Method and system for providing an integrated analyte sensor insertion device and data processing unit

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a disposable assembly including:

a housing;

a data processing unit disposed in the housing;

an introducer disposed within the housing and including a portion having a sharp distal end configured for piercing through a skin layer, wherein the portion of the introducer is removed from the housing after piercing through the skin layer; and

an analyte sensor including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the analyte sensor coupled to the portion of the introducer, and the second portion of the analyte sensor coupled to the data processing unit;

wherein the first portion of the analyte sensor is configured for transcutaneous placement so as to be in fluid contact with an interstitial fluid;

wherein the second portion of the analyte sensor is in electrical contact with the data processing unit prior to transcutaneous placement of the first portion of the analyte sensor; and

wherein the housing, the data processing unit and the introducer are assembled to form the disposable assembly, and the data processing unit includes an aperture through which the introducer is removable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including an adhesive layer provided on a lower surface of the data processing unit, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to removably attach the housing to the skin layer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the adhesive layer includes a removable protective layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the introducer includes a sharp tip for piercing through the skin layer, wherein when the sharp tip is pierced through the skin layer, the first portion of the analyte sensor is transcutaneously placed under the skin layer and in fluid contact with the interstitial fluid.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the introducer is configured to decouple from the data processing unit after the first portion of the analyte sensor is transcutaneously positioned under the skin layer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit includes a data communication unit configured to receive one or more signals associated with a monitored analyte level from the analyte sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the data communication unit is configured to wirelessly communicate data associated with the one or more signals received from the analyte sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit includes a lower surface having an adhesive layer disposed thereon, the adhesive layer provided with a removable protective layer thereon.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the introducer is positionable through the aperture of the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the analyte sensor extends substantially transverse to the first portion of the analyte sensor.

11. An integrated assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a data processing unit disposed within the housing;

an introducer disposed within the housing and including a portion having a sharp distal end configured for piercing through a skin layer, wherein the portion of the introducer is removed from the housing after piercing through the skin layer; and

an analyte sensor coupled to the housing, a first portion of the analyte sensor configured for subcutaneous placement and so as to be in fluid contact with interstitial fluid under the skin layer, and a second portion of the analyte sensor disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the data processing unit prior to subcutaneous placement of the first portion of the analyte sensor;

wherein the housing, the data processing unit, the introducer, and the analyte sensor are assembled as a single disposable unit, and the data processing unit includes an aperture through which the introducer is removable.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the second portion of the analyte sensor is permanently coupled to the data processing unit.

13. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the introducer is configured to decouple from the data processing unit after the first portion of the analyte sensor is transcutaneously positioned under the skin layer.

14. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the data processing unit includes a data communication unit configured to receive one or more signals associated with a monitored analyte level from the analyte sensor.

15. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the data communication unit is configured to wirelessly transmit data associated with the one or more signals received from the analyte sensor.

16. The assembly of claim 11 , further including an adhesive layer provided on a lower surface of the housing, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to removably attach the housing to the skin layer.

17. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the introducer is positionable through the aperture of the data processing unit.

18. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein an opening in the data processing unit is configured to receive the portion of the introducer.

19. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the introducer further includes a proximal portion configured for engaging an outer surface of the data processing unit.