Applicator and Applicator Assembly for Medical Device A One-Push Tool for Placing a Skin Sensor

This patent describes a handheld applicator that places a body-worn sensor onto the skin in a single action, of the kind used for continuous glucose monitoring in people with diabetes. It comes from i-SENS, Inc., a South Korean maker of blood glucose and continuous monitoring devices.

The Problem

A growing number of medical devices are worn on the skin, including the biosensors that continuously track blood glucose so people with diabetes can avoid dangerous highs and lows. To work, these devices place a tiny needle-shaped sensor just under the skin, and that insertion has to be quick, reliable, and as painless as possible. If the user has to manage the insertion by hand, the depth and angle can vary, the device may not seat properly, and the process can be intimidating. A simple tool that positions and inserts the sensor consistently, with one motion, removes much of that difficulty and helps the device attach correctly every time.

What This Invention Does

The patent provides an applicator for inserting at least part of a sensor unit into the skin. It has an applicator body, an insertion unit that moves the sensor in one direction, and an operating portion that the user moves from a deactivated position to an activated position to trigger the insertion. Inside, a shuttle carries the sensor and moves with it when the operating portion is activated, so a single push drives the sensor to the right depth and then completes the placement. By building the motion into the tool, the design aims to make insertion consistent and easy, reducing pain and the chance of a misplaced sensor. The filing covers both the applicator and a broader applicator assembly.

Key Features

• One-push insertion. Moving the operating portion from deactivated to activated drives the sensor into the skin in a single action.
• Shuttle mechanism. An internal shuttle carries the sensor unit and moves with it for controlled placement.
• Consistent depth. The built-in insertion unit aims to set the sensor at the right depth every time.
• Designed for comfort. Automating the motion is intended to reduce pain and hesitation during insertion.
• Assembly coverage. The filing protects both the applicator and a wider applicator assembly.

Who Is Behind It

The applicant is i-SENS, Inc., a company founded in 2000 and based in South Korea that develops and manufactures blood glucose meters, test strips, and continuous glucose monitoring systems sold in many countries, including its CareSens line. The named inventors are Hyun Ho Choi, Goang Yel Ryu, and Ji Hoon Wang. This filing is a divisional application from an earlier related Australian application.

Why It Matters

As wearable health sensors become routine, the small tools that put them on the body have a big effect on whether people use them correctly and comfortably. A reliable one-push applicator lowers the barrier for users managing chronic conditions like diabetes and supports accurate, continuous data from the moment the device is applied. Protecting the design in Australia supports the company’s products and commercial activity in the local market.

Related Concepts

• Continuous glucose monitor – the kind of wearable sensor this tool applies.
• Biosensor – the broader class of devices that detect biological signals.
• Diabetes – the condition that drives demand for skin-worn glucose sensors.
• Blood glucose monitoring – the practice the device supports.
• Subcutaneous injection – the under-the-skin placement the applicator performs.

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AU 2026201957 was published in the Australian Official Journal of Patents on 2 April 2026 and is open for public inspection. Patent applications represent inventions that are sought to be protected and do not necessarily reflect commercially available products.