Analyte Sensors, Testing Apparatus and Manufacturing Methods

• US 20110171071A1
• Filed: 09/17/2009
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Fei, Jiangfeng, Wang, Yuan, Gifford, Raeann, Sun, Hoi-Cheong Steve, Parasnis, Narasinha, Peteu, Serban, Wu, Mu
• Granted Patent: US 8,551,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/82.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3272 Test elements therefor, i.e. disposable laminated substrates with electrodes, reagent and channels optical biosensors G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor may include a first sensor member coupled to a base, wherein the first sensor member includes a semiconductor material, a second sensor member coupled to the base; and an active region in contact with at least the first sensor member. In some aspects, the first sensor member may be a fiber, and may have a conductive core and a semiconducting cladding surrounding the core. Manufacturing methods and apparatus utilizing the sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Claims

1. An analyte sensor, comprising:

a base;

a first sensor member coupled to the base, the first sensor member comprising a semiconductor material;

a second sensor member coupled to the base and spaced from the first sensor member; and

an active region in contact with at least the first sensor member.

2. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein the first sensor member comprises a core of a conductive material and a cladding of the semiconductor material.

3. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor material comprises silicon carbide.

4. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein the second sensor member comprises a core of a conductive material, and a cladding of the semiconductor material.

5. The analyte sensor of claim 1, further comprising a lid coupled to the base and at least partially defining a cavity located proximate to the active region.

6. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein the first sensor member comprises a fiber.

7. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein a core of the first sensor member and a core of the second member are in contact with the active region.

8. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein the first sensor member comprises an enhanced region.

9. The analyte sensor of claim 8, wherein the enhanced region comprises an exposed portion of the core.

10. The analyte sensor of claim 8, wherein the enhanced region comprises a conductive coating.

11. The analyte sensor of claim 8, wherein the enhanced region comprises at least a portion of a cladding with an enhanced conductivity or electrochemical activity.

12. The analyte sensor of claim 1, further comprising a cavity at least partially formed between the base and a lid attached to the base.

13. The analyte sensor of claim 12, wherein an end portion of the first sensor member and an end portion of a second member are located proximate to the cavity.

14. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein the cladding of first sensor member is partially impressed into the base.

15. The analyte sensor of claim 1, further comprising a fill detector.

16. The analyte sensor of claim 1, further comprising a coded region.

17. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein the analyte sensor is adapted to sense an analyte comprising one or more of glucose, lactate, aspartate, and glutamate.

18. The analyte sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

a cavity formed proximate to an end of the first sensor member; and

the active region positioned within the cavity, the active region being coupled to the end of the first sensor member.

19. The analyte sensor of claim 1, wherein the first sensor member comprises:

a fiber sensor member coupled to the base;

a cavity formed proximate to an end of the fiber sensor member; and

the active region positioned within the cavity, the active region being coupled to the end of the fiber sensor member.

20. The analyte sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

the base is an insulating material;

the first sensor member is comprised of a core of conductive material and a cladding of the semiconductor material surrounding the core;

a second sensor member coupled to the base and comprised of a core of conductive material and a cladding of a semiconductor material surrounding the core;

a cavity formed proximate to ends of the first and second sensor members;

the active region positioned within the cavity, the active region being coupled to both the first and second sensor members; and

a lid attached to the base, wherein the base and lid at least partially define the cavity.

21. A testing apparatus, comprising:

a port receiving an analyte sensor, wherein the analyte sensor further comprises

a base;

a first sensor member coupled to the base, the first sensor member comprising a semiconductor material;

a second sensor member coupled to the base and spaced from the first sensor member; and

an active region in contact with at least the first sensor member.

22. A method of manufacturing an analyte sensor, comprising the steps of:

providing a base;

mounting a first sensor member on the base wherein the first sensor member is comprised of a semiconductor material;

applying an active region on a portion of the first sensor member; and

providing a lid coupled to the base.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising a step of mounting a second member on the base wherein the second sensor member is comprised of a semiconductor material.

24. A method of manufacturing a plurality of analyte sensors, comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of base material;

mounting a plurality of fibers on the sheet of base material wherein the fibers are comprised of a semiconductor material;

applying an active region on at least some of the fibers;

attaching lidstock to form a unitary body; and

cutting the unitary body to provide a plurality of analyte sensors.