Analyte sensor

A medical sensing device for sensing an analyte, the device comprising:

• a case having a lower major wall adapted to be mounted against a skin of a patient, and an upper opposing major wall;
• a sensor extending from the case through an opening in the lower major wall, the sensor having a distal end sensitive to the analyte to produce an electrical signal, and a proximal end within the case having electrical contacts;
• a power unit disposed at a first end of the case;
• a T-shaped support mounted within the case having a cross arm extending transversely across the case, and a stem extending towards a second end of the case, the stem having a guide channel for the sensor from the opening in the lower major wall.

An apparatus for placing a medical device on a surface of a skin of a patient and inserting a medical filament extending from the medical device into the skin of the patient, comprising:

• a frame having a mouth for positioning against the skin during placement of the medical device, and an internal cavity for retention of the medical device prior to placement;
• the medical device having a surface adapted to be held against the skin of the patient and having the filament extending therefrom;
• a retractable needle extending through the medical device and carrying the filament;
• a striker holding the medical device and being axially movable within the frame from a first retracted position within the frame to a second position in which the surface of the medical device is presented at the mouth of the frame;
• a driver configured to urge the striker towards the second position;
• a releasable striker lock holding the striker in the first position;
• a plunger axially movable with respect to the frame in a direction towards the mouth, from a rest position to a firing position, the apparatus having a mechanism configured to release the striker lock when the plunger reaches the firing position, allowing the striker to move from the retracted to the second position.

An apparatus for placing a medical device on a surface of a skin of a patient and inserting a medical filament extending from the medical device into the skin of the patient, comprising:

• a frame having a mouth for positioning against the skin during placement of the medical device, and an internal cavity for retention of the medical device prior to placement;
• the medical device having a surface adapted to be held against the skin of the patient and having the filament extending therefrom;
• a retractable needle extending through the medical device and carrying the filament;
• a striker holding the medical device and being axially movable within the frame from a first retracted position within the frame to a second position in which the surface of the medical device is presented at the mouth of the frame;
• a plunger being axially movable with respect to the frame in a direction towards the mouth;
• wherein the striker has resilient snap arms engaging a perimeter of the medical device to releasably hold the medical device in the striker;
• and the frame has ribs which contact the snap arms when the striker is in the first position to increase the force needed to release the medical device from the striker.