Minimally-invasive system and method for monitoring analyte levels
First Claim
1. A device for detecting at least one analyte in a patient, comprising:
- a plurality of active electrodes, said active electrodes having a length such that said active electrodes are adapted to pass through the stratum corneum to a depth which is sufficient to access said analyte and less than a depth in the dermis at which nerve endings reside, to enable the electrochemical detection of said analyte; and
auxiliary electrodes configured to at least partially surround each of said active electrodes, and adapted to contact the surface of patient'"'"'s skin when the device is placed against said patient and operated to detect said at least one analyte;
wherein said plurality of active electrodes are adapted to be sequentially positioned at at least one active location of said device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A minimally-invasive analyte detecting device and method for using the same. The system and method employ a device having an active electrode optionally coated with a substance, and a counter-electrode that is configured at least partially surround the active electrode. The configuration of the auxiliary electrode and active electrode improves the current flow through the device and increases the sensitivity of the device. When the device is placed against the patient'"'"'s skin, the active electrode is adapted to enter through the stratum corneum of a patient to a depth less than a depth in the dermis at which nerve endings reside. An electric potential is applied to the active electrode and the analyte level is determined based on the amount of current or charge flowing through the device.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device for detecting at least one analyte in a patient, comprising:
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a plurality of active electrodes, said active electrodes having a length such that said active electrodes are adapted to pass through the stratum corneum to a depth which is sufficient to access said analyte and less than a depth in the dermis at which nerve endings reside, to enable the electrochemical detection of said analyte; and
auxiliary electrodes configured to at least partially surround each of said active electrodes, and adapted to contact the surface of patient'"'"'s skin when the device is placed against said patient and operated to detect said at least one analyte;
wherein said plurality of active electrodes are adapted to be sequentially positioned at at least one active location of said device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device for detecting at least one analyte in a patient, comprising:
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a plurality of active electrodes having a length such that said active electrodes are adapted to pass through the stratum corneum of said patient to a depth which is sufficient to access said analyte and less than a depth in the dermis at which nerve endings reside; and
at least one substance adjacent to at least a portion of said active electrodes capable of reacting with at least one analyte to produce at least one electrochemically active product; and
auxiliary electrodes configured to at least partially surround each of said active electrodes, and adapted to contact the surface of said patient'"'"'s skin when the device is placed against said patient and operated to detect said at least one analyte;
wherein said plurality of active electrodes are adapted to be sequentially positioned at at least one active location of said device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device for detecting at least one analyte in a patient, comprising:
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a plurality of active electrodes adapted to be sequentially positioned at at least one active location of said device, each said active electrode having a length such that said active electrode is adapted to pass through the stratum corneum to a depth which is sufficient to access said analyte to enable the electrochemical detection of said analyte; and
auxiliary electrodes configured to at least partially surround each of said active electrodes, and adapted to contact patient'"'"'s skin when the device is placed against said patient. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A device for detecting at least one analyte in a patient, comprising:
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a plurality of active electrodes adapted to be sequentially positioned at at least one active location of said device each said active electrode having a length such that said active electrode is adapted to pass through the stratum corneum of said patient to a depth sufficient to access said analyte; and
at least one substance adjacent to at least a portion of said active electrode capable of reacting with at least one analyte to produce at least one electrochemically active product; and
auxiliary electrodes configured to at least partially surround each of said active electrodes, and adapted to contact patient'"'"'skin when the device is placed against said patient. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification