Cover tape design for devices such as glucose sensors

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a skin adhesive patch designed to facilitate manipulation and alignment of a glucose sensing device when the device is adhered to its skin by a diabetic patient. Embodiments of the invention may be applicable to various medical components coupled to the skin of a patient, including insulin infusion devices, patch pumps, and integrated patch devices.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 549,373, filed on February 2, 2024, entitled "OVERTAPE DESIGNS FOR DEVICES SUCH AS GLUCOSE SENSORS", which is co - pending and co - assigned, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to medical devices, and more particularly to medical devices or products having sensors and transmitters and their associated components, including tapes / patches designed to adhere such devices to the skin. Background Art

[0004] Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Millions of people in the United States and around the world have been diagnosed with some form of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's inability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, in which the body does not use insulin properly. To effectively manage the disease, diabetic patients must closely monitor and manage their blood glucose levels through exercise, diet, and medication. In particular, both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients rely on insulin delivery and blood glucose monitoring to control their diabetes.

[0005] External infusion devices have been used to deliver drugs to patients, as generally described in U.S. Patents Nos. 6,554,798 and 6,551,276, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In addition to delivering drugs to patients, other medical devices have been used to determine body characteristics by obtaining samples of body fluids. Various implantable electrochemical sensors have been developed for detecting and / or quantifying specific substances or components in a patient's blood. For example, glucose sensors have been developed to obtain an indication of a diabetic patient's blood glucose level. Such readings are particularly useful in monitoring and / or adjusting treatment regimens that typically include the regular administration of insulin to a patient. Thus, blood glucose readings are particularly useful in improving medical therapies using external - type and / or implantable - type semi - automatic drug infusion pumps.

[0006] Monitoring blood glucose levels plays an integral role in the management and control of diabetes. Traditionally, finger stick measurements, glucose sensors, and monitors have been used to check the blood glucose levels of diabetic patients. In recent years, using the latest sensor technologies, continuous glucose monitoring systems have been developed that incorporate implantable and external sensors, as generally described in U.S. Patent No. 5,391,250, entitled "Method of Fabricating Thin Film Sensors," U.S. Patent No. 6,484,046, entitled "Electrochemical Analyte Sensor," and U.S. Patents Nos. 5,390,671, 5,568,806, and 5,586,553, entitled "Transcutaneous Sensor Insertion Set," which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The newer systems provide the accuracy of finger stick measurements and the convenience of not having to repeatedly puncture the skin to obtain glucose measurements. These newer systems provide the equivalent of over 200 finger stick readings per day. Additionally, continuous glucose monitoring systems allow doctors and patients to monitor their body's blood glucose trends and recommend and deliver insulin based on each patient's specific needs. Thus, doctors and medical device companies have been looking for more convenient ways to keep diabetic patients informed of their blood glucose levels throughout the day.

[0007] Thus, physiological characteristic (or analyte) sensors are generally available for detecting the analyte levels of patients. For example, thin film sensors can be used to obtain an indication of blood glucose levels and monitor the blood glucose levels of diabetic patients. In these cases, a portion of the glucose sensor is subcutaneously / transcutaneously positioned to be in direct contact with the patient's extracellular fluid. Glucose sensor readings can be particularly useful in adjusting treatment regimens that typically include the periodic administration of insulin to the patient.

[0008] A glucose sensor can be packaged and sold as a product that includes certain features or components that enable a patient to adhere to, position, and subcutaneously / transcutaneously implant the sensor. For example, a thin-film glucose sensor is typically subcutaneously / transcutaneously implanted using a guide needle that is packaged with the glucose sensor. The guide needle is used to pierce the patient's skin while introducing the sensor. Then, the guide needle is removed, leaving the sensor in the patient's skin, and the device is typically adhered to the patient using tape. Once the continuous glucose sensor is introduced, it is designed to monitor the patient's glucose concentration and generate a sensor signal representative of the glucose concentration. The continuous glucose sensor can use wireless data communication technology to transmit data indicating the blood glucose level to a receiving device, such as a portable infusion pump, a glucose monitoring device, etc. For example, the transmitted sensor signal can be used to generate a controller input for a controller to generate commands that affect the operation of a delivery system to infuse a liquid containing insulin into the patient's body.

[0009] Glucose sensing devices, etc., are typically adhered to the patient's skin using tape and / or a sticky patch. However, traditional sticky tape / patch designs are difficult for patients to operate, and patients can easily misapply them to the device and / or the skin. Misalignment and improper placement of continuous glucose monitoring devices on the skin can result in insufficient coverage and directly affect the patient's treatment duration. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for sticky tape and / or patch designs that can solve these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0010] As improved continuous glucose monitoring devices allow for longer wear durations, the importance of patients correctly placing and adhering these devices has significantly increased. The invention disclosed herein provides skin sticky patches having features designed to improve the ease of handling, alignment, application, and use of medical devices by patients.

[0011] As shown, various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are designed to facilitate the manipulation and alignment by diabetic patients when adhering a glucose sensing device to the patient's skin. The features of the sticky patch / cover tape disclosed herein enable a patient to easily manipulate and align these sticky patches / cover tapes onto a device, such as a continuous glucose monitoring transmitter. Exemplary features include sticky patches / cover tapes and liner elements designed to provide visual aids and / or tactile / sensory aids and / or grasping and other manipulation elements for the patient to facilitate correctly adhering the device to the patient's skin. In this case, the properly applied sticky patch / cover tape provides additional adhesion strength and protection during use to secure the device to the skin, which is particularly beneficial for the effectiveness / lifetime of the glucose sensor.

[0012] The invention disclosed herein has various embodiments, such as the adhesive patch shown in the figures. Embodiments of the invention include, for example, an adhesive patch comprising: a first flexible material layer adapted to contact the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first flexible material layer; and a central hole disposed on the adhesive patch, wherein the central hole is disposed at a position and the adhesive patch has a geometry that allows a user to use the central hole with a finger to manipulate the adhesive patch to align the adhesive patch with the surface of a medical device, so as to provide haptic feedback to the patient to locate the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are as Figures 1 to 8 shown.

[0013] Another embodiment of the invention is an adhesive patch comprising: a first flexible material layer adapted to contact the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first flexible material layer; and a plurality of geometric incisions disposed on the adhesive patch, wherein the plurality of geometric incisions are disposed at a position and the adhesive patch has a geometry that allows a user to use the geometric incisions with a finger to manipulate the adhesive patch to align the adhesive patch with the surface of a medical device, and / or the geometric incisions are disposed at a position that allows the surface of the medical device to be seen, so as to provide haptic and / or visual feedback to the patient to locate the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are as Figure 2 shown.

[0014] Another embodiment of the invention is an adhesive patch comprising: a first flexible material layer adapted to contact the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first flexible material layer; and an adhesive patch liner, wherein the adhesive patch liner is folded and / or includes a visual pattern and further includes a central liner incision patch that includes an incision cover and is disposed on the adhesive patch such that removing the central liner incision cover exposes a liner adhesive adapted to temporarily adhere to the surface of a medical device to align the adhesive patch with the surface of the medical device, so as to provide feedback to the patient to locate the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin. Optionally, the adhesive patch includes a folded liner disposed on the patch in a selected orientation to allow the patient to remove the liner after the adhesive patch is aligned with the medical device. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are as Figure 4 shown.

[0015] Another embodiment of the present invention is a sticky patch, which comprises: a first flexible material layer adapted to contact the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first flexible material layer; and a contour printed on the sticky patch, the position of the contour being adapted to align the contour with the surface of a medical device in a correct orientation, so as to provide feedback to the patient to orient the sticky patch to the surface of the medical device when the sticky patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin. Optionally, the sticky patch comprises an adhesive patch liner. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are as Figures 5 to 6 shown.

[0016] Another embodiment of the present invention is a sticky patch, which comprises: a first flexible material layer adapted to contact the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first flexible material layer; and a prefabricated structural feature or shape disposed on the sticky patch, wherein the prefabricated structural feature is configured to cooperate with the surface or feature of a medical device when the sticky patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are as Figure 7 shown.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sticky patch comprises one or more tongues, wherein the one or more tongues are disposed at a position, and the sticky patch has a geometric shape that allows a patient to manipulate the sticky patch with his or her finger when the sticky patch adheres a medical device to the patient's skin. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are as Figure 3 shown. In some embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises one or more tactile (e.g., texture elements) or visual features to enable the patient to manipulate and align the sticky patch when the sticky patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin. In some embodiments of the present invention, the sticky patch is perforated to allow the patient to remove a portion of the patch. In some embodiments of the present invention, the sticky patch comprises multiple adhesive components. In addition, some embodiments of the present invention further comprise a tool adapted to cooperate with the geometric shape of the sticky patch to assist the patient in alignment when the sticky patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are as Figure 8 shown.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device is a continuous glucose sensor. In some embodiments of the present invention, the patient can temporarily mount the sticky patch on a smart phone and then use the camera and application of the smart phone as a tool to help the patient align the sticky patch with the transmitter. In some embodiments, the sticky patch and the glucose transmitter can be deployed simultaneously, for example, by placing the sticky patch in a suitable device element (such as a locator).

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention include methods of manufacturing the adhesive patches disclosed herein, the methods including forming a patch to exhibit a group of elements disclosed herein (e.g., as in the embodiments shown in the figures). For example, one such embodiment includes a method of manufacturing an adhesive patch, the method including forming a patch that includes a first flexible material layer adapted to contact the skin; wherein the patch is formed to include: an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first flexible material layer; and a central hole disposed on the adhesive patch, wherein the central hole is disposed at a position and the adhesive patch has a geometry that allows a user to use the central hole with a finger to manipulate the adhesive patch to align the adhesive patch with the surface of a medical device, so as to provide haptic feedback to the patient to locate the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin.

[0020] Another embodiment of the present invention includes methods of sensing glucose, the methods including using an adhesive patch disclosed herein to place a glucose sensor on a diabetic patient; and using the glucose sensor to sense glucose. Optionally, the adhesive patch is worn by the patient for at least 10 days, at least 15 days, or at least 20 days. In some embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive patch is coupled to an insulin infusion device and / or an infusion pump. Optionally, the adhesive patch includes a therapeutic agent (e.g., a corticosteroid) disposed on the patch.

[0021] For those skilled in the art, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating some embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention includes all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 Drawings and photographs are provided showing exemplary embodiments of the skin adhesive patches of the present invention and systems using these patches. In this embodiment, the patch includes a central hole having various geometries to allow a patient to manipulate the adhesive patch with a finger and align the adhesive patch with the top surface of a medical device (e.g., a glucose sensor transmitter). These features allow the patient to locate and align the device surface through haptic perception.

[0023] Figure 2Illustrations and photographs are provided showing exemplary embodiments of the skin adhesive patches of the present invention and systems using these patches. In this embodiment, the patch includes one or more cutout geometries disposed on the patch to allow a patient to manipulate the skin adhesive patch with a finger and to align the skin adhesive patch by visually referencing the top surface of a medical device (e.g., a glucose sensor transmitter). These features utilize the patient's visual perception to locate a central hole having various geometries to allow the patient to manipulate the adhesive patch with a finger and to align the adhesive patch with the top surface of a medical device (e.g., a glucose sensor transmitter). These features allow the patient to locate and align the device surface through tactile and / or visual perception.

[0024] Figure 3 Illustrations and photographs are provided showing exemplary embodiments of the skin adhesive patches of the present invention and systems using these patches. In this embodiment, the patch includes one or more tabs designed to allow a patient to manipulate the skin adhesive patch with a finger during application of the skin adhesive patch.

[0025] Figure 4 Illustrations and photographs are provided showing exemplary embodiments of the skin adhesive patches of the present invention and systems using these patches. In this embodiment, the patch includes one or more patterned folding pads on the skin adhesive patch with a pad cutout in the middle exposing the skin adhesive patch. The exposed skin adhesive patch has an adhesive that allows temporary adhesion to the top surface of a medical device (e.g., a glucose sensor transmitter). The patterned pads simplify the alignment process by suspending the skin adhesive patch over the top surface of a medical device (e.g., a glucose sensor transmitter). The folding pads allow the patient to easily remove the pads after the skin adhesive patch is centered.

[0026] Figure 5 Illustrations and photographs are provided showing exemplary embodiments of the skin adhesive patches of the present invention and systems using these patches. In this embodiment, the adhesive patch has one or more contours designed to assist the patient in alignment while also allowing the skin adhesive patch to fully cover the top surface of a medical device (e.g., a glucose sensor transmitter).

[0027] Figure 6 Illustrations and photographs are provided showing exemplary embodiments of the skin adhesive patches of the present invention and systems using these patches. In this embodiment, the adhesive patch has one or more contours designed to assist the patient in alignment while also allowing the skin adhesive patch to fully cover the top surface of a medical device (e.g., a glucose sensor transmitter).

[0028] Figure 7Illustrations and photographs are provided showing exemplary embodiments of the skin adhesive patches of the present invention and systems using these patches. In this embodiment, the adhesive patch includes one or more preformed shapes on the skin adhesive patch to assist in alignment with a medical device (e.g., a glucose sensor transmitter) when applying the skin adhesive patch.

[0029] Figure 8 Illustrations and photographs are provided showing exemplary embodiments of the skin adhesive patches of the present invention and systems using these patches. In this embodiment, the adhesive patch is used in combination with a separate tool that is compatible with the skin adhesive patch design to assist in alignment during application. Detailed Description

[0030] In the description of the embodiments, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description, and in which, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced are shown. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Many of the techniques and procedures described or referenced herein are well understood and are often employed by those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise defined, all specialized terms, symbols, and other scientific terms used herein are intended to have the meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. In some cases, for clarity and / or ease of reference, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein, and the inclusion of these definitions herein should not necessarily be construed as representing a substantial difference from the commonly understood meaning in the art.

[0031] Throughout this disclosure, various publications, patents, and published patent specifications are cited by means of identifying citations or Arabic numerals, and the complete citations are seen before the claims. The disclosures of these publications, patents, and published patent specifications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this disclosure to more fully describe the state of the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0032] Adhesive patches are commonly used to attach medical components (such as glucose sensors and / or infusion devices) to a patient's skin. For example, glucose sensors and / or infusion devices are typically attached to the body of a diabetic wearer to monitor glucose levels and / or deliver insulin from an infusion pump to a subcutaneous site of the wearer's body. Medical components such as glucose sensors typically include a base and a sensor or cannula that is inserted into an internal body site of the wearer. In such devices, the base is typically attached to a patch that is attached to the wearer's body by an adhesive system so that the glucose sensor and / or other medical components can be removed and replaced regularly.

[0033] In the art, there are many variants of adhesive patches, but generally speaking, an adhesive patch includes a backing layer, an adhesive layer facing the wearer adjacent to the backing layer, and a release liner covering the adhesive to prevent the adhesive from being contaminated before use. The adhesive used for this purpose is usually commercially available already coated on the backing layer, and the adhesive is covered with a release liner.

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention include such adhesive patches adapted to couple a medical component (e.g., a glucose sensor, an infusion device, an infusion pump, etc.) to the skin of a patient. Embodiments of the present invention can be used with various medical components / devices, such as glucose sensors and / or insulin infusion devices and insulin pumps that diabetic patients typically wear. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention discussed herein, a continuous glucose monitor including a glucose sensor is used as an example of a medical component / device.

[0035] The invention disclosed herein has many embodiments. Embodiments of the present invention include, for example, an adhesive patch having a structure including a first flexible material layer adapted to contact the skin and an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first flexible material layer. In some embodiments, the adhesive component is adapted to adhere the first flexible material layer to the skin; and a therapeutic compound is operatively coupled to the adhesive patch such that when the first flexible material layer is adhered to the skin, the therapeutic compound is exposed to the skin, thereby inhibiting inflammation at the skin site where the adhesive patch is adhered.

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention include methods of manufacturing the adhesive patches as disclosed herein. The size of the adhesive patch is not critical and can be adapted according to conventional configurations in the art. The size of the patch can be a size known in the art, typically the diameter of the patch at its widest point is 1.5 to 2.5 inches, although this size is likewise not critical. The holes, through-holes, etc. passing through one or more layers can be of any shape, such as circular, depending on the requirements for receiving a sensor, cannula, hub, or other medical component. The adhesive patches disclosed herein can have additional elements, such as a tab adapted for a user to grasp to manipulate the patch.

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention also include methods of estimating the glucose concentration in the body, which include placing an adhesive patch coupled to a glucose sensor as disclosed herein on a diabetic patient; and using the glucose sensor to estimate the glucose concentration. Typically, in these methods, the adhesive patch is worn by the patient for at least 10 days, at least 15 days, or at least 20 days. Optionally, in these methods, the patch is coupled to an insulin infusion device and / or an infusion pump.

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention may use a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. Pressure-sensitive adhesives (“PSA”) based on polymers having acrylic or acrylate molecules are well known in the art and have been used in the medical device field for many years. Pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesives for the skin are typically made from compounds such as 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, or n-butyl acrylate. The polymers in such adhesives may be copolymerized with polar functional group monomers such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, N-vinylcaprolactam, or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (see Kenney, J.F., et al., “Medical-grade acrylic adhesives for skin contact.” Journal of Applied Polymer Science 45.2 (1992): 355-361). Other PSAs may be silicone-based. The selection of an appropriate PSA with the desired peel strength can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. Peel strength is a measure of how firmly the PSA adheres to the user's body and can be measured by various methods, such as measuring the force required to separate two reference surfaces adhered with the PSA. In some embodiments, the PSA is modified by directly adding one or more active agents, such as corticosteroids, to the PSA composition.

[0039] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described, as they may of course vary. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. In the description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Conclusion

[0041] The description of the embodiments of the present invention ends here. The foregoing description of one or more embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

Claims

1. An adhesive patch, comprising: a first layer of flexible material adapted for contacting the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first layer of flexible material; and a central hole positioned on the adhesive patch, wherein the central hole is positioned at a location and the adhesive patch has a geometric shape that allows a user to manipulate the adhesive patch using the central hole with a finger to align the adhesive patch with a surface of a medical device, thereby providing tactile feedback to the patient to locate the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin.

2. An adhesive patch, comprising: a first layer of flexible material adapted for contacting the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first layer of flexible material; and a plurality of geometric cutouts disposed on the adhesive patch, wherein the plurality of geometric cutouts are disposed in a position and the adhesive patch has a geometric shape that allows a user to manipulate the adhesive patch using the geometric cutouts with a finger to align the adhesive patch with a surface of a medical device, and / or the geometric cutouts are disposed in a position that allows the surface of the medical device to be viewed, thereby providing tactile and / or visual feedback to the patient to locate the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin.

3. An adhesive patch, comprising: a first layer of flexible material adapted for contacting the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first layer of flexible material; and An adhesive patch liner, wherein the adhesive patch liner is folded and / or includes a visual pattern and further includes a central liner cutout patch, the central liner cutout patch including a cutout cover and positioned over the adhesive patch such that removal of the central liner cutout cover exposes a liner adhesive adapted for temporary adherence to a surface of a medical device to align the adhesive patch with the surface of the medical device, thereby providing feedback to the patient to position the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin.

4. The adhesive patch according to claim 4, wherein The adhesive patch includes a folded backing positioned over the patch in a selected orientation to allow the patient to remove the backing after aligning the adhesive patch with the medical device.

5. An adhesive patch, comprising: a first layer of flexible material adapted for contacting the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first layer of flexible material; and A contour printed on the adhesive patch is positioned so that the contour is aligned with the surface of the medical device in the correct orientation, thereby providing feedback to the patient to position the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin.

6. The adhesive patch of claim 5, further comprising an adhesive patch liner.

7. An adhesive patch, comprising: a first layer of flexible material adapted for contacting the skin; an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first layer of flexible material; and Preformed structural features are disposed on the adhesive patch, wherein the preformed structural features are configured to mate with a surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the skin of a patient.

8. The adhesive patch according to claim 1, wherein The adhesive patch includes one or more tabs, wherein the one or more tabs are positioned in a position and the adhesive patch has a geometry that allows the patient to manipulate the adhesive patch with the patient's fingers as the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin.

9. The adhesive patch according to claim 1, wherein The device is a continuous glucose sensor.

10. The adhesive patch of claim 1, further comprising a tool adapted to cooperate with a geometry of the adhesive patch to assist the patient in aligning the medical device as the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin.

11. A method of making an adhesive patch, the method comprising forming a patch comprising a first layer of flexible material adapted to contact the skin; The patch is formed to include: an adhesive component operatively coupled to the first layer of flexible material; and a central hole positioned on the adhesive patch, wherein the central hole is positioned at a location and the adhesive patch has a geometric shape that allows a user to manipulate the adhesive patch using the central hole with a finger to align the adhesive patch with a surface of a medical device, thereby providing tactile feedback to the patient to locate the surface of the medical device when the adhesive patch adheres the medical device to the patient's skin.

12. A method for sensing glucose, the method comprising: placing a glucose sensor on a diabetic patient using the adhesive patch according to claim 1; as well as Glucose is sensed using the glucose sensor.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The adhesive patch is worn by the patient for at least 10 days, at least 15 days, or at least 20 days.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The patch is coupled to an insulin infusion set and / or an infusion pump.

15. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The adhesive patch includes a corticosteroid selectively patterned onto the patch.

16. A method for sensing glucose, the method comprising: placing a glucose sensor on a diabetic patient using the adhesive patch according to claim 1; as well as Glucose is sensed using the glucose sensor.

17. A method for sensing glucose, the method comprising: placing a glucose sensor on a diabetic patient using the adhesive patch according to claim 2; as well as Glucose is sensed using the glucose sensor.

18. A method for sensing glucose, the method comprising: placing a glucose sensor on a diabetic patient using the adhesive patch according to claim 3; as well as Glucose is sensed using the glucose sensor.

19. A method for sensing glucose, the method comprising: placing a glucose sensor on a diabetic patient using the adhesive patch according to claim 5; as well as Glucose is sensed using the glucose sensor.

20. A method for sensing glucose, the method comprising: placing a glucose sensor on a diabetic patient using the adhesive patch according to claim 7; as well as Glucose is sensed using the glucose sensor.

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