Devices, Systems and Methods for On-Skin or On-Body Mounting of Medical Devices

• US 20110319733A1
• Filed: 06/28/2011
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2010
• 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 9,572,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• 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 5/20 for measuring urological functions restricted to the evaluation of the urinary system A61B5/4375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

Devices, systems, methods and kits for releasably mounting a medical device on the body or skin of a user are provided.

Claims

1. A structure adapted for mounting a medical device on the body of a host, the structure comprising:

a first portion; and

a second portion moveable relative to the first portion;

wherein movement of the second portion relative to the first portion causes release of at least a portion of a medical device from the first and second portions when operatively mounted thereon.

2. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a third portion extending between the first and second portions, wherein the third portion is configured to be alterable from a first state to a second state to provide the movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the third portion is one of breakable, bendable, frangible or one or more combinations thereof.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein the third portion comprises one or more of a reduced mass, a reduced thickness, a weakened area, a detent, a hinge, a fracture point or scoring.

5. The structure of claim 2 wherein the third portion is returnable to the first state upon being altered to the second state.

6. The structure of claim 2 wherein the third portion is not returnable to the first state upon being altered to the second state.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein the relative movement comprises one or more of linear, axial and angular displacement.

8. The structure of claim 1 further comprising at least one feature for releasably coupling with a corresponding at least one feature of the medical device.

9. The structure of claim 1 including a first surface configured for retaining the medical device.

10. The structure of claim 9 including a second surface for placement on a skin surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are on opposing sides of the structure.

11. The structure of claim 10 wherein the second surface comprises an adhesive.

12. The structure of claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises an abutment for retaining the medical device.

13. The structure of claim 1 further comprising an aperture within one of the first and second portions for receiving an implantable component of the medical device.

14. The structure of claim 13 wherein the aperture enables electrical contact between the implantable component and another component of the medical device.

15. A medical device assembly configured for temporary positioning on the body of a host, the assembly comprising:

a medical device having a housing; and

a mounting unit adapted for mounting on the skin of a host and for releasably retaining the housing of the medical device in a low-profile position on the host, wherein the mounting unit comprises a displaceable portion and wherein displacement of the displaceable portion at least partially releases the medical device housing from the mounting unit.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the displacement provided by the displaceable portion comprises one or more of linear, axial and angular movement.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the displaceable portion is configured to be displaced by low-force pressure against the displaceable portion in a direction away from the medical device.

18. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the medical device includes a feature for releasably coupling with a corresponding feature of the mounting unit.

19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein displacement of the displaceable portion of the mounting unit decouples the corresponding features of the mounting unit and the medical device.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the medical device comprises a second feature for releasably coupling with a corresponding second feature of the mounting unit, wherein displacement of the displaceable portion of the mounting unit does not decouple the second corresponding features of the mounting unit and the medical device.

21. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the mounting unit has a top surface for retaining a medical device and a bottom surface for placement on a skin surface.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the bottom surface of the mounting unit comprises an adhesive material.

23. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the top surface of the mounting unit comprises at least one feature for releasably coupling to a corresponding feature of the medical device.

24. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the at least one feature of the mounting unit is at least one rail and the at least one feature of the medical device is at least one groove.

25. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the at least one feature of the mounting unit is a receptacle and the at least one feature of the medical device is a tab.

26. A method of using an on body medical device, the method comprising:

mounting a medical device on the body of a host by means of a mounting unit affixed to a skin surface of the host;

operatively using the medical device for a predetermined period of time; and

displacing a first portion of the mounting unit relative to a second portion of the mounting unit from a first position to a second position, wherein displaying the first portion relative to the second portion at least partially releases the medical device from the mounting unit.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

replacing at least one component of the medical device;

returning the displaced first portion of the mounting unit to the first position; and

operatively reusing the medical device for the predetermined period of time.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the medical device is an analyte monitoring device comprising an electronics unit having a low-profile housing, and a plurality of at least partially implantable analyte sensors, each sensor being usable for the predetermined time period, wherein the mounting unit enables electrical coupling between the electronics unit and one of the plurality of analyte sensors.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

removing the medical device from the mounting unit;

replacing at least one component of the medical device;

mounting the medical device on the body of the host by means of a second mounting unit affixed to a second location on the skin surface of the host; and

operatively reusing the medical device for the predetermined period of time.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein replacing at least one component of the medical devices comprises replacing a used sensor with an unused sensor.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the predetermined time period is from about 1 day to about 30 days.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the medical device is an analyte monitoring device comprising an electronics unit having a low-profile housing, and a plurality of at least partially implantable analyte sensors, each sensor being usable for the predetermined time period, wherein the mounting unit enables electrical coupling between the electronics unit and one of the plurality of analyte sensors.

33. The method of claim 26 wherein displacing the first portion of the mounting unit relative to the second portion comprises one or more of linear, axial and angular movement.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein displacing the first portion of the mounting unit relative to the second portion comprises applying a low-force pressure against the first portion in a direction away from the medical device.

35. The method of claim 26 wherein at least partially releasing the medical device from the mounting unit comprises decoupling a mating feature of the mounting unit from a corresponding mating feature of the medical device.