Monitoring method and/or apparatus
First Claim
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1. A method of monitoring glucose disorders comprising:
- preparing a plurality of out-of-plane microneedles for applying to the skin of a subject with a dialysis membrane remaining outside the skin;
fixing a detecting substance useful in determining glucose levels on an opposite side of said dialysis membrane from said needles;
wherein said fixing is accomplished by placing a polymer-detecting substance solution at said opposite side of said membrane after higher temperature fabrication and/or assembly steps of said microneedles have been performed;
applying said plurality of out-of plane microneedles to the skin of a subject with a dialysis membrane remaining outside the skin; and
performing continuous glucose monitoring by testing composition of a dialysis fluid remaining outside the skin and separated from said microneedles by said dialysis membrane.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for substance monitoring. One application is an easy to handle continuous glucose monitor using a group of hollow out-of-plane silicon microneedles to sample substances in interstitial fluid from the epidermal skin layer. The glucose of the interstitial fluid permeates a dialysis membrane and reaches a sensor. Using MEMS technology, for example, allows well-established batch fabrication at low cost.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring glucose disorders comprising:
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preparing a plurality of out-of-plane microneedles for applying to the skin of a subject with a dialysis membrane remaining outside the skin; fixing a detecting substance useful in determining glucose levels on an opposite side of said dialysis membrane from said needles; wherein said fixing is accomplished by placing a polymer-detecting substance solution at said opposite side of said membrane after higher temperature fabrication and/or assembly steps of said microneedles have been performed; applying said plurality of out-of plane microneedles to the skin of a subject with a dialysis membrane remaining outside the skin; and performing continuous glucose monitoring by testing composition of a dialysis fluid remaining outside the skin and separated from said microneedles by said dialysis membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification