Patent ID: 7207974

Claim:
An insertion device for inserting at least a portion of at least one piercing member of an insertion set through the skin of a patient, the insertion device comprising: a device housing; a carrier body adapted to be moveably secured within the device housing for movement between an advanced position and a retracted position, the carrier body including a receiving structure to support the insertion set in a position with the at least one piercing member oriented for insertion through the skin of the patient at a predetermined angle relative to the skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position, and wherein the at least one piercing member is secured to the carrier body; and a driver operatively coupled between the device housing and the carrier body that urges the carrier body with a controlled force and speed from the retracted position toward the advanced position to place at least a portion of the at least one piercing member of the insertion set through the skin of the patient to install the insertion set to the patient, wherein the receiving structure of the carrier body is removable from the insertion set while maintaining the installation of the insertion set to the patient, and wherein the carrier body retains the secured at least one piercing member during removal of the receiving structure of the insertion device from the insertion set such that the secured at least one piercing member is removed from the insertion set while maintaining the installation of the insertion set to the patient.