Multi-purpose sensor applicator

Abstract

An applicator for sequentially applying a plurality of sensors to a user's body, the plurality of sensors housed within different containers. The applicator is configured to be inserted into each of the plurality of containers to engage a corresponding disc within each of the different containers and further engage a corresponding sharp within each of the containers. The applicator is configured to move a disc carrier within the applicator between a first position and a second position to insert and retract the sharp into and from the user's body while applying the sensor of the corresponding disc to the user's body. The applicator is further configured with an ejection button for ejecting the sharp after the sharp has been retracted from the user's body.

Description

[0001] Cross-citation of related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 548,277, entitled “Multipurpose Sensor Applicator,” filed November 13, 2023, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is an analyte sensing device that tracks a user's blood glucose levels. As used herein, the term "analyte" refers to the substance being analyzed. For example, if a CGM tracks glucose levels, glucose is considered the analyte.

[0004] "Glucose level" is often also referred to as "blood sugar" level. A CGM may include very small sensors that are at least partially inserted into or through the user's skin. Typically, a CGM will take new readings on a periodic basis, such as every selected number of minutes. A CGM includes a wireless transmitter that then sends the readings to a receiving device, such as a smartphone.

[0005] The detection and / or monitoring of analyte levels (such as glucose, ketones, lactate, oxygen, hemoglobin A1C, etc.) can be crucial for the health of individuals with diabetes. Patients with diabetes can experience complications including loss of consciousness, cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, and kidney disease. People with diabetes generally need to have their glucose levels monitored to ensure they remain within a clinically safe range, and this information can also be used to determine whether and / or when insulin is needed to lower their glucose levels, or when additional glucose is needed to raise their glucose levels.

[0006] A growing body of clinical data demonstrates a strong correlation between the frequency of glucose monitoring and glycemic control. Despite this correlation, many patients diagnosed with diabetes do not monitor their glucose levels as frequently as necessary due to a variety of factors, including convenience, test privacy, pain associated with glucose testing, and cost.

[0007] To improve patient adherence to frequent glucose monitoring plans, in vivo analyte monitoring systems (e.g., CGM as described above) can be used, where a sensor control device can be worn on the body of the individual requiring analyte monitoring. To increase personal comfort and convenience, the sensor control device can have a small form factor and can be assembled and applied by the individual using a sensor "applier".

[0008] The application process involves inserting at least a portion of the sensor (which senses the user's analyte level in bodily fluids located in a layer of the body) using an applicator or insertion mechanism, thereby bringing the sensor into contact with the bodily fluids. The sensor control device can also be configured to transmit analyte data to another device from which the individual or her healthcare provider (“HCP”) can examine the data and make treatment decisions.

[0009] Current sensors are typically worn for 8 to 14 days. After this period, the user will need to replace the previous sensor with a new one. While current sensors can be convenient for users, they generate a significant amount of waste, especially over longer periods, and particularly when the applicator used to insert the sensor is discarded after a single use. Therefore, there is a need for an improved type of sensor insertion applicator that is easy to use, does not generate a large amount of waste, and can sequentially apply multiple different sensors to the user's body before they must be discarded.

[0010] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations that address any shortcomings or operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided merely to illustrate an exemplary technical field in which some of the implementations described herein can be practiced. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In some aspects, an applicator is provided for sequentially applying a plurality of sensors, housed within different containers, to a user's body. The applicator is configured to insert into each of the plurality of containers to engage a corresponding disc within each of these different containers and further engage a corresponding sharps within each of these containers. The applicator is configured to move a disc carrier within the applicator between a first position and a second position to insert and retract a sharps into and from the user's body while the sensor of the corresponding disc is being applied to the user's body. The applicator is also configured with a eject button for ejecting the sharps after they have been retracted from the user's body.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an applicator for inserting a sensor into a user's body, the applicator comprising: a housing; an inner housing at least partially nested within the housing, the housing slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the housing can move relative to the inner housing from a first housing position to a second housing position; and a disc carrier at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the disc carrier can move relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, the disc carrier including one or more disc engagement arms for detachably engaging the disc during application of the disc to the user's body using the applicator. The sharps carrier is at least partially nested within and slidably engaged within the inner housing such that it can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position. The sharps carrier includes a hub retaining arm for removably engaging a sharps hub during application of a disc to a user's body using an applicator. The sharps carrier also includes a pop-out button, at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing. When the pop-out button is moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, it slidably engages with the sharps carrier. When the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, it bends the hub retaining arm of the sharps carrier away from the pop-out button.

[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a component comprising: an applicator for continuously applying a plurality of sensors to a user's body; and a plurality of containers, each of the plurality of containers containing different sensors among a plurality of sensors. The applicator includes: a housing; an inner housing at least partially nested within the housing, the housing slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the housing can move relative to the inner housing from a first housing position to a second housing position; and a disc carrier at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the disc carrier can move relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, the disc carrier including one or more disc engagement arms for use with the applicator. The device detachably engages the disc during application of the disc to the user's body; a sharps carrier, at least partially nested within and slidably engaged within the inner housing, such that the sharps carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position, the sharps carrier including a hub retaining arm for detachably engaging a sharps hub during application of the disc to the user's body using the applicator; and a pop-out button, at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing, which slidably engages with the sharps carrier when the pop-out button is moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, wherein when the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, the pop-out button bends the hub retaining arm of the sharps carrier away from the pop-out button.

[0014] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method for sequentially applying multiple sensors to a user's body using an applicator, the multiple sensors being housed in multiple separate containers, the multiple separate containers including at least a first container and a second container, the method comprising: inserting a disc carrier of the applicator into a first container including a first disc until the first disc carrier engages the first disc and a sharps carrier engages a first sharps contained within the first disc, and until the disc carrier moves from a second disc carrier position to a first disc carrier position, causing a drive spring of the applicator to be compressed; moving the housing of the applicator such that, when the applicator is positioned against the user's body, the drive spring becomes uncompressed, causing the disc carrier to be released from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, and further causing the sharps carrier to move the first sharps into the user's body; and during the application of the applicator... After the applicator is removed from its position against the user's body, press the eject button on the applicator to release the first sharps from the sharps carrier; insert the disc carrier of the applicator into the second container including the second disc until the disc carrier engages the second disc and the sharps carrier engages the second sharps contained within the second disc, and until the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position, compressing the drive spring of the applicator; move the housing of the applicator so that when the applicator is positioned against the user's body, and the drive spring is uncompressed, the disc carrier is released from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, and further causes the sharps carrier to move the second sharps into the user's body; and after removing the applicator from its position against the user's body, press the eject button on the applicator to release the second sharps from the sharps carrier.

[0015] Other features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practice of the teachings herein. The features and advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. The features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and the appended claims, or may be learned by practice of the invention as described below. Attached Figure Description

[0016] In order to describe how the above and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more specific description of the subject matter of the invention will be presented by reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are therefore not intended to be limiting in scope; the embodiments will be described and explained with additional features and details using the drawings, in which: Figure 1 An example architecture for acquiring and analyzing sensor data is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 An example of an analyte sensor in the form of a continuous glucose monitor is shown.

[0018] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Different examples of sensor containers are shown, which include a disc with a sensor and a sharp instrument for inserting the sensor into the user's body.

[0019] Figure 5 An applicator assembly including an applicator and a sensor container is shown.

[0020] Figure 6 Different states of the spring included in the applicator are shown.

[0021] Figures 7 to 15 Show Figure 5 Different views of the applicator and container components.

[0022] Figure 16 It shows the use of Figure 5 The flowchart shows how the applicator sequentially applies multiple sensors to the user's body in connection with related actions. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Generally, embodiments of this disclosure relate to applicators and methods of applying sensors to a user's body using an applicator. In some embodiments, as disclosed herein, a single applicator can be used to sequentially apply multiple different sensors previously housed in different sensor containers to a user's body.

[0024] Advantageously, the disclosed applicator is designed for repeated use or multiple sequential application of the sensor, thereby reducing the amount of waste generated.

[0025] The disclosed embodiments also include various electronic devices, such as “discs” (also known as “sensor control devices”). As used herein, the term “disc” refers to a component that is typically arranged on a user’s skin via an applicator and includes an analyte sensor.

[0026] These devices may include one or more sensors, analyte monitoring circuitry (e.g., analog circuitry), memory (e.g., for storing instructions), power supply, communication circuitry, transmitter, receiver, processor, and / or controller (e.g., for executing instructions), which can perform or facilitate the execution of any and all method steps. These sensor control device embodiments can be used and are capable of implementing those steps performed by the sensor control devices in any and all methods described herein.

[0027] Advantageously, the disclosed embodiments provide improved assembly and use of analyte sensor insertion devices (also referred to as "applicators") for use with in vivo analyte monitoring systems. Specifically, by configuring the applicator for multiple reuse, waste associated with discarding the applicator only after a single use can be reduced. This also advantageously reduces medical costs associated with manufacturing, transporting, and using these applicators.

[0028] Before describing these aspects of the implementation in detail, it is desirable to first describe instances of applicators that may exist, for example, within an in vivo analyte monitoring system, and instances of their operation, all of which can be used in conjunction with the implementations described herein.

[0029] Various types of in vivo analyte monitoring systems exist. For example, a "continuous analyte monitoring" system (or "continuous glucose monitoring" system) can continuously transmit data from a sensor control device to a reader device without, for example, automatically prompting according to a schedule. As another example, a "flash analyte monitoring" system (or "flash glucose monitoring" system, or simply a "flash" system) can transmit data from a sensor control device in response to a reader device scanning or requesting data, such as using near field communication (NFC) or radio frequency identification (RFID) protocols. In vivo analyte monitoring systems can also operate without the need for manual finger-prick calibration.

[0030] In vivo analyte monitoring systems can be distinguished from "ex vivo" systems that come into contact with biological samples outside the body (or "extracorporeal") and typically include a metering device with a port for receiving an analyte test strip carrying the user's bodily fluids, which can be analyzed to determine the user's blood glucose level.

[0031] An in vivo monitoring system may include a sensor that, when positioned inside the body, comes into contact with the user's bodily fluids and senses the levels of analytes contained therein. This sensor may be part of a sensor control unit located on the user's body and containing electronics and a power source for enabling and controlling analyte detection. The sensor control unit and variations thereof may also be referred to as a "sensor control unit," a "body electronics" device or unit, a "body" device or unit, or a "sensor data communication" device or unit, to name just a few.

[0032] In vivo monitoring systems may also include devices that receive sensed analyte data from sensor control devices and process and / or display the sensed analyte data to a user in any quantity or form. To name just a few, such devices and variations may be referred to as “handheld reader devices,” “reader devices” (or simply “readers”), “handheld electronics” (or simply “handheld devices”), “portable data processing” devices or units, “data receivers,” “receiver” devices or units (or simply “receivers”), or “remote” devices or units. Other devices such as personal computers have also been used with or incorporated into in vivo and in vitro monitoring systems.

[0033] Example Architecture

[0034] Having just described the various benefits and advantages offered by the disclosed implementations, we will now focus on... Figure 1 , Figure 1 An example architecture 100 that can be used to achieve the aforementioned benefits is shown. Architecture 100 is shown to include a server 105. As used herein, the term "server" refers to an automated program assigned the task of performing different actions based on input. In some cases, server 105 may be a deterministic service that operates fully and without randomization factors given a set of inputs. In other cases, server 105 may be or may include an artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) engine, such as ML engine 110. Using ML engine 110, server 105 can operate even in the face of a variety of different randomization factors.

[0035] As used herein, references to any type of ML or AI can include any type of ML algorithm or device, one or more convolutional neural networks, one or more multilayer neural networks, one or more recurrent neural networks, one or more deep neural networks, one or more decision tree models (e.g., decision trees, random forest trees, and gradient boosting trees), one or more linear regression models, one or more logistic regression models, one or more support vector machines (“SVM”), one or more AI devices, or any other type of intelligent computing system. Any amount of training data (and potentially refined later) can be used to train the ML algorithm to dynamically perform the disclosed operations.

[0036] In some implementations, server 105 is a cloud server (such as cloud 115) operating in a cloud environment. In some implementations, server 105 is a local server operating on a local device (e.g., sensor 130A, device 125, and / or any other device). In some implementations, server 105 is a hybrid server comprising a cloud component operating in cloud 115 and a local component operating on a local client device. These two components can communicate with each other.

[0037] Server 105 has tasks involving different operations, including collecting sensor data, analyzing the sensor data, and determining the impact of the sensor data on users associated with the sensor data. To this end, server 105 may include an analysis structure 120 capable of performing data analysis on the collected sensor data. In some embodiments, analysis structure 120 and ML engine 110 may be the same component.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, server 105 can communicate with device 125. Device 125 can be any type of personal device, including any type of wearable or mobile device. Examples of device 125 include, but are not limited to, any type of device reader, smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, wearable device (e.g., watch), etc. Device 125 is shown communicating with sensor 130A and further shown receiving sensor data 135 (including as part of a disc) from sensor 130A. Sensor 130A is the component that collects sensor data 135. In some cases, device 125 and sensor 130A may be implemented on the same device. Sensor 130A is applied to the user's body via applicator 130B. That is, applicator 130B applies the disc to the user's body, and the disc includes the sensor.

[0039] Sensor 130A can be any type of sensor. Specific examples of sensor 130A include CGM. CGM operates by inserting a small sensing unit under the skin. This sensing unit then measures the person's interstitial glucose levels. Typically, this sensing unit acquires new data at a periodic rate, such as once every selected number of minutes, although continuous data collection is also possible. This data is... Figure 1 The data is represented as sensor data 135.

[0040] Device 125 communicates with sensor 130A using any type of near-field wireless communication technology, such as Bluetooth. As a result, sensor data 135 is transmitted from sensor 130A to device 125 via this communication protocol. Server 105 can also communicate with device 125 via any type of wireless communication protocol. In some implementations, the communication protocol is Bluetooth. In some implementations, the protocol is Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC), and / or Internet Protocol (IP). Typically, device 125 transmits sensor data 135 to cloud 115, where it is then stored in a repository accessible to server 105.

[0041] In some implementations, the sensor data 135 is encrypted or otherwise protected for integrity to ensure that it is not tampered with. Furthermore, in some implementations, any personally identifiable information (P11) is stripped from the sensor data 135 before it is stored in the cloud 115.

[0042] Server 105 then uses its analysis architecture 120 and / or ML engine 110 to analyze sensor data 135. Server 105 generates output data 140 as a result of performing this analysis. In a scenario where sensor 130A is a CGM and sensor data 135 reflects the user's glucose level, output data 140 can reflect blood glucose insights, such as the user's blood glucose impact. Blood glucose impact typically refers to a patient's physical state relative to their blood glucose level. Figure 2 Here is another example.

[0043] Figure 2 It shows the representative Figure 1 Device 200 is a device 125. Device 200 (i.e., the disc) communicates with CGM 205, which represents sensor 130A. CGM 205 is currently attached to the user's arm and is tracking the user's glucose levels. Device 200 carries an application (or simply "app") 210. App 210 provides visualization of the tracked data (e.g., a graph or trace of glucose levels over a period of time).

[0044] Applicator features

[0045] Now, let's turn our attention to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 Different sensor containers 300, 340, and 350 are shown. These containers may be substantially the same and have a corresponding disc 320 and a sharps hub 330, a sharps hub connected to the disc, and a sensor integrally formed into the disc and having a distal end that is inserted into the user's body along with the sharps hub when the sharps are inserted and retracted.

[0046] As shown in the figure, the sensor container also includes a sealing cap, which in this configuration is shown as a threaded cap 360 that engages with the threads on the outer wall of the sensor container, as shown in the figure.

[0047] The sensor container also includes disc retainer teeth 375 that abut against the disc to form a frictional engagement for securing the disc within the container until the disc is removed from the disc carrier of the applicator (described in more detail below). The sensor container may also include disc alignment ribs 385 for alignment with corresponding slots or ribs of the applicator (not shown).

[0048] In some embodiments, the sensor container also includes a container pin 380, which can be used for latching in the bias applicator (e.g., Figure 7 The latch 705 locks the elements of the applicator in place until they are released by biasing the container pin 380 against the latch. For example, when the disc carrier of the applicator is inserted into the container, within these container walls to engage the disc (e.g., see before engagement). Figure 7 This bias occurs.

[0049] Now let's turn our attention to... Figures 5 to 15 These diagrams illustrate the different components of the applicator and sensor container (also simply referred to as the container or simply the container).

[0050] As shown in the figure, the applicator 500 includes an outer shell 505 and an inner shell 510. The inner shell is at least partially nested within the outer shell. The outer shell and the inner shell are slidably engaged so that the outer shell can move relative to the inner shell from a first outer shell position to a second outer shell position.

[0051] The applicator also includes a disc carrier 515, which is at least partially nested within and slidably engaged with the inner housing, such that the disc carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position. The disc carrier includes one or more disc engagement arms 905. Figure 9 The one or more disc engagement arms are used to detachably engage the disc 320 when the disc is applied to the user's body during use of the applicator.

[0052] The applicator also includes a sharps carrier 520 that is at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged within the inner housing such that the sharps carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position. The sharps carrier includes a hub retaining arm 535 for removably engaging a sharps hub during use of the applicator to apply the disc to the user's body.

[0053] The applicator also includes a pop-out button 536 or pop-out pin, which is at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing. When the pop-out button is moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, it slidably engages with the sharps carrier, wherein when the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, it causes the hub holding arm of the sharps carrier to bend away from the pop-out button. (See...) Figure 15 ).

[0054] The applicator also includes a drive spring 525 positioned between the inner housing and the disc carrier. The drive spring is configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the drive spring is not compressed or at least a relatively uncompressed state with a smaller degree of compression than the second state, and the second state including a compressed state in which the drive spring is compressed to a greater degree than the uncompressed state.

[0055] The applicator also includes a sharps retraction spring 530 positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier, the sharps retraction spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state comprising a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state comprising a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than the uncompressed state.

[0056] Figure 6 The different states of the spring are shown. It is worth noting that when the sharps carrier is in the first sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state (see...). Figure 14 And when the sharps carrier is in the second sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in the second and relatively uncompressed state (see...). Figure 11 As shown in the figure, the sharps carrier is positioned further away from the outer casing in the second sharps carrier position than the first disc carrier position.

[0057] Conversely, when the disk carrier is in the first disk carrier position, the drive spring is in the first state (see...). Figure 14 And when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, the drive spring is in the second and compressed state (see...). Figure 11 As shown in the figure, compared to the first disk carrier position, the disk carrier is further away from the outer casing in the second disk carrier position.

[0058] The disc carrier includes one or more disc carrier latches 540, and the inner housing includes one or more disc carrier latch engagement hooks 545, which are configured to engage the disc carrier latches to secure the disc carrier in a first disc carrier position when the drive spring is compressed.

[0059] The housing includes a firing pin 550 positioned to be biased against a disc carrier latch engagement hook such that when the disc carrier is in a first disc carrier position, the disc carrier latch engagement hook bends and releases engagement with the disc carrier latch, and when the drive spring is decompressed from a compressed state to a relatively uncompressed state, the disc carrier can move to the second disc carrier position in response to the force generated by the drive spring.

[0060] Figure 7The diagram illustrates the initial insertion of the applicator's inner housing into the sensor container. When the inner housing is fully inserted, the container pin 380 biases against the interior portion of the disc carrier housing latch 705, which is attached to the disc carrier, and releases the disc carrier from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position. During this transition, as previously described, the drive spring and the sharps return spring are compressed.

[0061] Figure 8 An applicator inner housing is shown, which is fully inserted into the container to move the disc carrier to a first disc carrier position, during which the disc carrier engages the disc.

[0062] Figure 9 The bottom of the applicator for removing the sensor cover is shown, wherein the disc 320 is held in place by the disc engagement arm 905 of the disc carrier.

[0063] Figure 10 Another view of the disc carrier housing latch 705 is shown before the disc carrier housing latch bends inward toward the sharps carrier when the inner housing of the applicator is inserted into the container and the container pin 380 is forced to bend upward against the housing latch 705.

[0064] like Figure 11 As shown, the applicator and the sharps carrier also include one or more torsion spring members 1105, which are positioned on the outer surface of the sharps carrier and extend toward the housing away from the sharps carrier. Each torsion spring member is configured to rotate during engagement with the inner arm 1110 of the disc carrier as the disc carrier moves from a second disc carrier position to a first disc carrier position. See, for example... Figures 11 to 13 Progress.

[0065] As shown, each torsion spring member is configured to bias against the corresponding enlarged end of the disc carrier arm when the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state, so as to releasably hold the sharps carrier in a first position closer to the external applicator housing.

[0066] Then, as the disc carrier moves from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, the disc carrier arm will bend away from the torsion spring member (bending not shown).

[0067] Figure 14The applicator assembly is shown when the applicator has engaged the disc and removed the disc, sharps hub, and sharps from the corresponding sensor container. In this position (first carrier position and first sharps carrier position), the applicator is ready to apply the sensor to the user's body. In some cases, the sensor has a tail or distal end that penetrates the sharps 390. The sensor (sensor tail) then remains in the user's body as the sharps are inserted into and then retracted. The sensor can be held in place by adhesive on the back of the disc, which also remains on the user's body during this application process.

[0068] Specifically, when the outer casing is pressed downwards against the user's body (the inner casing of the applicator abuts against and positions the body, not shown), the firing pin releases the disc carrier under the force of the drive spring to drive it into the second disc carrier position, while the sharps carrier moves into the second sharps carrier position and inserts the sharps into the user's body. Then, the sharps carrier retracts back to the first sharps carrier position under the force of the sharps retraction spring.

[0069] Once the sensor is applied, the sharpener can be removed and the applicator can be reused to apply different / second sensors from different containers, as just described regarding the first / previously mentioned sensor.

[0070] Specifically, Figure 15 This illustrates how the pop-up pin / button 536 can be pressed, pushed, or otherwise moved from its non-retracted position. Figure 5 (As shown in the diagram) Move to the sharps retracted position, wherein when the eject button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, the eject button bends the hub retaining arm 1505 of the sharps carrier away from the eject button. This releases the hub retaining arm away from the sharps hub, allowing the sharps hub and the attached sharps to be discarded.

[0071] When the pop-out button 536 is no longer pressed, it will be forced back to the non-retracted position by a spring (not shown) or by manually inserting an object against the distal end of the pop-out button. Figure 5 ).

[0072] exist Figure 16 Flowchart 1600 illustrates some actions associated with this process. As shown, these actions correspond to a method of continuously applying multiple sensors to a user's body using an applicator, the multiple sensors being housed in multiple separate containers, including at least a first container and a second container. The applied sensors may include transdermal sensors and may be any type of analyte sensor, including but not limited to glucose sensors. The applicator and containers referred to may be those described in the above and below numbered clauses.

[0073] As shown, the illustrated action includes inserting the applicator disc carrier into a first container including a first disc until the first disc carrier engages the first disc and the sharps carrier engages a first sharps contained in the first disc, and until the disc carrier moves from a second disc carrier position to a first disc carrier position to compress the applicator drive spring (action 1605).

[0074] The actions shown also include the following actions: moving the outer shell of the applicator, and when the applicator is positioned against the user's body, the drive spring becomes uncompressed, releasing the disc carrier from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, and further moving the sharps carrier to move the first sharps into the user's body (action 1610).

[0075] Then, after removing the applicator from its position against the user's body, the method includes pressing a pop-out button on the applicator to release the first sharp object from the sharp object carrier (action 1615).

[0076] The method then includes inserting the disc carrier of the applicator into a second container including a second disc until the disc carrier engages the second disc and the sharps carrier engages a second sharps contained in the second disc, and until the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position, such that the drive spring of the applicator is compressed (action 1620).

[0077] The method then includes: moving the outer casing of the applicator, wherein when the applicator is positioned against the user's body, the drive spring becomes uncompressed, releasing the disc carrier from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, and further causing the sharps carrier to move the second sharps into the user's body (action 1625); and after removing the applicator from its position against the user's body, pressing a pop-out button on the applicator to release the second sharps from the sharps carrier (action 1630).

[0078] Numbering Clauses

[0079] The invention may also be described according to the following numbered clauses.

[0080] Clause 1. An applicator for inserting a sensor into a user's body, the applicator comprising: a housing; an inner housing at least partially nested within the housing, the housing slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the housing can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first housing position to a second housing position; a disc carrier at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the disc carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, the disc carrier including one or more disc engagement arms for detachably engaging the disc during application of the disc to the user's body using the applicator; and a sharps carrier, the sharps... The carrier is at least partially nested within and slidably engaged within the inner housing, such that the sharps carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position. The sharps carrier includes a hub retaining arm for detachably engaging the sharps hub during application of a disc to the user's body using an applicator; and a pop-out button, at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing, which slidably engages with the sharps carrier when the pop-out button is moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, wherein when the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, the pop-out button bends the hub retaining arm of the sharps carrier away from the pop-out button.

[0081] Clause 2. The applicator according to Clause 1 also includes a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier, the sharps retraction spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

[0082] Clause 3. The applicator according to Clause 1 further includes a drive spring positioned between the inner housing and the disc carrier, the drive spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the drive spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the drive spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

[0083] Clause 4. The applicator according to Clause 3 further includes a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier and at least partially within the drive spring, the sharps retraction spring configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

[0084] Clause 5. The applicator according to Clause 4, wherein when the sharps carrier is in the first sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a first and compressed state, and when the sharps carrier is in the second sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a second and relatively uncompressed state, the sharps carrier being positioned in the second sharps carrier position closer to the housing than in the first disc carrier position.

[0085] Clause 6. The applicator according to Clause 4, wherein when the disc carrier is in the first disc carrier position, the drive spring is in a first state, and when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, the drive spring is in a second and compressed state, the disc carrier being positioned in the first disc carrier position closer to the housing than in the second disc carrier position.

[0086] Clause 7. The applicator according to Clause 6 includes a disk carrier latch and an inner housing including a disk carrier latch engagement hook, the disk carrier latch engagement hook being configured to engage the disk carrier latch to secure the disk carrier in a first disk carrier position when the drive spring is compressed.

[0087] Clause 8. The applicator according to Clause 7 includes a firing pin positioned to bias against a disc carrier latch engagement hook such that when the disc carrier is in a first disc carrier position, the disc carrier latch engagement hook bends and releases engagement with the disc carrier latch, and enables the disc carrier to move to a second disc carrier position in response to a force generated by the drive spring when the drive spring is decompressed from a compressed state to a relatively uncompressed state.

[0088] Clause 9. The applicator according to Clause 4 further includes at least one torsion spring member, the at least one torsion spring member being positioned on the outer surface of the sharps carrier and extending toward the housing away from the sharps carrier, the at least one torsion spring member being configured to rotate during engagement with the inner arm of the disc carrier as the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position.

[0089] Clause 10. According to the applicator of Clause 9, the torsion spring member is further configured to bias against the enlarged end of the disc carrier arm when the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state, for releasably holding the sharps carrier in a first position closer to the applicator housing.

[0090] Clause 11. The applicator according to Clause 10, wherein, as the disc carrier moves from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, the disc carrier arm bends away from the torsion spring member.

[0091] Clause 12. The applicator according to Clause 4, wherein the disc carrier further includes a disc carrier housing latch, which is biased into a groove formed in the inner housing of the applicator when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, and is configured to bend inward toward the sharps carrier through the container pin of the container when the inner housing of the applicator and the disc carrier are inserted into a container receiving a container pin.

[0092] Clause 13. The applicator pursuant to Clause 12 is part of an assembly that also includes a container, the container comprising a disc and a sealing cap that removably seals the disc within the container until the sealing cap is removed from the container.

[0093] Clause 14. The applicator according to Clause 13, wherein the container further includes a container outer wall, the dimensions of which are determined to fit around the periphery of the disc carrier and the applicator housing, and to slidably engage with the applicator housing when the applicator housing is inserted into the container, so as to engage the disc using the disc carrier.

[0094] Clause 15. Applicator pursuant to Clause 13, wherein the sealing cap includes a threaded cap.

[0095] Clause 16. The applicator according to Clause 13, wherein the disc includes a sensor, and wherein the container further includes a sharps with a sharps hub, wherein the sharps are at least partially inserted into the disc when the sealing cap is positioned on the container to seal the disc inside the container.

[0096] Clause 17. The applicator according to Clause 16, wherein the sensor includes a transdermal glucose sensor.

[0097] Clause 18. An assembly comprising: an applicator for sequentially applying a plurality of sensors to a user's body; and a plurality of containers, each of the plurality of containers containing different sensors among the plurality of sensors, the applicator comprising: a housing; an inner housing at least partially nested within the housing, the housing being slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the housing is movable relative to the inner housing from a first housing position to a second housing position; a disc carrier at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the disc carrier is movable relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, the disc carrier including one or more disc engagement arms for applying the disc to the user using the applicator. The device includes: a disc removably engaged during application to the user's body; a sharps carrier at least partially nested within and slidably engaged within the inner housing such that the sharps carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position, the sharps carrier including a hub retaining arm for removably engaging a sharps hub during application of the disc to the user's body using an applicator; and a pop-out button at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing, the pop-out button slidably engaging with the sharps carrier when moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, wherein when the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, the pop-out button bends the hub retaining arm of the sharps carrier away from the pop-out button.

[0098] Clause 19. The applicator further includes a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier, the sharps retraction spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

[0099] Clause 20. The applicator further includes a drive spring positioned between the inner housing and the disc carrier, the drive spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the drive spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the drive spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

[0100] Clause 21. According to the components of Clause 20, the applicator further includes a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier and at least partially within the drive spring, the sharps retraction spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the compression of the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

[0101] Clause 22. The component according to Clause 21, wherein when the sharps carrier is in the first sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a first and compressed state, and when the sharps carrier is in the second sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a second and relatively uncompressed state, the sharps carrier being positioned in the second sharps carrier position closer to the housing than in the first disc carrier position.

[0102] Clause 23. The component according to Clause 21, wherein when the disc carrier is in the first disc carrier position, the drive spring is in a first state, and when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, the drive spring is in a second and compressed state, the disc carrier being positioned in the first disc carrier position closer to the housing than in the second disc carrier position.

[0103] Clause 24. According to the components of Clause 23, the disc carrier includes a disc carrier latch, and the inner housing includes a disc carrier latch engagement hook, the disc carrier latch engagement hook being configured to engage the disc carrier latch to secure the disc carrier in a first disc carrier position when the drive spring is compressed.

[0104] Clause 25. According to the components of Clause 24, the housing includes a firing pin positioned to bias against a disc carrier latch engagement hook such that when the disc carrier is in a first disc carrier position, the disc carrier latch engagement hook bends and releases engagement with the disc carrier latch, and enables the disc carrier to move to a second disc carrier position in response to a force generated by the drive spring when the drive spring is decompressed from a compressed state to a relatively uncompressed state.

[0105] Clause 26. The components according to Clause 21 further include at least one torsion spring member, the at least one torsion spring member being positioned on the outer surface of the sharps carrier and extending toward the housing away from the sharps carrier, the at least one torsion spring member being configured to rotate during engagement with the inner arm of the disc carrier as the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position.

[0106] Clause 27. According to the components of Clause 26, the torsion spring member is further configured to bias against the enlarged end of the disc carrier arm when the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state, for releasably holding the sharps carrier in a first position closer to the applicator housing.

[0107] Clause 28. The component according to Clause 27, wherein, when the disc carrier moves from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, the disc carrier arm bends away from the torsion spring member.

[0108] Clause 29. The components according to Clause 21, wherein the disc carrier further includes a disc carrier housing latch, which, when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, is biased into a groove formed in the applicator inner housing, and is configured to bend inward toward the sharps carrier through the container pin of the container when the applicator inner housing and the disc carrier are inserted into a container receiving a container pin.

[0109] Clause 30. According to the components of Clause 29, each of the plurality of containers includes a corresponding disc and a corresponding sealing cap, the corresponding sealing cap removably sealing the corresponding disc within the corresponding container until the corresponding sealing cap is removed from the corresponding container.

[0110] Clause 31. The components according to Clause 30, wherein each of the plurality of containers further includes a container outer wall, the container outer wall being sized to fit around the periphery of the disc carrier and the applicator housing, and being slidably engaged with the applicator housing when the applicator housing is inserted into the container outer wall to engage the corresponding disc using the disc carrier.

[0111] Clause 32. Components pursuant to Clause 30, wherein the corresponding sealing cap includes a threaded cap.

[0112] Clause 33. The components according to Clause 30, wherein each container's corresponding disc includes a sensor, and wherein each container also includes a corresponding sharps with a corresponding sharps hub, wherein when the corresponding sealing cap is positioned on the corresponding container for sealing the corresponding disc within the corresponding container, the corresponding sharps are at least partially inserted into the corresponding disc.

[0113] Clause 34. The components pursuant to Clause 33 include a transdermal glucose sensor.

[0114] Clause 35. A method for sequentially applying a plurality of sensors to a user's body using an applicator, wherein the plurality of sensors are housed in a plurality of separate containers, the plurality of separate containers including at least a first container and a second container, the method comprising: inserting a disc carrier of the applicator into a first container including a first disc until the first disc carrier engages the first disc and a sharps carrier engages a first sharps contained within the first disc, and until the disc carrier moves from a second disc carrier position to a first disc carrier position, causing a drive spring of the applicator to be compressed; moving a housing of the applicator such that, when the applicator is positioned against the user's body, the drive spring is uncompressed, the disc carrier is released from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, and further causes the sharps carrier to move the first sharps into the user's body; and, upon applying the applicator... After removing the applicator from its position against the user's body, press the eject button on the applicator to release the first sharp object from the sharp object carrier; insert the applicator's disc carrier into the second container including the second disc until the disc carrier engages the second disc and the sharp object carrier engages the second sharp object contained within the second disc, and until the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position, compressing the applicator's drive spring; move the applicator's housing so that when the applicator is positioned against the user's body, and the drive spring is uncompressed, the disc carrier is released from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, and further, the sharp object carrier moves the second sharp object into the user's body; and after removing the applicator from its position against the user's body, press the eject button on the applicator to release the second sharp object from the sharp object carrier.

[0115] Clause 36. The applicator according to the method of Clause 35 comprises: a housing; an inner housing at least partially nested within the housing, the housing and the inner housing being slidably engaged such that the housing is movable relative to the inner housing from a first housing position to a second housing position; a disc carrier at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the disc carrier is movable relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, the disc carrier including one or more disc engagement arms for detachably engaging the first and second discs during application of the disc to the user's body using the applicator; and a sharps carrier at least partially nested within the inner housing. Nested within and slidably engaged within the inner housing, such that a sharps carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position, the sharps carrier includes a hub retaining arm for detachably engaging the hubs of the first and second sharps during application of a disc to the user's body using an applicator; and a pop-out button, at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing, which slidably engages with the sharps carrier when the pop-out button is moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, wherein when the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, the pop-out button bends the hub retaining arm of the sharps carrier away from the pop-out button.

[0116] Clause 37. According to the method of Clause 36, the applicator further includes a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier, the sharps retraction spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is compressed to a greater degree than in the uncompressed state.

[0117] Clause 38. According to the method of Clause 37, the applicator further includes a drive spring positioned between the inner housing and the disc carrier, the drive spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the drive spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the drive spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

[0118] Clause 39. The method according to Clause 38 further includes a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier and at least partially within the drive spring, the sharps retraction spring configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

[0119] Clause 40. The method according to Clause 39, wherein when the sharps carrier is in the first sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a first and compressed state, and when the sharps carrier is in the second sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a second and relatively uncompressed state, the sharps carrier in the second sharps carrier position being positioned closer to the housing than in the first disc carrier position.

[0120] Clause 41. According to the method of Clause 39, when the disc carrier is in the first disc carrier position, the drive spring is in a first state, and when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, the drive spring is in a second and compressed state, wherein the disc carrier is positioned in the first disc carrier position closer to the housing than in the second disc carrier position.

[0121] Clause 42. According to the method of Clause 41, the disc carrier includes a disc carrier latch, and the inner housing includes a disc carrier latch engagement hook, the disc carrier latch engagement hook being configured to engage the disc carrier latch to secure the disc carrier in a first disc carrier position when the drive spring is in a compressed state.

[0122] Clause 43. According to the method of Clause 42, the housing includes a firing pin positioned to bias against a disc carrier latch engagement hook such that when the disc carrier is in a first disc carrier position, the disc carrier latch engagement hook bends and releases engagement with the disc carrier latch, and enables the disc carrier to move to a second disc carrier position in response to a force generated by the drive spring when the drive spring is decompressed from a compressed state to a relatively uncompressed state.

[0123] Clause 44. The method according to Clause 39 further includes at least one torsion spring member positioned on the outer surface of the sharps carrier and extending toward the housing away from the sharps carrier, the at least one torsion spring member being configured to rotate during engagement with the inner arm of the disc carrier as the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position.

[0124] Clause 45. According to the method of Clause 44, the torsion spring member is further configured to bias against the enlarged end of the disc carrier arm when the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state, for releasably holding the sharps carrier in a first position closer to the applicator housing.

[0125] Clause 46. The method according to Clause 45, wherein, as the disc carrier moves from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, the disc carrier arm bends away from the torsion spring member.

[0126] Clause 47. The method according to Clause 39, wherein the disc carrier further includes a disc carrier housing latch, which, when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, is biased into a groove formed in the inner housing of the applicator, and when the inner housing of the applicator and the disc carrier are inserted into a container receiving a container pin, the disc carrier housing latch is configured to bend inward toward the sharps carrier through the container pin of the container.

[0127] Clause 48. According to the method of Clause 47, each of the plurality of containers includes a corresponding disc and a corresponding sealing cap, the corresponding sealing cap removably sealing the corresponding disc within the corresponding container until the corresponding sealing cap is removed from the corresponding container.

[0128] Clause 49. The method according to Clause 48, wherein each of the plurality of containers further includes a container outer wall, the container outer wall being sized to fit around the periphery of the disc carrier and the applicator housing, and being slidably engaged with the applicator housing when the applicator housing is inserted into the container outer wall, so as to engage the disc using the disc carrier.

[0129] Clause 50. The method according to Clause 48, wherein the corresponding sealing cap includes a threaded cap.

[0130] Clause 51. The method according to Clause 48, wherein each container's corresponding disc includes a sensor, and wherein each container also includes a corresponding sharps with a corresponding sharps hub, wherein when a corresponding sealing cap is positioned on the corresponding container for sealing the corresponding disc within the corresponding container, the corresponding sharps are at least partially inserted into the corresponding disc.

[0131] Clause 52. The method according to Clause 51, wherein the corresponding sensor includes a transdermal glucose sensor.

[0132] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. Therefore, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and not by the foregoing description. All variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are included within their scope.

Claims

1. An applicator for inserting a sensor into a user's body, the applicator comprising: outer shell; An inner housing, at least partially nested within an outer housing, the outer housing being slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the outer housing can move relative to the inner housing from a first outer housing position to a second outer housing position; A disc carrier, the disc carrier being at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the disc carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, the disc carrier including one or more disc engagement arms for detachably engaging the disc during application of the disc to a user's body using the applicator; A sharps carrier, which is at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged within the inner housing, such that the sharps carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position, the sharps carrier including a hub retaining arm for detachably engaging the sharps hub during application of the disc to the user's body using the applicator. as well as A pop-out button, which is at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing, slidably engages with the sharps carrier when the pop-out button is moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, wherein when the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, the pop-out button causes the hub retaining arm of the sharps carrier to bend away from the pop-out button.

2. The applicator of claim 1 further includes a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier, the sharps retraction spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

3. The applicator of claim 1 further includes a drive spring positioned between the inner housing and the disc carrier, the drive spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the drive spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the drive spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

4. The applicator of claim 3, further comprising a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier and at least partially within the drive spring, the sharps retraction spring configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

5. The applicator according to claim 4, wherein, When the sharps carrier is in the first sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a first and compressed state, and when the sharps carrier is in the second sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a second and relatively uncompressed state. The sharps carrier is positioned in the second sharps carrier position closer to the housing than it is in the first disc carrier position.

6. The applicator according to claim 4, wherein, When the disk carrier is in the first disk carrier position, the drive spring is in a first state, and when the disk carrier is in the second disk carrier position, the drive spring is in a second and compressed state. The disk carrier is positioned closer to the outer casing in the first disk carrier position than it is in the second disk carrier position.

7. The applicator according to claim 6, wherein the disc carrier includes a disc carrier latch, the inner housing includes a disc carrier latch engagement hook, the disc carrier latch engagement hook being configured to engage the disc carrier latch to secure the disc carrier in the first disc carrier position when the drive spring is in the compressed state.

8. The applicator of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a firing pin positioned to bias against the disc carrier latch engagement hook, such that the disc carrier can move to the second disc carrier position in response to a force generated by the drive spring when the drive spring is decompressed from the compressed state to the relatively uncompressed state.

9. The applicator of claim 4, wherein the sharps carrier further comprises at least one torsion spring member positioned on the outer surface of the sharps carrier and extending toward the housing away from the sharps carrier, the at least one torsion spring member being configured to rotate during engagement with the inner arm of the disc carrier as the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position.

10. The applicator of claim 9, wherein the torsion spring member is further configured to bias against the enlarged end of the disc carrier arm when the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state, for releasably holding the sharps carrier in a first position closer to the applicator housing.

11. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein, When the disc carrier moves from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, the disc carrier arm bends away from the torsion spring member.

12. The applicator according to claim 4, wherein, The disc carrier also includes a disc carrier housing latch, which is biased into a groove formed in the inner housing of the applicator when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, and is configured to bend inward toward the sharps carrier through the container pin when the inner housing of the applicator and the disc carrier are inserted into a container receiving a container pin.

13. The applicator of claim 12, wherein the applicator is part of an assembly further comprising the container, the container including the disc and a sealing cap, the sealing cap removably sealing the disc within the container until the sealing cap is removed from the container.

14. The applicator according to claim 13, wherein, The container also includes an outer wall sized to fit around the periphery of the disc carrier and the applicator housing, and to slidably engage with the applicator housing when inserted into the container, so as to engage the disc using the disc carrier.

15. The applicator according to claim 13, wherein, The sealing cap includes a threaded cap.

16. The applicator according to claim 13, wherein, The disc includes a sensor, and the container further includes a sharps with the sharps hub, wherein the sharps are at least partially inserted into the disc when the sealing cap is positioned on the container to seal the disc inside the container.

17. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein, The sensor includes a transdermal glucose sensor.

18. A component comprising: An applicator used to sequentially apply multiple sensors to a user's body; and multiple containers, each of which contains a different sensor from the multiple sensors. The applicator includes: outer shell; An inner housing, at least partially nested within an outer housing, the outer housing being slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the outer housing can move relative to the inner housing from a first outer housing position to a second outer housing position; A disc carrier, which is at least partially nested within and slidably engaged with the inner housing, such that the disc carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, the disc carrier including one or more disc engagement arms for detachably engaging the disc during application of the disc to a user's body using the applicator; A sharps carrier, at least partially nested within and slidably engaged within the inner housing, such that the sharps carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position, the sharps carrier including a hub retaining arm for detachably engaging a sharps hub during application of the disc to a user's body using the applicator; and A pop-out button, which is at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing, slidably engages with the sharps carrier when the pop-out button is moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, wherein when the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, the pop-out button causes the hub retaining arm of the sharps carrier to bend away from the pop-out button.

19. The component of claim 18, further comprising a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier, the sharps retraction spring configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

20. The component of claim 18, wherein the applicator further comprises a drive spring positioned between the inner housing and the disc carrier, the drive spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state comprising a relatively uncompressed state in which the drive spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state comprising a compressed state in which the drive spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

21. The component of claim 20, further comprising a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier and at least partially within the drive spring, the sharps retraction spring configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state including a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed than in the second state, the second state including a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

22. The component of claim 21, wherein, When the sharps carrier is in the first sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a first and compressed state, and when the sharps carrier is in the second sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in a second and relatively uncompressed state. The sharps carrier is positioned in the second sharps carrier position closer to the housing than it is in the first disc carrier position.

23. The component of claim 21, wherein, When the disk carrier is in the first disk carrier position, the drive spring is in a first state, and when the disk carrier is in the second disk carrier position, the drive spring is in a second and compressed state. The disk carrier is positioned closer to the outer casing in the first disk carrier position than it is in the second disk carrier position.

24. The component of claim 23, wherein the disk carrier includes a disk carrier latch, the inner housing includes a disk carrier latch engagement hook, the disk carrier latch engagement hook being configured to engage the disk carrier latch to secure the disk carrier in the first disk carrier position when the drive spring is in the compressed state.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the housing includes a firing pin positioned to bias against the disk carrier latch engagement hook such that when the disk carrier is in the first disk carrier position, the disk carrier latch engagement hook bends and releases engagement with the disk carrier latch, and enables the disk carrier to move to the second disk carrier position in response to a force generated by the drive spring when the drive spring is decompressed from the compressed state to the relatively uncompressed state.

26. The component of claim 21, wherein the sharps carrier further comprises at least one torsion spring member positioned on the outer surface of the sharps carrier and extending toward the housing away from the sharps carrier, the at least one torsion spring member being configured to rotate during engagement with the inner arm of the disc carrier as the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position.

27. The component of claim 26, wherein the torsion spring member is further configured to bias against the enlarged end of the disc carrier arm when the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state, for releasably holding the sharps carrier in a first position closer to the applicator housing.

28. The component of claim 27, wherein, When the disc carrier moves from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, the disc carrier arm bends away from the torsion spring member.

29. The component of claim 21, wherein, The disc carrier also includes a disc carrier housing latch, which is biased into a groove formed in the inner housing of the applicator when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, and is configured to bend inward toward the sharps carrier through the container pin when the inner housing of the applicator and the disc carrier are inserted into a container receiving a container pin.

30. The component of claim 29, wherein each of the plurality of containers includes a corresponding disc and a corresponding sealing cap, the corresponding sealing cap removably sealing the corresponding disc within the corresponding container until the corresponding sealing cap is removed from the corresponding container.

31. The component of claim 30, wherein, Each of the plurality of containers further includes an outer container wall, the outer container wall being sized to fit around the periphery of the disc carrier and the applicator housing, and slidably engaging with the applicator housing when inserted into the outer container wall to engage the corresponding disc using the disc carrier.

32. The component of claim 30, wherein, The corresponding sealing cap includes a threaded cap.

33. The component of claim 30, wherein, Each container's corresponding disc includes a sensor, and each container also includes a corresponding sharps with a corresponding sharps hub, wherein the corresponding sharps are at least partially inserted into the corresponding disc when the corresponding sealing cap is positioned on the corresponding container to seal the corresponding disc within the corresponding container.

34. The component of claim 33, wherein, The corresponding sensors include transdermal glucose sensors.

35. A method for sequentially applying a plurality of sensors to a user's body using an applicator, wherein the plurality of sensors are housed in a plurality of separate containers, the plurality of separate containers including at least a first container and a second container, the method comprising: The disc carrier of the applicator is inserted into the first container including the first disc until the first disc carrier engages the first disc and the sharps carrier engages the first sharps contained in the first disc, and until the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position, causing the drive spring of the applicator to be compressed. The outer casing of the applicator is moved so that when the applicator is positioned against the user's body and the drive spring is in an uncompressed state, the disc carrier is released from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, and the sharps carrier further moves the first sharps into the user's body; After removing the applicator from its position against the user's body, press the eject button on the applicator to release the first sharps from the sharps carrier; The disc carrier of the applicator is inserted into the second container including the second disc until the disc carrier engages the second disc and the sharps carrier engages the second sharps contained in the second disc, and until the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position, causing the drive spring of the applicator to be compressed. The outer casing of the applicator is moved such that when the applicator is positioned against the user's body, and the drive spring is in an uncompressed state, the disc carrier is released from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, and the sharps carrier further moves the second sharps into the user's body; as well as After removing the applicator from its position against the user's body, press the pop-out button on the applicator to release the second sharps from the sharps carrier.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the applicator comprises: outer shell; An inner housing, at least partially nested within an outer housing, the outer housing being slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the outer housing can move relative to the inner housing from a first outer housing position to a second outer housing position; A disc carrier, the disc carrier being at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged with the inner housing such that the disc carrier is movable relative to the inner housing from a first disc carrier position to a second disc carrier position, the disc carrier including one or more disc engagement arms for detachably engaging the first disc and the second disc during application of the disc to a user's body using the applicator; A sharps carrier, which is at least partially nested within the inner housing and slidably engaged within the inner housing, such that the sharps carrier can be moved relative to the inner housing from a first sharps carrier position to a second sharps carrier position, the sharps carrier including a hub retaining arm for detachably engaging the hubs of the first and second sharps during application of the disc to the user's body using the applicator; as well as A pop-out button, which is at least partially housed within the inner housing and at least partially exposed through the outer housing, slidably engages with the sharps carrier when the pop-out button is moved from a non-retracted position to a sharps retracted position, wherein when the pop-out button is positioned in the sharps retracted position, the pop-out button causes the hub retaining arm of the sharps carrier to bend away from the pop-out button.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the applicator further comprises a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier, the sharps retraction spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state comprising a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed than in the second state, the second state comprising a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is compressed to a greater degree than in the uncompressed state.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the applicator further comprises a drive spring positioned between the inner housing and the disc carrier, the drive spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state comprising a relatively uncompressed state in which the drive spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state comprising a compressed state in which the drive spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the applicator further comprises a sharps retraction spring positioned between the sharps carrier and the disc carrier and at least partially within the drive spring, the sharps retraction spring being configured to compress from a first state to a second state, the first state comprising a relatively uncompressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is not compressed or is at least less compressed relative to the second state, the second state comprising a compressed state in which the sharps retraction spring is more compressed than in the uncompressed state.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein, When the sharps carrier is in the first sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state, and when the sharps carrier is in the second sharps carrier position, the sharps retraction spring is in the second and relatively uncompressed state. The sharps carrier is positioned in the second sharps carrier position closer to the housing than it is in the first disc carrier position.

41. The method according to claim 39, wherein when the disk carrier is in the first disk carrier position, the drive spring is in the first state, and when the disk carrier is in the second disk carrier position, the drive spring is in the second and compressed state, wherein the disk carrier is positioned in the first disk carrier position closer to the outer casing than in the second disk carrier position.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the disk carrier includes a disk carrier latch, the inner housing includes a disk carrier latch engagement hook, the disk carrier latch engagement hook being configured to engage the disk carrier latch to secure the disk carrier in the first disk carrier position when the drive spring is in the compressed state.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the housing includes a firing pin positioned to bias against the disk carrier latch engagement hook such that when the disk carrier is in the first disk carrier position, the disk carrier latch engagement hook bends and releases engagement with the disk carrier latch, and enables the disk carrier to move to the second disk carrier position in response to a force generated by the drive spring when the drive spring is decompressed from the compressed state to the relatively uncompressed state.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the sharps carrier further comprises at least one torsion spring member positioned on the outer surface of the sharps carrier and extending toward the housing away from the sharps carrier, the at least one torsion spring member being configured to rotate during engagement with the inner arm of the disc carrier as the disc carrier moves from the second disc carrier position to the first disc carrier position.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the torsion spring member is further configured to bias against the enlarged end of the disc carrier arm when the sharps retraction spring is in the first and compressed state, for releasably holding the sharps carrier in a first position closer to the applicator housing.

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, wherein, When the disc carrier moves from the first disc carrier position to the second disc carrier position, the disc carrier arm bends away from the torsion spring member.

47. The method according to claim 39, wherein, The disc carrier also includes a disc carrier housing latch, which is biased into a groove formed in the inner housing of the applicator when the disc carrier is in the second disc carrier position, and is configured to bend inward toward the sharps carrier through the container pin when the inner housing of the applicator and the disc carrier are inserted into a container receiving a container pin.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein each of the plurality of containers includes a corresponding disc and a corresponding sealing cap, the corresponding sealing cap removably sealing the corresponding disc within the corresponding container until the corresponding sealing cap is removed from the corresponding container.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein, Each of the plurality of containers further includes an outer container wall, the outer container wall being sized to fit around the periphery of the disc carrier and the applicator housing, and being slidably engaged with the applicator housing when the applicator housing is inserted into the outer container wall to engage the disc using the disc carrier.

50. The method according to claim 48, wherein, The corresponding sealing cap includes a threaded cap.

51. The method according to claim 48, wherein, Each container's corresponding disc includes a sensor, and each container also includes a corresponding sharps with a corresponding sharps hub, wherein the corresponding sharps are at least partially inserted into the corresponding disc when the corresponding sealing cap is positioned on the corresponding container to seal the corresponding disc within the corresponding container.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein, The corresponding sensors include transdermal glucose sensors.

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