped surface  596   a  may define an interior  595 . 
     The sloped surface  596   a  of the drum cam top  590  and the sloped surface  586   a  of the drum cam  582  may define a track  588 , groove, or the like between the two components. The drive member  540  may have a protrusion  544  or the like arranged for movement in the track  588 . The protrusion  544  may be guided or otherwise moved by the cam assembly  580  along the track  588  to move the drive member  540  at least between the first position and the second position. For instance, the sloped surface  596   a  of the drum cam top  590  and the sloped surface  586   a  of the drum cam  582  may provide a circular track that spirals along the cam assembly  580  to allow the cam assembly  580  to rotate relative to the drive member  540 . As such, rotation of the cam assembly  580  may guide the protrusion  544  along the track  588  to cause movement of the drive member  540  at least between the first position and the second position. 
     Thus in some embodiments, a cam assembly with a track along which a protrusion (or other portion) of a drive member is guided may be assembled using two separate components. Such embodiments may allow for cheaper and easier manufacturing (e.g., molding) processes. In other embodiments, the cam assembly  580  may be formed as one component with the track  588  formed therein. In yet other embodiments, the cam assembly may be assembled using any number of suitable components. 
     As mentioned, in some embodiments, the protrusion  544  of the drive member  540  may be arranged in the track  588  of the cam assembly  580 . In such embodiments, when the actuation device  500  is fired, for example when the torsion spring  564  is released, the cam assembly  580  may rotate (e.g., in the second direction) relative to the drive member  540 . As a result, a portion of the cam assembly (e.g., the sloped surface  596   a  of the drum cam top  590 ) may push or otherwise guide the protrusion  544  of the drive member  540  along the track  588 . Thus, as the cam assembly  580  rotates, the drive member  540 , via the cam assembly  580  pushing on the protrusion  544 , may be moved between the first position and the second position. 
     In further embodiments, when the actuation device  500  is primed, for example when the knob  520  is wound, the cam assembly  580  may be rotated (e.g., in the first direction) relative to the drive member  540 . As a result, a portion of the cam assembly (e.g., the sloped surface of the drum cam  582 ) may push or otherwise guide the protrusion  544  of the drive member  540  along the track  588 . Thus, as the cam assembly  580  rotates, the drive member  540 , via the cam assembly  580  pushing on the protrusion  544 , may be moved between the second position and the first position. 
     In some embodiments, the cam assembly  580  may be configured to compensate or otherwise provide a tolerance for the protrusion  544  of the drive member  540  (relative to the cam assembly  580 ) as the protrusion  544  is guided along the track  588  by the cam assembly  580  to move the drive member  540  between the first position and the second position. 
     In particular embodiments, the cam assembly  580  may include a cap  592  and a bias member, such as a spring  594  or the like. The cap  592  may be supported on the drum cam  582 . The drum cam top  590  may be supported within the drum cam  582  such that the drum cam top  590  may slide or otherwise move within the interior  585  of the drum cam  582 , for example, toward and away from the cap  592  (e.g., along the line M). The spring  594  may be arranged between the drum cam top  590  and the cap  592  to provide a bias force on the drum cam top  590 . For instance, the spring  594  may provide a bias force in a direction away from the cap  592 , for example, when the actuation device  500  is fired so that the cam assembly  580  is rotated (e.g., in the second direction) causing the drum cam top  590  to push or otherwise guide the protrusion  544  to move the drive member  540  from the first position to the second position. 
     As such, the spring  594  may compensate for any shifting or other variation between the drum cam top  590  and the drum cam  582  caused by the cam top  590  guiding the protrusion  544  toward the bottom of the track  588  (e.g., position B in  FIG.  35   ). For instance, the spring  594  may cause continued movement of the protrusion  544  until reaching the bottom of the track  588 . Such embodiments may allow for compensating any variation in distance between, for example, the sloped surface  596  of the drum cam top  590  and the sloped surface  586   a  of the drum cam  582 . Thus, any variation can be compensated before the protrusion  544  guided up the track  588  (e.g., toward position A in  FIG.  35   ), for example to prime the actuation device  500  again (or for the first time). This may ensure that the drive member  540  and/or the insert structure  560  has traveled an expected distance, for example, a distance required to sufficiently insert the cannula  448  into the user-patient. 
     In addition, in various embodiments, the spring  594  may provide a bias force in a direction away from the cap  592 , for example, when the actuation device  500  is primed so that the cam assembly  580  is rotated (e.g., in the first direction) causing the drum cam  582  to push or otherwise guide the protrusion  544  to move the drive member  540  from the second position to the first position (or other position). As such, the spring  594  may compensate for any shifting or other variation between the drum cam top  590  and the drum cam  582  caused by the drum cam  582  guiding the protrusion  544  toward the top of the track  588  (e.g., position A in  FIG.  35   ). For instance, the spring  594  may cause continued movement of the protrusion  544  until reaching the top of the track  588 . Such embodiments may allow for compensating any variation in distance between, for example, the sloped surface  596  of the drum cam top  590  and the sloped surface  586   a  of the drum cam  582 . Thus, any variation can be compensated before the protrusion  544  guided down the track  588  (e.g., toward position B in  FIG.  35   ), for example to fire the actuation device  500  again (or for the first time). This may ensure that the drive member  540  and/or the insert structure  560  has traveled an expected distance, for example, a distance required to sufficiently prime the actuation device  500  or component thereof. 
     In particular embodiments, the drum cam  582  and the cap  592  may be keyed to fit with each other. For instance, the drum cam  582  may have a tab  582   b , protrusion or the like that fits into a recess  592   b  in the cap  592 . In other embodiments, the drum cam  582  may have a recess (not shown) for receiving a tab (not shown), protrusion, or the like of the cap  592 . In other embodiments, the cap  592  may be fit with the cam assembly  580  in any suitable manner such as (but not limited to) a friction fitting, welding, adhesive fitting, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the cap  592  may be a separate component from the drum cam  582 . In other embodiments, the cap  592  may be integral with the drum cam  582 . The cap  592  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, composite material, and/or the like. 
     A trigger  554  or the like may be configured to selectively fire or otherwise actuate the actuation device  500 , for example after the knob  520  has sufficiently primed the actuation device  500 . For instance, the trigger  554  may be operatively connected to the bias member  564  to allow a force of the bias member to drive the drive member  540 , for example by rotating the cam assembly  580 , to the second position upon activation of the trigger  554 . 
     In some embodiments, the trigger  554  may be configured to lock or otherwise prevent movement of at least one of the drive member  540 , the cam assembly  580 , and the bias member  564  in a particular direction or orientation until the trigger  554  is released or otherwise activated. For example, the trigger  554  may include a catch  555  for engaging with and disengaging from a portion of the drum cam  582 , such as an abutment  583   a  of the drum cam  582 . As such, rotation of the drum cam  582 , for example in the second direction, may be substantially prevented in a case where, for example, the actuation device  500  is armed (e.g., by sufficiently winding the knob  520 ) and the abutment  583   a  of the drum cam  582  is engaged by the catch  555 . 
     The trigger  554  may be mounted in the housing  510  and/or the distal portion  530 . For example, the trigger  554  may have one or more of a first protrusion  554   a  and a second protrusion  554   b  for fitting into one or more of an aperture  510   a  in the housing  510  and an aperture  530   a  in the distal portion  530 , respectively. Accordingly, the trigger  554  may be pivotable about the first protrusion  554   a  and the second protrusion  554   b . For instance, the trigger  554  may be pressed (or otherwise activated) to pivot the trigger  554  to provide sufficient clearance between the catch  555  and the abutment  583   a  of the drum cam  582  to disengage the catch  555  from the abutment  583   a . In other embodiments, the trigger  554  may have one or more of a first aperture (not shown) and a second aperture (not shown) for receiving one or more of a protrusion (not shown) of the housing  510  and/or a protrusion (not shown) of the distal portion  530 , respectively 
     In a case where the actuation device  500  is not primed (or in a case where the actuation device  500  has been fired), the catch  555  may rest against an abutment  583   b  of the drum cam  582 . As the actuation device  500  is armed, for example, by winding the knob  520 , the drum cam  582  may be rotated (e.g., in the first direction) relative to the housing  510  and the trigger  554  to allow the catch  555  to travel relative to the drum cam  582  along a groove  583  having a first end defined by the abutment  583   b  and a second end defined by the abutment  583   a . The catch  555  may be allowed to travel in the same direction relative to the drum cam  582  until the catch  555  engages the abutment  583   a  on the other end of the groove  583 , which may indicate that the actuation device  500  has been sufficiently armed. As described, as the cam assembly  580  is rotated (e.g., in the first direction), a portion of the cam assembly  580  (e.g., the sloped surface  586   a  of the drum cam  582 ) pushes or otherwise guides the protrusion  544  along the track  588 . Thus, as the cam assembly  580  rotates, the drive member  540 , via the cam assembly  580  pushing on the protrusion  544 , may be moved between the second position and the first position to prime the actuation device  500 . 
     In some embodiments, in a case where the protrusion  544  is guided along the track  588  to move the drive member  540  between the second position and the first position, the protrusion  544  may be guided in a direction (e.g., the first direction) opposite a direction (e.g., the second direction) in which the protrusion  544  travels along the track  588  as the drive member  540  is moved between the first position and the second position. In other embodiments, in a case where the protrusion  544  is guided along the track  588  to move the drive member  540  between the second position and the first position, the protrusion  544  may travel in a same direction (e.g., continued relative movement along the track  588 ) in which the protrusion  544  is guided along the track  588  as the drive member  540  is moved between the first position and the second position. In such embodiments, for example, the track  588  may be a circular track within the cam assembly  580 . In further embodiments, the circular track  588  may be “V”-shaped (e.g.,  FIGS.  32  and  40   ) or otherwise have a “V”-shaped cross-section. 
     In some embodiments, a safety mechanism  550  may be provided for preventing the trigger  554  from being releasable or otherwise activated unless the actuation device  500  is sufficiently armed (e.g., by winding the knob  520  sufficiently). For example, the safety mechanism  550  may include a bar  552  supported within the housing  510  and adjacent the drum cam  582 . A first end of the bar  552  located near the drum cap  592  may have an angled surface  552   a  and a second end, opposite the first end, may include a shelf  552   b . The bar  552  may be arranged for movement between a first position and a second position as the drum cam  582  is rotated. In a case where the bar  552  is in the first position, the shelf  552   b  may obstruct or otherwise prevent the trigger  554  from being pressed to release the catch  555  to allow the drum cam  582  to rotate, thus firing the actuation device  500 . In a case where the bar  552  is in the second position, the trigger  554  may be free of the shelf  552   b , thus allowing the trigger  552  to be activated to allow the drum cam  582  to rotate to fire the actuation device  500 . 
     A bias member, such as a spring  556  or the like, may be arranged in the actuation device  500 , for example (but not limited to) in an aperture  531   a  in the distal portion  530 , to provide a bias force on the bar  552  toward the first position (i.e., a position in which the trigger  554  cannot be pressed or otherwise activated because of obstruction by the shelf  552   b  of the bar  552 ). 
     The bar  552  may be operatively engaged with the knob  520  so that rotation of the knob  520  may cause movement of the bar  552  at least between the first position and the second position. For instance, the knob  520  may include a surface  523 , edge, protrusion (or the like) for engaging a protrusion  592   c  (or the like) of the cap  592  so that rotation of the knob  520  (e.g., in the first direction) to prime the actuation device  500  may cause the cap  592  and the connected drum cam  582  to rotate as previously described. The surface  523  of the knob  520  may continue to move the protrusion  592   c  to rotate the cap  592  and the connected drum cam  582  to allow the surface  523  of the cap  592  to move along the angled surface  552   a  of the bar  552 . Continued movement of the surface  523  of the cap  592  over the bar  552  may cause the bar  552  to move to the second position to free the trigger  554  from the shelf  552   b  of the bar  552 . Accordingly, the trigger  554  may be free to be pressed or otherwise activated to actuate the actuation device  500 . 
     In other embodiments, the knob  520  may be configured to selectively release the drive member  540  and/or the bias member  564  to allow the drive member  540  to move along the line M at least between the first position and the second position under the force of the bias member  564  to the second position upon being operated after the actuation device  500  is armed. For example, operating the knob  520  a first time may retract the drive member  540  to the first position and/or arm the bias member  564 , and further operating the knob  520  a second time may release or otherwise allow the drive member  540  to advance to the second position. Other examples of insertion structures are described in, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 2007/0142776, entitled “Insertion Device for an Insertion Set and Method of Using the Same,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In various embodiments, the actuation device  500  may be configured for improved handling of the actuation device  500  by the user-patient. For example, the actuation device  500  may include a handling portion  528 , grips, textured surfaces, or the like that may aid in handling of the actuation device  500 . In some embodiments, the handling portion  528  may be arranged on the knob  520 , the housing  510 , and/or any other location on the actuation device  500  on which improved handling may be desired. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive of the invention. The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the attached claims, rather than the embodiments. Various modifications and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be within the scope of the invention.