I took one apart a used applicator to see how it worked…yes, I’m a nerd…what I couldn’t figure out and haven’t torn up a new applicator for: What is the mechanism for the needle to insert the sensor wire? Does the wire have a little bucket the wire push under the skin? Is there a small frangible connector between the needle and wire?
Ref the trash collector issue: I’m thinking collectors have to be careful about all sorts of things: open can lids, broken glass (yes, it should be recycled, but…), sewing needles, paper clips, staples in paper, etc. Given the wide potential poke and cut hazards, a G6 applicator would be far down the list (yes, I understand the bio-hazard aspect).
The Freestyle Libre works differently than the Dexcom, but the mechanisms may be similar. As far as I can tell, with the FSL before insertion the wire and needle form a unit together that needs to be clicked into a slot in the sensor. Contrary to the Dexcom, the whole sensor is slammed down upon insertion and the needle is able to retract without taking the wire with it, because it is hollow and on one side open lengthwise as well. Dexcom applicators might do that trick in a different order.
Liam has had a wonderful experience with the G6…he tells me he loves it much more than the G5. We don’t do anything special other than pinching up the skin at the front of the inserter gun. He tells me it’s so fast he doesn’t ever feel it…he used to complain with the G5 as sometimes I couldn’t get the shot in and out quickly enough for him.