Transcutaneous analyte sensor systems and methods
Systems for applying a transcutaneous monitor to a person can include a telescoping assembly, a sensor, and a base with adhesive to couple the sensor to skin. The sensor can be located within the telescoping assembly while the base protrudes from a distal end of the system. The system can be configured to couple the sensor to the base by compressing the telescoping assembly.
1. A sensor applicator system configured for delivery to a host, the sensor applicator system configured to apply an on-skin sensor assembly provided as part of the sensor applicator system to a skin of the host, the applicator system comprising:
a shell;
an on-skin sensor assembly disposed in the applicator system, the on-skin sensor assembly comprising:
at least one electrical interconnect;
a transcutaneous analyte sensor comprising an in-vivo portion and an ex-vivo portion;
sensor electronics configured to process a signal received from the transcutaneous analyte sensor;
an electrical connection established between the transcutaneous analyte sensor and the sensor electronics;
a first mechanical connection established between the transcutaneous analyte sensor and the at least one electrical interconnect;
a second mechanical connection established between the sensor electronics and the at least one electrical interconnect;
wherein the first mechanical connection and the second mechanical connection are configured to establish the electrical connection between the transcutaneous analyte sensor and the sensor electronics;
a base comprising a hole and an adhesive to adhere the on-skin sensor assembly to a skin of a host; and
wherein the transcutaneous analyte sensor is configured to extend during use from the electrical interconnect, through the hole in the base, to under the skin of the host; and
a needle configured to guide the sensor under the skin of the host; and
a user removable cap removably coupled to the shell and covering the on-skin sensor assembly and the needle.
2. The applicator system of claim 1 , wherein the user removable cap seals the on-skin sensor assembly and the needle from contaminants prior to application of the on-skin sensor assembly to the skin of the host.
3. The applicator system of claim 2 , wherein the shell comprises a first material, wherein the cap comprises a second material, and wherein the second material is softer than the first material.
4. The applicator system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to retain the needle in the shell after the on-skin sensor assembly is applied to the host.
5. The applicator system of claim 1 , wherein the needle comprises a channel, and wherein the transcutaneous analyte sensor extends from the first mechanical connection into the channel of the needle.
6. The applicator system of claim 5 , comprising a compressed spring configured for pushing the needle and the in-vivo portion of the transcutaneous analyte sensor under the skin of the host.
7. The applicator system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection is sealed to prevent fluid ingress after application of the on-skin sensor assembly to the skin of the host.
8. The applicator system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical interconnect comprises a spring.
9. The applicator system of claim 8 , wherein the spring comprises a leaf spring.
10. The applicator system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical interconnect is compressed between the first mechanical connection and the second mechanical connection.
11. The applicator system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical interconnect comprises a plated portion.
12. The applicator system of claim 10 , wherein the plated portion is gold plated.
13. The applicator system of claim 1 , wherein the needle is sterilized.
14. The applicator system of claim 13 , wherein the sensor electronics is not sterilized.
15. A sensor applicator system configured for delivery to a host, the sensor applicator system configured to apply an on-skin sensor assembly provided as part of the sensor applicator system to a skin of the host, the applicator system comprising:
a shell;
an on-skin sensor assembly disposed in the applicator system, the on-skin sensor assembly comprising:
a sensor module comprising a sensor module housing and an electrical interconnect, wherein the electrical interconnect is mounted to the sensor module housing;
a transcutaneous analyte sensor comprising an in-vivo portion and an ex-vivo portion;
sensor electronics configured to process a signal received from the transcutaneous analyte sensor;
an electrical connection established between the transcutaneous analyte sensor and the sensor electronics;
a first mechanical connection established between the transcutaneous analyte sensor and the electrical interconnect, wherein the ex-vivo portion of the transcutaneous analyte sensor is pressed against a portion of the electrical interconnect;
a second mechanical connection established between the sensor electronics and the electrical interconnect;
wherein the electrical connection is established by conductive material of the electrical interconnect that extends from the first mechanical connection to the second mechanical connection;
a base comprising a hole and an adhesive to adhere the on-skin sensor assembly to a skin of a host; and
wherein the transcutaneous analyte sensor is configured to extend during use from the electrical interconnect, through the hole in the base, to under the skin of the host;
a needle configured to guide the sensor under the skin of the host; and
a user removable cap removably coupled to the shell and covering the on-skin sensor assembly and the needle.
16. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the ex-vivo portion of the transcutaneous analyte sensor is pressed between the portion of the electrical interconnect and the sensor module housing.
17. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the sensor module housing comprises a groove, and wherein the electrical interconnect comprises a tab positioned in the groove to inhibit rotation of the electrical interconnect.
18. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the user removable cap seals the on-skin sensor assembly and the needle from contaminants prior to application of the on-skin sensor assembly to the skin of the host.
19. The applicator system of claim 18 , wherein the shell comprises a first material, wherein the cap comprises a second material, and wherein the second material is softer than the first material.
20. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the system is configured to retain the needle in the shell after the on-skin sensor assembly is applied to the host.
21. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the needle comprises a channel, and wherein the transcutaneous analyte sensor extends from the first mechanical connection into the channel of the needle.
22. The applicator system of claim 21 , comprising a compressed spring configured for pushing the needle and the in-vivo portion of the transcutaneous analyte sensor under the skin of the host.
23. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the electrical connection is sealed to prevent fluid ingress after application of the on-skin sensor assembly to the skin of the host.
24. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the electrical interconnect comprises a spring.
25. The applicator system of claim 24 , wherein the spring comprises a leaf spring.
26. The applicator system of claim 24 , wherein the electrical interconnect is compressed between the first mechanical connection and the second mechanical connection.
27. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the electrical interconnect comprises a plated portion.
28. The applicator system of claim 27 , wherein the plated portion is gold plated.
29. The applicator system of claim 15 , wherein the needle is sterilized.
30. The applicator system of claim 29 , wherein the sensor electronics is not sterilized.