Sensor Electrodes in a Bio-compatible Device

• US 20150173680A1
• Filed: 12/23/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Etzkorn, James, Liu, Zenghe, Ho, Harvey
• Granted Patent: US 9,770,207 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

A method may involve providing a conductive pattern on a bio-compatible layer. The conductive pattern may include a first conductive layer that comprises a first metal and a second conductive layer that comprises a second metal. The second conductive layer may be over the first conductive layer, and the first metal may be more malleable than the second metal. The method may also include mounting an electrical component to the conductive pattern to provide an electrochemical sensor. The electrochemical sensor may be configured for use in a body-mountable device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

forming a conductive pattern on a bio-compatible layer to provide at least one sensor electrode that includes (i) a first conductive layer that comprises a first metal and (ii) a second conductive layer that comprises a second metal, wherein the second conductive layer is over the first conductive layer, and wherein the first metal is more malleable than the second metal; and

mounting an electronic component to the conductive pattern to provide at least an electrochemical sensor that is configured for use in a body-mountable device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first metal is gold.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second conductive layer provides a surface on which one of an oxidation reaction or a reduction reaction of reactant occurs, and wherein an identity of the second metal depends on at least the reactant.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the reactant is hydrogen peroxide, and wherein the second metal is platinum.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the conductive pattern to provide the at least one sensor electrode comprises:

forming a conductive pattern comprising a continuous layer of the first metal on a portion of the bio-compatible layer to provide the first conductive layer; and

forming a continuous layer of the second metal over the first conductive layer to provide the second conductive layer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the conductive pattern to provide the at least one sensor electrode comprises:

forming a conductive pattern comprising a continuous layer of the first metal on a portion of the bio-compatible layer to provide the first conductive layer; and

forming one or more segmented layers of the second metal over the first conductive layer to provide the second conductive layer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor electrode further comprises a third conductive layer comprising a third metal, wherein the third conductive layer is between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third metal is palladium.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein forming the conductive pattern to provide the at least one sensor electrode comprises:

forming a conductive pattern comprising a continuous layer of the first metal on a portion of the bio-compatible layer to provide the first conductive layer; and

forming a continuous layer of the third metal over the first conductive layer to provide the third conductive layer; and

forming a continuous layer of the second metal over the third conductive layer to provide the second conductive layer.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein forming the conductive pattern to provide the at least one sensor electrode comprises:

forming a conductive pattern comprising a continuous layer of the first metal on a portion of the bio-compatible layer to provide the first conductive layer; and

forming a continuous layer of the third metal over the first conductive layer to provide the third conductive layer; and

forming one or more segmented layers of the second metal over the third conductive layer to provide the second conductive layer.

11. A sensor comprising:

a conductive pattern on a bio-compatible surface comprising at least one sensor electrode that includes (i) a first conductive layer that comprises a first metal and (ii) a second conductive layer that comprises a second metal, wherein the second conductive layer is over the first conductive layer, and wherein the first metal is more malleable than the second metal; and

an electronic component mounted to the conductive pattern, wherein the sensor is configured for use as an electrochemical sensor in a body-mountable device.

12. The sensor of claim 11, wherein the first metal is gold.

13. The sensor of claim 11, wherein the second conductive layer provides a surface on which one of an oxidation reaction or a reduction reaction of reactant occurs, and wherein an identity of the second metal depends on at least the reactant

14. The sensor of claim 13, wherein the second metal is platinum.

15. The sensor of claim 11, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a continuous layer of the first metal, and wherein the second conductive layer comprises a continuous layer of the second metal.

16. The sensor of claim 11, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a continuous layer of the first metal, and wherein the second conductive layer comprises one or more segmented layers of the second metal.

17. The sensor of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor electrode further comprises a third conductive layer comprising a third metal, wherein the third conductive layer is between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

18. The sensor of claim 17, wherein the third metal is palladium.

19. The sensor of claim 17, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a continuous layer of the first metal, the second conductive layer comprises a continuous layer of the second metal, and the third conductive layer comprises a continuous layer of the third metal.

20. The sensor of claim 17, wherein:

the first conductive layer comprises one or more segments of the first metal, the second conductive layer comprises a continuous layer of the second metal, and the third conductive layer comprises a continuous layer of the third metal.