Long term analyte sensor array
First Claim
1. An analyte sensing device for sensing at least one analyte, the analyte sensing device comprising:
- a plurality of analyte sensor elements adapted to contact and sense analyte;
at least one analyte sensor membrane disposed upon at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements in a manner that reversibly prevents an analyte from contacting the at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements, wherein the permeability of the analyte sensor membrane can be controlled to allow an analyte to contact at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements; and
at least one structure operatively coupled to the analyte sensing device for relaying information away from the analyte sensing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A long term analyte sensor for measuring at least one analyte in the body of a user and which includes a housing, a plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements and at least one structure for relaying information away from the sensor. This plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements are typically disposed in an array. The analyte sensor further includes at least one sensor protection membrane that is controllable in a manner such that sensor elements may be activated (e.g. exposed to the external environment) at different times so as to extend the useful life of the sensor. In illustrative analyte sensors, the analyte is glucose.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An analyte sensing device for sensing at least one analyte, the analyte sensing device comprising:
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a plurality of analyte sensor elements adapted to contact and sense analyte;
at least one analyte sensor membrane disposed upon at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements in a manner that reversibly prevents an analyte from contacting the at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements, wherein the permeability of the analyte sensor membrane can be controlled to allow an analyte to contact at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements; and
at least one structure operatively coupled to the analyte sensing device for relaying information away from the analyte sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26)
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22. A long term sensor for measuring at least one analyte in the body of a user, the sensor comprising:
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a housing;
a sensor coupled to the housing;
at least one structure operatively coupled to the sensor for relaying information away from the sensor, wherein the sensor includes at least one sensor array having two or more elements that is controllable in a manner such that sensor elements may be activated at different times to extend the useful life of the sensor.
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23. A method of making a sensor apparatus for implantation within a mammal comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of analyte sensor elements adapted to contact and sense analyte;
providing at least one analyte sensor membrane disposed upon at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements in a manner that reversibly prevents an analyte from contacting the at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements, wherein the permeability of the analyte sensor membrane can be controlled to allow an analyte to contact at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements; and
providing at least one structure operatively coupled to the analyte sensing device for relaying information away from the analyte sensing device.
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24. A method of sensing an analyte within the body of a mammal, the method comprising implanting an analyte sensor in to the mammal, the analyte sensor comprising:
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a plurality of analyte sensor elements adapted to contact and sense analyte;
at least one analyte sensor membrane disposed upon at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements in a manner that reversibly prevents an analyte from contacting the at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements, wherein the permeability of the analyte sensor membrane can be controlled to allow an analyte to contact at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements; and
at least one structure operatively coupled to the analyte sensing device for relaying information away from the analyte sensing device; and
sensing an analyte within the body of a mammal.
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25. A method of extending the useful life of an analyte sensing device comprising analyte sensor elements that exhibit a decrease in the ability to sense analyte over time due to biofouling or a loss of activity of an analyte sensing enzyme disposed on an analyte sensor element;
- the method comprising sensing an analyte with an analyte sensing device comprising;
a plurality of analyte sensor elements adapted to contact and sense analyte;
at least one analyte sensor membrane disposed upon at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements in a manner that reversibly prevents an analyte from contacting the at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements, wherein the permeability of the analyte sensor membrane can be controlled to allow an analyte to contact at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements; and
at least one structure operatively coupled to the analyte sensing device for relaying information away from the analyte sensing device;
wherein the useful life of an analyte sensing device is extended by;
deactivating a first analyte sensor element in the plurality of analyte sensor elements that contact and sense analyte when the first analyte sensing element exhibits a decrease in the ability to sense analyte due to biofouling or a loss of activity of an analyte sensing enzyme disposed on the first analyte sensor element; and
activating a second analyte sensor element in the plurality of analyte sensor elements that contact and sense analyte by controlling the permeability of an analyte sensor membrane disposed upon the second analyte sensor element to allow an analyte to contact the second analyte sensor element, so that the useful life of the analyte sensing device is extended.
- the method comprising sensing an analyte with an analyte sensing device comprising;
Specification