Analyte sensors and sensing methods for dual detection of glucose and ethanol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analyte sensors are limited to monitoring a single analyte, necessitating multiple sensors for concurrent monitoring of multiple analytes, which is inconvenient, costly, and increases the risk of sensor failure.
Innovation Solution
Development of dual analyte sensors that utilize a single enzyme-based system to concurrently monitor glucose and ethanol levels, employing a dual-layer membrane configuration to separate and optimize detection of both analytes, allowing for simultaneous detection of glucose and ethanol using a single sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple independent analyte sensors are used to monitor multiple analytes, then measurement precision for each analyte is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple analyte sensing capabilities (glucose and ethanol detection) into a single integrated sensor device. The sensor employs multiple working electrodes, each functionalized with specific enzymes (glucose oxidase for glucose, alcohol oxidase for ethanol), allowing simultaneous detection of multiple analytes through a unified platform rather than requiring separate independent sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating universal components that support multiple detection functions. A single sensor housing, reference electrode, and counter electrode serve multiple purposes, while the working electrodes are configured to detect different analytes through enzyme-specific catalysis, enabling one device to perform what previously required multiple specialized sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple independent analyte sensors are deployed, then reliability of individual analyte monitoring is improved, but overall system reliability decreases due to increased failure points
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple sensing functions into a single integrated device with shared components (housing, reference electrode, counter electrode), the patent reduces the total number of independent failure points. The unified design ensures that critical supporting infrastructure is replicated only once rather than multiple times, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining individual analyte detection accuracy.
3Loss of information
If multiple analyte sensors are used, then comprehensive health monitoring is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to wearing multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sensor platform that simultaneously monitors multiple analytes (glucose and ethanol) through a single wearable device. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for users to wear, manage, and maintain multiple separate sensors, significantly improving ease of operation while preserving comprehensive health monitoring capabilities through concurrent multi-analyte detection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent analyte sensors are utilized, then analytical versatility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single manufactured unit with pre-configured working electrodes, each with its enzyme layer. This integrated manufacturing approach allows for standardized production of multi-analyte sensors in a single assembly process, rather than requiring precise assembly and calibration of multiple separate sensors, thereby reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining analytical versatility.
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 concurrent, cost-effective, and reliable monitoring of glucose and ethanol levels, improving health management for diabetic individuals by providing real-time data for personalized treatment decisions.
Implementation Method 1
A first membrane is disposed only upon the first portion of the ethanol-responsive active area, the first membrane comprising a first membrane polymer and being permeable to at least acetaldehyde
Implementation Method 2
A second membrane comprises a second membrane polymer and being permeable to at least glucose and ethanol
Implementation Method 3
The glucose-responsive active area comprises a glucose-responsive enzyme and an optional electron transfer agent
Implementation Method 4
The glucose-responsive enzyme is capable of generating a signal at the working electrode proportional to a glucose concentration
Implementation Method 5
The first portion of the ethanol-responsive active area comprises xanthine oxidase, a first polymer, and an optional electron transfer agent
Implementation Method 6
the xanthine oxidase and alcohol oxidase of the first and second portions are capable of acting in concert to generate a signal at the working electrode proportional to an ethanol concentration
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple enzymes may be present in one or more active areas of an electrochemical analyte sensor for detecting one or more different analytes. In particular, an analyte sensor may comprise a sensor tail configured for insertion into a tissue and one or more working electrodes having a glucose-responsive active area and an ethanol-responsive active area to detect glucose and ethanol in vivo.