Analyte sensor transmitter unit configuration for a data monitoring and management system

• US 20090102678A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stafford, Gary Ashley, Mazza, John C., Naegeli, Andrew H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,029,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/693.900
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• 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: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

Method and system for providing analyte sensor alignment and retention mechanism for improved connectivity with a transmitter unit for electrical connection, and further including transmitter unit contact pins with metal components to improve electrical conductivity with the analyte sensor in an analyte monitoring and management system is provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing alignment, comprising:

a sensor having a hole therethrough; and

a transmitter housing including a protrusion at a first end, the protrusion configured to substantially engage with the hole of the sensor such that the transmitter is in electrical contact with the sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of the protrusion is positioned through the hole of the sensor.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protrusion is integral to the transmitter housing.

2. An apparatus, comprising:

a sensor including a plurality of conductive pads; and

a transmitter housing including a plurality of electrical contacts, each of the electrical contacts configured to substantially align with a respective one of the plurality of the conductive pads such that when the plurality of electrical contacts are in contact with the corresponding respective one of the plurality of conductive pads, electrical connection is established between the sensor and one or more electronic components disposed within the transmitter housing, and further, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts each include a portion which is compressed against the corresponding one of the plurality of conductive pad of the sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a seal segment adhered to the sensor, wherein the seal segment includes a plurality of radial seal holes disposed on the seal segment.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the radial holes configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of electrical contacts.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the electrical contacts are substantially tapered.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the transmitter electrical contacts are configured to self-align with a respective one of the conductive pads of the sensor when the transmitter is coupled to the sensor.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a sensor including a planar surface, the sensor having a plurality of conductive pads provided on the planar surface; and

a transmitter housing, the housing including a plurality of electrical contacts, each of the contacts configured to substantially contact the respective one of the sensor conductive pads on said planar surface of the sensor, wherein each of the plurality of electrical contacts include conductive polymer, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrical contacts is compressed when in contact with the respective one of the sensor conductive pads.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the electrical contacts are silicon doped with carbon.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the electrical contacts are substantially conical shaped.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of the electrical contacts include a metal component disposed therein, wherein at least a first end of each of the electrical contacts is configured to substantially contact the respective one of the sensor conductive pads.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the metal component includes one of gold or beryllium copper.

12. An apparatus for providing a sensor connection in a data monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor having a plurality of conductive pads;

a transmitter mount having a spring biased mechanism; and

a transmitter housing, the housing including a plurality of electrical contacts;

wherein each of the plurality of electrical contacts of the transmitter is configured to substantially contact the respective one of the sensor conductive pads by the spring biased mechanism of the transmitter housing when the transmitter housing is mated with the transmitter mount, and the plurality of electrical contacts each include a portion which is compressed against the corresponding one of the plurality of conductive pad of the sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the spring biased mechanism of the transmitter mount includes a tapered cantilever beam disposed on the transmitter mount.

14. An apparatus for positioning a sensor in a data monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor having a cutout portion; and

a transmitter mount having a latch mechanism, the transmitter mount configured to couple to the sensor by the latch mechanism engaging the cutout portion of the sensor.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 further including a transmitter wherein the transmitter mount includes an opening to detachably couple to the transmitter when the sensor is connected to the transmitter.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the transmitter mount is configured for positioning on a skin surface such that the transmitter mount is positioned between the skin surface and the transmitter.

15. An apparatus for positioning a sensor in a data monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor; and

a transmitter mount, the transmitter including a latch mechanism, the latch mechanism configured to engage with the sensor for substantially permanently positioning the sensor relative to the transmitter.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the latch mechanism includes a metal clip.