Multi-Sensor Array with Controllable Membrane for Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analyte sensors, particularly glucose sensors, face challenges such as bio-fouling, enzyme activity loss, and increased mass transfer barriers, leading to reduced sensitivity and longevity when implanted in the body.
Innovation Solution
The development of analyte sensors with controllable protection membranes that can be activated or deactivated over time, allowing for extended use by exposing new sensing elements as old ones become ineffective, using materials like rupturable metallic membranes or biodegradable polymers, and incorporating enzymes like glucose oxidase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single analyte sensor element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the sensor longevity is reduced due to bio-fouling and enzyme activity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is divided into multiple sensor elements (first sensor element, second sensor element, etc.) that can be independently activated. Each element has its own enzyme coating and sensing capability, allowing sequential use to extend overall sensor longevity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables switching between different sensor elements by changing operational parameters (activation status). The controller can activate different elements based on their condition, effectively changing the operational state of the sensor system to extend useful life while managing complexity through parameter control rather than physical reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If multiple sensor elements are incorporated, then sensor longevity is extended through replacement capability, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor elements are segmented into distinct functional units, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high reliability through redundancy while managing complexity by treating each element as a separate, standardized module that can be individually monitored and activated.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor elements perform the same universal function (analyte detection), allowing them to be used interchangeably. This multi-functionality approach enhances reliability through backup capability while controlling complexity by using identical or similar element designs across all positions.
3Measurement precision
If enzyme coating is applied to enhance sensitivity, then measurement accuracy improves, but enzyme activity loss occurs over time reducing longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The enzyme coating is applied to multiple separate sensor elements rather than a single element. Each element maintains its enzyme coating for optimal measurement precision, while the system as a whole extends enzyme activity duration by switching to fresh elements when coating degrades, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and longevity.
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
This approach extends the useful life of analyte sensors by maintaining sensitivity and accuracy over time, enabling continuous monitoring of glucose and other analytes with reduced bio-fouling and enzyme degradation issues.
Implementation Method 1
forming at least one analyte sensor membrane over the lid layer, where the permeability of the analyte sensor membrane disposed over the lid layer can be controlled so that: analyte cannot contact at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements at a first time point in the use of the analyte sensor apparatus; and analyte can contact at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements at a second time point in the use of the analyte sensor apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the reaction between glucose and oxygen that is catalyzed by glucose oxidase (GOx)... the glucose reacts with oxygen to produce H2O2
Implementation Method 3
Glucose can be detected electrochemically using the immobilized enzyme glucose oxidase coupled to oxygen and/or hydrogen peroxide-sensitive electrodes
Implementation Method 4
As glucose and oxygen diffuse into an immobilized enzyme layer on a sensor, the glucose reacts with oxygen to produce H2O2
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides methods for fabricating a long-term analyte sensor for measuring at least one analyte in the body of a user. The analyte sensors made by these methods include a plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements and at least one structure for relaying information to and from the sensor. The analyte sensor so fabricated further includes at least one sensor protection membrane that is controllable in a manner such that sensor elements may be activated (e.g. exposed to the external environment) at different times so as to extend the useful life of the sensor. In illustrative analyte sensors, the analyte is glucose.