Patent Grant
11246519
Patents, applications and/or publications described herein, including the following patents, applications and/or publications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,545,382; 4,711,245; 5,262,035; 5,262,305; 5,264,104; 5,320,715; 5,356,786; 5,509,410; 5,543,326; 5,593,852; 5,601,435; 5,628,890; 5,820,551; 5,822,715; 5,899,855; 5,918,603; 6,071,391; 6,103,033; 6,120,676; 6,121,009; 6,134,461; 6,143,164; 6,144,837; 6,161,095; 6,175,752; 6,270,455; 6,284,478; 6,299,757; 6,338,790; 6,377,894; 6,461,496; 6,503,381; 6,514,460; 6,514,718; 6,540,891; 6,560,471; 6,579,690; 6,591,125; 6,592,745; 6,600,997; 6,605,200; 6,605,201; 6,616,819; 6,618,934; 6,650,471; 6,654,625; 6,676,816; 6,730,200; 6,736,957; 6,746,582; 6,749,740; 6,764,581; 6,773,671; 6,881,551; 6,893,545; 6,932,892; 6,932,894; 6,942,518; 7,041,468; 7,167,818; and 7,299,082; 7,381,184; 7,740,581; 7,811,231; U.S. Published Application Nos. 2005/0182306, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,183; 2006/0091006; 2007/0056858, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,298,389; 2007/0068807, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,846,311; 2007/0095661; 2007/0108048, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,975; 2007/0149873, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,014,773; 2007/0149875, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,515,518; 2007/0199818, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,430; 2007/0227911, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,682; 2007/0233013; 2008/0058625, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,920,907; 2008/0064937; 2008/0066305, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,895,740; 2008/0071157; 2008/0071158; 2008/0081977, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,618,369; 2008/0102441, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,822,557; 2008/0148873, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,467; 2008/0161666; 2008/0179187, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,808,515; 2008/0267823; 2008/0319295, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,597,188; 2008/0319296, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,617,069; 2009/0018425, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,160,670; 2009/0247857, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,346,335; 2009/0257911, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,252,229, 2009/0281406; 2009/0294277; 2009/0054748, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,885,698; 2009/0054749; 2010/0030052; 2010/0065441, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,884; 2010/0081905, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,983,568; 2010/0081909, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,219,173; 2010/0213057; 2010/0325868, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,026; 2010/0326842; 2010/0326843, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,437,827; 2010/0331643; 2011/0046466; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/624,767, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0124993; 12/625,185, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,354,013; 12/625,208, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,042,954; 12/625,524, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,390,455; 12/625,525, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,358,210; 12/625,528, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,115,635; 12/628,177, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0076289; 12/628,198, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0076291; 12/628,201, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0076280; 12/628,203, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0076292; 12/628,210, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0076293; 12/698,124, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0198034; 12/698,129, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/03243925; 12/699,653, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0198142; 12/699,844, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,930,203; 12/714,439, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0230285; 12/730,193; 12/794,721, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,595,607; 12/807,278, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0213225; 12/842,013, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0021889; 12/870,818, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0073475; 12/871,901, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,514,086; 12/873,301, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0054275; 12/873,302, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0060196; 13/011,897, now U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0184265; and U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/238,646; 61/246,825; 61/247,516; 61/249,535; 61/317,243; 61/325,155; 61/345,562; and 61/359,265.
The detection and/or monitoring of glucose levels or other analytes, such as lactate, oxygen, A1C, or the like, in certain individuals is vitally important to their health. For example, the monitoring of glucose is particularly important to individuals with diabetes. Diabetics generally monitor glucose levels to determine if their glucose levels are being maintained within a clinically safe range, and may also use this information to determine if and/or when insulin is needed to reduce glucose levels in their bodies or when additional glucose is needed to raise the level of glucose in their bodies.
Growing clinical data demonstrates a strong correlation between the frequency of glucose monitoring and glycemic control. Despite such correlation, many individuals diagnosed with a diabetic condition do not monitor their glucose levels as frequently as they should due to a combination of factors including convenience, testing discretion, pain associated with glucose testing, and cost.
Devices have been developed for the automatic monitoring of analyte(s), such as glucose, in bodily fluid such as in the blood stream or in interstitial fluid (“ISF”), or other biological fluid. Some of these analyte measuring devices are configured so that at least a portion of the devices are positioned below a skin surface of a user, e.g., in a blood vessel or in the subcutaneous tissue of a user, so that the monitoring is accomplished in vivo.
With the continued development of analyte monitoring devices and systems, there is a need for such analyte monitoring devices, systems, and methods, as well as for processes for manufacturing analyte monitoring devices and systems that are cost effective, convenient, and with reduced pain, provide discreet monitoring to encourage frequent analyte monitoring to improve glycemic control.
In certain embodiments, an apparatus for inserting a medical device into the skin of a subject is provided, which includes a sheath defining a distal surface for placement on the skin of the subject; a device support movable between a proximal and distal position, and adapted to support the medical device; a sharp support movable between a proximal and a distal position and adapted to support a sharp for inserting the medical device into the skin of the subject and extending through a portion of said device support, the device support comprising a first engagement member for releasably coupling the sharp support to the device support and a second engagement member for engaging the medical device; a handle movable between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the sheath and adapted to urge the device support and the sharp support from a proximal to a distal position to insert the sharp into the skin of the subject; and a driver for advancing the sharp support towards the proximal position when the sharp support reaches the distal position.
In some embodiments, the handle and sheath define an interlocking configuration which prevents relative movement of the handle with respect to the sheath which is overcome by a force applied to the handle. In some embodiment, the second engagement member includes one or more movable arms for engaging the device. The one or more movable arms are normally biased in a position spaced apart from the medical device in some embodiments. The one or more movable arms may be maintained in engagement with the medical device when the device support is in the proximal position. In some embodiments, the one or more movable arms return to the configuration space apart from the medical device when the device support is in the distal position.
In some embodiments, the engagement member is released from the sharp support when the device support reaches a distal position. In some embodiments, the engagement member is maintained in engagement with the device support by a portion of the sheath.
In some embodiments, a stop is provided to maintain the device support in the proximal position.
In some embodiments, the handle includes a button disposed within an outer housing. The handle may be flush with the top of the outer housing in an initial configuration when the medical device is supported in the device support, and the handle may protrude above the outer housing after the medical device is released from the device support.
In some embodiments, the medical device is an analyte sensor.
A method for using a medical device is provided which includes providing an apparatus comprising a sheath defining a distal surface, a device support adapted to support the medical device, a sharp support adapted to support a sharp extending through a portion of said device support, a handle movable relative to the sheath, and a driver for displacing the sharp support; disposing the distal surface of the sheath on the skin of the subject; and displacing the handle in a first longitudinal direction; displacing the sharp support in the first longitudinal direction, the sharp support displacing the sharp and the medical device. The method further includes inserting the sharp into the skin of the subject; delivering the medical device to the subject; releasing the driver; and displacing the sharp in the second longitudinal direction by the driver.
In some embodiments, the method further includes locking at least a portion of the sheath to the handle.
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description as more fully described below.
A detailed description of various aspects, features, and embodiments of the subject matter described herein is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The drawings are illustrative and are not necessarily drawn to scale, with some components and features being exaggerated for clarity. The drawings illustrate various aspects and features of the present subject matter and may illustrate one or more embodiment(s) or example(s) of the present subject matter in whole or in part.
A detailed description of the disclosure is provided herein. It should be understood, in connection with the following description, that the subject matter is not limited to particular embodiments described, as the particular embodiments of the subject matter may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the disclosed subject matter will be limited only by the appended claims.
Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosed subject matter. Every range stated is also intended to specifically disclose each and every “subrange” of the stated range. That is, each and every range smaller than the outside range specified by the outside upper and outside lower limits given for a range, whose upper and lower limits are within the range from said outside lower limit to said outside upper limit (unless the context clearly dictates otherwise), is also to be understood as encompassed within the disclosed subject matter, subject to any specifically excluded range or limit within the stated range. Where a range is stated by specifying one or both of an upper and lower limit, ranges excluding either or both of those stated limits, or including one or both of them, are also encompassed within the disclosed subject matter, regardless of whether or not words such as “from,” “to,” “through,” or “including” are or are not used in describing the range.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosed subject matter belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosed subject matter, this disclosure may specifically mention certain exemplary methods and materials.
All publications mentioned in this disclosure are, unless otherwise specified, incorporated by reference herein for all purposes, including without limitation to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.
The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosed subject matter is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to be independently confirmed.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Nothing contained in the Abstract or the Summary should be understood as limiting the scope of the disclosure. The Abstract and the Summary are provided for bibliographic and convenience purposes and due to their formats and purposes should not be considered comprehensive.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosed subject matter. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited, or in any other order which is logically possible.
Reference to a singular item includes the possibility that there are plural of the same item present. When two or more items (for example, elements or processes) are referenced by an alternative “or,” this indicates that either could be present separately or any combination of them could be present together except where the presence of one necessarily excludes the other or others.
Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for inserting a medical device at least partially into the skin of the patient. Some embodiments relate to in vivo methods and devices for detecting at least one analyte such as glucose in body fluid. Accordingly, embodiments include in vivo analyte sensors configured so that at least a portion of the sensor is positioned in the body of a user (e.g., within the ISF), to obtain information about at least one analyte of the body, e.g., transcutaneously positioned in user's body. In certain embodiments, an in vivo analyte sensor is coupled to an electronics unit that is maintained on the body of the user to process information obtained from the sensor.
In certain embodiments, analyte information is communicated from a first device such as an on body electronics unit to a second device which may include user interface features, including a display, and/or the like. Information may be communicated from the first device to the second device automatically and/or continuously when the analyte information is available, or may not be communicated automatically and/or continuously, but rather stored or logged in a memory of the first device. Accordingly, in many embodiments of the system, analyte information derived by the sensor/on body electronics (for example, on body electronics) is made available in a user-usable or viewable form only when queried by the user such that the timing of data communication is selected by the user. In some embodiments, the display of information is selected by the user, while the timing of data communication is not.
In this manner, analyte information is only provided or evident to a user (provided at a user interface device) in some embodiments when desired by the user even though an in vivo analyte sensor automatically and/or continuously monitors the analyte level in vivo, i.e., the sensor automatically monitors analyte such as glucose on a pre-defined time interval over its usage life. For example, an analyte sensor may be positioned in vivo and coupled to on body electronics for a given sensing period, e.g., about 14 days. In certain embodiments, the sensor-derived analyte information is automatically communicated from the sensor electronics assembly to a remote monitor device or display device for output to a user throughout the 14 day period according to a schedule programmed at the on body electronics (e.g., about every 1 minute or about every 5 minutes or about every 10 minutes, or the like). In certain embodiments, sensor-derived analyte information is only communicated from the sensor electronics assembly to a remote monitor device or display device at user-determined times, e.g., whenever a user decides to check analyte information. At such times, a communications system is activated, and sensor-derived information is then sent from the on body electronics to the remote device or display device.
In still other embodiments, the information may be communicated from the first device to the second device automatically and/or continuously when the analyte information is available, and the second device stores or logs the received information without presenting or outputting the information to the user. In such embodiments, the information is received by the second device from the first device when the information becomes available (e.g., when the sensor detects the analyte level according to a time schedule). However, the received information is initially stored in the second device and only output to a user interface or an output component of the second device (e.g., display) upon detection of a request for the information on the second device.
Accordingly, in certain embodiments an inserter as described herein is used to place a sensor electronics assembly on the body so that at least a portion of the in vivo sensor is in contact with bodily fluid such as ISF. Once the sensor is electrically coupled to the electronics unit, sensor derived analyte information may be communicated from the on body electronics to a display device on-demand by powering on the display device (or it may be continually powered), and executing a software algorithm stored in and accessed from a memory of the display device, to generate one or more request commands, control signal or data packet to send to the on body electronics. The software algorithm executed under, for example, the control of the microprocessor or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) of the display device may include routines to detect the position of the on body electronics relative to the display device to initiate the transmission of the generated request command, control signal and/or data packet.
Display devices may also include programming stored in memory for execution by one or more microprocessors and/or ASICs to generate and transmit the one or more request command, control signal or data packet to send to the on body electronics in response to a user activation of an input mechanism on the display device such as depressing a button on the display device, triggering a soft button associated with the data communication function, and so on. The input mechanism may be alternatively or additionally provided on or in the on body electronics which may be configured for user activation. In certain embodiments, voice commands or audible signals may be used to prompt or instruct the microprocessor or ASIC to execute the software routine(s) stored in the memory to generate and transmit the one or more request command, control signal or data packet to the on body device. In the embodiments that are voice activated or responsive to voice commands or audible signals, on body electronics and/or display device includes a microphone, a speaker, and processing routines stored in the respective memories of the on body electronics and/or the display device to process the voice commands and/or audible signals. In certain embodiments, positioning the on body electronics and the display device within a predetermined distance (e.g., close proximity) relative to each other initiates one or more software routines stored in the memory of the display device to generate and transmit a request command, control signal or data packet.
Different types and/or forms and/or amounts of information may be sent for each on demand reading, including but not limited to one or more of current analyte level information (i.e., real time or the most recently obtained analyte level information temporally corresponding to the time the reading is initiated), rate of change of an analyte over a predetermined time period, rate of the rate of change of an analyte (acceleration in the rate of change), historical analyte information corresponding to analyte information obtained prior to a given reading and stored in memory of the assembly. Some or all of real time, historical, rate of change, rate of rate of change (such as acceleration or deceleration) information may be sent to a display device for a given reading. In certain embodiments, the type and/or form and/or amount of information sent to a display device may be preprogrammed and/or unchangeable (e.g., preset at manufacturing), or may not be preprogrammed and/or unchangeable so that it may be selectable and/or changeable in the field one or more times (e.g., by activating a switch of the system, etc.). Accordingly, in certain embodiments, for each on demand reading, a display device will output a current (real time) sensor-derived analyte value (e.g., in numerical format), a current rate of analyte change (e.g., in the form of an analyte rate indicator such as an arrow pointing in a direction to indicate the current rate), and analyte trend history data based on sensor readings acquired by and stored in memory of on body electronics (e.g., in the form of a graphical trace). Additionally, the on skin or sensor temperature reading or measurement associated with each on demand reading may be communicated from the on body electronics to the display device. The temperature reading or measurement, however, may not be output or displayed on the display device, but rather, used in conjunction with a software routine executed by the display device to correct or compensate the analyte measurement output to the user on the display device.
As described, embodiments include inserters for in vivo analyte sensors and on body electronics that together provide body wearable sensor electronics assemblies. In certain embodiments, in vivo analyte sensors are fully integrated with on body electronics (fixedly connected during manufacture), while in other embodiments they are separate but connectable post manufacture (e.g., before, during or after sensor insertion into a body). On body electronics may include an in vivo glucose sensor, electronics, battery, and antenna encased (except for the sensor portion that is for in vivo positioning) in a waterproof housing that includes or is attachable to an adhesive pad. In certain embodiments, the housing withstands immersion in about one meter of water for up to at least 30 minutes. In certain embodiments, the housing withstands continuous underwater contact, e.g., for longer than about 30 minutes, and continues to function properly according to its intended use, e.g., without water damage to the housing electronics where the housing is suitable for water submersion.
Embodiments include sensor insertion devices, which also may be referred to herein as sensor delivery units, or the like. Insertion devices may retain on body electronics assemblies completely in an interior compartment, i.e., an insertion device may be “pre-loaded” with on body electronics assemblies during the manufacturing process (e.g., on body electronics may be packaged in a sterile interior compartment of an insertion device). In such embodiments, insertion devices may form sensor assembly packages (including sterile packages) for pre-use or new on body electronics assemblies, and insertion devices configured to apply on body electronics assemblies to recipient bodies.
Embodiments include portable handheld display devices, as separate devices and spaced apart from an on body electronics assembly, that collect information from the assemblies and provide sensor derived analyte readings to users. Such devices may also be referred to as meters, readers, monitors, receivers, human interface devices, companions, or the like. Certain embodiments may include an integrated in vitro analyte meter. In certain embodiments, display devices include one or more wired or wireless communications ports such as USB, serial, parallel, or the like, configured to establish communication between a display device and another unit (e.g., on body electronics, power unit to recharge a battery, a PC, etc.). For example, a display device communication port may enable charging a display device battery with a respective charging cable and/or data exchange between a display device and its compatible informatics software.
Compatible informatics software in certain embodiments include, for example, but not limited to stand alone or network connection enabled data management software program, resident or running on a display device, personal computer, a server terminal, for example, to perform data analysis, charting, data storage, data archiving and data communication as well as data synchronization. Informatics software in certain embodiments may also include software for executing field upgradable functions to upgrade firmware of a display device and/or on body electronics unit to upgrade the resident software on the display device and/or the on body electronics unit, e.g., with versions of firmware that include additional features and/or include software bugs or errors fixed, etc. Embodiments may include a haptic feedback feature such as a vibration motor or the like, configured so that corresponding notifications (e.g., a successful on-demand reading received at a display device), may be delivered in the form of haptic feedback.
Embodiments include programming embedded on a computer readable medium, i.e., computer-based application software (may also be referred to herein as informatics software or programming or the like) that processes analyte information obtained from the system and/or user self-reported data. Application software may be installed on a host computer such as a mobile telephone, PC, an Internet-enabled human interface device such as an Internet-enabled phone, personal digital assistant, or the like, by a display device or an on body electronics unit. Informatics programming may transform data acquired and stored on a display device or on body unit for use by a user.
Embodiments of the subject disclosure are described primarily with respect to glucose monitoring devices and systems, and methods of glucose monitoring, for convenience only and such description is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the analyte monitoring system may be configured to monitor a variety of analytes at the same time or at different times.
As described in detail below, embodiments include devices, systems, kits and/or methods to monitor one or more physiological parameters such as, for example, but not limited to, analyte levels, temperature levels, heart rate, user activity level, over a predetermined monitoring time period. Also provided are methods of manufacturing. Predetermined monitoring time periods may be less than about 1 hour, or may include about 1 hour or more, e.g., about a few hours or more, e.g., about a few days of more, e.g., about 3 or more days, e.g., about 5 days or more, e.g., about 7 days or more, e.g., about 10 days or more, e.g., about 14 days or more, e.g., about several weeks, e.g., about 1 month or more. In certain embodiments, after the expiration of the predetermined monitoring time period, one or more features of the system may be automatically deactivated or disabled at the on body electronics assembly and/or display device.
For example, a predetermined monitoring time period may begin with positioning the sensor in vivo and in contact with a body fluid such as ISF, and/or with the initiation (or powering on to full operational mode) of the on body electronics. Initialization of on body electronics may be implemented with a command generated and transmitted by a display device in response to the activation of a switch and/or by placing the display device within a predetermined distance (e.g., close proximity) to the on body electronics, or by user manual activation of a switch on the on body electronics unit, e.g., depressing a button, or such activation may be caused by the insertion device, e.g., as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/698,129, filed on Feb. 1, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/238,646, 61/246,825, 61/247,516, 61/249,535, 61/317,243, 61/345,562, and 61/361,374, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
When initialized in response to a received command from a display device, the on body electronics retrieves and executes from its memory software routine to fully power on the components of the on body electronics, effectively placing the on body electronics in full operational mode in response to receiving the activation command from the display device. For example, prior to the receipt of the command from the display device, a portion of the components in the on body electronics may be powered by its internal power supply such as a battery while another portion of the components in the on body electronics may be in powered down or maintained in a low power state including no power state, inactive mode, or all components may be in an inactive, powered down mode. Upon receipt of the command, the remaining portion (or all) of the components of the on body electronics is switched to active, fully operational mode.
Embodiments of on body electronics may include one or more printed circuit boards with electronics including control logic implemented in ASIC, microprocessors, memory, and the like, and transcutaneously positionable analyte sensors forming a single assembly. On body electronics may be configured to provide one or more signals or data packets associated with a monitored analyte level upon detection of a display device of the analyte monitoring system within a predetermined proximity for a period of time (for example, about 2 minutes, e.g., 1 minute or less, e.g., about 30 seconds or less, e.g., about 10 seconds or less, e.g., about 5 seconds or less, e.g., about 2 seconds or less) and/or until a confirmation, such as an audible and/or visual and/or tactile (e.g., vibratory) notification, is output on the display device indicating successful acquisition of the analyte related signal from the on body electronics. A distinguishing notification may also be output for unsuccessful acquisition in certain embodiments.
In certain embodiments, the monitored analyte level may be correlated and/or converted to glucose levels in blood or other fluids such as ISF. Such conversion may be accomplished with the on body electronics, but in many embodiments will be accomplished with display device electronics. In certain embodiments, glucose level is derived from the monitored analyte level in the ISF.
Analyte sensors may be insertable into a vein, artery, or other portion of the body containing analyte. In certain embodiments, analyte sensors may be positioned in contact with ISF to detect the level of analyte, where the detected analyte level may be used to infer the user's glucose level in blood or interstitial tissue.
Embodiments include transcutaneous sensors and also wholly implantable sensors and wholly implantable assemblies in which a single assembly including the analyte sensor and electronics are provided in a sealed housing (e.g., hermetically sealed biocompatible housing) for implantation in a user's body for monitoring one or more physiological parameters.
Embodiments include analyte monitors that are provided in small, lightweight, battery-powered and electronically-controlled systems. Such systems may be configured to detect physical parameters of subjects, such as signals indicative of in vivo analyte levels using an electrochemical sensor, and collect such signals, with or without processing. Any suitable measurement technique may be used to obtain signals from the sensors, e.g., may detect current, may employ potentiometry, etc. Techniques may include, but are not limited to amperometry, coulometry, and voltammetry. In some embodiments, sensing systems may be optical, colorimetric, and the like. In some embodiments, the portion of the system that performs this initial processing may be configured to provide the raw or at least initially processed data to another unit for further collection and/or processing. Such provision of data may be affected, for example, by a wired connection, such as an electrical, or by a wireless connection, such as an IR or RF connection.
In certain systems, the analyte sensor is in communication with on body electronics. The on-body unit may include a housing in which the on body electronics and at least a portion of the sensor are received.
Certain embodiments are modular. The on-body unit may be separately provided as a physically distinct assembly from a monitor unit, e.g., which displays or otherwise indicates analyte levels to a user. The on-body unit may be configured to provide the analyte levels detected by the sensor and/or other information (such as temperature, sensor life, etc.) over a communication link to the monitor unit. The monitor unit, in some embodiments, may include, e.g., a mobile telephone device, an in vitro glucose meter, a personal digital assistant, or other consumer electronics such as MP3 device, camera, radio, personal computer, etc., or other communication-enabled data-processing device.
The display unit may perform a variety of functions such as but not limited to data storage and/or processing and/or analysis and/or communication, etc., on the received analyte data to generate information pertaining to the monitored analyte levels and/or process the other information. The monitor unit may incorporate a display screen, which can be used, for example, to display measured analyte levels, and/or an audio component such as a speaker to audibly provide information to a user, and/or a vibration device to provide tactile feedback to a user. It is also useful for a user of an analyte-monitoring system to be able to see trend indications (including the magnitude and direction of any ongoing trend, e.g., the rate of change of an analyte or other parameter, and the amount of time a subject is above and/or below a threshold, such as a hypoglycemic and/or hyperglycemic threshold, etc.); such data may be displayed either numerically, or by a visual indicator such as an arrow that may vary in visual attributes, like size, shape, color, animation, or direction. The monitor unit may further be adapted to receive information from or about an in vitro analyte test strip, which may be manually or automatically entered into the monitor unit. In some embodiments a monitor unit may incorporate an in vitro analyte test strip port and related electronics in order to be able to make discrete (e.g., blood glucose) measurements using an in vitro test strip (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,752, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes).
The modularity of these systems may vary where one or more components may be constructed to be single use and one or more may be constructed to be re-useable. In some embodiments the sensor is designed to be attachable and detachable from the on body electronics (and the on-body unit may be reusable), e.g., so that one or more of the components may be reused one or more times, while in other embodiments, the sensor and on body electronics may be provided as an integrated, undetachable package, which may be designed to be disposable after use, i.e., not re-used.
For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, the inserters described herein may be used in connection with an exemplary analyte monitoring system as depicted in
Also shown in
Referring back to the
In certain embodiments, on body electronics 1100 may be configured to store some or all of the monitored analyte related data received from analyte sensor 14 in a memory during the monitoring time period, and maintain it in memory until the usage period ends. In such embodiments, stored data is retrieved from on body electronics 1100 at the conclusion of the monitoring time period, for example, after removing analyte sensor 14 from the user by detaching on body electronics 1100 from the skin surface where it was positioned during the monitoring time period. In such data logging configurations, real time monitored analyte level is not communicated to display device 1200 during the monitoring period or otherwise transmitted from on body electronics 1100, but rather, retrieved from on body electronics 1100 after the monitoring time period.
In certain embodiments, input component 1210 of display device 1200 may include a microphone and display device 1200 may include software configured to analyze audio input received from the microphone, such that functions and operation of the display device 1200 may be controlled by voice commands. In certain embodiments, an output component of display device 1200 includes a speaker for outputting information as audible signals. Similar voice responsive components such as a speaker, microphone and software routines to generate, process and store voice driven signals may be provided to on body electronics 1100.
In certain embodiments, display 1220 and input component 1210 may be integrated into a single component, for example a display that can detect the presence and location of a physical contact touch upon the display such as a touch screen user interface. In such embodiments, the user may control the operation of display device 1200 by utilizing a set of pre-programmed motion commands, including, but not limited to, single or double tapping the display, dragging a finger or instrument across the display, motioning multiple fingers or instruments toward one another, motioning multiple fingers or instruments away from one another, etc. In certain embodiments, a display includes a touch screen having areas of pixels with single or dual function capacitive elements that serve as LCD elements and touch sensors.
Display device 1200 also includes data communication port 1230 for wired data communication with external devices such as remote terminal (personal computer) 1700, for example. Example embodiments of the data communication port 1230 include USB port, mini USB port, RS-232 port, Ethernet port, Firewire port, or other similar data communication ports configured to connect to the compatible data cables. Display device 1200 may also include an integrated in vitro glucose meter, including in vitro test strip port 1240 to receive an in vitro glucose test strip for performing in vitro blood glucose measurements.
Referring still to
As further shown in
Referring back to
After the positioning of on body electronics 1100 on the skin surface and analyte sensor 14 in vivo to establish fluid contact with ISF (or other appropriate body fluid), on body electronics 1100 in certain embodiments is configured to wirelessly communicate analyte related data (such as, for example, data corresponding to monitored analyte level and/or monitored temperature data, and/or stored historical analyte related data) when on body electronics 1100 receives a command or request signal from display device 1200. In certain embodiments, on body electronics 1100 may be configured to at least periodically broadcast real time data associated with monitored analyte level which is received by display device 1200 when display device 1200 is within communication range of the data broadcast from on body electronics 1100, i.e., it does not need a command or request from a display device to send information.
For example, display device 1200 may be configured to transmit one or more commands to on body electronics 1100 to initiate data transfer, and in response, on body electronics 1100 may be configured to wirelessly transmit stored analyte related data collected during the monitoring time period to display device 1200. Display device 1200 may in turn be connected to a remote terminal 1700 such as a personal computer and functions as a data conduit to transfer the stored analyte level information from the on body electronics 1100 to remote terminal 1700. In certain embodiments, the received data from the on body electronics 1100 may be stored (permanently or temporarily) in one or more memory of the display device 1200. In certain other embodiments, display device 1200 is configured as a data conduit to pass the data received from on body electronics 1100 to remote terminal 1700 that is connected to display device 1200.
Referring still to
Remote terminal 1700 in certain embodiments may include one or more computer terminals located at a physician's office or a hospital. For example, remote terminal 1700 may be located at a location other than the location of display device 1200. Remote terminal 1700 and display device 1200 could be in different rooms or different buildings. Remote terminal 1700 and display device 1200 could be at least about one mile apart, e.g., at least about 100 miles apart, e.g., at least about 1000 miles apart. For example, remote terminal 1700 could be in the same city as display device 1200, remote terminal 1700 could be in a different city than display device 1200, remote terminal 1700 could be in the same state as display device 1200, remote terminal 1700 could be in a different state than display device 1200, remote terminal 1700 could be in the same country as display device 1200, or remote terminal 1700 could be in a different country than display device 1200, for example.
In certain embodiments, a separate, optional data communication/processing device such as data processing module 1600 may be provided in analyte monitoring system 1000. Data processing module 1600 may include components to communicate using one or more wireless communication protocols such as, for example, but not limited to, infrared (IR) protocol, Bluetooth® protocol, Zigbee protocol, and 802.11 wireless LAN protocol. Additional description of communication protocols including those based on Bluetooth® protocol and/or Zigbee protocol can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0193375, incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Data processing module 1600 may further include communication ports, drivers or connectors to establish wired communication with one or more of display device 1200, on body electronics 1100, or remote terminal 1700 including, for example, but not limited to USB connector and/or USB port, Ethernet connector and/or port, FireWire connector and/or port, or RS-232 port and/or connector.
In certain embodiments, data processing module 1600 is programmed to transmit a polling or query signal to on body electronics 1100 at a predetermined time interval (e.g., once every minute, once every five minutes, or the like), and in response, receive the monitored analyte level information from on body electronics 1100. Data processing module 1600 stores in its memory the received analyte level information, and/or relays or retransmits the received information to another device such as display device 1200. More specifically in certain embodiments, data processing module 1600 may be configured as a data relay device to retransmit or pass through the received analyte level data from on body electronics 1100 to display device 1200 or a remote terminal (for example, over a data network such as a cellular or WiFi data network) or both.
In certain embodiments, on body electronics 1100 and data processing module 1600 may be positioned on the skin surface of the user within a predetermined distance of each other (for example, about 1-12 inches, or about 1-10 inches, or about 1-7 inches, or about 1-5 inches) such that periodic communication between on body electronics 1100 and data processing module 1600 is maintained. Alternatively, data processing module 1600 may be worn on a belt or clothing item of the user, such that the desired distance for communication between the on body electronics 1100 and data processing module 1600 for data communication is maintained. In a further aspect, the housing of data processing module 1600 may be configured to couple to or engage with on body electronics 1100 such that the two devices are combined or integrated as a single assembly and positioned on the skin surface. In further embodiments, data processing module 1600 is detachably engaged or connected to on body electronics 1100 providing additional modularity such that data processing module 1600 may be optionally removed or reattached as desired.
Referring again to
In another embodiment, data processing module 1600 transmits a command or signal to on body electronics 1100 to receive the analyte related data in response to a user activation of a switch provided on data processing module 1600 or a user initiated command received from display device 1200. In further embodiments, data processing module 1600 is configured to transmit a command or signal to on body electronics 1100 in response to receiving a user initiated command only after a predetermined time interval has elapsed. For example, in certain embodiments, if the user does not initiate communication within a programmed time period, such as, for example about 5 hours from last communication (or 10 hours from the last communication, or 24 hours from the last communication), the data processing module 1600 may be programmed to automatically transmit a request command or signal to on body electronics 1100. Alternatively, data processing module 1600 may be programmed to activate an alarm to notify the user that a predetermined time period of time has elapsed since the last communication between the data processing module 1600 and on body electronics 1100. In this manner, users or healthcare providers may program or configure data processing module 1600 to provide certain compliance with analyte monitoring regimen, so that frequent determination of analyte levels is maintained or performed by the user.
In certain embodiments, when a programmed or programmable alarm condition is detected (for example, a detected glucose level monitored by analyte sensor 14 that is outside a predetermined acceptable range indicating a physiological condition) which requires attention or intervention for medical treatment or analysis (for example, a hypoglycemic condition, a hyperglycemic condition, an impending hyperglycemic condition or an impending hypoglycemic condition), the one or more output indications may be generated by the control logic or processor of the on body electronics 1100 and output to the user on a user interface of on body electronics 1100 so that corrective action may be timely taken. In addition to or alternatively, if display device 1200 is within communication range, the output indications or alarm data may be communicated to display device 1200 whose processor, upon detection of the alarm data reception, controls the display 1220 to output one or more notification.
In certain embodiments, control logic or microprocessors of on body electronics 1100 include software programs to determine future or anticipated analyte levels based on information obtained from analyte sensor 14, e.g., the current analyte level, the rate of change of the analyte level, the acceleration of the analyte level change, and/or analyte trend information determined based on stored monitored analyte data providing a historical trend or direction of analyte level fluctuation as function time during monitored time period. Predictive alarm parameters may be programmed or programmable in display device 1200, or the on body electronics 1100, or both, and output to the user in advance of anticipating the user's analyte level reaching the future level. This provides the user an opportunity to take timely corrective action.
Information, such as variation or fluctuation of the monitored analyte level as a function of time over the monitored time period providing analyte trend information, for example, may be determined by one or more control logic or microprocessors of display device 1200, data processing module 1600, and/or remote terminal 1700, and/or on body electronics 1100. Such information may be displayed as, for example, a graph (such as a line graph) to indicate to the user the current and/or historical and/or and predicted future analyte levels as measured and predicted by the analyte monitoring system 1000. Such information may also be displayed as directional arrows (for example, see trend or directional arrow display 1310) or other icon(s), e.g., the position of which on the screen relative to a reference point indicated whether the analyte level is increasing or decreasing as well as the acceleration or deceleration of the increase or decrease in analyte level. This information may be utilized by the user to determine any necessary corrective actions to ensure the analyte level remains within an acceptable and/or clinically safe range. Other visual indicators, including colors, flashing, fading, etc., as well as audio indicators including a change in pitch, volume, or tone of an audio output and/or vibratory or other tactile indicators may also be incorporated into the display of trend data as means of notifying the user of the current level and/or direction and/or rate of change of the monitored analyte level. For example, based on a determined rate of glucose change, programmed clinically significant glucose threshold levels (e.g., hyperglycemic and/or hypoglycemic levels), and current analyte level derived by an in vivo analyte sensor, the system 1000 may include an algorithm stored on computer readable medium to determine the time it will take to reach a clinically significant level and will output notification in advance of reaching the clinically significant level, e.g., 30 minutes before a clinically significant level is anticipated, and/or 20 minutes, and/or 10 minutes, and/or 5 minutes, and/or 3 minutes, and/or 1 minute, and so on, with outputs increasing in intensity or the like.
Referring again back to
Examples of smart phones include Windows®, Android″, iPhone® operating system, Palm® WebOS™, Blackberry® operating system, or Symbian® operating system based mobile telephones with data network connectivity functionality for data communication over an internet connection and/or a local area network (LAN). PDAs as described above include, for example, portable electronic devices including one or more microprocessors and data communication capability with a user interface (e.g., display/output unit and/or input unit, and configured for performing data processing, data upload/download over the internet, for example. In such embodiments, remote terminal 1700 may be configured to provide the executable application software to the one or more of the communication devices described above when communication between the remote terminal 1700 and the devices are established.
In still further embodiments, executable software applications may be provided over-the-air (OTA) as an OTA download such that wired connection to remote terminal 1700 is not necessary. For example, executable applications may be automatically downloaded as software download to the communication device, and depending upon the configuration of the communication device, installed on the device for use automatically, or based on user confirmation or acknowledgement on the communication device to execute the installation of the application. The OTA download and installation of software may include software applications and/or routines that are updates or upgrades to the existing functions or features of data processing module 1600 and/or display device 1200.
Referring back to remote terminal 1700 of
The analyte sensor 14 of the analyte measurement system 100 may be used to monitor levels of a wide variety of analytes. Analytes that may be monitored include, for example, acetylcholine, amylase, bilirubin, cholesterol, chorionic gonadotropin, creatine kinase (e.g., CK-MB), creatine, DNA, fructosamine, glucose, glutamine, growth hormones, hormones, ketones, lactate, peroxide, prostate-specific antigen, prothrombin, RNA, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and troponin. The concentration of drugs, such as, for example, antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, vancomycin, and the like), digitoxin, digoxin, drugs of abuse, theophylline, and warfarin, may also be monitored. One or more analyte may be monitored by a given sensor. In those embodiments that monitor more than one analyte, the analytes may be monitored at the same or different times, which may use the same on body electronics (e.g., simultaneously) or with different on body electronics.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, sensor 14 is physically positioned in or on the body of a user whose analyte level is being monitored. Sensor 14 may be configured to continuously sample the analyte level of the user and convert the sampled analyte level, e.g., glucose concentration into a corresponding data signal, e.g., a current or voltage, for input into on body electronics. Alternatively, sensor 14 may be configured to sample analyte levels on demand. The on body electronics may amplify, filter, average, and/or otherwise process signal provided by the sensor.
An embodiment of the sensor 14 is illustrated in
Sensor 14 may include a proximal retention portion 48. The insertion portion 30 and the proximal retention portion 48 are sized and configured to be positioned with a sharp for installation into the skin of a subject, as described herein. In use, the sensor 14 may be configured to bend (e.g., along the line B) and therefore be positioned in two substantially perpendicular, intersecting planes. Such bending may occur prior to or during coupling to the on body electronics as described below. (See
Portions 48 and 52 provide a path for electrical connections, e.g., the conductive traces, between the proximal and distal portions of the sensor. Sensor 14 is further provided with a notch or cut-out 54. Such configuration facilitates the sensor 14 to bend (e.g., along the line indicated by line B) such that retention portion 48 remains upright and therefore be positioned in two substantially perpendicular, intersecting planes, as illustrated in
Embodiments of analyte sensors have been described herein to operate electrochemically, through an arrangement of electrodes having chemical sensing layers applied thereto, by generating an electrical current proportional to the volume of a redox reaction of the analyte (and indicative of analyte concentration), catalyzed by an analyte-specific oxidizing enzyme. Embodiments exist in which the number of electrodes provided to bring about and detect the level of these reactions is two, three, or a greater number. However, other types of sensors may be employed as described herein.
A portion of sensor 14 may be situated above the surface of the skin, with a distal portion 30 penetrating through the skin and into the subcutaneous space in contact with the user's biofluid, such as ISF. Further details regarding the electrochemistry of sensor 14 is provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,264,104; 5,356,786; 5,262,035; 5,320,725; and 6,990,366, each of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
In some embodiments, the sensor is implantable into a subject's body for a usage period (e.g., a minute or more, at least one day or more, about one to about 30 days or even longer, about three to about fourteen days, about three to about seven days, or in some embodiments, longer periods of up to several weeks) to contact and monitor an analyte present in a biological fluid. In this regard, the sensor can be disposed in a subject at a variety of sites (e.g., abdomen, upper arm, thigh, etc.), including intramuscularly, transcutaneously, intravascularly, or in a body cavity.
In some embodiments, sensor 14 is employed by insertion and/or implantation into a user's body for some usage period. In such embodiments, the substrate may be formed from a relatively flexible material.
While the embodiments illustrated in
Insertion assemblies are provided, which are used to install a medical device to the subject. In some embodiments, an insertion assembly includes an inserter and the medical device itself. The inserter can be configured to insert various medical devices into the subject, such as for example, an analyte sensor, an infusion set, or a cannula. In some embodiments, the inserter can be configured to install a combination of such devices, e.g., a combined sensor/infusion set, etc., at the same or different times or locations. For example, in certain embodiments a given inserter can be configured to install a first device and a second device at different times. In this regard, the inserter can be reusable. For example, an inserter may be modifiable to be used with more than one medical device, to include more than one type of medical device, e.g., by attaching an adapter and/or removing detaching a portion of an inserter. The inserter can install the medical device in, under, or through the skin of the subject, or place the medical device on the surface of the skin. The medical device can include features or structures, e.g., barbs, tabs, adhesive, etc., to maintain the device in position with respect to the skin after insertion. The inserter device may also be used as a lancet, e.g., to pierce the skin without inserting or installing a medical device.
In some embodiments, an insertion assembly includes an inserter, an analyte sensor, and a power supply. The power supply may be applied to the patient, e.g., to the surface of the skin, simultaneously with the analyte sensor by the inserter. In other embodiments, the battery is installed after or before installation of the analyte sensor. In such case the power supply may be applied by the inserter or separately. The power supply may be used to provide a current or a potential to the sensor and/or to provide power for communication of one or more signals to the monitor unit.
In some embodiments, an insertion assembly includes an inserter, a medical device such as an analyte sensor, and on body electronics. The on body electronics may be deployed and/or installed simultaneously with the analyte sensor by the inserter. In other embodiments, the on body electronics are installed after or before installation of the analyte sensor. For example, the analyte sensor may be installed by the inserter, and the on body electronics may be subsequently installed.
In some embodiments, the on body electronics provide a voltage or current to the analyte sensor. In some embodiments, the on body electronics process signals provided by the analyte sensor. In further embodiments, the on body electronics may include communications functionality for providing signal relating to signal provided by the analyte sensor to a further component, such as, e.g., a monitor unit, a computer, or other component. In some embodiments, communications circuitry, such as an RFID antenna, is provided. The power supply may be used to power some or all of these functions. In some embodiments, power is provided from the monitor unit, e.g., via inductive coupling.
An inserter can include a plurality of different components. For example, an inserter may include one or more components for advancing a sharp towards the skin of the subject. The sensor and on body electronics may be supported by a support structure, such as a carriage. A driver may be provided for advancing the sharp and/or the analyte sensor/support structure towards the skin of the patient. In some embodiments, the actuator is directly or indirectly coupled to the sharp and/or support structure, such that manual force applied by the user to the actuator is transferred to the sharp and/or support structure. In some embodiments, the applied force drives the sharp and/or support structure between a retracted position (disposed within the insertion device) and an advanced position (disposed towards the skin of the patient). In some embodiments, the sensor and on body electronics is maintained in a retracted position prior to installation by contacting projections extending inwardly from a recess in the inserter. In accordance with this embodiment, the sensor and on body electronics are temporarily maintained operatively between the support structure and the projections disposed on the interior wall of the sheath.
An inserter can also include one or more components for retracting the sharp, while allowing the analyte sensor and optional on body electronics to remain on the subject. The components for retracting the sharp can include a retractor. It is understood that the retractor and the actuator may be the same structure or include some common components. In some embodiments, the retractor is directly or indirectly coupled to the sharp such that the manual force applied by the user is transferred from the retractor to the sharp to retract the sharp from the skin. In other embodiments, a drive assembly may be provided to retract the sharp. For example, the drive assembly may include a spring, motor, hydraulic piston, etc., to retract the sharp away from the skin of the subject. The drive assembly may also include a linear drive component.
In some embodiments, the retractor withdraws the sharp upon actuation by the user. In such cases, the user actuates the retractor when it is desired to withdraw the sharp. For example, the retractor may include a release switch. Upon activation of the release switch, the drive assembly, e.g., the spring or other driver, retracts the sharp from the skin. In other embodiments, the retractor and the actuator include common components. After activating the actuator to advance the sharp and the analyte sensor, the user releases the actuator, which allows the drive assembly to withdraw the sharp from the skin.
In some embodiments, the retractor withdraws the sharp without further user interaction after actuation of insertion. For example, the inserter may include features or components which automatically retract the sharp upon advancement of the sharp and support structure by a predetermined amount. Inserter devices, in which no further action by the user is required to initiate withdrawal of the sharp after insertion, are referred to herein as having “automatic” withdrawal of the sharp.
An inserter 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is illustrated in
Housing 202 and distal cap 204 may be fabricated from any suitable materials such as metal, plastic, etc. In some embodiments cap 204 may be fabricated from a polymer or plastic material. Also provided is a removable proximal cover 206, which, among other things, prevents accidental deployment of the inserter 200 and maintains a sterile environment. In some embodiments, proximal cover 206 is a sheet of material such as a foil sheet or the like secured to the upper surface of housing 202 using an adhesive, and may include a tab 208 to assist removal of the cover 206. Proximal cover 206 may also be a plastic sheet or member that forms a seal with housing 202. In some embodiments, proximal cover 206 may include a pull tab or a perforated section for easy removal.
As illustrated in
Housing 202 includes a distal portion 212 for placement on the skin of a subject. Inserter 200 includes an actuator 214 to advance a medical device into the skin of the subject. In some embodiments, actuator 214 is disposed within an opening 216 in housing 202 and can be longitudinally moveable within housing 202.
The distal portion of inserter 200 is illustrated in
In
In some embodiments, sharp 224 is a solid needle, for example, if inserter 200 is used to insert a cannula. In some embodiments, sharp 224 is provided with a substantially cylindrical configuration defining an interior bore, e.g., a rigid cylindrical member or a hypodermic-style needle. Sharp 224 may also be provided with an elongated longitudinal opening or gap in the wall of the sharp 224 (see, sharp 224 in
Needle hub 236 is further illustrated in
The distal portion 260 of sharp 224 is illustrated in greater detail in
Various technologies can be used to manufacture a folded sheet of metal to form sharp 224. For example, etched-sheet metal technology can be used to form the sharp 224. In this manner, the sharp can be formed having a very sharp edge so that penetration through the skin during insertion is less painful. In other embodiments, a progressive die technology may be utilized to form a complex sheet-metal shape that has a sharp edge as depicted in
In another embodiment, sharp 224 may be formed from a standard hypodermic needle utilizing the method depicted in
Due to the compression step, a user may initially start with a larger diameter hypodermic needle so that the finished sharp 224 will have similar dimensions to the previously described sharps.
The sensor 14, mounted with the on body housing 122, can be disposed within a recess of the carriage 230 such as a concave recess in the carriage 230. Alternatively, the sensor 14, mounted with the on body housing 122 can be disposed between the support structure and one or more projections extending from the wall of the sheath 242 (not shown). In yet another alternative, the sensor 14 mounted with the on body housing 122 can be held in position by a releasable friction fit coupling to the sharp 224. In this manner, the carriage need not have a recess within which the sensor mounted with the on body housing is disposed. In the initial configuration of the inserter 200 (see, e.g.,
The insertion portion 30 and proximal retention portion 48 of the sensor 14 are disposed within a longitudinal bore 162 within the sharp 224 (See, e.g.,
In some embodiments, a resilient member 70 may be included to provide frictional contact with the sharp 224 and/or the sensor 14. Such frictional contact provides additional stability between the on body housing 122 and sharp 224, as depicted in
In some embodiments, resilient member 70 is press-fit into a recess, such as an eccentric bore 72 located in on body housing 122 (
The sensor 14, mounted with the on body housing 122, is carried by the carriage, e.g., disposed within the concave recess 232a in the carriage 230, as described hereinabove (see, e.g.,
Referring back to
With continued reference to
Depression of the actuator 214 causes distal longitudinal movement of the carriage 230 and sharp 224, from a proximal position (spaced apart from the skin of the subject) to a distal position (closer to the skin of the subject). During such downward, distal movement, spring 246 is further compressed between spring retention portion 248 and flanges 270.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As shown in
A further embodiment of an inserter is illustrated in
As illustrated in
The components of inserter 300 in certain embodiments are illustrated in
Projections 386 on carriage 330, as illustrated in
Carriage 330 also is provided with fingers 375 which engage a shoulder wall 376 of sharp 324 (as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, inserter 300 also includes a spring retention component 348, as illustrated in
Inserter 300 is illustrated in cross-section in
As illustrated in
With continued reference to
Sheath 342 is positioned within handle 302, having an annular configuration in which a retraction spring 346 is positioned. The distal portion of spring 346 contacts a surface 349 of spring retention component 348. The proximal portion of spring 346 contacts the inner surface 350 of handle 302. In the initial configuration, the spring 346 is in an extended or semi-extended configuration.
As carriage 330 reaches a distal position, the distal surface of the on body housing 122 engages the upper surface of adhesive pad 318, thereby becoming adhered to the skin surface S of the subject. Also, flange 370 engages fingers 375 disposed on the carriage 330. Fingers 375 are pivoted outwards by flanges 370 in direction T. Such pivoting of fingers 375 causes fingers 375 to become disengaged from slots 376 in intermediate housing walls 374. Carriage 330 is thereby disengaged from handle 302 and needle carrier 334.
As illustrated in
Upon reaching the proximal position, flanges 328 on needle carrier 334 engage locking towers 351 of needle floor component 348. The inter-engagement of flanges 328 and locking towers 351 prevents inadvertent deployment of sharp 324 after installation of the medical device.
A further embodiment of an inserter is illustrated in
Inserter 400 generally includes, e.g., a handle 402, sheath 442, and a removable distal cap 404 for maintaining a sterile environment for the medical device and sharp housed therein. As illustrated in
The components of inserter 400 are illustrated in
Sheath 442 also includes a spring retention portion 448, provided at the distal end of circumferential notch 496, as illustrated in
Inserter 400 is illustrated in cross-section in
As illustrated in
Needle carrier 434 can be axially moveable within handle 402. Needle carrier 434 supports needle hub 436, from which sharp 424 extends longitudinally within inserter 400. In some embodiments, sharp 424 is supported at an oblique angle, e.g., between and including about 0° and 90° with respect to the skin surface. Initially, needle carrier 434 is coupled to carriage 430 via inter-engagement of fingers 474 of carriage 430 with shoulder 476 of needle carrier 434. Spring 446 is disposed between spring retention portion 448 of sheath 442 and wings 450 (
As carriage 430 reaches a distal position (close to the skin of the subject), the distal surface of the on body housing 122 engages the upper surface of adhesive pad 418, thereby becoming adhered to the skin surface S of the subject. Flange 470 engages fingers 474 disposed on the carriage 430. Fingers 474 are pivoted outwards by flanges 470 in direction T. Such pivoting of fingers 474 causes fingers 474 to become disengaged from shoulder 476 of needle carrier 434. Needle carrier 434 is thereby disengaged from carriage 430. Such pivoting of fingers 474 also engages opening in 474 with flange 470, thus locking carriage 430 in the distal position.
As illustrated in
An inserter 2400 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is illustrated in
With reference to
An exploded view of the components of inserter 2400 is illustrated in
A more detailed view of sharp holder 2408 is shown in
To assemble inserter 2400, sharp 2404 and hub 2408 are inserted through an opening in on body housing 122 as shown in
Next, plunger 2405, spring 2406, and housing 2402 are assembled as shown in
The on body housing assembly shown in
Finally, adhesive patch 218 is placed over the opening of housing 2402 and cap 2412 is friction fit over housing 2402 as shown in
In some embodiments, sharp 2404 is provided with a substantially cylindrical configuration defining an interior bore, e.g., a rigid cylindrical member or a hypodermic-style needle. Sharp 2404 may also be provided with an elongated longitudinal opening or gap in the wall of the sharp 2404. In some embodiments, sharp 2404 is fabricated from a sheet of metal, and folded into a substantially “V” or “U” or “C” configuration in cross-section to define the longitudinal recess.
Depression of plunger 2405 causes distal longitudinal movement of on body housing 122 and sharp 2404, from a proximal position to a distal position. During such downward, distal movement, spring 246 is further compressed between lip 2418 and bottom surface 2424. Detent 2440 provides a minimum force threshold to overcome before on body housing 122 can continue on its downward distal movement. Beyond a minimum force threshold, detent 2440 is pushed outward by on body housing 122, and on body housing 122 then translates onto ramp 2442. The friction between on body housing 122 and ramp 2442 of the housing hold the on body housing 122 up against plunger 2405.
As illustrated in
When plunger 2405 reaches a distal position, as shown in
As the subject or some apparatus removes force from plunger 2405, spring 2406 urges plunger 2405 toward its proximal position (away from the skin surface) as shown in
In some embodiments, inserter 2400 may be distributed in a sterilized package 2480 as depicted in
A further embodiment of an inserter is illustrated in
Inserter 2500 generally includes, e.g., a handle 2502, sheath 2512, and a removable distal cap 2504 for maintaining a sterile environment for the medical device and sharp housed therein (
Handle 2502 further includes needle carrier guides 2508 which allow the needle carrier 2514 to slidingly move relative to distal cap 2504. In an alternate embodiment, a detent prevents sheath 2512 from moving towards a “firing position” until a minimum force is applied. Location feature 2510 allows for the proper positioning of carriage 2516 when engaged.
Further components of inserter 2500 are illustrated in
Needle carrier 2514 is illustrated in greater detail in
Carriage 2516 is illustrated in greater detail in
Inserter 2500 is illustrated in cross-section in
Extending distally from the upper surface of handle 2502 is inner wall 2508. In some embodiments, the distal end portions of wall 2508 provide a downward force on carriage 2516 upon depression of handle 2502 by a user. Alternatively, instead of handle 2502 having a distally extending inner wall 2508, carriage 2516 can include one or more upwardly extending walls or projections (not shown). The one or more upwardly extending inner walls or projections of the carriage 2516 can have a length sufficient to either contact the inside of the upper surface of handle 2502 or, alternatively, contact corresponding downwardly extending inner walls of handle 2502. In this manner, depression of handle 2502 by a user provides a downward force on the one or more upwardly extending walls or projections of carriage 2516 to advance carriage 2516 (and on body housing 122) distally to an installation and insertion position (
Sharp 2550 extends longitudinally from needle carrier 2514 within inserter 2500. In some embodiments, sharp 2550 is supported at an oblique angle, e.g., between about 0° and 90° with respect to the skin surface.
As carriage 2516 reaches a distal position (near the subject's skin) as shown in
As illustrated in
Referring now to
In some embodiments, inserter 2500 may come in a sterilized package which is capable of a one-time use as shown in
A further embodiment of an inserter is illustrated in
Inserter 2700 generally includes, e.g., a housing 2702 (
Housing 2702 includes sheath guide rail 2710 which interfaces with rail guides 2712 located on sheath 2708 (
Ledge 2720 and/or ledge 2722 are provided on an interior portion of housing 2702. Ledge 2720 engages sheath 2708 to hold sheath 2708 in a pre-use position prior to insertion of the medical device. Ledge 2722 engages sheath 2708 to secure sheath 2708 in a post-use position after insertion of the medical device. Housing 2702 further includes detent 2724 which prevents housing 2702 from moving relative to sheath 2708 until a minimum force has been applied, e.g., distally by user to housing 2702. The sheath 2708 is secured to the housing 2702 via snap 2726. Snap 2726 snaps into the housing detent 2724. (In some embodiments, it is pinched between ledge 2720 and detent 2724, thus controlling its longitudinal position relative to the housing 2702). The needle carrier 2716 is located and secured to the medical device carrier 2730 (located via interaction of locating features 2748 and 2750 and secured via interaction of carrier arms 2732 and angled top surface of 2716). The ledge 2720 is a controlled surface onto which the top of sheath surface 2728 will engage at the end of the insertion stroke to prevent further relative movement in some embodiments.
Further components of inserter 2700 are illustrated in
Referring next to
Medical device carrier 2730 is depicted in more detail in
Inserter 2700 is illustrated in cross-section in
Sharp 224 extends longitudinally from sharp carrier 2716 within inserter 2700. In some embodiments, sharp 224 is supported at an oblique angle, e.g., between and including about 0° and 90° with respect to the skin surface.
After detent 2724 has been overcome, e.g., snap 2726 is radially displaced, further depression of housing 2702 with respect to sheath 2708 causes distal longitudinal movement of the carrier 2730 and sharp carrier 2716, from a proximal position towards a distal position as shown in
As carrier 2716 reaches a distal position (
In some embodiments, the changing interaction of sheath snap 2726 with the housing detent/ledges 2720, 2724, and 2722 determine whether the sheath 2708 is locked. When snap 2726 is in the pre-fire position, ledge 2720 prevents sheath 2708 from being pulled out of the housing 2702. In this position, detent 2724 may also impede the movement of pushing the sheath 2708 into the housing 2702. When the detent is overcome by at least a minimum force, the sheath 2704 moves longitudinally with respect to the housing 2702 until the snap 2726 snaps over housing ledge 2722. At this point, ledge 2722 prevents the sheath 2708 from being pulled out of the housing again, but from a new position (this position may be referred to as the used/post-fire position). Sharp carrier snap 2752 function is to hold onto the sharp 224. In some embodiments, the sharp carrier 2716 is held in the post-fire position relative to the housing 2702 by, e.g., an interference between the rails of the housing 2714 and the guide rails of the sharp carrier 2718 (this interference is only present once the sharp carrier is fully retracted) and/or by medical device carrier projections interfering with the bottom/floor of the sharp carrier (See, e.g.,
A further embodiment of an inserter is illustrated in
Inserter 3700 generally includes, e.g., a housing 3702 (
Inserter 3700 may be utilized to advance a medical device into the skin of the subject. Sheath 3708 generally encloses or defines a cavity, within which sharp carrier 3716 (
Housing 3702 includes sheath guide rail 3710 which interfaces with rail guides 3712 located on sheath 3708, thereby allowing housing 3702 to slidingly move relative to sheath 3708. Sheath 3708, sharp carrier 3716, and housing 3702 may alternatively move relative to one another without the use of guide rails. The housing can include a distally extending sidewall having a non-linear or arcuate shape. In the embodiment illustrated in
Housing ledge 3720 and/or ledge 3722 are provided on an interior portion of housing 3702. Ledge 3720 engages sheath 3708 to hold sheath 3708 in a pre-use position prior to insertion of the medical device. Ledge 3722 engages sheath 3708 to secure sheath 3708 in a post-use position after insertion of the medical device. Housing 3702 further includes detent 3724 which prevents housing 3702 from moving relative to sheath 3708 until a minimum force has been applied, e.g., distally by user to housing 3702. The sheath 3708 is secured to the housing 3702 via retention features 3726, which can be configured, e.g., as a snap. Retention feature 3726 snaps into the housing detent 3724 (In some embodiments, it is pinched between ledge 3720 and detent 3724, thus controlling its height relative to the housing 3702). In some embodiments, the surfaces of the housing ledges 3720, 3722, 3724 and retention features 3726 are configured to engage in a single point of contact or a plurality of discrete points of contact, e.g., line. Such discrete points of contact are advantageous over conformal surface-to-surface contact in that a more thorough sterilization process can be performed. A variety of sterilization mediums can be employed, e.g., Ethylene Oxide (EtO), wherein the gaseous medium is delivered over the various inserter components. Accordingly, the discrete points of contact allow for a greater surface area of each inserter component to be exposed to the gaseous medium, thereby providing for a more thorough and rapid sterilization process. The housing includes distally extending protrusions 3727 which are received in apertures 3756 of the medical device carrier 3730 to couple the housing and medical device carrier, by such techniques as, e.g., heat staking, ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding, snap fit, etc. Coupling the housing and the medical device is performed, in some embodiments, by e.g., heat staking, ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding, snap fit, etc. Consequently, there is no relative movement between the housing 3702 and the medical device carrier 3730.
Sheath 3708 is generally formed as a unitary tubular member having proximal 3708a and distal 3708c cylindrical portions. In some embodiments, the portions 3708a and 3708c have an elliptical, square, hexagonal, or other cross-section. As illustrated in
As described above, the proximal portion 3708a of the sheath is sized such that an interior support wall surface 3728 prevents carrier arms 3732 on medical device carrier 3730 from displacement or bending outwardly, clear of sharp carrier 3716. Maintaining the carrier arms 3732 in a fixed or constrained position within the sheath allows a user to accurately know the relative positioning of the needle within the inserter. Conversely, the distal portion 3708c of the sheath is sized such that the diameter of the interior wall surface is greater than the carrier arms 3732, thus allowing room for spring arms 3732 on carrier 3730 to expand or displace radially outward thereby releasing the sharp carrier 3716 to retract to the proximal position. Guide rails 3712 are included on the exterior surface of the proximal portion of the sheath 3708a. The guide rails 3712 remain engaged with the housing guide rail 3710 of the housing throughout the insertion operation, i.e., from advancement of the housing from the proximal position to the distal position. Thus even prior to insertion, rotational position of the housing and sheath is controlled, and “rocking” is minimized. In general, rocking is minimized by increasing the length of engagement with respect to the diameter of engagement. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the length of engagement between the sheath and housing, i.e. along the longitudinal axis, is relatively large while the diameter at which the engagement occurs is relatively small, i.e. at proximal portion of sheath 3708a. Additionally, sheath 3708 includes a slot 3738 extending distally from the shelf 3708b and configured to receive the guide rail 3710 of the housing upon delivery of the medical device and insertion of the sharp into the subject.
Referring next to
Medical device carrier 3730 is depicted in more detail in
Inserter 3700 is illustrated in cross-section in
Sharp 324 extends longitudinally from sharp carrier 3716 within inserter 3700. In some embodiments, sharp 324 is supported at an oblique angle, e.g., between and including about 0° and 90° with respect to the skin surface.
After detent 3724 has been overcome, e.g., snap 3726 of the sheath is displaced radially inward, further depression of housing 3702 with respect to sheath 3708 causes distal longitudinal movement of the medical device carrier 3730 and sharp carrier 3716, from a proximal position towards a distal position as shown in
As carrier 3716 reaches a distal position, the on body housing 322 along with the adhesive pad 318 engage the skin surface S of the subject, thereby becoming adhered. Concurrently, carrier arms 3732 are advanced distally beyond shelf 3708b of the sheath and clear the support wall 3708a (as highlighted by focus point “A” in
In some embodiments, the changing interaction of sheath detent or snap 3726 with the housing detent/ledges 3720, 3724, and 3722 determine whether the sheath 3708 is locked. When snap 3726 is in the pre-fire position, ledge 3720 prevents sheath 3708 from being pulled out of the housing 3702. In this position, detent 3724 may also impede the movement of pushing the sheath 3708 into the housing 3702. When the detent is overcome by at least a minimum force, the sheath 3708 moves longitudinally with respect to the housing 3702 until the snap 3726 snaps over housing ledge 3722. At this point, ledge 3722 prevents the sheath 3708 from being pulled out of the housing again, but from a new position (this position may be referred to as the used/post-fire position). Sharp carrier snap 3752 function is to hold onto the sharp/needle. In some embodiments, the sharp/needle carrier 3716 is held in the post-fire position relative to the housing 3702 by, e.g., an interference between the rails of the housing 3710 and the guide rails of the sharp carrier 3718 (this interference is only present once the sharp carrier is fully retracted) and/or by medical device carrier projections 3732 interfering with the bottom/floor of the sharp carrier (See, e.g.,
Another embodiment of the inserter 3700′ is substantially identical to the inserter 3700 discussed hereinabove with the differences noted herein. As illustrated in
Perspective and sectional views of sheath 3708′ are illustrated, respectively, in
In some embodiments, the on body housing is assembled on the body of the user. For example, the on body housing may be comprised of a mounting unit 3780 and an electronics housing 3782. The mounting unit 3780 may include a mount and a sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor is at least partially positioned within the mount and the distal insertion portion extends out of the mount. An inserter, such as inserter 3700 described herein, is used to advance the distal portion of the sensor into the skin of the subject and to adhere the mount to the skin of the user. Subsequently, the electronics housing 3782 is mounted onto the mounting unit 3780. Electrical contact is made between the electronics housing 3782 and the sensor in order to transfer the analyte readings from the sensor to the electronics housing 3782.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment of on body housing 3800 illustrated in
In another exemplary embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, the on body housing is assembled on a surface (such as a tabletop) prior to insertion into the user. For example, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the housing unit 4020 and the adhesive patch 4028 are stored in a sealed compartment 4100 as shown in
In some embodiments, on body housing 4200 includes housing unit 4220 and sensor hub 4222 as illustrated in
In some embodiments, on body housing 4300 includes housing unit 4320 and sensor hub 4322 as illustrated in
In some embodiments, on body housing 4400 includes housing unit 4420 and sensor hub 4422 as illustrated in
In some embodiments, a clamshell type arrangement 4500 is provided which includes a needle guide 4550 having a living hinge arrangement 4552. The sensor may include bent metal contacts that are inserted after molding. The PCB may include PCB pads. The mechanical attachment is performed by adhesive of mechanical snap to PCB. The transponder housing, not shown, may be injection molded, UV or ultrasonic bonded.
In some embodiments, on body housing 4600 includes housing unit 4620 and sensor hub 4622 as illustrated in
In some embodiments, on body housing 4700 includes housing unit 4720 and sensor hub 4722 as illustrated in
It is understood that the subject matter described herein is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present subject matter is limited only by the appended claims.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/019,110, filed Sep. 11, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/002,847, filed Jun. 7, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/436,768, filed Mar. 30, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,010,280, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/071,461, filed Mar. 24, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,215,992, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/317,243, filed Mar. 24, 2010; 61/345,562, filed May 17, 2010; 61/361,374, filed Jul. 2, 2010; and 61/411,262, filed Nov. 8, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and for all purposes.
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