Temperature-Independent Analyte Sensor Membrane via Composite Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glucose sensors with diffusion-limiting membranes are temperature-dependent, leading to variations in analyte permeability and signal saturation, making continuous glucose monitoring challenging, especially for implantable biosensors which require additional components for temperature compensation.
Innovation Solution
A membrane structure with analyte permeability that is substantially temperature-independent, achieved by combining membranes with opposite temperature coefficients, eliminating the need for temperature measurement devices and ensuring consistent signal generation across temperature ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a diffusion-limiting membrane is used to prevent signal saturation, then the sensor can operate at high glucose concentrations, but the membrane permeability becomes temperature-dependent causing signal variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two or more membrane materials with opposite temperature coefficients of permeability to create a composite membrane structure. One membrane material has a positive temperature coefficient (permeability increases with temperature) while the other has a negative temperature coefficient (permeability decreases with temperature). When combined, these opposing effects compensate for each other, resulting in a composite membrane with substantially temperature-independent analyte permeability. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable signal stability while eliminating temperature dependence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the membrane by selecting materials with specific temperature coefficients of permeability. By carefully selecting and combining membrane materials with known and opposite temperature coefficients, the system achieves a composite membrane whose overall permeability parameter remains substantially constant across temperature variations. This parameter-based approach allows the membrane to maintain consistent analyte flux despite temperature changes.
2Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is implemented, then temperature-dependent variations can be corrected, but additional components and device complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The composite membrane structure is self-compensating for temperature effects. The opposing temperature coefficients of the constituent membrane materials automatically balance each other's temperature-dependent permeability changes without requiring external intervention. The membrane itself performs the temperature compensation function through its inherent physical properties, eliminating the need for additional temperature sensors, control circuits, or software algorithms. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the temperature compensation function from the electronic system and embeds it directly into the membrane structure itself. By designing the membrane with inherent temperature-independent permeability through composite materials, the compensation mechanism is built into the passive membrane component rather than requiring active electronic temperature measurement and correction systems. This extraction of the compensation function from the active system reduces overall device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If membrane permeability is reduced to prevent saturation, then linear response is maintained, but the sensor becomes more sensitive to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite membrane materials where one component provides the low permeability needed for linear response while the other component compensates for temperature effects. The composite structure allows the membrane to maintain reduced overall permeability (preventing saturation) while the opposing temperature coefficients of the constituent materials cancel out temperature-dependent variations. This simultaneously achieves both linear response range and reduced temperature sensitivity.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single membrane material is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but temperature-independent permeability cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple membrane materials in a composite structure where each material can be applied using standard manufacturing techniques. The composite membrane can be fabricated by sequential coating, lamination, or layering of the constituent materials, each of which can be processed independently using existing methods. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the complex performance characteristic of temperature-independent permeability that cannot be obtained with single-material membranes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The temperature-independent membrane structure allows for reliable and continuous glucose monitoring without signal saturation, providing accurate glucose concentration readings without the need for additional temperature compensation, enhancing the performance and simplicity of in vivo analyte sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusion-limiting membrane layer on top of the sensing layer... the membrane reduces the flux of glucose to the sensing layer
Implementation Method 2
a membrane structure with an analyte permeability that is substantially temperature independent... combining membranes with opposite temperature coefficients
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to analyte determining methods and devices (e.g., electrochemical analyte monitoring systems) that have a membrane structure with an analyte permeability that is substantially temperature independent. The devices also include a sensing layer disposed on a working electrode of in vivo analyte sensors, e.g., continuous and/or automatic in vivo monitoring using analyte sensors and/or test strips. Also provided are systems and methods of using the, for example electrochemical, analyte sensors in analyte monitoring.