Analyte sensor subassembly and methods and apparatuses for inserting an analyte sensor associated with same
First Claim
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1. An analyte sensor subassembly, comprising:
- a housing;
an analyte sensor fixed to and extending from a first side of the housing, the analyte sensor having an anode and a cathode;
a first electrical connector having at a first end a first electrical contact coupled to the anode of the analyte sensor and at a second end a second electrical contact extending from the first side of the housing for electrical coupling to an analyte sensor assembly;
a second electrical connector having at a first end a third electrical contact coupled to the cathode of the analyte sensor and at a second end a fourth electrical contact extending from the first side of the housing for electrical coupling to the analyte sensor assembly; and
a striking surface on a second side of the housing, opposite the first side, for receiving a motive force to insert the analyte sensor into skin of an individual and electrically couple the second and fourth electrical contacts to the analyte sensor assembly.
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Abstract
Embodiments herein provide an analyte sensor subassembly that provides an integrated structure enabling suitably secure electrical contact between an analyte sensor and the electronic components of an analyte sensor assembly. An analyte sensor subassembly assists the process of inserting the sensor into skin. An analyte sensor subassembly may operate in concert with one or more sensor insertion tools to provide insertion of an analyte sensor into the skin of a subject/patient. Associated devices, such as channel guides and sensor insertion tools, are also provided, as are methods of operation and sensor insertion.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An analyte sensor subassembly, comprising:
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a housing; an analyte sensor fixed to and extending from a first side of the housing, the analyte sensor having an anode and a cathode; a first electrical connector having at a first end a first electrical contact coupled to the anode of the analyte sensor and at a second end a second electrical contact extending from the first side of the housing for electrical coupling to an analyte sensor assembly; a second electrical connector having at a first end a third electrical contact coupled to the cathode of the analyte sensor and at a second end a fourth electrical contact extending from the first side of the housing for electrical coupling to the analyte sensor assembly; and a striking surface on a second side of the housing, opposite the first side, for receiving a motive force to insert the analyte sensor into skin of an individual and electrically couple the second and fourth electrical contacts to the analyte sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sensor subassembly channel guide, comprising:
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an elongated tubular housing to mate with an analyte sensor assembly and having an interior region, an exterior surface, a first opening at a first end that is configured to receive a motive force from a motive force device to drive an analyte sensor subassembly, and a second opening at a second end that permits passage of the analyte sensor subassembly; and a channel located in the interior region of the housing providing a passage for the analyte sensor subassembly to pass through the sensor subassembly channel guide, said channel configured to mate with the analyte sensor subassembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A sensor insertion tool for inserting an analyte sensor into skin, comprising:
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a housing having a curved track, wherein the housing mates with an analyte sensor channel guide having a curved channel; a plunger coupled to a spring, wherein the plunger travels in or along the curved track when the spring is actuated to push an analyte sensor subassembly along a curved path within the curved channel; and a cocking mechanism coupled to the plunger to load energy in the spring prior to inserting the analyte sensor into skin. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of inserting an analyte sensor into skin, comprising:
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providing a channel guide at least partially containing an analyte sensor subassembly, the analyte sensor subassembly having an analyte sensor and electrical contact members, the channel guide removably coupled to an analyte sensor assembly on an individual'"'"'s skin and including a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end, the sensor assembly having electrical contacts configured to correspond to the electrical contact members of the analyte sensor subassembly; coupling a motive force device to the channel guide; and activating the motive force device to provide a motive force to the analyte sensor subassembly, through the first opening in the channel guide, to move the analyte sensor subassembly through the channel guide such that the analyte sensor at least partially exits the channel guide through the second opening and at least partially enters the skin, wherein the electrical contact members of the analyte sensor subassembly are thereby brought into electrical contact with the corresponding electrical contacts of the sensor assembly.
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18. An analyte sensor assembly, comprising:
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a first sensor assembly having a circuit board and one or more electrical contacts coupled to the circuit board; a second sensor assembly for releasable and mechanical coupling to the first sensor assembly; and a sensor subassembly having an analyte sensor, a housing, and one or more electrical contact members extending from the housing for electrically coupling the analyte sensor to the one or more electrical contacts on the first sensor assembly, the sensor subassembly configured to mechanically engage with the second sensor assembly during use and only after the analyte sensor has been at least partially inserted into skin of an individual. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification