Transcutaneous analyte sensor

• US 20060235285A1
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DexCom Incorporated
• Inventors: Brister, Mark, Masterson, Steve, Thrower, James Patrick, Saint, Sean, Neale, Paul V., Kline, Daniel S., Codd, Daniel Shawn
• Application Number:
  US11/415,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20060235285A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/028 Arrangements to prevent overuse, e.g. by counting the number of uses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1451 for interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14517 for sweat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1468 using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means A61B5/1486 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6832 using adhesives A61B5/259 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7264 Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems neural networks per se G06N3/00; expert systems per se G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/12 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/206 : Ethylene oxide
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 : including measuring or testing of device or component part

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Claims

1. A sensor for transcutaneous measurement of an analyte concentration in a host, the sensor comprising:

a working electrode;

a reference electrode; and

a membrane system disposed on an electroactive portion of the working electrode.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises a plated insulator, wherein the insulator is plated with a conductive material.

3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises a plated wire.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises a wire of less than about 0.010 inches in diameter.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the working electrode comprises a tube with a reference electrode disposed inside and an insulator therebetween.

6. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the working electrode is flexible.

8. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the reference electrode comprises a tube with a working electrode disposed inside and an insulator therebetween

9. The sensor of claim 8, wherein the reference electrode is flexible.

10. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the reference electrode has a variable stiffness.

11. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising an insulator comprising a non-conductive material, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode are deposited onto the insulator.

12. The sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode are electro-plated onto the insulator.

13. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising an insulator comprising a conductive material coated with a non-conductive material, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode are deposited onto the non-conductive material.

14. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the working electrode is helically wound around the reference electrode.

15. The sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode has, along a length of the sensor, a configuration selected from the group consisting of double-helix, triple-helix, and quad-helix.

16. The sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode has a porosity therethrough, wherein the porosity is capable of modifying a response of a host'"'"'s tissue to the sensor.

17. The sensor of claim 16, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises at least one wire configured as a mesh, wherein the porosity is provided by the mesh.

18. The sensor of claim 16, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises at least two wires in a helix configuration, and wherein the porosity is provided by spaces within the helix configuration.

19. The sensor of claim 16, wherein the porosity is provided by holes within an in vivo portion of the sensor.

20. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the working electrode and the reference electrode of the sensor are held apart and are configured for insertion into the host in proximal but separate locations.

21. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the working electrode and the reference electrode are less than about 0.010 inches in diameter.

22. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the working and reference electrodes at least about 0.0010 inches in diameter.

7. The sensor of claim 7, wherein the working electrode has a variable stiffness.