Disclosed is a medical system having a cartridge and an inserter. The cartridge includes a housing having an interior volume with a first guide within the interior volume. A cradle is disposed within the interior volume and is configured for mounting a medical appliance. The cradle includes a subcutaneous element and an insertion needle. The insertion needle is configured for being actuated to insert the subcutaneous element into a subject. The inserter includes a second guide configured to mate with the housing of the cartridge, and the first guide and second guide are configured to cooperate to guide the inserter into the interior volume along a guiding path defined by the first guide. The inserter is configured to removably attach to the cradle when guided into the interior volume. An insertion assembly is provided for actuating the insertion needle to insert the subcutaneous element into the subject.