TRANSCUTANEOUS ANALYTE SENSORS, APPLICATORS THEREFOR, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20170112533A1
• Filed: 10/20/2016
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Inventors: Schoonmaker, Ryan Everett, Blackwell, Jennifer, Davis, Christopher M., DeRenzy, David, Gobrecht, Eric, Halac, Jason, Hughes, Jonathan, Hurst, Kathleen Suzanne, Koplin, Randall Scott, Lieu, Phong, Neuser, Kyle, Newhouse, Todd Andrew, Pryor, Jack, Simpson, Peter C., Wells, Maria Noel Brown, England, Justen Deering, Mah, Stephanie Lynn, Barbod, Leonard Darius, Allen, Jillian K., Estes, Michael J., Pupa, Philip Thomas, Goldsmith, Timothy Joseph, Keller, Kyle Tinnell
• Application Number:
  US15/299,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20170112533A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 elastic or resilient for sutures A61B2017/0618
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present embodiments provide sensor applicators and methods of use with activation that implant the sensor, withdraw the insertion needle, engage the transmitter with the housing, and disengage the applicator from the housing. Systems and methods according to present principles allow for such steps to occur without significant loss of spring force, and without deleterious effects such as seal slingshotting.

Claims

1. A wearable portion of a device for monitoring an analyte, comprising:

a disposable housing containing a seal carrier, the seal carrier configured to support at least one seal and to connect to at least one implantable sensor; and

a transmitter configured to frictionally or mechanically couple to the disposable housing, the transmitter configured to conductively couple to a portion of the sensor;

wherein the disposable housing further comprises a frangible portion,

such that once the transmitter frictionally or mechanically couples to the disposable housing, the transmitter is held in place at least partially by the frangible portion and the transmitter cannot be removed without removal of the frangible portion.

2. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion forms an exterior perimeter of the seal carrier, and wherein the transmitter is inserted adjacent the exterior perimeter.

3. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the seal is frictionally engaged with the insertion assembly.

4. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the seal is slidably coupled with the insertion assembly.

5. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises an elastomer.

6. The wearable portion of claim 1, further comprising a carrier operatively coupled to the disposable housing, the seal being operatively coupled to the carrier.

7. The wearable portion of claim 6, wherein the carrier is movably coupled to the disposable housing.

8. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first durometer and the second portion having a second durometer, the second durometer being higher than the first durometer.

9. The wearable portion of claim 8, wherein the first portion comprises silicone and the second portion comprises TPE.

10. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the seal defines a channel configured to receive a fluid or gel.

11. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the insertion assembly comprises a cannula.

12. The wearable portion of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of conductive elastomeric contacts disposed within the seal, the conductive elastomeric contacts defining one or more voids between the contact surface and the cannula.

13. The wearable portion of claim 12, wherein the seal comprises a contact surface configured to engage with the cannula, and wherein the conductive elastomeric contacts define one or more voids between the contact surface and the cannula.

14. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing comprises a first portion coupled to a second portion by a frangible member.

15. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing comprises a receptacle configured to receive a corresponding key of a compatible electronics unit.

16. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing comprises an interference structure configured to prevent installation of an incompatible electronics unit in the disposable housing.

17. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing defines at least one opening configured to allow passage of the sensor.

18. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing is configured such that the electronics unit, once installed, cannot be removed from the disposable housing while the housing is adhered to the skin of the host.

19. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing is configured such that the electronics unit, once installed, cannot be removed from the disposable housing without breaking the frangible member.

20. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing is configured to automatically release from the applicator body after the separation member is released from the seal.

21. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing is configured to automatically release from the applicator body in response to the separation member being released from the seal.

22. The wearable portion of claim 1, wherein the seal is moveable relative to the disposable housing, at least after the separation member is released from the seal.