Sensor inserter assembly
First Claim
1. A sensor inserter assembly comprising:
- a housing;
a shuttle movably connected to the housing, the shuttle movable in an insertion direction and an opposite retraction direction;
a first spring means for urging the shuttle in the insertion direction;
a second spring means for urging the shuttle in the retraction direction;
a sensor;
an introducer sharp attached to the shuttle, the introducer sharp having at least one cutting portion and arranged for releasably receiving a sensor;
a retention element which releasably retains at least a portion of the sensor adjacent to the introducer sharp; and
an actuator for releasing the shuttle and allowing the first spring means to urge the shuttle, sensor and introducer sharp in the insertion direction to an extended position in which at least a portion of the introducer sharp and the sensor protrude from the housing, whereby the second spring means is automatically actuated by the shuttle reaching the extended position and urges the shuttle and introducer sharp in the retraction direction from the extended position to a retracted position after the retention element has released the sensor from the introducer sharp, the introducer sharp being retracted within the housing when in the retracted position, and wherein the sensor is releasably retained on the introducer sharp by a dimple located on the introducer sharp.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte, such as blood glucose. An inserter having a retractable introducer is provided for subcutaneously implanting the sensor in a predictable and reliable fashion.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A sensor inserter assembly comprising:
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a housing;
a shuttle movably connected to the housing, the shuttle movable in an insertion direction and an opposite retraction direction;
a first spring means for urging the shuttle in the insertion direction;
a second spring means for urging the shuttle in the retraction direction;
a sensor;
an introducer sharp attached to the shuttle, the introducer sharp having at least one cutting portion and arranged for releasably receiving a sensor;
a retention element which releasably retains at least a portion of the sensor adjacent to the introducer sharp; and
an actuator for releasing the shuttle and allowing the first spring means to urge the shuttle, sensor and introducer sharp in the insertion direction to an extended position in which at least a portion of the introducer sharp and the sensor protrude from the housing, whereby the second spring means is automatically actuated by the shuttle reaching the extended position and urges the shuttle and introducer sharp in the retraction direction from the extended position to a retracted position after the retention element has released the sensor from the introducer sharp, the introducer sharp being retracted within the housing when in the retracted position, and wherein the sensor is releasably retained on the introducer sharp by a dimple located on the introducer sharp. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 15)
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5. A sensor inserter assembly comprising:
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a housing;
a shuttle movably connected to the housing, the shuttle movable in an insertion direction and an opposite retraction direction;
a first spring means for urging the shuttle in the insertion direction;
a second spring means for urging the shuttle in the retraction direction;
an introducer sharp attached to the shuttle, the introducer sharp arranged for releasably receiving a sensor; and
an actuator for releasing the shuttle and allowing the first spring means to urge the shuttle and introducer sharp in the insertion direction to an extended position in which at least a portion of the introducer sharp and the sensor protrude from the housing, whereby the second spring means is automatically actuated by the shuttle reaching the extended position and urges the shuttle and introducer sharp in the retraction direction from the extended position to a retracted position in which the introducer sharp is retracted within the housing, wherein the sensor is slidably received within the introducer sharp and wherein the sensor is releasably retained on the introducer sharp by a dimple located on the introducer sharp.
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6-7. -7. (canceled)
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10-14. -14. (canceled)
Specification