Medical device inserters and processes of inserting and using medical devices

Abstract

An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. Embodiments include removing a substantially cylindrical cap from an inserter to expose a substantially cylindrical sleeve, removing a cover from a substantially cylindrical container holding sensor components, and fitting the sensor components into the inserter.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus comprising:
 a sheath having a distal surface and defining an interior cavity;   a housing slidably coupled with the sheath, wherein the housing is configured to move between a proximal position and a distal position;   a device carrier configured to move within the interior cavity; and   a glucose monitoring assembly releasably coupled with the device carrier,   wherein the apparatus is configured to advance the device carrier and glucose monitoring assembly from a first position within the apparatus to a second position with at least a portion of the sensor extending distally from the distal surface of the sheath when the housing is moved from the proximal position toward the distal position, and   the apparatus further comprising an interlock configured to prevent movement of the device carrier and glucose monitoring assembly from the first position toward the second position until overcome by a force applied distally to the housing.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the interlock comprises a snap. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the interlock further comprises a detent to engage with the snap. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the snap is configured to displace radially when the housing is advanced from the proximal position toward the distal position. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the snap is configured to displace radially inwardly when the housing is advanced from the proximal position toward the distal. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein at least a portion of the interlock is disposed on the sheath. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a distal cap removably coupled with the housing. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the cap is removably coupled with the housing by a plurality of threads. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the distal cap and the housing, when coupled together, are configured to maintain a sterile environment in the interior cavity. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the glucose monitoring assembly comprises a sensor having an insertion portion and a contact portion, the contact portion mounted within a sensor housing. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the sensor is configured to bend. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the sensor is configured to bend between the insertion portion and the contact portion. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the glucose monitoring assembly further comprises an adhesive on the sensor housing. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a sharp carrier moveable within the interior cavity. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , further comprising a sharp secured to the sharp carrier. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising a retraction spring coupled with the sharp carrier. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the retraction spring is configured to retract the sharp carrier proximally relative to the glucose monitoring assembly when the device carrier and glucose monitoring assembly are advanced from the first position within the apparatus to the second position. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the retraction spring comprises a user-actuated spring. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a driver to advance the glucose monitoring assembly from the first position within the apparatus to the second position. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the driver is configured to advance the glucose monitoring assembly from the first position within the apparatus to the second position by a manual force applied to the housing.