Analyte Sensor

1 . An analyte sensor configured to detect an analyte of interest in a biological fluid, the analyte sensor comprising:

a sensor body including a proximal portion and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a downward taper to define a substantially pointed tip, and further wherein the substantially pointed tip is configured to pierce through a skin layer to at least partially insert the sensor under the skin of a user;

one or more electrodes disposed on at least one surface of the sensor body; and

a polymer coating disposed over at least a portion of the distal end of the sensor body.

2 . The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the sensor body includes a flexible material.

3 . The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the distal end of the sensor with the polymer coating disposed thereon includes at least the tip of the distal end.

4 . The analyte sensor of claim 3 , wherein the polymer coating applied to the tip provides sufficient rigidity to the tip to pierce the skin of a user.

5 . The analyte sensor of claim 4 , wherein at least the distal tip of the sensor is configured to pierce through the skin layer without the use of a separate introducer sharp.

6 . The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor body includes two opposing lateral sides, and wherein the polymer coating is applied to at least one of the opposing lateral sides.

7 . The analyte sensor of claim 6 , wherein the polymer coating is applied to both of the opposing lateral sides.

8 . The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of polymer coatings is applied to the sensor body.

9 . The analyte sensor of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of polymer coatings include polymer coatings having different durometers.

10 . The analyte sensor of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of polymer coatings applied to the sensor substrate define a sensor having varied flexibility along a length thereof.

11 . The analyte sensor of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of polymer coatings include one polymer coating applied in a plurality of layers along a surface of the sensor body.

12 . The analyte sensor of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of layers define a varied thickness along a surface of the sensor body.

13 . The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the polymer coating includes a biocompatible, bio-absorbable or bioresorbable polymer.

14 . The analyte sensor of claim 13 , wherein the polymer coating includes a lactic acid polymer coating.

15 . The analyte sensor of claim 14 , wherein the polymer coating includes polylactic acid.

16 . The analyte sensor of claim 13 , wherein the polymer coating dissolves in the body of the user during implantation of the sensor.

17 . The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the polymer coating includes a polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurethane, crosslinked polymer, or block copolymer.

18 . The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the polymer coating is applied to the sensor body by one or more techniques including spin coating, drip coating, dip coating, spray coating, direct coating or immersion.

19 . The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of one or more of the electrodes disposed on the sensor body include a sensing layer disposed thereon.

20 . The analyte sensor of claim 19 , wherein the polymer coating is not applied to the portion of the one or more electrodes including the sensing layer.

21 . An analyte sensor configured to detect an analyte of interest in a biological fluid, the analyte sensor comprising:

an injection molded sensor body including a proximal portion and a distal end;

one or more electrodes disposed on the distal end of the sensor body, the one or more electrodes including at least one working electrode; and

a polymer coating disposed over at least a portion of the distal end of the sensor body;

wherein the distal end includes a downward taper to define a substantially pointed tip, wherein the tip is configured to pierce through a skin layer of a user to at least partially insert the sensor through the skin layer without the requirement of an introducer sharp.

22 . The analyte sensor of claim 21 , wherein the sensor includes one or more protrusions extending from one or more surfaces of the sensor body.

23 . The analyte sensor of claim 22 , wherein the one or more protrusions are configured to engage a carrier of an inserter device.

24 . The analyte sensor of claim 23 , wherein the carrier has a body including at least one flange along a surface, wherein the one or more protrusions are configured to engage the at least one flange of the carrier.

25 . The analyte sensor of claim 23 , wherein the carrier includes a stopper configured to abut the proximal portion of the sensor body during engagement.

26 . The analyte sensor of claim 21 , wherein the sensor is a unitary structure.

27 . The analyte sensor of claim 21 , wherein the sensor body is formed by a micro-molding technique.

28 . The analyte sensor of claim 21 , wherein at least the tip includes a lubricious coating.

29 . The analyte sensor of claim 21 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise gold.

30 . The analyte sensor of claim 28 , wherein the gold electrodes are formed by laser ablation.

31 . The analyte sensor of claim 21 , wherein the polymer coating includes a biocompatible, bio-absorbable or bioresorbable polymer.

32 . The analyte sensor of claim 30 , wherein the polymer coating dissolves in the body of the user during implantation of the sensor.