TRANSCUTANEOUS ANALYTE SENSOR

• US 20080071156A1
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• 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 system for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor into a host, the system comprising:

a transcutaneous analyte sensor for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the sensor comprising;

a housing configured for placement adjacent to a skin of the host and configured for receiving at least a portion of the sensor;

a needle configured to insert the sensor through the housing and into the host; and

an applicator configured to insert the needle and the sensor into the host, wherein the housing comprises an opening configured to releasably receive a base of the applicator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to slidably receive the sensor and the needle.

3. A transcutaneous system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:

a sensor adapted for transcutaneous placement through a skin of a host;

a housing adapted for placement adjacent to the skin of the host;

an applicator configured for inserting the sensor through the housing and into the skin of the host, wherein the applicator comprises a base configured to releasably mate with the housing; and

an electronics unit configured to process a signal measured by the sensor, wherein the electronics unit comprises a footprint configured to releasably mate with the housing, wherein the housing comprises an opening configured to independently receive both the base and the footprint when the base and the footprint are releasably mated with the housing.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the housing comprises at least one release latch configured to release at least one of the applicator and the electronics unit from the housing.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the housing comprises at least one electrical contact therein for providing an electrical connection between the sensor and sensor electronics.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the electronics unit and the housing are configured to be detachably connected through a detachable connection, wherein the detachable connection is selected from the group consisting of a snap-fit, an interference fit, a press fit, and a mating fit.

7. A transcutaneous system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:

a sensor adapted for transcutaneous placement through a skin of a host, the sensor comprising a first end and a second end; and

an applicator comprising a needle configured for inserting the sensor into the skin of the host;

wherein a diameter of the first end of the sensor is substantially the same as that of a diameter of the second end of the sensor, such that the needle is capable of inserting the first end of sensor into the host, sliding back over the second end of the sensor, and releasing the sensor from the needle.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first end and second end of the sensor are sized to fully reside within the needle.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein a portion of the second end of the sensor is configured to provide connectivity between the sensor and sensor electronics.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein a portion of the second end has a stepped configuration between a first electrode connection and a second electrode connection.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein a portion of the second end comprises a first electrode connection and a second electrode connection, and wherein the first electrode connection and the second electrode connection are disposed serially along a same axis.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is configured such that the sensor is capable of sliding through the needle without a need for a hole or a slot in the needle.

13. An insertion kit for inserting a portion of an electrochemical sensor into a patient, the insertion kit comprising:

a mounting unit configured to be attached to a host'"'"'s skin; and

an insertion device coupled to the mounting unit, wherein the insertion device comprises an electrochemical sensor and an introducer adapted to support the sensor during insertion of the sensor into a site of implantation, wherein the insertion device further comprises a driving mechanism for driving the insertion device and electrochemical sensor into the patient, a retraction mechanism for removing the insertion device from the patient while leaving the sensor within the patient.

14. The insertion kit of claim 13, wherein the insertion device and introducer are configured to insert the electrochemical sensor into the patient at a depth of from about 0.1 mm to about 2 cm.

15. The insertion kit of claim 13, wherein the insertion device and introducer are configured to insert the electrochemical sensor into the patient at an angle between about 30°

to 60°

relative to a surface of the patient.

16. The insertion kit of claim 13, wherein the insertion kit is sterilized.

17. A system configured to place a portion of a transcutaneous sensor through the skin of a host, the system comprising:

a mounting unit;

an applicator coupled to the mounting unit; and

a sensor coupled to the applicator, wherein the insertion unit is configured to remain coupled to the base unit after sensor placement.

18. The system of claim 17, further including an electronics unit configured to simultaneously operatively couple to the sensor and the mounting unit.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the mounting unit, the sensor and the applicator form an integrated disposable unit.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the applicator is configured to insert the sensor through the skin of the host in response to a torque applied thereto.

21. A transcutaneous system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:

a sensor adapted for transcutaneous placement through a skin of a host;

a housing adapted for placement adjacent to the skin of the host, wherein the housing is configured to receive the sensor; and

an applicator configured for inserting the sensor through the housing and into the skin of the host, wherein the applicator is configured to trigger sensor insertion in response to a torque applied thereto.