TRANSCUTANEOUS ANALYTE SENSORS, APPLICATORS THEREFOR, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20130267812A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Inventors: Pryor, Jack, Bohm, Sebastian, Kline, Daniel S., Lieu, Phong, Livingston, Adam J., Masterson, Steve, Neale, Paul V., Simpson, Peter C., DeRenzy, David, Halac, Jason, Ubach, Antonio Joao
• Application Number:
  US13/829,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20130267812A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/365
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set

Abstract

The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present embodiments provide sensor applicators and methods of use with pushbutton activation that implant the sensor, withdraw the insertion needle, engage the transmitter with the housing, and disengage the applicator from the housing, all in one smooth motion. Some embodiments contemplate engagement of the transmitter with the housing after release of the applicator.

Claims

1. A device for applying an on-skin sensor assembly to skin of a host, the device comprising:

a base configured to secure a housing; and

an electronics unit including at least one electrical contact, wherein the housing is configured to receive the electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit is configured to generate analyte information based on a signal from a sensor;

wherein the base includes a mechanism to apply a seating force to the electronics unit in a direction of insertion of the electronics unit into the housing upon partial seating of the electronics unit within the housing.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the seating force is about 0.25-3 lbs.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein upon activation of the device, a sealing force is applied to the sensor that is about 2-3 times the magnitude of the seating force.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a pair of spring arms, wherein the spring arms are pre-loaded with stored energy, and wherein the device is configured such that partially seating the electronics unit within the housing releases the stored energy.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a pair of spring arms, and wherein the spring arms are pre-loaded with stored energy, and wherein the device is configured such that activating the device releases the stored energy.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured such that upon activation of the device the force moves the electronics unit farther into the housing, causing the at least one electrical contact to contact the sensor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises at least one spring.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least one spring is a leaf spring.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least one spring is a pair of leaf springs located on opposite sides of the electronics unit.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured such that partial seating of the electronics unit releases a trigger lock, thereby allowing the device to be actuated.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is configured such that if the electronics unit backs out from the partially seated position, the trigger lock reengages, thereby preventing the device from being actuated.

12. A device for applying an on-skin sensor assembly to skin of a host, the device comprising:

a housing; and

an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit is configured to generate analyte information based on a signal from a sensor;

a sensor insertion mechanism configured to insert the sensor into the host; and

a trigger configured, in response to being activated, to cause the sensor insertion mechanism to insert the sensor into skin of the host, and to secure the electronics unit to the housing such that the sensor electrically contacts the electronics unit, and in such a way that reuse of the sensor is prevented.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the electronics unit is configured such that it may not be removed from the housing without destroying the housing.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the electronics unit is configured such that it may not be removed from the housing without removing an adhesive patch located between the housing and the host from the housing or from the host.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is configured such that when the housing is adhered to the host'"'"'s skin, the skin blocks movement of a lever, which is used to remove the transmitter from the housing such that the transmitter can only be removed from the housing after the sensor has been removed from the body and is thereby rendered unusable.

16. A device for applying an on-skin sensor assembly to skin of a host, the device comprising:

a housing, wherein the housing is configured to receive an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit is configured to generate analyte information based on a signal from a sensor;

a sensor insertion mechanism configured to insert the sensor into the host;

a trigger configured, in response to being activated, to cause the sensor insertion mechanism to insert the sensor into the host; and

a trigger lock configured to prevent activation of the trigger until the electronics unit is partially seated within the housing.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the trigger lock comprises a projection on a rear side of the trigger that is configured to engage a surface to prevent movement of the trigger.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein if the electronics unit is configured such that when it backs out from the partially seated position, the trigger lock reengages, thereby preventing the device from being actuated.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the electronics unit is configured such that it disengages the trigger lock as it is partially seated within the housing.