Insertion devices and methods

• US 8,613,703 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Issued: 12/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stafford, Gary Ashley
• Primary Examiner(s): CANELLA, KAREN A
• Application Number:
  US12/129,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20080300476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,035 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Devices and methods relating to analyte sensor insertion devices and methods are provided.

Claims

1. A glucose sensor insertion system, the system comprising:

a mounting unit configured to mate with an inserter, the inserter comprising a housing, a structure within the housing configured to carry a glucose sensor, and a driver within the housing to drive the glucose sensor at least partially into a user'"'"'s skin;

wherein when the inserter and the mounting unit are mated, the mounting unit causes the structure to be pushed into an interior of the inserter housing;

wherein mating the inserter and the mounting unit together arms the system;

wherein the mounting unit comprises a mount base and mount arms and the structure within the housing to carry the glucose sensor comprises carrier arms; and

wherein the structure within the housing configured to carry the glucose sensor comprises a hook that engages a portion of the housing when the driver is armed.

10. The glucose sensor insertion system of claim 1, wherein the mounting unit comprises an adhesive on a surface of the mounting unit.

11. The glucose sensor insertion system of claim 1, wherein the inserter further comprises an actuator, and wherein actuating the actuator releases the driver to drive the glucose sensor at least partially into the user'"'"'s skin.

12. The glucose sensor insertion system of claim 1, wherein the driver drives the glucose sensor at least partially into the user'"'"'s skin at a speed of about 2 m/s or less.

2. A self arming inserter comprising:

an inserter housing to be received in a mounting unit;

a carrier supported by the inserter housing;

a sensor mounted on the carrier; and

a driver which drives the carrier;

wherein when the inserter and the mounting unit are mated, the mounting unit causes the carrier to be pushed into an interior of the inserter housing;

wherein inserting the inserter housing in the mounting unit arms the driver;

wherein the mounting unit comprises a mount base and mount arms and the carrier comprises carrier arms; and

wherein the carrier comprises a hook that engages a portion of the housing when the driver is armed.

3. The self arming inserter according to claim 2, further comprising an actuator which actuates the driver and wherein actuating the actuator releases the driver.

4. The self arming inserter according to claim 3, wherein the driver comprises a spring and wherein arming the inserter comprises compressing the spring.

5. The self arming inserter according to claim 2, wherein the mounting unit comprises an inserter hole through which the sensor passes when the carrier is driven by the driver.

6. The self arming inserter according to claim 2, wherein the mounting unit is shiftable with respect to the housing after the mounting unit is inserted into the housing.

7. The self arming inserter according to claim 2, further comprising an inserter tip which supports the sensor on the carrier.

8. The self arming inserter according to claim 2, wherein the sensor attaches to the mounting unit after the driver drives the carrier.

9. The self arming inserter according to claim 2, wherein an adhesive is provided on a surface of the mounting unit.

13. The self arming inserter according to claim 2, wherein the driver drives the carrier at a speed of about 2 m/s or less.

14. A method of inserting a glucose sensor, the method comprising:

coupling the glucose sensor with an introducer, the introducer configured to facilitate insertion of the glucose sensor through a skin layer;

coupling the glucose sensor with an inserter;

mating a mounting unit with the inserter, wherein mating the mounting unit with the inserter causes the glucose sensor to be pushed into an interior of the inserter and arms the inserter;

actuating an actuator to drive the glucose sensor; and

driving, using the inserter, the glucose sensor at least partially through the skin layer;

wherein the sensor is mounted on a carrier that is supported by a housing of the inserter; and

wherein mating the mounting unit with the inserter causes a hook on the carrier to engage a portion of the housing when the inserter is armed.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein driving the glucose sensor at least partially through the skin layer includes driving the glucose sensor at a speed of about 2 m/s or less.

16. A method comprising:

receiving an inserter housing in a mounting unit;

providing a carrier supported by the inserter housing;

mounting a sensor on the carrier;

coupling a driver to the carrier;

pushing the carrier into an interior of the housing and arming the driver when the inserter housing is received in the mounting unit;

engaging the carrier with a portion of the inserter housing when the driver is armed;

actuating an actuator to release the driver; and

driving, using the driver, the carrier;

wherein the carrier comprises a hook that engages the portion of the housing when the driver is armed.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein arming the driver comprises compressing the driver.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching the sensor to the mounting unit after the driver drives the carrier.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising coupling a transmitter to the mounting unit.

20. The method of claim 16, including driving, using the driver, the carrier at a speed of about 2 m/s or less.