Analyte Sensor with Segmented Electrodes for Crosstalk Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in vivo analyte monitoring devices face challenges in achieving consistent placement, oxygen deficiency at the electrode surface, and crosstalk issues when measuring multiple analytes, leading to inaccurate glucose measurements and increased manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-analyte electrochemical sensor design with separate conductive substrates and electrode traces, each with distinct transport materials and reactive chemistries, separated by a barrier to prevent crosstalk and ensure efficient analyte transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a glucose limiting membrane (GLM) is used to increase oxygen concentration at the electrode, then oxygen supply is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple independent working electrodes, each with its own enzyme layer and membrane structure. This segmentation allows each electrode to function independently with optimized local conditions, reducing the complexity of creating a single complex GLM structure while maintaining reliable oxygen supply to each electrode surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor are given different properties - the membrane is designed with varying oxygen permeability characteristics in different areas to optimize local oxygen supply where needed. This local optimization approach achieves reliable oxygen supply without requiring a uniformly complex GLM structure across the entire sensor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple analyte detection is implemented in a single sensor, then monitoring versatility is improved, but crosstalk between analyte measurements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor employs multiple spatially separated working electrodes, each dedicated to detecting a specific analyte. This physical segmentation prevents crosstalk between different analyte measurements by ensuring that each electrode measures only its target analyte, while the collection of electrodes provides comprehensive multi-analyte monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple specialized electrodes into a single device platform. Each electrode maintains its specialized function for a specific analyte, while the overall system provides universal multi-analyte monitoring capability through the coordinated operation of all electrodes.
3Ease of operation
If electrode placement is made flexible for user comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but consistent valid data reception becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed with multiple working electrodes that can detect the same or different analytes, providing functional redundancy. This allows the sensor to maintain consistent data validity across a range of placement locations, as at least one electrode should receive sufficient analyte supply regardless of exact placement, thereby supporting placement flexibility without sacrificing data consistency.
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
Enables real-time, simultaneous monitoring of multiple analytes with reduced manufacturing complexity and minimized crosstalk, improving accuracy and reliability of analyte measurements.
Implementation Method 1
the glucose sensor works by using the enzyme to catalyze a reaction between glucose and oxygen resulting in hydrogen peroxide
Implementation Method 2
hydrogen peroxide that is oxidized at a working electrode
Implementation Method 3
the polymer membrane is hydrophilic which allows glucose to easily diffuse through the membrane layer
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a sensor is disclosed that includes a first conductive substrate coupled to, and electrically isolated from, a second conductive substrate. The sensor includes a first electrode trace within the first conductive substrate with a plurality of first working electrode openings. The sensor also includes a second electrode trace within the first conductive substrate with a plurality of second working electrode openings. Additionally a first transport material is included that covers the plurality of first working electrode openings and a second transport material that covers the plurality of second working electrode openings. A third transport material covers, and forms a barrier between the first and the second transport material. The sensor additionally includes a counter-reference electrode that is formed on the second conductive substrate.