Special receptacle or package – For an instrument
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-10
2002-03-26
Lacyk, John P. (Department: 3736)
Special receptacle or package
For an instrument
C206S306000, C206S438000, C206S363000, C206S459100, C600S347000, C600S345000, C600S365000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06360888
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to glucose monitor systems and, in particular embodiments, to glucose sensors for use with glucose monitor systems and to the packaging for the glucose sensors. The invention also relates to the size, shape and positioning of electrodes on a glucose sensor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the years, bodily characteristics have been determined by obtaining a sample of bodily fluid. For example, diabetics often test for blood glucose levels. Traditional blood glucose determinations have utilized a painful finger prick using a lancet to withdraw a small blood sample. This results in discomfort from the lancet as it contacts nerves in the subcutaneous tissue. The pain of lancing and the cumulative discomfort from multiple needle pricks is a strong reason why patients fail to comply with a medical testing regimen used to determine a change in characteristic over a period of time. Although non-invasive systems have been proposed, or are in development, none to date have been commercialized that are effective and provide accurate results. In addition, all of these systems are designed to provide data at discrete points and do not provide continuous data to show the variations in the characteristic between testing times.
A variety of implantable electrochemical sensors have been developed for detecting and/or quantifying specific agents or compositions in a patient's blood. For instance, glucose sensors are being developed for use in obtaining an indication of blood glucose levels in a diabetic patient. Such readings are useful in monitoring and/or adjusting a treatment regimen which typically includes the regular administration of insulin to the patient. Thus, blood glucose readings improve medical therapies with semi-automated medication infusion pumps of the external type, as generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,562,751; 4,678,408; and 4,685,903; or automated implantable medication infusion pumps, as generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,994, which are herein incorporated by reference. Typical thin film sensors are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,390,671; 5,391,250; 5,482,473; and 5,586,553 which are incorporated by reference herein. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,571.
Many of these glucose sensors utilize complex chemical structures and/or reactions that can degrade over time, if maintained under improper conditions. Since sensors may be stored for long periods of time after manufacture and prior to use, the sensors must be monitored frequently and maintained in areas with a carefully controlled environment. The monitoring of sensors is particularly difficult once the sensors have been sterilized and placed in packages. Often the only way to monitor the sensors is to pull a sample and remove it from a package. However, this destroys the sterility and results in waste. Also, monitoring sensors that have been shipped to a user are problematic or difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide an improved glucose sensor package system, which obviates for practical purposes, the above mentioned limitations.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a glucose sensor package system that includes a glucose sensor and a protective package that indicates proper exposure to sterilization or exposure to temperature changes to indicate proper temperature control. Also covered are methods of transporting and sterilizing the package. In addition, further embodiments of the glucose sensors are directed to the sizing and positioning of the electrodes on the glucose sensor.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a glucose sensor package system for storing and transporting a glucose sensor includes at least one glucose sensor, a protective package and at least one temperature exposure indicator. The protective package has an interior to hold the at least one glucose sensor in the interior of the protective package. The at least one temperature exposure indicator is used to determine if the protective package has been exposed to at least one exposure temperature relative to a predetermined threshold temperature value. In particular embodiments, the at least one exposure temperature is above the predetermined threshold temperature, and the at least one temperature exposure indicator indicates when there has been exposure to the at least one exposure temperature. For instance, the predetermined threshold temperature is 75° F. and the at least one exposure temperature exceeds 75° F., or the predetermined threshold temperature is 100° F. and the at least one exposure temperature exceeds 100° F. In other embodiments, the at least one exposure temperature is below the predetermined threshold temperature, and the at least one temperature exposure indicator indicates when there has been exposure to the at least one exposure temperature. For instance, the predetermined threshold temperature is 36° F. and the at least one exposure temperature is below 36° F.
In additional embodiments, the at least one temperature exposure indicator indicates when the at least one exposure temperature relative to the predetermined threshold temperature existed for a predetermined period of time. For instance, the predetermined period of time can be at least 10 minutes, or at least 60 minutes. In other embodiments, the period of time is established as a function of a magnitude of a difference between the at least one exposure temperature and the predetermined threshold temperature.
In particular embodiments, the at least one temperature exposure indicator is attached to the protective package. For instance, the at least one temperature exposure indicator may be attached to the interior of the protective package or an exterior of the protective package. In further embodiments, the at least one temperature exposure indicator is contained within the protective package, or attached to the glucose sensor. In preferred embodiments, the at least one temperature exposure indicator is a sticker. Other embodiments are directed to a method of transporting the glucose sensor in a package system.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a glucose sensor package system for storing and transporting a glucose sensor includes at least one glucose sensor, a protective package, and at least one temperature exposure indicator. The protective package has an interior within which the at least one glucose sensor is disposed, and an exterior. The at least one temperature exposure indicator has first and second states, of which the first state indicates that the protective package has not been exposed to at least one exposure temperature relative to a predetermined threshold temperature value, and the second state indicates that the protective package has been exposed to the at least one exposure temperature. The at least one temperature exposure indicator, in particular embodiments, is attached to the interior of the protective package or the exterior of the protective package, is contained within the protective package, or is attached to the glucose sensor.
In further particular embodiments, the glucose sensor package system includes a plurality of glucose sensors, each of which is enclosed within a separate package. The plurality of separately packaged glucose sensors in turn are disposed within the interior of the protective package. In more specific embodiments, the glucose sensor package system includes a plurality of the at least one temperature exposure indicators, each of which is attached to one of the separate packages.
In further embodiments, the glucose sensor package system includes a plurality of the at least one temperature exposure indicators, each of which provides an indication of exposure to at least one exposure temperature relative to a different predetermined threshold temperature value. These embodiments afford more precise indications of a maximum temperature to which the package system has been exposed.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method
Branch Kevin D.
Cabernoch James L.
Halili Edgardo C.
Mastrototaro John J.
McIvor K. Collin
Lacyk John P.
Minimed Inc.
Minimed Inc.
Natnithithadha Navin
LandOfFree
Glucose sensor package system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Glucose sensor package system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Glucose sensor package system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2874528