Transcutaneous analyte sensor

• US 8,280,475 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Inventors: Brister, Mark, Kline, Daniel, Masterson, Steve, Saint, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): MALLARI, PATRICIA C
• APPLICATION: US 20090163791A1
• Time in patent office: 1317 Days
• Field of Search: 600/347, 600/365
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0252 using ambient temperature
• 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 5/1411 by percutaneous method, e.g. by lancet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• 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 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body

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 an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting the analyte sensor into the 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 the analyte sensor, wherein the analyte sensor is configured to be inserted into a host responsive to activation of a trigger;

affixing an adhesive pad located on an underside of the housing to the host;

inserting the sensor into the host while the housing is affixed to the host; and

automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after sensor insertion.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising releasably mating an electronics unit with the housing.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising releasing a safety latch mechanism prior to sensor insertion.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembly is further provided with a needle carrying at least a portion of the sensor, and wherein inserting the sensor comprises inserting the needle carrying the sensor into the host and removing the needle from the host thereby leaving the sensor inserted in the host.

3. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into the 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 a host responsive to activation of a trigger;

inserting the sensor into the host

releasably mating an electronics unit with the housing by slide-fitting the electronics unit into a recess in the housing before sensor insertion; and

automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after sensor insertion.

4. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into the 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 a host responsive to activation of a trigger;

inserting the sensor into the host; and

operably connecting the electronics unit with the sensor and automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after sensor insertion, wherein the automatic release of the applicator is responsive to or simultaneous with the operable connection of the sensor with the electronics unit.

5. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into the 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 a host responsive to activation of a trigger;

inserting the sensor into the host;

releasably mating an electronics unit over at least a portion of the housing, wherein the mating of the electronics unit with the housing is performed before the sensor insertion; and

automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after the sensor insertion.

8. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:

providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into the 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 the analyte sensor, wherein the analyte sensor is configured to be inserted into a host;

placing the assembly on a skin of the host, wherein placing comprises affixing an adhesive pad located on an underside of the housing to the host;

activating a trigger after the placing, wherein activating the trigger automatically causes the assembly to insert the sensor into the host; and

automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after the insertion of the sensor.