Vacuum Crosslinking for Glucose Sensor Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crosslinking methods for polymeric compounds and biological systems face challenges in modulating material properties and achieving efficient sterilization, adhesion, and reducing sensor drift and interference in analyte sensors, particularly under varying reaction conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving vacuum chamber crosslinking of substrates using a crosslinking agent under controlled temperature and pressure conditions, where the crosslinking agent forms covalent bonds with specific substrates while evaporating off others, enhancing adhesion and sterilization, and reducing sensor interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crosslinking is performed under conventional conditions, then crosslinking reaction occurs, but material properties cannot be effectively modulated and sterilization is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by conducting crosslinking reactions under negative pressure conditions rather than conventional atmospheric pressure. This pressure parameter modification enables simultaneous achievement of effective sterilization through enhanced crosslinking and precise modulation of material properties, resolving the contradiction between sterilization effectiveness and material property versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a vacuum/negative pressure environment as an inert atmosphere to perform crosslinking reactions. This inert environment eliminates interference from atmospheric gases, enabling both complete sterilization through thorough crosslinking and precise control over material properties without unwanted side reactions.
2Strength
If crosslinking agent concentration is increased to enhance adhesion, then adhesion improves, but sensor drift and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter to negative pressure conditions, which allows effective adhesion through crosslinking at optimized agent concentrations. The negative pressure environment enhances the efficiency of the crosslinking reaction, enabling strong adhesion without requiring excessive crosslinking agent that would cause sensor drift and interference.
3Reliability
If crosslinking reaction time is extended to improve sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness increases, but reaction conditions become harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the pressure parameter to negative pressure, which accelerates the crosslinking reaction rate and improves mass transport. This enables complete sterilization to be achieved in shorter times with better control over reaction conditions, resolving the contradiction between sterilization completeness and reaction control complexity.
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 method effectively modulates material properties, enhances adhesion and sterilization, and reduces sensor drift and interference, resulting in more stable and accurate analyte sensors with improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinking agent capable of forming a covalent bond with the first and second substrates
Implementation Method 2
crosslinking agent that contacts but does not form a covalent bond with the first and/or second substrate evaporates off of the first or second substrate or the matrix into the vacuum chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide methods of crosslinking various compounds and materials made by these methods. Materials made by embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.