Multi-Enzyme Electrochemical Sensor for Multi-Analyte Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analyte sensors are limited to detecting a single analyte, requiring multiple sensors for multi-analyte monitoring, which is inconvenient, costly, and prone to sensor failure, with challenges in membrane permeability complicating multi-analyte analyses.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of multiple enzymes in a single analyte sensor, with tailored membranes and electrode configurations to enable independent or concerted detection of multiple analytes, reducing the need for multiple sensors and improving sensitivity and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple analyte sensors are used to detect multiple analytes, then the detection capability for multiple analytes is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsensor quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple analyte detection capabilities into a single sensor device. The sensor includes a working electrode with multiple active areas, where each active area contains a specific enzyme (such as glucose oxidase, lactate oxidase, ketone oxidase) that catalyzes the oxidation of a specific analyte. This merging of multiple detection functions into one sensor reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect multiple analytes simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor is designed with multi-functionality to detect various analytes including glucose, lactate, ketones, and other metabolites. The universal detection platform uses a common working electrode structure with different enzyme coatings on separate active areas, allowing one sensor to perform multiple analytical functions that would otherwise require separate specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple analyte sensors are used to detect multiple analytes, then the detection capability for multiple analytes is improved, but the cost burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsensor cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple analyte detection capabilities into a single sensor device. The sensor includes a working electrode with multiple active areas, where each active area contains a specific enzyme (such as glucose oxidase, lactate oxidase, ketone oxidase) that catalyzes the oxidation of a specific analyte. This merging of multiple detection functions into one sensor reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect multiple analytes simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor is designed with multi-functionality to detect various analytes including glucose, lactate, ketones, and other metabolites. The universal detection platform uses a common working electrode structure with different enzyme coatings on separate active areas, allowing one sensor to perform multiple analytical functions that would otherwise require separate specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple analyte sensors are used to detect multiple analytes, then the detection capability for multiple analytes is improved, but the reliability decreases due to increased failure opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsensor failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple analyte detection capabilities into a single sensor device. The sensor includes a working electrode with multiple active areas, where each active area contains a specific enzyme (such as glucose oxidase, lactate oxidase, ketone oxidase) that catalyzes the oxidation of a specific analyte. This merging of multiple detection functions into one sensor reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect multiple analytes simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses separate active areas on the working electrode that are electrically isolated from each other. Each active area can be independently configured with specific enzymes and membrane properties, allowing for independent optimization and failure isolation. If one active area fails, the others can continue to function, providing redundancy and improved overall sensor reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If a mass transport limiting membrane is used to limit analyte flux, then the detection accuracy is improved by avoiding sensor overload, but the sensitivity for multiple analytes becomes significantly different due to varying membrane permeability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsensitivity uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the local quality principle by providing each active area with a tailored membrane having specific permeability characteristics suited to the particular analyte being detected. For example, the glucose-active area may have a membrane with permeability optimized for glucose transport, while the lactate-active area has a membrane optimized for lactate transport. This allows each sensing zone to operate at optimal sensitivity and accuracy for its specific analyte without being constrained by a single membrane's permeability profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor is segmented into multiple independent active areas, each with its own membrane configuration. This segmentation allows different membrane properties to be applied to different analyte detection zones, enabling optimized performance for each specific analyte while maintaining overall sensor integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates efficient, cost-effective, and stable detection of multiple analytes with a single sensor, minimizing sensor complexity and failure risks.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one active area comprises a first enzyme, a second enzyme, and a polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

reacting the analyte with the first enzyme to form a first product; reacting the first product with the second enzyme to form a second product to generate a signal at the working electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

the second enzyme is capable of exchanging electrons with the electron transfer agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron transfer: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4663121A1Analyte sensors employing multiple enzymes
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC
  • EP4663121A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4663121A1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C
  • EP4663121A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Multiple enzymes may be present in the active area(s) of an electrochemical sensor to facilitate analysis of analytes. The multiple enzymes may function independently to detect several analytes or in concert to detect a single analyte. One configuration includes a first active area and a second active area, where the first active area has an oxidation-reduction potential that is sufficiently separated from the oxidation-reduction potential of the second active area to allow independent signal production. Some configurations may have an active area overcoated with a multi-component membrane containing two or more different membrane polymers. Sensor configurations having multiple enzymes capable of interacting in concert include those in which a first enzyme converts an analyte into a first product and a second enzyme converts the first product into a second product, thereby generating a signal at a working electrode that is proportional to the analyte concentration.