Sensor Inserter Assembly

Abstract

An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte, such as blood glucose. An inserter having a retractable introducer is provided for subcutaneously implanting the sensor in a predictable and reliable fashion.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A transcutaneous system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:
 a sensor adapted for transcutaneous insertion through a skin of a host;   a subassembly comprising a mounting unit adapted for placement adjacent to the skin of the host and an electronics unit configured to be releasably attachable to the mounting unit, wherein the subassembly is configured such that the mounting unit and the electronics unit are located over an exit site of the sensor when the sensor is inserted through the skin of the host; and   an applicator comprising a needle configured to receive the sensor, wherein the applicator comprises a plunger configured to push the needle and the sensor through the mounting unit and subsequently retract the needle into the applicator, thereby leaving the sensor in the host.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the needle surrounds the sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the needle includes a lumen. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the plunger irreversibly retracts the needle into the applicator. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system is configured to insert the sensor through the skin with a depth to about 2 cm. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the system is configured to insert the sensor through the skin with a depth of from about 0.1 mm to about 2 cm. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a component configured to maintain the sensor at a predetermined depth in the host upon retraction of the needle into the applicator. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the component is configured to maintain the sensor at the predetermined depth in the host upon irreversible retraction of the needle into the applicator. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the applicator is configured to insert the sensor in response to an activation of an automated mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the applicator is configured to insert the sensor in response to a manual force applied to the applicator by a user. 
     
     
         12 . A transcutaneous system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:
 a sensor adapted for transcutaneous placement through a skin of a host;   a housing adapted for placement adjacent to the skin of the host, wherein the housing comprises at least one electrical contact therein for providing an electrical connection between the sensor and sensor electronics; and   an applicator configured for inserting the sensor through the housing and into the skin of the host, wherein the applicator comprises at least one needle adapted for inserting the sensor into the host, wherein insertion of the needle or retraction of the needle disposes the sensor adjacent to the electrical contact or within the electrical contact.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical contact comprises an elastomeric contact and wherein the sensor is configured to extend through the elastomeric contact. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , comprising two electrical contacts. 
     
     
         15 . A transcutaneous system for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, the system comprising:
 a sensor adapted for transcutaneous placement through a skin of a host;   a housing adapted for placement adjacent to the skin of the host, wherein the housing comprises a recess;   an applicator configured for inserting the sensor through the housing and into the skin of the host, wherein the applicator comprises a base configured to fit within the recess of the housing, and wherein the applicator comprises at least one introducer adapted for inserting the sensor into the host; and   an electronics unit releasably attachable to the recess in the housing, wherein the electronics unit comprises a base configured to fit within the recess of the housing, wherein the base of the applicator and the base of the electronics unit have a similar footprint.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the footprint of the base of the applicator and the footprint of the base of the electronics unit are sized and arranged to mate with the recess. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the applicator is configured to insert the sensor in response to an activation of an automated mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the applicator is configured to insert the sensor in response to a manual force applied to the applicator by a user. 
     
     
         19 . An applicator system for inserting a transcutaneous sensor into a host, the applicator comprising:
 a sensor configured for transcutaneous placement through a skin of a host;   a needle configured for inserting the sensor into the host, wherein the sensor is disposed in the needle prior to insertion into the host;   a subassembly comprising a housing adapted for placement adjacent to the skin of the host and an electronics unit releasably attachable to the housing; and   an applicator configured for inserting the needle and the into the skin of the host, wherein the needle and the sensor are disposed within the applicator prior to insertion of the sensor;
 wherein the applicator is configured to insert the needle and the sensor into the skin of the host to leave the sensor transcutaneously placed within the host, and 
 wherein the applicator is configured such that it must be released from the housing in order to allow the electronics unit to be attached to the housing. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the needle includes a lumen. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the sensor is disposed in the lumen of the needle. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the sensor is disposed within the lumen of the needle. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the sensor is disposed within the needle. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the applicator is configured to insert the sensor in response to an activation of an automated mechanism. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the applicator is configured to insert the sensor in response to a manual force applied to the applicator by a user. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein of the applicator is configured to release from the housing after the sensor has been transcutaneously inserted into the host. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the applicator is releasably attached to the housing prior to sensor insertion and during sensor insertion.