Analyte sensor

Abstract

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A continuous analyte sensor system, comprising:
 a continuous analyte sensor configured for exposure to a circulatory system of a host and configured to generate a signal associated with an in vivo analyte concentration when the sensor is implanted in the host, and;   sensor electronics configured to process the signal, wherein the sensor electronics comprise a fail-safe module configured to detect a malfunction of the system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to detect an electrical malfunction. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the electrical malfunction comprises a short circuit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the electrical malfunction is associated with at least one of start-up and sensor break-in. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to detect a fluidics malfunction. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a flow control system in fluid communication with the sensor, wherein the system is configured to contact at least a portion of the sensor with a sample of the circulatory system, wherein the fluidics malfunction comprises a malfunction of the flow control system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the malfunction of the flow control system comprises at least one of a washing malfunction, a sample collection malfunction, a constriction of a component of the flow control system, and a blood clotting on a portion of the sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the flow control system comprises a vascular access device comprising a lumen, and at least a portion of the analyte sensor is further configured to reside within the lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the flow control system comprises a vascular access device and the analyte sensor is integrally formed with the vascular access device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the flow control system is configured to deliver a reference solution into the vascular access device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to detect a sensor malfunction. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor malfunction comprises at least one of noise on the signal, drift of a sensitivity, drift of a baseline of the sensor, a broken component of the sensor, blood clotting on a portion of the sensor, and cross-talk. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to perform a waveform analysis of the signal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to perform a steady state and/or transient state analysis of the signal. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to perform a steady state analysis and a transient analysis of the signal. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to evaluate a relationship between the steady state analysis and the transient analysis. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to provide at least one of an alert, an alarm and an instruction. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the fail-safe module is further configured to evaluate a detected malfunction against a criterion. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte is glucose. 
     
     
         20 . A method for processing continuous analyte sensor data, the method comprising:
 placing a continuous analyte sensor in fluid communication with a circulatory system of a host, wherein a sensor system comprises the sensor and sensor electronics, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal associated with an in vivo analyte concentration when the sensor is implanted in the host, and wherein the sensor electronics comprises a fail-safe module configured to detect a system malfunction;   exposing the sensor to a sample from the host's circulatory system; and   detecting a malfunction of the system.