TRANSCUTANEOUS ANALYTE SENSOR

• US 20090124879A1
• Filed: 01/14/2009
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Inventors: Brister, Mark, Masterson, Steve, Saint, Sean, Kline, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,452,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/365
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0252 using ambient temperature
• 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 5/1411 by percutaneous method, e.g. by lancet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1451 for interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• 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 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Claims

1. A method for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor in a host, the method comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor into a host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host'"'"'s skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into the host;

inserting the sensor into the host; and

connecting an electronics unit with the housing, wherein the applicator is configured to release from the housing in response to connection of the electronics unit with the housing.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring information from the housing to the electronics unit in response to connection of the electronics unit with the housing.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the electronics unit comprises sliding the electronics unit into the housing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronics unit is tapered to guide the sliding of the electronics unit into the housing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronics unit has an architecture configured to self-align the electronics unit with the housing.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic unit comprises at least one contact configured to mutually engage with at least one contact on the housing, and wherein inserting the electronics unit further comprises releasably attaching the electronics unit to the housing, thereby sealing the mutually engaging contacts from moisture.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a safety latch mechanism configured to lock the sensor within the applicator prior to release of the safety latch mechanism, the method further comprising releasing the safety latch mechanism prior to inserting the sensor into the host.

8. A method for measuring an analyte in a host, the method comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into a host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host'"'"'s skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into the host;

inserting the sensor into the host;

connecting an electronics unit with the housing; and

transferring information from the assembly to the electronics unit.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein transferring information is triggered in response to connection of the electronics unit with the housing.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the electronics unit and housing each comprise at least one mutually engaging contact, and wherein the information is transferred through the mutually engaging contacts.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the information is transferred from the housing.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the information is transferred from the sensor.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the information is transferred from the applicator.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the assembly comprises an RFID chip, and wherein the information is transferred via radio frequency.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of sensitivity information, sensor identification information, and calibration information, and combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 8, further comprising wirelessly transferring the information from the electronics unit to a receiver.

17. A method for measuring an analyte in a host, the method comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into a host, wherein the assembly comprises a housing configured to be placed adjacent to the host'"'"'s skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into the host;

inserting the sensor into the host;

connecting sensor electronics with the sensor; and

transferring information to the sensor electronics.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein connecting sensor electronics with the sensor comprises physically connecting the sensor electronics with the sensor.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein connecting sensor electronics with the sensor comprises wirelessly connecting the sensor electronics with the sensor.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is transferred wirelessly.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of sensitivity information, sensor identification information, and calibration information, and combinations thereof.