# US 2019/0167167 A1 · Guard rings for on-body analyte sensors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167167 A1 - Document ID: US20190167167A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/205,913 - Filed: 2018-11-30 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-05 - Assignees: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. - Applicants: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. - Inventors: Steven T. Mitchell; Frank David Fujimoto; Hyun Brian Cho - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167167A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/14503: {invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors (A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence)} - A61B 5/14546: {for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes} - A61B 5/683: {Means for maintaining contact with the body (A61B5/6802 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/6833: {Adhesive patches} - A61B 5/6849: {in combination with a needle set} - A61B 5/145: Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration or pH-value {; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid or cerebral tissue} (non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06) - A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement} - A61B 2560/0412: Low-profile patch shaped housings - A61B 2560/0443: Modular apparatus - A61B 2562/00: Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors - A61B 2562/02: Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements - A61B 2562/146: for optical coupling - A61B 2562/164: the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract On-body analyte sensors may be designed for extended wear to provide ongoing measurement of physiological analyte levels. However, on-body analyte sensors may be susceptible to damage or dislodgment during wear due to routine interactions that occur with one's surroundings. Guard rings may be adapted to protect on-body analyte sensors from such interactions. Guard rings may comprise an annular body comprising an inner perimeter face, an outer perimeter face, a top edge, and a bottom face adapted for contacting a tissue surface. The inner perimeter face is shaped to circumferentially surround a sensor housing of an on-body analyte sensor. At least a portion of the outer perimeter face defines a chamfered surface extending between the top face and the bottom face. Adhesive pads or strips may further be engaged with the guard rings and aid in securing the guard rings to a surface, such as skin. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A guard ring comprising: an annular body comprising an inner perimeter face, an outer perimeter face, a top face, and a bottom face, the bottom face being adapted for contacting a tissue surface; wherein the inner perimeter face is shaped to circumferentially surround a sensor housing adapted for adhering to the tissue surface, and at least a portion of the outer perimeter face defines a chamfered surface extending between the top face and the bottom face. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The guard ring of claim 1, wherein the guard ring is adapted to engage with one or more adhesive pads or strips for securing the guard ring upon the tissue surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The guard ring of claim 2, wherein the guard ring is adapted to receive the one or more adhesive pads or strips within at least a portion of the annular body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The guard ring of claim 3, further comprising: two or more slots extending between the outer perimeter face and the inner perimeter face, each slot being adapted to receive an adhesive strip. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The guard ring of claim 4, further comprising: an adhesive strip housed in each slot. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The guard ring of claim 3, further comprising: two or more notches defined in the top face and extending between the outer perimeter face and the inner perimeter face, each notch being adapted to receive an adhesive strip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The guard ring of claim 6, further comprising: an adhesive strip engaged with each notch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The guard ring of claim 6, wherein the two or more notches each comprise one or more tapered surfaces. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The guard ring of claim 8, wherein the one or more tapered surfaces have one or more rounded edges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The guard ring of claim 6, wherein the two or more notches each comprise a bottom surface having one or more rounded edges. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The guard ring of claim 6, further comprising: an insert piece coupled to the annular body within each notch, the insert piece being adapted to secure an adhesive strip to the notch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The guard ring of claim 11, wherein the insert piece is contiguous with the inner perimeter face, the outer perimeter face, and the top face of the guard ring when inserted in the notch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The guard ring of claim 11, further comprising: an adhesive strip engaged with each notch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The guard ring of claim 1, wherein the top face is a top edge defining an intersection between the inner perimeter face and the outer perimeter face. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The guard ring of claim 14, wherein the top edge is rounded. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The guard ring of claim 1, wherein the bottom face comprises one or more grooves extending between the inner perimeter face and the outer perimeter face. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The guard ring of claim 1, further comprising: one or more recesses defined in the inner perimeter face and extending between the top face and the bottom face. ### Claim 18 An in vivo analyte monitoring system comprising: a sensor housing containing a sensor module, the sensor housing being adapted for adhering to a tissue surface and at least a portion of the sensor module being adapted for penetrating the tissue surface; and a guard ring circumferentially surrounding the sensor housing, the guard ring comprising an annular body comprising an inner perimeter face, an outer perimeter face, a top face, and a bottom face; wherein at least a portion of the outer perimeter face defines a chamfered surface extending between the top face and the bottom face. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The in vivo analyte monitoring system of claim 18, wherein the sensor housing comprises a receptacle adapted to receive the sensor module and one or more grooves defined in a tissue-facing surface of the sensor housing, at least a portion of the one or more grooves extending between the receptacle and an outer perimeter edge of the sensor housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The in vivo analyte monitoring system of claim 19, wherein one or more grooves are defined in the bottom face of the guard ring.