Compound material analyte sensor
View Patent ↗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.
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of analyte concentration comprises forming a measurement using body fluid retained on said sensor after said sensor is withdrawn from said animal body.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.