Polycarbonate Urea-Urethane Membrane for Glucose Sensor Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glucose sensors face challenges in maintaining accuracy due to low oxygen concentrations in vivo, leading to oxygen deficit issues that compromise sensor readings, and conventional polymeric membranes degrade under high temperature and humidity conditions.
Innovation Solution
Development of a polyurea-urethane copolymer membrane with carbonate and aromatic isocyanate chains for enhanced thermal and hydrolytic stability, which forms a robust analyte modulating layer that stabilizes glucose permeability and prevents degradation, thereby improving sensor performance and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polymeric membranes are used in glucose sensors, then the sensors can detect glucose levels, but the membranes degrade under high temperature and humidity conditions, compromising long-term stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polycarbonate diol with traditional polyurea components to create a polyurea-poly carbonate copolymer. This composite structure integrates the thermal and hydrolytic stability of polycarbonate chains with the glucose permeability and sensor performance of polyurea, resolving the degradation issue while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymeric membrane by incorporating polycarbonate diol chains with specific molecular weights and structures. This parameter modification enhances the membrane's resistance to thermal and hydrolytic degradation, directly addressing the stability problem
2Measurement precision
If oxygen concentration in vivo is low, then the sensor can be implanted in the body, but oxygen deficit occurs leading to inaccurate glucose readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a membrane with differentiated regions - the polycarbonate-polyurea copolymer structure provides localized areas with enhanced oxygen transport properties while maintaining overall membrane integrity. This allows sufficient oxygen to reach the enzyme layer without compromising glucose selectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous material characteristics through the copolymer structure, which creates pathways for oxygen diffusion while maintaining glucose permeability control. The porous nature of the copolymer membrane facilitates oxygen transport to address the oxygen deficit problem in vivo
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 polyurea-urethane copolymer membrane enhances the stability and accuracy of glucose sensors by maintaining consistent glucose permeability and mechanical properties, even under varying temperature and humidity conditions, leading to improved in-vivo performance and extended sensor lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
carbonate and aromatic isocyanate chains in amounts observed to contribute to the thermal and hydrolytic stability of such polymers
Implementation Method 2
carbonate and aromatic isocyanate chains in amounts observed to contribute to the thermal and hydrolytic stability of such polymers
Implementation Method 3
an analyte modulating layer disposed on the analyte sensing layer... maintaining consistent glucose permeability
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide compositions useful in analyte sensors as well as methods for making and using such compositions and sensors. In typical embodiments of the invention, the sensor is a glucose sensor comprising an analyte modulating membrane formed from a polymer composition having carbonate and aromatic isocyanate chains, a composition observed to provide such membranes with improved material properties such as enhanced thermal and hydrolytic stability.