OPTIMIZED SENSOR GEOMETRY FOR AN IMPLANTABLE GLUCOSE SENSOR

• US 20110124992A1
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Inventors: Martinson, Laura A., Brauker, James H., Carr-Brendel, Victoria, Tapsak, Mark A., Neale, Paul V.
• Application Number:
  US13/015,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20110124992A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/187 Strain relief means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

An implantable sensor for use in measuring a concentration of an analyte such as glucose in a bodily fluid, including a body with a sensing region adapted for transport of analytes between the sensor and the bodily fluid, wherein the sensing region is located on a curved portion of the body such that when a foreign body capsule forms around the sensor, a contractile force is exerted by the foreign body capsule toward the sensing region. The body is partially or entirely curved, partially or entirely covered with an anchoring material for supporting tissue ingrowth, and designed for subcutaneous tissue implantation. The geometric design, including curvature, shape, and other factors minimize chronic inflammatory response at the sensing region and contribute to improved performance of the sensor in vivo.

Claims

1. An implantable sensor for use in measuring a concentration of an analyte in a bodily fluid, the sensor comprising:

a substantially cylindrical body comprising a sensing region and adapted for transport of at least one analyte from a bodily fluid to the sensing region, wherein the substantially cylindrical body is defined by a curved lateral surface and two ends, and wherein the sensing region is located on the curved lateral surface such that when a foreign body capsule forms around the sensor in vivo, a contractile force is exerted by the foreign body capsule toward the sensing region.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the substantially cylindrical body comprises a thermoplastic plastic or a thermoset plastic.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the substantially cylindrical body comprises epoxy.

4. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a battery and a circuit board housed within the substantially cylindrical body.

5. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising an application specific integrated circuit housed within the substantially cylindrical body.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensing region comprises a plurality of sensors.

7. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to sense a same analyte.

8. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to sense at least two different analytes.

9. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensing region is configured for measurement of a concentration of glucose in the bodily fluid.

10. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensing region comprises an electrode.

11. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured for implantation in a soft tissue of a body.

12. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a porous biointerface material that covers at least a portion of the sensing region.

13. The sensor of claim 12, wherein the biointerface material comprises interconnected cavities dimensioned and arranged to create contractile forces that counteract a generally uniform downward fibrous tissue contracture caused by the foreign body capsule in vivo so as to interfere with formation of occlusive cells.

14. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensing region encircles the curved lateral surface.