Analyte sensor

• US 20060155180A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Claims

1. A device for measuring an analyte in a host, the device comprising:

a sensor operably connected to sensor electronics, the sensor electronics configured for measuring an analyte in a host;

at least one electrical contact configured to connect the sensor to the sensor electronics; and

a sealing member, wherein the sealing member at least partially surrounds at least one of the sensor and the electrical contact, wherein the sealing member comprises a material having a durometer hardness of from about 5 Shore A to about 80 Shore A.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the durometer hardness is from about 10 Shore A to about 50 Shore A.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the durometer hardness is about 20 Shore A.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the durometer hardness is about 50 Shore A

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a wire.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a planar substrate.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealing material comprises a silicone.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sealant adjacent to the sealing member.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor electronics are housed within an electronics unit configured to mate with the electrical contact.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the electronics unit and the sealing member are configured to mate to provide a compression force therebetween.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one raised portion configured to provide a compression force to the sealing member when the electrical contact is connected to the sensor electronics.

12. A device for use in measuring an analyte in a host, the device comprising:

a sensor operably connected to sensor electronics, the sensor electronics configured for measuring an analyte in a host;

at least one electrical contact configured to operably connect the sensor to the sensor electronics; and

a sealing member at least partially surrounding at least one of the sensor and the electrical contact, wherein the sealing member is configured to seal the electrical contact from moisture when the sensor is operably connected to the sensor electronics.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the sealing member comprises a material having a durometer hardness of from about 5 Shore A to about 80 Shore A.

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising a sealant adjacent to the sealing member.

15. The device of claim 12, further comprising a housing on which the sealing member is disposed, wherein the housing is configured to mechanically or chemically hold the sealing member thereon.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising an adhesive configured to hold the sealing member on the housing.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising at least one protrusion configured to substantially mate with at least one depression, whereby the sealing member is held on the housing.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the sealing member comprises at least one gap that is maintained when the electrical contact is operably connected to the sensor electronics.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the sensor at least partially extends through the gap.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the gap is filled with a sealant.

21. The device of claim 12, further comprising at least one channel communicating between a first side of the sealing member and a second side of the sealing member.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the channel is filled with a sealant.

23. The device of claim 12, wherein substantially no air gaps are adjacent to the electrical contact when the electrical contact is operably connected to the sensor electronics.

24. The device of claim 12, wherein the sealing member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicone, silicone/polyurethane hybrid, polyurethane, polysulfide, and mixtures thereof.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the sealing member is self-lubricating.

26. The device of claim 12, wherein the sealing member comprises a sealant sandwiched between an upper portion of the sealing member and a lower portion of the sealing member.

27. The device of claim 12, further comprising a guide tube configured to maintain an opening in the sealing member prior to sensor insertion into the host.

28. The device of claim 27, further comprising a lubricant between the sealing member and the guide tube.

29. A device for use in measuring an analyte in a host, the device comprising:

a sensor operably connected to sensor electronics, the sensor electronics configured for measuring an analyte in a host;

at least one electrical contact configured to connect the sensor to the sensor electronics, wherein the electrical contact comprises a material having a durometer hardness of from about 5 Shore A to about 80 Shore A; and

a sealing member at least partially surrounding at least one of the sensor and the electrical contact, wherein the sealing member comprises a material having a durometer hardness of from about 5 Shore A to about 80 Shore A.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the durometer hardness of the electrical contact is higher than the durometer hardness of the sealing member.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the durometer hardness of the electrical contact is about 50 Shore A.

32. The device of claim 29, wherein the durometer hardness of the sealing member is higher than the durometer hardness of the contact.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the durometer hardness of the sealing member is about 50 Shore A.

34. The device of claim 29, wherein the sealing member comprises a filler material.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the filler material is configured to stiffen the sealing member.