Variable speed sensor insertion devices and methods of use
First Claim
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1. A sensor insertion device, comprising:
- a shuttle movable between a first position and a second position, the shuttle configured to retain a transcutaneous sensor while in the first position and release the sensor while in the second position;
a drive mechanism coupled to the shuttle to drive the shuttle from the first position to the second position based on a first driving force, wherein the drive mechanism includes a first compression spring configured to apply the first driving force;
a retraction mechanism coupled to the shuttle to drive the shuttle from the second position to a neutral position based on a second driving force, wherein the retraction mechanism includes a second compression spring configured to apply the second driving force, and wherein the neutral position is between the first position and the second position; and
a control mechanism operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the control mechanism is manually adjustable by a user and configured to vary the first driving force of the first compression spring by varying a load on the first compression spring while the shuttle is stationary.
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Abstract
An automatic sensor inserter is disclosed for placing a transcutaneous sensor into the skin of a living body. According to aspects of the invention, characteristics of the insertion such as sensor insertion speed may be varied by a user. In some embodiments, insertion speed may be varied by changing an amount of drive spring compression. The amount of spring compression may be selected from a continuous range of settings and/or it may be selected from a finite number of discrete settings. Methods associated with the use of the automatic inserter are also covered.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A sensor insertion device, comprising:
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a shuttle movable between a first position and a second position, the shuttle configured to retain a transcutaneous sensor while in the first position and release the sensor while in the second position; a drive mechanism coupled to the shuttle to drive the shuttle from the first position to the second position based on a first driving force, wherein the drive mechanism includes a first compression spring configured to apply the first driving force; a retraction mechanism coupled to the shuttle to drive the shuttle from the second position to a neutral position based on a second driving force, wherein the retraction mechanism includes a second compression spring configured to apply the second driving force, and wherein the neutral position is between the first position and the second position; and a control mechanism operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the control mechanism is manually adjustable by a user and configured to vary the first driving force of the first compression spring by varying a load on the first compression spring while the shuttle is stationary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of inserting a sensor, including:
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cocking a sensor insertion device; manually selecting an insertion speed setting from among a plurality of insertion speed settings on the insertion device to vary a load on a first compression spring while maintaining a shuttle of the insertion device in a stationary position; placing the insertion device against a skin layer; firing a sensor into the skin layer using the manually selected insertion speed setting by releasing potential energy stored in the first compression spring; releasing the sensor from the shuttle of the insertion device; and retracting the shuttle of the insertion device to a location within the insertion device by releasing potential energy stored in a second compression spring. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification