Over-molding of sensor apparatus in eye-mountable device

• US 9,757,056 B1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kubba, Michael, Linhardt, Jeffrey George
• Primary Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Assistant Examiner(s): MESSERSMITH, ERIC J
• Application Number:
  US13/661,735
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/12 Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 Eye

Abstract

Example eye-mountable devices and methods for fabricating eye-mountable devices are described. A method may involve forming a first polymer layer, which defines an anterior side of the eye-mountable device and is configured to allow an analyte to diffuse therethrough. Further, the method may involve positioning a sensor apparatus on the first polymer layer, wherein the sensor apparatus comprises at least one sensor configured to detect the analyte, and wherein the at least one sensor is oriented relative to the first polymer layer to receive the analyte via diffusion through the first polymer layer. The sensor apparatus may have a height dimension of at least 50 micrometers. Still further, the method may involve forming a second polymer layer over the first polymer layer and the sensor apparatus, such that the sensor apparatus is fully enclosed by the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating an eye-mountable device, the method comprising:

forming a first polymer layer;

positioning a sensor apparatus on the first polymer layer, wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a support and an electrochemical sensor and a loop antenna mounted on the support, and wherein the sensor apparatus has a maximum height of between 50 micrometers and 150 micrometers; and

forming a second polymer layer over the first polymer layer and the sensor apparatus, such that the sensor apparatus is fully enclosed by the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer, wherein one of the first polymer layer or the second polymer layer defines an anterior side of the eye-mountable device, and wherein the support is more rigid than the first and second polymer layers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer defining the anterior side of the eye-mountable device has a thickness of less than 50 micrometers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second polymer layers comprise a hydrogel material or a silicone elastomer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the first polymer layer comprises partially curing the first polymer layer to a partially-cured state, wherein the first polymer layer in the partially-cured state has a tackiness that facilitates adhesion thereto.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein positioning the sensor apparatus on the first polymer layer comprises positioning the sensor apparatus on the first polymer layer in the partially-cured state.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second polymer layers are transparent.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the eye-mountable device has a maximum thickness that is between 100 micrometers and 500 micrometers.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first polymer layer comprises at least one interlocking feature,

wherein positioning the sensor apparatus on the first polymer layer comprises aligning the sensor apparatus with the at least one interlocking feature on the first polymer layer,

and wherein the second polymer layer comprises at least one corresponding interlocking feature, wherein each corresponding interlocking feature of the second polymer layer corresponds with a respective interlocking feature of the first polymer layer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the first polymer layer comprises forming the first polymer layer via spin-casting.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the first polymer layer comprises forming the first polymer layer in a molding cavity.

11. A method comprising:

forming a first polymer layer, wherein the first polymer layer defines an anterior side of an eye-mountable device, and wherein the first polymer layer comprises at least one interlocking feature;

positioning a sensor apparatus on the first polymer layer, wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a support and an electrochemical sensor and a loop antenna mounted on the support, and wherein the sensor apparatus has a maximum height of between 50 micrometers and 150 micrometers; and

forming a second polymer layer, wherein the second polymer layer defines a posterior side of the eye-mountable device, and wherein the second polymer layer comprises at least one corresponding interlocking feature, wherein each corresponding interlocking feature corresponds with a respective interlocking feature of the first polymer layer, and wherein the support is more rigid than the first and second polymer layers.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one interlocking feature comprises a protrusion.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein a thickness of the first polymer layer, aside from the at least one interlocking feature, is less than 50 micrometers.

14. An eye-mountable device comprising:

a first polymer layer, wherein the first polymer layer defines an anterior side of the eye-mountable device, and wherein the first polymer layer comprises at least one interlocking feature;

a second polymer layer wherein the second polymer layer defines a posterior side of the eye-mountable device, and wherein the second polymer layer comprises at least one corresponding interlocking feature, wherein each corresponding interlocking feature corresponds with a respective interlocking feature of the first polymer layer; and

a sensor apparatus attached to at least one of the first polymer layer or the second polymer layer, wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a support and an electrochemical sensor and a loop antenna mounted on the support, wherein the sensor apparatus has a maximum height of between 50 micrometers and 150 micrometers, and wherein the support is more rigid than the first and second polymer layers.

15. The eye-mountable device of claim 14, wherein the first polymer layer has a thickness of less than 50 micrometers.