Analyte sensor and apparatus for insertion of the sensor

Abstract

An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor comprising:
 a body having a proximal section, a distal section longitudinally aligned with the proximal section, and an intermediate section,   wherein the intermediate section is laterally displaced from at least the distal member and a notch is defined between the laterally displaced intermediate section and a portion of the distal section.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section is laterally displaced from at least a portion of the proximal section of the sensor body. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 2 , wherein a gap is defined between the laterally displaced intermediate section and the proximal section of the sensor body. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section has a distal end and a proximal end, and further wherein the proximal section is coupled to the proximal section and the distal section is coupled to the distal section of the sensor body. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor of  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate section is a longitudinal member. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section has a proximal end and a distal end. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor of  claim 6 , wherein the proximal end is proximate to the notch defined between the distal member and the intermediate member. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the proximal end is received within a needle seat to create an anchor region to allow the sensor body to slide into a slot defined in the insertion needle but prevent the sensor body from slipping out of the insertion needle. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor of  claim 8 , wherein a width of the distal section of the sensor body has a width sized to fit within the slot of the insertion sharp having a diameter less than about 22 to about 26 gauge. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member includes a bendable portion. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor of  claim 10  wherein the bendable portion allows the proximal section of the sensor body to be in a plane different than the distal section of the sensor body. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the proximal section and the distal section are in planes perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal section has a curved portion. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein sensor is configured in a bent configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor body includes conductive material disposed on a surface thereto to define one or more electrodes. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor body  15  includes conductive material defining traces disposed on a surface of the sensor body. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor of  claim 16 , wherein the traces are in communication with the one or more electrodes. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor of  claim 16 , wherein the traces are disposed on at least surface of the proximal section of the sensor body. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more electrodes are disposed on the distal section of the sensor body. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the traces or electrodes comprise gold.