Inserter for analyte sensors

Abstract

An inserter for a medical device, where the inserter includes a housing having a first end with an opening therein, an actuator connected to a first gear, an actuator biasing element, a cam gear assembly including a cam member and a second gear, a cam bridge follower in contact with the cam member, and a first plunger assembly having a first plunger and a first biasing element.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An inserter for transdermally delivering a medical device to a patient, the inserter comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 a handle; and 
 a component holder for a component of the medical device; 
   a cam element rotatable relative to the component holder and about a longitudinal axis;   a plunger bridge in contact with the cam element, wherein rotation of the cam element drives causes the plunger bridge to move linearly up and down in a longitudinal direction;   a plunger assembly in contact with the plunger bridge, wherein linear movement of the plunger bridge causes the plunger assembly to move linearly up and down in the longitudinal direction;   a skin piercing element connected to the plunger assembly; and   an applicator cover to cover the skin piercing element.   
     
     
         3 . The inserter of  claim 2 , further comprising a spring positioned between the handle and the cam element. 
     
     
         4 . The inserter of  claim 2 , further comprising an ejector cam spring for returning to the handle to its starting position. 
     
     
         5 . The inserter of  claim 2 , wherein the cam element includes two cam lobes. 
     
     
         6 . The inserter of  claim 5 , wherein the two cam lobes define two low points and two high points on the cam element. 
     
     
         7 . The inserter of  claim 5 , wherein the plunger bridge slides along the cam element and moves up and down within a distance that corresponds to a profile of the cam lobes. 
     
     
         8 . The inserter of  claim 5 , wherein the plunger bridge comprises cam contact nubs for riding along the cam lobes. 
     
     
         9 . The inserter of  claim 2 , wherein the skin piercing element is a lancet. 
     
     
         10 . The inserter of  claim 2 , wherein the plunger assembly comprises a first plunger and a second plunger. 
     
     
         11 . The inserter of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first plunger and the second plunger has a corresponding biasing element. 
     
     
         12 . The inserter of  claim 2 , wherein the plunger assembly comprises a biasing element loaded with stored energy as the plunger assembly moves toward the patient. 
     
     
         13 . The inserter of  claim 2 , further comprising a safety tab that prevents movement of the skin piercing element. 
     
     
         14 . The inserter of  claim 2 , further comprising a safety button for unlocking the handle. 
     
     
         15 . The inserter of  claim 2 , wherein rotation of the cam element drives the plunger assembly toward the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The inserter of  claim 15 , wherein continued rotation of the cam element retracts the plunger assembly. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 the inserter of  claim 2 ; and   the medical device, wherein the medical device is an analyte sensor.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the analyte sensor measures an analyte from a group comprising glucose, galactose, fructose, lactate, peroxide, cholesterol, amino acids, alcohol, lactic acid, and mixtures of the foregoing. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the analyte sensor is attached to the skin piercing element.