Analyte Sensor Transmitter Unit Configuration for a Data Monitoring and Management System

• US 20120022346A1
• Filed: 10/03/2011
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Mazza, John C., Naegeli, Andrew H., Stafford, Gary Ashley
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• 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 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

Method and system for providing analyte sensor alignment and retention mechanism for improved connectivity with a transmitter unit for electrical connection, and further including transmitter unit contact pins with metal components to improve electrical conductivity with the analyte sensor in an analyte monitoring and management system is provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing alignment, comprising:

a sensor having a hole thereon; and

a transmitter housing including a protrusion at a first end, the protrusion configured to substantially engage with the hole of the sensor such that the transmitter is in electrical contact with the sensor.

2. An apparatus for providing alignment, comprising:

a sensor including a plurality of conductive pads; and

a transmitter housing including a plurality of electrical contacts, each of the electrical contacts configured to substantially align with a respective one of the plurality of the conductive pads.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a seal segment adhered to the sensor, wherein the seal segment includes a plurality of radial seal holes disposed on the seal segment.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the radial holes configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of electrical contacts.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the electrical contacts are substantially tapered.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the transmitter electrical contacts are configured to self-align with a respective one of the conductive pads of the sensor when the transmitter is coupled to the sensor.

7. An apparatus for providing a sensor connection in a data monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor having a plurality of conductive pads; and

a transmitter housing, the housing including a plurality of electrical contacts, each of the contacts configured to substantially contact the respective one of the sensor conductive pads, wherein each of the plurality of electrical contacts include conductive polymer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the electrical contacts are silicon doped with carbon.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the electrical contacts are substantially conical shaped.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of the electrical contacts include a metal component disposed therein, wherein at least a first end of each of the electrical contacts is configured to substantially contact the respective one of the sensor conductive pads.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the metal component includes one of gold or beryllium copper.