Method and apparatus for insertion of a sensor

An insertion device comprising:

• a guidance structure having an exit port and adapted to provide axial support to a flexible analyte sensor wherein the stiffness of the flexible analyte sensor is about 1.4 to about 22.6 grams-force per millimeter of deflection for an unsupported length of 10 millimeters;
• and
• an injection activation device associated with the guidance structure, said injection activation device having:
• a mechanism adapted to apply a high speed motive force to the flexible analyte sensor such that, when the high speed motive force is applied, the flexible analyte sensor moves at least partially through the guidance structure and at least partially passes through the exit port to cause insertion of only the flexible analyte sensor into skin;
• and
• wherein the high speed motive force is such that a velocity of the flexible analyte sensor at a time of insertion is approximately 5 meters per second to approximately 15 meters per second, wherein the guidance structure is configured so that an unsupported length of the flexible analyte sensor is less than a buckling length of the flexible analyte sensor above which the flexible analyte sensor will buckle from application of the high speed motive force, and wherein the buckling length of the flexible analyte sensor is determined by a formula Pcr=π2*k/(3*L2), wherein Pcr is a value of the high speed motive force applied to the sensor, k is a stiffness of the flexible analyte sensor, and L is the unsupported length of the flexible analyte sensor.