Dermal layer analyte sensing devices and methods

1. A method of using an applicator set to sense an analyte level of a subject, the applicator set comprising a base, an insertion needle, and a dermal sensor, the method comprising:

inserting a tip portion of an insertion needle and a tip portion of a dermal sensor, together, into a dermal layer of a skin site of a subject such that the dermal sensor is inserted into but not through the dermal layer, wherein a longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the insertion needle is angled relative to a longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the dermal sensor and the tip portion of the insertion needle creates an insertion path for the dermal sensor as the insertion needle is inserted into the skin site; and

sensing an analyte level in the dermal layer of the skin site with the dermal sensor.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the insertion needle after inserting the dermal sensor into the dermal layer of the subject.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the insertion needle is disposed at an angle of 7° to 15° relative to the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the dermal sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the insertion needle is disposed at an angle of 9° to 13° relative to the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the dermal sensor.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the insertion needle is disposed at an angle of 5° to 20° relative to the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the dermal sensor.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the dermal sensor comprises a groove having a shape complementary to the insertion needle.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the dermal sensor comprises inserting a sensing region of a working electrode of the dermal sensor to a depth of 0.5 mm to 3 mm relative to an external skin surface of the subject.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the dermal sensor comprises inserting a sensing region of a working electrode of the dermal sensor to a depth of 1 mm to 2 mm relative to an external skin surface of the subject.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tip portion of the insertion needle is non-bladed.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the tip portion of the insertion needle has a pointed termination on the longitudinal central axis of the insertion needle.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the tip portion of the insertion needle does not have an internal space.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the tip portion of the insertion needle is not covered.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insertion needle has a diameter between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insertion needle has a length of between 1.5 mm and 25 mm.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein an inserted portion of the sensor has a length of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein an inserted portion of the sensor has a length of between 1 mm and 2 mm.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the sensor comprises a molded recess to accept analyte-sensing reagents.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insertion needle is adjacent to the dermal sensor in a side-by-side arrangement.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tip portion of the insertion needle and a distal end of the dermal sensor are co-localized.

20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting the insertion needle and the dermal sensor at a non-normal angle to the skin site.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing of the analyte level is performed by a user, and the user uses the dermal sensor to sense analyte levels with no calibration being performed after inserting the insertion needle and the dermal sensor.

22. A method of using an applicator set to sense an analyte level of a subject, the applicator set comprising a base, an insertion needle, and a dermal sensor, the method comprising:

inserting a tip portion of an insertion needle and a tip portion of a dermal sensor, together, into a dermal layer of a skin site of a subject such that the dermal sensor is inserted into but not through the dermal layer, wherein the dermal sensor is adjacent to the insertion needle but not positioned within the insertion needle, and wherein a longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the insertion needle is angled relative to a longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the dermal sensor; and

sensing an analyte level in the dermal layer of the skin site with the dermal sensor.

23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising removing the insertion needle after inserting the dermal sensor into the dermal layer of the subject.

24. The method of claim 22 , wherein the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the insertion needle is disposed at an angle of 5° to 20° relative to the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the dermal sensor.

25. The method of claim 22 , wherein a distal portion of the dermal sensor comprises a groove having a shape complementary to the insertion needle.

26. The method of claim 22 , wherein inserting the dermal sensor comprises inserting a sensing region of a working electrode of the dermal sensor to a depth of 0.5 mm to 3 mm relative to an external skin surface of the subject.

27. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insertion needle and the dermal sensor are inserted into the dermal layer without being in a male-female relationship.

28. The method of claim 22 , wherein the insertion needle and the dermal sensor are inserted into the dermal layer without being in a male-female relationship.

29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the insertion needle is at a non-normal angle to a surface of the skin and the longitudinal central axis along the tip portion of the dermal sensor is at a normal angle to the surface of the skin.