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 transcutaneous analyte sensor assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a housing comprising a first side adapted for mounting on a skin of a host and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, wherein the housing comprises one or more electrical contacts;   a sensor electronics unit comprising one or more electrical contacts, wherein the sensor electronics unit is configured to releasably mate with the second side of the housing such that the one or more electrical contacts of the housing electrically connects with the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor electronics unit; and   a sensor configured to continuously and/or intermittently measure a level of an analyte in a tissue of the host, wherein the sensor comprises one or more electrical contact points configured to electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the sensor electronics unit via the electrical contacts of the housing when the sensor electronics unit is mated to the housing, and wherein the housing is configured to continuously support the sensor within the tissue of the host during a time period of continuous or intermittent measurement.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor electronics unit is configured to releasably mate to the housing by a mechanical fit selected from the group consisting of a slide fit, a snap fit, a press fit, and an interference fit. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor electronics unit comprises a tab extending therefrom and the housing comprises a tab extending therefrom, wherein the tabs are configured to guide mating of the sensor electronics unit with the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one release latch configured to release the sensor electronics unit from the housing when releasably mated thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the release latch is located on the housing and is configured to manually release the sensor electronics unit from the housing releasably mated thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the time period of continuous or intermittent measurement is between 1 and 14 days. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrical contacts of the housing comprise a conductive elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to penetrate through the one or more electrical contacts of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrical contacts points of the sensor comprise two or more electrical contacts points aligned along a longitudinal axis of the sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more electrical contacts of the housing comprise two or more electrical contacts aligned along the longitudinal axis of the sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more electrical contacts of the sensor electronics unit comprise two or more electrical contacts aligned along the longitudinal axis of the sensor. 
     
     
         12 . A transcutaneous analyte sensor assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a housing adapted for mounting on a skin of a host;   a sensor comprising at least two electrodes, wherein the sensor is configured to extend through the housing;   sensor electronics configured to electrically connect with the at least two electrodes;   at least two electrical contacts aligned longitudinally along and extending circumferentially around a central longitudinal axis, wherein the at least two electrical contacts are configured to provide an electrical connection between the at least two electrodes and the sensor electronics; and   a needle comprising a lumen, wherein the sensor is dimensioned and arranged such that the sensor has a width that fits within the lumen of the needle.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two working electrodes comprise at least one wire. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the diameter of the at least one wire is no more than about 0.010 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical contacts of the housing comprise a conductive elastomer. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the housing comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two electrical contacts comprise electrically exposed portions of the sensor. 
     
     
         18 . A transcutaneous analyte sensor assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a housing adapted for mounting on a skin of a host;   sensor electronics associated with the housing;   a sensor configured to measure a level of an analyte in the host, wherein the sensor comprises at least two electrode materials, wherein the sensor is configured to operably connect to the sensor electronics; and   at least two electrical contacts aligned along a single longitudinal axis of the sensor wherein the electrode materials are configured to penetrate through the at least two electrical contacts to enable the operable connection of the sensor to the sensor electronics.   
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the at least two working electrodes comprise at least one wire. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the diameter of the at least one wire is no more than about 0.010 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the electrical contacts of the housing comprise an elastomer.