Integrated introducer and transmitter assembly and methods of use
First Claim
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1. A method of using a sensor introducer assembly, the sensor introducer assembly comprising an insertion unit operatively coupled to an analyte sensor, wherein the insertion unit includes a compressible introducer mechanism coupled to a sensor introducer, the method comprising:
- placing a base portion of the sensor introducer assembly on a skin surface of a patient;
applying a manual force on a surface of the compressible introducer mechanism to cause the compressible introducer mechanism to move from a non-compressed state to a compressed state;
inserting, by the compressible introducer mechanism, at least a portion of the analyte sensor and the sensor introducer through a skin layer to an insertion position under the skin layer; and
automatically withdrawing the at least the portion of the sensor introducer from under the skin layer while retaining the at least the portion of the analyte sensor at the insertion position,wherein the insertion unit and compressible introducer mechanism are contained within a housing when the compressible introducer mechanism is in the non-compressed state and the compressed state, and wherein the sensor introducer includes a sharp portion configured to releasably couple with the at least the portion of the analyte sensor.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for inserting at least a portion of a sensor into a patient is provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of using a sensor introducer assembly, the sensor introducer assembly comprising an insertion unit operatively coupled to an analyte sensor, wherein the insertion unit includes a compressible introducer mechanism coupled to a sensor introducer, the method comprising:
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placing a base portion of the sensor introducer assembly on a skin surface of a patient; applying a manual force on a surface of the compressible introducer mechanism to cause the compressible introducer mechanism to move from a non-compressed state to a compressed state; inserting, by the compressible introducer mechanism, at least a portion of the analyte sensor and the sensor introducer through a skin layer to an insertion position under the skin layer; and automatically withdrawing the at least the portion of the sensor introducer from under the skin layer while retaining the at least the portion of the analyte sensor at the insertion position, wherein the insertion unit and compressible introducer mechanism are contained within a housing when the compressible introducer mechanism is in the non-compressed state and the compressed state, and wherein the sensor introducer includes a sharp portion configured to releasably couple with the at least the portion of the analyte sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method, comprising:
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applying a manual force on a surface of a compressible introducer mechanism coupled to a sensor introducer to cause the compressible introducer mechanism to move from a non-compressed state to a compressed state; driving a sharp portion of the sensor introducer to pierce through a skin layer of a patient; inserting, by the compressible introducer mechanism, at least a portion of the analyte sensor and the sensor introducer to an insertion position under the skin layer; and automatically withdrawing the at least the portion of the sensor introducer from under the skin layer while retaining the at least the portion of the analyte sensor at the insertion position, wherein the at least the portion of the analyte sensor is substantially retained within the least the portion of the sensor introducer prior to insertion of the at least the portion of the analyte sensor and the sensor introducer through the skin layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification