Patent Publication Number: US-10772796-B2

Title: Automated filling systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/927,378, filed Oct. 29, 2015 which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/961,798, filed Aug. 7, 2013, which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/163,548, filed Jun. 17, 2011, which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/107,580, filed Apr. 22, 2008, which is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/927,032, filed Apr. 30, 2007, entitled “Needle Inserting, Reservoir Filling, Bubble Management, Fluid Flow Connections and Infusion Medium Delivery Systems and Methods with Same,” the contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and which is a basis for a claim of priority. Embodiments of the present invention relate to PCT International Application No. PCT/US2007/076641, filed Aug. 23, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/927,032, filed Apr. 30, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems and methods with reservoirs and, in specific embodiments, to systems and methods allowing for automated filling of reservoirs. 
     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 also 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 that are 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, for example, through a 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 the following references: (i) Published PCT Application WO 01/70307 (PCT/US01/09139), entitled “Exchangeable Electronic Cards for Infusion Devices”; (ii) Published PCT Application WO 04/030716 (PCT/US2003/028769), entitled “Components and Methods for Patient Infusion Device”; (iii) Published PCT Application WO 04/030717 (PCT/US2003/029019), entitled “Dispenser Components and Methods for Infusion Device”; (iv) U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2005/0065760, entitled “Method for Advising Patients Concerning Doses Of Insulin”; and (v) U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,229, entitled “Wearable Self-Contained Drug Infusion Device”, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     As compared to syringes and insulin pens, pump type delivery devices can be significantly more convenient to a patient, in that doses of insulin may be calculated and delivered automatically to a patient 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 fluidic media at appropriate times of need, based on sensed or monitored levels of blood glucose. As a result, pump type delivery devices have become an important aspect of modern medical treatments of various types of medical conditions, such as diabetes, and the like. As pump technologies improve and doctors and patients become more familiar with such devices, external medical infusion pump treatments are expected to increase in popularity and are expected to increase substantially in number over the next decade. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to automated and/or assisted filling systems and methods. A system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include, but is not limited to, a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion may have a latitudinal dimension. The second housing portion may be operatively connected to the first housing portion. The second housing portion may be for moving relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion. One of the first and second housing portions may be removably connectable to a transfer guard. The transfer guard may be for providing a fluid path from a vial to a reservoir. The other of the first and second housing portions from said one of the first and second housing portions may be operatively engageable to a plunger head positioned in the reservoir. The first and second housing portions may be configured such that fluidic media is transferred from the vial to the reservoir in a case where the one of the first and second housing portions is connected to the transfer guard, and the other of the first and second housing portions is operatively engaged to the plunger head, and the second housing portion is moved relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion. 
     In various embodiments, the first housing portion may have at least one tab insertable into at least one aperture of the transfer guard. The system may further include a plunger arm and a handle. The plunger arm may have a first end and a second end. The first end of the plunger arm may be connectable to the plunger head. The handle may be connected to the second end of the plunger arm. 
     In various embodiments, the second housing portion may have a recess. The handle may be insertable into the recess of the second housing portion. The other of the first and second housing portions from said one of the first and second housing portions may be operatively engaged to the plunger head when the handle is inserted into the recess of the second housing portion. 
     In various embodiments, the system may further include a fill volume control device. The fill volume control device may be supported by the one of the first and second housing portions that is removably connectable to the transfer guard. The fill volume control device may have a plurality of selectable positions, wherein each selectable position of the plurality of selectable positions may correspond to a volume of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial to the reservoir when the second housing portion moves relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion. The plunger head may be moveable in the reservoir until the handle contacts the fill volume control device. 
     In various embodiments, the fill volume control device may further include at least one fill volume tab. The handle may contact the fill volume control device when the handle contacts one of the at least one fill volume tab. The handle may have at least one aperture. At least one of the at least one fill volume tab may be insertable into the at least one aperture of the handle. In some embodiments, each tab of the at least one tab may be of varying lengths. In some embodiments, each fill volume tab of the at least one fill volume tab may correspond to a selectable position of the plurality of selectable positions. In some embodiments, the at least one fill volume tab may have a plurality of edges. Each edge of the plurality of edges may correspond to a selectable position of the plurality of selectable positions. In further embodiments, the fill volume control device may be at least partially rotatable about the one of the first and second housing portions that is removably connectable to the transfer guard. 
     In various embodiments, the system may further include a second handle connected to the fill volume control device. The second handle may be for rotating the fill volume control device to select a position of the plurality of selectable positions. In some embodiments, the one of the first and second housing portions that is removably connectable to the transfer guard may have an abutment for inhibiting advancement of the second handle beyond the abutment. In some embodiments, the system may include protrusions located at each of the plurality of selectable positions. The protrusions may be for at least partially inhibiting movement of the second handle. 
     In various embodiments, the system may include a door operatively connected to the second housing portion. In further embodiments, the system may further include at least one handle grip located on at least one of the second housing portion and the door of the second housing portion. In some embodiments, the system may include a door operatively connected to the first housing portion. In further embodiments, the system may further include at least one handle grip located on at least one of the first housing portion and the door of the first housing portion. 
     In various embodiments, the system may include a base located on a bottom end of the first housing portion. The system may further include an adhesive pad located on a bottom surface of the base. In other embodiments, the system may include a friction pad located on a bottom surface of the base. In some embodiments, the friction pad may comprise a rubber material. 
     In various embodiments, the system may include a pressure control valve for providing an air path between the vial and atmosphere. 
     In various embodiments, the transfer guard may comprise a needle for connecting the vial and the reservoir. The transfer guard may include a first end for at least partially surrounding a port of the vial when the needle of the transfer guard pierces a septum in the port of the vial. In some embodiments, the transfer guard may include a second end for at least partially surrounding a port of the reservoir when the needle of the transfer guard pierces a septum in the port of the reservoir. In further embodiments, the transfer guard may further include at least one tab located in at least one of the first end and the second end for securing at least one of the vial and the reservoir in the at least one of the first end and the second end of the transfer guard. In some embodiments, at least one of the first end and the second end may have a plurality of apertures. At least one of the vial and the reservoir may include a plurality of tabs located on the corresponding port. The plurality of tabs may be insertable into the plurality of apertures of the at least one of the first end and the second end of the transfer guard. In some embodiments, at least one of the vial and the reservoir may be at least partially rotatable about the at least one of the first end and the second end. At least one tab of the plurality of tabs may be rotatable from a position within at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures to a locked position. In further embodiments, the system may further include at least one abutment for locking at least one tab of the plurality of tabs into the locked position. 
     In various embodiments, the system may include at least one seal member positioned between the plunger head and the reservoir. 
     In various embodiments, the second housing portion may have a threaded portion. The transfer guard may have a threaded portion for engaging the threaded portion of the second housing portion when the transfer guard is connected to the second housing portion. The system may include a threaded member supported by the first housing portion. The plunger head may have a threaded portion for engaging the threaded member when the plunger head is connected to the threaded member of the first housing portion. 
     In various embodiments, the second housing portion may be moveable relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion between at least a first position and a second position. The transfer guard may be connectable to the second housing portion while the second housing portion is in the second position. 
     In various embodiments, the system may include a bias member arranged to impart a bias force on the second housing portion. The bias member may comprise a spring. The system may further include a latch for supporting the second housing portion when the second housing portion is in the second position and the latch is in a first latch position and for allowing the second housing portion to move to the first position when the latch is in a second latch position. In a case where the latch is in the first latch position, the bias member may be biased toward an expanded position and is held compressed by the second housing portion. In a case where the latch is in the second latch position, the bias member may push on the second housing portion so as to move the second housing portion to the first position. In some embodiments, the system may further include a first button for moving the latch between the first latch position and the second latch position. The first button may be for moving the latch between the second latch position and the first latch position. In further embodiments, the system may further include a second button for moving the latch between the second latch position and the first latch position. 
     A method for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method may include, but is not limited to, (i) providing a first housing portion having a latitudinal dimension, (ii) locating a second housing portion operatively connected to the first housing portion, the second housing portion for moving relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion, (iii) configuring one of the first and second housing portions to be removably connectable to a transfer guard, the transfer guard for providing a fluid path from a vial to a reservoir, (iv) configuring the other of the first and second housing portions from said one of the first and second housing portions to be operatively engagable to a plunger head positioned in the reservoir, and (v) configuring the first and second housing portions such that fluidic media is transferred from the vial to the reservoir in a case where the one of the first and second housing portions is connected to the transfer guard, and the other of the first and second housing portions is operatively engaged to the plunger head, and the second housing portion is moved relative to the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion. 
     In an embodiment for a system for transferring fluidic media, the system may include, but is not limited to, a holding unit and a vibrator. The holding unit may be for holding a reservoir. The holding unit may be configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media. The vibrator may be for vibrating the holding unit so as to vibrate the reservoir. 
     In various embodiments, the vibrator may be configured to vibrate the holding unit when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media, so as to vibrate the reservoir and cause air bubbles within the fluidic media to travel upwards within the reservoir. In some embodiments, the vibrator may be configured to shake the holding unit sufficiently when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media so as to shake air bubbles free in the fluidic media. 
     In various embodiments, the system may further include a first holder and a second holder. The plunger arm may be moveable within a space between the first holder and the second holder when the reservoir is being held by the first holder and the second holder and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media. The first holder and the second holder may be connected to the vibrator. In some embodiments, the space may be also at least partially between the plunger arm and the vibrator. 
     In various embodiments, the holding unit may be configured such that, when the holding unit is holding the reservoir, fluidic media is fillable into the reservoir through a port of the reservoir that is located to an opposite side of said plunger head from said plunger arm. In yet further embodiments, the holding unit may be configured such that the plunger arm is moveable in a direction toward the vibrator when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media. 
     In various embodiments, the system may further include one or more latches for preventing the plunger arm from being moved when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and prior to a time when the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media. In further embodiments, the system may include a transfer guard for transferring fluidic media from a vial to the reservoir when the holding unit is holding the reservoir. The transfer guard may include a first end for at least partially surrounding a port of the reservoir when a needle of the transfer guard pierces a septum in the port of the reservoir. In yet further embodiments, the holding unit may be configured such that a handle connected to the plunger arm is moveable within a space between the reservoir and the vibrator when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media. 
     A method for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include, but is not limited to, (i) providing a holding unit for holding a reservoir, the holding unit configured such that a plunger arm that is connected to a plunger head that is within the reservoir is moveable when the holding unit is holding the reservoir and the reservoir is being filled with fluidic media, and (ii) locating a vibrator for vibrating the holding unit so as to vibrate the reservoir. 
     In an embodiment for a system for transferring fluidic media, the system may include, but is not limited to, a housing portion and a bias member. The housing portion may have a latitudinal dimension. The housing portion may be for supporting a reservoir connectable to a transfer guard for providing a fluid path from a vial to the reservoir. The bias member may be operatively engageable with a handle that is operatively engageable to a plunger head positioned in a reservoir. The bias member may be for moving the handle relative to the latitudinal dimension of the housing portion. The housing portion and the bias member may be configured such that fluidic media is transferred from the vial to the reservoir in a case where the housing portion is supporting the reservoir, the bias member is operatively engaged with the handle, the handle is operatively engaged with the plunger head, and the handle is moved relative to the latitudinal dimension of the housing portion. 
     In various embodiments, the system may further include a latch for supporting the handle when the latch is in a first position, and for releasing the handle to allow the handle to move when the latch is moved to a second position. The bias member may be biased toward an expanded position and held compressed by the handle in a case where the latch is in the first position and the latch is supporting the handle. The bias member may push on the handle so as to move the handle in a case where the latch is moved to the second position to release the handle. The bias member may comprise a spring. 
     In various embodiments, the system may include a plunger arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the plunger arm may be connectable to the plunger head. The second end of the plunger arm may be connectable to the handle. In some embodiments, the bias member may be operatively connected between the housing portion and the handle. In other embodiments, the bias member may be operatively connected between the reservoir and the handle. 
     A method for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include, but is not limited to, (i) providing a housing portion having a latitudinal dimension, the housing portion for supporting a reservoir connectable to a transfer guard for providing a fluid path from a vial to the reservoir, (ii) locating a bias member operatively engagable with a handle that is operatively engagable to a plunger head positioned in a reservoir, the bias member for moving the handle relative to the latitudinal dimension of the housing portion, and (iii) configuring the housing portion and the bias member such that fluidic media is transferred from the vial to the reservoir in a case where the housing portion is supporting the reservoir, the bias member is operatively engaged with the handle, the handle is operatively engaged with the plunger head, and the handle is moved relative to the latitudinal dimension of the housing portion. 
     A system for automated pressure equalization may include, but is not limited to, a transfer guard and a bias member. The transfer guard may include a first needle and a second needle. The first needle may have a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from an interior volume of a vial to an interior volume of a reservoir. The second needle may have a fluid path for communicating between atmosphere and the interior volume of the vial. The bias member may be connected between an end of the reservoir and a plunger head positioned in the reservoir. The bias member may be for providing a retaining force behind the plunger head as the plunger head is moved within the reservoir to transfer fluidic media from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir. The bias member and the transfer guard may be configured to equalize pressure relative to atmosphere in the interior volume of the vial in a case where the second needle communicates between atmosphere and the interior volume of the vial and the plunger head is moved within the reservoir to transfer fluidic media from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir. 
     In various embodiments, the system may include a membrane located in the fluid path of the second needle. The membrane may be for substantially preventing addition of water vapor through the second needle to the interior volume of the vial. The membrane may comprise one of a hydrophobic membrane and a hydrophilic membrane. In some embodiments, the system may include a filter located in the fluid path of the first needle. The filter may be for degassing fluidic media transferred from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir. The filter may comprise one of a hydrophobic filter and a hydrophilic filter. In some embodiments, the bias member may comprise a spring. 
     A method for automated pressure equalization in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include, but is not limited to, (i) providing a transfer guard, said providing may include locating a first needle having a fluid path for transferring fluidic media from an interior volume of a vial to an interior volume of a reservoir, and locating a second needle having a fluid path for communicating between atmosphere and the interior volume of the vial, (ii) locating a bias member connected between an end of the reservoir and a plunger head positioned in the reservoir, the bias member for providing a retaining force behind the plunger head as the plunger head is moved within the reservoir to transfer fluidic media from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir, and (iii) configuring the bias member and the transfer guard to equalize pressure relative to atmosphere in the interior volume of the vial in a case where the second needle communicates between atmosphere and the interior volume of the vial, and the plunger head is moved within the reservoir to transfer fluidic media from the interior volume of the vial to the interior volume of the reservoir. 
    
    
     
       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. 5A  illustrates a durable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a section view of a durable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates a section view of a durable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a disposable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a section view of a disposable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates a section view of a disposable portion of a delivery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a transfer guard, a vial, and a reservoir for use with a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a transfer guard, a vial, and a reservoir for use with a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a transfer guard, a vial, and a reservoir for use with a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a vial for use with a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a transfer guard for use with a system for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a reservoir for use with a system for transferring fluidic media 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  includes 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 , delivery device  12 , sensing device  14 , 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, however, with a reservoir and plunger configuration such as described herein with reference to FIGS. 7-8C, 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”; and (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”. 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  is configured to deliver fluidic media to the body  5  of the user-patient  7 . In various embodiments, fluidic media includes a liquid, a fluid, a gel, or the like. In some embodiments, fluidic media includes 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 includes a nutritional supplement, a dye, a tracing medium, a saline medium, a hydration medium, or the like. 
     The sensing device  14  includes 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 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 other 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. Also, 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 . 
     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 includes 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  supports the reservoir system  40  and has a bottom surface (facing downward and into the page in  FIG. 2 ) that is configured to secure to the body of a user-patient. An adhesive may be employed at an interface between the bottom surface of the disposable housing  20  and the skin of a user-patient, so as 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  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  is configured for containing or holding fluidic media, such as, but not limited to insulin. In various embodiments, the reservoir system  40  includes 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  is able to 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  includes a 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  includes 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  is 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  is 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. Also, in various embodiments, the connector  56  of the infusion path  50  includes a needle for piercing the septum covering the port  41  of the reservoir system  40  so as 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  includes a needle that is able to puncture the skin of a user-patient. Also, in various embodiments, the tube  54  connects the connector  56  with the needle apparatus  52  and is 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 easily connect together, 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 , so as 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 so as 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. Also, 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  16  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  includes a sensor  15  connected by the connection element  16  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  is configured to be secured to the 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. 5A  illustrates a durable portion  8  of the delivery device  12  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5B  illustrates a section view of the durable portion  8  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5C  illustrates another section view of the durable portion  8  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , in various embodiments, the durable portion  8  includes the durable housing  30 , and a drive device  80 . The drive device  80  includes 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. 5A, 5B, and 5C ). Also, in various embodiments, the durable housing  30  is configured with an opening  32  for receiving a plunger arm  60  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). Also, 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. 6A  illustrates a disposable portion  9  of the delivery device  12  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6B  illustrates a section view of the disposable portion  9  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6C  illustrates another section view of the disposable portion  9  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C , 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  includes the base  21  and the reservoir retaining portion  24 . In various embodiments, the base  21  includes 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. 5B ). 
     In various embodiments, the reservoir system  40  is housed within the reservoir retaining portion  24  of the disposable housing  20 , and the reservoir system  40  is configured to hold fluidic media. Also, in various embodiments, the plunger head  70  is disposed at least partially within the reservoir system  40  and is 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  is connected to or is connectable to the plunger head  70 . 
     Also, in some embodiments, a portion of the plunger arm  60  extends to outside of the reservoir retaining portion  24  of the disposable housing  20 . In various embodiments, the plunger arm  60  has a mating portion for mating with the drive device linkage portion  82  of the drive device  80  (refer to  FIG. 5C ). With reference to  FIGS. 5C and 6C , 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, a 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. 6B ) of the disposable housing  20 . Also, 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, 5A, 6B, and 6C , in various embodiments, the delivery device  12  includes reservoir status circuitry (not shown), and the reservoir system  40  includes 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  includes the reservoir status circuitry (not shown), and the reservoir status circuitry is configured to read data from the reservoir circuitry when the reservoir system  40  is inserted into the disposable portion  9 . 
     In various embodiments, the reservoir status circuitry is 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 , so as to update information in the reservoir circuitry related to an amount of contents still remaining in the reservoir system  40 . In some embodiments, the reservoir status circuitry is configured to store data to the reservoir circuitry, so as to update information in the reservoir circuitry related to an amount of contents still 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  includes the reservoir status circuitry (not shown) and the reservoir system  40  includes the reservoir circuitry (not shown), and the reservoir status circuitry selectively inhibits use of the delivery device  12  or selectively provides a warning signal based on information read by the reservoir status circuitry from the reservoir circuitry. 
       FIGS. 7-10  illustrate a system  100  for transferring fluidic media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  100  may include, but is not limited to, a first housing portion  102 , a second housing portion  122 , a vial  140 , a reservoir  180 , a plunger head  190 , a plunger arm  194 , a handle  196 , and a transfer guard  160 . The first housing portion  102  and the second housing portion  122  may be configured such that the second housing portion  122  is moveable relative to a latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion  102 . For example, the first housing portion  102  and the second housing portion  122  may be slideably connected such that the second housing portion  122  may slide into the first housing portion  102  when a user pushes the second housing portion  122  into the first housing portion  102 . 
     The second housing portion  122  may have a portion  125  substantially extending into the first housing portion  102 . The portion  125  of the second housing portion  122  may have a recess  127  located on a distal end of the portion  125  of the second housing portion  122 . The recess  127  may be for receiving the handle  196  when the transfer guard  160  is installed on the first housing portion  102 . The handle  196  and the recess  127  may be configured such that the handle  196  is able to fit within or snap together with the recess  127  to fit the handle  196  within the recess  127 . The system  100  may include a base  104  located on a bottom surface of the first housing portion  102  for standing the system  100  vertically on a suitable surface, such as a table top, countertop, or the like. In some embodiments, the base  104  may have an adhesive bottom  106  for attaching the system  100  to the suitable surface. In some embodiments, the base  104  may include a friction pad (not shown), which may be made of rubber, or the like located on the bottom surface of the base  104  to prevent the system  100  from slipping during use of the system  100 . 
     The vial  140  may include a septum  144  located at a port  142  of the vial  140 . The vial  140  may be for containing fluidic media. The reservoir  180  may have an interior volume  185  for containing fluidic media. The plunger head  190  may be located within the reservoir  180  and may be moveable within the reservoir  180  to expand or contract the interior volume  185  of the reservoir  180 . The plunger head  190  may be connected to the plunger arm  194 . The handle  196  may be connected to an end of the plunger arm  194  opposite from the end connected to the plunger head  190 . The reservoir  180  may include a septum  184  located at a port  182  of the reservoir  180 . The plunger head  190  may include at least one seal member  199 , such as an o-ring, or the like to facilitate movement within the reservoir  180  and/or to substantially prevent fluidic media from flowing between the plunger head  190  and the reservoir  180 . 
     The transfer guard  160  may include a needle  165  for providing a fluid path from an interior volume  145  of the vial  140  to the interior volume  185  of the reservoir  180 . The transfer guard  160  may be configured such that when the vial  140  is attached to the transfer guard  160 , the needle  165  pierces the septum  144  of the vial  140 . The transfer guard  160  may be further configured such that when the reservoir  180  is attached to the transfer guard  160 , the needle  165  pierces the septum  184  of the reservoir  180 . Thus, the transfer guard  160  may allow for establishing the fluid path from the vial  140  to the reservoir  180  through the needle  165 . 
     In some embodiments, the transfer guard  160  may include a second needle  169 . The second needle  169  may be able to pierce the septum  144  of the vial  140  when the vial  140  is connected to the transfer guard  160 . An end of the second needle  169  may be located within a headspace  147  of the vial  140  above fluidic media within the interior volume  145  of the vial  140  in a case where the transfer guard  160  is connected to the vial  140 . In other embodiments, the end of the second needle  169  may be in contact with fluidic media within the interior volume  145  of the vial  140  in a case where the transfer guard  160  is connected to the vial  140 . Another end of the second needle  169  may be connected to a check valve  167 , such as a one-way valve, or the like. The check valve  167  may allow air to enter the interior volume  145  of the vial  140  through the second needle  169 . In some embodiments, the check valve  167  may substantially prevent liquid from coming out of the vial  140  through the second needle  169  and/or the check valve  167 . In various embodiments, the second needle  169  may allow for venting the headspace  147  or the interior volume  145  of the vial  140  to atmosphere to facilitate the transfer of fluidic media from the vial  140  to the reservoir  180 . 
     The transfer guard  160  may have a first end  150  for supporting the vial  140 . The port  142  of the vial  140  may be insertable into the first end  150  of the transfer guard  160 . As described above, the septum  144  of the vial  140  may be pierced by the needle  165  of the transfer guard  160  when the vial  140  is inserted into the first end  150  of the transfer guard  160 . The first end  150  of the transfer guard  160  may include a tab  152  for securing the vial  140  within the first end  150  of the transfer guard  160  once the vial  140  is inserted in the first end  150  of the transfer guard  160 . The first end  150  of the transfer guard  160  may be configured to include multiple tabs  152  or one or more annular ribs for example, to secure the vial  140  in the first end  150  of the transfer guard  160 . 
     The transfer guard  160  may have a second end  170  for supporting the reservoir  180 . The port  182  of the reservoir  180  may be insertable into the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160 . The septum  184  of the reservoir  180  may be pierced by the needle  165  of the transfer guard  160  when the reservoir  180  is inserted into the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 27-29 , the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160  may include depressions or apertures  176  located within the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160 . The port  182  of the reservoir  180  may include one or more tabs  186  for inserting into the apertures  176  located in the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160 . The port  182  of the reservoir  180  may further include a second tab  188  attached to each of the tabs  186 . The reservoir  180  and port  182  may be configured to be rotatable, at least partially, about the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160 . The second end  170  of the transfer guard  160  may further include one or more depressions  178  for receiving the second tabs  188  when the reservoir  180  and port  182  are rotated to secure the reservoir  180  to the transfer guard  160 . As a result, the port  182  of the reservoir  180  may be inserted into the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160  so that the tabs  186  fit into the apertures  176  and then rotated slightly until the second tabs  188  fit into place within the depressions  178  to lock the reservoir  180  into the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160 . 
     In some embodiments, the first end  150  and the vial  140  may be configured in the same manner as described above so that the tabs  186  fit into the apertures  176  and then rotate slightly until the second tabs  188  fit into place within the depressions  178 . In some embodiments, the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160  may be configured to include a tab  152  for securing the reservoir  180  within the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160  similar to what was described above with respect to the first end  150  of the transfer guard  160 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 7-10 , once the vial  140  and the reservoir  180  have been inserted in the first end  150  and the second end  170  of the transfer guard  160  respectively, the transfer guard  160  may be ready to be installed to the first housing portion  102 . For example, in some embodiments, the first housing portion  102  may include a mating piece  105  for connecting the transfer guard  160  to the first housing portion  102 . The transfer guard  160  may include one or more apertures  163 . The mating piece  105  of the first housing portion  102  may be insertable within the one or more apertures  163  to connect the transfer guard  160  to the first housing portion  102 . The handle  196  may be fitted within the recess  127  after the transfer guard  160  is affixed to the first housing portion  102 . Alternatively, the handle  196  may be fitted within the recess  127  before or concurrently with the transfer guard  160  being affixed to the first housing portion  102 . In other embodiments, at least one of the reservoir  180  and the vial  140  may be connected to the transfer guard  160  after the transfer guard  160  has been installed to the first housing portion  102 . In various embodiments, the transfer guard  160  may be attachable to the first housing portion  102  by other means, such as, but not limited to, screwing the transfer guard  160  to the first housing portion  102 , or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the plunger arm  194  and the handle  196  may be connected to the portion  125  of the second housing portion  122  and connected to the plunger head  190  when the transfer guard  160  is installed to the first housing portion  102 . For example, the plunger arm  194  may have a threaded end (not shown) opposite from the handle  196  for engaging a threaded recess  192  or portion within the plunger head  190 . The reservoir  180  or the plunger head  190  could then be rotated to engage the plunger head  190  with the threaded end (not shown) of the plunger arm  194 . 
     In some embodiments, the first housing portion  102  and the second housing portion  122  may be connected to doors  110   a,    110   b,  respectively. For example, the doors  110   a,    110   b  may be pivotally connected to the first housing portion  102  and the second housing portion  122  with hinges  112 . The doors  110   a,    110   b  may be held closed against the first housing portion  102  and the second housing portion  122  with clasps  116 . The system  100  may initially have both doors  110   a,    110   b  closed. The doors  110   a,    110   b  may be opened by the user. Once the doors  110   a,    110   b  are open, the transfer guard  160  along with the vial  140  and the reservoir  180  may be connected to the first housing portion  102  by way of the mating piece  105  as shown in  FIG. 7 , and/or as described above. The handle  196  may be fitted into the recess  127  of the second housing portion  122  when the transfer guard  160  along with the vial  140  and the reservoir  180  are connected to the first housing portion  102 . Thereafter, one or both of the doors  110   a,    110   b  may be closed so that the user can use the system  100 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , the system  100  may allow for simplifying a filling process of the reservoir  180  with fluidic media from the vial  140 . The user may push the second housing portion  122  against the first housing portion  102 . For example, the user may push on a top surface  126  of the second housing portion  122  against the first housing portion  102  or grip the second housing portion  122  and door  110   b  and advance the second housing portion  122  and the door  110   b  toward the first housing portion  102 . This may cause the portion  125  of the second housing portion  122  and the recess  127  of the second housing portion  122  to slide or otherwise move further along the first housing portion  102  toward the base  104  of the first housing portion  102 . As a result, the handle  196  fitted within the recess  127  may be pulled away from the reservoir  180 . As the handle  196  moves away from the reservoir  180 , the attached plunger arm  194  and plunger head  190  may be moved within the reservoir  180  to increase the interior volume  185  of the reservoir  180 . The movement of the plunger head  190  may draw fluidic media within the vial  140  through the transfer guard  160 , for example through the needle  165 , to the interior volume  185  of the reservoir  180 , thus filling the reservoir  180 . In some embodiments, the plunger head  190  may be substantially advanced within the reservoir  180  toward the port  182  of the reservoir  180  before starting the filling process of the reservoir  180 . 
     The system  100  may be used to fill the interior volume  185  of the reservoir  180 , or a portion thereof. The system  100  may be configured such that the interior volume  185  of the reservoir  180  is completely filled or sufficiently filled when the second housing portion  122  is pushed completely into the first housing portion  102 . 
     Once the user has finished using the system  100  during the filling process, for example once the interior volume  185  of the reservoir  180  is sufficiently filled, one or both of the doors  110   a,    110   b  may be opened to remove the transfer guard  160  along with the reservoir  180  and vial  140 . Alternatively, the user may remove one or more of those components, such as only the reservoir  180 , while leaving the other components in the system  100  for future use. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  may include textured areas  118  or the like on one or more of the first housing portion  102 , the second housing portion  122 , and the doors  110   a,    110   b.  The textured areas  118  may allow for increased handling or gripping of the system  100 . The textured areas  118  may be, for example, a series of annular ribs that surround the system  100  or a portion thereof as exemplified in  FIGS. 7-9 . 
       FIGS. 11-16  illustrate a system  200  for transferring fluidic media and a portion thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  200  may include, but is not limited to, a first housing portion  202 , a second housing portion  222 , a vial  240 , a reservoir  280 , a plunger head  290 , a plunger arm  294 , a handle  296 , and a transfer guard  260 . The first housing portion  202  and the second housing portion  222  may be configured such that the second housing portion  222  is moveable relative to a latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion  202 . For example, the first housing portion  202  and the second housing portion  222  may be slideably connected such that the second housing portion  222  may slide over the first housing portion  202  when a user pushes the second housing portion  222  into the first housing portion  202 . 
     The second housing portion  222  may be disposed around the first housing portion  202  to at least substantially envelop an outer surface  202   a  and an inner surface  202   b  of the first housing portion  202 . The second housing portion  222  may have a portion  225  located near the inner surface  202   b.  The portion  225  of the second housing portion  222  may have a recess  227  located on a distal end of the portion  225  of the second housing portion  222  for receiving the handle  296  when the transfer guard  260  is installed to the first housing portion  202 . The handle  296  and the recess  227  may be configured such that the handle  296  is able to fit within or snap together within the recess  227  to fit the handle  296  in the recess  227 . The system  200  may include a base  204  located on a bottom surface of the first housing portion  202  for standing the system  200  vertically on a suitable surface, such as a table top, countertop, or the like. In some embodiments, the base  204  may have an adhesive bottom  206  for attaching the system  200  to the suitable surface. In some embodiments, the base  204  may include a friction pad (not shown), which may be made of rubber, or the like located on the bottom surface of the base  204  to prevent the system  200  from slipping during use of the system  100 . 
     The vial  240  may include a septum  244  located at a port  242  of the vial  240 , and the vial  240  may be for containing fluidic media. The reservoir  280  may have an interior volume  285  for containing fluidic media. The plunger head  290  may be located within the reservoir  280  and may be moveable within the reservoir  280  to expand or contract the interior volume  285  of the reservoir  280 . The plunger head  290  may be connected to the plunger arm  294 . The handle  296  may be connected to an end of the plunger arm  294  opposite from the end connected to the plunger head  290 . The reservoir  280  may include a septum  284  located at a port  282  of the reservoir  280 . The plunger head  290  may include at least one seal member  299 , such as an o-ring, or the like to facilitate movement within the reservoir  280  and/or to substantially prevent fluidic media from flowing between the plunger head  290  and the reservoir  280 . 
     The transfer guard  260  may include a needle  265  for providing a fluid path from an interior volume  245  of the vial  240  to the interior volume  285  of the reservoir  280 . The transfer guard  260  may be configured such that when the vial  240  is attached to the transfer guard  260 , the needle  265  pierces the septum  244  of the vial  240 . The transfer guard  260  may be further configured such that when the reservoir  280  is attached to the transfer guard  260 , the needle  265  pierces the septum  284  of the reservoir  280 . Thus, the transfer guard  260  may allow for establishing the fluid path from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  through the needle  265 . 
     In some embodiments, the transfer guard  260  may include a second needle  269 . The second needle  269  may be able to pierce the septum  244  of the vial  240  when the vial  240  is connected to the transfer guard  260 . An end of the second needle  269  may be located within a headspace  247  of the vial  240  above fluidic media within the interior volume  245  of the vial  240  in a case where the transfer guard  260  is connected to the vial  240 . In other embodiments, the end of the second needle may be in contact with fluidic media within the interior volume  245  of the vial  240  in a case where the transfer guard  260  is connected to the vial  240 . Another end of the second needle  269  may be connected to a check valve  267 , such as a one-way valve, or the like. The check valve  267  may allow air to enter the interior volume  245  of the vial  240  through the second needle  269 . In some embodiments, the check valve  267  may substantially prevent liquid from coming out of the vial  240  through the second needle  269  and/or the check valve  267 . In various embodiments, the second needle  269  may allow for venting the headspace  247  or the interior volume  245  of the vial  240  to atmosphere to facilitate the transfer of fluidic media from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280 . 
     The transfer guard  260  may have a first end  250  for supporting the vial  240 . The port  242  of the vial  240  may be insertable into the first end  250  of the transfer guard  260 . As mentioned, the septum  244  of the vial  240  may be pierced by the needle  265  of the transfer guard  260  when the vial  240  is inserted into the first end  250  of the transfer guard  260 . The first end  250  of the transfer guard  260  may include a tab  252  for securing the vial  240  within the first end  250  of the transfer guard  260  once the vial  240  is inserted in the first end  250  of the transfer guard  260 . The first end  250  of the transfer guard  260  may be configured to include multiple tabs  252  or one or more annular ribs for example, to secure the vial  240  within the first end  250  of the transfer guard  260 . 
     The transfer guard  260  may have a second end  270  for supporting the reservoir  280 . The port  282  of the reservoir  280  may be insertable into the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260 . The septum  284  of the reservoir  280  may be pierced by the needle  265  of the transfer guard  260  when the reservoir  280  is inserted into the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260 . 
     In some embodiments, the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260  may include depressions or apertures (such as  176  in  FIG. 28 ) located within the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260 . The port  282  of the reservoir  280  may include one or more tabs (such as  186  in  FIG. 29 ) for inserting into the apertures ( 176  in  FIG. 28 ) located in the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260 . The port  282  of the reservoir  280  may further include a second tab (such as  188  in  FIG. 29 ) attached to each of the tabs ( 186  in  FIG. 29 ). The reservoir  280  and port  282  may be configured to be rotateable, at least partially, about the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260 . The second end  270  of the transfer guard  260  may further include one or more depressions (such as  178  in  FIG. 28 ) for receiving the second tabs ( 188  in  FIG. 29 ) when the reservoir  280  and port  282  are rotated to secure the reservoir  280  to the transfer guard  260 . As a result, the port  282  of the reservoir  280  may be inserted into the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260  so that the tabs ( 186  in  FIG. 29 ) fit into the apertures ( 176  in  FIG. 28 ) and then rotated slightly until the second tabs ( 188  in  FIG. 29 ) fit into place within the depressions ( 178  in  FIG. 28 ) to lock the reservoir  280  into the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260 . 
     In some embodiments, the first end  250  of the transfer guard  260  and the vial  240  may be configured in the same manner as described above so that the tabs ( 186  in  FIG. 29 ) fit into the apertures ( 176  in  FIG. 28 ) and then rotate slightly until the second tabs ( 188  in  FIG. 29 ) fit into place within the depressions ( 178  in  FIG. 28 ). In some embodiments, the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260  may be configured to include a tab  252  for securing the reservoir  280  within the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260  similar to what was described above with respect to the first end  250  of the transfer guard  260 . 
     Once the vial  240  and the reservoir  280  have been inserted in the first end  250  and the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260  respectively, the transfer guard  260  may be ready to be installed to the first housing portion  202 . For example, in some embodiments, the first housing portion  202  may include a mating piece  205  for connecting the transfer guard  260  to the first housing portion  202 . The transfer guard  260  may include one or more apertures  263 . The mating piece  205  of the first housing portion  202  may be insertable within the one or more apertures  263  to connect the transfer guard  260  to the first housing portion  202 . The handle  296  may be fitted within the recess  227  after the transfer guard  260  is affixed to the first housing portion  202 . Alternatively, the handle  296  may be fitted within the recess  227  before or concurrently with the transfer guard  260  being affixed to the first housing portion  202 . In other embodiments, at least one of the reservoir  280  and the vial  240  may be connected to the transfer guard  260  after or before the transfer guard  260  has been installed to the first housing portion  202 . In various embodiments, the transfer guard  260  may be attachable to the first housing portion  202  by other means, such as, but not limited to, screwing the transfer guard  260  to the first housing portion  202 , or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the plunger arm  294  and the handle  296  may be connected to the portion  225  of the second housing portion  222  and connected to the plunger head  290  when the transfer guard  260  is installed to the first housing portion  202 . For example, the plunger arm  294  may have a threaded end (not shown) opposite from the handle  296  for engaging a threaded recess  292  or portion within the plunger head  290 . The reservoir  280  or the plunger head  290  could then be rotated to engage the plunger head  290  with the threaded end (not shown) of the plunger arm  294 . 
     In some embodiments, the second housing portion  222  may be connected to a door  210 . For example, the door  210  may be pivotally connected to the second housing portion  222  with a hinge  212 . The door  210  may be held closed against the second housing portion  222  with a clasp  216 . The system  200  may initially have the door  210  closed. The door  210  may be opened by the user. Once the door  210  is open, the transfer guard  260  along with the vial  240  and the reservoir  280  may be connected to the first housing portion  202  by way of the mating piece  205  as shown in  FIGS. 11-12 , and/or as described above. The handle  296  may be fitted into the recess  227  of the second housing portion  222  when the transfer guard  260  along with the vial  240  and the reservoir  280  are connected to the first housing portion  202 . Thereafter, the door  210  may be closed so that the user can use the system  200 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 11-16 , the system  200  may allow for simplifying a filling process of the reservoir  280  with fluidic media from the vial  240 . The user may push the second housing portion  222  against the first housing portion  202 . For example, the user may grip the second housing portion  222  and door  210  and advance the second housing portion  222  and the door  210  along the first housing portion  202  toward the base  204 . This may cause the portion  225  of the second housing portion  222  and the recess  227  therein to slide or otherwise move further along the first housing portion  202  toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202 . As a result, the handle  296  fitted within or otherwise connected to the recess  227  may be pulled away from the reservoir  280 . As the plunger arm end  296  moves away from the reservoir  280 , the attached plunger arm  294  and plunger head  290  may be moved within the reservoir  280  to increase the interior volume  285  of the reservoir  280 . Movement of the plunger head  290  may draw fluidic media within the vial  240  through the transfer guard  260 , for example through the needle  265 , to the interior volume  285  of the reservoir  280 , thus filling the interior volume  285  of the reservoir  280 . In some embodiments, the plunger head  290  may be substantially advanced within the reservoir  280  toward the port  282  of the reservoir  280  before starting the filling process of the reservoir  280 . 
     The system  200  may be used to fill the interior volume  285  of the reservoir  280 , or a portion thereof. The system  200  may be configured such that the interior volume  285  of the reservoir  280  is completely filled or sufficiently filled when the second housing portion  222  is pushed completely into the first housing portion  202 . 
     Once the user has finished using the system  200  during the filling process, for example once the interior volume  285  of the reservoir  280  is sufficiently filled, the doors  210  may be opened to remove the transfer guard  260  along with the reservoir  280  and vial  240 . Alternatively, the user may remove one or more of those components, such as only the reservoir  280 , while leaving the other components in the system  200  for future use. 
     In some embodiments, the system  200  may include textured areas  218  or the like on one or more of the second housing portion  222  and the door  210 . The textured areas  218  may allow for increased handling or gripping of the system  200 . The textured areas  218  may be, for example, a series of annular ribs surround the system  200  or a portion thereof as exemplified in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11-14 and 16 , in various embodiments, the system  200  may include a fill volume control  230 , an example of which is illustrated in  FIGS. 11-14 and 16 . The fill volume control  230  may be for allowing the user to select an amount of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. The fill volume control  230  may be configured for providing the user with a plurality of fixed positions that may be selectable by the user. The fill volume control  230  may be further configured such that each of the plurality of fixed positions may correspond to a fixed volume of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. 
     In various embodiments, the fill volume control  230  may include a base  232 , a fill volume control handle  235 , and a stop  237 . The base  232  of the fill volume control  230  may be at least partially rotatable about the first housing portion  202 . In some embodiments, the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  may be connected to the base  204  of the first housing portion  202 . In such embodiments, the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  may be at least partially rotatable about the base  204  of the first housing portion  202 . The base  232  of the fill volume control  230  may be rotatable to a plurality of fixed positions, which may correspond to a fixed volume of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. 
     The fill volume control handle  235  may be connected to the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  such that the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  can be rotated when the fill volume control handle  235  is moved. The fill volume control handle  235  may be configured to move between a plurality of fixed positions to rotate the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  to one of the plurality of fixed positions to select a corresponding volume of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. 
     The stop  237  may be attached to the base  232  of the fill volume control  230 . The stop  237  may extend away from the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  toward the top surface  226  of the second housing portion  222 . The stop  237  may be configured such that the distance between the stop  237  and the reservoir  280  corresponds to a volume of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. The stop  237  may be for preventing the second housing portion  222  from advancing toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  beyond a point where the stop  237  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Accordingly, the plunger head  290  and the handle  296  may be moveable within the reservoir  280  until the stop  237  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Therefore, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  until the stop  237  prevents further movement of the handle  296  and the plunger head  290 . 
     In various embodiments, the stop  237  may have one or more stop surfaces, such as a first stop surface  237   a,  located on an end of the stop  237  extending away from the base  232  of the fill volume control  230 . The stop  237  may be configured such that the distance between the first stop surface  237   a  and the reservoir  280  corresponds to a first volume of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280 . The first stop surface  237   a  may be for preventing the second housing portion  222  from advancing toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  beyond a point where the first stop surface  237   a  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Accordingly, the plunger head  290  and the handle  296  may be moveable within the reservoir  280  until the first stop surface  237   a  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Therefore, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  until the first stop surface  237   a  prevents further movement of the handle  296  and the plunger head  290 . 
     In various embodiments, the stop  237  may include a second stop surface  237   b.  The stop  237  may be configured such that the second stop surface  237   b  may be located on an end of the stop  237  further from the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  than the first stop surface  237   a.  The stop  237  may be further configured such that the distance between the second stop surface  237   b  and the reservoir  280  corresponds to a second volume of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280 . The second stop surface  237   b  may be for preventing the second housing portion  222  from advancing toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  beyond a point where the second stop surface  237   b  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Accordingly, the plunger head  290  and the handle  296  may be moveable within the reservoir  280  until the second stop surface  237   b  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Therefore, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  until the second stop surface  237   b  prevents further movement of the handle  296  and the plunger head  290 . 
     In various embodiments, the stop  237  may further include additional stop surfaces, such as a third stop surface (not shown), a fourth stop surface (not shown), and so on. The stop  237  may be configured such that each of the additional stop surfaces may be located on an end of the stop  237  further from the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  than the previous stop surface. The stop  237  may be further configured such that the distance between the additional stop surfaces and the reservoir  280  corresponds to volumes of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. For example, in a case where a stop  237  has four stop surfaces, the third stop surface (not shown) may be located further from the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  than the second stop surface  237   b.  Meanwhile, the fourth stop surface (not shown) may be located further from the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  than the third stop surface (not shown). 
     One of the additional stop surfaces may be for preventing the second housing portion  222  from advancing toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  beyond a point where the one of the additional stop surfaces contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Accordingly, the plunger head  290  and the handle  296  may be moveable within the reservoir  280  until the one of the additional stop surfaces contact the bottom of the handle  296 . Therefore, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  until the one of the additional stop surfaces prevent further movement of the handle  296  and the plunger head  290 . For example, in a case where a stop  237  has four stop surfaces, the third stop surface (not shown) may prevent the second housing portion  222  from advancing toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  beyond the third stop surface (not shown) in a case where the third stop surface (not shown) contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . 
     In some embodiments, the fill volume control  230  may include a plurality of stops  237 . Each of the plurality of stops  237  may be of varying lengths, such that each of the plurality of stops  237  extends varying lengths away from the base  232  of the fill volume control  230 . Each of the plurality of stops  237  may be configured such that the distance between each of the plurality of stops  237  and the reservoir  280  corresponds to volumes of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. 
     One of the plurality of stops  237  may be for preventing the second housing portion  222  from advancing toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  beyond a point where the one of the plurality of stops  237  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Accordingly, the plunger head  290  and the handle  296  may be moveable within the reservoir  280  until the one of the plurality of stops  237  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Therefore, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  until the one of the plurality of stops  237  prevents further movement of the handle  296  and the plunger head  290 . 
     In some embodiments, the stop  237  of the fill volume control  230  may have an angled surface (not shown) angled relative to the base  232  of the fill volume control  230 , for example angled at a 45° angle. The angled surface (not shown) of the stop  237  may extend away from the base  232  of the fill volume control  230 . The distances between various locations on the angled surface (not shown) of the stop  237  may be configured such that the distance between each of the various locations and the reservoir  280  corresponds to volumes of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. 
     One of the various locations on the angled surface (not shown) of the stop  237  may be for preventing the second housing portion  222  from advancing toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  beyond a point where the one of the various locations on the angled surface (not shown) of the stop  237  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Accordingly, the plunger head  290  and the handle  296  may be moveable within the reservoir  280  until the one of the various locations on the angled surface (not shown) of the stop  237  contacts the bottom of the handle  296 . Therefore, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  until the one of the various locations on the angled surface (not shown) of the stop  237  prevents further movement of the handle  296  and the plunger head  290 . 
     In some embodiments, the handle  296  connected to the plunger arm  294  may include an aperture  298 . The stop  237  may be configured to be insertable into the aperture  298  in a case where the stop  237  and the aperture  298  are aligned prior to the filling process and the handle  296  is advanced beyond at least a portion of the stop  237  during the filling process. While the stop  237  is aligned with the aperture  298 , the stop  237  may slide or otherwise fit into the aperture  298  to allow the handle  296  to advance toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  during the filling process. 
     In some embodiments, the stop  237  may be configured such that stop surfaces (e.g.,  237   a,    237   b ) aligned with the aperture  298  prior to the filling process may be insertable in the aperture  298  during the filling process. Each of the stop surfaces aligned with the aperture  298  prior to the filling process may slide or otherwise fit into the aperture  298  and allow the second housing portion  222 , which is supporting the handle  296 , to advance toward the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  during the filling process. Because the aperture  298  is located on the handle  296 , the handle  296  may slide along the stop  237  and the stop surfaces that were aligned with the aperture  298  prior to the filling process as the handle  296  is moved toward the base  204 . 
     The plunger head  290  and the handle  296  may be moved to a final position where either at least one of the stop surfaces not aligned with the aperture  298  prior to the filling process contacts the handle  296  or the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  (i.e., the second housing portion  222  is advanced completely towards the base  232  of the fill volume control  230 ). Accordingly, the second housing portion  222  may be moveable to the final position. Therefore, fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  until the at least one of the stop surfaces not aligned with the aperture  298  prior to the filling process or the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  prevents further movement of the handle  296  and the plunger head  290 . 
     For example, according to an embodiment exemplified in  FIGS. 11-14 and 16 , the fill volume control handle  235  may have three selectable positions, such as a first position  238   a,  a second position  238   b,  and a third position  238   c,  corresponding to three fixed volumes of fluidic media, such as 3 ml, 2 ml, and 1 ml, respectively, selectable by the user to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. The stop  237  may be further configured such that the distance between the stop surfaces  237   a,    237   b  and the reservoir  280  also corresponds to the volumes of fluidic media to be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process, such as 2 ml and 1 ml, respectively. While the distance between the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  and the reservoir  280  may correspond to 3 ml. 
     Therefore, if the reservoir  280  is to be filled with  1  ml of fluidic media, the fill volume control handle  235  may be moved to the third position  238   c.  In the third position  238   c,  the first stop surface  237   a  and the second stop surface  237   b  are not aligned with the aperture  298  of the handle  296  prior to the filling process. Thus during the filling process, the handle  296  and the plunger head  290  are only advanceable until the handle  296  contacts the second stop surface  237   b.  Accordingly, because the stop  237  may be configured such that the distance between the second stop surface  237   b  and the reservoir  280  corresponds to 1 ml, 1 ml of fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. 
     Continuing with the previous example, if the reservoir  280  is to be filled with  2  ml of fluidic media, the fill volume control handle  235  may be moved to the second position  238   b.  In the second position  238   b,  the second stop surface  237   b  is aligned with the aperture  298  of the handle  296  prior to the filling process, while the first stop surface  237   a  is not aligned with the aperture  298  of the handle  296 . Thus during the filling process, the handle  296  and the plunger head  290  are advanceable past the second stop surface  237   b  to a point where the handle  296  contacts the first stop surface  237   a.  Accordingly, because the stop  237  is configured such that the distance between the first stop surface  237   a  and the reservoir  280  corresponds to 2 ml, 2 ml of fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. 
     Again continuing with the previous example, if the reservoir  280  is to be filled with 3 ml of fluidic media, the fill volume control handle  235  may be moved to the first position  238   a . In the first position  238   a,  the first stop surface  237   a  and the second stop surface  237   b  are aligned with the aperture  298  of the handle  296  prior to the filling process. Thus during the filling process, the handle  296  and the plunger head  290  are advanceable past the first stop surface  237   a  and the second stop surface  237   b  to a point where the handle  296  contacts the base  232  of the fill volume control  230 . Accordingly, because the fill volume control  230  may be configured such that the distance between the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  and the reservoir  280  corresponds to 3 ml, 3 ml of fluidic media may be transferred from the vial  240  to the reservoir  280  during the filling process. 
     In some embodiments, the fill volume control  230  may further include abutments  231   a ,  231   b  to prevent the fill volume control handle  235  from moving beyond the abutments  231   a ,  231   b.  Accordingly, the abutments  231   a,    231   b  may allow for restricting the rotation of the base  232  of the fill volume control  230  about the first housing portion  202 . The abutments  231   a ,  231   b  may be part of the first housing portion  202 . Using the previous example, the abutments  231   a  ,  231   b  may prevent the rotation of the fill volume control handle  235  of the fill volume control  230  beyond the first position  238   a  and the third position  238   c,  respectively. 
     In some embodiments, the fill volume control  230  may further include protrusions  239  located in front and/or behind of each of the plurality of selectable positions of the fill volume control handle  235 . The protrusions  239  may be located on the base  204  of the first housing portion  202  or the base  232  of the fill volume control  230 . The protrusions  239  may be for inhibiting accidental movement of the fill volume control handle  235  beyond each set of the protrusions  239 . The fill volume control handle  235  may be moveable beyond each set of the protrusions  239  when a sufficient force is applied to the fill volume control handle  235 . In some embodiments, the set of protrusions may serve to designate each of the plurality of selectable positions for the fill volume control handle  235 . 
       FIGS. 17-21  illustrate a system  300  for transferring fluidic media and a portion thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  300  may include, but is not limited to, a first housing portion  302 , a second housing portion  322 , a vial  340 , a reservoir  380 , a plunger head  390 , a plunger arm  394 , and a transfer guard  360 . The first housing portion  302  and the second housing portion  322  may be configured such that the second housing portion  322  is moveable relative to a latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion  302 . For example, the first housing portion  302  and the second housing portion  322  may be slideably connected such that the second housing portion  322  may slide over the first housing portion  302  when a user pushes the second housing portion  322  into the first housing portion  302 . 
     The second housing portion  322  may be disposed around the first housing portion  302  to envelop a portion of an outer surface  302   a  and a portion of an inner surface  302   b  of the first housing portion  302 . An end of the plunger arm  394  may be connected to the first housing portion  302 . Another end of the plunger arm  394  opposite from the end connected to the first housing portion  302  may have a portion  393  for connecting with the plunger head  390 . The system  300  may include a base  304  located on a bottom end of the bottom portion  302  for standing the system  300  vertically on a suitable surface, such as a table top, countertop, or the like. In some embodiments, the base  304  may have an adhesive bottom (not shown) for attaching the system  300  to the suitable surface. In some embodiments, the base  304  may include a friction pad (not shown), which may be made of rubber, or the like located on the bottom surface of the base  304  to prevent the system  300  from slipping during usage of the system  300 . 
     The vial  340  may include a septum  344  located at a port  342  of the vial  340 , and the vial  340  may be for containing fluidic media. The reservoir  380  may have an interior volume  385  for containing fluidic media. The plunger head  390  may be located within the reservoir  380  and may be moveable within the reservoir  380  to expand or contract the interior volume  385  of the reservoir  380 . The plunger head  390  may be connectable to the plunger arm  394 . The reservoir  380  may include a septum  384  located at a port  382  of the reservoir  380 . The plunger head  390  may include at least one seal member  399 , such as an o-ring, or the like to facilitate movement within the interior volume  385  of the reservoir  380  and/or to substantially prevent fluidic media from flowing between the plunger head  390  and the reservoir  380 . 
     The transfer guard  360  may include a needle  365  for providing a fluid path from the interior volume  345  of the vial  340  to the interior volume  385  of the reservoir  380 . The transfer guard  360  may be configured such that when the vial  340  is attached to the transfer guard  360 , the needle  365  pierces the septum  344  of the vial  340 . The transfer guard  360  may be further configured such that when the reservoir  380  is attached to the transfer guard  360 , the needle  365  pierces the septum  384  of the reservoir  380 . Thus, the transfer guard  360  may allow for establishing the fluid path from the vial  340  to the reservoir  380  through the needle  365 . 
     In some embodiments, the transfer guard  360  may include a second needle  369 . The second needle  369  may be able to pierce the septum  344  of the vial  340  when the vial  340  is connected to the transfer guard  360 . An end of the second needle  369  may be located within a headspace  347  of the vial  340  above fluidic media within the interior volume  345  of the vial  340  in a case where the transfer guard  360  is connected to the vial  340 . In other embodiments, the end of the second needle  369  may be in contact with fluidic media within the interior volume  345  of the vial  340  in a case where the transfer guard  360  is connected to the vial  340 . Another end of the second needle  369  may be connected to a check valve  367 , such as a one-way valve, or the like. The check valve  367  may allow air to enter the interior volume  345  of the vial  340  through the second needle  369 . In some embodiments, the check valve  367  may substantially prevent liquid from coming out of the vial  340  through the second needle  369  and/or the check valve  367 . In various embodiments, the second needle  369  may allow for venting the headspace  347  or the interior volume  345  of the vial  340  to atmosphere to facilitate the transfer of fluidic media from the vial  140  to the reservoir  180 . 
     The transfer guard  360  may have a first end  350  for supporting the vial  340 . The port  342  of the vial  340  may be insertable into the first end  350  of the transfer guard  360 . As mentioned, the septum  344  of the vial  340  may be pierced by the needle  365  of the transfer guard  360  when the vial  340  is inserted into the first end  350  of the transfer guard  360 . The first end  350  of the transfer guard  360  may include a tab  352  for securing the vial  340  within the first end  350  of the transfer guard  360  once the vial  340  is inserted in the first end  350  of the transfer guard  360 . The first end  350  of the transfer guard  360  may be configured to include multiple tabs  352  or one or more annular ribs for example, to secure the vial  340  within the first end  350  of the transfer guard  360 . 
     The transfer guard  360  may have a second end  370  for supporting the reservoir  380 . The port  382  of the reservoir  380  may be insertable into the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360 . The septum  384  of the reservoir  380  may be pierced by the needle  365  of the transfer guard  360  when the reservoir  380  is inserted into the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360 . 
     In some embodiments, the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360  may include depressions or apertures (such as  176  in  FIG. 28 ) located within the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360 . The port  382  of the reservoir  380  may include one or more tabs (such as  186  in  FIG. 29 ) for inserting into the apertures ( 176  in  FIG. 28 ) located in the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360 . The port  382  of the reservoir  380  may further include a second tab (such as  188  in  FIG. 29 ) attached to each of the tabs ( 186  in  FIG. 29 ). The reservoir  380  and port  382  may be configured to be rotatable, at least partially, about the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360 . The second end  370  of the transfer guard  360  may further include one or more depressions (such as  178  in  FIG. 28 ) for receiving the second tabs ( 188  in  FIG. 29 ) when the reservoir  380  and port  382  are rotated to secure the reservoir  380  to the transfer guard  360 . As a result, the port  382  of the reservoir  380  may be inserted into the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360  so that the tabs ( 186  in  FIG. 29 ) fit into the apertures ( 176  in  FIG. 28 ) and then rotated slightly until the second tabs ( 188  in  FIG. 29 ) fit into place within the depressions ( 178  in  FIG. 28 ) to lock the reservoir  280  into the second end  270  of the transfer guard  260 . 
     In some embodiments, the first end  350  of the transfer guard  360  and the vial  340  may be configured in the same manner as described above so that the tabs ( 186  in  FIG. 29 ) fit into the apertures ( 176  in  FIG. 28 ) and then rotates slightly until the second tabs ( 188  in  FIG. 29 ) fit into place within the depressions ( 178  in  FIG. 28 ). In some embodiments, the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360  may be configured to include a tab  352  for securing the reservoir  380  within the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360  similar to what was described above with respect to the first end  350  of the transfer guard  360 . 
     Once the vial  340  and the reservoir  380  have been inserted in the first end  350  and the second end  370  of the transfer guard  360  respectively, the transfer guard  360  may be ready to be installed to the first housing portion  302 . In some embodiments, the transfer guard  360  may have threaded sides  363 . The second housing portion  322  may have a threaded area  323  for engaging the threaded sides  363  of the transfer guard  360  when, for example, the transfer guard  360  is rotated into place to connect the transfer guard  360  to the second housing portion  322 . In some embodiments, the plunger arm  394  may have a threaded tip  393 . The plunger head  390  may have a threaded recess  392  or portion for engaging the threaded tip  393  when, for example, the reservoir  380  is rotated into place to connect the plunger head  390  to the plunger arm  394 . The threaded side  363  of the transfer guard  360  and the threaded area  323  of the second housing portion  322  may be engaged approximately at the same time that the threaded tip  393  of the plunger arm  394  and the threaded recess  392  of the plunger head  390  are being engaged. As a result, only the transfer guard  360  may have to be rotated by the user to engage the threaded side  363  of the transfer guard  360  to the threaded area  323  of the second housing portion  322  and the threaded tip  393  of the plunger arm  394  to the threaded recess  392  of the plunger head  390 . Alternatively, the system  300  may be configured such that the reservoir  380  or the vial  340  could be rotated by the user instead of the transfer guard  360  to secure the transfer guard  360  to the second housing portion  322 . 
     In some embodiments, the second housing portion  322  may be connected to a door (not shown). For example, the door may be pivotally connected to the second housing portion  322  with a hinge (not shown). The door (not shown) may be held closed against the second housing portion  322  with a clasp (not shown). The system  300  may initially have the door (not shown) closed. The door (not shown) may be opened by the user. Once the door (not shown) is open, the transfer guard  360  along with the vial  340  and the reservoir  380  may be connected to the first housing portion  302  as described above. Thereafter, the door (not shown) may be closed so that the user can use the system  300 . 
     The system  300  may allow for automating a filling process of the reservoir  380  with fluidic media from the vial  340 . The system  300  may include a bias member, such as a spring  307 , or the like. In some embodiments, the system  300  may further include a latch (not shown). 
     The spring  307  may be connected between a bottom surface  322   d  of the second housing portion  322  and a surface  302   c  of the first housing portion  302 . The spring  307  may be initially biased toward an expanded position. The second housing portion  322  may be moveable along the latitudinal dimension of the first housing portion  302  between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position of the second housing portion  322 , the spring  307  may be in the expanded position. In the second position of the second housing portion  322 , the spring  307  may be held compressed by the second housing portion  322 . The spring  307  and/or the second housing portion may be held in place by a latch (not shown). 
     The system  300  may allow for the transfer guard  360  along with the reservoir  380  and vial  340  to be connected to the second housing portion  322 . In addition, the system  300  may allow for filling the reservoir  380  using a force applied by the spring  307  on the second housing portion  322  when the latch (not shown) is released to allow the spring to push up on the bottom surface  322   d  of the second housing portion  322 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system  300 , the first housing portion  302  may be connected to the plunger arm  394 , the plunger arm  394  may be connected to the plunger head  390 , and the transfer guard  360  and reservoir  380  may be supported by the second housing portion  322  such that movement of the second housing portion  322 , and thus the reservoir  380 , away from the first housing portion  302 , and thus the plunger head  390 , causes the reservoir  380  to move relative to the plunger head  390  to create a vacuum that enables a filling of the reservoir  380 . 
     The latch (not shown) may be moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch (not shown) may be for holding the spring  307  compressed or for holding the second housing portion  322  against the spring  307  when in the locked position. In various embodiments, the system may include a button  308  for moving the latch (not shown) from the unlocked position to the locked position. The system may further include a second button  309  for moving the latch (not shown) from the locked position to the unlocked position. In other embodiments, the button  308  may be for moving the latch (not shown) from the locked position to the unlocked position as well. 
     For example, the user could push the second housing portion  322  into the first housing portion  302  (i.e., move the second housing portion  322  to the second position) and then press the button  308  to move the latch (not shown) to the locked position to keep the second housing portion  322  at the second position. The transfer guard  360  along with the reservoir  380  and the vial  340  may be connected to the second housing portion  322  as described above. Once installed, the second button  309  may be pressed to release the latch (not shown) allowing the spring  307  to expand and thus return the second housing portion  322  to the first position. In returning to the first position, fluidic media may be drawn into the interior volume  385  of the reservoir  380  from the interior volume  345  of the vial  340  as described above. 
     In various embodiments, a tension of the spring  307  may be selected so as to allow for the reservoir  380  to fill at different rates when the spring  307  expands depending on the tension of the spring  307 . Thus, various embodiments of the present invention allow for spring loaded automatic filling of a reservoir, and for drawing a fluid or drug from an inverted vial into a reservoir. 
     The system  300  may be used to fill the interior volume  385  of the reservoir  380 , or a portion thereof. The system  300  may be configured such that the interior volume  385  of the reservoir  380  is completely filled or sufficiently filled in a case where the spring  307  forces the second housing portion  322  substantially away from the first housing portion  302 . 
     Once the user has finished using the system  300  during the filling process, for example once the interior volume  385  of the reservoir  380  is sufficiently filled, the door (not shown) may be opened to remove the transfer guard  360  along with the reservoir  380  and vial  340 . Alternatively, the user may remove one or more of those components, such as only the reservoir  380 , while leaving the other components in the system  300  for future use. 
     In some embodiments, the system  300  may include textured areas (such as  218  in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ), or the like, on one or more of the second housing portion  322  and the door (not shown). The textured areas ( 218  in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ) may allow for increased handling or gripping of the system  300 . The textured areas ( 218  in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ) may be, for example, a series of annular ribs that surround the system  300  or a portion thereof as exemplified in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
       FIGS. 22-23  illustrate a cross-sectional view of a system  400  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  400  may include, but is not limited to, a vial  440 , a reservoir  480 , a plunger head  490 , a plunger arm  494 , a transfer guard  460 , and a housing portion  402 . The vial  440  may include a septum  444 . The vial  440  may be for containing fluidic media. The reservoir  480  may have an interior volume for containing fluidic media. The plunger head  490  may be located within the reservoir  480  and may be moveable within the reservoir  480  to expand or contract the interior volume of the reservoir  480 . The plunger head  490  may be connected to the plunger arm  494 . The reservoir  480  may include a septum  484  located at a port of the reservoir  480 . The transfer guard  460  may include a needle  465  for providing a fluid path from an interior volume of the vial  440  to the interior volume of the reservoir  480 . The needle  465  of the transfer guard  460  may be able to pierce the septum  444  of the vial  440  and the septum  484  of the reservoir  480 , so as to provide a fluid path from the vial  440  to the reservoir  480  through the needle  465 . The plunger head  490  may include at least one seal member  499 , such as an o-ring, or the like to facilitate movement within the interior volume of the reservoir  480  and/or to substantially prevent fluidic media from flowing between the plunger head  490  and the reservoir  480 . 
     The system  400  may allow for automating a filling process of the reservoir  480  with fluidic media from the vial  440 . The system  400  may include a bias member such as a spring  407  and a handle  496 . In various embodiments, the system  400  may further include a latch  408 . In various embodiments, the plunger arm  494  and the handle  496  may be configured such that the plunger arm  494  is able to snap together with the handle  496  to connect the plunger arm  494  to the handle  496 . In various other embodiments, the plunger arm  494  and the handle  496  may be configured to be connected in other ways, such as by screwing the plunger arm  494  into the handle  496 . In some embodiments, the handle  486  may be part of the plunger arm  494 , and the handle  496  may be connectable to the spring  407 . 
     The spring  407  may be connected between a top surface of the housing portion  402  and the handle  496 . The spring  407  may be initially biased toward an expanded position, but may be held compressed by the handle  496 , which may be held in place by the latch  408 . The system  400  may allow for the reservoir  480  to be snapped or otherwise connected in place within the housing portion  402 . The system  400  may allow for filling the reservoir  480  using a force applied by the spring  407  on the handle  496  when the latch  408  is released to allow the spring  407  to push down on the handle  496 . According to one embodiment of the system  400 , the handle  496  may be connected to the plunger arm  494 , and the plunger arm  494  may be connected to the plunger head  490 . In such an embodiment, movement of the handle  486  away from the reservoir  480  may cause the plunger head  490  to move within the reservoir  480  to create a vacuum that enables a filling of the reservoir  480  by drawing fluid from the vial  440 . 
     In various embodiments, a tension of the spring  407  may be selected so as to allow for the reservoir  480  to fill at different rates when the spring  407  expands depending on the tension of the spring  407 . Thus, various embodiments of the present invention allow for spring loaded automatic filling of a reservoir, and for drawing a fluid or drug from an inverted vial into a reservoir. In some embodiments, a lead screw (not shown) may be used in place of the spring  407  to move the plunger arm  494  for an automated filling of the reservoir  480 . 
       FIGS. 24-25  illustrate a cross-sectional view of a system  500  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  500  may include, but is not limited to, a reservoir  580 , a plunger head  590 , a plunger arm  594 , a transfer guard  560 , a vial  540 , and a vibrating apparatus  530 . The vial  540  may be for containing fluidic media. The transfer guard  560  may include a needle  565  for transferring fluidic media between the vial  540  and the reservoir  580 . The vial  540  may include a septum  544  pierceable by the needle  565 . The reservoir  580  may include a septum  584  pierceable by the needle  565 . The system  500  may include a handle  596  connected to the plunger arm  594 . The vibrating apparatus  530  may include a holding unit  535  and a vibrator  531 . 
     In various embodiments, the vibrating apparatus  530  may further include a power source  532 . The power source  532  may comprise, for example, an electrical plug for plugging the vibrator  531  into an electrical socket, a battery for powering the vibrator  531 , or the like. In various embodiments, the vibrator  531  is an electric vibrator, or the like. 
     The holding unit  535  may allow for holding the reservoir  580 . In various embodiments, the holding unit  535  may include a first holder  536  and a second holder  537  for holding the reservoir  580 . The holding unit  535  may be configured such that the plunger arm  594  that is connected to the plunger head  590  located within the reservoir  580  is moveable in a case where the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580  and the reservoir  580  is being filled with fluidic media. 
     The vibrator  531  may allow for vibrating the holding unit  535  such that the reservoir  580  is vibrated. In various embodiments, the vibrator  531  may be configured to vibrate the holding unit  535  in a case where the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580  and the reservoir  580  is being filled with fluidic media, so as to vibrate the reservoir  580  and degas or otherwise cause air bubbles contained in fluidic media in the reservoir  580  to travel upwards within the reservoir  580 . Additionally, in various embodiments, the vibrator  531  may be configured to shake the holding unit  535  sufficiently in a case where the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580  and the reservoir  580  is being filled with fluidic media such that air bubbles are shaken free from fluidic media contained in the reservoir  580 . 
     In various embodiments, the holding unit  535  may include the first holder  536  and the second holder  537 . The plunger arm  594  may be moveable within a space  539  between the first holder  536  and the second holder  537  in a case where the reservoir  580  is being held by the first holder  536  and the second holder  537  and the reservoir  580  is being filled with fluidic media. In various embodiments, the first holder  536  and the second holder  537  may be connected to the vibrator  531 . In addition, in various embodiments, the space  539  may be at least partially between the plunger arm  594  and the vibrator  531 . 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the first holder  536  and the second holder  537  may be attached to the vibrator  531  with hinges or doors (not shown) or the like. The doors (not shown) may be configured to swing open to allow for placing the reservoir  580  at least partially between the first holder  536  and the second holder  537 . The doors (not shown) may be further configured to swing closed and lock so that the reservoir  580  is held tightly between the first holder  536  and the second holder  537 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the holding unit  535  may further include cushions  534  between the first holder  536  and the reservoir  580 , and between the second holder  537  and the reservoir  580 . In various embodiments, the holding unit  535  may be a single member into which the reservoir  580  is inserted and held securely. 
     In various embodiments, the holding unit  535  may be configured such that, in a case where the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580 , fluidic media is able to be drawn into the reservoir  580  through a port  582  of the reservoir  580  that is located to an opposite side of the plunger head  590  from the plunger arm  594 . Additionally, in various embodiments, the holding unit  535  may be configured such that the plunger arm  594  is moveable in a direction toward the vibrator  531  in a case where the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580  and the reservoir  580  is being filled with fluidic media. 
     In various embodiments, the vibrating apparatus  530  may include one or more supports  533  for supporting the holding unit  535 . The one or more supports  533  may be attached to a stand (not shown), or the like. 
     In various embodiments, the system  500  may include the transfer guard  560 . The transfer guard  560  may allow for transferring fluidic media from the vial  540  to the reservoir  580  in a case where the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580 . In some embodiments, the transfer guard  560  may include an end  570  for supporting the reservoir  580 . The port  582  of the reservoir  580  may be insertable into the end  570  of the transfer guard  560 . The septum  584  of the reservoir  580  may be pierced by the needle  565  of the transfer guard  560  when the reservoir  580  is inserted into the end  570  of the transfer guard  560 . 
     In some embodiments, the vibrating apparatus  530  may include one or more latches  538 . The one or more latches  538  may allow for preventing the plunger arm  594  from being moved when the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580  prior to a time when the reservoir  580  is being filled with fluidic media. As a result, the plunger head  590  that is connected to the plunger arm  594  is not moveable within the reservoir  580  when the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580  prior to the time when the reservoir  580  is being filled with fluidic media. In various embodiments, the one or more latches  538  may clasp or otherwise hold onto one or both of the plunger arm  594  and the handle  596 . In such embodiments, the one or more latches  538  may be operable to swing open, retract, or otherwise release one or both of the plunger arm  594  and the handle  596  to allow the plunger arm  594  to move within the space  539 , such that the plunger head  590  can be moved within the reservoir  580 . Thus, the reservoir  580  may be filled with fluidic media drawn from the vial  540 . 
     The holding unit  535  may be configured such that the handle  596  connected to the plunger arm  594  is moveable within the space  539  between the reservoir  538  and the vibrator  531  in a case where the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580  and the reservoir  580  is being filled with fluidic media. In some embodiments, the handle  596  may be disconnectable from the plunger arm  594 , such that the handle  596  may be disconnected from the plunger arm  594  after the reservoir  580  has been sufficiently filled with fluidic media. 
     In some embodiments, the handle  596  may be able to be pulled by a user while the vibrator  531  is vibrating the reservoir  580 . In various other embodiments, the handle  596  may be connected to a bias member (not shown), such as a spring to move the handle  596  so as to move the plunger head  590  when the one or more latches  538  are opened to release one or both of the plunger arm  594  and the handle  596 . In some embodiments, the system may further include a motor (not shown) for moving one or both of the plunger arm  594  and the handle  596  such that the plunger head  590  is moveable within the reservoir  580  while the holding unit  535  is holding the reservoir  580 . 
     According to an embodiment exemplified in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , during a filling process, the needle  565  of the transfer guard  560  may establish a fluid path between the vial  540  and the reservoir  580 . The one or more latches  580  may be released from the handle  596  to allow the plunger head  590  to move to allow fluidic media to flow from the vial  540  into the reservoir  580 . While the reservoir  580  is filling with fluidic media, the vibrator  531  may vibrate the reservoir  580  such that air bubbles in fluidic medium contained in the reservoir  580  travel upwards toward the port  582  of the reservoir  580 . Thus, in various embodiments, the vibrator  531  may allow for shaking the reservoir  580  to degas fluidic media being filled into the reservoir  580 . In various embodiments, once the filling process has completed in the system  500 , the vial  540  may be disconnected from the transfer guard  560 . Air in the reservoir  580  may be subsequently pushed out of the reservoir  580 , for example, by pressing on the handle  596 . 
       FIG. 26  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a system  600  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system  600  may include, but is not limited to, a reservoir  680 , a plunger head  690 , a plunger arm  694 , a handle  696 , a bias member  607 , a first needle  665 , a second needle  669 , a membrane  668 , an air inlet  667 , a vial  640 , a transfer guard  660 , and a filter  662 . The reservoir  680  may have a septum  684 . The vial  640  may have a septum  644 . The system  600  may be configured such that in a case where the vial  640  is inverted and the second needle  669  is inserted into the vial  640 , the second needle  669  vents to atmosphere from the air inlet  667  to a headspace  647  in the vial  640  above an area  645  of the vial  640  that contains fluidic media. Thus, by using the second needle  669  to vent the headspace  647  of the vial  640  to atmosphere, there may be substantially no percolation of air through fluidic media in the vial  640 . 
     In various embodiments, the system  600  may be configured such that in a case where the vial  640  is inverted and the second needle  669  is inserted into the vial  640 , the second needle  669  vents to atmosphere from the air inlet  667  to the area  645  of the vial  350  that contains fluidic media. Thus, the second needle  669  in the vial  640  may provide for atmospheric pressure in the vial  640 . 
     The membrane  668  may be a hydrophobic membrane. The hydrophobic membrane  668  may substantially reduce an addition of water vapor through the second needle  669  to the vial  640 . The system  600  may be configured such that as fluidic media is drawn into the reservoir  680 , it passes through the filter  662 , which may comprise a membrane, such as a hydrophobic membrane or a hydrophilic membrane, to filter out air bubbles and/or degas the fluidic media drawn into the reservoir  680 . Additionally, water vapor may be restricted from entering the vial  640  through the second needle  669  by the hydrophobic membrane  668 . In various embodiments, equalizing a pressure of the vial  640  with an atmospheric pressure may help to prime the vial  640 . In other embodiments, the membrane  668  may be a hydrophilic membrane. 
     In various embodiments, the plunger arm  694  and the handle  696  may be configured such that the plunger arm  694  is able to snap together or otherwise connect with the handle  696  to connect the plunger arm  694  to the handle  696 . In various other embodiments, the plunger arm  694  and the handle  696  may be configured to be connected in other ways, such as by screwing the plunger arm  694  into the handle  696 . In some embodiments, the handle  696  may be part of the plunger arm  694 , and the handle  696  may be connectable to the bias member  607 . According to some embodiments of the system  600 , the handle  696  may be connected to the plunger arm  694 , and the plunger arm  694  may be connected to the plunger head  690 . In such an embodiment, movement of the handle  696  away from the reservoir  680  may cause the plunger head  690  to retract within the reservoir  680  to create a vacuum that enables a filling of the reservoir  680  by drawing fluidic media from the vial  640 . 
     In some embodiments, the bias member  607  may be a spring, or the like. The bias member  607  may be located between the plunger head  690  and an end  688  of the reservoir  680 . The bias member  607  may be initially in an expanded position. The bias member  607  may provide a retaining force behind the plunger head  690  in the reservoir  680  as the plunger head  690  is moved within the reservoir  680 . Movement of the handle  696  away from the reservoir  680  may move the plunger head  690  within the reservoir  680  and compress the bias member  607  to a compressed position. 
     In various embodiments, a tension of the bias member  607  may be selected so as to allow for the reservoir  680  to fill at different rates when the bias member  607  compresses depending on the tension of the bias member  607 . Thus, the system  600  may allow for a vial pressure equalizer using the second needle  669 , with a bias member  607  to assist movement of the plunger head  690 , and a filter  662  to filter air bubbles out of fluidic media as the fluidic media is filled into the reservoir  680 . 
     In various embodiments, the fill volume control  230  ( FIGS. 11-14 and 16 ) may be used with embodiments of the systems described above, and/or may be provided at various locations of those embodiments. For example, with reference to  FIGS. 17-21 , a fill volume control, such as the fill volume control  230  ( FIGS. 11-14 and 16 ) described above, may be provided in an area  321  of the system  300  such that the fill volume control is positioned between the first housing portion  302  and the second housing portion  322 . In such an example, the fill volume control may allow for the system  300  to transfer fixed volumes of fluidic media during a filling process as previously described. 
     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.