Miniature Amperometric Self-Powered Continuous Glucose Sensor with Linear Response

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 84; no. 7; pp. 3403 - 3409
• Main Authors: Liu, Zenghe, Cho, Brian, Ouyang, Tianmei, Feldman, Ben
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 03.04.2012
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Biosensing Techniques - instrumentation; Biosensing Techniques - methods; Biosensors; Chemical compounds; Chemistry; Electric Conductivity; Electrochemical methods; Electrochemistry - instrumentation; Electrochemistry - methods; Electrodes; Exact sciences and technology; General, instrumentation; Glucose; Glucose - analysis; Glucose - chemistry; Glucose Oxidase - metabolism; Linear Models; Microtechnology - instrumentation; Microtechnology - methods; Oxidation-Reduction; Polyvinyls - chemistry; Performance evaluation; Human; Glucose oxidase; Implant; Enzyme; Cathode; Device; Concentration; Chemical sensor; In vitro; Electrochemical detector; Improvement; Treatment; Amperometry; Membrane; End; Continuous measurement; Oxidoreductases; Application; Resistor
• DOI: 10.1021/ac300217p
• ISSN: 0003-2700

Continuous glucose measurement has improved the treatment of type 1 diabetes and is typically provided by externally powered transcutaneous amperometric sensors. Self-powered glucose sensors (SPGSs) could provide an improvement over these conventionally powered devices, especially for fully implanted long-term applications where implanted power sources are problematic. Toward this end, we describe a robust SPGS that may be built from four simple components: (1) a low-potential, wired glucose oxidase anode; (2) a Pt/C cathode; (3) an overlying glucose flux–limiting membrane; and (4) a resistor bridging the anode and cathode. In vitro evaluation showed that the sensor output is linear over physiologic glucose concentrations (2–30 mM), even at low O2 concentrations. Output was independent of the connecting resistor values over the range from 0 to 10 MΩ. The output was also stable over 60 days of continuous in vitro operation at 37 °C in 30 mM glucose. A 5-day trial in a volunteer demonstrated that the performance of the device was virtually identical to that of a conventional amperometric sensor. Thus, this SPGS is an attractive alternative to conventionally powered devices, especially for fully implanted long-term applications.