Apparatus and method for implantation of sensors
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for implantation of a sensor beneath the skin surface which comprises:
- a housing;
a dual-lumen tube having a proximal end attached to said housing and having a distal end projecting from said housing, said tube, including the distal end, defining a first lumen and a second lumen;
a needle received within the first lumen of said tube, said needle including a proximal end and a pointed distal end extending outwardly of the distal end of said tube; and
a sensor received within the second lumen of said tube, said sensor including a sensing element positioned within the second lumen adjacent the distal end of said tube and outside of said housing, said sensor further including means for communicating information sensed by the sensing element to a location spaced from the sensing element,whereby implantation of said sensor is accomplished by forcing said needle and said tube into a desired location beneath the skin surface,
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Abstract
An apparatus for implantation of in vivo sensors includes a housing, a dual-lumen tube extending therefrom, and an in vivo sensor received within one of the lumen of the tube. A needle is received within the other lumens of the tube, and is used to insert the tube through the skin. After implantation, the needle is removed, and the flexible tube and sensor remaining beneath the skin provides the user with reduced irritation and greater comfort. The associated method for subcutaneous implantation of a sensor for use in vivo is also disclosed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for implantation of a sensor beneath the skin surface which comprises:
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a housing; a dual-lumen tube having a proximal end attached to said housing and having a distal end projecting from said housing, said tube, including the distal end, defining a first lumen and a second lumen; a needle received within the first lumen of said tube, said needle including a proximal end and a pointed distal end extending outwardly of the distal end of said tube; and a sensor received within the second lumen of said tube, said sensor including a sensing element positioned within the second lumen adjacent the distal end of said tube and outside of said housing, said sensor further including means for communicating information sensed by the sensing element to a location spaced from the sensing element, whereby implantation of said sensor is accomplished by forcing said needle and said tube into a desired location beneath the skin surface, - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for implantation of a sensor beneath the skin surface which comprises the steps of:
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a. providing an implanting device which includes a housing, a dual-lumen tube having a proximal end attached to the housing and having a distal end projecting from the housing, the tube, including the distal end, defining a first lumen and a second lumen, a needle received within the first lumen of the tube, the needle including a proximal end and a pointed proximal end extending outwardly of the distal end of the tube, and a sensor received within the second lumen of the tube, the sensor including a sensing element positioned within the second lumen adjacent the distal end of the tube and outside of the housing, the sensor further including means for communicating information sensed by the sensing element to a location spaced from the sensing element; and
,b. pressing the needle through the skin surface to position the distal end of the tue to a desired location beneath the skin surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification