Sensor cable support device including mechanical connectors

Abstract

A sensor cable support device is described. The sensor cable support device can be used to implemented in wearable monitoring device to support a proximal portion of a sensor cable and electrically connect the proximal portion with a sensing circuitry. A distal portion of the sensor cable is insertable into a person's skin. The sensor cable support device may include a rigid body defining a pair of openings, a set legs attached to the rigid body, and a pair of electrical traces extending between the pair of openings and distal ends of a pair of legs of the set of legs. The pair of openings may be sized and configured to receive a pair of pucks that mechanically retain a sensor cable to the body and electrically connect the sensor cable with the electrical traces.

1 . A support device for supporting a sensor cable, the support device, comprising:
 a rigid body defining a pair of openings, each opening sized and configured to 4 receive a conductive puck, the rigid body configured to support a proximal end of the sensor cable and electrically couple the sensor cable with sensing circuitry of a monitoring device;   a set of rigid legs connected to the rigid body and extending away from bottom side of the rigid body;   a first electrical trace electrically coupling a first opening of the pair of openings and a distal end of a first leg of the set of rigid legs; and   a second electrical trace electrically coupling a second opening of the pair of openings and a distal end of a second leg of the set of rigid legs.   
     
     
         2 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein a groove is formed on the bottom side of the rigid body or on a top side of the rigid body that is opposite the bottom side, the groove sized and configured to accommodate the sensor cable. 
     
     
         3 . The support device of  claim 2 , wherein the groove defines:
 a first region disposed adjacent to the first opening, the first region having a first cross-sectional area and sized to accommodate a first portion of the sensor cable including a first wire; and   a second region disposed adjacent to the second opening, the second region having a second cross-sectional area and sized to accommodate a second portion of the sensor cable including a second wire, the first cross-sectional area different from the second cross-sectional area.   
     
     
         4 . The support device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical guard structure disposed between the pair of openings. 
     
     
         5 . The support device of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical guard structure comprises a third electrical trace that extends to a distal end of a third leg of the set of rigid legs. 
     
     
         6 . The support device of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical guard structure comprises a guard opening formed in the rigid body and extending through the rigid body. 
     
     
         7 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the set of rigid legs is integral to the rigid body. 
     
     
         8 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of openings extend through the rigid body. 
     
     
         9 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid body comprises conductive plating within the pair of openings. 
     
     
         10 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is electrically isolated from the second opening. 
     
     
         11 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rigid body and the set of rigid legs have characteristics of having been formed from a first material using an injection molding technique; and   the first and second electrical traces have characteristics of having been formed using a laser direct structuring technique, the first and second electrical traces comprising a second material.   
     
     
         12 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid body is further configured to position distal end the sensor cable that is insertable into a person's skin. 
     
     
         13 . A wearable monitoring device, comprising:
 a printed circuit board disposed in a housing having an exterior surface for positioning the wearable monitoring device on a person's skin;   sensing circuitry comprising one or more electronic components connected to the printed circuit board; and   a sensor holder system, comprising:
 a body having a set of legs that extends from one side of the body, the sensor holder system physically coupled to the printed circuit board via the set of legs, the body having a pair of conductive openings formed therein, the pair of conductive openings electrically coupled to the printed circuit board; 
 a sensor cable electrically coupled to the sensing circuitry and comprising a first portion in electrical contact with a first conductive opening of the pair of conductive openings to form a first electrical connection and a second portion in electrical contact with a second conductive opening of the pair of conductive openings to form a second electrical connection; and 
 a pair of pucks installed in the pair of conductive openings such that a first puck of the pair of pucks mechanically retains the first portion in electrical contact with the first conductive opening and a second puck of the pair of pucks mechanically retains the second portion in electrical contact with the second conductive opening. 
   
     
     
         14 . The wearable monitoring device of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of pucks is formed from a conductive material. 
     
     
         15 . The wearable monitoring device of  claim 14 , wherein the pair of pucks, when installed in the pair of conductive openings, contribute to the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection. 
     
     
         16 . The wearable monitoring device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 each puck of the pair of pucks defines a slit;   the first portion of the sensor cable is held within a first slit of the first puck when the first puck is installed in the first conductive opening; and   the second portion of the sensor cable is held within a second slit of the second puck when the second puck is installed in the second conductive opening.   
     
     
         17 . The wearable monitoring device of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor cable comprises a distal end that extends to a position beyond the exterior surface of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable monitoring device of  claim 13 , wherein the first portion of the sensor cable extends across the first conductive opening and is in physical contact with the first conductive opening at two or more locations. 
     
     
         19 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An analyte monitoring system, comprising:
 a sensor cable including a first portion insertable into skin of a person, the first portion including means for generating glucose information; and   a sensor holder system, comprising:
 alignment means for physically aligning a second portion of the sensor cable; 
 retaining means for physically retaining the second portion of the sensor cable; 
 support means for physically supporting the alignment means and the retaining means; and 
 coupling means for electrically coupling the second portion of the sensor cable to circuitry disposed on a printed circuit board for determining an analyte level for the person. 
   
     
     
         26 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A sensor cable support system, comprising:
 a sensor cable support device, comprising:
 a body having a pair of conductive openings; 
 a set of legs extending away from a bottom side of the body; and 
 a pair of electrical traces extending between the pair of conductive openings and distal ends of a pair of legs of the set of legs; 
   a sensor cable comprising:
 a first portion in electrical contact with a first conductive opening of the pair of conductive openings to form a first electrical connection; and 
 a second portion in electrical contact with a second conductive opening of the pair of conductive openings to form a second electrical connection; and 
   a pair of pucks installed in the pair of conductive openings such that a first puck of the pair of pucks mechanically retains the first portion in electrical contact with the first conductive opening and a second puck of the pair of pucks mechanically retains the second portion in electrical contact with the second conductive opening.   
     
     
         32 - 35 . (canceled)