IP Library Granted Patent US 6,932,894
Granted Patent B2
US 6,932,894 · App. 10/146,518 · Granted Aug 23, 2005

Biosensor membranes composed of polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogens

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,932,894
App. No.
10/146,518
Granted
Aug 23, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

Novel membranes comprising various polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogen groups are described. These membranes are usefully employed in electrochemical sensors, such as amperometric biosensors. More particularly, these membranes effectively regulate a flux of analyte to a measurement electrode in an electrochemical sensor, thereby improving the functioning of the electrochemical sensor over a significant range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes are also described.

Claims (127)

1. A membrane for use in an electrochemical sensor, comprising:

a crosslinker; and

a polymer having the formula:

wherein the solid horizontal line represents a polymer backbone;

A is an alkyl substituted with a water-soluble constituent;

D is selected from a group consisting of phenylalkyl, alkoxystyrene, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, a poly(ethylene glycol)-containing constituent, and a polyhydroxyl-containing constituent; and

each of n, l, p and q is independently a positive number.

2. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein A is negatively charged.

3. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein A is selected from a group consisting of a sulfonate, a carboxylate, and a phosphate.

4. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein A is selected from a group consisting of sulfopropyl, sulfobutyl, carboxypropyl, and carboxypentyl.

5. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein A is of the formula L-G, where L is a C2-C12 linear or branched alkyl linker and G is a negatively charged carboxy or sulfonate.

6. The membrane of claim 5 , wherein L is substituted with an aryl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, —F, —Cl, —OH, aldehyde, ketone, ester, or amide.

7. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein D is styrene or C1-C18 alkyl methacrylate.

8. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein the polymer has a formula selected from a group consisting of:

9. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein an average molecular weight of the polymer is above about 50,000.

10. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein an average molecular weight of the polymer is above about 200,000.

11. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein an average molecular weight of the polymer is above about 1,000,000.

12. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein the polymer further comprises a B-containing copolymer such that the polymer has the formula:

wherein B is a modifier and m is a positive number.

13. The membrane of claim 12 , wherein B is selected from a group consisting of a chelator, a negatively charged constituent, a hydrophobic hydrocarbon constituent, a hydrophilic hydroxyl or polyhydroxy constituent, a silicon polymer, and a poly(ethylene glycol).

14. The membrane of claim 12 , wherein B is a poly(ethylene glycol) having a molecular weight of from about 100 to about 20,000.

15. The membrane of claim 12 , wherein the polymer has a formula selected from a group consisting of:

16. The membrane of claim 12 , wherein [n/(n+m+l+p)]×100% is from about 1% to about 25%.

17. The membrane of claim 12 , wherein [m/(n+m+l+p)]×100% is from about 1% to about 15%.

18. The membrane of claim 12 , wherein [l/(n+m+l+p)]×100% is from about 20% to about 90%.

19. The membrane of claim 12 , wherein [p/(n+m+l+p)]×100% is from about 1% to about 50%.

20. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 , wherein at least one heterocyclic nitrogen constituent of the polymer is independently selected from a group consisting of pyridine, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, and any derivative thereof.

21. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 , wherein at least one heterocyclic nitrogen constituent of the polymer is independently selected from a group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine, 3-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, 1-vinylimidazole, 2-vinylimidazole, and 4-vinylimidazole.

22. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 sufficient to limit a flux of glucose or lactate thereacross.

23. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 sufficient to limit a flux of glucose or lactate thereacross in vivo.

24. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 , wherein the crosslinker comprises at least one epoxide reactive group.

25. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 , wherein the crosslinker has a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 2000.

26. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 , wherein the crosslinker is a derivative of poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(propylene glycol).

27. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 , wherein a weight ratio of the polymer to the crosslinker is from about 4:1 to about 32:1.

28. The membrane of claim 1 or 12 , wherein a weight ratio of the polymer to the crosslinker is from about 8:1 to about 16:1.

29. The membrane of claim 1 , further comprising a layer of poly(ethylene glycol).

30. An electrochemical sensor, comprising:

a working electrode comprising:

a sensing layer in contact with a conductive material of the electrode;

a membrane disposed over the sensing layer, the membrane comprising a crosslinker and a polymer having the formula:

wherein the solid horizontal line represents a polymer backbone;

A is an alkyl substituted with a water-soluble constituent;

D is selected from a group consisting of phenylalkyl, alkoxystyrene, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, a poly(ethylene glycol)containing constituent, and a polyhydroxyl-containing constituent; and

each of n, l, p and q is independently a positive number; and

a counter electrode in electrochemical communication with the working electrode.

31. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein A is negatively charged.

32. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein A is selected from a group consisting of a sulfonate, a carboxylate, and a phosphate.

33. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein A is selected from a group consisting of sulfopropyl, sulfobutyl, carboxypropyl, and carboxypentyl.

34. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein A is of the formula L-G, where L is a C2-C12 linear or branched alkyl linker and G is a negatively charged carboxy or sulfonate.

35. The electrochemical sensor of claim 34 , wherein L is substituted with an aryl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, —F, —Cl, —OH, aldehyde, ketone, ester, or amide.

36. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein D is styrene or C1-C18 alkyl methacrylate.

37. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein the polymer has a formula selected from a group consisting of:

38. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein an average molecular weight of the polymer is above about 50,000.

39. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein an average molecular weight of the polymer is above about 200,000.

40. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein an average molecular weight of the polymer is above about 1,000,000.

41. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein the polymer further comprises a B-containing copolymer such that the polymer has the formula:

wherein B is a modifier and m is a positive number.

42. The electrochemical sensor of claim 41 , wherein B is selected from a group consisting of a chelator, a negatively charged constituent, a hydrophobic hydrocarbon consitituent, a hydrophilic hydroxyl or polyhydroxy constituent, a silicon polymer, and a poly(ethylene glycol).

43. The electrochemical sensor of claim 41 , wherein B is a poly(ethylene glycol) having a molecular weight of from about 100 to about 20,000.

44. The electrochemical sensor of claim 41 , wherein the polymer has a formula selected from a group consisting of:

45. The electrochemical sensor of claim 41 , wherein [n/(n+m+l+p)]×100% is from about 1% to about 25%.

46. The electrochemical sensor of claim 41 , wherein [m/(n+m+l+p)]×100% is from about 1% to about 15%.

47. The electrochemical sensor of claim 41 , wherein [l/(n+m+l+p)]×100% is from about 20% to about 90%.

48. The electrochemical sensor of claim 41 , wherein [p/(n+m+l+p)]×100% is from about 1% to about 50%.

49. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein at least one heterocyclic nitrogen constituent of the polymer is independently selected from a group consisting of pyridine, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, and any derivative thereof.

50. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein at least one heterocyclic nitrogen constituent of the polymer is independently selected from a group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine, 3-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, 1-vinylimidazole, 2-vinylimidazole, and 4-vinylimidazole.

51. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein the membrane is sufficient to limit a flux of glucose or lactate thereacross.

52. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein the membrane is sufficient to limit a flux of glucose or lactate thereacross in vivo.

53. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein the crosslinker comprises at least one epoxide reactive group.

54. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein the crosslinker has a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 2000.

55. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein the crosslinker is a derivative of poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(propylene glycol).

56. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein a weight ratio of the polymer to the crosslinker is from about 4:1 to about 32:1.

57. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 or 41 , wherein a weight ratio of the polymer to the crosslinker is from about 8:1 to about 16:1.

58. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein the membrane further comprises a layer of poly(ethylene glycol).

59. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein the sensing layer comprises an enzyme, an enzyme stabilizer, and a crosslinker.

60. The electrochemical sensor of claim 30 , wherein the sensing layer comprises an enzyme, a polymeric mediator, and a crosslinker.

61. A membrane for use in an electrochemical sensor, comprising:

a crosslinker; and

a polymer having the formula:

wherein the solid horizontal line represents a polymer backbone;

A is a strong acid; and

each of n, l and q is independently a positive number.

62. The membrane of claim 61 , wherein A is such that the heterocyclic nitrogen to which it is attached is zwitterionic.

63. The membrane of claim 61 , wherein A is a stronger acid than carboxylic acid.

64. The membrane of claim 61 , wherein the polymer further comprises a B-containing copolymer such that the polymer has the formula:

wherein B is a modifier and m is a positive number.

65. The membrane of claim 64 , wherein B is selected from a group consisting of a chelator, a negatively charged constituent, a hydrophobic hydrocarbon constituent, a hydrophilic hydroxyl or polyhydroxy constituent, a silicon polymer, and a poly(ethylene glycol).

66. The membrane of claim 61 or 64 , wherein at least one heterocyclic nitrogen constituent of the polymer is independently selected from a group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine, 3-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, 1-vinylimidazole, 2-vinylimidazole, and 4-vinylimidazole.

67. The membrane of claim 61 or 64 sufficient to limit a flux of glucose or lactate thereacross.

68. The membrane of claim 61 or 64 sufficient to limit a flux of glucose or lactate thereacross in vivo.

69. The membrane of claim 61 or 64 , wherein the crosslinker comprises at least one epoxide reactive group.

70. The membrane of claim 61 or 64 , wherein the crosslinker has a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 2000.

71. The membrane of claim 61 or 64 , wherein the crosslinker is a derivative of poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(propylene glycol).

72. The membrane of claim 61 or 64 , wherein a weight ratio of the polymer to the crosslinker is from about 4:1 to about 32:1.

73. The membrane of claim 61 or 64 , wherein a weight ratio of the polymer to the crosslinker is from about 8:1 to about 16:1.

74. The membrane of claim 61 , wherein A is negatively charged.

75. The membrane of claim 61 , wherein A is an alkyl group substituted with a water soluble constituent.

76. The membrane of claim 61 , wherein A comprises a carboxy or sulfonate group.

77. The membrane of claim 61 , wherein A is selected from a group consisting of sulfopropyl, sulfobutyl, carboxypropyl, and carboxypentyl.

78. An electrochemical sensor, comprising:

a working electrode comprising:

a sensing layer in contact with a conductive material of the electrode;

a membrane disposed over the sensing layer, the membrane comprising a crosslinker and a polymer having the formula:

wherein the solid horizontal line represents a polymer backbone;

A is a strong acid and is negatively charged; and

each of n, l and q is independently a positive number; and

a counter electrode in electrochemical communication with the working electrode.

79. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein A is such that the heterocyclic nitrogen to which it is attached is zwitterionic.

80. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein A is a stronger acid than carboxylic acid.

81. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein the polymer further comprises a B-containing copolymer such that the polymer has the formula:

wherein B is a modifier and m is a positive number.

82. The electrochemical sensor of claim 81 , wherein B is selected from a group consisting of a chelator, a negatively charged constituent, a hydrophobic hydrocarbon constituent, a hydrophilic hydroxyl or polyhydroxy constituent, a silicon polymer, and a poly(ethylene glycol).

83. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 , wherein at least one heterocyclic nitrogen constituent of the polymer is independently selected from a group consisting of pyridine, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, and any derivative thereof.

84. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 , wherein at least one heterocyclic nitrogen constituent of the polymer is independently selected from a group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine, 3-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, 1-vinylimidazole, 2-vinylimidazole, and 4-vinylimidazole.

85. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 sufficient to limit a flux of glucose or lactate thereacross.

86. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 sufficient to limit a flux of glucose or lactose thereacross in vivo.

87. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 , wherein the crosslinker comprises at least one epoxide reactive group.

88. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 , wherein the crosslinker has a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 2000.

89. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 , wherein the crosslinker is a derivative of poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(propylene glycol).

90. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 , wherein a weight ratio of the polymer to the crosslinker is from about 4:1 to about 32:1.

91. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 or 81 , wherein a weight ratio of the polymer to the crosslinker is from about 8:1 to about 16:1.

92. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein the sensing layer comprises an enzyme, an enzyme stabilizer, and a crosslinker.

93. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein the sensing layer comprises an enzyme, a polymeric mediator, and a crosslinker.

94. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein A is negatively charged.

95. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein A is an alkyl group substituted with a water soluble constituent.

96. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein A comprises a carboxy or sulfonate group.

97. The electrochemical sensor of claim 78 , wherein A is selected from a group consisting of sulfopropyl, sulfobutyl, carboxypropyl, and carboxypentyl.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 7, 2008
From: THERASENSE, INC.
To: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
Reel/Frame 020480/0269 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2002
From: MAO, FEI; CHO, HYUN
To: THERASENSE, INC.
Reel/Frame 013083/0393 →