초록

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor into a host, the system comprising: a transcutaneous analyte sensor for measuring an analyte concentration in the host; a housing configured for placement adjacent to a skin of the host and configured for receiving at lea

What is claimed is: 1. A system for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor into a host, the system comprising: a transcutaneous analyte sensor for measuring an analyte concentration in the host; a housing configured for placement adjacent to a skin of the host and configured for receiving at least a portion of the sensor; a needle configured to insert the sensor through the housing and into the host; and an applicator configured to releasably mate with the housing, the applicator comprising a plunger configured to push the needle and the sensor through the housing into the host, wherein the housing is configured to slidably receive the sensor and the needle during sensor insertion and a push rod configured to maintain the sensor in an inserted position during needle retraction. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a guide tube subassembly operatively linked to the needle and configured to retract the needle into the applicator upon retraction of the needle from the host. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the guide tube subassembly further comprises a guide tube configured to guide the needle through the housing. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein a size of the needle is from about 28 gauge to about 18 gauge. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein a size of the needle is from about 28 gauge to about 25 gauge. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to be held adjacent to the host's skin during sensor insertion. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plunger is operatively linked to the push rod, and wherein the plunger is configured to maintain the push rod in an extended position during needle retraction. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to be released from the applicator upon insertion of the sensor into the host. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to lie adjacent to the skin of the host, wherein the housing is configured to support the sensor under the skin of the host after sensor insertion, and wherein the applicator comprises a base configured to releasably mate with the housing. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises at least one release latch configured to release the base from the housing after needle retraction. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the base is configured to automatically release from the housing. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing and the applicator each comprise a major axis that substantially defines an insertion angle when the housing and the applicator are mated. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the housing and the applicator are configured to releasably mate at an adjustable insertion angle. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a body and a base, wherein an angle is defined between a major axis of the body and a major axis of the base, and wherein the angle substantially defines an insertion angle. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the housing and applicator defines an insertion angle of from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the insertion angle is about 45 degrees. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to extend from the housing by a distance, wherein the distance corresponds to a depth of insertion. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the depth of insertion is adjustable. 19. A system for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor into a host, the system comprising: a transcutaneous analyte sensor for measuring an analyte concentration in a host, wherein the sensor comprises at least two coaxial electrodes; a housing adapted for placement adjacent to a skin of the host and adapted for receiving at least a portion of the sensor; a needle configured to insert the sensor through the housing and into the host; and an applicator configured to insert the needle and the sensor through the housing into the host and to subsequently slide back over the sensor and release the sensor from the needle without use of a slot for releasing the sensor. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the applicator releasably mates with the housing. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor comprises one or more wires. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the needle is sized at 18 to 32 gauge. 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor comprises a first end configured for insertion into a host and a second end configured for electrical connection, wherein the width of the first end of the sensor is substantially the same as the width of the second end of the sensor. 24. The system of claim 19, wherein the needle is formed without a slot. 25. The system of claim 19, wherein the width of a working electrode of the sensor is less than about 0.010 inches. 26. The system of claim 19, wherein the needle is sized at 25 to 28 gauge. 27. The system of claim 19, wherein the applicator comprises a base configured to releasably mate with the housing, and wherein the housing comprises an opening configured to releasably receive the base of the applicator. 28. The system of claim 19, wherein the housing is configured to slidably receive the sensor and the needle. 29. A system for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor into a host, the system comprising: a transcutaneous analyte sensor for measuring an analyte concentration in a host; a housing adapted for placement adjacent to a skin of the host and adapted for receiving at least a portion of the sensor; a needle configured to insert the sensor through the housing and into the host; and an applicator comprising a plurality of components operatively connected via a mechanical latching system, wherein the applicator is configured to insert the needle and the sensor through the housing and into the host with a speed and force controlled substantially by manual force, and to subsequently retract the needle from the housing with a speed and force controlled substantially by manual force. 30. A system for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor into a host, the system comprising: a transcutaneous analyte sensor for measuring an analyte concentration in the host, wherein the sensor comprises a first end configured for insertion into a host and a second end configured for electrical connection, wherein the width of the first end of the sensor is substantially the same as the width of the second end of the sensor; a housing configured for placement adjacent to a skin of the host and configured for receiving at least a portion of the sensor; a needle configured to insert the sensor through the housing and into the host; and an applicator configured to insert the needle and the sensor through the housing into the host and to subsequently retract the needle over the sensor and release the sensor from the needle without using a slot for releasing the sensor. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the sensor comprises at least two coaxial electrodes. 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the electrodes are formed from wires. 33. The system of claim 30, wherein the needle is formed without a slot. 34. The system of claim 30, wherein a width of a working electrode of the sensor is less than about 0.010 inches. 35. The system of claim 30, wherein the needle is sized at 25 to 28 gauge. 36. The system of claim 30, wherein the needle is sized at 18 to 32 gauge. 37. The system of claim 30, wherein the housing is configured to slidably receive the sensor and the needle. 38. The system of claim 30, wherein the applicator comprises a base configured to releasably mate with the housing, and wherein the housing comprises an opening configured to releasably receive the base of the applicator.