Integrated transmitter unit and sensor introducer mechanism and methods of use

• US 20070078320A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stafford, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,883,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/347
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing an integrated transmitter unit and sensor insertion mechanism is provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus including an integrated sensor and transmitter device, comprising:

a base unit configured for mounting onto a skin of a patient;

a transmitter unit integrally provided in the base unit; and

a sensor assembly disposed on a surface of the base unit, the sensor assembly including a sensor configured to couple to the transmitter unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base unit is flexible.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base unit includes a first end segment and a second end segment, the first end segment configured to couple to the second end segment so as to retain the base unit on the skin of the patient.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first end segment includes Velcro hook and the second end segment includes Velcro latch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter unit comprises flexible electronic circuitry.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter unit is laminated into the base unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter unit is configured to substantially conform to the shape of the base unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly includes an introducer coupled to at least a portion of the sensor, the introducer configured to position at least a portion of the sensor under the skin of the patient.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the introducer is configured to transcutaneously position at least the portion of the sensor to be in fluid contact with a biological fluid of the patient.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the biological fluid of the patient includes interstitial fluid of the patient.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the introducer is configured to be detachably removed from the sensor assembly after at least a portion of the sensor is positioned under the skin of the patient.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the introducer is configured to transcutaneously position at least a portion of the sensor at an angle between approximately 5 degrees to approximately 90 degrees relative to the surface of the patient'"'"'s skin.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly is configured to substantially pivot onto the base unit.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor is an analyte sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a base unit including an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface configured to contact a skin of a patient;

a sensor assembly, comprising;

a sensor disposed in the sensor assembly; and

an introducer substantially provided in the sensor assembly to couple to at least a portion of the sensor;

the introducer configured to position at least a portion of the sensor transcutaneously through the skin of the patient; and

a transmitter unit integrally disposed in the base unit, the transmitter unit configured to receive one or more signals from the sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the introducer is configured to be removably detached from the sensor assembly after at least the portion of the sensor is transcutaneously positioned.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the one or more signals from the sensor substantially corresponds to a respective one or more analyte levels of the patient.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the transmitter unit is configured to wirelessly transmit data corresponding to the one or more signals received from the sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 further including a receiver unit configured to receive data from the transmitter unit, wherein the received data corresponds to one or more analyte levels of the patient.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the flexible base unit is configured to be securely attached substantially around one of an arm, a torso, a thigh, a calf, or a waist of the patient.

22. A method, comprising the steps of:

securing a transmitter unit substantially around a body part of a patient; and

introducing at least a portion of a sensor through the skin of the patient so that the portion of the sensor is in fluid contact with a biological fluid of the patient, and further, wherein the sensor is in electrical contact with the transmitter unit.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the body part of the patient includes one of an arm, a leg, a calf, a torso, a neck, a thigh, an ankle, or a wrist.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the biological fluid of the patient is one of interstitial fluid, blood or oxygen.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor.

26. A system, comprising:

an integrated housing including a transmitter unit and a sensor;

the integrated housing configured for mounting onto a skin of a patient; and

a sensor introducer assembly mounted onto the integrated housing, the introducer assembly configured to position at least a portion of the sensor under the skin of the patient;

wherein the transmitter unit is in electrical contact with the sensor, and configured to transmit one or more signals corresponding a respective one or more signals received from the sensor.

27. The system of claim 26 further including a receiver unit configured to receive the one or more signals transmitted by the transmitter unit.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the receiver unit includes one of an infusion pump, a monitoring device, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a mobile telephone.