Transcutaneous sensor insertion device

[0003] The present invention has to do with an insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor. The insertion of a transcutaneous sensor has long proved a difficult problem. It is advantageous that a transcutaneous sensor be made as thin as possible so that the disruption to the skin is minimized. With current materials, however, it is difficult to impossible for such a thin device to be made strong enough to breach the skin. A hypodermic needle would be a good type of introduction device or trocar (medical breaching device), but if the transcutaneous sensor is threaded through the hypodermic needle, then the removal of the transcutaneous sensor from within the hypodermic needle presents a real difficulty. There is a teaching of the use of a slotted needle to introduce the sensor and then permit the disengagement of the sensor and introduction device. Nevertheless, there is an unfilled need for an alternative method of introducing a transcutaneous sensor into a patient or test subject. It would be desirable for such a method to use a standard, and therefore widely available, hypodermic needle as a trocar.

[0004] An insertion device includes an insertable portion adapted to be inserted into and retained in an animal body and an ex vivo portion that is adapted to be worn while the insertable portion remains inserted. The device further includes a trocar that is adapted to insert the insertable portion into the animal body. In addition, a cavity in the ex vivo portion is adapted to accept and retain the trocar after the insertable portion is inserted and a force application device is adapted to withdraw the trocar from the animal body and place it in the cavity.

[0005] An insertion device is adapted to automatically insert a biodevice into an animal body. The device includes a guide portion having first and second major exterior surfaces set at an acute angle to each other and a trocar set to releasably slide along the first major surface. In addition, a force application assembly is adapted to release the trocar and force it to slide along the first major surface.

[0006] The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s), taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an insertion device according to the present invention, in its unactuated state.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion device of FIG. 1, taken along line 2—2 of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion device of FIG. 1, taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion device of FIG. 1, but in its insertion state, taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion device of FIG. 1, but in its trocar withdrawn state, taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of the sensor and base unit portions of the insertion device of FIG. 1, shown after the insertion operation is fully completed.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion device of FIG. 4, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a transcutaneous sensor insertion device 10 according to the present invention. To introduce a sensor 12 (FIG. 4), a trocar in the form of a hypodermic needle 14, which is kept in a void space 15 until needed, is automatically pushed through the skin by a pair of springs 16. Subsequently, needle 14 is retracted into a cavity in a sensor base unit 18 by a spring 20, which is released when a pin 22 is pulled upwardly by a user. Collectively, spring 20 and pin 22 can be termed a force application device. Sensor base unit 18 remains fastened to the skin of the patient by means of a strap (not shown) or other attachment device for as long as the sensor 12 is in use. Sensor base unit may additionally include a display window, controls or a transmission device for making available the readings from the sensor 12, either locally or remotely.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the mechanism for releasing springs 16, to push needle 14 into the body, includes a plunger 30, which may be depressed to rotate a lever 32 about a pivot 34. When this operation is performed, lever 32 presses up against a spring loaded pin 36, which, when it clears a trip surface 38 permits both a slide block 40 and the sensor base unit 18 to be pulled forward by springs 16, thereby pushing needle 14 into the tissue of the patient. A disposable guide housing 42 supports the slide block 40 and the sensor base unit 18 at an advantageous angle with respect to the surface of the patient's body. Plunger 30, lever 32 spring loaded pin 36 and surface 38 may collectively be termed the trocar catch release mechanism and this plus springs 16 may be termed a force application assembly.

[0016] After being inserted, needle 14 may be automatically removed by drawing upwardly on pin 22 to release spring 20. The contraction of spring 20 causes needle 14 to be retracted into the void space 15 in sensor base unit 18. Needle 14 remains in void space 15 until the sensor 12 is removed from the patient and it and base unit 18 are disposed.

[0017] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow. The term “animal” as used in this application includes human beings.