Minimally Invasive Stress Sensors and Methods

• US 20150057513A1
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: LaBelle, Jeffrey, Ruh, Katherine, Haselwood, Brittney
• Application Number:
  US14/378,454
• Publication Number:
  US 20150057513A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/345
• 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 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/685 Microneedles

Abstract

Methods and devices to continuously measure electrochemical activity of one or more biochemical or molecular markers (FIG. 9). A substrate having electronics for measuring electrochemical activity and a plurality of electrodes such that the electrodes are in contact with the subcutaneous layer are attached to subject'"'"'s skin or intravenously. The devices measure a biochemical process associated with one or more biochemical or molecular markers in vivo by detecting an electrochemical signal in subcutaneous layer (or intravenously) using the plurality of electrodes.

Claims

1. A method to continuously measure electrochemical activity of one or more biochemical or molecular markers, comprising the steps of:

attaching a substrate having electronics for measuring electrochemical activity and a plurality of electrodes such that said electrodes are in contact with the subcutaneous layer of a subject'"'"'s skin;

and measuring a biochemical process associated with said one or more biochemical or molecular markers in vivo by detecting an electrochemical signal in said subcutaneous layer using said plurality of electrodes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein an electrochemical signal is generated such that multiple frequencies are multiplexed together on a carrier wave and sent down a counter electrode while recording and demultiplexing the signal from a working electrode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is flexible and adhesive.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more markers include Dopamine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Glucose, Lactate, Cortisol.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein multiplexed electrochemical impedance-time signals are used to interrogate an electrochemical cell formed by said electrodes.

6. A device adapted to measure electrochemical activity of a biochemical or molecular marker, comprising:

a substrate having electronics adapted for measurement of electrochemical activity and a plurality of electrodes, said electrodes being attached to said substrate, operably connected to said electronics, and adapted to penetrate the skin to a subcutaneous layer.

7. A device of claim 6, wherein the electrodes are comprised of electroactive polymers and plastics, metals, ceramics.