Tubular sensor for the detection of an analyte
First Claim
1. An implantable sensor for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, the implantable sensor comprising a flexible, tubular sensor element, the tubular sensor element defining a longitudinal sensor axis, and the tubular sensor element comprising a flexible, tubular body and a plurality of electrode groups wherein each electrode group includes at least two electrode rings adapted for electrochemical determination of the concentration of the analyte;
- and wherein each of the electrode rings of each electrode group is mounted on the tubular body and is longitudinally spaced apart from each of the other electrode rings mounted on the tubular body, and wherein electrically and/or galvanically insulated supply lines each having an embedded length that extends from proximate an end of the tubular body opposite from an implantation end to a respective one of the electrode rings are embedded in the tubular body such that the embedded length of the supply lines are circumferentially spaced apart from each other within the tubular body and the embedded length of each of the supply lines extends parallel to the longitudinal sensor axis and wherein each of the electrode rings mounted on the tubular body is coupled to a separate supply line and wherein each of the electrode groups includes at least one working electrode and at least one further electrode selected from a counterelectrode and/or a reference electrode positioned on the tubular body in a longitudinally sequential pattern of electrode rings, with each of the electrode groups having the same longitudinally sequential pattern of electrode rings and wherein the implantable sensor produces a signal indicative of analyte concentration when implanted and wherein the plurality of electrode groups are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal sensor axis such that the at least two electrode rings forming each one of the electrode groups are positioned along a continuous longitudinal length of the tubular body which is non-overlapping and separate from the longitudinal length of the tubular body on which the electrode rings of the other electrode groups are positioned; and
wherein when an actuation and evaluation unit actuates one of the plurality of electrode groups to obtain a signal indicative of an analyte concentration, the actuation and evaluation unit additionally subjects to an electrical potential the electrode groups which are longitudinally adjacent to the one electrode group being used to obtain the signal indicative of an analyte concentration to shield the electrode group being used to obtain the signal indicative of the analyte concentration.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable sensor can be used for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, particularly in a body tissue and/or a body fluid. The implantable sensor can comprise a flexible, tubular sensor element. This sensor element has a tubular body on which at least two electrode rings are mounted for electrochemical determination of the concentration of the analyte.
27 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. An implantable sensor for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, the implantable sensor comprising a flexible, tubular sensor element, the tubular sensor element defining a longitudinal sensor axis, and the tubular sensor element comprising a flexible, tubular body and a plurality of electrode groups wherein each electrode group includes at least two electrode rings adapted for electrochemical determination of the concentration of the analyte;
- and wherein each of the electrode rings of each electrode group is mounted on the tubular body and is longitudinally spaced apart from each of the other electrode rings mounted on the tubular body, and wherein electrically and/or galvanically insulated supply lines each having an embedded length that extends from proximate an end of the tubular body opposite from an implantation end to a respective one of the electrode rings are embedded in the tubular body such that the embedded length of the supply lines are circumferentially spaced apart from each other within the tubular body and the embedded length of each of the supply lines extends parallel to the longitudinal sensor axis and wherein each of the electrode rings mounted on the tubular body is coupled to a separate supply line and wherein each of the electrode groups includes at least one working electrode and at least one further electrode selected from a counterelectrode and/or a reference electrode positioned on the tubular body in a longitudinally sequential pattern of electrode rings, with each of the electrode groups having the same longitudinally sequential pattern of electrode rings and wherein the implantable sensor produces a signal indicative of analyte concentration when implanted and wherein the plurality of electrode groups are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal sensor axis such that the at least two electrode rings forming each one of the electrode groups are positioned along a continuous longitudinal length of the tubular body which is non-overlapping and separate from the longitudinal length of the tubular body on which the electrode rings of the other electrode groups are positioned; and
wherein when an actuation and evaluation unit actuates one of the plurality of electrode groups to obtain a signal indicative of an analyte concentration, the actuation and evaluation unit additionally subjects to an electrical potential the electrode groups which are longitudinally adjacent to the one electrode group being used to obtain the signal indicative of an analyte concentration to shield the electrode group being used to obtain the signal indicative of the analyte concentration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- and wherein each of the electrode rings of each electrode group is mounted on the tubular body and is longitudinally spaced apart from each of the other electrode rings mounted on the tubular body, and wherein electrically and/or galvanically insulated supply lines each having an embedded length that extends from proximate an end of the tubular body opposite from an implantation end to a respective one of the electrode rings are embedded in the tubular body such that the embedded length of the supply lines are circumferentially spaced apart from each other within the tubular body and the embedded length of each of the supply lines extends parallel to the longitudinal sensor axis and wherein each of the electrode rings mounted on the tubular body is coupled to a separate supply line and wherein each of the electrode groups includes at least one working electrode and at least one further electrode selected from a counterelectrode and/or a reference electrode positioned on the tubular body in a longitudinally sequential pattern of electrode rings, with each of the electrode groups having the same longitudinally sequential pattern of electrode rings and wherein the implantable sensor produces a signal indicative of analyte concentration when implanted and wherein the plurality of electrode groups are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal sensor axis such that the at least two electrode rings forming each one of the electrode groups are positioned along a continuous longitudinal length of the tubular body which is non-overlapping and separate from the longitudinal length of the tubular body on which the electrode rings of the other electrode groups are positioned; and
-
11. A method for producing an implantable sensor adapted for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, comprising:
-
producing a tubular body for a tubular sensor element wherein the tubular sensor element defines a longitudinal sensor axis; applying to the tubular body a plurality of electrode groups, each electrode group having at least two electrode rings at longitudinally spaced apart locations, the at least two electrode rings of each electrode group being adapted for electrochemical determination of the concentration of the analyte wherein the at least two electrode rings of each electrode group comprise at least one working electrode and at least one further electrode selected from a counterelectrode and/or a reference electrode and wherein the electrode rings forming the plurality of electrode groups are arranged such that the at least one working electrode and the at least one further electrode of each electrode group defines a longitudinally sequential pattern of electrode rings with each of the electrode groups defining the same longitudinal sequential pattern of electrode rings and wherein the at least two electrode rings forming each one of the electrode groups are positioned along a continuous longitudinal length of the tubular body which is non-overlapping and separate from the longitudinal length of the tubular body on which the electrode rings of the other electrode groups are positioned; and embedding electrically and/or galvanically insulated supply lines for the at least two electrode rings of each electrode group in the tubular body such that the supply lines have an embedded length that extends parallel to the longitudinal sensor axis and from proximate an end of the tubular element opposite from an implantation end to a respective one of the electrode rings and wherein the supply lines are circumferentially spaced apart from each other within the tubular body, and connecting each of the electrode rings to a separate supply line wherein each of the electrode groups independently produces a signal indicative of analyte concentration when implanted; and providing an actuation and evaluation unit to actuate one of the plurality of electrode groups to obtain a signal indicative of an analyte concentration, the actuation and evaluation unit additionally configured to subject to an electrical potential the electrode groups which are longitudinally adjacent to the one electrode group being used to obtain the signal indicative of an analyte concentration to shield the electrode group being used to obtain the signal indicative of the analyte concentration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. An implantable sensor for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, the implantable sensor comprising a flexible, tubular sensor element, the tubular sensor element defining a longitudinal sensor axis, and the tubular sensor element comprising a flexible, tubular body wherein a plurality of electrode groups are disposed on the tubular body, each electrode group including at least two electrode rings adapted for electrochemical determination of the concentration of the analyte are mounted on the tubular body, the at least two electrode rings of each electrode group being longitudinally spaced apart, said electrode rings of each electrode group comprising at least one working electrode and at least one further electrode selected from a counter electrode and/or a reference electrode, wherein electrically and/or galvanically insulated supply lines for the at least two electrode rings of each electrode group are embedded in the tubular body, and wherein the supply lines have an embedded length that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and from proximate an end of the sensor element opposite from an implantation end to a respective one of the electrode rings and wherein the supply lines are circumferentially spaced apart from each other within the tubular body, wherein each electrode group of the implantable sensor independently produces a signal indicative of analyte concentration when implanted and wherein the electrode rings forming the plurality of electrode groups are arranged such that the at least one working electrode and the at least one further electrode of each electrode group defines a longitudinally sequential pattern of electrode rings with each of the electrode groups defining the same longitudinal sequential pattern of electrode rings and wherein the at least two electrode rings forming each one of the electrode groups are positioned along a continuous longitudinal length of the tubular body which is non-overlapping and separate from the longitudinal length of the tubular body on which the electrode rings of the other electrode groups are positioned;
- and
an actuation and evaluation unit operably connected with the implantable sensor wherein the actuation and evaluation unit actuates and evaluates the plurality of electrode groups independently of each other; wherein when the actuation and evaluation unit actuates one of the plurality of electrode groups to obtain a signal indicative of an analyte concentration, the actuation and evaluation unit additionally subjects to an electrical potential the electrode groups which are longitudinally adjacent to the one electrode group being used to obtain the signal indicative of the analyte concentration to shield the electrode group being used to obtain the signal indicative of the analyte concentration. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
- and
Specification