Integrated Transmitter Unit and Sensor Introducer Mechanism and Methods of Use

• US 20110144464A1
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,194,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/347
• 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 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing an integrated transmitter unit and sensor insertion mechanism is provided.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an integrated housing including electronics operatively coupled to an analyte sensor, a portion of the analyte sensor extending through the integrated housing at an insertion position selected from a plurality of insertion locations, the housing further configured to mount onto a skin surface at the insertion position, wherein a portion of the electronics is configured to be selectively disabled after a predetermined time period has elapsed since coupling to the analyte sensor; and

a sensor introducer assembly coupled to the integrated housing, the introducer assembly configured to position at least a portion of the analyte sensor under the skin surface at the insertion position.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronics includes a transmitter unit coupled to and in electrical contact with the analyte sensor, and configured to transmit one or more signals corresponding a respective one or more signals received from the analyte sensor.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the transmitter unit is configured to wirelessly transmit the one or more signals corresponding to the respective one or more signals received from the analyte sensor.

4. The system of claim 2 further including a receiver unit configured to receive the one or more signals transmitted by the transmitter unit.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the receiver unit includes one of an infusion pump, a monitoring device, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a mobile telephone.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the one or more signals received from the analyte sensor substantially corresponds to a monitored analyte level under the skin surface.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the introducer assembly is configured to be removably detached from the integrated housing after the positioning at least the portion of the analyte sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the analyte sensor is a glucose sensor.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined time period comprises about 1 day or more.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the introducer assembly is configured to be removed from the integrated housing after the positioning at least the portion of the analyte sensor under the skin surface.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the introducer assembly is configured to be substantially housed within the integrated housing after the positioning at least the portion of the analyte sensor under the skin surface.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the integrated housing is flexible to substantially conform to the shape of a body portion to which it is mounted.

13. A method, comprising:

securing a housing on a skin surface, the housing including electronics operatively coupled to a first portion of an analyte sensor;

inserting a second portion of the analyte sensor through the skin surface at an insertion location selected from a plurality of insertion locations so that the second portion of the analyte sensor is in fluid contact with a biological fluid under the skin surface, wherein the first portion of the analyte sensor is in electrical contact with the electronics in the housing; and

disabling a portion of the electronics after a predetermined time period has elapsed since the analyte sensor has been in electrical contact with the electronics in the housing.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the electronics in the housing includes a transmitter unit, and further including transmitting data associated with a monitored analyte level detected by the analyte sensor.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein transmitting the data associated with the monitored analyte level includes wirelessly transmitting the data to a remote location.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising rendering the transmitter unit unusable after a predetermined number of uses.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the predetermined number of uses corresponds to the number of plurality of insertion locations.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the predetermined time period comprises about 1 day or more.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein inserting the second portion of the analyte sensor is performed manually.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein inserting the second portion of the analyte sensor comprises using an automated mechanism.