Transcutaneous analyte sensors, applicators therefor, and associated methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10863944-B2
Application number	US-201816016354-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2018
Priority date	Jun 23, 2017
Publication date	Dec 15, 2020
Grant date	Dec 15, 2020

Abstract

The present embodiments relate generally to applicators of on-skin sensor assemblies for measuring an analyte in a host, as well as their method of use and manufacture. In some aspects, an applicator for applying an on-skin sensor assembly to a skin of a host is provided. The applicator includes an applicator housing, a needle carrier assembly comprising an insertion element configured to insert a sensor of the on-skin sensor assembly into the skin of the host, a holder releasably coupled to the needle carrier assembly and configured to guide the on-skin sensor assembly while coupled to the needle carrier assembly, and a drive assembly configured to drive the insertion element from a proximal starting position to a distal insertion position, and from the distal insertion position to a proximal retraction position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An applicator for applying an on-skin sensor assembly to a skin of a host, the applicator comprising:
an on-skin sensor assembly including a housing;
a first body releasably coupled to an insertion element;
a second body releasably coupled to the first body by a frictional engagement;
a spring configured to provide a first force to the second body, the first force driving the first body, the second body, and the on-skin sensor assembly in a distal direction; and
wherein the frictional engagement is configured to be decoupled by a counter force applied to the on-skin sensor assembly in an opposite direction of the first force.

2. The applicator of claim 1 , further comprising at least one retention element configured to frictionally couple the second body to the first body.

3. The applicator of claim 2 , wherein the at least one retention element is formed integral with the second body.

4. The applicator of claim 3 , wherein the at least one retention element is frictionally engaged against a wall of the first body.

5. The applicator of claim 4 , wherein the counter force decouples the frictional engagement by displacing the at least one retention element from the wall of the first body.

6. The applicator of claim 5 , wherein the wall is a backstop.

7. The applicator of claim 5 , wherein the wall is configured to prevent the at least one retention element from deflecting.

8. The applicator of claim 2 , wherein the frictional engagement is decoupled by the counter force exceeding a force threshold.

9. The applicator of claim 8 , wherein the force threshold is determined by the frictional force between the at least one retention element and the first body.

10. The applicator of claim 9 , wherein the threshold is at least 0.5 lbf.

11. The applicator of claim 9 , wherein the threshold is at least 1 lbf.

12. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the first body is configured to retract in a proximal direction upon decoupling of the frictional engagement.

13. The applicator of claim 12 , further comprising a second spring, the second spring configured to drive the first body in a proximal direction.

14. The applicator of claim 13 , wherein the second spring is retained from release by at least one retention element of the second body.

15. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the decoupling of the frictional engagement is configured to be independent of a distance between the on-skin sensor assembly and a distal end of the applicator.

16. The applicator of claim 15 , wherein the first body is configured to retract independent of the distance between the on-skin sensor assembly and the distal end of the applicator.

17. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the counter force applied to the on-skin sensor assembly is configured to be provided by the skin of the host opposing the first force.

18. The applicator of claim 17 , wherein an interior of the applicator is configured to allow the skin of the host to reside within the interior.

19. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the insertion element is configured to be inserted into the skin a predetermined depth.

20. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the frictional engagement is configured to decouple at a range of distances between the on-skin sensor assembly and a distal end of the applicator.

Assignees

• Dexcom Inc

Inventors

• Gray John Michael
• Blackwell Jennifer
• Neale Paul V
• England Justen Deering
• Joncich Andrew
• Brock Cameron
• Simpson Peter C
• Metzmaker Thomas
• Shah Neel Narayan
• Kempkey Mark Douglas
• Castagna Patrick John
• Terry Warren
• Halac Jason
• George Christian Michael Andre
• Apacible Daniel E
• Barry John Charles
• Wells Maria Noel Brown
• Pirondini Kenneth
• Reinhardt Andrew Michael
• Wong Jason C
• Gagnon Remy E
• Derenzy David
• Koplin Randall Scott
• Baldwin Alan
• Lee Young Woo
• Keller David A
• Van Den Heuvel Louise Emma
• Sutherland Carol Wood

Classifications

• A61B5/1473

  invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter · CPC title

• A61B5/6848

  Needles · CPC title

• A61B2560/063

  Devices specially adapted for delivering implantable medical measuring apparatus · CPC title

• A61B5/14532 Primary

  for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement · CPC title

• A61B5/0004 Primary

  characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted · CPC title