Electrochemical Reagent Oxidation for Background Current Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Current test sensors face accuracy and precision issues due to background currents caused by impurities or components of the reagent material, affecting the stability and calibration of analyte tests in body fluids.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical system is used to oxidize the test sensor reagent before deposition, employing a system with first and second electrodes to reduce background currents by oxidizing oxidizable species, thereby producing a modified reagent with improved accuracy and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If reagent material is used in test sensors, then analyte testing function is provided, but background current is generated reducing accuracy and precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte testing accuracyVSAvoidbackground current

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent material undergoes preliminary oxidation treatment before being applied to the test sensor. This pre-treatment step converts oxidizable species in the reagent to their oxidized forms, eliminating their ability to generate background current during subsequent analyte testing, while preserving the reagent's analyte-reactive functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The oxidation state of the reagent material is changed as a key parameter modification. By controlling the oxidation process through electrochemical means, the reagent's chemical properties are altered to reduce background current generation while maintaining its ability to react with target analytes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If reagent components are added to test sensor, then testing capability is enhanced, but background current increases affecting stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoidtesting system stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent material undergoes preliminary oxidation treatment before being applied to the test sensor. This pre-treatment step converts oxidizable species in the reagent to their oxidized forms, eliminating their ability to generate background current during subsequent analyte testing, while preserving the reagent's analyte-reactive functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional reagent is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but calibration process requires more input and effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent productionVSAvoidcalibration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent material undergoes preliminary oxidation treatment before being applied to the test sensor. This pre-treatment step converts oxidizable species in the reagent to their oxidized forms, eliminating their ability to generate background current during subsequent analyte testing, while preserving the reagent's analyte-reactive functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method significantly reduces background currents, enhancing the accuracy and precision of analyte tests and simplifying the calibration process by minimizing the intercept value, allowing for more precise glucose monitoring in diabetic patients.

Implementation Method 1

A method for the electrochemical oxidation of a test-sensor reagent comprises the acts of providing the test-sensor reagent having oxidizable species and flowing the test-sensor reagent through a system having a first electrode and a second electrode. An oxidation reaction may occur at the second electrode.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

A reduction reaction may occur at the first electrode and an oxidation reaction may occur at the second electrode. Applying a current to at least one of the first or second electrode and oxidizing the oxidizable species

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS10329684B2Method for forming an optical test sensor

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 ASCENSIA DIABETES CARE HLDG AG

AI summary

Systems and methods for electrochemically oxidizing components of a test-sensor reagent prior to deposition on a test sensor comprise at least a first electrode and a second electrode for contacting the test-sensor reagent. The first electrode and the second electrode may have hollow interior portions for contacting the test-sensor reagent to produce a modified test-sensor reagent having a reduced background current.