Transcutaneous analyte sensor

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.

1 . A sensor system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:
 a sensor configured to continuously measure an analyte concentration in a host;   a housing configured to receive the sensor, wherein the housing is adapted for placement adjacent to the host's skin;   an electronics unit releasably attached to the housing, wherein the electronics unit is operatively connected to the sensor and comprises a processor module configured to provide a signal associated with the analyte concentration in the host, and wherein the processor module is further configured to assemble a data packet for transmission; and   an antenna configured for radiating or receiving a radio frequency transmission, wherein the antenna is located remote from the electronics unit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer disposed on the housing and configured to adhere the housing to the host's skin, wherein the antenna is located in the adhesive layer or on the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured for use with only one sensor and the electronics unit is configured for reuse with more than one sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is located in the housing or on the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the housing is configured for use with only one sensor and the electronics unit is configured for reuse with more than one sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the antenna extends substantially around a periphery of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source configured and arranged to power at least one of the sensor and the electronics unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an adhesive layer disposed on the housing and configured to adhere the housing to the host's skin, wherein the power source is located in the adhesive or on the adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured for use with only one sensor and the electronics unit is configured for reuse with more than one sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the power source comprises a thin and flexible battery. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the power source is located in the housing or on the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is configured for use with only one sensor and the electronics unit is configured for reuse with more than one sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the electronics unit is no more than about 0.250 inches in its smallest dimension. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an overall height of the system is no more than about 0.250 inches in its smallest dimension. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured for insertion into the host's tissue. 
     
     
         16 . A sensor system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:
 a sensor configured for insertion into a host's tissue, wherein the sensor is configured to continuously measure an analyte concentration in a host;   a housing configured to receive the sensor, wherein the housing is adapted for placement adjacent to the host's skin; and   an electronics unit releasably attached to the housing, wherein the electronics unit is operatively connected to the sensor and comprises a processor module configured to provide a signal associated with the analyte concentration in the host.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the housing comprises a flexible material, and wherein the electronics unit and housing are configured and arranged such that the electronics unit is released from the housing by a flexing of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the housing is configured for use with only one sensor and the electronics unit is configured for reuse with more than one sensor, and wherein the housing and electronics unit are configured such that the housing physically breaks upon release of the electronics unit. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a tool configured and arranged to assist a user in releasing the electronics unit from the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising an antenna configured for radiating or receiving a radio frequency transmission, wherein the antenna is located remote from the electronics unit. 
     
     
         21 . A sensor system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:
 a sensor configured to continuously measure an analyte concentration in a host;   a housing configured to receive the sensor, wherein the housing is adapted for placement adjacent to the host's skin;   an electronics module associated with the housing, wherein the electronics module is configured to provide a signal associated with the analyte concentration in the host; and   a power source configured to power at least one of the sensor and the electronics module.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising an adhesive layer disposed on the housing and configured to adhere the housing to the host's skin, wherein the power source located in the adhesive layer or on the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the power source located in the housing or on the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the power source comprises a thin battery. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the battery has a height of no more than about 0.125 inches in its smallest dimension. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the battery is flexible. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the electronics module is housed within an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit is attachable to and detachable from the housing, and wherein the power source is configured to turn on when the electronics unit is attached to the housing. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , further comprising a switch selected from the group consisting of a bi-stable magnetic reed switch, a proximity switch, and a motion-activated switch, wherein the switch is configured to turn the power source on when the electronics unit is attached to the housing. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the power source is configured to turn off when the electronics unit is detached from the housing. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the power source is a motion-driven power source. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the power source is a glucose consumption-driven power source. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein an overall height of the system is no more than about 0.350 inches in its smallest dimension. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is configured for insertion into the host's tissue. 
     
     
         34 . A sensor for measurement of an analyte concentration in a host, the sensor comprising:
 a first wire electrode and a second wire electrode;   a membrane system disposed on an electroactive portion of the first wire electrode, wherein the second wire electrode is coiled around the first wire electrode at least up to an edge of the electroactive portion of the first wire electrode.   
     
     
         35 . The sensor of  claim 34 , wherein the second wire electrode is coiled around the first wire electrode over at least a portion of the electroactive portion of the first wire electrode 
     
     
         36 . The sensor of  claim 34 , wherein the first wire electrode is a working electrode and wherein the second wire electrode is at least one of a reference electrode and a counter electrode. 
     
     
         37 . A sensor system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:
 a sensor configured to continuously measure an analyte concentration in a host;   a laminate housing configured to receive the sensor, wherein the laminate housing is adapted for placement adjacent to the host's skin, and wherein the laminate housing comprises:
 electronics operatively connected to the sensor and comprising a processor module configured to provide a signal associated with the analyte concentration in the host; 
 a power source configured to power at least one of the sensor and the electronics; 
 an antenna configured for radiating or receiving a radio frequency transmission; and 
 an adhesive layer configured to adhere the housing to the host's skin. 
   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the system is configured for single-use. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein an overall height of the laminate housing is no more than about 0.250 inches in its smallest dimension. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein an aspect ratio of the laminate housing is at least about 10:1. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the sensor comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode comprises a working electrode, wherein the second electrode comprises at least one of a reference electrode and a counter electrode, and wherein the second electrode is located on the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the electronics comprise a flexible circuit board. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the flexible circuit board is at least one of disposed in the adhesive layer, disposed on the adhesive layer, and laminated to the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the flexible circuit board is no more than about 0.200 inches in its smallest dimension. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the power source comprises a flexible battery. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the flexible battery is at least one of disposed in the adhesive layer and laminated to the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the flexible battery is no more than about 0.200 inches in its smallest dimension. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the antenna is at least one of disposed in the adhesive layer, disposed on the adhesive layer, and laminated to the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the laminate housing is water resistant. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the laminate housing is waterproof. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the laminate housing is hermetically sealed. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the electronics further comprise a conductive material that only conducts in the z-axis. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising a cannula layer configured to receive the sensor, wherein the cannula layer is configured to be released from the system after sensor insertion. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the sensor is configured for insertion into the host's tissue. 
     
     
         55 . A sensor system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:
 a sensor configured for insertion into the host's tissue, wherein the sensor is configured to continuously measure an analyte concentration in a host;   a thin and flexible housing formed from a plurality of layers and configured to receive the sensor, wherein the thin and flexible housing is adapted for placement adjacent to the host's skin, wherein the thin and flexible housing comprises:
 electronics operatively connected to the sensor and comprising a processor module configured to provide a signal associated with the analyte concentration in the host, wherein the electronics are located on a thin and flexible substrate; 
 a power source configured to power at least one of the sensor and the electronics, wherein the power source is located on the thin and flexible substrate; 
 an antenna configured for radiating or receiving a radio frequency transmission, wherein the antenna is located on the thin and flexible substrate; and 
 an adhesive layer configured to adhere the housing to the host's skin. 
   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the system is configured for single-use. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein an overall height of the laminate housing is no more than about 0.250 in its smallest dimension. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein an aspect ratio of the laminate housing is at least about 10:1. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the laminate housing is water resistant.