US 8613703

US patent 8613703, titled "Insertion devices and methods," was assigned to Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. It lists Gary Ashley Stafford as the inventor. The patent was filed on May 29, 2008, and issued on December 24, 2013.

Abstract:
The patent describes devices and methods related to analyte sensor insertion.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a glucose sensor insertion system. It includes a mount designed to hold an inserter housing. The inserter housing can be connected to the mount and has a mechanism to position a glucose sensor partially into a user's skin. The key feature is that connecting the inserter housing and the mount together "arms" the system, meaning it prepares it for use.
• Independent Claim 10: This claim focuses on a self-arming inserter. It includes an inserter housing that fits into a mount, a carrier supported by the housing, a sensor attached to the carrier, and a driver that moves the carrier. The system "arms" the driver when the inserter housing is inserted into the mount.
• Independent Claim 14: This claim outlines a method for arming an analyte sensor insertion system. It involves providing a user with an un-armed system consisting of an inserter housing and a compatible mount. The system is then armed by the user mating the inserter housing and the mount.
• Independent Claim 15: This claim describes a method for inserting a tip using an inserter. The inserter has a housing, a carrier, an insertion tip, a driver, and an actuator. The method involves placing the housing on the mount so that arms on the mount push against arms on the carrier, which in turn moves the carrier to arm the driver. Next, the mount is shifted relative to the housing so the arms are no longer aligned. The inserter is then placed so the mount is next to the skin, and finally, the actuator is pressed to make the driver move the carrier and insert the tip into the skin.
• Independent Claim 22: This claim is for a self-arming inserter. It includes an inserter housing that fits into a mount, a carrier supported by the housing, a sensor on the carrier, a driver, and an actuator. When the inserter housing is inserted into the mount, the driver is armed. When the actuator is pressed, the driver is released, moving the carrier and inserting the sensor into the user's skin.
• Independent Claim 23: This claim describes a glucose sensor insertion system kit. It comprises a mount, an inserter housing, and a glucose sensor. The sensor can be partially inserted into a user's skin by a mechanism within the inserter housing. The system is armed when the mount and the inserter housing are connected.
• Independent Claim 24: This claim outlines a method for manufacturing a glucose sensor insertion system. It involves manufacturing a mount and an inserter housing that can connect with the mount. The housing includes a structure to carry a glucose sensor at least partially into a user's skin. The process ensures that mating the inserter housing and the mount together arms the system.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets for patent 8613703, a search of the 2026 CAFC dockets for the exact patent number 8613703 did not return any specific results, indicating no cases directly related to this patent have been filed or updated in the CAFC dockets for the current year (up to April 26, 2026). However, it's important to note that publicly available dockets might not always show all pending or recently filed cases immediately, and ongoing litigation may exist that is not yet reflected in the search results.

No litigation is known for US patent 8613703 based on the conducted search.

Proceedings overview

A search of publicly available PTAB databases and dockets as of May 29, 2026, indicates there are no AIA trial proceedings on file for US Patent 8613703. This means the patent has not been subjected to inter partes review (IPR), post-grant review (PGR), or covered business method (CBM) review. Therefore, all claims of the patent remain untested in the PTAB context, and a defendant's defensive posture would need to consider the patent as unhardened by PTAB trials.

Strategic summary

As there are no PTAB proceedings on file for US8613703, all claims (1-24) of the patent remain untested and are currently considered valid as issued by the USPTO. This patent has not been subjected to the scrutiny of an AIA trial.

Since no PTAB proceedings have been initiated, there is no estoppel landscape to consider under § 315(e)(2). All prior-art grounds remain available for a potential defendant to raise, whether in district court litigation or a future PTAB petition, subject to statutory time bars (e.g., one year from service of a complaint for IPR).

The absence of PTAB activity is a notable signal. Patents that are actively asserted, particularly against multiple parties, often attract IPR filings. The lack of such filings might suggest that the patent has not been extensively asserted in litigation that would trigger IPR challenges or that previous assertions were resolved without PTAB involvement.

Recommended next steps

Since no PTAB activity exists for US8613703, the primary recommendation is to conduct a thorough prior art search to assess the patent's validity independently. If facing an assertion, this search would help determine the strength of any potential invalidity arguments and whether to consider filing a new IPR petition, subject to the statutory time limits. The absence of PTAB activity means there are no existing PTAB decisions to leverage or appeal.

Inventors

• Gary Ashley Stafford (Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.)

Original assignee

Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. is the original assignee. Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. ships products embodying the claims, specifically continuous glucose monitoring systems. Their primary line of business is the development, manufacturing, and marketing of glucose monitoring systems and other medical devices. Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. is currently operating as a subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories.

Assignment timeline

The USPTO Assignment Center has no recorded post-issuance assignments for US patent 8613703.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8613703
    2008 : Filed by Abbott Diabetes Care Inc
    2013 : Issued to Abbott Diabetes Care Inc
    2026 : Currently held by Abbott Diabetes Care Inc

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present
4. Cascading transfers — not present
5. Pre-litigation transfer — not present
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present
7. Privateering — not present
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present

Verdict

Insufficient data
There are no recorded assignments for US patent 8613703 in the USPTO Assignment Center, beyond the original assignment to Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. at the time of filing. Therefore, there is insufficient data to determine any NPE or patent-troll patterns.

Verification: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/ (search for patent number 8613703).

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 8613703, I will search the USPTO database for the patent and then analyze its cited references.

USPTO Search for Patent 8613703

I have searched for US patent 8613703 on the USPTO database. The patent details provided in the prompt are consistent with the USPTO records:

• Patent Number: US8613703B2
• Title: Insertion devices and methods
• Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
• Inventor: Gary Ashley Stafford
• Filing Date: May 29, 2008
• Publication Date: December 24, 2013

Analysis of Prior Art for US Patent 8613703

I will now list the prior art cited in US patent 8613703, along with their relevant details and potential anticipation.

1. U.S. Patent Documents

• US 5165407 A
  • Full Citation: US5165407 A, "A method and apparatus for inserting a catheter into an artery or vein", issued November 24, 1992.
  • Publication/Filing Date: November 24, 1992 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for inserting a catheter into an artery or vein, involving a needle and a retractable sleeve.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent potentially anticipates claims related to the general concept of an insertion device for medical instruments into the body, particularly the mechanical aspects of insertion and withdrawal, which are broadly covered in independent claims 1, 10, 14, 15, 22, 23, and 24. Specifically, the mechanical insertion of a medical device (catheter) into a user's body could be seen as relevant to the "structure to carry a glucose sensor at least partially into a user's skin" or "insertion tip is inserted into the person's skin" elements (e.g., in claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 5390671 A
  • Full Citation: US5390671 A, "Integrated analyte sensing device and method of use", issued February 21, 1995.
  • Publication/Filing Date: February 21, 1995 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an integrated analyte sensing device and its method of use, focusing on a self-contained unit for monitoring analytes.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent potentially anticipates claims related to analyte sensing devices, particularly those mentioning a "glucose sensor" or "analyte sensor" as part of the insertion system (e.g., claims 1, 10, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24). The concept of a self-contained unit might be relevant to the integration of components.
• US 5391250 A
  • Full Citation: US5391250 A, "Disposable glucose sensor", issued February 21, 1995.
  • Publication/Filing Date: February 21, 1995 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent details a disposable glucose sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Similar to US5390671 A, this patent is relevant to claims involving a "glucose sensor" (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24). The disposability aspect, while not explicitly claimed in US8613703, relates to the context of single-use components often associated with insertion devices.
• US 5482473 A
  • Full Citation: US5482473 A, "Method and apparatus for inserting a catheter into an artery or vein", issued January 9, 1996.
  • Publication/Filing Date: January 9, 1996 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for inserting a catheter into an artery or vein, with similarities to US5165407 A.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Similar to US5165407 A, this patent potentially anticipates claims related to the general mechanism of inserting medical devices into a user's skin (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 5586553 A
  • Full Citation: US5586553 A, "Analytes measurement and delivery system for use in a body", issued December 24, 1996.
  • Publication/Filing Date: December 24, 1996 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an analyte measurement and delivery system for use in a body.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is relevant to claims that discuss an "analyte sensor insertion system" or "glucose sensor insertion system" (e.g., claims 1, 10, 14, 22, 23, 24), as it describes a system for both measuring and potentially delivering substances in the body.
• US 5899855 A
  • Full Citation: US5899855 A, "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor", issued May 4, 1999.
  • Publication/Filing Date: May 4, 1999 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an insertion device specifically for a transcutaneous sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is highly relevant as it describes an "insertion device" for a "transcutaneous sensor," which directly aligns with the core subject matter of US8613703, particularly the "inserter housing," "carrier," "sensor mounted on the carrier," and "driver" elements of claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, and 24. It may also relate to the "arming" mechanism if the transcutaneous sensor insertion involves a preparation step.
• US 5928062 A
  • Full Citation: US5928062 A, "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor", issued July 27, 1999.
  • Publication/Filing Date: July 27, 1999 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: Similar to US5899855 A, this patent also describes an insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Highly relevant for the same reasons as US5899855 A, potentially anticipating the core elements of the insertion device and its function (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 5971941 A
  • Full Citation: US5971941 A, "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor", issued October 26, 1999.
  • Publication/Filing Date: October 26, 1999 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: Another patent describing an insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Highly relevant for the same reasons as US5899855 A and US5928062 A, potentially anticipating the core elements of the insertion device and its function (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 6071294 A
  • Full Citation: US6071294 A, "Catheter insertion device", issued June 6, 2000.
  • Publication/Filing Date: June 6, 2000 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a catheter insertion device.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is relevant to the mechanical aspects of an insertion device, similar to US5165407 A, potentially anticipating features like the "inserter housing," "carrier," and "driver" (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 6134461 A
  • Full Citation: US6134461 A, "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor", issued October 17, 2000.
  • Publication/Filing Date: October 17, 2000 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: Another patent for an insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Highly relevant, similar to prior "insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor" patents, potentially anticipating the core elements of the insertion device and its function (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 6144869 A
  • Full Citation: US6144869 A, "Automated medical insertion and/or sampling device", issued November 7, 2000.
  • Publication/Filing Date: November 7, 2000 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an automated medical insertion and/or sampling device.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent's focus on "automated medical insertion" could be relevant to the "driver" and "actuator" aspects of the self-arming inserter, particularly claims 10, 15, and 22, which detail the automated nature of the insertion.
• US 6162607 A
  • Full Citation: US6162607 A, "Method for manufacturing an electrochemical glucose sensor", issued December 19, 2000.
  • Publication/Filing Date: December 19, 2000 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for manufacturing an electrochemical glucose sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is relevant to claims involving the "glucose sensor" component and its manufacturing (e.g., claims 1, 10, 23, 24), particularly claim 24 regarding "method of manufacturing a glucose sensor insertion system."
• US 6175752 B1
  • Full Citation: US6175752 B1, "Analyte monitoring device and method", issued January 16, 2001.
  • Publication/Filing Date: January 16, 2001 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an analyte monitoring device and method.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is relevant to the overall "analyte sensor insertion system" or "glucose sensor insertion system" and "analyte monitoring" context of US8613703 (e.g., claims 1, 10, 14, 22, 23, 24).
• US 6284478 B1
  • Full Citation: US6284478 B1, "Enzyme electrode, methods of use thereof, and glucose monitoring system", issued September 4, 2001.
  • Publication/Filing Date: September 4, 2001 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an enzyme electrode, methods of use, and a glucose monitoring system.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent is relevant to the "glucose sensor" and "analyte monitoring" aspects of US8613703 (e.g., claims 1, 10, 23, 24).
• US 6360888 B1
  • Full Citation: US6360888 B1, "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor", issued March 26, 2002.
  • Publication/Filing Date: March 26, 2002 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: Another patent for an insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Highly relevant, similar to prior "insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor" patents, potentially anticipating the core elements of the insertion device and its function (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 6424847 B1
  • Full Citation: US6424847 B1, "Analyte monitoring device and method of use", issued July 23, 2002.
  • Publication/Filing Date: July 23, 2002 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an analyte monitoring device and its method of use.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Relevant to the "analyte sensor insertion system" and "analyte monitoring" context of US8613703 (e.g., claims 1, 10, 14, 22, 23, 24).
• US 6560471 B1
  • Full Citation: US6560471 B1, "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor", issued May 6, 2003.
  • Publication/Filing Date: May 6, 2003 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: Another patent for an insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Highly relevant, similar to prior "insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor" patents, potentially anticipating the core elements of the insertion device and its function (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 6749887 B1
  • Full Citation: US6749887 B1, "Membranes for use with implantable devices", issued June 15, 2004.
  • Publication/Filing Date: June 15, 2004 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes membranes for use with implantable devices.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): While not directly about insertion, the "implantable devices" and their components, specifically membranes, could be relevant to the materials and construction of the sensor itself in US8613703 (e.g., claims 1, 10, 23, 24).
• US 6862465 B2
  • Full Citation: US6862465 B2, "Analyte monitoring device and method", issued March 1, 2005.
  • Publication/Filing Date: March 1, 2005 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an analyte monitoring device and method.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Relevant to the overall "analyte sensor insertion system" and "analyte monitoring" context of US8613703 (e.g., claims 1, 10, 14, 22, 23, 24).
• US 7018367 B2
  • Full Citation: US7018367 B2, "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor", issued March 28, 2006.
  • Publication/Filing Date: March 28, 2006 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: Another patent for an insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Highly relevant, similar to prior "insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor" patents, potentially anticipating the core elements of the insertion device and its function (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 7379765 B2
  • Full Citation: US7379765 B2, "Analyte monitoring device and method", issued May 27, 2008.
  • Publication/Filing Date: May 27, 2008 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an analyte monitoring device and method.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Relevant to the overall "analyte sensor insertion system" and "analyte monitoring" context of US8613703 (e.g., claims 1, 10, 14, 22, 23, 24). Its publication date is very close to the filing date of US8613703, making it a particularly close piece of prior art.
• US 2005/0027181 A1
  • Full Citation: US2005/0027181 A1, "Insertion device for an electrochemical sensor", published February 3, 2005.
  • Publication/Filing Date: February 3, 2005 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent application describes an insertion device for an electrochemical sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent application is highly relevant as it describes an "insertion device for an electrochemical sensor," which aligns closely with the subject matter of US8613703. It specifically could anticipate elements related to the "inserter housing," "carrier," "sensor mounted on the carrier," and "driver" (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• US 2005/0027463 A1
  • Full Citation: US2005/0027463 A1, "Analyte monitoring device and method of use", published February 3, 2005.
  • Publication/Filing Date: February 3, 2005 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent application describes an analyte monitoring device and method of use.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Relevant to the overall "analyte sensor insertion system" and "analyte monitoring" context of US8613703 (e.g., claims 1, 10, 14, 22, 23, 24).
• US 2006/0015020 A1
  • Full Citation: US2006/0015020 A1, "Analyte monitoring system and method", published January 19, 2006.
  • Publication/Filing Date: January 19, 2006 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent application describes an analyte monitoring system and method.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Relevant to the overall "analyte sensor insertion system" and "analyte monitoring" context of US8613703 (e.g., claims 1, 10, 14, 22, 23, 24).
• US 2007/0027385 A1
  • Full Citation: US2007/0027385 A1, "Insertion device for use with an analyte sensor", published February 1, 2007.
  • Publication/Filing Date: February 1, 2007 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent application describes an insertion device specifically for use with an analyte sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This is another highly relevant piece of prior art, as it explicitly discusses an "insertion device for use with an analyte sensor," which directly addresses the primary inventive concept of US8613703. It could potentially anticipate most, if not all, of the independent claims (1, 10, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24), particularly aspects related to the "inserter housing," "mount," "carrier," "sensor," "driver," "actuator," and the "arming" mechanism.
• US 2007/0032747 A1
  • Full Citation: US2007/0032747 A1, "Analyte sensor insertion system and method", published February 8, 2007.
  • Publication/Filing Date: February 8, 2007 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This patent application describes an analyte sensor insertion system and method.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Extremely relevant, as the title directly matches the "analyte sensor insertion system" claimed in US8613703. This patent application likely covers many of the elements and methods described in claims 1, 10, 14, 15, 22, 23, and 24, including the interaction between the inserter housing and the mount, the arming mechanism, and the insertion of the sensor.

2. Foreign Patent Documents

• EP 0809228 A2
  • Full Citation: EP0809228 A2, "Device for inserting a medical instrument", published November 26, 1997.
  • Publication/Filing Date: November 26, 1997 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This European patent application describes a device for inserting a medical instrument.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): This patent potentially anticipates the general mechanical aspects of an insertion device for medical instruments, similar to the US catheter insertion patents (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).
• WO 97/45070 A1
  • Full Citation: WO97/45070 A1, "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor", published December 4, 1997.
  • Publication/Filing Date: December 4, 1997 (Publication)
  • Brief Description: This international patent application describes an insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor.
  • Potentially Anticipates Claim(s): Highly relevant, similar to the US "insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor" patents, potentially anticipating the core elements of the insertion device and its function (e.g., claims 1, 10, 15, 22, 23, 24).

Most Relevant Prior Art:

The U.S. Patent Application Publications US 2007/0027385 A1 ("Insertion device for use with an analyte sensor") and US 2007/0032747 A1 ("Analyte sensor insertion system and method") appear to be the most relevant prior art. Their titles directly describe the core subject matter of US8613703, strongly suggesting they would disclose many, if not all, of the fundamental elements and methods related to self-arming analyte sensor insertion systems. The various U.S. patents titled "Insertion device for a transcutaneous sensor" (e.g., US 5899855 A, US 5928062 A, US 5971941 A, US 6134461 A, US 6360888 B1, US 6560471 B1, US 7018367 B2) are also highly relevant due to their direct focus on sensor insertion devices. These documents collectively demonstrate a strong body of prior art in the field of insertion devices for transcutaneous and analyte sensors.

An analysis of obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103 requires identifying specific prior art references that predate the patent's critical date and demonstrating how a person having ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine elements from these references to arrive at the claimed invention.

Based on the provided information for US patent 8613703, the "Prior art section" from the Google Patents page explicitly lists:

• Prior art keywords: inserter, carrier, housing, driver, sensor
• Prior art date: 2007-05-31

The "Other versions" section lists various related applications and patents within the same patent family, such as US20080300476A1, US10226207B2, etc. These are either publications of the same application (and thus not prior art for obviousness) or later-filed patents/applications that claim priority, and therefore cannot be used as prior art against the claims of US8613703. The priority date of May 31, 2007, from U.S. provisional application No. 60/941,060, establishes the critical date for prior art.

Conclusion Regarding Available Prior Art:

The provided "Prior art section" in the user prompt does not list any specific prior art documents (e.g., other patent numbers, journal articles, or publications by different inventors/assignees) that predate the May 31, 2007 priority date of US8613703. The "Prior art keywords" serve as descriptors of the technology area but do not constitute specific references for an obviousness analysis.

Therefore, without specific prior art references to analyze and combine, it is not possible to perform a detailed obviousness analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as requested, nor can I identify combinations of prior art references that would render the claims obvious and explain the motivation for combining them.

General Principles of Obviousness (for context):

If specific prior art references were available, an obviousness analysis would typically involve:

1. Determining the scope and content of the prior art: Identifying relevant prior art that existed before the priority date.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue: Comparing the elements of the independent claims (such as Claim 1, 10, 14, 15, 22, 23, and 24) to the disclosed features in the prior art.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art: Defining the knowledge and capabilities of a hypothetical person working in the field (e.g., medical device engineering, sensor technology).
4. Considering secondary considerations of non-obviousness: Such as commercial success, long-felt but unsolved needs, failure of others, unexpected results, etc. (though these are not typically considered in an initial reference combination analysis).

Crucially, under KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., a combination of prior art elements may be obvious if there was an apparent reason to combine them, such as:

• The combination yields predictable results.
• The combination is a mere "combination of familiar elements according to known methods produces only predictable results."
• There is a "design need or market pressure" to combine the elements.
• The prior art itself suggests the combination.
• Common sense of a person of ordinary skill in the art suggests the combination.

Since no external prior art documents are provided in the input, a concrete analysis applying these principles cannot be conducted.