Electrode with improved signal to noise ratio
First Claim
1. A method of measuring an amount or concentration of a chemical signal in a mammalian subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- extracting the chemical signal from the subject by providing current to an electroosmotic electrode sufficient to create diffusion of a chemical signal across a mammalian subject'"'"'s skin, through a hydrogel medium and to a working electrode, said hydrogel medium comprising water, electrolyte, and an enzyme, wherein the thickness of said hydrogel is in the range of 10 μ
m to 1,000 μ
m, and said working electrode comprised of a plurality of substantially physically separated electrode surfaces and an electroosmotic electrode, wherein (i) the working electrode surfaces are separated by a gap having a width in a range of 10 μ
m to 1,000 μ
m, (ii) an electrically insulating material is positioned in each gap separating the electrode surfaces, (iii) the working electrode is characterized by a substantially planar configuration, and (iv) the working electrode has a thickness in a range of 0.25 μ
m to 250 μ
m;
providing a voltage to each of the working electrode surfaces of the working electrode sufficient to drive electrochemical detection of chemical signal which generates an electrical current at the working electrode surfaces, wherein said electrical current is generated at the working electrode surfaces by electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen peroxide producing an electrical signal;
measuring the electrical current generated at the working electrode surfaces; and
correlating the measured current to the amount or concentration of chemical signal in the mammalian subject.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode assembly for sensing an electrochemical signal diffused from a source to a working electrode which is comprised of a plurality of substantially separated working electrode surfaces is disclosed. The electrode of the invention is comprised of 1) a working electrode made up of a plurality of working electrode surfaces or components and 2) a electrically insulating gap defined by adjacent edges of 1) insulating the working electrode surfaces or components from each other. The working electrode components are configured to receive electrochemical signal from two or preferably three dimensions simultaneously. The working electrode components configured over the same surface as a single electrode provide (1) an improved signal to noise ratio as compared to a single electrode by reducing noise, and (2) provide an overall enhanced signal after sensing for a given period of time.
152 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of measuring an amount or concentration of a chemical signal in a mammalian subject, the method comprising the steps of:
-
extracting the chemical signal from the subject by providing current to an electroosmotic electrode sufficient to create diffusion of a chemical signal across a mammalian subject'"'"'s skin, through a hydrogel medium and to a working electrode, said hydrogel medium comprising water, electrolyte, and an enzyme, wherein the thickness of said hydrogel is in the range of 10 μ
m to 1,000 μ
m, and said working electrode comprised of a plurality of substantially physically separated electrode surfaces and an electroosmotic electrode, wherein (i) the working electrode surfaces are separated by a gap having a width in a range of 10 μ
m to 1,000 μ
m, (ii) an electrically insulating material is positioned in each gap separating the electrode surfaces, (iii) the working electrode is characterized by a substantially planar configuration, and (iv) the working electrode has a thickness in a range of 0.25 μ
m to 250 μ
m;
providing a voltage to each of the working electrode surfaces of the working electrode sufficient to drive electrochemical detection of chemical signal which generates an electrical current at the working electrode surfaces, wherein said electrical current is generated at the working electrode surfaces by electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen peroxide producing an electrical signal;
measuring the electrical current generated at the working electrode surfaces; and
correlating the measured current to the amount or concentration of chemical signal in the mammalian subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of measuring an amount or concentration of glucose in a mammalian subject, the method comprising the steps of:
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extracting the glucose from the subject by providing current to an electroosmotic electrode sufficient to create diffusion of glucose across a mammalian subject'"'"'s skin, through a hydrogel medium and to a working electrode, said hydrogel medium comprising water, electrolyte, and glucose oxidase, wherein the thickness of said hydrogel is in the range of 10 μ
m to 1,000 μ
m, and said working electrode comprised of a plurality of substantially physically separated electrode surfaces and an electroosmotic electrode, wherein (i) the working electrode surfaces are separated by a gap having a width in a range of 10 μ
m to 1,000 μ
m, (ii) an electrically insulating material is positioned in each gap separating the electrode surfaces, (iii) the working electrode is characterized by a substantially planar configuration, and (iv) the working electrode has a thickness in a range of 0.25 μ
m to 250 μ
m;
converting glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide by catalysis using glucose oxidase, producing an electrical current at the working electrode surfaces, wherein said electrical current is generated at the working electrode surfaces by electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen peroxide;
measuring the electrical current generated by the electrochemical oxidation at the working electrode surfaces; and
correlating the measured current to the amount or concentration of glucose in the mammalian subject. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification