Compound material analyte sensor

• US 7,146,202 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konamite Limited
• Original Assignee: Isense Corporation
• Inventors: Sass, Richard G., Ward, W. Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/869,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20050004438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 600345-350
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• 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 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

A sensing element adapted to, at least in part, be inserted into a mammalian body. The sensing element is made up of a core of a structurally robust metal and a plated portion made of an electrochemically active metal conjoined to at least a portion of the core. This sensing element may be used as part of a method for the continuous or intermittent monitoring of an analyte within a mammalian body. The method includes inserting at least a portion of the sensing element into the mammalian body and measuring any electric current produced by at least of portion of the sensor.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte within an animal body having body fluids, comprising:

(a) providing a sensor having;

(i) a structurally flexible core having an outer surface; and

(ii) a layer of electrochemically active metal surrounding, covering, and in contact with said outer surface of said core;

(b) placing at least a portion of said sensor into said animal body; and

(c) measuring any electric current produced by said sensor and forming a measurement of analyte concentration based on said current measurement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrochemically active metal comprises a noble metal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said noble metal comprises at least one of platinum, palladium, and gold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said core comprises nitinol.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said core comprises tantalum.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said layer of electrochemically active metal is adapted to provide at least one sensing surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said forming a measurement of analyte concentration comprises forming a measurement using body fluid retained on said sensor after said sensor is withdrawn from said animal body.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said placing at least a portion of said sensor into said animal body comprises placing said at least a portion of said sensor in said animal body for less than 3 minutes.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said placing at least a portion of said sensor into said animal body comprises placing said at least a portion of said sensor in said animal body for at least 24 hours.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyte comprises glucose.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said core further comprises at least a first end, and wherein said electrochemically active layer further surrounds, covers, and is in contact with said at least a first end of said core.

12. A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte within an animal body having body fluids, comprising:

(a) providing a sensor having;

(i) a core of polymeric material or glass fiber having an outer surface; and

(ii) a layer of electrochemically active metal surrounding, covering, and in contact with said outer surface of said core;

(b) placing at least a portion of said sensor into said animal body; and

(c) measuring any electric current produced by said sensor and forming a measurement of analyte concentration based on said current measurement.