Devices, systems, and methods for analyte sensing
Analyte sensors and associated insertion devices are disclosed herein. According to some embodiments, the present technology includes a sensor applicator comprising a housing having an insertion end configured to be positioned at or adjacent a user's skin at an insertion site, a needle carried by the housing and configured for insertion into the user's skin at the insertion site, and a sensor assembly comprising a base and a sensing portion extending from the base. The base is supported by the housing in a first position during insertion of the needle and configured to rotate into a second, laid-flat position on the user's skin after removal of the housing from the insertion site.
1 . A sensor applicator comprising:
a housing having an insertion end configured to be positioned at or adjacent a user's skin at an insertion site;
a needle carried by the housing and configured for insertion into the user's skin at the insertion site; and
a sensor assembly comprising a base and a sensing portion extending from the base, the sensing portion connected to the base via an ex vivo extension having a longitudinal axis, wherein the ex vivo extension is configured to at least one of bend, fold, and/or coil along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the base is supported by the housing in a first position during insertion of the needle and configured to rotate into a second, laid-flat position on the user's skin after removal of the housing from the insertion site.
2 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the sensing portion of the sensor assembly is coupled to the needle such that subcutaneous insertion of the needle causes subcutaneous insertion of the sensing portion.
3 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the base is disposed laterally adjacent the needle such that an insertion path of the needle does not intersect any portion of the base.
4 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the needle has a distal end configured to be inserted through the user's skin, and wherein the needle is movable between a pre-insertion position in which the distal end is retracted relative to the insertion end of the housing, and an extended position in which the distal end projects relative to the insertion end.
5 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the insertion end of the applicator is configured to engage an adhesive pad positioned on the user's skin at the insertion site.
6 . The applicator of claim 5 , further comprising a spring configured to move the needle from a pre-insertion position within the housing to an extended position in which a distal end of the needle projects from the insertion end of the housing.
7 . The applicator of claim 5 , further comprising a spring configured to move the needle from an extended position in which a distal end of the needle projects from the insertion end of the housing to a retracted position in which the distal end of the needle is within the housing.
8 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein, when the base is in the first position, a long axis of the base is substantially parallel to an insertion path of the needle.
9 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein, when the base is in the first position, a long axis of the base is substantially perpendicular to the user's skin.
10 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly is configured to measure blood glucose levels after the base is rotated to the second, laid-flat position on the user's skin.
11 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to rotate over the extension into the second, laid-flat position such that the ex vivo extension is disposed between the base and the user's skin.
12 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote infusion pump and/or monitor device.
13 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly comprises an integrated transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote infusion pump and/or monitor device.
14 . The applicator of claim 1 , wherein, when the base is in the first position, the base has a first end proximate the insertion end of the housing and a second end, and wherein the sensor assembly comprises a spring-loaded hinge at the first end of the base such that, when the housing is removed from the insertion site, the base automatically rotates from the first position to a second position.
15 . A sensor applicator comprising:
a housing having an insertion end configured to be positioned at or adjacent a user's skin at an insertion site;
a needle carried by the housing and configured for insertion into the user's skin at the insertion site; and
a sensor assembly comprising a base and a sensing portion extending from the base, the sensing portion connected to the base via an ex vivo extension having a longitudinal axis, wherein the ex vivo extension is configured to at least one of bend, fold, and/or coil along the longitudinal axis, and the base having a first end and a second end along its long axis, wherein:
the base is supported by the housing in a first orientation during insertion of the needle in which the first end of the base is adjacent the user's skin and the second end is spaced apart from the user's skin by a distance equivalent to a length of the long axis of the base, and
the base is configured to move into a second orientation after removal of the housing from the insertion site in which both the first and second ends are adjacent the user's skin.