MEDICAL DEVICE INSERTERS AND PROCESSES OF INSERTING AND USING MEDICAL DEVICES
An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. Embodiments include removing a substantially cylindrical cap from an inserter to expose a substantially cylindrical sleeve, removing a cover from a substantially cylindrical container holding sensor components, and fitting the sensor components into the inserter.
1 - 25 . (canceled)
26 . An apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a sheath slidably coupled with the housing and defining an interior cavity;
a sharp carrier moveable within the interior cavity and having a proximal edge;
a device carrier configured to move within the interior cavity, the device carrier comprising a proximally-extending carrier arm moveable from a first position with the proximally-extending carrier arm initially engaged with the proximal edge to a second position with the proximally-extending carrier arm disengaged from the proximal edge; and
a spring disposed between the sharp carrier and the device carrier;
wherein the spring is configured to be secured in a compressed state when the proximally-extending carrier arm is in the first position, and the spring is configured to be released to urge the sharp carrier away from the device carrier when the proximally-extending carrier arm is moved to the second position.
27 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the proximally-extending carrier arm comprises a detent at a proximal end thereof.
28 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein a proximal end portion of the proximally-extending carrier arm is configured to extend radially outward from the sharp carrier when the proximally-extending carrier arm is moved to the second position.
29 . The apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a cylindrical support wall having an interior support wall surface to engage an outer surface of the proximally-extending carrier arm.
30 . The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the proximally-extending carrier arm is configured to flex in response to a bias of the spring in the compressed state.
31 . The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the proximally-extending carrier arm is further configured to move from the first position to the second position when the cylindrical support wall disengages from the outer surface of the proximally-extending carrier arm.
32 . The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the housing is slidably coupled with the sheath, and wherein the housing is configured to move between a proximal position and a distal position.
33 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the interior support wall surface is configured to engage the outer surface of the proximally-extending carrier arm when the housing moves from the proximal position to the distal position.
34 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein an external force applied to the housing causes the housing to move from the first position to the second position.
35 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the spring is configured to urge the sharp carrier proximally when the proximally-extending carrier arm is moved to the second position.
36 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the spring comprises a user-activated spring.
37 . The apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a distal cap removably coupled with the housing.
38 . The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the distal cap is removably coupled with the housing by a plurality of threads.
39 . The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the distal cap and housing, when coupled together, define a sterile environment in the interior cavity.
40 . The apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a sharp secured to the sharp carrier.
41 . The apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a glucose monitoring assembly releasably secured to the device carrier.
42 . The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the glucose monitoring assembly comprises a sensor having an insertion portion and a contact portion, the contact portion mounted within a sensor housing.
43 . The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the sensor is configured to bend.
44 . The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the sensor is configured to bend between the insertion portion and the contact portion.
45 . The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the glucose monitoring assembly further comprises an adhesive on an external surface thereof.