Multi-Analyte Sensor Arrays With Shared Electrodes for In Vivo Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current in vivo analyte sensors are ineffective for monitoring multiple analytes commonly dysregulated with glucose, requiring multiple sensors that are inconvenient, costly, and prone to failure, and conventional diagnostic tests for conditions like kidney failure are infrequent, increasing the risk of undetected organ damage.

Innovation Solution

Development of analyte sensors with multiple working electrodes and suitable detection chemistry to monitor multiple analytes, such as glucose, ketones, lactate, and creatinine, allowing for continuous in vivo monitoring and early detection of health conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple separate in vivo analyte sensors are used to monitor multiple analytes, then each analyte can be detected with specificity, but the device complexity, cost, and failure risk increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte detection specificityVSAvoidnumber of sensors required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple analyte sensing functions into a single integrated sensor device. The sensor includes a first working electrode for glucose detection and a second working electrode for kidney function analyte detection, along with shared counter and reference electrodes. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors while maintaining the ability to detect multiple analytes simultaneously with specificity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single sensor device is designed to perform multiple analyte detection functions simultaneously. It can detect glucose levels through one working electrode and kidney function analytes through another working electrode, making it a multi-functional device that replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate in vivo analyte sensors are used, then comprehensive analyte monitoring is achieved, but the cost burden and failure probability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte monitoring coverageVSAvoidsensor system failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple sensing functions into a single integrated sensor with multiple working electrodes, the patent reduces the total number of sensor implantation sites and electronic interfaces required. This consolidation inherently reduces the statistical likelihood of system failure compared to using multiple separate sensors, while still providing comprehensive monitoring of multiple analytes including glucose and kidney function markers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional infrequent diagnostic testing is used for kidney function, then monitoring cost is reduced, but the risk of undetected organ damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting frequencyVSAvoidearly detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor enables continuous or near-continuous monitoring of kidney function analytes in vivo, providing real-time or frequent data on kidney function status. This continuous monitoring capability allows for early detection of kidney dysfunction before significant organ damage occurs, overcoming the limitations of infrequent conventional diagnostic testing while maintaining cost-effectiveness through a single integrated sensor platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

Provides a more accurate and continuous representation of multiple analyte levels, enabling early health care intervention and reducing the risk of conditions like kidney failure by integrating sensors for glucose, ketones, lactate, and creatinine on a single sensor.

Implementation Method 1

a first working electrode and a first analyte-responsive active area disposed thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical detection: Electrochemiluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS20250295337A1Sensor array systems and methods for detecting multiple analytes

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

Multiple analytes may be dysregulated singularly or concurrently in certain physiological conditions and may be advantageously assayed together using analyte sensors capable of detecting multiple analytes. Certain analyte sensors capable of the detection of multiple analytes may include first and second working electrodes, analyte-responsive active areas disposed on each of the working electrodes, and reference and counter electrodes. Analyte sensors that include multiple working electrodes but do not include reference and counter electrodes can also be used in conjunction with another sensor that contains reference and counter electrodes, such that these electrodes are shared.