Biosensor
First Claim
1. A biosensor 10 for measuring the concentration of an organic molecule, the biosensor comprising:
- a polymeric hydrogel that changes its osmotic pressure in proportion to the concentration of a byproduct;
an oxidoreductase enzyme immobilized in the hydrogel, the oxidoreductase enzyme catalyzing a chemical reaction consuming the organic molecule and producing the byproduct, thereby causing the hydrogel to change its osmotic pressure;
a means for measuring the osmotic pressure of the hydrogel; and
a means for reporting the concentration of the organic molecule based on the measured osmotic pressure of the hydrogel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A biosensor (10) has a pH-sensitive polymeric hydrogel (30) in a rigid and preferably biocompatible enclosure (20). The hydrogel (30) includes an immobilized oxidoreductase enzyme such as glucose oxidase. The oxidoreductase enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction consuming an organic molecule and producing a byproduct. The hydrogel (30) changes its osmotic pressure in proportion to the concentration of a byproduct. By measuring the change in osmotic pressure with a pressure transducer (40), the biosensor (10) is able to accurately measure the concentration of the organic molecule without the problem of interference encountered by prior art biosensors. A battery (64) powered telemeter (60) operably engaged to the pressure transducer (40) sends a radio data signal to a receiver (66) operably attached to a computer (62).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A biosensor 10 for measuring the concentration of an organic molecule, the biosensor comprising:
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a polymeric hydrogel that changes its osmotic pressure in proportion to the concentration of a byproduct;
an oxidoreductase enzyme immobilized in the hydrogel, the oxidoreductase enzyme catalyzing a chemical reaction consuming the organic molecule and producing the byproduct, thereby causing the hydrogel to change its osmotic pressure;
a means for measuring the osmotic pressure of the hydrogel; and
a means for reporting the concentration of the organic molecule based on the measured osmotic pressure of the hydrogel.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A biosensor for measuring the concentration of glucose in a person, the biosensor comprising:
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a rigid, biocompatible enclosure having an open end and a closed end, the open end being covered by a semipermeable membrane;
a flexible diaphragm being positioned between the semipermeable membrane and the closed end; and
a polymeric hydrogel enclosed between the semipermeable membrane and the diaphragm, the hydrogel including moieties that cause the hydrogel to change its osmotic pressure in proportion to the pH of the hydrogel;
an amount of glucose oxidase immobilized in the hydrogel;
a capacitance pressure transducer operatively engaged to the diaphragm; and
a battery powered telemeter operatively engaged to the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method for using a biosensor to measure the concentration of an organic molecule in a solution, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a biosensor comprising;
a rigid, biocompatible enclosure having an open end and a closed end, the open end being covered by a semipermeable membrane;
a flexible diaphragm being positioned between the semipermeable membrane and the closed end; and
a polymeric hydrogel enclosed between the semipermeable membrane and the diaphragm, the hydrogel including moieties that cause the hydrogel to change its osmotic pressure in proportion to the pH of the hydrogel;
an oxidoreductase enzyme immobilized in the hydrogel a means for measuring the osmotic pressure of the hydrogel, the means for measuring being associated with the diaphragm; and
a means for reporting the concentration of the organic molecule based on the measured osmotic pressure of the hydrogel;
b) providing a solution, the solution containing an amount of the organic molecule;
c) inserting the biosensor into the solution;
d) allowing the organic molecule to diffuse into the polymeric hydrogel;
e) allowing the oxidoreductase enzyme to catalyze a chemical reaction consuming the organic molecule and producing the byproduct;
f) measuring the osmotic pressure of the hydrogel with the means for measuring;
g) sending data regarding the osmotic pressure of the hydrogel from the means for measuring to the means for reporting; and
h) reporting the concentration of the organic molecule based upon the osmotic pressure of the hydrogel measured by the means for measuring. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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) inserting the biosensor into a buffer.a″
) inserting the biosensor into a control solution and comparing the data generated to a control curve, thereby calibrating the biosensor ; and
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) rinsing the biosensor in the buffer.
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Specification