Transcutaneous medical device with variable stiffness
First Claim
1. An analyte sensor, the sensor comprising an elongated flexible portion, wherein the elongated flexible portion comprises a first electrode and a second electrode at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the first electrode, wherein the first and/or second electrode is configured to produce a signal indicative of an analyte concentration in a host, and wherein the second electrode provides a variable stiffness of the sensor by a variable stiffness of the material of the second electrode and/or by a variable pitch of a helical configuration of the second electrode along at least a portion of its length.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to variable stiffness transcutaneous medical devices including a distal portion designed to be more flexible than a proximal portion. The variable stiffness can be provided by a variable pitch in one or more wires of the device, a variable cross-section in one or more wires of the device, and/or a variable hardening and/or softening in one or more wires of the device.
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Citations
39 Claims
- 1. An analyte sensor, the sensor comprising an elongated flexible portion, wherein the elongated flexible portion comprises a first electrode and a second electrode at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the first electrode, wherein the first and/or second electrode is configured to produce a signal indicative of an analyte concentration in a host, and wherein the second electrode provides a variable stiffness of the sensor by a variable stiffness of the material of the second electrode and/or by a variable pitch of a helical configuration of the second electrode along at least a portion of its length.
- 16. An analyte sensor, the sensor comprising an in vivo portion adapted for insertion into a host and an ex vivo portion adapted for operable connection to a device that remains external to the host, wherein the in vivo portion of the sensor comprises a first electrode twisted with or around a second electrode along a length of the sensor in such a way that a stiffness of the sensor gradually changes along a length of the sensor where the first electrode is located, and wherein the first and/or second electrode is configured to produce a signal indicative of an analyte concentration in a host.
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27. The sensor of 26, wherein the change is produced by subjecting the wire to an annealing process.
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37. An analyte sensor configured to produce a signal indicative of an analyte concentration in a host, the sensor comprising an in vivo portion adapted for insertion into a host and an ex vivo portion adapted for operable connection to a device that remains external to the host, wherein the in vivo portion of the sensor comprises a first electrode twisted with or around a second electrode along a length of the sensor in such a way that that a stiffness of the sensor gradually changes along a length of the sensor where the first electrode is located, wherein the ex vivo portion is stiffer than the in vivo portion, wherein at least one electrode comprises a wire in a helical configuration, and wherein the difference in stiffness between the ex vivo portion and the in vivo portion is provided by a varying pitch of the helical configuration.
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38. An analyte sensor, the sensor comprising an in vivo portion adapted for insertion into a host and an ex vivo portion adapted for operable connection to a device that remains external to the host, wherein the in vivo portion of the sensor comprises a first electrode twisted with or around a second electrode along a length of the sensor in such a way that a stiffness of the sensor gradually changes along a length of the sensor where the first electrode is located, wherein the first and/or second electrode is configured to produce a signal indicative of an analyte concentration in a host and wherein the first electrode provides the change in stiffness of the sensor.
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39. An analyte sensor, the sensor comprising an elongated flexible portion, wherein the elongated flexible portion comprises a first electrode and a second electrode at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the first electrode, wherein the first and/or second electrode is configured to produce a signal indicative of an analyte concentration in a host, and wherein the second electrode provides a variable stiffness of the sensor by a variable stiffness of the material of the second electrode along at least a portion of its length.
Specification