Preparation and maintenance of sensors

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are described for preparing, maintaining, and stabilizing sensors. The apparatus and methods for preparing sensors for use are utilized in advance of the sensor being removed from a sealed, sterilized package. The apparatus include packaging materials having electrical circuits capable of stabilizing a sensor to prepare the sensor for use. The methods for preparing a sensor for use includes methods of providing a solution to a sterilized packaging that contains a sensor connected to a sensor activating circuit, activating the circuit, and allowing the sensor to stabilize. These methods can be performed without compromising the packaging. The apparatus for stabilizing a sensor that is in use include a circuit connectable to the sensor that provides a signal to the sensor that prevents the sensor from becoming destabilized when disconnected from a monitoring device.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a sterilizable packaging; and   a sensor stabilizing circuit connectable to the interior of the sterilizable packaging, the circuit capable of stabilizing a sensor.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sterilizable packaging is sealed. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the circuit is capable of being activated without disrupting the seal of the sterilizable packaging. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor contained within the sterilizable packaging. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a resealable port for the addition of an electrolyte solution. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a rupturable solution container located within the sterilizable packaging. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the rupturable solution container is attached to an interior portion of the sterilizable packaging. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the rupturable solution container is formed by the sterilizable packaging. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a sterilized packaging;   a sensor, the sensor sealed within the sterilized packaging; and   a circuit electrically connected to the sensor, the circuit capable of exciting the sensor.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the circuit is capable of being activated without disrupting the seal of the sterilizable packaging. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a resealable port for the addition of an electrolyte solution. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the resealable port is a self-sealing membrane. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a rupturable solution container located within the sterilized packaging. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the rupturable solution container is attached to an interior portion of the sterilizable packaging. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 14 , wherein a portion of the rupturable solution container is formed by the sterilizable packaging. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the circuit is activated by a force external to the sterilized packaging. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor. 
     
     
         19 . A method of preparing a sensor for use comprising:
 providing an electrolyte solution to a sterilized packaging containing a sensor connected to a sensor activating circuit without compromising the sterilizable packaging;   activating the sensor activating circuit; and   allowing the sensor to stabilize in the electrolyte solution.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the electrolyte solution is provided via a resealable port in the sterilized packaging. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the electrolyte solution is provided via a rupturable solution container. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the circuit is activated when the electrolyte solution is provided. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for stabilizing a sensor comprising:
 a circuit connectable to a sensor, the circuit providing a signal to the sensor that prevents the sensor from becoming destabilized when disconnected from a monitoring device.   
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the circuit prevents the sensor from becoming depolarized. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the apparatus is incorporated into the sensor. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the signal is an electrical current or potential. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , further comprising an internal power source. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the internal power source is rechargeable. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the internal power source is a battery. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , further comprising a timing device. 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein the timing device is a clock. 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , further comprising a recordable storage medium capable of recording data for the sensor. 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 34 , wherein the recordable storage medium is electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 34 , wherein the data is transmitted between a monitoring unit and the circuit when the sensor is connected to the monitoring unit. 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 34 , wherein the data is generated by an internal timing device. 
     
     
         38 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 34 , wherein the data is generated by the sensor. 
     
     
         39 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , further comprising a wireless communication device for communicating with a monitoring device. 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 39 , wherein calibration data is transferred between the circuit and the monitoring device. 
     
     
         41 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , further comprising a recordable storage medium capable of recording sensor readings. 
     
     
         42 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41 , wherein the recordable storage medium records the readings of the sensor.