TRANSCUTANEOUS ANALYTE SENSOR

• US 20090124879A1
• Filed: 01/14/2009
• Published: 05/14/2009
• 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 method for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor in a host, the method comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor into a host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host'"'"'s skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into the host;

inserting the sensor into the host; and

connecting an electronics unit with the housing, wherein the applicator is configured to release from the housing in response to connection of the electronics unit with the housing.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring information from the housing to the electronics unit in response to connection of the electronics unit with the housing.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the electronics unit comprises sliding the electronics unit into the housing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronics unit is tapered to guide the sliding of the electronics unit into the housing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronics unit has an architecture configured to self-align the electronics unit with the housing.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic unit comprises at least one contact configured to mutually engage with at least one contact on the housing, and wherein inserting the electronics unit further comprises releasably attaching the electronics unit to the housing, thereby sealing the mutually engaging contacts from moisture.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a safety latch mechanism configured to lock the sensor within the applicator prior to release of the safety latch mechanism, the method further comprising releasing the safety latch mechanism prior to inserting the sensor into the host.

8. A method for measuring an analyte in a host, the method comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into a host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host'"'"'s skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into the host;

inserting the sensor into the host;

connecting an electronics unit with the housing; and

transferring information from the assembly to the electronics unit.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein transferring information is triggered in response to connection of the electronics unit with the housing.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the electronics unit and housing each comprise at least one mutually engaging contact, and wherein the information is transferred through the mutually engaging contacts.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the information is transferred from the housing.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the information is transferred from the sensor.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the information is transferred from the applicator.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the assembly comprises an RFID chip, and wherein the information is transferred via radio frequency.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of sensitivity information, sensor identification information, and calibration information, and combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 8, further comprising wirelessly transferring the information from the electronics unit to a receiver.

17. A method for measuring an analyte in a host, the method comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into a host, wherein the assembly comprises a housing configured to be placed adjacent to the host'"'"'s skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into the host;

inserting the sensor into the host;

connecting sensor electronics with the sensor; and

transferring information to the sensor electronics.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein connecting sensor electronics with the sensor comprises physically connecting the sensor electronics with the sensor.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein connecting sensor electronics with the sensor comprises wirelessly connecting the sensor electronics with the sensor.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is transferred wirelessly.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of sensitivity information, sensor identification information, and calibration information, and combinations thereof.