NEEDLE FOR TRANSCUTANEOUS ANALYTE SENSOR DELIVERY
First Claim
1. A needle for delivering a sensor through an outer skin layer and into a sensor depth, the needle comprising:
- a wall structure having a central axis, at least one cross dimension and defining at least one inner dimension sized to contain the sensor for delivery;
at least one cutting edge on the wall structure configured to pierce the outer skin layer; and
at least one blunt contour on the wall structure, the blunt contour configured to bluntly dissect tissue as the wall structure advances into the sensor depth;
wherein the blunt contour, viewed along the central axis of the wall structure, occupies more than 50% of the cross dimension of the wall structure; and
wherein the wall structure is configured for removal from the outer skin layer to leave the sensor at the sensor depth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a needle including a wall structure, a cutting edge and a blunt contour. The needle advantageously can be used to deliver a sensor (such as a glucose or other analyte sensor) through an outer skin layer and into a sensor depth in a less invasive way than prior art needles. The size of the cutting edge is balanced against a portion of the distal wall structure that has blunt contours. Thus, the needle is capable of cutting the more durable outer skin layer (first phase) and then progressively stretching open the cut for further advancement into the subcutaneous layer (second phase). When the needle is sufficiently advanced, it is retracted leaving the sensor in a desired position. Early testing has shown a reduction of “dip and recover” from glucose sensors delivered using the needle.
55 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A needle for delivering a sensor through an outer skin layer and into a sensor depth, the needle comprising:
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a wall structure having a central axis, at least one cross dimension and defining at least one inner dimension sized to contain the sensor for delivery; at least one cutting edge on the wall structure configured to pierce the outer skin layer; and at least one blunt contour on the wall structure, the blunt contour configured to bluntly dissect tissue as the wall structure advances into the sensor depth; wherein the blunt contour, viewed along the central axis of the wall structure, occupies more than 50% of the cross dimension of the wall structure; and wherein the wall structure is configured for removal from the outer skin layer to leave the sensor at the sensor depth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification