Analyte Sensor

Abstract

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated sensor system for measuring an analyte in a sample of a host and for fluid infusion into the host, comprising:
 an analyte sensor configured and arranged for measuring an analyte concentration in a biological sample of a circulatory system of a host;   a vascular access device;   tubing assembly comprising tubing; and   a flow control device configured to regulate exposure of the analyte sensor to a biological sample and to a reference solution according to a flow profile, wherein the flow control device comprises a valve, and wherein the valve is configured and arranged with a gravity flow position and a controlled flow position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that the analyte sensor is flushed by the reference solution when the valve is in the gravity flow position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the gravity flow position comprises a first flow rate of the solution, wherein the controlled flow position comprises a second flow rate of the solution, and wherein a ratio of the first flow rate to the second flow rate is at least about 10:1. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the gravity flow position has a flow rate of at least about 600 ml/hr. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the controlled flow position has a flow rate of from about 0.5 ml/hr to about 4.0 ml/hour. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured and arranged to receive the tubing in a substantially linear configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the valve and the tubing assembly are configured and arranged such that the tubing is in a stretched state after installation of the tubing in the valve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein valve is configured and arranged such that the tubing is substantially linear in the gravity flow position and the tubing is substantially non-linear in the controlled flow position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the valve is configured and arranged to preclude tubing installation when the valve is in the controlled flow position. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured and arranged to receive the tubing assembly in only one orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the valve and tubing assembly are configured and arranged to releasably interlock such that a portion of the valve mechanically interlocks with a portion of the tubing assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vascular access device and the tubing assembly are configured and arranged to substantially preclude rotational movement between the vascular access device and the tubing assembly when engaged. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a free-flow mitigation device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the free-flow mitigation device comprises a spring clip occluder located on the tubing assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the system is configured for electronic control of the free-flow mitigation device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising an electronic solenoid associated with the flow control device, wherein the electronic solenoid provides electronic control of the free-flow mitigation device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the system is configured and arranged such that the free-flow mitigation device precludes flow responsive to at least one of power removal, loss to the system, and loss to the flow control device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the system is configured and arranged such that the free-flow mitigation device is controlled at least in part by the flow profile. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an intravenous bag containing a reference solution, wherein the reference solution has a known analyte concentration. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte sensor is configured to measure at least one analyte selected from the group consisting of albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, carbon dioxide, chloride, creatinine, glucose, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, hematocrit, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, magnesium, oxygen, pH, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, total protein, uric acid, a metabolic marker and a drug.