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 housing;   a sheath slidably coupled with the housing and defining an interior cavity;   a sharp carrier moveable within the interior cavity and having a proximal edge;   a device carrier configured to move within the interior cavity, the device carrier comprising a proximally-extending carrier arm moveable from a first position with the proximally-extending carrier arm initially engaged with the proximal edge to a second position with the proximally-extending carrier arm disengaged from the proximal edge; and   a spring disposed between the sharp carrier and the device carrier;   wherein the spring is configured to be secured in a compressed state when the proximally-extending carrier arm is in the first position, and the spring is configured to be released to urge the sharp carrier away from the device carrier when the proximally-extending carrier arm is moved to the second position.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the proximally-extending carrier arm comprises a detent at a proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein a proximal end portion of the proximally-extending carrier arm is configured to extend radially outward from the sharp carrier when the proximally-extending carrier arm is moved to the second position. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a cylindrical support wall having an interior support wall surface to engage an outer surface of the proximally-extending carrier arm. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the proximally-extending carrier arm is configured to flex in response to a bias of the spring in the compressed state. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the proximally-extending carrier arm is further configured to move from the first position to the second position when the cylindrical support wall disengages from the outer surface of the proximally-extending carrier arm. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the housing is slidably coupled with the sheath, and wherein the housing is configured to move between a proximal position and a distal position. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the interior support wall surface is configured to engage the outer surface of the proximally-extending carrier arm when the housing moves from the proximal position to the distal position. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein an external force applied to the housing causes the housing to move from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the spring is configured to urge the sharp carrier proximally when the proximally-extending carrier arm is moved to the second position. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the spring comprises a user-activated spring. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a distal cap removably coupled with the housing. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the distal cap is removably coupled with the housing by a plurality of threads. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the distal cap and housing, when coupled together, define a sterile environment in the interior cavity. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a sharp secured to the sharp carrier. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a glucose monitoring assembly releasably secured to the device carrier. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the glucose monitoring assembly comprises a sensor having an insertion portion and a contact portion, the contact portion mounted within a sensor housing. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the sensor is configured to bend. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the sensor is configured to bend between the insertion portion and the contact portion. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the glucose monitoring assembly further comprises an adhesive on an external surface thereof.