Sensor inserter assembly

• US 20080004512A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kelemen, Bradley, Yamasaki, Duane, Funderburk, Jeffery, Flynn, Stephen, Vanhiel, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,029,442 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1451 for interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 Glucose concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/00 ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte, such as blood glucose. An inserter having a retractable introducer is provided for subcutaneously implanting the sensor in a predictable and reliable fashion.

Claims

1. A sensor inserter assembly comprising:

a housing;

a shuttle movably connected to the housing, the shuttle movable in an insertion direction and an opposite retraction direction;

a first spring means for urging the shuttle in the insertion direction;

a second spring means for urging the shuttle in the retraction direction;

a sensor;

an introducer sharp attached to the shuttle, the introducer sharp having at least one cutting portion and arranged for releasably receiving a sensor;

a retention element which releasably retains at least a portion of the sensor adjacent to the introducer sharp; and

an actuator for releasing the shuttle and allowing the first spring means to urge the shuttle, sensor and introducer sharp in the insertion direction to an extended position in which at least a portion of the introducer sharp and the sensor protrude from the housing, whereby the second spring means is automatically actuated by the shuttle reaching the extended position and urges the shuttle and introducer sharp in the retraction direction from the extended position to a retracted position after the retention element has released the sensor from the introducer sharp, the introducer sharp being retracted within the housing when in the retracted position, and wherein the sensor is releasably retained on the introducer sharp by a dimple located on the introducer sharp.

2. The sensor inserter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second spring means are separate compression springs.

3. The sensor inserter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second spring means are formed from a single structure alternately acting in compression and tension.

4. The sensor inserter assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor is slidably received within the introducer sharp.

8. The sensor inserter assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a post for slidably receiving and retaining the shuttle.

9. The sensor inserter assembly of claim 8, wherein the post and the shuttle comprise inter-engaging features that prevent the shuttle from rotating significantly with respect to the post.

15. The sensor inserter assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises a safety to impede the actuator until the safety is deactivated.

5. A sensor inserter assembly comprising:

a housing;

a shuttle movably connected to the housing, the shuttle movable in an insertion direction and an opposite retraction direction;

a first spring means for urging the shuttle in the insertion direction;

a second spring means for urging the shuttle in the retraction direction;

an introducer sharp attached to the shuttle, the introducer sharp arranged for releasably receiving a sensor; and

an actuator for releasing the shuttle and allowing the first spring means to urge the shuttle and introducer sharp in the insertion direction to an extended position in which at least a portion of the introducer sharp and the sensor protrude from the housing, whereby the second spring means is automatically actuated by the shuttle reaching the extended position and urges the shuttle and introducer sharp in the retraction direction from the extended position to a retracted position in which the introducer sharp is retracted within the housing, wherein the sensor is slidably received within the introducer sharp and wherein the sensor is releasably retained on the introducer sharp by a dimple located on the introducer sharp.

6-7. -7. (canceled)

10-14. -14. (canceled)