Electrical devices with enhanced electrochemical activity and manufacturing methods thereof

• US 10,408,782 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2016
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Charlton, Steven C., Peteu, Serban, Sun, Steve, Wang, Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Jay C
• Application Number:
  US15/071,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20160195489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 438 15, 438 48, 438 49, 438931
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/006 for glucose
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/26 involving oxidoreductase
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3271 Amperometric enzyme electrodes for analytes in body fluids, e.g. glucose in blood amperometry per se G01N27/49; aspects concerning the enzyme reagent C12Q1/001
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48707 by electrical means G01N33/49, G01N33/493 take precedence

Abstract

In some aspects, a device is provided having a member with a region of enhanced electrochemical activity. In one aspect, a sensor of enhanced electrochemical activity is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The sensor may include a sensor member of a semiconductor material wherein the sensor member has a surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity. In other aspects, the member may be made of semiconducting foam having a surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity. In some embodiments, the region may be thermally-induced. Manufacturing methods and apparatus are also provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Claims

1. An analyte sensor for detecting an analyte concentration level in a biofluid sample, comprising:

a sensor member in the form of a fiber including a core formed of conductive material surrounded by a cladding formed of a semiconductor material including silicon carbide, the sensor member including;

a surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity on the cladding, wherein the surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity has been altered by exposure to heat to have a response to an analyte that is greater than about five times than before the exposure; and

an active region in contact with the surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity, the active region including an agent selected from among;

glucose oxidase, glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), pyrolloquinoline quinine (PQQ), and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and being adapted to be exposed to the biofluid sample.

2. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity is formed on less than all of a radial periphery of the fiber.

3. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity is formed on an outer surface of the sensor member and has a depth of at least approximately 5 microns.

4. The sensor of claim 3 wherein the depth is at least approximately 10 microns.

5. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity is comprised of an annulus formed on a surface of the sensor member.

6. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity is comprised of a plurality of annuli formed on a surface of the sensor member.

7. The sensor of claim 1 wherein a current density in response to exposure of the sensor to an analyte is greater than approximately 1 μ

A/cm2.