Continuous analyte monitoring devices and systems having a long-life reusable wireless transmitter unit and application methods therefor

Inventors

Avirovikj, Dragan • Taylor, Jon

Assignees

Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG

Abstract

A wearable continuous analyte monitoring (CAM) device includes a disposable sensor unit and a long-life reusable transmitter unit. The transmitter unit has no power source and has an enclosure that seals wireless transmitter circuitry within. The disposable sensor unit is configured to receive and provide power to the transmitter unit therein. Upon expiration of the disposable sensor unit, the transmitter unit can be removed from the disposable sensor unit and reused in another disposable sensor unit with a fresh power source. The CAM device has a cover constructed of a fabric material to improve aesthetics and feel of the CAM device. Methods of preparing and applying the CAM device to a user's skin are also provided, as are other aspects.

Core Innovation

The wearable continuous analyte monitoring (CAM) system provides a CAM device that includes a transmitter unit and a sensor unit. The transmitter unit includes an enclosure with wireless transmitter circuitry completely sealed within the enclosure, operative to receive and wirelessly transmit electrical signals indicative of an analyte level, and the transmitter unit has no power source therein while having electrical contacts on the enclosure for receiving power and the electrical signals.

The system further includes a sensor unit that comprises a power source and a sensor, where the sensor extends through the sensor unit and is configured to be inserted into skin of a user. The sensor unit has a closable opening for receiving the transmitter unit therethrough so that, in response to receiving the transmitter unit through the closable opening, the sensor unit electrically connects to the electrical contacts of the transmitter unit and generates electrical signals indicative of the analyte level.

The sensor unit is disposable, and the transmitter unit is removable from the sensor unit through the closable opening and reusable in another sensor unit. To cover the sensor unit, the CAM device includes a CAM cover comprising a fabric covering the sensor unit. The system also includes an applicator with a main body configured to receive the CAM device, a safety cover positioned over the sensor of the sensor unit received in the main body, and a rigid skirt attachable to the main body with the CAM device received in the main body.

The rigid skirt includes a lid coupled thereto, and the lid and the safety cover are removable together after the rigid skirt is attached to the main body with the CAM device received in the main body.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00011, and clm-00013. Across these claims, the inventive features are the sealed, no-power transmitter unit with enclosure contacts; the disposable skin-insertable sensor unit with a closable opening that receives the transmitter and forms electrical connection; the fabric CAM cover; and the applicator structure with a safety cover and rigid skirt whose lid and safety cover are removable together after attachment.

The independent claims cover a wearable CAM system that uses a sealed, battery-less transmitter unit that relies on electrical contacts and interfaces with a disposable sensor unit via a closable opening that also provides electrical connection for wireless analyte-level signals. The system further includes a fabric CAM cover and an applicator architecture with a safety cover and rigid skirt, where a lid and safety cover are removable together after attachment, and the method claims include preparing the device by inserting the transmitter through the sensor opening and actuating the applicator to insert the sensor into skin.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications