Mounting Unit Having a Sensor and Associated Circuitry
Disclosed herein is a mounting unit assembly that includes a mounting unit and a sensor integrally formed with the mounting unit such that the mounting unit and sensor form a single unit.
1 . A mounting unit assembly comprising:
a mounting unit including first and second opposing surfaces, wherein one or more contacts and one or more conductive traces are disposed directly on the first surface and wherein the second surface is adapted to attach to a user; and
a sensor integrally formed with the mounting unit such that the one or more conductive traces extend to one or more electrodes of the sensor.
2 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mounting unit and the sensor define a single unitary structure.
3 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes of the sensor are formed of gold.
4 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 3 , wherein the gold electrodes are formed from a laser ablation technique.
5 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein an insertion portion of the sensor extends from mounting unit.
6 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 5 , wherein the insertion portion of the sensor is flexible.
7 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 5 , wherein the insertion portion of the sensor extends downwardly from the mounting unit body to define an angled sensor.
8 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter including a body having one or more transmitter contacts disposed thereon.
9 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 8 , wherein the transmitter is operatively coupled to the first surface of the mounting unit body, and further wherein the transmitter contacts interface with the one or more contacts disposed on the mounting unit body.
10 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is embedded, etched, or molded into the first surface of the mounting unit.
11 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conductive traces or contacts are embedded, etched, or molded into the first surface of the mounting unit.
12 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conductive traces or contacts are formed from a flexible ribbon disposed on mounting unit body.
13 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 1 , further including a sensor introducer mechanism removeably coupled to the mounting unit body.
14 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 13 , wherein the sensor introducer mechanism includes an introducer sharp configured to retain at least a portion of the sensor prior to sensor insertion and release the at least the portion of the sensor when the sensor is implanted into the user.
15 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 14 , wherein the introducer sharp comprises a spring.
16 . A mounting unit assembly comprising:
a mounting unit having first and second surfaces, wherein one or more contacts and one or more conductive traces are disposed directly on the first surface and wherein the second surface is adapted to removeably attach to a user;
a sensor integrally disposed within the mounting unit; and
a transmitter including one or more contacts integrally disposed in a surface of the transmitter, wherein the contacts of the transmitter interface with the contacts of the mounting unit body when the transmitter is operatively coupled to the first surface of the mounting unit.
17 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 16 , wherein the transmitter is powered by a power source associated with the mounting unit.
18 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 16 , wherein the sensor is embedded, etched, or molded into the first surface of the mounting unit.
19 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 16 , wherein the conductive traces or contacts are embedded, etched, or molded into the first surface of the mounting unit.
20 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 16 , wherein the conductive traces or contacts are formed from a flexible ribbon disposed on mounting unit body.
21 . A mounting unit assembly comprising:
a mounting unit comprising a body having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the first surface is adapted to detect and monitor an analyte present in a biological fluid and the second surface adapted to attach to a user;
an insertion mechanism including a housing, wherein the housing is removeably attached to the mounting unit;
an introducer sharp movably disposed within the housing;
and an actuator for urging the introducer sharp in an insertion direction, wherein the introducer sharp is configured to releasably receive at least a portion of the first surface of the mounting unit.
22 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first surface of the mounting unit comprises a sensor integrally formed within the mounting unit.
23 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 21 , wherein the actuator includes a spring to urge the introducer sharp to an insertion position.
24 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 21 , wherein the introducer sharp is formed from a spring.
25 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 21 , wherein the introducer sharp is automatically retracted within the housing after the at least the portion of the first surface of the mounting unit is inserted into a skin layer of a user.
26 . The mounting unit assembly of claim 21 , further comprising a transmitter configured to engage the mounting unit after removal of the insertion mechanism.