SENSOR INSERTION DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE
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Abstract
An automatic sensor inserter is disclosed for placing a transcutaneous sensor into the skin of a living body. According to aspects of the invention, characteristics of the insertion such as sensor insertion speed may be varied by a user. In some embodiments, insertion speed may be varied by changing an amount of drive spring compression. The amount of spring compression may be selected from a continuous range of settings and/or it may be selected from a finite number of discrete settings. Methods associated with the use of the automatic inserter are also covered.
13 Citations
38 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A sensor insertion device, comprising:
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a shuttle movable between a first position and a second position, the shuttle configured to retain a transcutaneous sensor while in the first position and release the sensor while in the second position; a drive mechanism coupled to the shuttle to drive the shuttle from the first position to the second position based on a first driving force, wherein the drive mechanism includes a torsion spring configured to apply the first driving force; a retraction mechanism coupled to the shuttle to drive the shuttle from the second position to a neutral position based on a second driving force, wherein the retraction mechanism includes a compression spring configured to apply the second driving force, and wherein the neutral position is between the first position and the second position; and a control mechanism operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the control mechanism is configured to be manually operated by a user, and to cause the drive mechanism to release potential energy stored in the torsion spring and apply the first driving force to the shuttle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of inserting a sensor, the method comprising:
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manually winding a control mechanism on an insertion device to vary a load on a torsion spring while maintaining a shuttle of the insertion device in a stationary position, wherein the control mechanism includes a ratchet and lock mechanism; placing the insertion device against a skin layer; firing a sensor into the skin layer using the control mechanism by releasing potential energy stored in the torsion spring; releasing the sensor from the shuttle of the insertion device; and retracting the shuttle of the insertion device to a location within the insertion device by releasing potential energy stored in a compression spring. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification