DEVICE FOR POSITIONING A PROBE IN LIVING TISSUE

• US 20080146904A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Hunn, Marcel
• Granted Patent: US 10,537,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/365
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set

Abstract

A device for positioning a probe in living tissue, the device including a casing having an underside for positioning on the tissue, the probe, which can be moved relative to the casing beyond the underside in an insertion direction to be inserted into the tissue, and a signal means carried by the casing such that it can be moved in the insertion direction to an end position, wherein the signal means slaves the probe when moving in the insertion direction.

Claims

1. A device for positioning a probe in living tissue, said device comprising:

a) a casing having an underside for positioning on the tissue;

b) the probe, which can be moved relative to the casing, beyond the underside in an insertion direction, in order to be inserted into the tissue;

c) and a signal means for the probe, mounted by the casing such that it can be moved in the insertion direction up to an end position;

d) wherein the signal means slaves the probe when moving in the insertion direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the probe and the signal means are connected to each other by means of at least one signal wire.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the probe and the signal means are connected to each other such that they cannot move in or counter to the insertion direction.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the casing guides the signal means in a guiding contact along a guiding path extending in the insertion direction.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a free proximal end and a free distal end and a surface which is continuously free from the proximal end to at least close to the distal end in the insertion direction.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the probe is connected to the signal means via a connecting stay which projects laterally from the probe.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a carrier part which holds the signal means and comprises an opening in the insertion direction out of which the probe protrudes in the insertion direction.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the probe overlaps the carrier part in the insertion direction in a probe portion and is connected to the carrier part in the region of the overlapping probe portion in a direction transverse to the insertion direction.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the carrier part is guided in a sliding contact with the casing such that it can be moved in the insertion direction.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the carrier part and the casing form guiding paths situated in the sliding contact, on circumferential areas which face each other transverse to the insertion direction.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion aid for the probe which overlaps the probe in the insertion direction over at least a substantial part of its length and can be withdrawn from the probe, counter to the insertion direction.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the insertion aid comprises a cladding structure which surrounds the probe over at least a major part of a circumference of the probe.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the cladding structure comprises a slit extending in the insertion direction, the probe accommodated in the slit, the slit extending into an outer circumferential area of the cladding structure over the entire length of the probe.

15. The device according to claim 12, wherein the insertion aid comprises an injection needle which protrudes beyond the probe in the insertion direction, the probe being one of arranged on, around or in the injection needle.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the insertion aid comprises at least two pivoting blades which can be pivoted toward each other into a protective position such that the injection needle is between the pivoting blades and the pivoting blades extend beyond a tip of the injection needle in the protective position.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the probe is a measuring probe for recording a parameter.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the parameter is a biochemical parameter which characterizes the state of health of an organism.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the biochemical parameter is glucose concentration.

8. The device according to claim 8, wherein the probe is fastened to the carrier part.

20. A method of ascertaining a parameter characterizing the state of health of an organism, comprising the steps of:

providing a device for positioning a probe in living tissue of the organism, the device comprising a casing having an underside for contacting the tissue, the probe, which is moveable relative to the casing beyond the underside in an insertion direction to be inserted into the tissue, and a signal device carried by the casing such that it can be moved in the insertion direction to an end position, wherein the signal device slaves the probe when moving in the insertion direction; and

inserting the probe into the tissue, wherein, after insertion of the probe, the probe outputs measurement signals to the signal device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the ascertaining is continuous.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the parameter is a biochemical parameter.

23. A device for positioning a probe in living tissue, the device comprising a casing having an underside for contacting the tissue, the probe, which is moveable relative to the casing beyond the underside in an insertion direction to be inserted into the tissue, and a signal device carried by the casing such that it can be moved in the insertion direction to an end position.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the signal device slaves the probe when moving in the insertion direction.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the signal device is one of the group consisting of mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical, analog or digital mechanisms or devices suitable for generating, processing, sensing, conveying and/or communicating a time varying quantity.